This is one of the [tag]football training drills[/tag] that works well with all players, even ones who have never played football before. The name of this drill “THE HOT GATES”. It is designed to discipline the LB’s and toughen up the RB’s for short yardage.
It is run with 5 players, 3 LB’s and 2 RB’s (in an I-form). Use 5 stand up bags or players as the O-line(no lineman will block). LB’s get in their positions and the coach stands behind them so they can’t see where he is telling the RB’s to attack. The coach selects what LB to attack and the fun begins.
If outside,FB will attack outside LB. LB must attack FB and turn run to inside. the other 2 LB’s must slide and clean up. Make sure OLB keeps his outside shoulder free and he is not giving up any ground. Sliding LB’s must not commit until RB is at line of scrimmage watching for the cutback.
If MLB is attacked, he will meet FB in the hole blowing him up. The 2 OLB must collapse each side to “triangle”attack the RB.
When a series is done, LB’s slide over( left OLB leaves field, MLB becomes LOLB, Right OLB becomes middle,new guy fills in ROLB). Running backs rotate as well but I leave my starting tailback in for conditioning purposes.
This drill separates the men from the boys. This drill may be simple and common, but it’s effective. Add in a fired up [tag]football[/tag] coach and a gauntlet of cheering teammates to make it complete.
