H drill
Why it works
Every other flag pulling drill tells a kid where the runner is coming from. In a game he finds out late and from the wrong side. Starting back to back and letting both players choose their own cone means neither of them knows what they are turning into, which is the only part of a game rep this drill is trying to copy.
Run it
8 MINSix rounds, swapping who carries the ball. Eight minutes. Rotate pairs so nobody learns one opponent.
Say this
“Find the hips before the feet.”
The hips go where he is going; the feet are already lying to you.
“Break down before you get there.”
Arriving under control is the difference between a pull and a whiff.
“Runner, one move.”
Same cap as every other open field drill, and for the same reason.
Good looks like
- Both players turn and locate each other inside a second.
- The defender's last three steps are short and under control.
- The pull is at the belt while both are still moving.
- The two of them meet somewhere different almost every rep.
The mistakes
Watching the ball, which in this drill is also the fastest way to get juked.
Say: “Find the hips before the feet.”
Sprinting all the way in and going straight past. Make them lose that rep.
Say: “Break down before you get there.”
Dancing in the middle until somebody falls over.
Say: “Runner, one move.”
Same cone for both, so they know where they are going and only the meeting is a surprise.
Three players: two defenders and a runner, all from different cones. Now they have to talk.