One of the [tag]line backer football drills[/tag] I love to do is the Gauntlet. Here’s the setup:
1. Starting at the 50, place sets of 2 cones at the 50, 45, 35, 25, 15, 5, and Goal Line, making a corridor 10-15 yards wide.
2. Place 2 linebackers and/or DB’s at the 45, 35, 25, 15, 5. Equip each with a blocking pad. Defenders must stay within 5 yards before and after their cone.
3. Have receivers and running backs “run the gauntlet.”
4. Defense uses the blocking pads to attempt to push the runner out of bounds, or knock him over.
5. If the runner makes it to the end zone, he receives 6 points. If the defense pushes the runner out of the corridor (out of bounds), or if the runner goes down, the defense receives 1 point. If the defense can cause a fumble, they receive 5 points. After going down, going out of bounds, or fumbling, the runner continues from the next 10 yard line (40, 30, 20, 10). If knocked out by the last set of defenders, he doesn’t get another try at the end zone.
Continue until all backs/receivers, and all LB’s/DB’s have gone through the gauntlet at least twice. Whichever group has the least points runs a lap of the field or other such activity before taking a water break. The winning group gets the entire time as a water break (plus bragging rights!).
