Don't Sweep Too Wide Drill

Description

Many young ball carriers get so focused on avoiding flag pullers that they run east-west until they're out of bounds with no gain. This drill uses gates to force the RB to attack north-south — exactly what real game success requires.

Instructions

1. Set a cone gate near where a TE would line up (outside the tackle box).
2. Set a second cone gate 5 yards downfield.
3. Add a defender at the second gate.
4. RB takes handoff, must run through the first gate (not outside it).
5. RB cuts upfield and tries to get through the second gate without losing their flag.

Points to Stress

• Score is the goal, not just avoiding the flag pull.
• Run N/S — not E/W. Staying east gets you nowhere.
• Attack the cone gate — don't bounce outside it.
• Make a decision and commit to it.