Tight End Training: 'Box Out' Drill for Iowa City West Trojans
As the Iowa City West Trojans prepare for the upcoming 4A season, tight end players must develop the skills to excel in the red zone. The 'Box Out' drill is a crucial component of their pre-season training. This drill targets the tight end's ability to seal the edge and create space for their quarterback. To set up the drill, divide the tight ends into pairs with one player as the blocker and the other as the defender. The blocker will start in a three-point stance with their feet shoulder-width apart, while the defender will line up in a two-point stance. On the coach's signal, the blocker will explode off the line, driving their feet and extending their arms to 'box out' the defender. The drill will be performed for 3 sets of 10 reps, with a 30-second rest period between sets. Coaching cues include 'drive your feet' and 'extend your arms.' This drill translates to game performance by teaching tight ends to seal the edge and create space for their quarterback, resulting in more touchdowns and a stronger red zone presence.