Tiger-Proofing the DE Position: A Summer Drill for Cocoa's Defensive Ends
As the Cocoa Tigers prepare for another dominant 4A season, defensive ends coach, Mark Thompson, has been putting his players through a rigorous summer training program. One drill that's been yielding impressive results is the 'Rip and Twist' drill. Designed to improve speed, agility, and hand placement, this drill is a must-have for any DE looking to take their game to the next level. The drill consists of 3 sets of 10 reps, with a 30-second rest between sets. Players start in a 3-point stance, then rip their hands off the ground and twist their torso to the left, before quickly returning to the starting position. Coaching cues include 'rip and twist, don't just twist' and 'keep your eyes on the target.' This drill translates to game performance by improving a DE's ability to quickly change direction and get their hands on the quarterback.