Hit the Holes!!!!!

I don't know about your situation, but we always have a ton of backs so we simply fire them and move them down the depth chart. They learn real quick that if they want to get on the field, they don't fumble and they play with courage. It gives everyone a chance and we always end up with 3 or 4 good kids we can run the ball with so we always have fresh legs. Competition will always bring out the players.

Coaches,

I agree that a having your backs run through some type of reach and strip drill really helps. Inside drill, where our focus is solely on running the ball inside is also a great time for them to learn to focus on taking care of the football. Outside of a few pushups, I'll sometimes put in place a rule for a player who's having a hard time hanging on to the ball that whenever he has a football in his hands during practice, any coach is allowed to sneak up on him and punch the ball out. If the coach is successful, the player either pushes or runs a goalpost. If the player doesn't cough it up, the coach must push or run. It's a lot of fun and it really seems to reinforce the importance of always keeping the ball tucked, even when you don't see contact coming.


Dave Hartman
CYFL Coach