RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK

DRILL PHILOSOPHY

 NOTHING WILL BE DRILLED THAT DOES NOT DIRECTLY APPLY TO A

GAME SCENARIO / SITUATION
 THESE PLAYERS WILL NOT BE “OVER DRILLED”, WE WILL NOT USE
HUNDREDS OF DRILLS BECAUSE THIS PREVENTS US FROM
BECOMING GOOD OR CONFIDENT AT ANYTHING
 WE WILL USE VIDEO TO DEMONSTRATE PROPER TECHNIQUES &
DRILLS
o THESE VIDEOS WILL BE COMPRISED OF OUR OWN PLAYERS &
OTHER PLAYERS THROUGHOUT THE LEAGUE
o WE MUST SHOW THEM WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN IT IS DONE
RIGHT & WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN THEY DO IT RIGHT
 “YOUR BODY CAN’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MENTAL
& PHYSICAL REP IF YOU’RE REALLY KEYED IN” (i.e. DREAMS SEE
/ FEEL REAL)
o MUST TAKE MENTAL REPS TO EXPERIENCE & PRACTICE ALL THE
DIFFERENT READS & LOOKS YOU MAY EXPERIENCE

STANCE

 WEIGHT SHOULD BE ON THE BALLS OF THE FEET

 FEET SHOULD BE SHOULDER WIDTH APART
o ALLOW SOME LEVEL OF COMFORT TO EACH BACK
o EVERY PLAYER IS DIFFERENT, AS LONG AS THEIR FOOTWORK
IS PROPER & THEIR TEMPO IS EFFICIENT THE STANCE IS
EFFECTIVE
 KNEES MUST BE BENT
 HANDS WILL BE RESTING JUST ABOVE THE KNEES

FOOTWORK

 INTRODUCTION
o ALL FOOTWORK MUST BE DRILLED EVERY DAY WITH THE
QUARTERBACKS TO ACHIEVE PROPER BALL HANDLING &
TIMING ON RUNS & RUN ACTIONS
 OPEN, CROSSOVER, ROLL FOOTWORK (RIDE SERIES / INSIDE ZONE)
o OPEN STEP WITH PLAYSIDE FOOT
o CROSSOVER STEP WITH INSIDE FOOT
o ROLL STEP DOWNHILL WITH PLAYSIDE FOOT
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
o MUST HAVE SHOULDERS SQUARE TO THE L.O.S. ON 3RD STEP
TO HAVE FULL VISION & SEE BACKDOOR CUT
 DROP STEP OPPOSITE (SLASH SERIES & JAB SERIES)
o OPPOSITE FOOT GOES BACK
o OPEN TO PROPER TRACK IMMEDIATELY
o CAN RIDE THE BACK FOOT FOR TIMING ON CERTAIN RUNS
 SHUFFLE GATHER (COUNTER F)
o SHUFFLE “OUT & OVER”
 LATERAL STEP WITH OUTSIDE LEG (BACKSIDE LEG),
GATHER STEP WITH INSIDE LEG (BRING THEM
TOGETHER)
 CAN TURN SHOULDERS OR GO FARTHER FOR MORE SELL
IF READING THE FULLBACK
 MUST KEEP SHOULDERS SQUARE IF READING IT LIKE
POWER
 OPEN LEAD (SPRINT SERIES)
o OPEN LEAD STEP WITH PLAYSIDE FOOT
 USED FOR QUARTERBACK’S TIMING
o SPRINT ON PROPER TRACK
 OPEN (TOSS SERIES)
o OPEN HIPS (DROP STEP) & GO PARALLEL TO THE LINE OF
SCRIMMAGE

SHOTGUN RUNNING

 A BACK MUST HAVE GOOD VISION & FEEL TO RUSH SUCCESSFULLY

FROM THE SHOTGUN
o NEED TO HAVE EXPERIENCE DOING THIS, MUST MAJOR IN IT
 THE BACK HAS LESS TIME (5 YARDS INSTEAD OF THE STANDARD 7
YARDS) TO MAKE HIS READ & CUT
o ALIGN WITH YOUR TOES AT THE HEELS OF THE QUARTERBACK
 THE COMBINATION OF THIS & THE TURNING OF THE
SHOULDERS WITH THE BUCKET STEP RESTRICTS VISION
 INSIDE ZONES & GAP SCHEMES
o 6 INCH “BUCKET STEP” TO THE QUARTERBACK TO RECIEVER
THE BALL (LOSE A LITTLE GROUND)
 THIS HELPS KEEP THE SHOULDERS AS SQUARE TO THE
L.O.S. AS POSSIBLE, YET STILL TURNS THEM
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
o MUST START WITH AN AIMING POINT IN THE FRONTSIDE “A”
GAP OR YOU’LL NEVER MAKE THE BACKSIDE CUT
 STRETCH SCHEMES
o COME ACROSS AS FAST AS POSSIB LE & SEEK TO CIRCLE THE
DEFENSE
 DRAW SCHEMES
o WANT TO MAKE DRAWS LOOK LIKE FREE RELEASE PASS (ALIGN
WIDER)
o SHUFFLE TO THE FRONTSIDE GUARD
 TRAP SCHEMES
o AIMING POINT BECOMES THE NEAR LEG OF THE CENTER

