follow me - ol manual

8/2/2019 Follow Me - Ol Manual

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FOLLOW ME

Offensive Line

Manual


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Philosophy

We are LEADERSWe will be leaders both on the field by clearing the way and leading the play to the end-zone, as well

as leaders off the field within the team, within the school, and within the community. Our position as

offensive linemen requires many great character qualities. We must be selfless, working and toilingfor the greater good while receiving little or no glory. Always doing what is right and what is

necessary for all to succeed. We must be reliable and consistent. We must be team players. We mustbe a unit, acting as one to execute schemes and concepts while adjusting to the defense. We must trust

each other and we must be trustworthy, earning and deserving the trust and respect of our coaches and

teammates. More.

We must be SMARTWho, What, When, Wherebut also understand the Why? (Know what the whole unit is doing, what

the back is doing, and why the scheme or concept works)

Know assignment.Know blocking schemes and protection concepts

Know defenses and our adjustmentsKnow and use calls

We must be PHYSICALWe must be the meanest, toughest group on the field. We must have a blue collar wok ethic. We will

out-work, out-physical every opponent. When you square off with us you better bring your lunch pail

because it is going to be a long day of work. You may beat us on a block here or there, but at the endof the day you are going to limp away knowing you were in a fight.

Knock Downs any part of the body touches the ground.Bull Dozers demoralizing drive block.Pancake dominating knock down.

We want to create as many double teams as possible taking advantage of every opportunity to

demoralize the DL.

We must be TECHNICAL MASTERSPut on a clinic every game.Great feet.

Great hands.

Offensive linemen need to be fundamentally tough and fundamentally sound in both the run and passgame. To be an effective and fundamentally sound offensive lineman requires patience and many

hours of hard work on and off the field.

Offensive linemen need to understand that run and pass blocking are an unnatural task and can be

developed to a greater degree than any other phase of the game (skill acquisition). Successful offensive


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line play depends on the execution, the perfection, and the mastery of the techniques required in therun and pass game.

An offensive linemans success can only be brought about with tremendous WORK ETHIC and

CONFIDENCE in his ability in both the run and pass game.

CONCENTRATION, SELF-DISCIPLINE, COMMUNICATION, and the WILLINGNESS to paythe price are part of being a respected offensive lineman.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN:

1.Toughness

2.Intelligence3.Work Ethic

4.Team Player

5.Great Feet

6.Great Vision7. Hip flexibility (the ability to unlock the hips), knee, and ankle flexibility.

8.Balance; A lineman will redirect his feet approximately 5 times per play.

The strength and success of every team is based on the strength of the offensive line. Therefore, it

is imperative that offensive linemen establish a presence.

THE LITTLE THINGS

There is no position in football that requires more discipline or technique then being an offensive

lineman. The success of any football team, hinges on its ability to control the line of scrimmage. To

win consistently, you must win in the trenches and that means playing on your opponent's side of theline of scrimmage not yours. Information contained in this section is my personal believes and the

basic mechanics I use when talking technique and developing the terminology I will use with my drill

work. The information contained in this section will be the fundamental wording when teaching yourtechnique and developing your drills.

It is my approach, like many other line coaches that we out - execute our opponents. This is a lot easier

said than done! To take this approach and to believe in this philosophy means a great deal of time must

be spent on fundamentals and blocking technique. My primary goal as I prepare our blocking schemesis that they be simple and that they have a basic rule that can tie them all into one another. Thus, I try

to keep the rules and line calls simple, it will give your offensive line the chance to perfect there

techniques and perform them in an aggressive manner.

To be a good offensive line requires more than just discipline or good blocking technique. It requires"PRIDE" -- pride in yourself; your group; and your team. A team with "PRIDE" is a hard team to

beat. It's my belief, the faster your offensive line understands that working for common goals as a

group not as individuals builds your foundation for UNITY and PRIDE.

