1 October 2010 - Inside American Football

stewArt muir in ACtion
PHoto Courtesy oF stewArt muir
6. Recognise your blitz pickup assignment early and be
aggressive - don’t wait for him to come to you. Head up,
stay low, then recoil, and keep your feet moving. And
no matter what anyone says, a good cut block should be
in everyone good RB’s arsenal (again except in Youth
football at the moment where it’s currently illegal!)
7. Don’t tip off where you’re going before the play starts.
Scan every hole and try and get a decent pre-snap read,
but don’t give anything away by lining up differently.
8. Perfect the jump cut: you plant, and then explode out of
the cut with the same foot. Practice by attacking bags
at full-speed and try to cut at 90 degrees. Sideways bag
jumps and running rope drills will help you develop the
lateral quickness.
glouCester bAnsHees sKirt tHe wAtFord CHeetAHs deFenCe
PHoto © Pete wilson
PeterborougH sAxons -v- Kent exiles
PHoto © gArry neesAm
COACHING
9. As soon as you’re tackled, don’t just ease up off the
ground. Bounce back up to your feet and jog back to
the huddle with some energy. Let the defense see that
you’re relentless and are going to keep coming at them
ALL DAY. Never let them think they’ve slowed you
down.
10. And finally, as the great Walter Payton said, “Never
Die Easy”! Make every defender, on every play, earn
the right to get you on the ground. Fight for every yard.
Run violently!
...Pete Barker
October 2010 - Inside American Football
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