BALL SECURITY

 INTRODUCTION
o BALL SECURITY IS A SKILL THAT MUST BE ACQUIRED &
DEVELOPED
o COACHES MUST DRILL IT & PLAYERS MUST WORK AT IT IN
ORDER TO ACHIEVE A LEVEL OF COMFORT
 3 POINTS OF PRESSURE
 TIP OF THE BALL: MUST BE PROTECTED, CAN USE EITHER
THE INDEX FINGER OVER THE POINT OR A SPLIT
FINGERED APPROACH
 CREASE OF THE ELBOW
 AGAINST THE BODY: HIGH & TIGHT OR ACROSS THE
BODY (OPPOSITE PECK LOCATION, MORE COMFORTABLE
FOR BACKS WITH LONG ARMS)
 BONUS 4TH POINT = OPPOSITE ARM OVER BALL: OCCURS
IN TRAFFIC & SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY A FLAT BACK
OVER THE BALL
 FUNDAMENTALS OF CARRYING THE BALL
o MAIN COACHING POINT IS THE WRIST MUST BE ABOVE THE
ELBOW AT ALL TIMES
 MOST FUMBLES OCCUR IN THE NFL EACH YEAR BECAUSE
BALL CARRIERS HAVE THEIR WRIST BELOW THEIR ELBOW
o THE BALL MUST BE CARRIED “AWAY FROM THE DEFENSE”
(OUTSIDE ARM)
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
 WHEN RUNNING TO THE RIGHT THE BALL SHOULD BE IN
THE RIGHT ARM, WHEN RUNNING TO THE LEFT THE BALL
SHOULD BE IN THE LEFT ARM
 CARRYING THE BALL IN THE OUTSIDE ARM, “AWAY FROM
THE DEFENSE”, ALLOWS FOR FULL USE OF THE “TOOL
BOX” (i.e. ENABLES STIFF ARM, RIP ARM)
o NEVER SWITCH HANDS IN TRAFFIC OR WHEN REVERSING FIELD
(UNTIL 4-5 YARDS FROM THE SIDELINE)
o ALWAYS SWITCH OVER THE TOP WHEN SWITCHING HANDS,
THERE IS MORE NATURAL PROTECTION FOR THE BALL WITH
THIS METHOD THAN WITH SWITCHING UNDERNEATH
 WAYS THE BALL COMES OUT
o WRIST BELOW ELBOW
o ELBOW AWAY FROM BODY
o BALL CARRIER STUMBLING TO GROUND
 MUST DRILL THIS SCENARIO

ENTRY INTO LINE OF SCRIMMAGE & BREAKING TACKLES

 FUNDAMENTALS OF ENTRY INTO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE

o MUST PLAY WITH GREAT PAD LEVEL / LEVERAGE
 NEVER GET HIGHER THAN WHEN IN 2 POINT STANCE
o MUST KNOW & UNDERSTAND ALL READS & BE DECISIVE
 DO NOT “CHECK” FEET
 “RUN THROUGH THE SMOKE”
 “SLOW TO, FAST THROUGH” MENTALITY
o “FLAT BACK ENTRY” (“PLAY LIKE YOU’RE 5’9”)
 ENTER WITH KNEES BENT, FLAT BACK, & EYES UP
 THIS ENTRY WILL PROVIDE POWER TO BREAK
TACKLES, & BALANCE TO IMPROVE CUTS
o WE WANT THE KNEES & FEET UP (ABOVE THE ANKLE)
NATURALLY WHEN RUNNING THROUGH THE LINE OF
SCRIMMAGE
 TO ACHIEVE THIS COACHES MUST DRILL IT USING
AGILES THAT ARE ANKLE HIGH (THIS HEIGHT IS ALL
THAT IS NEEDED)
 FUNDAMENTALS OF TACKLE BREAKING
o “FLAT BACK ENTRY” POSTURE PROVIDES THE POWER &
BALANCE NECESSARY TO BREAK TACKLES
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
 A BACK THAT RAISES UP LOSES POWER & WILL NOT
BREAK TACKLES
o MUST TAKE HALF A MAN, DO NOT RUN DOWN THE MIDDLE OF A
DEFENDER
o MUST BE PREPARED TO GET A FOOT IN THE GROUND & BREAK
ARM TACKLES AGAINST FASTER FLOWING DEFENSES
o FEET MUST BE RUNNING ON CONTACT
 MAINTAIN “KNEE DRIVE”, RAISING THE FEET OVER THE
ANKLES
 THIS MUST BE CONSISTENTLY DRILLED BY USING THE
GAUNTLET
 DRILL IT WITH SPECIFIC PLAYS & FOOTWORK
 AFTER GOING THROUGH IT NORMALLY STAND THEM
DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF IT & HAVE THEM GO
THROUGH WITHOUT A RUNNING START

“TOOL BOX”

