Systems and methods of controlling drilling operations including Sliding With Indexing For Toolface (SWIFT) and Variable Weight Drilling (VWD) techniques. The methods and systems may include systems and devices for controlling the drilling operations, including systems and devices capable of automatically determining drilling parameters and setting operating parameters for drilling in a wellbore. The systems and methods may also determine a change in weight on bit and/or toolface, determine a timeframe for a weight on bit to be delivered to the bit, and/or determine a spindle change to modify the toolface. The systems and methods may also send control signals to apply the spindle change and/or block velocity change to correct any detected or anticipated toolface error.