Savon Huggins, RB Coach, Boston College
View the entire video on Glazier Drive: RB Skills & Drills That Translate to the Field, Including Ball Security
This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.
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BALL SECURITY AND SURFACE AREA REDUCTION DRILL BREAKDOWN
This coaching video focuses on a fundamental running back drill designed to improve ball security and create yards after contact through proper technique. The drill simulates running through traffic while maintaining possession and reducing the target area for defenders.
DRILL SETUP AND PURPOSE
The drill uses agility equipment and cones to create a confined space that mimics running through traffic or a defensive gauntlet. Players carry the ball through a chute or between defenders while focusing on maintaining low pad level and proper ball security. The setup includes a finishing component with a can or cone to simulate making a move on a defender at the end of the drill.
KEY TECHNIQUE POINTS
The primary focus is on “reducing surface area” – minimizing the target that defenders can tackle by keeping proper pad level and ball position. Players must lock their elbow with the ball tucked tight against their body, ensuring the ball cannot be seen from behind. The drill emphasizes picking up knees through traffic while maintaining a low center of gravity by sinking at the ankles, knees, and hips rather than bending at the waist.
BALL SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS
The coach reinforces the four points of pressure for ball security throughout the drill. Players practice with both right and left hands to develop ambidextrous ball handling skills. The emphasis is on keeping the ball secure even when making contact with defenders, as losing ball security forces runners to slow down and check the ball position.
FINISHING COMPONENT
Every repetition includes a finishing move off a can or cone to simulate beating a defender after contact. This reinforces the importance of staying on the toes and being ready to make moves when reaching the second level of defense. The coach stresses that quality repetitions are more important than quantity.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
The drill translates directly to game situations where running backs encounter unblocked defenders, linebackers working through traffic, or safeties coming downhill. By reducing surface area, runners create “whiff tackles” where defenders cannot get a solid grip, leading to yards after contact. The technique works against both ball-side and off-ball defenders.
COACHING POINTS FOR DIFFERENT BODY TYPES
The video shows examples with different sized running backs, noting that larger backs (like the 6’6″ 220-pound example) need extra emphasis on pad level since they naturally present larger targets. The coach provides specific feedback about sinking hips rather than ducking the head to maintain proper running posture.
GAME IMPACT
The coach emphasizes that mastering this technique can be the difference between average gains and explosive plays or touchdowns. In competitive situations where talent is equal, the running back who creates more yards after contact through proper technique will earn more playing time. The drill prepares backs to handle various defensive looks and create positive plays even when facing unblocked defenders.