 INTRODUCTION
o EVERY BACK MUST HAVE A “TOOL BOX” THAT THEY CAN USE TO
BE THE MOST EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE PLAYER POSSIBLE
o THESE TOOLS ENABLE A BACK TO PLAY TO THEIR MAXIMUM
ABILITY & TURN WHAT LOOKS LIKE A SMALL RUN INTO A BIG
PLAY
 POWER / CONTACT TOOLS
o STIFF ARM
 THE AIMING POINT FOR A STIFF ARM IS THE “RIDDELL”
ON THE DEFENDER’S HELMET (CROWN)
 “SEE THE TARGET, HIT THE TARGET” MENTALITY
 THIS MUST BE DRILLED WITH BAGS AT FULL SPEED
 WANT TO STAY AWAY FROM THE FACEMASK TO AVOID A
PENALTY
 WANT TO STAY AWAY FROM THE CHEST BECAUSE THIS
WILL PUT THE DEFENDER IN TOO CLOSE PROXIMITY TO
THE BACK & ALLOW HIM TO GRAB
o RIP ARM
 THIS SKILL USES A SAME HIP, SAME ARM TECHNIQUE &
PROVIDES THE BACK WITH A GOOD POWER & BALANCE
ANSWER
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
 THE BACK WILL DIP HIS INSIDE SHOULDER & HIP LOW
FOR LEVERAGE, LEAN INTO THE DEFENDER, & FLIPPER UP
& THROUGH HIM
 JUST LIKE THE SHOULDER & HIP DIP LOW
TOGETHER THEY RISE UP TOGETHER
 THE STRIKE IS LOW TO HIGH
 OPEN FIELD TOOLS
o “ATTACK ANGLES”: DO NOT RUN TO THE SIDELINE THIS
MAKES IT EASIER ON THE DEFENDER WHO IS TAUGHT TO USE
THE SIDELINE AS A 12TH DEFENDER
 INSTEAD RUN RIGHT AT THE DEFENDER, “STRAIGHTEN
HIM UP” & FORCE HIM TO DEFEND BOTH DIRECTIONS
(MAXIMIZE SPACE)
 i.e. FRANK GORE
o SPEED CUT
 THIS CUT IS USED WHEN THE BACK SEEKS TO SIMPLY
RUN AWAY FROM THE DEFENDER
 THIS IS A FOOT IN THE GROUND & GO CUT & DOES NOT
REQUIRE DROPPING OF THE HIPS (COMING TO BALANCE)
o JAB & RIP CUT
 THIS CUT IS USED WHEN THE BACK SEEKS TO SET THE
DEFENDER IN ONE DIRECTION WITH A JAB STEP THEN
BREAK OPPOSITE
 JAB STEP OPPOSITE OF THE FINAL BREAK DROPPING THE
HIPS (COME TO BALANCE) & SELL IT WITH THE HEAD,
SHOULDERS, & EYES
 AFTER THE JAB STEP THE BACK WILL BREAK OPPOSITE TO
MAKE HIS EXIT & RIP THE ARM CLOSEST TO THE
DEFENDER LOW & TURN THE SHOULDERS TO MINIMIZE
SURFACE AREA & PROTECT THE FOOTBALL
o JAB & COUNTER CUT
 THIS CUT IS USED WHEN THE BACKS SEEKS TO “SET UP”
THE DEFENDER WITH MULTIPLE JABS
 THIS IS A JAB, JAB, & GO CUT
 THE FIRST JAB WILL BE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE EXIT
o HEISMAN
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
 THIS IS USED TO PROTECT THE BACK FROM BEING TAKEN
DOWN BY A DEFENDER SEEKING TO GRAB HIS INSIDE
LEG
 WHEN A DEFENDER LEAVES HIS FEET & LUNGES / DIVES
AT THE FEET OF A BACK HE MUST LIFT HIS INSIDE LEG
UP & STIFF ARM THE HELMET OF THAT DEFENDER
o SPIN (TWISTER & TORNADO)
 THIS IS USED AS A 2ND LEVEL MOVE ONLY BECAUSE IF
USED WHEN ENTERING THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE IT
BECOMES A BALL SECURITY RISK
 A SPIN TO THE RIGHT IS A “TWISTER”, A SPIN TO THE
LEFT IS A “TORNADO”
 THIS TOOL STARTS WITH A LEAD STEP OPPOSITE OF THE
DIRECTION OF THE SPIN (FULL STEP WITH SHOULDER
TURN)
 AFTER THE LEAD STEP THE BACK WILL “SLAP” THE
DEFENDER WITH HIS SPIN SIDE ARM & THEN COMPLETE
THE SPIN
 MUST MAINTAIN BALL SECURITY THROUGHOUT THE MOVE
 PAD LEVEL IS NOT PARAMOUNT DURING THE SPIN
 THIS MOVE CAN ALSO BE USED AS A TOOL TO BREAK
TACKLES & TENDS TO OCCUR NATURALLY

PLAY ACTION FAKES

 FUNDAMENTALS OF PLAY ACTION FAKES

o WE WILL DRILL THESE USING A GROUND LEVEL CAMERA TO
COMPARE THE BALL HANDLING & ACTION OF THE RUN & THE
RUN ACTION FAKE
o THE GOAL IS FOR THESE TWO TO LOOK EXACTLY THE SAME
 WE DO NOT WANT TO OVER EXAGGERATE THE RUN
ACTION IF WE DO NOT HANDLE THE RUN THAT WAY
o AFTER THE MESH WE WILL ENTER THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
USING “FLAT BACK ENTRY” POSTURE & WANT TO “ROCK THE
BABY” TWO TIMES DURING OUR ENTRY
 SHOWING SOME BALL MOVEMENT ADDS TO THE QUALITY
& REALISM OF THE FAKE