A group that's unified is more apt to do the "LITTLE THINGS" that most teams are not willing todo. No detail should ever be overlooked, regardless of how non-important it may look on the surface.

The difference between WINNING and LOSING often lies in the failure to do the little things! Not

every offensive lineman that plays for you will make it to the NFL or COLLEGE or be an ALL-


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AMERICAN or even a STARTER, but every offensive lineman that decides to play for you can hustleand hit and be a good TEAM PLAYER.

LAY IT ON THELINE!!!


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Run Fundamentals

Greenville HighDepartment of Transportation

Paving the Way


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OFFENSIVE LINE FUNDEMENALSSome guys like to scream and holler about block that guy or just focus on assignments. I am a firmbeliever that a player must be fundamentally sound and understand the progression of blocking that

guy. The following is a list of fundamentals that we do as often as possible. Some of these drills the

players can work on by themselves during the off-season without pads.

Winning Points for Offensive Line Blocking

1. Get off ball quickly; anticipate snap count; explode from stance.

2. Keep shoulders low and square, back straight, neck bowed with head up; eyes focused

straight ahead.

3. Keep feet on ground; plant power foot forcibly; generate power from ground up

through legs and back.

4. Legs drive with short, choppy steps; maintain wide base.

5. Finish block with hip thrust and arm extension forward and upward until play ends.

6. When pulling, do not lean in direction of pull.7. On double-team blocks, maintain hip-to-hip relationship, drive up and through

defender; finish block together.

8. On combination blocks, both linemen start in one direction and determine blocking

targets on the move.

9. On goalline/short-yardage situations, assume four-point stance.

Run Fundamentals

1) Stance

We work out of a balanced stance that we can run block, take a pass set or pull from. We do not wantto tip off our opponents by being too tight or heavy on our hand.

Points of Emphasis (Photos 1-3)

A. Feet slightly wider than shoulder width apartB. Drop elbows down on knees (I actually prefer hands on thighs as we will discuss at practice)

C. If in a three point stance the hand will be placed just inside of the foot,

out in front of the head.

D. Toe to instep stagger, outside foot back, inside foot upE. Weight equally distributed on 1/3s (2 feet and hand)


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2) Feet

Quick feet, short choppy steps, wide base, stomp the arches

3) Hands

Elbows in thumbs up and 4 inches or less apart, shoot hands to breast plate and arm pits ofDefender

4) BalanceDo not lunge, bring feet with you, lead with feet and eyes, not hands.lift-dont push

5) Aiming Points

Feet and hands to aiming points.play-side numbers, backside number, etc.


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PASS PROTECTION


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BASICS OF PASS PROTECTION

1. Always know where the QB set up point is. This knowledge is vital so that the blocker willposition himself properly in relation to the QB and the rusher.

2. Be patient. Dont commit too soon. Let the rusher make the first commitment unless its a passplay requiring an aggressive technique.

3. Get into the pass set quickly. Dont allow the rusher to make contact while you are still in theprocess of getting into the fundamental pass pro position.

4. Use of hands is vital. The player who establishes inside hand position on his opponent first willalmost always win.

5. If you are covered by a down defender, always know if you have help and where that help iscoming from.

6. Maintain a loose and relaxed posture prior to contact. Dont tie yourself up by being too rigidprior to contact. You wont be able to adjust to a move by the defender.

7. Stay off your toes. You will be susceptible to being pulled. Stay relatively flat-footed with theweight on the inside of bother feet.

8. Dont lean on the defender after contact (Dont lean on your hands is the term we use). Useyour legs to provide the power to stop a rusher rather than leaning on him.

9. When the hands and arms extend to jam the rusher, the head goes back.10.The Guards and Center provide for the depth of the pocket on drop back passes and the Tackles

provide for the width.

11.Cover in the direction the pass is thrown in case of an interception.12.The inside foot is the POST foot and the outside foot is the SET foot.13.Make contact with the rusher on or near the line of scrimmage.14.When not covered by a rusher, put head on a swivel and find possible escaping rusher. Then,

really STICK HIM!

