Michigan Football Series: Techniques & Drills for Offensive Position Play

Jim Harbaugh,
Los Angeles Chargers (NFL) Head Coach;
University of Michigan Head Coach from 2014 to 2023;
2023 College Football Playoff National Champions;
2022 Big Ten Coach of the Year;
3x Big Ten Champions;
2021 Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year Award;
4x Big Ten East Division Champions;
San Francisco 49ers (NFL) Head Coach from 2011 to 2014;
2012 NFC Champions;
2011 NFL Coach of the Year;
Stanford University Head Coach from 2007 to 2010;
2010 Woody Hayes Trophy, awarded to the top collegiate coach;
San Diego Head Coach from 2004 to 2006;
2x NCAA Division 1 FCS Mid-Major National Champions (2005, 2006);
starred as a quarterback for Michigan as a player;
in 1986, finished 3rd in Heisman Trophy voting and was the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player;
drafted by the Chicago Bears (1st round) and was in the NFL for 14 years;
1995 Pro Bowl;
1995 AFC Offensive Player of the Year;
1995 NFL Comeback Player of the Year;
1997 George Halas Award;
2005 Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor

and Ben McDaniels,
Houston Texans (NFL) Offensive Assistant Coach/Assistant Wide Receivers Coach;
University of Michigan Quarterbacks Coach & OA from 2018 - 2020;
15+ years of coaching experience at the high school, college (Minnesota, Columbia, Rutgers), and pro levels (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears)

The quarterback position is often thought of as the most important position in all of sports. Having players who not only can grasp the physical, but mental and leadership part of being a quarterback is what all football coaches strive to have.

The 2011 NFL Coach of the Year and Michigan's 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship Coach, Jim Harbaugh, along with former Michigan Quarterbacks Coach Ben McDaniels, share 13 drills that they use to help develop quarterbacks within their football program. Harbaugh and McDaniels share concepts such as how to throw on the run, how to evade defenders, how to take multiple types of snaps, and training a quicker release.

Quarterback Fundamentals

Teaching quarterbacks proper throwing motion, RPO handoffs, and how to present yourself as a quarterback are all fundamentals that are shared in this video. You will see the "100 reps" rule for developing good habits, how to teach proper elbow positioning on throws, and how to teach footwork on QB drop backs. You will also see:

• How to teach the quarterback and center exchange.
• The "drive through fake" action.
• Three different quarterback cadences.
• What equipment quarterbacks need.
• The ABC's of coaching a quarterback.

Quarterback Drills

Using film footage, you will see 13 on-field drills to help develop a quarterback, including exercises such as the Anticipation drill, Naked Fast Decision drill, and Hitch-Hitch Go or Throw drill. You'll also see:

• The Ken Cote drill to help QBs develop good decision outside the pocket.
• Two competitive drills in the Quick Release Competition and the Goal Post Challenge.
• The Circle drill to teach throwing while on the run.
• The Flush drill, which teaches four different ways to leave the pocket.

Using their college and professional coaching and playing experience, Harbaugh and McDaniels give you the tools to develop quarterbacks at any level. The knowledge packed into this video will help develop any quarterback into a more efficient, well-rounded player.

70 minutes. 2019.

with Jay Harbaugh,
University of Michigan Tight Ends/Co-Special Teams Coordinator;
2021 FootballScoop.com Special Teams Coordinator of the Year:
2018 & 2021 Big Ten East Division Co-Champs;
from 2017 - 2020 was Michigan Running Backs/Co-Special Teams Coordinator;
coached Jake Butt to the 2016 John Mackey Award;
coached at Oregon State and with the Baltimore Ravens

Teams that possess quality running backs have quite the luxury - they can grind out yards on the ground, provide added pass protection for the quarterback, and catch balls out of the backfield as a pressure release. This video featuring Coach Jay Harbaugh, provides coaching tips and drills designed to help you mold your running backs into versatile, all-around threats on every play.

Ball Security Drills

Harbaugh begins his presentation by giving an explanation of his coaching and recruiting philosophy for running backs. Then, he gives an explanation of how he categorizes drills so that they closely mimic game situations while focusing on specific skills that running backs will need.

The first, and possibly most important category, is ball security. Harbaugh goes over several drills that teach ball security, including how he teaches correct ball positioning, mesh mechanics, and techniques to counter the defender's attempts to strip the ball such as the "lawnmower spin" drill, and many more.

