Defensive End Dominance: The 'Rip and Go' Drill
For 5A programs like Mill Valley Jaguars, dominating on the defensive line starts with the fundamentals. One drill that can help Defensive Ends (DEs) take their game to the next level is the 'Rip and Go.' This explosive drill focuses on speed, agility, and power. To run the drill: Set up cones in a zigzag pattern, 5 yards apart. Divide your DEs into pairs, with one player as the 'rip' and the other as the 'go.' The 'rip' player starts at the first cone, the 'go' player starts 5 yards back. On the whistle, the 'rip' player sprints to the next cone, then immediately changes direction and sprints back to the starting point. The 'go' player must quickly close the gap and 'rip' the ball carrier to the ground. Coach your DEs to keep their head up, stay low, and explode through the ball carrier. This drill translates to game performance by improving reaction time, agility, and overall speed. Run the 'Rip and Go' drill 3 sets of 5 reps, 3 times a week, to see a significant improvement in your DEs' performance.