How to run the INTERCEPTION DRILL defense and conditioning drill for YOUTH FOOTBALL

A successful youth football season all boils down to how well a team is prepared and how well the team practices. This article is another in my series of DEFENSIVE DRILL articles that will feature a drill that I like to incorporate at the end of practice. This drill works on the team’s defense and also works on the teams conditioning. This drill is called the INTERCEPTION DRILL.

When incorporating this drill into your practice schedule it can double as part of the conditioning portion of the practice.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Defensive Team
• Quarterback
• Center
• Football

1. 

   Set up:
   To set up the drill you will want to place a full defensive unit on the field. You will line up the defense on the 20 yard of their opponents end zone. They will be facing their opponent’s end zone. For this drill you will also need a Quarterback and a Center working from the shotgun formation. Any extra players should line up in an open offensive position.
   
   Starting the Drill:
   You begin the drill by having your Middle Linebacker or whoever is your defensive captain, call out a defense. The defensive players will then line up in their respective positions on the field. Your team will then make their defensive calls.
   
   The Quarterback tells the center what the snap count will be. The Quarterback will now go under center and call out his cadence. The play starts on the QB’s count. Once the QB receives the snap from the center he will drop back and set up to pass.

2. 

   Defensive Reaction:
   The defensive team must now react to the Quarterback. The defense must react as follows:
   The Defensive Linemen must count to 3 Mississippi and then start the rush on the QB staying in their respective lanes. All other defensive players must now drop to their assigned zones.
   
   When the Quarterback begins his throwing motion the defense must react as follows: The underneath zone players stop their drop and prepare to move to the ball. The rushing Defensive linemen let the QB make his throw as deep as he can. The Defensive Linemen, with the other defensive players, will turn and sprint to the ball.
   
   The player nearest the passed ball calls out “I HAVE IT” over and over again and focuses on making the interception. Once the interception is made he will run the ball to the nearest sideline and run toward the end zone.
   
   The defensive player that is nearest to the defensive player that intercepted the pass is now assigned to block for that player. He must now simulate a block as if the offensive player that the pass was intended for is coming to make a tackle. The player simulates a block before turning up the field and escorts the defensive player with the ball toward the end zone.
   
   Coach the other defensive players to now turn up the field and escort the defensive player with the ball all the way to the end zone.
   
   Coach the other defensive players to now turn up the field and escort the defensive player with the ball all the way to the end zone.

3. 

   Once the players have learned the drill you can give the QB the option to scramble out of the pocket before throwing the ball forcing the rush men to adjust their pursuit path to his movement.
   
   This drill should be run at full speed and with 100 percent effort.
   It is also very important to teach the players not to block BEHIND the return man.

Tips & Warnings

• This drill should be run at full speed and with 100 percent effort.
• It is also very important to teach the players not to block BEHIND the return man.

Resources

• How to Plan and Run an Effective Youth Football Practice
• How to run the TEAM PURSUIT DRILL defense and conditioning drill for YOUTH FOOTBALL
• How to properly take a snap as a Youth Football Quarterback
• How to run the FLASH PASSING QUARTERBACK DRILL for YOUTH FOOTBALL PLAYERS

[joycetmann]

on 9/24/2009 My grandson plays youth football. I'm forwarding this article to his dad. Thanks! 5*