In all, you'll learn:

• How to construct drills that ensure carryover to game situations.
• How to teach running backs to secure the ball to avoid fumbles.
• Unique drills that teach the running back to maintain correct pressure, as well as how to secure the ball when being tackled and when in traffic.

Making Complete Running Backs

Coach Harbaugh continues with a demonstration of drills that teach running game skills, including how his University of Michigan backs are taught to cut and avoid both first-level and second-level defenders. Additionally, multiple drills are demonstrated that teach route running, catching, and the transition from receiver to runner that are so important for running backs in modern offenses.

Finally, you'll see drills that teach the finer points of pass protection against second- and third-level rushers, as well as down lineman. Harbaugh includes several coaching points and techniques for defeating the most common types of rushes running backs will encounter.

This video will give you several great drills that teach and reinforce the fundamentals of running back play in a manner that closely mimics the actual game. Coach Harbaugh does a fantastic job providing specific coaching points that help fully explain each drill and the individual techniques that are being practiced.

91 minutes. 2019.

with Josh Gattis,
University of Miami Offensive Coordinator;
2021 Broyles Award recipient (top assistant coach in college football);
University of Michigan Offensive Coordinator from 2019 to 2021;
Scout.com 2015 Big Ten Recruiter of the Year;
has coached 14 All-Conference and 5 All-American wide receivers;
former Co-Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receiver Coach at the University of Alabama;
also coached wide receivers at Penn State, Vanderbilt and Western Michigan;
2x All-ACC as a player (safety) at Wake Forest University;
drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2007 and played for the Chicago Bears

Wide receivers are an integral part of any offense in modern day football. Having receivers that possess elite level footwork and body positioning can help your football team produce an explosive offense.

Using progressive warm-up drills and scenarios, the University of Michigan's Josh Gattis (from 2019 to 2021) shows you nine wide receiver drills to help build stance, footwork and body positioning. Some of the drills include Stance and Start, Head Eyes Hips, Shuffle Transition, Chutes and Circle Drill. Coach Gattis uses on-field drill film and offensive skeleton film demonstrations to show you how to develop the complete wide receiver.

Stance and Start

Learn the 80-20 stance for wide receivers. Coach Gattis breaks down how he teaches receivers at the University of Michigan in terms of technique to start their routes. You'll see how to:

• Get a receiver's pointer foot in the direction they are going.
• Get pad level low and have the receiver drive out low.
• Get wide receivers to not false step out of their stance.
• Close the distance on defenders with stride frequency and stride length.

Chutes and Pop Ups

Using football chutes and stand-up pop-ups, Coach Gattis gives two drills that help with getting receivers' positioning low to help fight off defensive arm bars.

You will see how to create a second level release for receivers and muscle memory on route running in the Pop-up drill. Within the Chutes drill, you'll see how to keep receivers low to the ground on transitions and how the drill relates to game-like situations. Coach Gattis also shows:

• How to get foot placement to come back to the football on routes.
• The benefits of keeping your foot and heel even in your route running.
• How receivers can gain releases at the line of scrimmage.

Footwork Drills

Using drills like Foot Fire- Single Jab, Short Stair BIG Stair and Lean and Break Drills, you will see different techniques such as releasing through the defender, top of the route shake and extend step to a pivot step. You'll also see how to teach receivers to keep their knees inside their ankles, how to get in-route cuts to be sharp/tight, how to teach receivers to learn their shoulders away from their defender, and how to get receivers into a rhythm/flow.

Coach Gattis gives you the tools to be able to teach your wide receivers to have the best footwork and body positioning within your league. With film demonstrations of individual and skeleton drill situations, you will see how to get your receivers to an All-American level.

63 minutes. 2019.

with Ed Warinner,
Avila University Head Coach;
St. Thomas (FL) TE Coach from 2024 to 2025;
Florida Atlantic University Run Game Coordinator/OL Coach from 2012 to 2024;
University of Michigan Offensive Line Coach from 2017 to 2020;
in 2018, was the only OL in the Big Ten to see all five starters earn all-conference;
Minnesota OL Coach in 2017;
Ohio State University Offensive Coordinator/OL Coach from 2015 to 2016;
Ohio State University Co-Offensive Coordinator from 2012 to 2014;
2x FootballScoop Offensive Line Coach of the Year (2012, 2014);
2014 College Football Playoff National Championship;
Notre Dame OL Coach from 2010 to 2011;
Kansas OC/QB Coach from 2003 - 2004, 2007- 2009;
Illinois OL/RCG Coach from 2005 to 2006;
Air Force OL Coach from 2000 to 2002;
Army OL/DL Coach from 1987 to 1999;
Michigan State LB/DB Coach from 1985 to 1986;
Akron RB Coach in 1984;
played college football for Mount Union (QB)

Expand your arsenal of drills with instruction from a champion offensive line coach! Ed Warinner provides you with over 30 drills and detailed instruction on how to develop the skills your linemen need to dominate on game day.

