Rice Green Knights Tight End Drill: 'Box Out and Release'
This summer, Rice Green Knights tight end coach, Mark Thompson, is emphasizing a crucial drill to improve his team's red-zone production. The 'Box Out and Release' drill targets the TE's ability to seal defenders and create separation in tight spaces. Set up four stations with a defender at each end of a 5-yard box. The TE starts at the center of the box, with a ball in hand. On the whistle, the TE must 'box out' the defender with their feet and hands, then quickly release to the other side of the box, making a sharp cut to create separation. Complete 3 sets of 10 reps, resting 30 seconds between sets. This drill translates to game performance by teaching TEs to quickly adjust to changing defensive schemes and create separation in tight spaces, making them a more reliable target for their quarterbacks.