35 Under 35 Presents | Marco Regalado, UTRGV | Vertical Mentality in the RB Room

Marco Regalado currently serves as the Running Backs coach for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and will help lead the Vaqueros into their inaugural season in 2025. Regalado has previous experience coaching at both the high school and the college level. Coach Regalado joined the UTRGV staff in 2023, returning to coaching after he had spent the previous two years working as the Executive Director of Player Personnel and Recruiting Innovation at Rice.  

Why and What is a Vertical Mentality? 

• High School Football players are used to open space 

• They are used to being the fastest and best athlete on the field and relying on their speed 

• These can be seen in “highlight film” runs 

• College game is faster and tighter, making it difficult for HS players to adjust too.  

• Get the ugly 3 or 4 yards 

• Not every run is going to be a highlight run 

• Focus on getting the ugly 3-4 yards 

• 3-4 yard runs add up over time into first downs 

• The first 5 yards are for the team 

• Search for gashes in the defense 

• Avoid negative runs 

Developing Running Backs: 

• Misconception: RB is just a position you recruit and let them run wild with natural talent 

• Truth: Yes, you can recruit natural talent, RB is position that you can develop like any other position, both physically and mentally 

Progression of Teaching a Vertical Mentality: 

Lateral to Vertical Jump-Cut Drill  

• Purpose of this drill is to emphasize getting vertical after a jump-cut 

• Teaching points:  

• Press the heels of the Offensive Lineman 

• Pushing off the left leg while keeping a low center of gravity 

• Get vertical as soon ss you clear the step over bag 

• Last bag prevents rounding or bouncing outside 

Inside Zone Track – Vertical Puncture 

• Teaching Points: 

• Working on an Inside Zone track – playside Guard 

• Coach will be behind the Pop-Up to simulate reading the PSG and reacting to 3-technique waiting until the final second for RB to react 

• If 3T crosses face, jump-cut back to get vertical in the A-gap 

• If 3T gets pinned by the PSG, go right off his block and get vertical 

• RB must press heels of the offensive line 

Outside Zone Track – Vertical Puncture 

Similar drill to Inside Zone Track – Vertical Puncture 

Teaching Points:  

• Working on an outside zone track – ghost butt of the TE 

• Coach will be behind the Pop-Up to simulate reading the Tackle/TE and reacting Defensive End 

• If End crosses face, jump-cut back to get vertical immediately 

• If End gets pinned by the Tackle/TE, go right off his block and get vertical; do not bounce