Handoff exchange

Setup

1. Mark a line of scrimmage with cones, and a hole with two cones a few yards to the right of the centre.
2. Centre on the ball, QB under the centre, RB 6–7 yards deep behind the QB.
3. Spare QBs and RBs wait in lines behind. A coach can snap if there is no centre.

How it runs

1. On the QB's cadence the ball is snapped. The QB opens to the side of the play.
2. The RB runs a slight curve to the hole and makes a pocket.
3. The QB places the ball into the RB's belly. The RB squeezes it and runs through the hole for 5 yards.
4. The QB carries out a fake, as if they still had the ball.
5. Five reps to the right, five to the left, then rotate players.

Coaching points

• QB: two hands on the ball until the exchange; eyes on the RB's belly.
• QB: place the ball in the pocket, do not toss it or stab it.
• RB: inside elbow up, forearm across the chest; outside arm low, palm up.
• RB: eyes on the hole, not on the ball. Let the QB put it there.
• RB: squeeze on contact with the ball, then move it high and tight.
• QB: after the handoff, keep running the fake for a few steps.

Common mistakes

• RB looks down at the ball and misses the hole.
• RB grabs at the ball with the hands instead of letting it arrive in the pocket.
• Inside elbow down, so the ball hits the elbow and comes loose.
• QB holds the ball with one hand and lets it drift away from the body.
• Moving before the snap (a false start).