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Post by CoachJoe on Feb 10, 2009 17:29:43 GMT -5
What is the biggest reason that a running back fumbles? Or at least, fumbles consistently? Is it strength, a flaw in the way they carry the ball, general focus? Why do some guys never put the ball on the ground and some guys are just known fumblers?
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Post by coachhez on Feb 10, 2009 21:04:15 GMT -5
Its everything you said, but to me its a flaw in their carrying or better yet their coaching. I think a coach can get his guy to be secure with the football on a more than regular basis. This past season we had a sophmore carry the ball 8 games, for a 1000 yards, with zero fumbles. I attribute that almost fully to his position coach always emphasizing great ball security and teaching him how to run with the football....sometimes we actually thought the carried it too high and tight and that it might slow him down, but we didnt fool with a good thing....
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Post by jkeeler on Feb 11, 2009 20:11:53 GMT -5
I think the biggest reason that people fumble is that the fat part of the ball doesn't make contact with the runner's body. Most runners have the ball secured with the forearm and two fingers ( middle and pointer). They do this because it allows them to pump their ball arm and it feels faster to them then carrying the ball with the fat part held tightly against their chest. While it is natural to have both arms pumping while running, it is easy to fumble because all it takes is a helmet, shoulder, or club to knock the ball loose. What carrying the ball high and tight does is add an extra pressure point for the runner, therefore making it a little harder to jar the ball loose. Now it takes lots of practice for the runner to make this feel natural and second nature. It will slow them down but it will result in less chances of them fumbling the ball. I'd rather have a runner with 25 carries for 90 yards and zero fumbles then 20 carries for 200 yards and two fumbles. You lose at least 30 yards of field position with each fumble, and I want an offense that ends each possession with a kick.
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Post by CoachJoe on Feb 11, 2009 22:25:46 GMT -5
Does the runner (or can the runner) still switch hands when he's carrying the ball high and tight? Or is it tucked away and stays there? Does trying to switch hands cause more problems than it solves?
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Post by jkeeler on Feb 12, 2009 10:15:46 GMT -5
When running to the outside, such as a toss or stretch play, the ball should already be in the hand closest to the sideline. In fact I tell the runners that if the play is to the right, ball in right hand. Play to the left, ball in left hand. They are more likely to bounce it to the same side of the play then reverse it to the opposite side. Now the gray area is when the runner starts on one side of the field and reverses to the other side of the field. He must switch hands if he has space to do so (Meaning no tacklers within 5 yards). If he doesn't have room, put two hands on that baby and don't lose it.
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