Ducks Attack Message Board Forum

Can a coach help a running back vision or lack thereof? Have been lots of comments on Verdells lack of vision, and was wondering if backs like lmj, droughts and Stewart had vision issues.

duckfan96 wrote:Can a coach help a running back vision or lack thereof? Have been lots of comments on Verdells lack of vision, and was wondering if backs like lmj, droughts and Stewart had vision issues.

Generally you can teach them different moves or techniques to make/do when they see a hole and you can also tell them where to look pre snap to get an idea of where the gap will be but not really. It's similar to teaching a QB how to feel the pocket, there's a lot of techniques that can help and make it a bit smoother but there's a feeling to it that doesn't seem to be able to be taught.

I also don't think this is Verdell's issue, the Ducks went from running a majority of zone schemes to a more power/ pin and pull based blocking scheme. Those schemes don't really give the RB a freedom to go where he feels and more of a hit the B gap and trust that the linemen did there job.

Lmj had great vision. once he saw the hole he was gone.

Stewart actually had vision training his last 2 years to help with just that. ESPN did a story on it before the draft.

TualatinDuck wrote:Stewart actually had vision training his last 2 years to help with just that. ESPN did a story on it before the draft.

Yeah, they were using like laser pointers and some blinking wall test where he had to use his peripheral vision. It did seem to help him a lot his senior year.

So to answer the OP, some guys naturally have it(LaMichael), but it also can be developed.