A Conditioning Program for Skill Positions Using Lunge Variations

By Kim E. Fischer, Ph.D., CSCS • Teri Walter, Ph.D. • Joseph Matovich, CSCS Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Otterbein University Position requirements for skill position players like running backs, defensive backs, wide receivers, and quarterbacks differ from the offensive and defensive line positions in that quickness, agility, change of direction, balance, body control, and reaction time are even more critical characteristics for player success. Skill position players are coming to the ball or to a player in a full sprint. They are playing more pass coverage that requires alternating between forward and backpedaling movements. A defensive back, for instance, might be sprinting, a horizontal movement, and have to jump in the air to deflect a pass or contest a reception, thus moving into a vertical plane. An offensive skill position player, like a running back or wide