PASS PROTECTION
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
 INTRODUCTION
o PASS PROTECTION REQUIRES A MENTALITY OR ATTITUDE /
SWAGGER
 IF A BACK FINISHES RUNS PROPERLY HE HAS THE
PROPER SWAGGER IN HIM TO BLOCK EFFECTIVELY
 IT IS THE COACH’S JOB TO GET THAT MENTALITY OUT OF
THE PLAYER IF HE POSSESSES IT
o THE GOAL IS TO MIMIC AN OFFENSIVE TACKLE WITH OUR
BLOCKING APPROACH & TECHNIQUE
o WE MUST BECOME EXPERTS IN THE SET & SETTLE PHASES OF
PASS PROTECTION BY TRAINING CAMP
 THESE WILL BE CONSISTENTLY DRILLED IN OTA’s & MINI
CAMPS
 WE WILL WAIT UNTIL WE ARE IN PADS TO WORK THE
STRIKE PHASE
 THE 3 S’s
o SET
 THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF PASS BLOCKING
 CLOSE THE DISTANCE (“EAT SPACE”) BETWEEN THE BACK
& THE DEFENDER
 THE BIGGEST ISSUE / CHALLENGE IN PASS
PROTECTION IS SPACE
 WE WANT TO TAKE HIM ON AS CLOSE TO THE LINE
OF SCRIMMAGE AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IF HE BULL
RUSHES HE WILL WIND UP PUSHING US BACKWARD
AT LEAST A LITTLE & WE MUST STAY OUT OF THE
“HULA-HOOP” (QUARTERBACK’S POCKET)
 THE AIMING POINT IS THE INSIDE NUMBER OF THE
DEFENDER
 STAY SQUARE (“SQUARE HIM UP”)
 DO NOT OPEN THE OUTSIDE FOOT & SHORTEN THE
EDGE FOR HIM
 THE ASS OF THE BACK SHOULD BE “TAKING A
PICTURE” OF THE QUARTERBACK
 THE BACK’S POSTURE SHOULD BE KNEES BENT WITH THE
WEIGHT ON THE BALLS OF THE FEET
 “A KNEE BENDER IS A JAW BREAKER”
o SETTLE
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
 MUST MAINTAIN CONSTANT FOOT FIRE: IF THE FEET
STOP & THE DEFENDER MAKES A MOVE THERE IS NO
ABILITY TO RECOVER
 MOVE LATERALLY & NEVER CROSS OVER: WHEN THE
DEFENDER MAKES A MOVE REACT BY MOVING LATERALLY
 MUST EFFECTIVELY USE HANDS TO PUNCH
 MUST PROTECT YOUR NUMBERS FROM THE
DEFENDER
 SHOOT HANDS & HIPS SIMULTANEOUSLY, THIS
MUST BE AN EXPLOSIVE MOVEMENT
 PUNCH WITH TWO HANDS WHEN A DEFENDER
RUSHES INSIDE THE “TRIANGLE” (FRAMEWORK OF
BODY)
 PUNCH WITH ONE HAND WHEN A DEFENDER
RUSHES OUTSIDE THE “TRIANGLE” & MOVE
LATERALLY TO SQUARE HIM UP
 MUST PUNCH & RECOIL, NEVER LEAVE HANDS OUT
THERE OR THE DEFENDER WILL USE THEM TO
ESCAPE
o PUNCH THEN “HANDS BACK TO HOLSTER”
 THIS PHASE MUST BE DRILLED IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A
LEVEL OF COMFORT & CONFIDENCE
 MIRROR DODGE DRILL
o STRIKE
 HEAD MOVES UP & OUT WHEN STRIKING THE DEFENDER
 THE AIMING POINT FOR THE HEAD IS THE
DEFENDER’S ADAM’S APPLE OR ABOVE
 THIS MOTION SHOULD MIMIC A SQUAT
 NEVER LUNGE AT THE DEFENDER & SHOW THE
CROWN OF THE HELMET
 ONCE THE DEFENDER ENTERS “YOUR BREATH” GET THE
ELBOWS IN & LOCK HIM UP
 LOCK ELBOWS IN, HANDS INSIDE, GRAB CLOTH, &
RIDE HIM OUT
 THIS SCENARIO ONLY OCCURS 10%-15% OF THE
TIME & IS USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE “A” OR
“B” GAP (BULL RUSHERS)
 CHANGE-UPS IN PASS PROTECTION
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
o CUT BLOCKING
 THIS IS A VERY VALUABLE TOOL FOR ANY BACK IN PASS
PROTECTION
 CUT BLOCKING IS AN EQUALIZER & AN INTIMIDATOR
THAT IS CAPABLE OF GETTING IN THE HEAD OF A
DEFENDER
 CUTTING A DEFENDER JUST ONE TIME PLACES A
SEED OF FEAR IN HIS HEAD & WILL SLOW HIM
DOWN & SOFTEN HIM
 THE AIMING POINT IS 6 INCHES ABOVE THE KNEE CAP
 MUST RIP THE INSIDE ARM THROUGH THE OUTSIDE LEG
OF THE DEFENDER & ROLL BODY THROUGH TO FINISH
o BLUFF CUT
 ONCE THE CUT BLOCK HAS BEEN USED IT OPENS UP THE
ABILITY TO BLUFF CUT
 THIS HELPS KEEP THE DEFENDER OFF GUARD
 “PLAY THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME”
 WAIT UNTIL THE DEFENDER IS ROUGHLY A YARD OR TWO
AWAY
 THROW THE HEAD & SHOULDERS FORWARD & FINISH IN
A FLAT BACK POSTURE THEN POP UP & BLOCK THE
DEFENDER WITH PROPER TECHNIQUE
 THE DEFENDER WILL STOP & RISE UP

