Here are some ideas on coaching football that I use not only with my wide receivers, tight ends but with the entire team. The first drill for wide receivers will bring instant results on the field. The coaching tip instills teamwork all while having fun training.
Foot Fire Drill
I have been working on with my guys is the wide receiver “Foot Fire” drill. It’s something we do to extend the warm up a little bit at the beginning of position specific drills for the wide receivers and tight ends.
For shallow plays that require a sharp route to gain separation, like hitches, quick outs, and slants, we have the players concentrate on “firing” their feet 3 times before making the cut.
Come off the ball full speed, one step before you get your depth, plant your foot opposite the direction of the cut:
(1) fire the other
(2) and fire the one opposite the cut
(3) before cutting and going.
For some reason, this explanation of cutting makes for very sharp routes. This is something I have seen many of the really wide open teams like Texas Tech emphasize to their receivers and is a big part of the success they have in their short route running.
Coaching Tip
I find that it is a great boost for the team and for motivation to let all my line go through some receiving drills. It gets the team behind them, makes it fun, and gives extra conditioning for the lineman.
I find that I have some lineman with better hands than my receivers, who knows I might find a time to use an extra tackle for a big tight end. It really makes for a lot of fun especially when the team needs a reminder that football is hard work and FUN.
