One of the best answers for this debate relies solely on a characteristic called reaction. Reaction is something that running backs have to be born with. Any coach can teach a guy how not to fumble or how not let the first defender bring you down, but never has a coach taught a running back the spin move. Or the juke that leaves defenders grasping for air. These are moves that the running back will use solely on instincts of the moment.
Another move, not highly regarded anymore as the days of running backs dashing through defenses continues to become the norm is the stiff arm. The stiff arm is a reaction move that when properly executed can help the running back break free from a tackle. But, probably even more important, a good stiff arm from a running back will send a message to the defense that tackling won't be as easy as first thought.
Stanley Conner is the offensive coordinator and running backs coach for Alabama A&M. Before joining the Bulldog staff, Conner was a four-year letterman at Jackson St. University where he helped the Tigers earn four Southwestern Athletic Conference titles. Following graduation, Conner played with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL and the Ottawa Rough Riders of the CFL before settling down into his coaching role. Conner said that a good stiff arm comes from having good upper body strength.
"It's just a reaction and not something you really teach," he said. "It's a way of defending yourself kind of like a forearm. Some guys are gifted with good upper body strength. So when a guy is going to tackle you, you stiff arm him as a way of defending yourself."
The most important thing to remember when executing a stiff arm is timing. Sure, having good upper body strength will help you to perform the stiff arm, but if the timing of the stiff arm isn't precise, then the defender will be able to adjust.
What you want to remember is not to show the stiff arm too soon. Extending your arm too early will allow the defender to adjust to your arm, maybe even using your extending arm as a way to pull you down. So, what you do as a running back is that you wait until the defender gets very close. When possible, attempt to stiff arm the defender just as he is attempting to tackle you. This should ultimately catch him off balance allowing you to push him back. Be certain to extend your arm and lock it out and stay towards the upper chest area. A stiff arm towards the face mask can result in a penalty on the running back. Not all stiff arms will put the defender to the ground, but being able to push him back off balance may allow the running back the time they need to race to the end zone.
"A lot of players use that and it's good at times," Conner said. "The stiff arm is mainly timing and reaction. Some guys can use a stiff arm and some can't. It just all depends on the guy's upper body strength and when and how he intends on using the stiff arm."
