Football Coordination Drills

Every football player goes through a long, arduous training process to achieve peak athletic performance. The process involves conditioning, often through drills, to gain speed, size and strength. Improving coordination can provide players a distinct competitive edge on the field. Several drills can improve a player's coordination and football skills.

  1. Backpedal Drill

    • The backpedal drill, used mostly for defensive players, trains defenders to keep pace with a receiver while running backwards. It helps the player develop the running posture, agility and coordination needed to avoid falling over while backpedaling. Defenders line up and run backwards along the yard line from one end of the field to the other. While running, they must keep their arms in front of them in a defensive stance. Coaches always instruct the players to keep their shoulders low and head up while backpedaling.

    Quarterback Circle Drill

    • Throwing the football accurately while running is a complicated task for quarterbacks. Avoiding linemen and linebackers while preparing to make a pass requires coordination. The circle drill helps quarterbacks develop coordination. Two quarterbacks run across each other in the same circle. The player with the football passes it to the other player whenever a coach blows a whistle. Both players must continue running at the same pace.

    Wide Receiver Cut Drill

    • The cut drill, used mostly by wide receivers, is designed to enhance a wide receiver's ability to make effective route cuts and improve his hand-eye coordination. The receiver stands about three to four steps away from a cone. He starts running in place with his hands in position to receive the ball. When the quarterback gives him the signal, the receiver runs towards the cone and makes a route cut at the cone to get in position to catch the ball. Once he makes the catch, the receiver should tuck the ball and make a dash upfield.

    Wide Receiver Elimination Drill

    • This drill emphasizes agile reactions, which are of paramount importance for wide receivers. The coach stands at a short distance away from a line of wide receivers and tosses the ball to each of them. Every player who drops the ball is eliminated from the drill and is penalized by the coach. A good coach introduces some variations in the players' catching positions and direction of the ball. This tests the receivers' reflexes and enhances them through repetition.