In our offensive passing game, we primarily use three routes: the Slant (2) route, the Curl or Hitch (4) route and the Dig (6) route. Thus the name, “246 Drill.” Begin by setting up four cones for this drill (See Diagram).
To start the drill, the receivers will execute the drill at a slow pace such as a jog. They are to focus on footwork and major coaching points. After a couple of times through, they then execute at full speed.
We begin with the receivers lining up behind the first cone. Upon command, the first receiver will approach the second cone and perform the slant route, show hands and pretend to catch a ball and tuck. He will then proceed to the next cone and perform the curl or hitch route. Again, he will show hands, pretend to catch and tuck. Finally, at the fourth cone he will perform the dig route, show hands, pretend to catch, tuck and finish. I instruct the next receiver to start when the first receiver has made his first break (after the slant route).
Coaching Points:
1. Receivers should work on running tall during routes and then lowering hips and snapping their upper torso forward when approaching the stick.
2. WRs should give head and shoulder fakes.
Diagram: The 246 Drill
3. Receivers should work their arms during the stick and break to give the illusion they are still moving forward.
4. WRs should work on foot fire into break.
5. Make sure the receivers are ‘sticking’ the routes with the correct footwork.
6. Be sure the receivers show hands, pause on slants and digs and come to a stop on curl/hitch.
7. All of the techniques above should be ‘over-emphasized’ during the jogging phase of the drill.
8. At full speed, you should see the same techniques performed.
9. When at full speed the receivers need to get into breaks and then burst out of the break to the next route. This simulates bursting out after a catch.
The next day, set up the cones in the opposite direction to have practice breaking to the right. The receivers perform the drill just as they did before.
If you do not have cones available, you can use the hash mark at a yard line on the field to start the drill. The numbers are on the field target for the curl route and then back to the yard line they started on for the dig route to finish. Hope you find this drill helpful.
Rocky Boaz is an assistant coach at Salado High School (TX). He can be reached at rocky.boaz@saladoisd.org.