FridayNightPulse: DE Drills for 4A Programs
For defensive ends at 4A programs like West Des Moines Valley Tigers, a key component of a successful training program is building explosive power and speed. The 'Shuttle and Strike' drill is an effective way to achieve this. Divide the DEs into pairs, with one player as the 'striker' and the other as the 'blocker'. The blocker will stand 10 yards away from the striker, who will start in a 3-point stance. On the whistle, the blocker will sprint towards the striker, who must quickly react and strike the blocker's chest with their hands. The striker then immediately sprints 10 yards back to the starting position. Repeat for 3 sets of 10 reps. Coaching cue: 'Strike, then sprint!' This drill translates to game performance by allowing DEs to develop their reaction time and the ability to quickly close the gap on the quarterback.