Fumble... It makes players on offense cringe, players on defense smile, and football fans hold their breath. Turnovers can be caused by a hard-hitting tackle or poor coordination on the part of the receiver or running back. Therefore, ball-handling skills become an important tool for running backs and wide receivers. Ball-handling skills prove to be an essential component of a daily regiment, and they can help decrease the possibilities of turnovers.

Securing the ball becomes a player's top priority, especially if a player is inching towards the goal line or a first-down marker. Ball-handling drills help players practice these techniques and improve their dexterity as well as their ability to secure the ball.

The strip drill becomes especially helpful when running backs encounter pockets of defensive players. It helps running backs develop awareness of the ball and improve hand-off techniques. For this drill, players form two lines about one yard apart. The quarterback hands the ball off to a player, who then runs between the two lines. Everyone in line tries to strip the ball from the player. A key point for runners is to maintain a low center of gravity, protect the ball, and keep your legs pumping when fighting through the tackles.

Pitch drills help players work on timing and proper execution of a play. For visual aids, the coach marks the offensive line with a set of cones. The quarterback lines up behind the cone in the "center" position, while the running back lines up a few yards away. Once the quarterback "snaps" the ball, the running back runs a pattern. The quarterback pitches the ball and the running back catches it. The quarterback can alternate the pitch with a hand-off so that the running back can practice timing for both offensive plays. When running backs carry the ball, they should ensure that their elbow is tucked in, close to the rib cage, and the ball is held high and pressed into the chest. This drill can be repeated four to five times in one set so that players can focus more on form. Once accuracy and proper technique are mastered, timing and speed will come into play.

Ball-security drills also help work on a player's balance and form. For this drill, the player high steps over four to five dummy bags that are placed in a circular formation. As the runner clears one dummy bag, a teammate stands behind him ready to punch the ball out of his hands. The player begins running the drill in a clockwise rotation and then reverses direction until he reaches the starting point. Once the player reaches the first bag, he sprints out ten yards to finish the drill. In addition to working on ball protection, this drill focuses on conditioning and footwork.

Incorporating one or all of these drills into a daily practice can help improve a player's ball-handling skills. If a player wants to become a successful running back or wide receiver, mastering the basics first is essential.

Article by Anel Laj