Technique Questions from Open Practice
My son and I attended the open practice on Saturday and he had two questions I couldn't answer regarding technique we observed on some of the defensive drills.
First, there seemed to be a lot of focus on bringing hands up at the end of a rep. So after a number of drills, the defensive player would end the rep by lifting both hands into the air. Why? Similarly, a couple of the DB drills involved grabbing a rolling ball and then finishing the drill by lifting the ball up as the final move.
Second, on a number of the DB drills, after completing the rep, the player (or in some case two players in a side by side drill) rather than just jogging back to the line would come to a stop and pause. Any ideas why?
Thanks for your thoughts.
It's really difficult to say what this is based on the description (no offense to the OP). My guess is the things you are describing are just about "finishing" the drill in some way. Discipline to finish all the way through the play more or less.
Not to disagree really but this kinda sounds like not playing to the whistle so much as playing "past" it in ways that won't get a penalty -- defending a pass after a QB escape, recovering a fumble, changing direction on a broken play. Things like raising one's arms, stooping, and stopping on a dime are mentally tough to do when you're exhausted. But sometimes plays don't end when you expect them to, and that split second while you muster a second wind doesn't happen fast enough to recover -- many players don't wake up at all. It won't matter for 99% of plays, but that 1% can change the entire game. These plays usually become highlight reels as one guy runs off with 9-10 defenders watching.
So you make the most tiring thing second nature, keep that engine redlined a few seconds past the whistle, and you don't wind up with everyone dropping their arms and trotting to a stop because the ball carrier rolled over another guy and ran off untouched.
I'm 100% speculating of course, but this is how OP's description makes sense in my mind.
My guess for the DL: mental conditioning to get arms up to bat down a pass?
Teaching the players to finish the play.
As a coach, we always talk about finishing the play "Tackling". If it is as I envisioned your description above, I see the players driving the hands up the back of the offensive player to grab cloth or shoulder pad to ensure the tackle and not allow the offensive players to spin out or break away from the tackle. Even if there is not an opposing player involved, getting in the habit of finishing the drill with physically lifting the hands above the head creates the should positioning and pelvic lift that is expected in the hit.
Grabbing a rolling ball, though? Easy to assume that's a fumble recovery drill but if it's all about finishing the play then why not just raise one's arms every time? Tackles are a lot more common than fumbles, after all.
Actual footage would've really helped, but I'm guessing filming wasn't allowed. . .
With the introduction of larger medicine balls and the tackle wheels, you see coaches adapting their use to more than just traditional weight room drills. We use the larger med-balls as blitzing linebackers or low center of gravity tackling drills. Teaching the players to sink the hips, drive the hands and hips, and finish through the defender.
Maybe one of those things like fighters do at the end of boxing/mma fight to indicate winning? Maybe it's reinforcing they want players winning every drill.
It could be a fitness thing. The first thing that happens when you get tired is you start to drop your hands.
Total guess but for DBs put your hands straight up in the air instead of resting them on or leaving them near the opposing WRs body to show the refs your aren't commiting PI. Sometimes flags come out after the ref sees the ending of a play. Might let you get away with more while the ball is in the air.
1. It's a technique used to remind players to finish tackles and explode through the ball carrier.
2. I'm not sure what you're talking about exactly, but it may be a drill designed on being balanced. Basically, if your weight gets too far out in front of you or behind you, then you're out of balance. So it may be a way for the players/coaches to determine how balanced you are, in case you need to work on your technique. Again, I'm not sure what drill it is you're talking about, but I have seen something similar when it comes to practicing backpedals and tackling.
If you want to see the rolling-ball drill that the OP mentions, go to about the 1:10 mark in this video. Looks to me like a drill for defenders to fight off a block and explode up to finish a tackle.
Agreed that just looks like get low and explode up through the tackle
If that's what the poster is referring to yes that is essentially what it is. A tackling drill with a somewhat moving target in the Swiss ball.
Can anyone explain the QB/WR drill where they used a big mat as a wall? What is that designed to help with?
We use something similar to help the WR concentrate on catching the ball immediately after clearing a zone/congestion. Also aids our QB in timing of the throw.
Locating the football and catching it AFTER it is thrown. It's a hand-eye coordination drill with what looks to be a route-running component prior.
They didn't know which side of the mat the receiver would appear on. As soon as he appeared, they threw it. It helps with quick recognition and release.
I think it's goal is to teach players to explode from low to high when making tackles. Reaching low to pick up the ball will keep your pad level low before contact. Immediately lifting it up will drive your hips forward and up creating power when hitting. And grabbing and lifting the ball will teach players to use both arms when tackling.