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Last updated: Feb 09, 2023
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Drills are an important part of football training camps and practices at every level. Coaches use drills to reinforce fundamentals that help players succeed during a game. There are drills for every position and situation in football. Keep reading for a list of the top football drills for improving your skills.
Table of Contents
- What Are The Best Football Drills?
- 1. Circle-Around-The-Cone Drill
- 2. Fast Feet Drill
- 3. Monkey Rolls Drill
- 4. Oklahoma Drill
- 5. Ball Punch Drill
- 6. Gap Blocking Drill
- 7. Sideline Drill
- 8. Pocket Presence Drill
- 9. Bag Catching Drills
- 10. Gauntlet Drill
- Honorable Mentions
- FAQ
- Circle-Around-The-Cone Drill
- Fast Feet Drill
- Monkey Rolls Drill
- Oklahoma Drill
- Ball Punch Drill
- Gap Blocking Drill
- Stay with the Receiver Drill
- Pocket Presence Drill
- Bag Catching Drills
- Gauntlet Drill
1. Circle-Around-The-Cone Drill
One of the top football drills, the circle-around-the-cone drill trains body control and footwork. Set up one cone with another cone five to eight yards downfield. Begin on one side of the cone before moving in front of it then backpedaling behind it. Once around the cone, accelerate to the other cone.
2. Fast Feet Drill
The fast feet drill is designed to help players get their feet used to moving quickly in small areas, which is a vital skill for changing directions quickly. The drill is useful for various players on both the offense and the defense. In order to set up the drill, place one cone at the starting point. About five yards ahead of that cone, set up a pair of cones that are placed side-by-side, and staggered slightly rightward from the first cone. Finally, five yards in front of that pair of cones, set up another pair as the finish line. Players will execute the drill by circling the starting cone as quickly as possible with their shoulders squared, accelerating to the second set of cones, backpedaling through them, and then accelerating to the finish line.
3. Monkey Rolls Drill
Monkey rolls are another common football drill, and are designed to accustom players to hitting the ground while also increasing their stamina and agility. To perform monkey rolls, three players lay down on the ground in a unit. The player in the middle begins by rolling towards one of the players next to him. That player must then jump up and over him, after which he rolls towards the third player, who must jump over him and roll back into the first player, and so on. This cycle can continue for as long as necessary. As with Circle-Around-The-Cone and Fast Feet, this drill is one any player can partake in.
4. Oklahoma Drill
The Oklahoma Drill is also referred to as the “Pit Drill” or “the Big Cat Drill.” Common in college programs, the Oklahoma is infamous for its difficulty and for getting players banged and bruised-up. The common form of the drill begins with the creation of a zone or corridor whose barriers are made out of blocking bags or some other solid material. The zone is three yards wide and anywhere between four and five feet long. To perform the drill, two players line up within the zone and engage with each other at full strength, trying to push each other out of the zone. Whoever first gets pushed into or past the barriers, or off of his feet, loses.
5. Ball Punch Drill
The ball punch drill is a key drill for offensive linemen, helping them enhance their ability to hold back defenders from the quarterback. The drill uses a weighted ball, usually one around 10 pounds. Two players stand a few feet across from each other, standing in a good position, typically with the knee inside the foot, the weight inside, and the shoulders tilted. To perform the drill, the two players take turns “punching” the ball to each other with a motion similar to that of pushing back against a defensive lineman.
6. Gap Blocking Drill
This offensive line drill helps with making reads and plugging gaps. Seven cones are set up, giving the offensive players six holes to choose from. The offensive player will pick one of the holes and attempt to run through it. On the other side of the cones is a defender, who will cover them.
7. Sideline Drill
The Sideline Drill helps players practice swift direction changes on defense, and is good for team-based drills, as it involves easily competitive elements. To perform the drill, two players lie on the ground head-to-head, their feet pointing in opposite directions, about 7-10 yards from the sideline. A cone is placed five yards behind each player. The coach begins by tossing the ball to one player, who becomes the ball carrier, while the other becomes the defender. Both players immediately run to their respective cones, and then the ball carrier either tries to beat the defender to the sideline or cut the ball back. The defender tries to execute a tackle.
8. Pocket Presence Drill
Pocket presence drills help quarterbacks avoid a blitz. The rest of the players line up opposite the quarterback in three lines. The quarterback will take a snap and then make a five-step drop. One, by one, defenders will attempt to sack the quarterback, which they must step up and avoid. One rep is avoiding three defenders.
9. Bag Catching Drills
Bag catching drills are a great way for receivers to work on their footwork while making catches. Players navigate around several training bags laid out on the field before running downfield to make a catch.
10. Gauntlet Drill
In this classic running back drill, ball carriers attempt to run through three pairs of opposing defenders, one pair behind another. The defenders will attempt to knock the ball away, forming the “gauntlet.”
Honorable Mentions
Open Field Tackling
This defensive drill helps refine tackling form in the open field. Four cones are set up in a square ten yards apart. Linebackers start at one end of the square with running backs at the other end. The players run toward another and the coach signals the running back to move left or right to avoid the linebacker, who attempts to make a tackle.
Fade Drill
Fade drills train quarterbacks and receivers on making and catching long passes. Receivers also learn how to run fade routes, creating opportunities by changing speed. The players start about 50 yards apart. The receiver runs a route at partial speed, then explodes toward the sideline where the quarterback throws them the ball.
Sack Drill
This defensive line drill teaches footwork, tackling, and awareness. Defenders make their way over three bags then around three cones. Finally they sprint forward and tackle a dummy.
FAQ
What are the different types of football drills?
There are various types of football drills, each of which focuses on different aspects of training, or on different positions.The common categories of football drills are: agility, speed, and footwork drills; endurance drills; offensive and defensive lineman drills, defensive back drills; linebacker drills; quarterback drills; receiver drills; and running back drills.
What is the hardest football drill?
The hardest football drills are endurance and repetition drills, which come in various types.One common endurance drill is 50-40s, which involves running a 40-yard distance 50 times. Another common exercise is burpees, which involve jogging in place, getting into a pushup position, and then jumping back up quickly.
How long do football drill sessions last?
Football drill sessions can have varying lengths depending on the level of football being played.At the youth level, between ages five and nine, drill sessions often last between 45 and 60 minutes. At middle levels, between the ages of 10 and 17, drills typically last between 75 and 90 minutes. At college and pro levels, drills can last anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours or more.
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