D-LINE PLAY
By
Jeffery Rolson
Front four are the key to the Defense
Tackles must be able to play 3-2i-1-5 technique
Ends must be able to play 7-6I-5
Beating the blocker - five basic reads by
the D-Lineman
1. Base block
2. Veer block - CUTOFF
3. Reach block
4. Double team
5. Pass set
Your key is the football which
is your signal to go
Tackle stance (3 pt)
1. Heel to toe stagger(not
much bigger)
2. Base is arm pit to shoulder
width, no wider.
3. Bend at ankle/knee/hip
(coiled to explode)
4. Down arm straight-fingers
bridged (heavy on hand).
5. Hips slightly higher than
shoulders.
6. Shoulders square to L.O.S.
and parallel to ground.
7. Offhand in front, thumb
up, slight bend in arm.
8. Neck bulled but relaxed,
read top of playside # (periph the football)
9. Foot away from your gap
responsibility is back
10. Right hand down =right
foot back (left down=left back)
Get off
1. Explode on ball movement.
2. 6"-8" power
step with back foot.
3. Sweep arms from ground.
4. Deliver blow to top of
OL play side #’ (BREAST PLATE) /Grab cloth/separate
5. Eye level with top of
the numbers.(look outside shoulder / not over)
6. Play with leverage.
7. Keep elbows in and thumbs
up
8. Feet must never stop (Drive
block the O lineman)
KEY: Control play side
shoulder (Never Lose Gap!)
Deliver a blow, separate, find ball, escape,
pursue, tackle (be physical-punish)
Base block
1. Drive the drive blocker.
2. Gap control is first priority(gap
arm and leg free)
3. Shoulder square
4. Ball away- squeeze running
lane and escape/pursue when ball commits. Cross face.
5. Ball to you- control gap,
shed and make the hit.
6. Pursue at the proper angle
Reach
1. Must control play side
# (grab cloth)
2. Work 2x2 (lock out gap
side arm and pull OL back shoulder)-get his shoulders turned.
3. Keep outside arm and leg
free
4. Shoulders square
5. Rip the reach and attack
ball at proper angle
Veer -Cutoff
1. Squeeze blocker -don’t
allow release to backer-constrict running lane.
2. Stay square
3. Cross face or hip pocket
when ball commits.
4. Tackle the cutback
5. Wrong arm any Kick out
Double team
1. Play your man- If you
stuff him the double team will fall off.
2. Penetrate- Big body lean.
3. If the double gets on
you- Try to split blockers-turn shoulders (rip through)- If
your feet die so do you.
4. If you start loosing ground-
drop shoulders quickly and try to cut the blockers.
Pass set
1. Elongate first step-close
the gap(no separation)-body lean.
2. Rush in your gap responsibility-stay
in your lane.
3. Have a plan(1st move)
and a counter.
RUSH MOVES
1. Bull rush- drive him right
through the Q.B.
2. Rip - tip of your shoulder
pad under his arm pit - get hip to hip -uppercut and run.
3. Swim- pull OL shoulder
down and toward your opposite hip- turn shoulders and punch
over the shoulder- elbow to kidney-get hip to hip and run
4. Club and Double Club
5. If you cant steam roll
him you better have some shake and bake.
Ends Stance
1. May have a slightly bigger
stagger than tackles
2. Slightly higher hips-sprinter
stance.
3. Rt. foot back Rt. hand
down
4. Left foot back Left hand
down
5. Inside foot to outside
foot of Tackle/T.E.( may tighten alignment v.s. inside run
and veer)-game plan.
6. Offhand thumb up with
bull neck look though top of eyes no strain
All techniques the same as tackles.(exception)
DE must never allow free release of TE. Get cloth every time.
How to play the G scheme, Trap and Counter.
1. Squeeze the veer block
2. Eyes must go inside when
veer block is recognized.
3. Attack the trapper-flat
down l.o.s
4. Take on blocker with up
field shoulder- Rip
5. Must press up field- try
to square shoulders
6. Spill the second blocker-
sacrifice you body.
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