Football Training Tips To Succeed At The College Level: Running Back Position Tip #4:

by CSA Prepstar Canada

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD BLOCKING FOR ALL RUNNING BACKS

On all types of blocks your feet should take short choppy steps to try and move the defender away. Your blocking side leg should explode into the block to help give you more power to move the defender. Your shoulder and forearm need to make contact quite forcefully with the defensive player. Keep your back straight and your shoulders square slightly in front of your hips. Have your knees slightly flexed and always keep your head up and your eyes wide open and alert.

Now for outside blocks during any type of running play drive your outside shoulder into the inside hip of the defender, while keeping your head to the inside. Your outside foot is the one that will generate the force behind your block. Your shoulder and forearm should drive the defender to the outside.

For inside blocks, your inside shoulder will make contact with the defenders inside hip while your head will also be placed to the inside. Use your inside foot to generate the power you need for the block. Your inside shoulder and forearm will drive the defensive player to the inside.

In most cases the running back is smaller than the defensive player, especially going through the line, but the running back usually has the advantage of speed and quickness.

The defensive player will usually keep his shoulders above your shoulder pads. His arms will reach out hitting your shoulder pads with his palms. After you and the defensive player come apart his eyes will automatically look for the ball carrier.

During pass protection you will position yourself squarely between the defensive player and quarterback. Your feet should be slightly less than shoulder width apart. Take short quick steps and after each block reset your feet for another block. Keep your knees flexed your back straight your head up and your eyes looking straight ahead.

On an inside pass block your body will be facing down field while with an outside pass block you will basically be facing the sideline. The defensive player will usually grab onto your jersey or shoulder pad to try and pull you to the left or right. He will also push up on your shoulder pads with one arm and then drive his other hand underneath your raised shoulder.