15.Cover the defender with your feet (your feet opposite his). You wont see it but will feel it.16.In most cases, be dominant with the inside hand.17.Always have a target which is a small point on the defenders uniform on which the blocker

focuses. The target is determined by the mans strongest or best move.


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STANCE

The blockers on the right side of the line are in a right handed stance and the blockers on the left side

of the line are in a left handed stance. The outside foot is staggered. The degree of stagger will bedifferent with each individual, but as a general rule, the toe of the outside or staggered foot should be

in the area of the instep to heel of the inside foot. The outside foot stagger accomplishes two things:

1. Helps when setting to an outside defender. The blocker can pick up the outside foot and movein the direction of the wide defender without taking a false step which he might have to do if hewas in a stance with the inside foot back.

2. Allows the blocker to have a firm inside which helps in protecting against the inside rush by thepass rusher.

The inside foot is called the POST foot and the outside foot is called the SET foot.

As a general rule, the feet should be about shoulder width, again allowing for individual differences.Too narrow a stance takes away from stability while too wide a stance inhibits lateral movement.

Weight should be concentrated on the inside of both feet. Forcing the knees inside helps to place theweight on the inside. By having the weight inside, the blocker is able to move to the inside or outside

more effectively. If the weight is on the outside foot, the lateral steps inside or outside will be big and

slow.

The down hand should be slightly inside the staggered knee with the arm straight and the fingers

extended. Reach as far as possible with the down hand but keep the weight in the hips.

The other elbow should squeeze the knee of the inside leg to aid in keeping the weight on the inside of

that foot.

The head is up but not straining. The eyes not only see the defender in front of the blocker but alsoother defenders in the area to get a feel for possible blitzes and twists.


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BASICS OF PASS SET

Getting quickly from the stance and into a pass blocking position is vital. If the set is slow, the

defender has a great advantage as he will be into the blocker before the blocker is in a position to takeon the rusher. Getting proper foot, body, and head position is the basis for great pass position. If the

blocker can win the first second of the battle with body position, hands, etc., he will usually win that

confrontation.

Although footwork will vary on different sets based on the alignment of the defender, there are keyelements present in every pass set.

1. Head and upper body come up quickly.2. The butt sinks and the knees remain bent.3. Weight remains on the inside of the feet with about 60% of the weight on the inside or Post leg.4. Maintain a stagger but not so much that the weight goes to the heel of the Post foot.5. Stay off the toes. This causes leaning and makes it easy for the defender to pull the blocker.6. Hands come up to shoulder to chest level. The lower the blocker sets, the higher he can carry

his hands. The elbows are close to the body and bent so the arms are 8-10" from full extension.

The hands should be relaxed with the thumbs 4-6" apart.

7. The upper body should be loose and relaxed with the shoulder slightly forward and the neckalso relaxed. If the blocker sets in an upright, rigid position, the rigidness is also felt in the legsand the ability to move prior to contact is restricted. Be like a basketball player, relaxed and

ready to move (the upright rigid position occurs after contact).

8. The nose should be aligned directly above the crotch. If this alignment isnt maintainedthroughout the block, it means the blocker is leaning to one side or another.9. Throughout the set, the eyes are on a target, a spot on the defenders jersey. Where the target is

depends on different factors such as the alignment of the defender or if the blocker has help

from an uncovered teammate. The target is the spot where the blocker wants his nose aligned in

relation to the defender.


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PASS SETS

For communication purposes, the outside foot will be called the SET foot and the inside foot will be

called the POST foot.

Footwork

1. Kick step - Outside step with the SET foot. Keep weight concentrated on inside foot and leg.The ankle is wider than the knee and the knee is wider than the hip. This helps to maintain theweight on the inside leg. If the weight transfers to the outside leg, the abilityto continue kick

stepping is lost. The nose should stay aligned with the crotch.

