NO POSITION ON the team is quite like the tight end position. A TE needs the size, strength and blocking technique of a lineman, combined with the speed, hands and route-running discipline of a wide out.
This unique blend of position skill sets demands a special coaching approach. Tom Bass, the former NFL, college and high school coach and current member of the Gridiron Strategies Editorial Advisory Board, shares a few of his favorite TE drills that stress the importance of running crisp, precise routes.
X Short-Routes Drill. The coach lines up 10 yards downfield. A TE and a LB line up as if on the LOS. To start the drill, the coach calls a short route and on the coach’s signal, the TE releases around the LB and runs the short route. The coach closely observes the TE’s release and pattern and offers feedback.
The same setup is also helpful for practicing medium routes — including the in, out and hook routes. In those drills, the coach should line up 20 yards downfield.
Make certain that the TE steps forward with his first step, releases on the correct side of the defender and moves at full speed as soon as possible. On medium pass routes, the TE should adjust his route to position the defender away from his final cut.
X Deep-Routes Drill. A coach lines up 10 yards downfield and outside the TE. A TE and LB each line up on the LOS. The coach calls the route and signals the start of the play. On the coach’s signal, the TE releases and runs the pattern. The coach offers immediate feedback. For the post or corner patterns, a DB or another TE line up 8 yards down the field inside or outside the TE’s original position.
Check the TE’s release and drive up the field. He should break on both patterns at the correct depth. On corner routes, the TE must sell the post before breaking to the outside.
For an in-depth look at Bass’s methods for developing rock-solid TEs, check out the article on page 18.