Explosive Power for RBs: The 10-Yard Shuttle Drill
At top programs like the Mentor Cardinals, running backs need to be explosive and powerful to break tackles and gain extra yards. One effective drill to develop this skill is the 10-Yard Shuttle. This drill involves setting up two cones 10 yards apart, with a third cone at the 5-yard mark. The RB starts at the first cone, then sprints to the 5-yard cone and back to the starting point. They then sprint to the second cone and back to the starting point. Complete 3 sets of 5 reps, resting for 30 seconds between sets. Coaching cues include exploding out of the starting point, keeping the head down and eyes forward, and driving through the contact. This drill translates to game performance by improving acceleration, deceleration, and the ability to quickly change direction.