During the offseason, coaches spent time evaluating talent and selecting the offensive plays that they will run.

So what’s next?

In our program, we select the drills we feel will best help us install and perfect the individual plays. Since we have gone to the spread, jet sweeps have become a staple of our offense. We use the following drills daily for the skill position players during individual and shell drill time to ensure the success of our jet sweeps.

Jet connection: This drill is used to give the QBs and slot receivers reps in performing the ball exchange during a jet sweep.

A coach or another player can give the QB an underhanded toss in place of a center. Cones are placed along the line of scrimmage in place of the guards and tackles. The slots line up one yard behind the line of scrimmage and three yards outside of the tackle cones. Depending on which jet sweep is called, the appropriate slot goes in motion, receives an inside handoff and sprints around the opposite side.

After the timing and exchange have been perfected, coaches can add the rest of the skill position players so they work on their assignments.

When evaluating, look for the following:

• The exchange between the QB and the slot
• The formation of a proper handoff pocket
• The speed of the rep
• The completion of all assignments

Beat the rabbit: This drill is designed for outside receivers. During sweeps, the outside receiver must beat the playside corner to the inside to seal him away from the ball-carrier.

In this drill, the corners will sometimes play head up and sometimes inside of the receivers. During some reps, the corners should play press coverage and during others they should line up five to seven yards off of the receivers.

The receivers are read the alignment, then beat the corners to a predetermined spot that will allow them to successfully block the corner during a sweep.

When evaluating look for the following:

• Did the receiver beat the corner to an inside spot and seal him away from the ball carrier?
• Did he maintain a legal block throughout the play?
• Did he keep his hands on the front side of the corner’s torso?
• Did he stay above the waist?

4 seconds: One of the biggest problems for youth football players is the inability to maintain blocks. This drill is designed to address that. In this drill, each player maintains a block for a minimum of four seconds.

A jet sweep is called in the huddle and run against a defense that you know you will see during the season.

A coach is placed on the left side of the formation to watch and evaluate the outside receiver and slot on the left side of the formation. Another coach is placed on the right side to do the same for the right outside receiver and slot. Finally, another coach is placed behind the backfield to watch and evaluate the work of the QB and running back.

When evaluating look for the following:

• Duration of the block
• Footwork – bad footwork leads to missed blocks and penalties
• Technique of each player
• Were the hands inside the torso?
• Was the chest over the thighs?
• Was the back flat?

When the skill position players become proficient at the three drills, the installation and game success of the jet sweeps will become much easier. Remember when planning practice to always incorporate drills that will enhance your offensive, defensive and special teams systems.

Chris Booth is the head football coach at Peterstown Middle School in West Virginia. He has had four books and nine videos published by Coaches Choice – available here– and will have a youth drill book published later in 2015.