What DOES IT TAKE TO BE a running back?
The running back is the workhorse of the offense. His job is to carry the ball right into the middle of the defense to wear them down throughout the game. The running back must be strong, fast, quick, and very durable. His strength is used to break tackles, while the speed and quickness are to avoid defenders in the open field. His durability helps him withstand the countless hits has to take throughout the season. Walter Payton possessed all of these traits, and was considered the epitome of a textbook running back.
Adrian PetersonTeam: Height: 6’1” Weight: 217 lbs Holding of the Ball: Peterson holds the ball mostly with his hand and wrist. He rarely holds the ball against his body and lets the ball go with the motion of his arm instead of just his body. He does not keep the football snug in the corner of his elbow. Instead of gripping the ball with his wrist cuffed around it, he uses all of his fingers to grip it. Peterson is predominately a right arm carrier. He rarely ever carries the ball with his left arm and if he does switches it back quickly to his right. Hand-offs: When getting a hand off, Peterson grabs the ball only with his right arm and has his left arm out to protect. He grasps the ball with a hand that is spread wide then puts the ball closer to his wrist. When going for a hand-off Peterson goes full speed towards the play as if he were running to tackle then grabs the ball and slips around the defensive players. Speed: His speed is probably the best out of running backs. He runs a 4.4 on the 40 yard dash, and his lowest time is 4.37. He easily moves side to side in a nice smooth motion. When running, Peterson keeps his head down and runs full force toward the goal. |
*Going with the motion of your arm
How to do this:
This is a natural motion. As you run your arm naturally sways back and forth the the movement of your body. Don't tuck your elbow in when you run. You want your arm to be loose and free. Relax your arm and let your arm move freely as you travel down the field.
*Using your fingers to grip the ball
How to do this:
When you grip a football you normally pick up the football you grab it by it's laces. Most football players will move the football in to the pocket of your wrist. Peterson wraps his palm and spreads his fingers wide to grip the ball. To do this catch the ball with an open palm. Keep your palm open wide with your fingers stretched and wrap around the ball to grip it.
*Right arm carrying
How to do this:
If you catch the ball with your left hand, switch the ball to your right hand with the finger grip, and advance down the field.
*Left arm protecting
How to do this:
When you are running down the field, you want to protect the ball from getting knocked out and fumbling. You need to shield with your left arm. As you are running down the field, bring your left arm up at a 90 degree angle to your body to help push away blockers. Remember, this is your protection; so make sure your arm is tight and strong!
*Grabbing the ball and slipping away
How to do this:
When you run a hand-off play, run straight for the quarter back and grab the football. As you are grabbing the football, keep your head up and your heels off of the ground. Staying on the front part of your foot will help you move side to side more easily. If a blocker moves toward you, stay on the front part of your foot and keep your weight forward so you can dodge him quickly.
How to do this:
This is a natural motion. As you run your arm naturally sways back and forth the the movement of your body. Don't tuck your elbow in when you run. You want your arm to be loose and free. Relax your arm and let your arm move freely as you travel down the field.
*Using your fingers to grip the ball
How to do this:
When you grip a football you normally pick up the football you grab it by it's laces. Most football players will move the football in to the pocket of your wrist. Peterson wraps his palm and spreads his fingers wide to grip the ball. To do this catch the ball with an open palm. Keep your palm open wide with your fingers stretched and wrap around the ball to grip it.
*Right arm carrying
How to do this:
If you catch the ball with your left hand, switch the ball to your right hand with the finger grip, and advance down the field.
*Left arm protecting
How to do this:
When you are running down the field, you want to protect the ball from getting knocked out and fumbling. You need to shield with your left arm. As you are running down the field, bring your left arm up at a 90 degree angle to your body to help push away blockers. Remember, this is your protection; so make sure your arm is tight and strong!
*Grabbing the ball and slipping away
How to do this:
When you run a hand-off play, run straight for the quarter back and grab the football. As you are grabbing the football, keep your head up and your heels off of the ground. Staying on the front part of your foot will help you move side to side more easily. If a blocker moves toward you, stay on the front part of your foot and keep your weight forward so you can dodge him quickly.