FULLBACKS

 STANCE
o FULLBACKS HAVE A BALANCED STANCE WITH MINIMAL OR NO
STAGGER
o FEET MUST BE SHOULDER WIDTH APART
 IF THEIR BASE IS TOO WIDE THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO
MOVE PROPERLY OR STRIKE WITH POWER
 USE CUSTOM CUT BOARDS BETWEEN FEET TO DRILL THIS
INTO MUSCLE MEMORY (PUT THEIR NAMES ON EACH
BOARD)
o OFF HAND SHOULD BE ON HIP “READY TO PLAY”
o RIGHT HANDED STANCE IF ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LINE,
LEFT HANDED STANCE IF ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE LINE
 LEAD BLOCKING
RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
o LEAD BLOCKING MUST BE DRILLED IN THE CHUTES BECAUSE
PAD LEVEL IS PARAMOUNT TO A FULLBACK
o MUST ENTER THROUGH THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE WITH A
GOOD BASE, FLAT BACK, & BENT KNEES
 THIS POSTURE ALONE WILL GIVE THE FULLBACK A
STALEMATE
 THIS POSTURE MUST BE DRILLED & EXAGGERATED IN
PRACTICE
 HAVE HIM HOLD THE POSITION ON A SLED FOR 3
SETS OF 45 SECONDS
 ALWAYS CLEAR THE QUARTERBACK PRIOR TO
ADJUSTING TO YOUR BLOCKING ASSIGNMENT (i.e.
CROSS DOG)
o “DUCK WALK” ON CONTACT: TAKE 6 INCH STEPS ON CONTACT
o FEEL THE MOMENTUM OF THE DEFENDER MOVING BACKWARD &
LOOK TO FINISH HIM BY ROLLING THE HIPS & SHOOTING THE
HANDS INSIDE
 HEAD IS IN THE BLOCK
 “DRIVE HIS ASS BACK” MENTALITY
o HANDLE MOVEMENT BY THE DEFENDER: SHORT LEAD STEP IN
THE DIRECTION THE DEFENDER MOVES, THEN CONTINUE
WORKING BACK DOWN THE MIDDLE OF HIM
 NEVER CROSSOVER
o CAN USE A “FLIPPER” TECHNIQUE ON CERTAIN PLAYS (RIDE
BASE)
 THIS BLOCK USES A SAME SHOULDER, SAME HIP
PHILOSOPHY
 IMAGINE THAT THE FLIPPER IS TIED TO THE HIP
 AS THE FLIPPER IS THROWN THE HIP SHOOTS
 THIS MUST BE DRILLED USING A PROGRESSION ON THE
SLED
 START BY WORKING THE FLIPPER FROM THE KNEES
 NEXT WORK IT BY WALKING THEN DROPPING TO A
KNEE & RISING UP WITH THE FLIPPER
 FINALLY WORK IT FROM THE STANCE
 STRIKE LOW TO HIGH WITH THIS TECHNIQUE
o FULLBACKS MUST BE ABLE TO JUMP CUT & REGAIN PROPER
POSTURE IN ORDER TO DELIVER A POWERFUL LEAD BLOCK
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
 JUMP CUT, GET DOWN, & GET VERTICAL
 THIS MUST BE DRILLED, FULLBACKS MUST BE ABLE TO
FEEL THIS TRANSITION & MAKE IT INTO A FLUID MOTION

