Rain, Snow, Sleet, Wind…Run the Ball to Win!
Oct 18, 2022 4:57 pm
Coach ,
As I write this from Avon Lake, Ohio I am looking out my window and it’s snowing. This brings me to today’s focus…Unless you are somewhere that always avoids inclement weather, you better have a solid plan for when it’s freezing, or the wind is driving the rain sideways.
So today, we are sharing some tips, drills, and schemes from some of this year’s top rushing teams in the country.
From #2 Army (316.8ypg) Close Quarters Combat Drill
If you are going to run the ball, you have to be tough and physical. Army uses what they call the CQC Drill to accomplish this. As OC Brent Davis explains, it is a drill that can be used for any offense. This is a team drill in which each coach is coaching blocking, and all positions are participating. He explains CQC drill here (click on image for video):
Video: Close Quarters Combat Drill
Army sets this up as a circuit as illustrated below:
As stated, any type of blocking can be a part of this team circuit. In the next video Coach Davis shows the Reach Block being drilled in CQC (click on image for video):
From #4 UCF (261.2ypg) Crowther Drills
Herb Hand, like many OL Coaches loves the Crowther sled because it provides instant feedback. Coach Hand illustrates that in this video (click on image for video):
The aspect of the inside zone which Coach Hand is teaching is to be able to have great half-man leverage. Again, the Crowther is employed to teach this technique (click on image for video):
Of course, for any drill to have value, the techniques it teaches should be visible on game film. Coach Hand illustrates a Post Overlap Combo, which he teaches on the Crowther, here (click on image for game film):
From #9 Michigan (261.2ypg) Inside Zone Progression
The Michigan Wolverines had a big challenge last weekend against Penn State’s 5th-ranked rush defense (79.8 yards per game, 2.96 yards per carry).
They responded by rushing for 418 yards and 7.6 yards per carry. Like any team that is running the ball well, they do it with fundamentals and technique.
OL Coach/Co-OC Sherrone Moore shows and explains his step-by-step drills for teaching zone and gap scheme combos in this training video. Included are 2-step fit and drive, 2nd level, Base Drive, Double Teams, Fronstide Combos, and Backside Blocks (click on image for video):
Whether you start working the team blocking circuit, pull out that rusty Crowther, or go back to the basics, sooner or later you will be in a game where the team that runs the ball better wins. Continuing to refine the fundamentals and techniques of your team’s blocking will be what helps you win that game.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski
P.S. Here are some other clinics to check out from top running teams:
Duo Play - Cody Kennedy, Arkansas 240.0 yards per game
Run Fundamentals - Brian Callahan, Minnesota 227.3 yards per game
Outside Zone - Gabe Fertitta, Florida State 204.4 yards per game
Tempo Run Game and Counter - Glenn Elarbee, Tennessee 203.2 yards per game
Zone and Power Run Game - Bart Miller, Illinois 199.3 yards per game
Developing the OL - Mike Hallett, Toledo 193.3 yards per game
FCS Rushing Leaders:
Gun Option Attack - Scott Abell, #1 Davidson 378.4 yards per game
Power Read - Brian Armstrong, #2 Montana State 281.1 yards per game
TE/FB Blocking -Tyler Roehl, #5 North Dakota State 246.0 yards per game
Counter - Pulling For Success - Matt Jones, UT Martin 188.3 yards per game
Attacking Blitz with Inside Zone - Joe Conlin, Fordham 184.1 yards per game