In just one hour, you'll be covered for keeping your linemen trained both in- season and in the off-season. Coach Warinner provides a wide range of low-intensity drills that can be run without pads. Even veteran coaches will find some great new drills to incorporate.

Drills include:

• Medicine Ball Drills
• Outside Zone Drills
• Combo Drills
• Pass Protection Drills
• Pull Drills
• And more!

Center/QB Exchange

Coach Warinner begins this excellent progression by demonstrating the stance that he teaches his linemen. Both 2-point and 3-point stances are demonstrated, as well as the stance the center is taught to use. Warinner then gives a detailed explanation on the center snapping mechanics used at The University of Michigan. Shotgun snapping technique as well as snapping to a QB under center is explained. Additionally, Coach Warinner explains how the QB is taught to receive a snap from under center to minimize ball security issues.

Drills to Teach Skills

Warinner continues by giving a detailed explanation of the combination blocks that are taught on both the inside and outside zone plays. He shows several drills in which players work combinations against a variety of defensive looks and reactions. Also, combination blocks for the outside zone play are shown, which require different aiming points and landmarks for the offensive line. Warinner also shows examples of the guard "square pull" technique that he teaches his players to use on the power play. Finally, several pass blocking drills and techniques are shown which help players learn to move their feet correctly as well as how to use their hands and arms.

Coach Warinner will help you maximize your individual practice periods with linemen, regardless of what offensive scheme you run. You'll get quick set and vertical set drills for passing teams, inside and outside zone drills for zone teams, center/guard power and pull drills for gap teams, and blitz pick-up drills for passing situations. It all starts with the fundamentals, and in this excellent video, Coach Warinner will show you how "linemen lead the way!"

65 minutes. 2019.

with Josh Gattis,
University of Miami Offensive Coordinator;
2021 Broyles Award recipient (top assistant coach in college football);
University of Michigan Offensive Coordinator from 2019 to 2021;
Scout.com 2015 Big Ten Recruiter of the Year;
has coached 14 All-Conference and 5 All-American wide receivers;
former Co-Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receiver Coach at the University of Alabama;
also coached wide receivers at Penn State, Vanderbilt and Western Michigan;
2x All-ACC as a player (safety) at Wake Forest University;
drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2007 and played for the Chicago Bears

Run-Pass-Options are becoming increasingly popular at various levels of football due to the pressure they put on the defense to make a decision. If you're wanting to start running RPOs on your own team, or simply want to add more ideas to your current RPO package, then this video featuring Josh Gattis is a great resource.

How and Why Michigan Runs RPOs

Coach Gattis begins his presentation by giving an overview of the Michigan philosophy regarding RPOs. He explains that the RPO is a way for the offense to keep the defense from overloading the box to defend the run. At Michigan, the RPO is a way to help the offense be able to run the football against favorable numbers in the box. Gattis also explains the importance of being able to protect the quarterback against pressure looks that the defense will run. You'll see several examples of how Michigan protects the QB against the 7th and 8th man on the defense if they try to pressure the QB. In all, you'll get:

• Michigan's favorite run scheme to tag an RPO to.
• Ideas for how to keep the QB protected against pressure looks.
• Michigan's method for keeping the numbers in their favor on run plays with the use of the RPO.
• How Michigan teaches their QBs to identify the "conflict" player that is controlled by the RPO.

Michigan's Main RPO Scheme

Coach Gattis continues by diagramming the main RPO used at Michigan with both 6-man and 7-man run schemes. He then shows several examples, using practice video, of the main RPO concept that Michigan uses. Route running mechanics as well as QB read progression are explained in great detail against several defensive looks.

During the course of the presentation, Gattis shows several examples of the most common ways teams try to defend their RPO scheme. He also covers adjustments that can be made to the RPO concept that allows the offense to have a favorable match-up.

This is a valuable video presentation of Michigan's base RPO concept. Coach Gattis does a thorough job explaining what you need to know to implement this scheme and always have an advantage over the defense!

80 minutes. 2019.