ZONE RUNNING PRINCIPLES & READS

 INTRODUCTION
o ZONE SCHEMES ARE “FREEDOM WITH INSTRUCTIONS” FOR
RUNNING BACKS
o INSTINCTUAL RUNNERS THAT HAVE GREAT VISION THRIVE IN
THESE SCHEMES
o “A RUNNING BACK’S VISION IS HIS ALIGNMENT,
FOOTWORK, & AIMING POINT”
 INSIDE ZONES
o RIDE 35 (34) BASE
 ALIGNMENT: HEELS OR TOES AT 7 YARDS
 ALIGNMENT DEPENDS ON TEMPO OF THE BACK
 FOOTWORK: OPEN, CROSSOVER, ROLL
 MUST HAVE SHOULDERS SQUARE TO THE L.O.S. ON
3RD STEP TO HAVE FULL VISION & SEE BACKDOOR
CUT (ALL INSIDE ZONES)
 AIMING POINT: “B” GAP
 PRIMARY READ: FIRST DOWN LINEMAN HEAD UP TO
PLAYSIDE
 vs. 3-4 “OKIE” THE 0 NOSE PROVIDES A TRUER
READ THAN THE 4 TECHNIQUE
 SECONDARY READ: BACKSIDE DOWN LINEMAN
 MY EYES NEVER GO BACK THERE INITIALLY
 FEEL READ: 4/5 TECHNIQUE SPIKE & BOUNCE IT OUTSIDE
 BIG ALERT: PRESNAP SEE (ALWAYS LOOK LEFT TO
RIGHT THEN RIGHT TO LEFT BEFORE EVERY PLAY,
BE CONSISTENT) A 6 OR 7 TECHNIQUE E.M.O.L.
BACKSIDE FOR POTENTIAL BACKDOOR CUT
 HARD CUT-OFF BLOCK FOR THE TIGHT END, LIKELY
TO BE WASHED WAY DOWN
 PRESS THE HOLE THEN CUT IT ALL THE WAY
BACKDOOR
 NON EXISTANT vs. UWT BECAUSE THE E.M.O.L. IS A
9 TECHNIQUE SAM
RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
 FULLBACK: HAT ON THE WILL LB’s INSIDE NUMBER TO
GIVE THE BACK THE “A” GAP
 CUTS (DRILL ALL 3 OF THESE IF BASE IS IN G.P.):
 JUMP CUT = 60%
o “SLIDING”, LATERAL SLIDE & GET VERTICAL
AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE, NOT LOOKING TO
JUMP HIGH OFF THE GROUND
o IF THE PRIMARY READ CROSSES MY FACE,
JUMP CUT, & NOW RUN OFF THE SECONDARY
READ
o MUST PRESS THE HOLE THE JUMP CUT
o TOO HARD FOR MOST BACKS TO SLICE CUT
 CRAM CUT = 30-35%
o BALL STAYS ON TRACK CRAM CUT OFF THE
FULLBACK’S BLOCK
 BOUNCE CUT = 10%
o “FEEL” THE 4/5 TECHNIQUE SPIKE
 OTHER LOOKS:
 UWT: PRIMARY READ IS OFF THE 3 TECHNIQUE, IF
HE PLAYS HIS GAP THE BALL MUST JUMP CUT & RUN
OFF THE 1 TECHNIQUE (WANT TO GET TO THE
BUBBLE TO ATTACK THE BIGGEST HOLE IN THE
FRONT) (INSIDE ZONES ARE DESIGNED TO
ATTACK THE BUBBLE)
 3-4 “OKIE”: PRIMARY READ IS OFF THE 0 NOSE
o THINK A GAP TO A GAP “A TO A”
o IF THE 0 STAYS CRAM CUT, IF HE CROSSES
THE CENTER’S FACE THE BALL SHOULD WIND
BEHIND IT
o RIDE 33 (32) BEND
 ALIGNMENT: HEELS OR TOES AT 7 YARDS
 ALIGNMENT DEPENDS ON TEMPO OF THE BACK
 BEND IS A “PUSH CUT” SCHEME
 BALL IS COMING BACK REGARDLESS
 FOOTWORK: OPEN, CROSSOVER, ROLL
 AIMING POINT: “A” GAP
 PRIMARY READ: FULLBACK
 FOLLOW HIM FOR ENTRY & CUT OFFF HIS BLOCK
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
 BIG ALERT: PRESNAP SEE A 6 OR 7 TECHNIQUE E.M.O.L.
BACKSIDE FOR POTENTIAL BACKDOOR CUT
 WILL GET TO THIS QUICKER BECAUSE YOUR TRACK
IS TIGHTER
o RIDE 34 (35) BELLY
 ALIGNMENT: HEELS OR TOES AT 7 YARDS
 ALIGNMENT DEPENDS ON TEMPO OF THE BACK
 SAME READ AS BASE
 BIG ALERT: FULLBACK ON E.M.O.L. POSSIBLE BACKDOOR
CUT BECAUSE DEFENSIVE END WILL CHASE THE TACKLE
DOWN
 OUTSIDE ZONES
o SLASH 36 (37)
 MUST PUT FEAR IN THE LINEBACKERS THAT THE BALL IS
GOING TO CIRCLE THE DEFENSE
 ALIGNMENT: HEELS OR TOES AT 7 YARDS
 ALIGNMENT DEPENDS ON TEMPO OF THE BACK
 USING A TOES AT 7 YARDS ALIGNMENT IS BETTER
FOR NEW ZONE RUNNERS OR BACKS THAT HAVE
TROUBLE READING ZONES
 FOOTWORK: DROP STEP OPPOSITE
 SLASH IS RUN OFF A “5 STEP RHYTHM”
o MUST MAKE A CUT OFF THE 5TH STEP (DROP
STEP OPPOSITE COUNTS AS A STEP)
o HAVE NEW ZONE RUNNERS CALL THE STEPS
OUT AS THEY ARE DRILLED
o THE 5TH STEP IS ALWAYS THE OUTSIDE FOOT
o SHOULD BE ON THE HEELS OF THE OFFENSIVE
LINEMEN OR A YARD BEHIND THE LINE OF
SCRIMMAGE ON THE 5TH STEP, USE THIS AS A
GAUGE FOR THE BACK’S TEMPO
 SPEED UP THE TEMPO OR SLOW IT
DOWN (RIDE THE BACK LEG OR DEEPEN
ALIGNMENT) BASED ON WHERE THE 5TH
STEP HITS
o SHOULD KNOW WHERE THE CUT WILL BE BY
THE 3RD STEP, BUT HAVE THE PATIENCE &
RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
DISCIPLINE TO TAKE 2 MORE STEPS (SET
BLOCKS & INCREASE DEFENSE’S FLOW)
 AIMING POINT: BUTT OF THE TIGHT END
 DO NOT CHASE THE TIGHT END, THE AIMING POINT
IS BASED OFF HIS INITIAL ALIGNMENT
 PRIMARY READ: PLAYSIDE DEFENSIVE END UNTIL HE IS A
4 TECHNIQUE (THEN LOOK WIDER)
 9 TECHNIQUE: BALL ISN’T GETTING TO THE
PERIMETER
 6 TECHNIQUE: BALL IS PROBABLY GOING INSIDE
 7 TECHNIQUE: BALL IS PROBABLY REACHING THE
PERIMETER
 SECONDARY READ: NEXT DOWN LINEMAN
 FEEL READ: BALL WINDING BACK BEHIND BACKSIDE
DOWN LINEMAN
 BIG ALERT: vs. DIAMOND THE READ GOES TO THE 3
TECHNIQUE
 THE BALL WILL WIND BACK
 CUTS (DRILL ALL 3 OF THESE IF SLASH IS IN G.P.):
 CUT OUT: CIRCLE THE DEFENSE
 CUT UP: GET VERTICAL
 CUT BACK: WINDING BACK BEHIND
 THE BACKSIDE DEFENSIVE END WILL NOT BE BLOCKED &
IS CONTROLLED BY THE QUARTERBACK’S BOOT ACTION
(MUST BE COACHED HARD), GHOST MOTION, OR AN
EXTRA BLOCKER
 THE BACK’S AIMING POINT & 5 STEP RHYTHM
PROTECT HIM FROM THIS PLAYER
o SLASH 36 (37) SEARCH
 BACK MUST UNDERSTAND “BACKER FORCE” vs. “NON
BACKER FORCE”
 6 TECHNIQUE: BALL WILL WIND BACK BECAUSE
THE TACKLE IS BLOCKING THE 6 TECHNIQUE
 SAME ALIGNMENT & READ FOR THE BACK AS SLASH 36
(37)
 WILL ENTER WITH FULLBACK & CUT OFF HIS BLOCK
AT 2ND LEVEL
 AIMING POINT: OUTSIDE LEG OF THE TACKLE
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
 TIGHTER AIMING POINT BECAUSE THE BALL IS NOT
GOING TO CIRCLE THE DEFENSE
 CAN LEAVE IT AS BUTT OF THE TIGHT END vs.
FASTER FLOWING DEFENSES FOR A BETTER SELL
o “BOOK” THE SAM WITH ADDED FLOW
 FULLBACK HAS ALL THE COACHING
 ONE PLAYER SHOULD RECEIVE ALL OF THESE REPS
EACH WEEK BECAUSE IT IS A HIGH REP PLAY
 FULLBACK IS RESPONSIBLE FOR “BACKER FORCE”
 MUST ENTER LIKE THE BALL CARRIER
o FORMER BALL CARRIERS ARE NATURALLY
SKILLED AT THIS SCHEME
 WILL BLOCK M.D.M. TO RESPONSIBILITY
o EYES ALWAYS TO ASSIGNMENT
o IF SOMETHING SHOWS PRIOR TO REACHING
BLOCKING ASSIGNMENT TAKE IT
 MAY EVEN BE BACKSIDE DEFENSIVE
END vs. COVER 2 SCHEMES
 NEVER WORRY ABOUT GOING BACK IF
ANOTHER ELEMENT IS HANDLING THE
BACKSIDE DEFENSIVE END
 THIS CAN BE “DUMBED DOWN” IF THIS SCHEME IS
NOT A “MAJOR” IN THE OFFENSE OR THE FULLBACK
MISREADS IT CONSISTENTLY
o SAM ON = BLOCK M.D.M. TO SAFETY
o SAM OFF = BLOCK SAM

