Start: initial quickness out of
his stance and towards the LOS (line of scrimmage)
Instincts-run vision: ability to see the hole, read
blocking angles and react quickly
Inside running ability: ability to pick and slide,
quickness to the hole, cutting ability to elude tacklers; it also involves
toughness, strength and durability to gain yards by himself
Outside running ability: speed to get to the corner
and turning the corner and heading upfield
Elusive running ability: the ability to avoid tackles
and change directions quickly. It also includes lateral quickness to skate and
avoid parallel to and heading into the line of scrimmage
Power running ability: balance upon contact, strength
to be your own blocker and gain after contact yardage. Breaking tackles. Body
lean (forward lean) and short yardage and goal line effectiveness
Effort blocking: willingness to block in both the
running and passing game. Willingness on inside and outside runs as well as
stepping up to take on a defender in pass protection
Run blocking: ability and effectiveness on the lead
block, kick out block and chop block. It also includes the use of proper
angles
Durability: ability to take a hit and pounding time
after time and stay in the game and play effectively. Toughness and
willingness to deliver blows as well as take them
Ball security: the ability to secure all the pressure
points of the football, cover the ball in traffic and protect the ball when
relocating to the other hand
PASSING GAME
Pass blocking: hand use and lateral adjustment
ability. Awareness in blitz pickup. Proper angles. Spacing and timing. Ability
to slide and mirror with defender. Pre snap adjustments for blitzed and stunts
Hands: does he have natural hands or does he fight and
double catch the ball. Can he adjust and catch the ball out of the framework
of his body
Route running: does he have the quickness, agility and
balance to get into his pass routes. Is he disciplined? Does he time his
routes well? Can he secure block and release quickly after contact into his
pass route and prepare his body for a pass?
Running style: is he a slasher, darter or power back.
Does he have a second gear? I he a 2 back running back? If so, is he more
effective as a "I" back or split back and why? Is he a one back type
of back? Is he a fullback and of so is he a blocking style of fullback or a
running type or pass catching style fullback?
