Ball Handling for a Running Back

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A smooth exchange of the ball between the quarterback and the ball carrier is vital. It is the primary job of the running back to run the exact path necessary to bring him in position for the quarterback to hand him the ball. The back must understand that the quarterback will be executing predetermined footwork on every running play that will bring him to a specific spot for the exchange.

The back also must make certain that he forms a pocket, with his hands and arms, to receive the ball from the quarterback. Though it is the quarterback's responsibility to place the ball properly in the runner's stomach, once the ball is there it becomes the back's priority to make certain that he has the ball securely in his grasp and well protected until the play is blown dead.

To have a successful rushing attack, there must be a bond of faith between the quarterback and his running back. Each expects and counts on the other to do his job properly. The ball carrier cannot afford the luxury of looking at the ball as he receives it from the quarterback. His vision must be directed to the area of the line where he is supposed to run. It is imperative that he see the blocking as it develops while using his peripheral vision to see the reaction of the defensive players.

NOTE: In all running back drills that follow, refer to the quarterback articles for quarterback movements, footwork, and drops.

Drill: Dive Handoff

The easiest play to start with when working on ball handling is the straight-ahead dive play. For this drill, the running backs can line up, in two lines, four yards off the line of scrimmage on either side of the quarterback.

When first teaching the drill, the quarterback should have the ball in his hands as he begins his cadence. Prior to the start of the cadence the coach should designate which back is to run the drill and receive the ball.

At the snap count, the running back should charge straight ahead from a three-point stance. At the same time, the quarterback should be moving down the line, preparing to place the ball into the runner's stomach area.

At the point of the exchange, the running back should form a pocket to receive the ball by raising up his inside elbow so that it is almost even with his shoulders. A large percentage of the fumbles which occur on the exchange are caused by the running back not raising his inside elbow high enough and his elbow actually hitting the point of the ball. The forearm of this upraised arm should be horizontal to the ground, extending straight across the runner's chest and forming the top of the pocket. The hand of this arm should bend down so that the palm can grasp the point of the ball.

The bottom of the pocket is formed by the other arm and hand. The forearm of the outside arm should be extended straight across the ball carrier's stomach. The palm should be up and fingers extended toward the quarterback.

The quarterback needs to place the ball firmly between the running back's two arms and into his stomach. The running back must clamp down on the ball as soon as he feels it placed against his body. In the beginning, it is good to have the ball carrier continue to grasp the ball with both hands as he crosses the line of scrimmage.

This same ball handling technique should be practiced with the back lining up in various positions and running all of the plays in the offense. Each time a play is run, the coach must check the path of the ball carrier and the footwork of the quarterback, while paying special attention to the actual exchange of the ball between the quarterback and the running back.

Executing a front handoff will be easy for the running back and quarterback to master. The next step is to learn the correct exchange of the ball on the plays where the quarterback is turning back toward the running back, instead of stepping directly at him, as he places the ball in the runner's stomach.

Drill: Fake Toss/Inside Trap

In both drills, the running back should take a path that initially heads directly at the coach. In the reverse pivot drill, the running back will establish this path with his first step of the far foot. In the fake toss-inside trap drill, the back's first step will be a lateral one with his inside foot and then his second step, with the far foot, will establish his path toward the coach.

As the back receives the ball from the quarterback, he should cut inside the coach and head up the field. If a coach is not available, a shirt or towel may be placed on the ground to give the back. a target to run toward.

Because the quarterback is starting one direction and then turning back to the running back to give him the ball, the path of the running back is vitally important. If the running back goes too wide, the quarterback never will be in position to reach him with the ball. Should the back run too close to the quarterback, then a collision can occur and the handoff has a good chance of being fumbled.

The pocket formed by the running back to receive the handoff will be the same and the manner of the handoff from the quarterback to the ball carrier should remain constant.

Once the running back feels he is taking the handoff correctly, it is time to learn the proper method of receiving the ball on plays where the quarterback laterals, rather than hands off the ball. This will happen on two basic running plays--a pitch play and on any option running play.

Drill: Taking a Pitch

The running back starts his lateral movement in the direction of the play with a crossover step. As he runs to the sideline, his hips should be facing the sideline and he should turn his upper body and head back toward the quarterback.

The running back needs to keep in mind that the quarterback will release the ball with an underhanded motion. The ball should reach the running back at his belt level or just above it. Because of the height of the ball, the running back must catch it by reaching back with his hands, making sure to keep his little fingers together. The palm of the near hand should be up to form a cradle for the ball, while the palm of the far hand should serve as the mitt for the catch, making contact with the point of the ball. Once the running back makes the catch, he should bring the ball across his body and secure it with his hand and arm farthest from the line of scrimmage.

Drill: Option Pitch

For a running back, receiving an option pitch from a quarterback differs from receiving a pitch in two major ways. First, the ball will not be coming in a spiral, but instead will be floating with much less velocity. Second, the ball usually will reach him at a much higher level. Rather than throwing the ball in an underhand motion, the quarterback running an option play will be flicking the ball from chest level to the running back.

Because of this, the ball carrier usually will catch the ball at his shoulders or above rather than at belt level. This makes it necessary for the running back to place his thumbs together to form the catching pocket when receiving the ball, and not his little fingers as on a pitch play.

When making this type of catch, the running back must try to remember to cock his wrists back toward his helmet so that the palms of both hands are facing slightly up and not pointing down toward the ground. With the palms down, there is a good possibility the ball will deflect off the player's hands down toward the ground.

On both option and pitch plays, the running back must turn his upper body to be in position to receive the ball. He also must try to have his hands in position so that he can simultaneously see the ball and his fingers as he makes the catch.

When receiving any type of lateral, the running back's first thought should be to catch the ball. Obviously, without first making the catch, the back has no chance to make the play a success. Next, he must think about securing the ball in his hand away from the line of scrimmage, and be prepared for any contact from the defense. Once the ball is caught and secured, the running back can think about turning up the field and making yards.

Winning Points

"Play Football The NFL Way" is the first Instructional Manual for Football Players and Coaches ever published by the NFL. It is the ultimate position-by-position guide of techniques and drills for Offense, Defense and Special Teams. Author Tom Bass is a former NFL coach with more than 20 years of experience with the Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

For a personalized autographed copy of "Play Football the NFL Way," plus information on Coach Bass Sport Maps--the new Official NFL Licensed Football Guides to watching, enjoying and understanding all the action on the field, for all fans--please visit www.CoachBass.com.

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Copyright © Thomas L. Bass 2006. All rights reserved.