2. Power Step - Flat, aggressive, inside step with the post foot. It is intended to take away insiderush lanes. Once again, dont let the head go past midline of the body.

3. Slide - Move by opposite foot after Kick or Power step.

Pass sets are determined by the alignment of the defender in relation to the blocker and the QB. Shown

below are alignments and how they are labeled.

In one on one blocking, it is the objective of the blocker to set his body in a position

where he always has the defender in a tight 3 (Guard) or 5 (Tackle) technique. That is, always set

so that the nose of the blocker is aligned with the inside number of the defender which willinsure a slight inside out position on the defender.


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AFTER CONTACT

After the blocker sets and punches, he now has to maintain contact with the rusher, allowing as little

closure to the QB as possible. Listed below are techniques and tips to accomplish this.

1. Dont try to get separation. Once contact is made, lock on (the exception is a tackle blocking awide, upfield rusher) and maintain a full lockout position, with the elbows in, thumbs up, andopen hand into the chest of the rusher.

2. Dont lean on the hands. Use the power generated through bent knees and the stagger to stopthe forward progress of the rusher.

3. Keep the head out of the block with the upper body upright and rigid.4. The base should widen after contact to aid in lateral stability.5. The weight should still be on the inside of the feet with about 60% of the weight on the inside

leg.

6. The heel of the outside or stagger foot should be on the ground to prevent tipping forward orgetting pulled by the rusher.7. If the defender tries to rush through the outside shoulder, widen him.

a. Maintain nose to inside number alignment.b. Hard pressure with inside hand to prevent defender from coming back inside.c. Maintain bent knee position with outside foot stagger.d. Dont lean on hands.e. Keep the weight concentrated on the inside leg so that the outside foot can continue to

kick up and widen the rusher. If the weight shifts to the outside foot, the ability to

continue to kick out is eliminated.

8. If the defender tries to rush inside, power step to the inside, flattening the rusher to the inside.Try to trip the defender with the post foot. You wont actually trip him but by emphasizing this,

the post foot wont bail out (drop back) which creates a soft inside shoulder and allows a rush

lane inside to the QB.

9. If the defender tries to power or bull rush through the defender, brace up as if you were beingpushed off a cliff.a. Keep the head out. Dont lean on hands (The rusher may be setting you up for a pull or

jerk move).

b. Stop the defender with leg power generated by bent knees.c. Maintain the stagger. If the defender has leverage and is walking the blocker back to

the QB because the blocker has lost his stagger, the blocker should hop back with the

feet to regain the stagger. The blocker may loose a little ground by doing this but he will


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regain his base. This is much better than continuing to be walked back by the rusherbecause of a lost stagger.

d. If inside hand placement has been lost, re-establish inside hand position by bringinghands under the defenders arms, then aggressively up into his chest.


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PASS RUSH MOVES AND COUNTERS

The ability to counter a pass rush move is important. Below are some common moves and their

counters.

1. Swim - The rusher will grab a shoulder and pull, then attempt to bring his opposite armover the blocker while bringing his off leg past the leg of the blocker to the side of the pull.

Counter

a. First of all, make punch so effective that the defender misses the grab.b. If he gets the grab, the blocker presses hard with the hand to the side of the grab.

DONT ALLOW THAT HAND TO LOSE CONTACT WITH THE DEFENDER.Press with more force than the defender is pulling with.

c. As the opposite arm swims over the blocker, the blocker places the hand to that sideinto the armpit of the swim arm and pushes hard.

d. Keep the foot and body moving in the direction of the swim move so the lane to theQB is shut off.2. Rip - The rusher will rip his upper arm into the opposite arm pit area of the blocker, at the

same time, bringing the opposite leg past the leg of the blocker.