GAP & TRAP RUNNING PRINCIPLES & READS

 INTRODUCTION
o GAP SCHEMES ARE “SEE THE HOLE, HIT THE HOLE” READS
 GAP RUNS
o JAB 36 (37) POWER
 ALIGNMENT: HEELS OR TOES & 7 YARDS DEPENDING ON
TEMPO OF THE BACK
 FOOTWORK: DROP STEP OPPOSITE (OPPOSITE FOOT
GOES BACK)
 MUST HAVE A FEEL FOR YOUR PULLERS
o SLOW PULLER = RIDE YOUR BACK LEG
RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
o FAST PULLER = INCREASE YOUR TEMPO
 AIMING POINT: “A” GAP
 COME DOWNHILL IN THE “A” GAP
 READ: ENTER “A” / “B” / “C” GAP INSIDE THE WRAPPER
 NEVER IN “D” GAP
 STAY ON THE MIDLINE, TRUST IT UNTIL THE “A”
GAP ISN’T THERE, THEN SLIDE TO “B” OR “C” GAP &
ENTER INSIDE WRAPPER (INSIDE HIP OF WRAPPER)
 SEE FRONT PRESNAP & UNDERSTAND THE PULLER’S
RULES (NEVER INSIDE A DEUCE, ETC.)
o 5% WRAPPER LOGS THE MIKE
 BIG ALERT: vs. OVER FRONTS POTENTIAL BACKSIDE “A”
GAP CUT IF THE NOSE FIGHTS OVER TOP OF THE
CENTER’S BACK BLOCK & THE WILL FAST FLOWS
 “FEEL” READ, NOT IN VISION
 PLAY REQUIRES A MINDSET:
 SHOULDERS SQUARE TO L.O.S.
 RUN NORTH & SOUTH
 KEEP HITTING IT DOWN AFTER DOWN, 2ND HALF
EFFICIENCY PLAY
 “RUN THROUGH THE SMOKE”, TRUST THE LINE
o JAB 36 (37) POST
 SAME TO BACK AS POWER
 POSSIBLY READ WRAPPER & ALWAYS ENTER WITH HIM
 MORE BIG PLAYS, LESS CONSISTENCY WITH OTHER
READS
 IF THE WRAPPER COMES AROUND (“D” GAP), I KEEP
COMING AROUND WITH HIM
o JAB 35 (34) COUNTER F
 ALIGNMENT: HEELS OR TOES AT 7 YARDS
 FOOTWORK: SHUFFLE GATHER (FOR TIMING)
 SHUFFLE “OUT & OVER”
o LATERAL STEP WITH OUTSIDE LEG, GATHER
STEP WITH INSIDE LEG (BRING THEM
TOGETHER)
o CAN TURN SHOULDERS OR GO FARTHER FOR
MORE SELL IF READING THE FULLBACK
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
o MUST KEEP SHOULDERS SQUARE IF READING
IT LIKE POWER
 READ: FULLBACK
 GET IN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FULLBACK &
FOLLOW HIM UP IN THE HOLE OR AROUND THE
OUTSIDE
o CUT OFF HIS BLOCK
 PLAY CAN ALSO BE READ AS WEAK SIDE POWER
o “A” / “B” INSIDE WRAPPER
o ATTACK THE “A” GAP UNTIL YOU CANNOT
 BIG ALERT: BALL WILL COME OUTSIDE vs. SPILL BY
E.M.O.L.
 FULLBACK
 STACK ALIGNMENT: HEAD UP THE TACKLE
o CAN ALSO USE CHEAT ALIGNMENT: OUTSIDE
LEG OF TACKLE
 UPSTEP WITH OUTSIDE LEG & GET IN TIMING WITH
THE GUARD
 FULLBACK READS E.M.O.L.
o IF THE PULLER KICKS HIM OUT HE COMES UP
INSIDE
o IF THE E.M.O.L. SPILLS IT HE WILL COME
AROUND
o JAB 32 (33) DUO
 FRONT 7 WILL BE BLOCKED
 BACK READS THE FLOW OF THE MIKE (HAS FREEDOM)
 GREAT WITH INSTINCTUAL RUNNERS
 8 MAN BOX:
 “SIN” = READ ON WILL
 “FIN” = READ STAYS ON MIKE
 PLAY CAN BE READ TACKLE TO TACKLE & RUN OFF
DOUBLE TEAMS & FLOW OF LB’s

