FridayNightPulse Training Tip: 'Speed Through Contact' Drill for S Players
At Bishop Hendricken Hawks' summer camp, defensive backs coach Mike Smith emphasizes the importance of speed and agility in the secondary. To improve their ability to 'stay on a hip' and maintain speed through contact, Smith's team runs the 'Speed Through Contact' drill. Players line up in pairs, with one player as the ball carrier and the other as the defender. The defender starts in a backpedal position, then takes 3-5 steps forward to simulate a receiver's route. The ball carrier then cuts to the inside, and the defender must quickly close the gap and make contact while maintaining top-end speed. The drill is performed for 3 sets of 10 reps, with a 30-second rest between sets. This drill translates to game performance by teaching players to stay disciplined and explosive through contact, allowing them to make plays on the ball and limit big plays.