Counter

a. Clamp and trap the rip arm in the armpit.b. The blocker drops the center of gravity (with the rip arm trapped) to prevent the

rusher from completing the rip.

c. With the off hand, the blocker pushes on the hip of the rusher to widen him.d. Keep the feet and body moving in the direction of the rip to shut off the rush lane to

the QB.

3. Club - A move perfected by Howie Long of the Raiders, the rusher makes a quick move toone side of the blocker, trying to get him to lean in that direct. The rusher than comes back

to the other side, at the same time hitting the opposite upper arm of the blocker with a hardhorizontal, straight armed clubbing action with his arm. The intent is to push the blocker in

the direction of the lean caused by the quick initial move, thereby opening up a rush lane tothe QB.

Counter

a. The key to countering this move is proper weight distribution and body mechanics.

b. Keep the weight concentrated on the inside or post leg.


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c. Keep the nose over the crotch. Dont lean in the direction of the initial move. If theblocker leans, he will bail out and create a soft shoulder when he reacts to the

change of direction by the rusher. The rusher wants the blocker to lean in the

direction of his initial move.

d. Be patient. Time the punch. Punching too early will cause a forward lean which isdetrimental.

e. After the punch, be strong with the arm being clubbed. If it gets knocked away, getit quickly back into the frame of the defender and apply pressure.

f. Keep the body and feet moving to stay in front of the defender and shut off rushlanes to the QB.

4. Hand Slap - A hand slapper wants to knock the hands down and prevent the blocker fromgetting his hands on the defender. If can also distract the blocker from executing his other

techniques.

Counter

a. The first things to remember is that, if the defender is slapping, hes not grabbing. Inother works, while hes involved in trying to knock the blockers hands away, hes

not grabbing the blocker or getting his hands on the blocker in a meaningful way. So

the key is for the blocker to not be distracted by the slap but to immediately after theslap, bring the hands back into position before the defender can do the same with his

hands. The ability to do this is aided by the hands and arms being relaxed during the

set and prior to contact.

b. Once the hand position has been re-established, continue to go through with thebasic pass protection techniques.

c. A very effective technique is the fake jam. A hand slapper relies on makingcontact with the blocker, then getting into his pass rush move before the blocker canget his hands back in position. A fake jam is merely showing the hands to the

rusher, then pulling them back. If the blocker slaps and misses, his timing is

disrupted and he has to start over on his rush. The blocker fake jams, then

punches into the body of the rusher after he has tried to slap and missed.


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OFFENSIVE LINE

DRILLS

Dont Get By, Get

Better


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Pre-Practice (during Special Teams)

Pipe Drills

1) Forward Step with Power Foot

Base-Balance-Power

Helps with over-striding

Lead with heal

Sit on your hips (sit in the chair)

Staggered foot should stay outside of your hip

Like being pulled by the rusher

Down and back with right foot, then down and

back with left foot.


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2) Later Power Step

3) Lateral Power Step with Wipe and Punch

Same as above but add a partner acting as the defender. Defender reaches for Inside shoulderof OL and we wipe his arm off of us and get our inside punch back onto the DLs chest plate.

This is done as the OL steps through the pipes. As we begin to concentrate on the punch, manywill over-stride and step on the pipes.

Base-Balance-Power

Helps with over-striding

Lead with heal

Sit on your hips (sit in the chair)Staggered foot should stay outside of your hip

Punch with inside arm

Shoulders back, dolly the chest,

chin in/head back

Down and back with right foot, then down and

back with left foot.


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Pipes 2nd

Step Quickness

4) Zone StepsWork out of both a 2 point & 3 point stance.

The footwork is for the covered lineman in the Zone (Alabama/Arkansas), who is covered by anoutside shade.

1st step is over the pipe and quick into the ground, 2nd step quick-pound into the tire.Bring the 2

ndfoot to the crotch of the defender.

5) Trail StepWork out of both a 2 point & 3 point stance.

The footwork is for the uncovered lineman in the Zone (Alabama/Arkansas).

