This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.
Every championship season is built on crucial third-down conversions, but few programs prepare for these moments as systematically as North Crowley High School (TX). In this exclusive breakdown, State Championship Offensive Coordinator Eli Reinhart shares the drill his team uses weekly to dominate third downs and keep drives alive when it matters most.
Click this link to catch his entire Glazier Drive Presentation on Offensive Situational Football: 3rd Down, Red Zone, 2 Minute, & Goal Line.
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This is a situational practice drill run every Wednesday that simulates realistic third down scenarios. Here’s how it works:
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Start with second-and-ten
- Run an offensive play from second down
- Wherever the play ends determines your third down situation
- Second down plays can be scripted, but third down calls are made on the fly
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Key Features:
- Light contact (“thud”) in the box, tag-off on the perimeter
- Competitive scoring system (winners avoid running gassers)
- Can be extended to practice fourth down situations
- Coordinators get real practice making situational play calls
- Players learn to understand chain position and conversion requirements
The drill’s main benefits:
- Gives coordinators live practice with situational play-calling
- Helps receivers understand route depth relative to the first down marker
- Creates game-like pressure for conversions
- Teaches players situational awareness
- Can be modified to practice fourth down scenarios
When players truly understand situations (not just coaches), that’s when teams can operate at an elite level.
