Running Lanes Drill

Description

Great ball carriers see the play before it happens. This drill trains RBs to read the defense and pick a lane before the snap — replacing the habit of running wherever the ball is handed with intentional, decisive north-south attacking.

Instructions

1. Set two cone gates 3 yards wide, 5 yards downfield — one left, one right of center.
2. RB lines up in the backfield.
3. Add a linebacker between the two gates.
4. RB reads the LB position and picks a lane before the snap.
5. QB hands off and RB attacks the chosen lane at full speed.

Points to Stress

• Read the defense and commit — no hesitating once you have the ball.
• Hit the hole at FULL speed — dancing slows you down.
• Eyes up: find the open lane before you're at the LOS.
• If in doubt, go north — forward progress is always the goal.