Candy Bar Drill for Running Backs / Blocking Backs – by Larry Gombos
Candy Bar Drill for Running Backs / Blocking Backs
This Candy Bar Drill for Running Backs / Blocking Backs was adapted from Troy Grice’s “Candy Bar Drill” for the o-line. Also adapted from Troy’s philosophy that for a running play to work, you must block the MLB, Play side OLB and play side DE. This drill was designed to teach your 3 blocking backs how to block their assignments by “coaching backward”. Fit your backs to their respective assignments to show them what the final objective looks like. Then, gradually work backward until they are able to get to their blocks from their starting points within the formation. We found it best to have each back consistently block the same player, but that’s not necessary. You can change the assignments based on the play.
General Drill Setup:
- 3 Backs (F, H and B) and 3 defenders (MLB, OLB, DE)
- Cones to simulate O-line
- Short cones to establish “running zone”. This is the area of attack that we want to keep the
defense out of. - Stand up dummy (candy bar) in the middle of the “running zone”
Stage 1 Setup
- Place each back just inside the zone
- Place each defender just outside the zone
- F = MLB
- H = DE
- BB = OLB
- Note: The 3 back positions are our rules. Feel free to adjust based on your rules, but the
concept is that on any running play, you MUST block the MLB, play side OLB and DE for it
to succeed.
Objective: Protect the Candy Bar by keeping the “Big 3” out of the zone for 5 seconds.
Execution: On HIT, Defense has 5 seconds to knock the ball off the stand up dummy. Count down loudly. Loser does push ups, bear crawls . . . Whatever, but keep it short. Encourage the winners to heckle the losers while they exercise. Make sure to repeat for left side.
Coaching Points: Good stance, Fast feet, multiple punches with elbows tight, wrists together (if anyone is going to hold on a running play, it’s likely to be a blocking back)
Progression: (after they start to win more than lose): Stage 2 moves everyone (blockers and defenders) back a little. You are gradually increasing the distance to their destinations.
Candy Bar Drill Stage 2
Assignment and objective are the same as Stage 1: This is an example of the “Coach Backwards” philosophy. In Stage 1, we placed the blocking backs and defenders where we would like to see them as the ball approaches the zone. Now, let’s pull the backs to just behind the LOS in a relative path from their starting point and make sure each defender is the same distance from the Candy Bar plus 1 yard.
Execution: On HIT, Defense attacks the candy bar and backs take a path to intercept them. Defense again has 5 seconds to knock the ball off the stand-up dummy. Otherwise, same as Stage 1.
Notes: Make sure blocking backs know that they do NOT have to enter the zone or stay in the zone. They just need to defend the candy bar. If the defense is too fast, have them start on their bellies. If they are still too fast, have them start on their backs.
Coaching Points: Sprint to the intercept point, then gather. The rest is the same as Stage 1.
Candy Bar Drill Stage 3
Assignment and objective are the same as Stage 1 and 2: Coach Backwards” to the next level Now, let’s put the backs in their proper starting position. Align YOUR backs in their proper spot and give their assignments based on your scheme. Move the Cand Bar to the very bottom of the box.
Execution: Instruct the DE that he MUST cross the LOS before pursuing the ball. This is to simulate game conditions. On “HIT!” defense attacks the candy bar and backs take a path to intercept them. Defense again has 5 seconds to knock the ball off the stand-up dummy. Otherwise, same as Stage 1 and 2.
Notes: Because we direct snap on most of our plays, we gain a blocking back. If you are under center and handing off, decide which lineman is responsible for MLB or OLB (pullers?) and put him in this drill as a lineman. We are Sidesaddle Notre Dame Box, which will explain the odd alignment in our diagrams. It is okay for a defender to enter the box as long as they don’t get the Candy Bar.
Coaching Points: Sprint to the intercept point, then gather. 2nd level defenders rarely stand still, so if the blocker is too aggressive, he will likely miss.
This drill is great to teach your running backs how to block. And blocking is a foundational football fundamental.
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