Wildcat Wednesday: Defensive End Drill to Dominate the Line
At Springfield Wildcats summer camp, defensive line coach Tom Harris is focusing on developing the speed and agility of his Division II defensive ends. The 'Rush and Recover' drill targets the quickness and explosiveness needed to beat blockers and close on the quarterback. Players start in a 3-point stance, then explosively rush 5 yards before immediately changing direction and recovering to the starting position. This drill is performed for 3 sets of 10 reps, with a 30-second rest between sets. Coaching cue: 'Fast feet, fast hands, fast finish.' This drill translates to game performance by improving the DE's ability to quickly close on the quarterback and recover to the ball carrier, making them a more effective pass rusher and run defender.