Boosting Kickoff Coverage for 7A Kicking Units: The 'Rip and Chase' Drill
As the 2026 high school football season approaches, kicking units at 7A programs like Milton Eagles are gearing up for another intense campaign. To improve kickoff coverage, Coach Thompson recommends the 'Rip and Chase' drill. This high-intensity exercise targets speed, agility, and reaction time. The drill consists of 3 sets of 5 reps, with 30 seconds rest between sets. Players line up 10 yards apart, with one player as the 'kicker' and the other as the 'coverage unit.' The kicker performs a rip move, faking a kickoff to the left or right. The coverage unit must quickly react and chase the fake, simulating a kickoff return. Coaching cues include 'stay on your toes' and 'react to the ball.' This drill translates to game performance by improving reaction time and speed, allowing coverage units to quickly close the gap on kickoff returns.