Forever Sports Online: Atlanta Falcons Running Backs Coach Introduces Innovative “Rugby Drill” to Improve Players’ Skills
Atlanta Falcons running backs coach, Michael Pitre, has implemented a new and unique drill called the “rugby drill” to enhance the skills and performance of his players. The drill, which involves four running backs sprinting towards each other and executing jump cuts before sprinting away again, aims to improve footwork, vision, jump-cutting, and timing.
Pitre was introduced to this unconventional drill by his friend and former Carolina Panthers running back, DeShaun Foster, who currently serves as a coach at UCLA. In fact, several NFL running backs who have come through UCLA have also used this drill to enhance their skills, including Joshua Kelley of the Los Angeles Chargers and Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks.
Originating from a football camp in American Samoa, the drill made its way to the NFL through Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach, Kennedy Polamalu. According to Polamalu, the “rugby drill” is more effective in simulating real game situations compared to traditional drills that utilize bags or cones.
One of the key benefits of the “rugby drill” is its ability to replicate the chaos and unpredictability of actual games. The drill requires players to make quick decisions and adapt to changing situations, improving their on-field performance. Packers running back, AJ Dillon, and his former coach at Boston College, Brian White, have even modified the drill into a variation called the “chaos drill” to further enhance players’ decision-making abilities.
The introduction of the “rugby drill” to the Atlanta Falcons’ training regimen signifies a commitment to innovative and effective coaching techniques. As players continue to develop their skills through this drill, fans can anticipate better footwork, vision, jump-cutting, and timing from the team’s running backs on game day.
Forever Sports Online will continue to monitor the impact of this drill, along with other cutting-edge training methods, to bring fans the latest updates on the evolving world of sports coaching.
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