Ballhandling is the most important skill for running backs. If you can’t handle the ball and carry it securely through traffic – all your running and cutting skills are for naught. If you can’t hold on to the ball when you get tackled or even worse you don’t even get the ball securely into your hands be it via handoff or pitch you might never get your numbers called. And, from a coaches point of view, as harsh as it might sound, a running back that puts the ball on the ground too often is just a player taking practice time away from those who don’t. So you better coach ’em up to not fumbling the ball, so the precious practice time isn’t wasted on anyone.
Running Back Ball Handling Drills
- Strip Drill
- This Strip Drill for Running Backs works on improving the ability to secure the ball in traffic and to protect it from stripping defenders.
- Ball Exchange Drill
- This Ball Exchange Drill for Running Backs works on securing the Football when taking the handoff and also to deal with imperfect handoffs.
- Hand Off Drill
- This Running Back Hand Off Drill gets closer to real play action as it practices the Hand Off with running real plays out of the teams playbook.
- Pitch Drill
- The Pitch Drill for Running Backs works on catching a Pitch by incorporating real plays from the teams playbook into the Drill.
- Ball Security Drill
- The Running Back Ball Security Drill works one ball security, balance, and using the arm as a part of the RB’s tripod when falling.