Bixby Spartans Defensive End Drill: 'Rush and Recover'
Defensive ends at 5A programs like the Bixby Spartans need to be explosive off the edge and quick to recover to contain the quarterback. To improve these skills, Coach Thompson recommends the 'Rush and Recover' drill. Have DEs start in a 3-point stance, 5 yards off the line of scrimmage. On the coach's signal, they rush the quarterback 10 yards downfield, focusing on a quick, inside move. After 'tackling' the QB, they immediately recover to the line of scrimmage, resetting their stance. Repeat for 3 sets of 10 reps. Coaching cues include 'explosive off the line,' 'inside move, outside result,' and 'recover, reset, repeat.' This drill translates to game performance by improving DEs' ability to quickly close gaps and contain the QB, making it a valuable addition to any pre-season training plan.