American football drills
American football team plays & schemes drills
12 free American football drills for team plays & schemes, each with the setup, how it runs, what to coach, and how to make it harder or easier.
12 drills
Team plays & schemesPass coverage7-on-7 passingNon-contact 7-on-7: a QB and five eligible receivers against a full back seven, with a 4-second clock and two-hand touch.20 min · 14–24 players · U13+
Team plays & schemesBlockingBlitz pickup and hot routesThe protection picks up the most dangerous rushers, and when one comes free the QB throws hot to the receiver who sees it too.20 min · 14–22 players · U16+
Pass coverageTeam plays & schemesCover 2 and Cover 3 zone dropsSeven defenders drop from the same two-high look to their Cover 2 or Cover 3 landmarks, then break on the coach's throw.15 min · 7–14 players · U14+
Run defenceTeam plays & schemesGap control and run fitsEach defender owns one gap: the front fits against scout runs at walk-through pace, then at thud, so no gap is left empty.20 min · 14–26 players · U14+
Team plays & schemesBlockingInside zone runThe line steps together on a zone track, doubles the down linemen up to the linebackers, and the running back reads bang, bend or bounce.20 min · 12–24 players · U14+
Team plays & schemesBall carryingOutside zone stretchThe line reaches together to the play side and the running back stretches the edge, reads the end and makes one cut.20 min · 12–24 players · U14+
Quarterback playTeam plays & schemesPlay-action bootlegThe offence sells an outside zone run one way while the QB boots the other way and reads the flat, then the drag.20 min · 10–22 players · U16+
Team plays & schemesBlockingPower run: pull and kick outThe play side blocks down, the fullback kicks out the end man and the backside guard pulls through the hole for the linebacker.20 min · 14–26 players · U15+
Route runningTeam plays & schemesRed-zone passing conceptsReceivers and the QB run smash, flood and mesh inside the 20, where the end zone's back line squeezes every route.20 min · 8–16 players · U16+
Quarterback playTeam plays & schemesRun-pass option readsThe QB reads one conflict defender after the snap and either hands off on inside zone or pulls and throws the slant.20 min · 12–22 players · U16+
Team plays & schemesCatchingScreen pass timingThe line sells pass protection for a two-count, lets the rush through, and sets up a convoy for a running back screen.15 min · 10–22 players · U14+
Decision-makingTeam plays & schemesTwo-minute drillThe offence drives against the clock with timeouts, sideline throws, a no-huddle line-up and a spike, while the defence plays to keep everything in front.15 min · 22–50 players · U16+