Today’s running backs are usually an essential part of the passing game. Thus they have to practice running routes and catching the ball just like tight ends and wide receivers. Yet since they’re usually starting their routes out of the backfield, often with the first priority to pick up any blitzing defender they are responsible for, they cannot just simply join the wide receivers and their receiving drills. Running backs are often sent out on “dump routes” or “hot routes” where the ball is thrown to them very quickly and not seldom in heavy traffic. So besides drills on whether to block or go out on a route (see Running back pass blocking drills) there are drills on how to run routes out of the backfield (with or without a run fake). As well as drills for runningbacks catching the ball in (heavy) traffic and protecting themselves and the ball against the almost unavoidable hits from defenders around.
Running Back Receiving Drills
- Pass Routes Drills
- The Pass Routes Drills teach the Running Back to run his pass routes correctly and how to adjust them vs different defensive coverages.
- Catch and Run Drill
- The Catch and Run Drill teaches the Running Back how to catch a pass and protect himself and the ball immediately after the catch.