Much of a running back's ability is natural talent. But that does not mean it cannot be improved upon or developed. While certain elements of a player's physical attributes, such as speed and quickness, most often are genetic, they can be augmented with a proper start and good running techniques.
Most great runners have tremendous leg strength and explosion, and many of them develop this not by lifting weights but by actually running. Their off-season conditioning programs usually include running up and down hills rather than merely running sprints on level ground. Running up steep hills gives running backs the leg strength and high knee action they need to explode through potential tacklers.
Another trait of great running backs is the manner in which they practice. Every play is run down the field a full 20 yards and is not stopped after the back has gone two or three yards past the' line of scrimmage.
When working with young running backs it is important to emphasize that it is neither necessary nor smart to always try to run over the defensive players. While there will be times in a game when the running back is given no choice but to explode into the defense, the running back must always be looking for opportunities to make the defenders miss.
For the young running back, it often is best to start with a drill that gives him the skill to avoid a tackler who is coming straight at him. The running back should understand that when this occurs in a game, he has the advantage over the tackler, because he knows in which direction he is going to cut.
Drill: Cut and Crossover
This drill teaches the running back two different change-of-direction moves. The man on defense will be stationary; there will not be any contact. Either the coach or another running back can take the place of the defensive player. The defensive player should line up six yards away and facing the ball carrier. The defensive player will step to the side of the fake, and serve as a point of reference for the running back.
The first technique which we will work on is a simple fake in one direction and a cut to the other side. The running back starts toward the defensive player. As he approaches a distance of about two yards from the defensive man, he should shorten his stride and prepare to make his cut.
If the running back has determined that he will cut to his right, at five yards he should step slightly to the left of the defensive man with his left foot. At the same time, his head and shoulders should give a quick, short jerk to the left.
When the left foot makes contact with the ground, the ball carrier should push off it, directing his body at a 45-degree angle to the right. It is important that the next step with the right foot be a very short change-of-direction step to the side of the defensive man. By using a short change-of-direction step, the ball carrier is able to keep his feet under his body as he cuts past the defender.
In the beginning, the running back may have to run at half speed in order to execute the technique properly. As he gets better and better at coming under control, faking, pushing, and stepping, he can run the drill faster.
This drill should be repeated with the ball carrier cutting to both his left and right. The back should have the ball held securely in the hand on the side of his final cut. If he is cutting right, the ball should be in his right hand; it should be held in the left hand when cuffing left.
It is not a good idea for a running back continually to change the hand that is holding the ball, but whenever possible, the ball carrier should try to carry the ball in the hand that is farthest away from any potential tackler. By carrying the ball on the proper side, the running back is cutting down on the possibility of the ball being bobbled or fumbled.
The second technique for a running back to use in avoiding a potential tackler is a crossover step. This is similar to the first technique except that the ball carrier will not push off the foot opposite the direction of his final cut.
In this technique, the running back will approach the defensive man in a straight path. At a distance of three yards the running back should shorten his stride and step slightly to the left of the defender with his left foot. His head and shoulders will also lean, but not jerk, slightly to the left.
His next step, with his right foot, should be at the center of the defenders body. At this point the defensive man should be convinced that the ball carrier has gone into his final cut to avoid a tackle. As the right foot makes contact with the ground, the running back should lean toward his right with his upper body. This will allow the player to quickly bring his left leg across his right, changing the direction of final cut to his right.
As the players become more proficient at using these two techniques they can be incorporated into a normal tackling drill, where the running back on defense comes up and actually tries to grab the man with the ball.
When adding this action to the drill, the two players line up 10 yards apart and then move toward one another on the coachs command. The drill should first be taught at half speed and the coach should emphasize that neither player is to leave his feet. The defensive mans movement makes the drill more realistic for the ball carrier.
The next type of cut, or change of direction, to be introduced is the inside cut up the field from a lateral run with the ball.
This is the kind of maneuver a running back would use on any play which looks like it is going wide but is really designed to be run in an inside hole. In this type of play, the running back generally starts on the opposite side of the ball, but it can also be used by a back who is lined up in an I-formation.
Drill: Inside Cut
The running back starts with the ball in his possession so he does not have to be concerned about taking the handoff. It is more important for him to concentrate on setting up the defensive player and making his cut. After the back has run the drill a few times, the coach or another player can hand him the ball as he comes across the formation.
The defensive player should hesitate a few seconds after the drill begins and then come straight up the field two or three steps. He will not be involved in any tackling or contact with the ball carrier. The running back should roll over and start his controlled, half-speed, lateral run to the opposite side of the quarterback. It is important for him to run laterally and not start directly into the hole at the beginning of the play. His movement should convince the defensive man that he is going to attempt to run outside. When he sees the defender moving up the field, the ball carrier must continue his path for another two or three steps and then, rolling over the leg nearest to the line of scrimmage, cut to the inside and continue his run up the field.
The initial position of the defensive player can be moved wider or closer to the quarterback, allowing the running back to get a feel for all of the different running holes he will attack. With a tight position the defender can give the look of a defensive lineman who is to be trapped. Given little wider alignment, he can simulate an outside linebacker. And, in the widest position, he can play a defensive back coming up to stop a wide sweep. Regardless of the width of the defensive man, or the defensive player that he is simulating, the running back should remember to start laterally and then to cut up the field at the last possible moment after the defender has made his commitment across the line of scrimmage.
As the running back gets proficient at executing this cut, a lead blocker can be added to the drill. The blocker would have the responsibility for blocking the defensive player to the outside, giving the ball carrier an inside running lane.
The ball carrier now will get a much better feel for how the play actually will develop in a game. The running back also will see that if, by his path, he can get the defensive player to come across the line of scrimmage, the offensive blocker will have a much easier job and be in better position to make his block.
The running back should be given the opportunity to run into all of the play holes, going both to his right and left. In this drill, the running back also should get a feel for following his blockers. With a blocker in the drill, the ball carrier gains an understanding for varying and controlling the speed of his run, using his body movement and position for setting up the defensive man who is to be blocked.
Even though there is no tackling in this drill, and the defensive player allows himself to be blocked, it is important the running back understand that there is a potential for defensive tacklers to be hitting him from all sides as he makes his cut during an actual game. Consequently, an added emphasis should be made on protecting the ball. Many running backs, as they explode across the line of scrimmage, will grasp the ball in both hands, holding it tightly against their stomachs to guarantee that they will not fumble when they are hit.
Drill: Spin Technique
The final technique a running back can use to avoid being tackled is a spin move. Because most young backs incorrectly try to execute this maneuver from a straight-up body position, it is vital that good forward body lean be stressed.
In this drill the defensive player stands with his feet parallel to the line, his knees flexed, and his shoulders slightly forward of his hips. His arms should be flexed, elbows tight to his sides, and the palms of both hands open, number high and facing the running back. The job of the defensive man is to provide resistance to the running back as he executes his spin technique. If a small, hand-held blocking shield is available, the defender can use that instead of his hands