Arian FosterTeam: Houston Texans #23 Height: 6’1” Weight: 215 lbs Holding of the ball: Foster handles the ball in a cradling motion. He grasps the football with his wrist wrapped around the tip of the ball, fitting it tightly into the pocket of his elbow. This gives him more grips on the ball and less of a chance of fumbling. He runs with the football in whichever hand is on the outside of the play. Foster sometimes keeps the ball hugged to his body when running. He runs with a normal, text book like running position and the ball follows that motion. Hand-offs: When taking a hand-off, Foster runs right toward the ball. The Quarterback holds it out as if Foster is going to “attack it.” Foster grabs the ball with both hands, then switches it to the hand which again will be on the outside of the play. He is also very quick off the snap. Speed: His speed is better than most running backs. He is quick off the snap and only accelerates from there. He has good vision out on the field. He is always looking forward to see if he can move around a block or juke a tackle. He has great lateral movement and can easily twist and turn to defeat players. |
*Cradling
How to do this:
Keep the ball in the pocket of your arm just like you would cradle a baby.
*Wrapping your wrist around the tip of the ball
How to do this:
Instead of opening up your palm and stretching out your fingers, wrap your wrist around the top point of the ball. This helps with stability.
*Hugging the ball to your body
How to do this:
When you run a route keep the ball close to your body.
*Quick off the snap
How to do this:
Keep your hands on your knees and your balance on your toes until the ball is snapped. When the ball is snapped, step hard and quick to whichever side the play is being directed, then run the play.
*Juke a tackle
How to do this:
Hesitate to one side by taking a hard-step to the opposite side of the ball and cut back inside. This throws the defender off and stops him long enough for you to move past him without getting slowed down.
How to do this:
Keep the ball in the pocket of your arm just like you would cradle a baby.
*Wrapping your wrist around the tip of the ball
How to do this:
Instead of opening up your palm and stretching out your fingers, wrap your wrist around the top point of the ball. This helps with stability.
*Hugging the ball to your body
How to do this:
When you run a route keep the ball close to your body.
*Quick off the snap
How to do this:
Keep your hands on your knees and your balance on your toes until the ball is snapped. When the ball is snapped, step hard and quick to whichever side the play is being directed, then run the play.
*Juke a tackle
How to do this:
Hesitate to one side by taking a hard-step to the opposite side of the ball and cut back inside. This throws the defender off and stops him long enough for you to move past him without getting slowed down.
Jamaal Charles
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*Keeping your elbow tight to your body
How to do this:
When you run keep your elbow tight to your body. This tucks your arm and elbow as close to your body to gain stability to create a pocket for the football.
*Diagonal route running
How to do this:
Instead of running straight through the defensive players run diagonally.
*Running off the shoulder of the Quarterback
How to do this:
When you run to get a pick, do not stray away from the quarterback. Run right off the shoulder of him instead.
How to do this:
When you run keep your elbow tight to your body. This tucks your arm and elbow as close to your body to gain stability to create a pocket for the football.
*Diagonal route running
How to do this:
Instead of running straight through the defensive players run diagonally.
*Running off the shoulder of the Quarterback
How to do this:
When you run to get a pick, do not stray away from the quarterback. Run right off the shoulder of him instead.
Demarco Murray Team: Dallas Cowboys #29
Height: 6’0 Weight: 217 lbs Holding of the ball: Murray handles the ball with the cradling motion. Although he doesn’t grip the ball like Foster and Charles he still holds the ball tight in to his arm. He grips the ball with a spread open palm like Peterson. He also predominately holds the ball in his right arm. Murray keeps his elbow tight to his body to keep the ball protected. Hand-offs: When receiving a hand-off, he grabs it with his right arm and takes off! He runs more of a straight on approach toward the Quarterback, then decides which way he wants to run his route. This lets him make the decision without giving it away to the defense. Speed: His speed cannot be compared to anyone else. He has natural “get up and go” motion and when he feels the pressure is on, he increases his speed even more. He has a long stride that easily gets him past players. Although his speed is one of the best he keeps his head down, and does not always look ahead. He has poor field vision which makes him easier to tackle. He runs a 4.41 on the forty yard dash. |
*Long stride running
How to do this:
Run with long and wide steps. This will help you cover more ground in a shorter amount of time.
*Keeping your head down
How to do this:
While your running your routes, keep your head down. This will help you pick up speed.
How to do this:
Run with long and wide steps. This will help you cover more ground in a shorter amount of time.
*Keeping your head down
How to do this:
While your running your routes, keep your head down. This will help you pick up speed.
Sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP3AgX-v4Kg
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=58020&draftyear=2007&genpos=
http://www.nfl.com/player/arianfoster/79555/profile
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHdQ0SAL02c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8B-H8jkx5U
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11307/jamaal-charleshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebkbXdnikvY
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/demarco-murray?id=2495207
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP3AgX-v4Kg
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=58020&draftyear=2007&genpos=
http://www.nfl.com/player/arianfoster/79555/profile
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHdQ0SAL02c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8B-H8jkx5U
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11307/jamaal-charleshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebkbXdnikvY
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/demarco-murray?id=2495207