Running Back Football: 5 Essential Skills Every Player Needs to Master

2025-11-11 10:00

I remember watching Rico Hoey make history as the first Filipino golfer on the PGA Tour, and thinking how his journey mirrored what we see in football's most demanding position - the running back. Just as Hoey had to master multiple disciplines to compete at Quail Hollow and other legendary courses, today's running backs need a diverse toolkit to survive in the brutal world of professional football. Having studied countless hours of game footage and worked with athletes at various levels, I've come to believe there are five non-negotiable skills that separate elite running backs from the rest of the pack.

Vision might be the most underrated quality in a great running back, and it's something you either have or develop through relentless film study. I've always told young players that if you can't see the hole developing before it actually opens, you're already two steps behind. The best runners I've watched - guys like Marshall Faulk and currently Christian McCaffrey - they process information at an incredible rate, reading defensive alignments and anticipating gaps that haven't even formed yet. It's not just about seeing the obvious running lanes but understanding how linebackers shift their weight, how safeties cheat toward certain formations, and how defensive linemen's stances reveal their intentions. This spatial awareness separates the 2-3 yard gains from the explosive 15-plus yard plays that change games.

Balance and body control come next, and honestly, I think this is where you see the true artists at work. Watching Derrick Henry maintain his footing through arm tackles or Alvin Kamara's ability to change direction without losing speed - it's pure poetry in motion. The data shows that elite running backs break approximately 4.2 tackles per game on average, and that doesn't happen by accident. It's about keeping your center of gravity low, understanding leverage, and having that almost supernatural feel for how to distribute your weight when contact is imminent. I've always been fascinated by how some runners seem to defy physics, making cuts that should send them sprawling but instead leave defenders grasping at air.

Then there's receiving ability, which has become absolutely essential in today's pass-happy NFL. The numbers don't lie - the top running backs are now averaging around 65-70 receptions per season, compared to maybe 35-40 a decade ago. I remember arguing with old-school coaches who thought running backs should just run, but the game has evolved. Look at what Austin Ekeler does for the Chargers - he's essentially a wide receiver who happens to take handoffs. The ability to run crisp routes, create separation, and make contested catches transforms a running back from a two-down player to an every-down weapon.

Pass protection might be the least glamorous but most crucial skill for any running back who wants to stay on the field. I've seen too many talented runners lose playing time because they couldn't pick up a blitzing linebacker. The great ones - and I'm thinking specifically of someone like Le'Veon Bell in his prime - they approach pass protection with the same intensity as their runs. It's about understanding protection schemes, identifying threats, and having the courage to stand in against 250-pound defenders coming at full speed. Coaches will forgive a lot of mistakes, but missed protections will get you benched faster than anything.

Finally, there's mental toughness, which Rico Hoey demonstrated beautifully during his PGA Championship debut. The running back position comes with more punishment than any other in football - studies show they absorb approximately 18-22 high-impact collisions per game. The ability to bounce back from brutal hits, to maintain focus after fumbles, to keep grinding when nothing seems to be working - that's what creates legends. I've always admired how Emmitt Smith could get stuffed at the line three plays in a row and still hit the hole with full confidence on the fourth.

What fascinates me about these skills is how they interact with each other. Great vision means nothing without the balance to exploit what you see. Receiving ability loses its impact if you can't protect the quarterback on third down. And all the physical gifts in the world won't help if you lack the mental fortitude to handle the position's inherent brutality. The running backs who last in this league aren't just athletes - they're students of the game, technicians, and warriors all rolled into one.

Looking at Rico Hoey's journey through golf's major championships reminds me that excellence in any sport requires mastering fundamentals while adapting to evolving challenges. The running back position has transformed dramatically over the past decade, but these core skills remain the foundation for success. As the game continues to evolve, I suspect we'll see even greater emphasis on versatility, but the great ones will always excel at these five essentials. They're what turn good players into great ones, and great ones into legends we remember for generations.