Footwork drills for SS and Will LB's

Coach W - Here's a couple ideas for you.

1) Read Step Drill - this is a very simple drill I do with my LB's every day - it last about 1-2 minutes but has become VERY important in programming the LB;s first step after the snap. Simply line all of your LB's (and SS in your 4-4 scheme) on a line facing the coach and have the coach simulate the TB (assuming you are keying the TB). The coach should take consecutive steps with either his right or left foot toward the LB's, or line of scrimmage. The defenders should mirror the coach "punching downhill" witht the foot to the side that the coach has stepped. Require the defenders to "punch down hill" with their toes north and south and at an approximate 45-degree angle. Teh step does not need to be big as it is actually the 2nd step that will cover ground. NO FALSE STEPS!

2) Star Drill - this drill teaches defenders to open the hip quickly and efficiently after reading pass after their read step as well as how tho cover ground toward the line of scrimmage after their read step. In other words, it eliminates false steps when transitioning out the the read step versus run or pass. Set 4 cones in a box about 5 yards apart and position one defender directly in the middle of the box. Position the coach in front facing the player. To begin ghte drill, the coach simply points at any one of the 4 cones. If the coach points to a cone in front, the defender should take his read step (under control) in the proper direction and either continue to press downhill toward the cone (simulating run) as fast as possible, touch the cone, and turn and run back to the middle. After returning to the middle, the defender should assume a proper stance and wait for the next hand signal by the coach. If the coach points to a cone in back, the defender should read stepon his first step, drop step on his second step with the foot toward the cone behind him, sprint directly to the cone in a straight line, touch the cone, and sprint back to the middle. This sounds like a very simple drill, but what you will initially find until your players get good at this is 1) false read steps (they will either step laterally without "punching downhill" or they will cover absolutely no gorund onthe first step); 2) They will bow their paths to the cones, especially as they get tired during the drill as you should give several directions until their legs start to burn before ending the drill for an individual - coach the defenders to run straight lines (the quickest way from point A to point B is a straight line); 3) they will stand up when they get tired, assuming poor stances as the frill progresses and slowing their reaction time/read step to the coaches directions.

Hope this helps.