Drop step and get on the angle to the Zone Combo.1st step is over the pipe and quick into the ground, 2nd step quick-pound into the tire.

R

L

Get 2nd

Step in the Ground (Pound)

1

2

3

4

R

L

1

2

3

4

Depicted from Left

Handed Stance,must be executed

from position

specific stance.

RL

R

L

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4

Get 2nd Step in the

Ground (Pound)

Depicted from Right Handed

Stance,must be executed from

position specific stance.


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6) Lead Step

Work out of both a 2 point & 3 point stance.The footwork is for the covered lineman in the Zone (Alabama/Arkansas), who is covered by an inside

shade or head up defender. The first step is with the play-side foot even though the defender may be

on our inside eye.1st step is over the pipe and quick into the ground, 2nd step quick-pound into the tire.

Bring the 2nd foot to the crotch of the defender, straight ahead.

R

L

12

34

R

L

12

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Get 2nd

Step in

the

Ground

(Pound)

Depicted from Left Handed Stance,

must be executed from position specific stance.


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Chutes Bend at the Knees and Hip-Lift The Bag!Work out of both a 2 point & 3 point stance.

7) Fit

Five defenders stand at edge of chutes, bent down, with palms up to hold offensive player elbows andsupport them. Offensive players put face on chest of defender with hands on breastplate of defender.

Bow neck and bend knees with weight on the defender. Have a semi-flat back looking thru theeyebrows. On command offensive player will step with right foot first and press the player off theL.O.S. hitting on the rise. Have players drive off with good base, short power steps. Emphasize

bending the knees and starting in the fit position, Repeat and step with the left foot first.


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8) Zone Step

9) Trail Steps

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This is the Zone step taken by a covered lineman who has an outside shade DL on the insidezone.

This is the Trail step taken by an uncovered lineman who is attempting to reach the play-

side gap and get into a hip-to-hip combo with the covered lineman on the inside zone.


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10) PullGet head across to the inside of the bag.

11) LBs

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Other Run Block Drills

12) Dig / Cutoff block

Drill used to teach OL how to cutoff backside gaps on run plays.

With the LG/LT we are working the 18 cutoff block - tell the OL to pick out a spot 18

inside the defenders. Open step with right foot, crossover with left foot (Picture 17) and rip theleft shoulder underneath the defender. Run a 40-yard sprint thru the spot and rip the leftshoulder underneath the defender until you clear your hips, then press the defender north and

south getting inside out. Common mistakes are stepping and looking at the defender. He will

beat you inside if you do this. (Picture 18) Repeat this drill to the other side (i.e., reachingLT/LG/Center; cutting off with RG/RT). (Picture 19)

The previous drills are our base-run fundamentals. We will also work on our combination drills

for zone and gaps plays based on the emphasis of the day. All of these drills will help your OLwith the basic block that they must do to help you win a championship. Base block, reach

block, cutoff block

13) 6 Point-HandsOne the sled, all linemen in a six point position (Toes, Knees, Hands) with their helmets on the pads.

On the coaching command set they cock their arms (draw your guns). On the coaching command

hit they strike the pad with an open handed punch. Violent contact should be made with the ball of

the hand. Thumbs up, elbows in tight, lock out

WRONG!

CORRECT!


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14) Down BlocksUse the Trail Step technique. Upon contact work to lock out play-side arm and pull with

backside arm to prevent the DL from crossing your face or spinning out.

Variation: Down Block vs. Spin (two whistle drill)Start the same as above, on the second whistle the DL will attempt to spin out to the play-side.

This allows the coach to test the lock-out/pull mentioned above.

15) Post Drive (Combo)

Tap Lift DrillThis drill is to practice being the lead man on a double team combo. We take our first two

steps into a DL holding a shield and shoot only one and lift the defender. Get face/shoulderinto the contact at the same time as the hand hits.

