HERE ARE 35 areas to have your players work on to eliminate fumbles. Many costly turnovers can be prevented with
practice and a mind-set that’s intolerant of mistakes.
1. Quarterback drops back before the snap is secure.
2. Poor communication between the QB and center.
3. Not always a nose on the center.
4. Improper leverage on the ball.
5. Not carrying the ball in the outside arm.
6. Switching the ball.
7. Poor tackles (arm strength).
8. Forgetting the ball (ball consciousness).
9. Unexpected collisions.
10. QBs not putting the ball away.
11. Lazy QBs who do not look the pocket or bend their knees.
12. QBs with poor hand and grip strength.
13. Failure of a player to look the ball into their hands.
14. Failure of a receiver to tuck it away.
15. A pitch behind the running back.
16. A bad pitch.
17. Failure to look in the pitch.
18. Optioning two consecutive defenders.
19. A player not expecting to be tackled the instant they receive the ball.
20. Getting tackled from behind.
21. Failure to bend the knees and lower the shoulders.
22. A back elbow and leg in a pocket.
23. Elongated rides.
24. Failure to practice and anticipate a blitz-beater.
25. Spinning around on a run.
26. One-handed QBs.
27. Too much thinking and not enough instinct on offense.
28. Weather (have your players practice with a wet ball).
29. Failure to talk about fumble problems during practice.
30. Using too many players on reverses.
31. Bobbling a snap and attempting to continue the play.
32. Lack of confidence.
33. An irresponsible QB.
34. Back’s improper path (cutting too soon).
35. Lack of character.