How to Play Running Back

Video Transcript

"Hi my name is Otis St. Clair and today I am here to talk to you about how to play a running back. There are four things you need to know to become a running back. That is proper stance and release, how to receive a hand off, how to read your holds and how to block. So the first thing I want to talk about is your proper stance and release so follow me. Our five big cones represent our offensive line and our other cone represents our quarterback. As a running back you should line about seven yards deep in the back field directly behind the quarterback. Some of us use a two point stance which is basically both feet planted on the ground shoulder width apart, hands rested on the knees just like this. Other times running backs will use a three point stance, again both feet planted on the ground, shoulder width apart and hands down to the three point stance. Now let's talk about hand offs. From a two point stand depending on which way we are running the ball determines how we receive the ball. If we are running to our right side the ball is going to come to our left side so we need to have our left arm up, right arm underneath it approach the ball, plant down and go. Opposite for the opposite side. If we were going to the left side we would receive the ball on our right side, right arm up, left arm by waist, receive ball, find hole and go. The second thing once you receive the ball we need to know where we are going. We need to know what hole to read so our holes are numbered by odd numbers on the right side and even numbers on the left side. So if we are running at 23 there is 1 hole and our 3 hole. So I would take the ball here and run through our 3 hole. And the last and most important thing to be able to block as a running back. Sometimes you don't always get the ball because we pass so you need to be able to pass as well. So as we pass the line of scrimmage to block you need to be looking for a line backer, break down with your knees and waist directly underneath of you, hands up in front, make contact and try to drive to the outside so that you can create a pocket for the quarterback. That's it, those four things will help you become and play running back. Your stance and release, how to take the hand off, reading the hole and blocking."