Paying attention to the “little things” can help maximize the production of your running backs.
The off-season is a critical time to develop your quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers. The fundamentals that can be mastered during this time are paramount. It is the “little things” that can be worked on such as proper stance, how to explode out of your stance and what to do with your eyes before the snap of the ball.
I spend a lot of time in the off-season developing the footwork of my athletes, and I run a variety of drills that will enhance footwork. Quick, nimble feet will make attacking defenders wrap up air and help your running backs maximize the amount of yards per rushing attempt.
As coaches, we’re all looking for that one player that can make our lives easier during a season. That one player that makes people miss, explodes effortlessly through the line of scrimmage, accelerates like a lightning bolt, and has a strong will to excel. Here are some “little things” I teach during the off-season.
EYES
When my running backs break the huddle, I tell them not to look at the intended hole. I do this because I know the defense is watching the running back’s eyes as he leaves the huddle. The defense is looking for any clues as to where the ball may be going.
Eventually, my running back will peek at the hole he is getting ready to explode into. To counter this, I tell my running backs once they get into their stance, to roll their eyes to the left, then to the right, and back to the middle. I believe by doing this every time they get into their stance, the defense cannot get a radar lock as to what side of the field the play is going to.
STANCE - WHAT TO LOOK FOR
It all starts with the stance. Some running backs are stiff in their stance while others will flow to their stance and settle into the perfect two-point stance. I find that a back that is stiff is “muscle tense” and becomes a statue. These backs have limited ability to explode out of their stance. These players can be a challenge but through repetition and working on the “little things” they will soften up their stiffness.
I like my running backs with their feet shoulder-width apart and toes pointed straight ahead. I like a slight bend in their knees and their backs straight. Their hands can be palms down on their thigh boards or cupped just above the knee. The thumbs are pointed inward toward the medial aspect of the body and the remaining four fingers are pointed toward the lateral part of the body. The arms should be bent slightly.
I teach my tailbacks to curl their toes while they are in their two-point stance. Let’s say a sweep to the right is called and the tailback is getting the ball. My tailback will curl up his left toes for this play. I do this for a few reasons: (1) it prevents false stepping, (2) while in the standing position, it gives the tailback extra power to accelerate out of his stance, (3) It gives the tailback a psychological advantage knowing he is coming out of his stance faster than the opposing defense, or at least he thinks he is, (4) and all the “little things” lead your running back to have superior confidence in his talent.
PRESSURE POINTS
Defensive coaches are using various techniques to pry the ball away from offensive backs. They are teaching their players to strike the elbow of their back with the heel of their palm. Upon striking the elbow, they then thrust their arm up causing the elbow to lose a major contact point with the body. Once the elbow has been unlocked, the defensive player uses his free hand to strike the ball loose.
This technique is very effective if practiced on a regular basis. It is incredible how fast a defensive player can unlock a ball from a back once this technique is engrained in muscle memory. To counter this, you must educate your backs on this technique. This will help them understand the importance of ball security.
You must go over pressure points with your backs. I instruct my backs to separate their index and forefinger so each finger is on each side of the nose of the ball. I then have them place the ball against their forearm, bicep, ribs, and lock down the opposite point of the ball with their elbow. The ball must be high and tight. They must remember to use all pressure points.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN RUNNING
Some running backs see daylight easily. Their eyes and their mind have been trained or enhanced to anticipate a hole opening up before anyone else sees it. Vision is a God-given gift for some while for others it has to be conditioned.
I have had players that could run like the wind and have the power to break tackles but they lacked the basic understanding on how to read blocks. Do not take it for granted that your running backs understand anticipation.
It is very disappointing when you see that a player has natural talent but cannot process information while running. To improve upon this, show your athlete on film what anticipation is. Show him film of great running backs and how they set up defenders and waited for their offensive linemen to do their job. Show him how the blocking scheme works against different fronts.
Tape your running back going live against your scout team. Watching himself and the offensive line on film will accelerate his learning curve. Repetition will condition his mind, body and eyes to process information and use the power of anticipation to enhance the natural gifts he has.
Other things to look for are: does your running back stop his feet when a defender makes contact with him? Does your running back run straight up, making him a large target that is easy to hit? Has your running back been trained to run with high knees? Has he been taught how to run with a ball at full speed? Does your running back know how to transition the ball from one arm to the other while running a full speed?
The “little things” add up quickly to be big things if you ignore the basics. The basics build unwavering confidence in your players.
BLOCKING
Finding a complete running back is not easy. The one fundamental obstacle that separates a good back from a great back is blocking. Can your RB pick up a blitzing linebacker? Did you show your running back how to use his body correctly to stop a blitzing linebacker? There are a lot of running backs that rack up big time yardage but the ability to block shows scouts and coaches a mental toughness and a willingness to do whatever it takes for the good of the team.
When you’re instructing your running backs to block, make sure you go over every scenario. Drill them on best and worst case scenarios. Teach them what they can do with their body to minimize injury and defeat a defender.
BEST CASE
The ball is snapped and the quarterback is dropping back going through his key or progressions. Your running back recognizes a blitz from the outside linebacker. As your running back begins to engage the defender, his feet should chew grass. Have him use short, choppy steps to help him come to balance, with knees bent, hands holstered, ready to strike. As your back strikes with the palms of his hands into the chest of the defender, he rolls his hips up to unleash power that has been harnessed while coming to balance.
WORST CASE
Your running back has realized he is out of position to protect his quarterback. His butt is pointing parallel with the line of scrimmage and is not tracking your quarterback. He did not chew grass and come to balance and the power of the hips can’t be used.
In this case, I instruct my backs to do the following: if the blitzing linebacker is coming from the right, use their left hand as a power hand and stick it into the defenders hip, push with that hand and try to keep the blitzer going upfield and away from the quarterback. If the blitzer decides to change his course of direction, I instruct the RB to use his right hand and strike the defender in the chest with the heel of the palm as soon as he recognizes a change in direction. This technique is effective if practiced repeatedly.
About the Author: Doug Heslip is a Team USA Assistant Coach and a former head coach at Gwinn High School (MI). He has 15 years of coaching experience and is the founder of the “Hitch It and Rip It” football camps. Heslip also serves as a member of the Congressional Youth Advisory Board.
About the Authors: Now in his second season as head coach at Ohio Wesleyan, Tom Watts finished his first year with a 9-1 record. He previously served as the special teams coordinator, defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator At Baldwin Wallace. A 2002 graduate of Hanover College, Watts has also coached at Westminster college, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and Waynesburg College.
Matt Brown recently joined the staff of Franklin College as offensive line coach after serving as tight ends coach at Ohio Wesleyan. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Baldwin Wallace and also coached there as a student assistant.