Hand Fighting and Contested Catch Drills for WRs
March 31, 2026
During the 2026 American Football Coaches Association Convention, Stephen Amoako, Wide Receivers Coach at Georgetown University, shared a comprehensive progression of drills designed to improve receiver production on game day. The session focused on two critical areas of wide receiver play: hand fighting and winning contested catches.
The Foundation: Hand Fighting Drills
Hand fighting is essential for defeating press coverage. Defensive backs (DBs) are taught to use an “off-hand jam,” and because they are playing a reactionary position, they often shoot the incorrect hand. Receivers must be prepared to counter with quick, reactive hands.
Key Techniques
- Athletic Base: Start in a square, athletic position with the chest over the knees and chin over the toes.
- The Swim Move: A tight over-the-top move used to create and maintain separation.
- The Rip Move: A punch-and-rip technique that finishes with a “high chicken wing” to clear the defender.
- The Club (Low Arm Bar): A low-hand placement move designed to slip the defender’s reach.
- “Slip, Not Dip”: Coach Amoako emphasizes slipping the shoulder rather than dipping it, as defenders love to grab and pull receivers who get too low.
Building Strong Hands: The Towel Drill
The Towel Drill is a highly efficient way to build hand strength and confidence by forcing receivers to catch through manual resistance.
- Setup: Use a towel for pulling resistance and a contact pad to simulate a defender’s physical presence.
- The Objective: Catch the ball away from the body while dealing with tugging and physical contact.
- Progression: The drill should be performed for both overhand catches and low catches (pinky-to-pinky).
Watch the full video to see the Big Body Series of Drills.
By mastering these techniques, receivers can “make the quarterback right” every time the ball is thrown their way. Whether the pass is high, low, or slightly off-target, these drills provide the tools to finish the play and turn contested situations into production.
2026 Convention Skills & Drills Are Now Live: CLICK HERE
As you prepare for Spring Ball, don’t stop with just one session. All 2026 Skills & Drills presentations from the AFCA Convention are now available in the AFCA Digital Library. AFCA members can log in to watch this tackling system in full, along with hundreds of additional position-specific sessions designed to help you build practice plans, install new drills, and sharpen fundamentals across your program.
If you’re looking to maximize your spring practice efficiency, the AFCA Digital Library is your year-round resource for proven drills, clinic tape, and coaching insight from every level of the game. Log in today and start building your Spring Ball practice script.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
« « Previous Post
During the 2026 American Football Coaches Association Convention, Stephen Amoako, Wide Receivers Coach at Georgetown University, shared a comprehensive progression of drills designed to improve receiver production on game day. The session focused on two critical areas of wide receiver play: hand fighting and winning contested catches.
The Foundation: Hand Fighting Drills
Hand fighting is essential for defeating press coverage. Defensive backs (DBs) are taught to use an “off-hand jam,” and because they are playing a reactionary position, they often shoot the incorrect hand. Receivers must be prepared to counter with quick, reactive hands.
Key Techniques
- Athletic Base: Start in a square, athletic position with the chest over the knees and chin over the toes.
- The Swim Move: A tight over-the-top move used to create and maintain separation.
- The Rip Move: A punch-and-rip technique that finishes with a “high chicken wing” to clear the defender.
- The Club (Low Arm Bar): A low-hand placement move designed to slip the defender’s reach.
- “Slip, Not Dip”: Coach Amoako emphasizes slipping the shoulder rather than dipping it, as defenders love to grab and pull receivers who get too low.
Building Strong Hands: The Towel Drill
The Towel Drill is a highly efficient way to build hand strength and confidence by forcing receivers to catch through manual resistance.
- Setup: Use a towel for pulling resistance and a contact pad to simulate a defender’s physical presence.
- The Objective: Catch the ball away from the body while dealing with tugging and physical contact.
- Progression: The drill should be performed for both overhand catches and low catches (pinky-to-pinky).
Watch the full video to see the Big Body Series of Drills.
By mastering these techniques, receivers can “make the quarterback right” every time the ball is thrown their way. Whether the pass is high, low, or slightly off-target, these drills provide the tools to finish the play and turn contested situations into production.
2026 Convention Skills & Drills Are Now Live: CLICK HERE
As you prepare for Spring Ball, don’t stop with just one session. All 2026 Skills & Drills presentations from the AFCA Convention are now available in the AFCA Digital Library. AFCA members can log in to watch this tackling system in full, along with hundreds of additional position-specific sessions designed to help you build practice plans, install new drills, and sharpen fundamentals across your program.
If you’re looking to maximize your spring practice efficiency, the AFCA Digital Library is your year-round resource for proven drills, clinic tape, and coaching insight from every level of the game. Log in today and start building your Spring Ball practice script.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
