One of the most important skills that running backs can have is balance. The ability to stay upright after contact can be the difference between a short run and a long gainer.

As a coach, plan daily practice time to help running backs focus on staying on their feet and gaining positive yards after contact. Here are X drills that we use to enhance the balance of our running backs.

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Gauntlet

• Players are divided into two lines that form a gauntlet. Each player is given a practice dummy.
• At the top of the gauntlet are a quarterback and a skill position player. The QB calls a snap count, and the position player reacts and attacks the gauntlet.
• The players in the gauntlet hit the ball-carrier with the dummies with the stipulation that they can’t strike the ball-carrier in the head or below the knees.
• The ball-carrier must survive the gauntlet without hitting the ground, bobbling the ball or losing the ball.

When evaluating, look for the following: formation of the pocket, ball security, balance, toughness. the QB’s placement of the ball in the ball pocket.

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Stumble

• The ball-carrier sprints forward.
• At the whistle, he reaches down and grabs grass with his offhand then regain his balance and continues to sprint forward as he changes the ball hand.
• After switching hands, the player readies himself for the next whistle.

When evaluating, look for the following: speed, the ability to regain balance, the ability to get back to top speed.

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The wall

• Four players with blocking dummies form a wall on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage. Four players with blocking shields are stacked behind the players holding the outside dummies, two to each side.
• The ball-carrier lines up five yards in front of the inside dummies. At the whistle, the ball-carrier can through the middle dummies or try to get around one side or another. During the first segment of the rep, the players holding the dummies resist the ball-carrier at contact. If the ball-carrier crosses the defensive line of scrimmage, they are to let him go, and the players holding the shields take over.

When evaluating look for the following: the speed and intensity of the drill, the body lean of the ball-carrier, the balance of the ball-carrier, the leg drive of the ball-carrier, ball security, the success of the back.

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Sideline

• Players with blocking shields and dummies are placed in five-yard intervals and within five yards of the sideline. They provide a hard bump with a dummy or shield to any ball-carrier who comes into their areas.
• A ball-carrier takes the ball 10 yards above the first defender, sprints down the sideline and takes on the contact given by his teammates. Players who do not run with the proper body lean and do not repel the contact tend to be sent flying out of bounds by their teammates.

When evaluating look for the following: speed and intensity of the rep, body lean, balance, ball control, success of the ball-carrier.

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.