“TD Drill” Improves Open-Field Blocking, Ball-Carrier Techniques & Tackling In The Red Zone

THE “TD DRILL” IS an excellent drill that improves three critical skill areas simultaneously. It’s extremely competitive and our players love it. The objective of the drill is to improve open-field tackling, blocking and ball-carrier technique.

DIAGRAM: TD Drill.

Set up four cones as shown with two on the goal-line and two at the 10-yard line. Align the players in the following groups:

 Ball carriers.
 Blockers.
 Two groups of tacklers.

Have the groups of players set up in single-file lines behind each of the four cones.

On the coaches command, the ball carrier follows his blocker and tries to score while the two defenders try to stop him. The blocker gets off and blocks the first defender that threatens the ball carrier.

The ball carrier eludes tacklers by making cuts off the blocker and attempts to score.