PERIMETER RUNNING PRINCIPLES & READS

 SPRINT RUNS
o SPRINT 38 (39) TED BOSS
 ALIGNMENT: TOES AT 7 YARDS
 FOOTWORK: OPEN, CROSSOVER
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
 BUYS THE QUARTERBACK TIME TO GET TO THE
EXCHANGE
 AIMING POINT: 2 YARDS OUTSIDE THE TIGHT END
 SHOULD NEVER HIT FEET WITH QUARTERBACK, CUT
HIM OFF, OR OBSTRUCT HIM , IF THIS OCCURS THE
TRACK OF THE BACK IS TOO TIGHT
 ENTER WITH THE PULLER WITH THE THOUGHT OF
CIRCLING THE DEFENSE
 PRIMARY READ: BLOCK OF THE PULLER
 IF THE BALL REACHES THE PERIMETER IT WILL NOT GET
DOWNHILL UNTIL THE NUMBERS
o TOSS 38 (39) GATOR
 FOOTWORK: OPEN & GO PARALLEL TO LINE OF
SCRIMMAGE
 MUST KEY FORCE PLAYER IF PRESENT (SAM ON L.O.S.)
 IF HE FIGHTS OUTSIDE THE BALL WILL COME
UNDERNEATH HIM & UP IN THE ALLEY
 IF HE GETS PINNED THE BALL WILL REACH THE
PERIMETER
 IF NO FORCE PLAYER IS PRESENT ON THE LINE OF
SCRIMMAGE THE BALL WILL REACH THE PERIMETER
 IF THE BALL REACHES THE PERIMETER THE BACK
WILL CHASE THE OUTSIDE NUMBER OF THE
FULLBACK TO SET HIS BLOCK & CUT OFF HIS BLOCK
 IF THE PLAY IS TOSS 39 (38) CRACK THE READ IS
THE SAME & THE TRACK IS THE SAME ONLY NOW
THE BACK IS USING THE PULLER RATHER THAN THE
FULLBACK
 FULLBACK MUST CUT THE CORNERBACK TO CLEAN UP THE
READ FOR THE BACK

DRAW RUNNING PRINCIPLES & READS

 DRAW RUNS
o H 42 (43) ACE
 AIMING POINT: BUTT OF PLAYSIDE GUARD
 PRIMARY READ: TECHNIQUE OF THE PLAYSIDE GUARD
 PRESS THE PLAYSIDE GUARD KEEPING THE
SHOULDERS SQUARE
 RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
 SECONDARY READ: BLOCK OF THE FULLBACK ON THE
MIKE
 FULLBACK’S AIMING POINT IS THE INSIDE NUMBER
 BIG ALERT: vs. A GUARD BUBBLE IF THE DEFENSIVE END
SPIKES (TYPICALLY OCCURS WITH A 4 OR 4i) THE BALL
WILL BOUNCE OUTSIDE HIM & TRAVEL THROUGH THE “C”
GAP
o 40 (41) DRAW
 AIMING POINT: BUTT OF PLAYSIDE GUARD
 PRIMARY READ: TECHNIQUE OF THE PLAYSIDE GUARD
 PRESS THE PLAYSIDE GUARD KEEPING THE
SHOULDERS SQUARE
 MUST HAVE PATIENCE TO ALLOW ANY TWISTS / GAMES
TO BE SORTED OUT & TO LET THE PLAY DECLARE

MISDIRECTION RUNNING PRINCIPLES & READS

 MISDIRECTION RUNS
o RIDE 35 (34) BASE SCISSORS
 ALIGNMENT: HEELS AT 8 YARDS
 NEED EXTRA DEPTH BECAUSE THE BACK WILL
START IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION & COME BACK
OVER THE TOP
 PRIMARY READ: E.M.O.L.
 MUST SELL SCISSORS & EYE BALL THE WILL

PASSING GAME

 CHECK DOWNS
o CHECK BURST
 SEEK TO ENTER THROUGH THE “A” GAP IF POSSIBLE
o CHECK DELAY
 SEEK TO ENTER THROUGH THE “B” GAP IF POSSIBLE
o CHECK OPTION
 PREFER TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE DEFENDER’S
LEVERAGE IF HE’S PLAYING OFF OR HEAVY TO ONE SIDE
o CHECK THRU
 SEEK TO ENTER THROUGH THE “A” GAP IF POSSIBLE
o CHECK WIDE
 AIMING POINTS:
RUNNING BACK TECHNIQUE BOOK
 BALL ON NEAR HASH OR IN MIDDLE OF THE FIELD =
SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SIDELINE &
THE NUMBERS
 BALL ON THE OPPOSITE HASH = OUTSIDE EDGE OF
THE NUMBERS
 FIRST 5 STEPS ARE FOR SPEED, THEN LOSE A YARD
 “FISH HOOK” AT THE TOP (WHEN YOU’VE REACHED YOUR
AIMING POINT), SHOULD CATCH THIS BALL GOING
“DOWNHILL”