Building Speed and Agility: S Players' Shuttle Run Drill
At Xaverian Brothers Hawks' summer camp, defensive backs coach, Mike Smith, emphasizes the importance of speed and agility training for S players. To improve their reaction time and quickness, Smith runs a shuttle run drill that targets the 5-10 yard range. The drill consists of 3 sets of 10 reps, with 30 seconds of rest between sets. Players start in a 3-point stance, then explosively sprint 5 yards to a designated cone, change direction, and sprint back to the starting point. Coaching cues include 'quick feet' and 'agility, not speed.' This drill translates to game performance by allowing S players to quickly close gaps and cover receivers in tight spaces. By incorporating this drill into their training regimen, S players can develop the skills necessary to excel in Div I competition.