Running the Ladder Drill for RBs – Youth Football Drills

BySteve Parker
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Today’s youth football drill is running the Ladder Drill for Running Backs. If you guys are like me I’ve got a lot of backs that for whatever reason when they break through the hole they decide to cut back to the inside right into the heart of the defense. Sometimes that works out for them, especially if it’s an aggressive over pursuing defense. But, I see so many backs cut right back into the Mike linebacker, or other inside linebackers and the nine Defensive guys that are the heart of the Defense.  I don’t know how many touchdowns we have missed due to these cut back errors. I just hit myself on the forehead because the back decided to cut back to the inside as soon as he broke through the hole and saw some daylight but then he sees one little small corner back there gets afraid it cuts back into the three linebackers.  Based on these frustrations, I came up with this Ladder Drill.

I’d heard an NFL running back talk about run the ladder; getting down the sidelines for a TD, so I came up with this drill to teach my backs to break to the sidelines and score.  The ladder is the yard hash lines on the sidelines between out of bounds and the numbers painted on the field.  This drill will teach the running backs to break into the open and weave over to the numbers and ladder.

Ladder Drill for Running Backs

Purpose:  To teach running backs that are running outside the B gap to stop cutting back into the inside and heart of the Defense.  They should learn to weave outside to the near sideline and run the ladder 3 yards from sideline to score.

Set Up: Rings or Cones set up to simulate one side of the Offensive Line.  3 coaches / dads / players to hold bags to simulate defense.  1 coach to simulate the block on the contain man.  Coach or Center can snap the football to the running back.

Coaching Points:

  • Do not let RBs cut back to the inside on this drill
  • The RBs should weave toward the near sideline
  • RBs should use stiff arms in open field – attack outside D shoulder
  • RBs will read butt of blocker at the contain point cut up or outside
  • Football needs to be incorrect position for stiff arms
  • All RBs should run through this drill
  • 95% of the time try to get to the ladder only a few cases to cut back inside
  • Do not get too close to sideline at least one yard away
  • Might want to teach RBs the 3/5 yard line cut back to mess with pursuing Defender

For more about the youth football drill; Running the Ladder, watch the video….

Again, this is the Running the Ladder Drill for Running Backs. I hope you guys have enjoyed the video.  This drill has been very effective for our pee wee football ball carriers.

More Youth Football Drills

For more youth football drills check out my Drills page 1 and Drills page 2. You can also check out my Drills eBook and O-Line Drills eBook. Or better yet get the Drill Bundle below and Save!

What are your favorite running back youth football drills?  Did my like my RB Running the Ladder Drill? Let me know, I would love to hear from you. Contact me anytime. I love to talk coaching youth football and and new drills you might like to share.

Remember, Play for Fun and Winning is Funner!

Good Luck this Season,
Coach Parker
Keller, Texas, DFW, Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas


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