Ball Security Drills

First and foremost we carry the ball with two hands ( hands on both tips) in traffic and (high and tight ala University of Wisconsin) when they are in the open. Ball up high across the breastplate with hand just under the chin and the forearm forcing hte ball against the chest. We teach them how most coach their turnover drill- punch from behind strip from the top. A punch from behind drives the ball and hand into teh face mask and the ball stays put. A over the top blow from behind slides down the forearm. We tell our kids to see what they hit on offense, just like on defense. We tell them to run with authority= punishing with no fumbling. Our younger ball carriers get facemasks on the top of their hand until they figure our to put their shoulder pad into the oppostions ear hole. Our kids don't fumble once they get it. Most of ours come by not securing a late pitch or contact at the meshpoint. They five dollar idea is a great one. Our kids know we do not stand for balls on the ground. Simple drills are guantlet off of mesh,pitch, qb keep - the best one I did in the past (five years ago), I am starting to forget some of my best things, is full field rugby with the team split in four teams two games on half the field each. Kids get into it and they do not want to fumble as the winner gets less conditioning. Of course the carrier can be tackled and the team maintains possession. Fumble however, the team rarely recovers. Lolts of kids want to carry the ball the ones that take care of it WILL.