THIS COMBINATION DRILLING regimen for running backs was originally designed to save practice time. But the end result produced not only much better time management, but also increased work and the skill level on all RB techniques.
For each combination drill, there’s emphasis on running and blocking skills. Each drill starts with the execution of one of our offensive plays.

Easy To Set Up
The drills can be performed with very little equipment. The three most important pieces you will need are:
1.  A line of scrimmage marker. We use a fire hose that has the line positions colored in to represent the LOS.
2.  Blocking and tackling bags that will be used as area markers or in place of the blaster. They can also be used as defenders for the backs to block, although it’s preferable to use real players.
3.  Collapsible cones or some other type of small area markers. If you have a blaster and ropes, they will certainly come in handy.

Note: When you perform these drills you must be organized. Different coaches should supervise a different aspect of each drill. The next set of RBs must be set up and ready to start immediately after the backs in front of them begin their repetition.

32/38 Drill
We run the Wing-T offense. Our three most popular combination drills work on three different points of attack. The first one we work is off tackle. Our best off-tackle play is the 32/38. In this play, the fullback executes a kick-out block on the tight end and the ball carrier cuts inside of him off tackle.

The following drill happens to be our signature drill and the one we work the longest. By varying the play you run and the skills being performed through the drill, you can condense a lot of work in a short period of time and keep it fun for your kids. Every player must be able to execute the play perfectly before your team can perform the drill.

Make sure your QB follows through with a bootleg fake and that the FB executes a proper kick-out block.

DIAGRAM 1: 32/38 Drill. This is the staple RB drill that we perform every day. It’s performed using the two backs lined up in the backfield, the quarterback and a live defender for the FB to perform his kick-out block on. It’s an all-inclusive drill that combines play execution with variable RB skills.


Part 1: The FB executes a kick-out block on the end man on the LOS. The halfback takes the handoff over the midline and cuts into the LOS inside the FB’s block.

Part 2: The HB bursts through either the blaster or two bags held by coaches. If you don’t have a blaster or enough bags, have two live players stand side-by-side and lay their shoulders into the HB as he goes through. HB must get his head up and be ready for the next part of the drill.

Part 3: The HB does one of the following through a series of half rounds, ropes or bags: Step overs with one foot over the bags; side cuts, where he laterally goes around each bag without crossing his feet; stutter steps that utilize 4 stutter steps between each bag.

Part 4: The HB executes proper cuts around the cones. Players must always cut off the outside foot.

Part 5: HB will either cut off the movement of the bag by the coach or he’ll drive into the bag and perform a spin move off it.

Belly Drill, Dive Variation
This is another drill based off a play in our offense, but you can implement it with any play that uses a lead blocker. It’s a great drill because the HB gets live blocking repetitions and the FB gets repetitions learning how to read and cut off a lead block.

The defender works on his technique for shedding a blocker. He may make a thud tackle if he is able to shake the blocker.

Dive variation.

Set up a LOS marker (fire hose) and two boundary markers (half rounds) that straddle the areas where your player will go. Separate the markers by 3 yards. A defender (LB) is placed between the boundaries.

Executing a play (belly play shown here), the lead blocker will block the defender and turn him in any direction he chooses. The ball carrier must read the block and make the right cut upfield for 5 yards. The defender will try to execute a thud tackle. Run drill in both directions.

Coaching Point: Each player must execute proper footwork on the play and make sure the HB executes a proper freeze block on the LB. If the LB commits in a direction, the HB should block him in that direction. The FB must keep his head up and attempt to get behind his blocker long enough to read the direction he should cut.

Sweep Drill
This drill was designed to work on the outside running game. The lead blocker will get repetitions for open-field blocking while the ball carrier is learning how to read open-field blocks.

Run this drill in both directions and you may substitute the bags for a live tackler.

 Sweep drill. The blocker will come out of his stance and perform a lead block on a bag lined up 10 yards to the side and 5 yards back. The ball carrier will follow the blocker in a 2-by-1 relationship (2 yards back and 1 yard outside).

The ball carrier will read the block and make the proper north or south cut upfield. Both the blocker and runner should be running an arc motion on the way to the defender. They shouldn’t take a course straight out of the stance toward the defender. Always try to make these drills simulate game-like conditions.