16) Post Drive (Combo)

Fit DrillLead man and Post man fit up into the double team, hip to hip, shoulder to shoulder and drive

the DL together. We then progress to doing the same thing starting from our stance.

17) Zone Combo (coming off)Two OL and one DL/one LB.

The DL and LB will stunt/blitz, showing the OL movement. The OL starts with the doubleteam and then one of them comes off based on the defensive movement.

1

2

backsidePlay-side

Ri ht side blockin down

1

2

backsidePlay-side

Left side blockin down


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Vertical Sets

Why do we Vertical Set?

Allows us to pick up stunts, twists, and zone blitzes because the defense declares their intention and executelevel of our vertical set. So we are able to switch or hand people off before we ever make contact. Our V

off the outside rush without opening up the door for an inside move. Finally it allows us to identify and bloman) when the defense is sending more than we can block.


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Vertical Set Drills (can be done as a part of Pre-Practice along with the pipe drills)

THE GRID

All drills begin with the toes on the front horizontal line. The vertical lines represent the pre-snap on. We will vertical set and get our crotch over the line then react to the rush of the DL with pow

slides.

Right Guard or Tackle

In a Right Handed Stance

Vs. a Head Up Technique

Right Guard or Tackle

In a Right Handed Stance

Vs. an Inside Shade

Left Guard or T

In a Left Handed

Vs. a Head Up T

Left Guard or T

In a Left Handed

Vs. an Inside Sh


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12

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18) Vertical Sets vs. Head Up DL

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19) Vertical Sets vs. Inside Shade DL

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Then Power Step for Inside Charge

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Power-Power-Power to the next line

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Then Kick-Slide to outside move.

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Then Kick-Slide to an outside threat.

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25) Vertical Kick-Slide

Used by OT vs. outside rusher

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Other Pass Protection Drills

26) Mirror Drill

Drills used to help train the OL to move feet laterally without crossing over. Set 2 cones five yardsapart on line. Have defender and offensive player face each other. On snap count have the defender run

back and forth cone to cone. The offensive player will mirror him. (Pictures 20, 21)

Coaching Points:A. Stance - Feet slightly wider than shoulder width.

Bent knees with chest over Knees (like a LB) Lock hand to wrist behind

back.

B. Big Eyes on Target - Pick out small target to focus on the defenders jersey.

C. Lead Step - when going right lead with right foot and vice-versa. Keep base

shoulder width apart.

D. Shuffle - Right foot goes 6 left foot goes 6.

Variation: Have the OL get into their position specific stance and kick/power with appropriate

foot. Have the DL zig-zag and spin right and left while slowly taking ground. The OL mustkeep their body in front of the DL.

27) Bull Drill

Drill used to teach OL to top the bull rush.

Have defender and OL face each other.

Stance - Same as above but the defender will now put his hands on the breastplate of OL. OL

will start with hands outside the body on shoulders. (Picture 22) On command to start the defender will start to bull rush the OL back. OL will replace his

hands to breast plate and give ground grudgingly. OL should take small 6 step backwards with feet slightly ducked out. (Picture 23)


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Keep defender locked out with arms extended and hands on breast plate.

After about 3 yards of giving ground grudgingly have the OL pop it. Hop and try to regainleverage by popping the feet out and back to stop the charge of the defender.

28) Push/Pull Drill

Drill used to teach OL body control when pass protecting.

Have defender and OL face each other. Stance - OL drop down like a linebacker with hands locked behind back.

Defender will put left hand behind OLs neck and right hand on shoulder.

On command to start the defender will give steady pressure (either to push or pull) on the OL.(Picture 24)

If the defender pulls, the OL will sink his hips and work up into the defender grudgingly. If the defender pushes, the OL will brace up with a slight stagger and arch the back to fight

the pressure.

Have defender push/pull several times but not in a herky jerky fashion be steady this

teaches the OL balance and body control. Tell OL he has a telephone pole down the center of his body.

