Purpose of the Square Drill
The purpose of this Running Back Square Drill is to teach a good 90° sweep cut. The sharper the running back is able to make this 90° cut from running sideways to attacing the LOS straigth a head the better are his chances to hit a hole in the defense which might not be able to react quickly enough to his abrupt change of direction.
Description of the Square Drill
- Set 4 cones in a square of 3 to 5 yards size.
- Let players walk/run around performing a 90° cut at each corner.
Increase speed as players get better:
- walk through
- 1/2 speed
- as fast as you can – under control
The closer the drill can be run to full game speed the larger the square should be.
Coaching Points of the Square Drill
Emphasize
- staying low,
- planting and pushing off the outside foot
- make sure you go both ways: clockwise and counterclockwise
- players shouldn’t shorten their steps just to make the cut as close to the cones as possible but rather where it comes naturally from the length of their steps.
- The purpose of this drill is not to make a 90° cut at a certain spot under any circumstances but rather to teach a clean 90° cut at highest possible speed.
Equipment for the Square Drill
- 4 cones
- Balls
-
- Running Back Square Drill