Stephen F. Austin Wide Receiver Blocking Drills

By Demo Odems
Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receiver Coach
Stephen F. Austin University
Twitter: @DemoOdems

Introduction:

One of the facets that makes coaching wide receivers complicated is dividing the time to teach them how to run routes, how to catch balls and how to block. In most cases, one of those areas gets neglected. But if your offense is based heavily upon perimeter runs and screen concepts, you’ll have to teach receivers how to correctly block in space and implementing at least one of these three drills daily can go a long way in doing so.

Drill 1: Med Ball Drill

Purpose: To teach the correct approach, hand placement, and blocking base for the run and screen game.

Tempo: 50% to 75%

Organization / Set-Up:

• Set the drill up on the sideline
• Use the yard lines as guides (5 yards apart)
• In the first phase, place a defender in front of the wide receiver face to face with a Med Ball
• In the second phase, place a defender at 5-8 yards from the WR to simulate closing the distance.

Coaching Points:

• Emphasize a wide base, head back, and hot feet.
• Shoot the hand at the ball with the palms up, thumbs out, and striking from low to high.
• Run feet on contact and keep hands inside the frame.
• Use strong arm/lockout technique when losing the DB.

To study practice film of this drill, click on the video below: