O-LINE/D-LINE TECHNIQUES - Glazier Clinics D-LINE Techniques...O-LINE/D-LINE TECHNIQUES Mike Kirschner ... • Reading Defense vs. ... – Control man’s middle with palm pressure

O-LINE/D-LINETECHNIQUES

Mike KirschnerHead Coach

Ben Davis High SchoolState Champions

1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1999,2001, 2002

Email: [email protected]

THE DRIVE BLOCK• Phase I: Stance and Start

– Stance:• Feet:• The blocker should keep a good base with feet approximately armpit to shoulder

width apart.• Feet should be never be set deeper than the instep of the opposite foot.• Toes should be about even with possible a toe to instep relationship; the foot on the

down hand side should slightly turned in.

• Power Angles:• The blocker’s weight should be carried on the inside balls of the feet. Your heels

should be slightly off the ground.• The blocker’s knees should be straight in line with the foot.• A “z” should be formed by the thigh, lower leg, and foot.

• Down Hand:• Place your down hand slightly inside the line of the rear foot.• Weight distribution should be about 60% on hand, 40% on feet.

STANCE AND START CONT.• Stance continued

• Place offhand wrist beside knee; this keeps shoulders square

• Back, Shoulders, Neck and Eyes:• Off Hand:• Back should stay parallel to the ground.• Shoulders should stay parallel to the line of

scrimmage.• Tail should be slightly higher than shoulders.• Neck should be bulled up.• Eyes should be straight ahead; see the feet of

the defender.

• Start:• Initial movement should be forward, not up.• The first step should be a short 4-6 inch step so

that the knee is slightly past the toe. Keep feet on the ground for power.

• Knee of the forward foot should point to the ground on the first step.

• Arm action is similar to sprinter’s start.• Back is flat; chest is over the lead thigh.• Bull neck – sight target.• Follow immediately with short 2nd and 3rd step.

CONTACT• Contact

– Timing the Pop• Rip arms up in unison

and simultaneous with first 4-6 inch step.

• Hands may be either clenched or open.

• Tim the pop: Hands make contact as lead foot hits the ground.

• Thumbs up, and elbows in. Elbows should rub your sides.

THE FIT POSITION• The Fit

– Fit Position• Fists or palms should be at

bottom of the breastplate so that hands and helmet form a triangle.

• Feet should be parallel with toes slightly turned in.

• Knees should be slightly bent to retain power angles.

• Knees should be over ankles.• Blocker should keep his tail

down.• Arch back, as in squat

position, with shoulders kept square.

• Face should be up with neck bulled.

• Eyes should be under chin of defender at all times.

THE FOLLOW THROUGH• Follow Through

– Blocker will drive defender off the ball using proper leverage, hip roll, feet acceleration, and maintenance of block.

– The blocker should take short, choppy steps.

– From a fit position, blocker moves defender, by straightening knees and unlocking hips as the block progresses.

– It is very important during this phase to not over-stride and not over extend.

– The defender will be moved back and up as the block continues.

– Blocker should pigeon toe feet and hear feet pound into the ground.

DRIVE BLOCK DRILLS• Time the pop drill• Follow through drill-

boards– Walk– Run– Mattress– Sled– Chute– Drive – shade

alingment

PASS PRO TECHNIQUE• Start

– Body position:• Feet are shoulders-width apart

with inside foot up.• Knees are bent; keep power

producing angles.• Butt is down to maintain low

center of gravity.• Back has a squatter’s arch.• Elbows are in.• Hands are at eye level with

thumbs up and open palms. Arms are extended, slightly bent.

• Shoulders are square to line of scrimmage.

• Head is thrown back; eyes focused on bottom of numbers of defender.

• If proper body position is attained, shoulders, knees and toes form a straight vertical line.

• Always keep inside foot up. This protects the inside gap and denies easy access to the quarterback.

PASS PRO CONTACT PHASE• Contact

– Time the Pop:• As defender attacks, keep your body between him and the

quarterback.• Be in the fit position• When defender is within arm’s reach, blocker will

simultaneously thrust arms out and slightly up, inside foot is jabbed to ensure solid base and to counterbalance against on rushing defender.

• Contact is made with the heel of the palm. Place hands at base of breastplates: snap rusher’s shoulders back.

PASS PRO COUNTER MOVES• Counter moves

– Lateral pressure– Bull rush– Snap down– Swim move– Rip Move

PASS PRO DRILLS• Pass Pro Drills

– Shuffle air– Mirror dodge– Shuffle off/def– Two way pressure– Four way pressure

DEFENSIVE LINE TECHNIQUE• Reading Defense vs.

Penetrating Defense– Stance and Start

• 3 or 4 point stance• Equal distribution of weight on

hands and feet.• Head is in natural, up position so

defender can see straight ahead and laterally.

• Back is flat.• Tail is slightly raised.• Knees are bent, ready to react.• Feet, knees, and toes are all

straight ahead.• Defender will key the offensive

lineman’s down hand for movement.

• Take a short step with inside foot while you read blocker’s head

• Take off drills

DEFENSIVE LINE CONTACT• Contact

– Stay square on blocker.– Keep hands inside.– Control blockers breastplate.– Keep squatter’s arch.– Keep eyes under blocker’s

chin.– Keep toes, knees, and heels

in a straight line.– Weight on balls of feet.– Keep feet moving as you

maintain contact on blocker.– Play on offensive side of ball.– Do not give ground; gain

ground as you read.– Keep outside leverage.

DEFEATING THE DRIVE BLOCK

• Beat the drive block– Key head! On reaction

explode into blocker with hand shiver.

– Lock out elbows, keep your feet clear.

– Control blocker! Constrict your gap as you keep shoulders parallel to the line of scrimmage.

– Keep outside are free. Protect your gap.

SEPERATION TECHNIQUE• Rip under move

– Post your gap side are by locking out the elbow.– Control man’s middle with palm pressure on the sternum by

using other hand.– You must use your whole body.– Move your feet.– Keep power producing angles in your knees.– Keep back arched.– Stay low.– As you maintain posted outside hand, step with outside foot.– Rip inside arm through/across offensive blocker. Aim for

opposite arm pit.– Exaggerate the rip and step simultaneously to clear yourself

from the blocker.

PASS RUSH TECHNIQUE• Pass Rush

– Get off the ball.– Control the offensive blocker.– Keep your feet moving.– Maintain pass rush lanes.

• Bull rush– Speed to the blocker is crucial.– Once pass is keyed, attack the

offensive lineman with simultaneous blows to target with hands, elbows in thumbs up.

– Drive legs to take bend out of knees.

– If you shoulders rise kick step to regain leverage

– Press blocker out; keep eyes on quarterback and feet moving.

– Perform separation move like a rip under.

TACKLING

• Teach safety first– Head up and face on the ball– Punch arms through the arm pits of ball

carrier– Grab cloth– Hit on the rise– Accelerate the feet run through the ball carrier– Tackling drills

• Thud, Purdue, and Goal line