Some fundamentals of ball security

A team that prevents fumbles is a team that wins. Nothing is worse for your offensive team then turning it over carelessly to the other team in a fumble. Basic ball security can be broken down into four steps. The claw position is the first point, meaning that you grab the football clawing at the point of the football with your fingers. The second point is making sure that your forearm is wrapped tightly on the outer rim of the football. Third, pull the football in close to your bicep to protect it from opponents jabs and attempts to make you fumble. Fourth, pull the football up and tight against your ribcage closing the gap on the football from all four sides. As a player, you will want to make sure that you are well practiced in this skill, and as a coach you should dedicate some time to ball carrying skills. In this way you can practice great defensive moves to force a fumble, and also focus on offensive ball protection.

Powerful Blocking Strategy: Double Teaming

Find a soft spot and push hard, that is what line strategies are all about. One such strategy or technique is the use of double teaming on the line of scrimmage. In essence you take two blockers or linemen and have them go after the same person. The strategy works for putting a hole in the line of scrimmage as two easily overpowers one. The basics are simple for this technique: First, both players will need to step together, and put their hips together. They form a wall that the opponent cannot break. The double team should focus on the shoulders, and arm pits of the opponent to control dominance. Also, this maneuver needs to happen quickly and efficiently.

Conditioning Drill: Up Downs

Up downs is an excellent conditioning drill that will improve reaction time and endurance. This drill consists of having players run in place as fast and as hard as they can. From time to time the coach will signal to the players, by whistle or a command, to get down meaning that they drop down do a push up and get back up as quickly as possible to run again. This drill is an excellent workout and should be worked in slowly at first and then increased in intensity and length over time.

Running with the Ball: The Gauntlet Drill

There is nothing more important for offense to learn great ball security. This of course is even more important for wide receivers and running backs as they handle the ball more than most. A great drill called the gauntlet practices ball security. The point to the gauntlet drill is to have a player run through several opponents that try to dislodge the football. A coach can set up short fast runs or longer relays with several obstacles and defenders prying at the ball. Run each of the gauntlet drills slow and then speed them up as each player gets better at effective ball security.