The following quotation is a statement from motor learning professor Dr. Richard Schmidt (UCLA).

     He states, “A common misconception is that fundamental abilities can be trained through various drills or other activities. For example, athletes are often given various “quickening” exercises, with the hope that these exercises would train some fundamental ability to be quick, allowing quicker responses in their particular sports.  Coaches often use various balancing drills to increase general balancing ability, eye movement exercises to improve vision, and many others.  Such attempts to train fundamental abilities may sound fine, but usually they simply do not work. Time, and often money, would be better spent practicing the eventual goal skills.”

     Dr Schmidt states, “There are two correct ways to think of these principles. First, there is no general ability to be quick, to balance, or to use vision.  Rather, quickness, balance, and vision are each based on many diverse abilities, so there is no single quickness ability, for example, that can be trained.  Second, even if there were such general abilities, these are, by definition, genetic and not subject to modification through practice.  Therefore, attempts to modify an ability with a nonspecific drill are ineffective.  A learner may acquire additional skill at the drill (which is, after all a skill itself), but this learning does not transfer to the main skill of interest.”

      Not exactly what you were looking for, is it.   What are commonly known as quickness and speed drills are good drills in themselves, but they basically just make you better at what you have practiced... the drill itself.  So what does this mean to you, the football player.  Actually, it's simple.  What you need to know is, "what exactly do I want to be quick at?"  If the goal is to become a better receiver, the current thought is for receivers to practice running precise pass routes and have a quarterback throw you a ball.  Defensive backs should practice covering receivers.  Unless football is now being played while on a surf board hanging ten, what can a wobble board do for for someone who needs to run at a high rate of speed and lay a lick on some poor unsuspecting WR?  As much as possible, drills should simulate actual playing conditions.

     You can improve your ability to quickly react to a stimulus several ways. One, and best, practice your position specific skills a lot.  Much of reaction is familiarity.  The more you recognize a situation, the better you'll react.  But since the whole point of these training pages is to suggest to the reader a path to take, here's a few position specific drills you can try on your own.

• Quarterbacks:  Opposite foot drill - a basic drill to teach how to throw off the wrong foot by simulating the motion of throwing off the wrong foot while scrambling or sprinting out.  If you're a right-hander start with your right foot forward in heel to toe relationship. Point the toe in the direction of the throw.  To throw with the body you must rotate hips.  If thrown with correct motion, you will be forced forward on the ball of your right foot and your weight will follow through.

• Defensive backs:  Back pedal drill - from a good position, knees bent at a 45 degree angle, head up, back straight, arms hanging loose in front of the body, weight on the balls of the feet, push off the front foot and begin back pedaling for ten yards.  Keep chest and shoulders over the feet, feet close to the ground, and pump arms.

• Offensive line:  Duck walk drill - from a full squatted position with feet shoulder width apart, heels turned in slightly, toes pointed out.  Perform a 20 yd duck walk both forward and backwards using short choppy steps.  Remain in the full squatted position for the entire drill. This drill is designed to give a good burn to the quads and hamstrings while encouraging movement from a low stance.  You will get tired quickly - it's supposed to be that way.

• Defensive line:  Forward roll drill -  start from a stance, then literally roll into the drill rather than diving into it initially.  The initial shock is taken by the hands as the palms are placed on the ground.  The chin is tucked forward on the breastbone as the player buckles his body and brings his knees into his chest.  As the elbows bend, cushioning the impact with the ground, the weight is caught on the shoulder blades at the base of the neck and transferred downward to the buttocks as the player rolls.  The defensive player then grasps both ankles and gives an additional tuck and pull to create the necessary momentum to pull himself up onto his feet into a good football position.  Stress low center of gravity and proper landing on the ground.

• Tight End and receivers:  Hang 'em high drill - this drill is designed for receivers who want improve their grip strength and vertical jump.  Tie a towel over the crossbar of the goal post (or any other cross bar more appropriate to your height).  Jump up and grab the towel and hang for 5 seconds or longer.  Your feet should be well off the ground.  Too easy?  Do pull ups while you hang.  Repeat until you can't.

• Linebackers:  Stance and drive "W" drill - on any given yard line, start by taking a freeze step and then sprinting 5 yards at a 45 degree angle forward then backpedal at a 45 degree angle to the starting yard line.  Maintain forward eye contact thus simulating finding the ball carrier.  Change of direction should come from the plant off the backside foot, away from the direction you are running.  Perform the "W" motion several times before finishing the drill with a forward 10 yard sprint.

• Offensive backs:  Running ropes are a back's best friend.  Run through the drill as fast as possible without catching the ropes with your feet.  Run the ropes with high knees with one foot in each square.  Keep your eyes and head up - don't watch your feet.  No ropes?  Set up some old tires run them like generations prior.

     The true measure of success in any type of training program is whether or not you were continually progressing with respect to your training goals. If you are making progress keep doing what you currently are doing.  If you are not, throw it out and find something else that works for you.