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Hip Turn and Run

Defensive back work: open your hips without a false step and run with a receiver.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Backpedal facing your partner.

Core: 10. Aim for a smooth start, not a faster time.

Ages
14 and up
Time
10 min
Players
You and a partner
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Cones, partner
Level · skill
Advanced · Speed

The steps

How it works

  1. Backpedal facing your partner.
  2. When they point, open your hips that way and sprint 10 yards.
  3. Keep your eyes back on your partner as you run.
  4. Do 10 turns, 5 each side.

Coaching point

Open the gate, then run.

Safety: Warm up first, run on flat, dry ground and stop if a muscle feels tight. On hot days drink water and rest in the shade, and stop if you feel dizzy or get a headache. If you hear thunder, go inside.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Cone-call game: a partner calls a cone and you move to it with a smooth start. Swap callers and rest fully.

Challenge

Pick a distance: Less (5 yards), Core (10), More (15). Aim for a smooth start, not a faster time.

Story

You are a receiver leaving the line smoothly on the signal.

My best

Beat your own count

Aim for a smooth start, not a faster time. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

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