29) Combo Drill

Combination of the three previous drills. Put it all together. Mirror/Bull/Push/Pull


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Stance - Have defender and OL face each other. OL drop down like a linebacker and puthands on the outside of defenders shoulders. Defender starts with hands inside. (Picture 25)

On command to go, OL replace hands to breastplate being strong with hands. (Picture 26)

Coaching point - OL work to control drill with strong hands. Defender will now grab shoulder of the OL and run side to side (mirror) forward and

backwards (Bull, Push/Pull). (Picture 27)

OL will shuffle side to side with defender being strong with the lead hand.

When the defender bulls, fight pressure and bow up. When the defender pulls, sink hips and walk up into him grudgingly. (Picture 28)

This is an up tempo drill with the defender trying to throw the OL off balance.

30) Kick down the Board

Drill to teach the OL to keep hips square on speed rushing defender.

Stance - Start in race horse (up) stance. Set five boards on line - at a 45-degree angle. This is for right side players only. Have OL

lineman start with heels even with end of board. On command to start have the OL kick the

length of the board approximately 4 yards.

Emphasize carrying the weight on inside half of body while keeping hips down and square. Explode backwards down the board while staying square.

Have the five OL compete to see who is the quickest. Flip the boards to the left for left side OL and repeat.

31) Off sides Rush on the Board

Same purpose as previous drill but now incorporate a defender who is basically offside. Teach

the OL to really explode back and get hands on the defender and still keep hips square to LOS.

Have the defender position himself to the outside of defender with his toes even with the OLtoes.


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On command to start have the defender try and grab the back of the OL shoulder pads andclear his hips by the OL.

On command to start the OL will explode back with a kick set keeping his hips square and

straddling the board. Work to bat the defenders grab hand away with outside arm and stab the defender with inside

arm.

You must stay low and square to get back on this drill. Flip boards for other side OL. The previous drills dealt mainly with the movement part of pass

protection. The next drills will be the basic punch drills that we like to incorporate into practice.

32) Punch Away

Drill used to teach OL to strike a blow and keep their hands up.

Have defender facing the OL, hold a hand shield tight to his chest leaning on the OL. (Picture29)

OL get in a LB stance with hands up in front of face, pressed against the bag with arms semi

extended. OL will start the drill by pushing the defender back.

Defender will walk steadily with pressure into the OL. OL should time his punch and strike a 6 blow to the pad. It should be in a jack-hammerfashion not a pushing fashion. As the OL strikes a blow he should always reset his feet. Try to

strike blow with both feet on the ground. (Picture 30)

33) A-B DRILL

Drill to make sure OL are setting with their hands up and ready to strike. Defender holds a hand shield like a baseball bat and swings it hard at the OL face.

Two reps from race horse stance (up), two reps from down stance.


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Have OL in his stance and on command to start the defender swings the bag. (Picture 31) Have OL take a kick set and punch the bag. (Picture 32) Make sure the OL takes the proper

set not coming up out of his hips and striking a blow. (Pictures 33, 34, 35)

34) Med Ball-HandsThe OL power-steps and/or kick-slide as a coach throws med balls at their face, forcing them to

get in front of the ball and punch the ball with an open hand punch. Violent contact should be

made with the ball of the hand. Thumbs up, elbows in tight, lock out. The elbows should lock

out at exactly the same moment as contact with the ball.

35) Med Ball-Crotch

The OL power-steps and/or kick-slide as a coach rolls med balls to the outside and/or inside ofthe OL. The OL must power-step and/or kick-slide to get their crotch straddling the med ball.

Teaches the OL to get their body in front of the defender instead of leading with the hands and

lunging.

36) 1 on 1 Pass

Try to now apply all the drills we have just discussed in pass protection vs. the DL in a live

situation. Try to do this daily. Use the terms of these drills now in coaching live 1-on-l pass and

the OL will understand why you have been doing these drills.


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37)Grid Drill


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Snapping the Ball

38)


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