BLOCKING TECHNIQUES

There are ten basic types of block an offensive lineman uses. There are three Golden Rules of Blocking. First, the blocker must keep his head between the defender and the play, maintaining proper position. Second, the feet never stop moving. And third, blocks are maintained until the whistle.

The Drive Block calls for the blocker to fire out low and hard on the defender hitting him squarely between the numbers, pumping the legs vigorously and driving the defender from a specified area. During the driving motion the open hands extend and the elbows lock.

The Read Block calls for the blocker to make contact with the defender in the middle of the torso and "read" the defender. The idea is the defender will choose a shoulder to attempt to go around, and the blocker then proceeds to assist the defender in that direction.

The Position Block has the blocker position himself between the play and the defender. If the defender to be blocked is already lined up in such a manner, this block might be referred to as an Angle Block. If the defender has the superior angle on the blocker, then the blocker will attempt to "Hook" the defender. This is accomplished by making contact with and sliding the head to the outside of the defender. The blocker turns his behind to the running lane fully placing himself between the defender and the play. The hands are extended.

The Double Team Block is when two blockers block the same man usually to expose an area or isolate a defensive back with a running back.

The Trap Block is when a blocker (usually a Guard) pivots the foot furthest from the direction he is going, driving of that foot and coming down the line of scrimmage in order to trap or kick out a defender left unblocked for this very purpose. More times than not the unblocked defender will penetrate into the back field making the trap block both highly visible and effective.

The Cross Pull Block has the pulling blocker coming from his own side of the line across the Center position to the other side. The Pull Block occurs when the pulling player pulls to the same side of the line he is on, going even wider toward the side line.

The Seal Block occurs when a blocker's main objective is to seal off defensive pursuit from one side of the line of scrimmage to the other.

The Cross Block attempts to take advantage or pre existing angles at the point of attack. Which blocker "goes first" is determined by the running lane and defensive alignments and tendencies. Good communication between the offensive linemen is a must in order to properly execute a good cross block.

Submitted by eteamz's: Coach Hutchison

One of the most difficult aspects of coaching youth football is keeping it simple. Too often youth football coaches will over complicate their defensive scheme. Young players that are over burdened with too many stunts, formations and reads will slow down as a result of having to think too much or out of fear of making a mistake. Below are the 3 most common defensive formations in youth football. All three have their benefits depending on the offensive tendencies of the opponent.

The 5-4 Defense is a good "All-around" formation. It can be used to defend both the run and the pass.

The 6-2 Defense is used to stop the "run first" offense.

The Goal Line Defense is used in very "short yardage" situations where the run is the greatest threat.

6-2 defense

Goal Line Defense

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN:

• Placing more weight on the hands enables you to move forward.
• A stance that is a little wider allows for better balance when you're being blocked.
• Keep your outside hand (away from the blocker) free to try pass rush techniques and to keep from getting hooked.
• Keep your body low to the ground, and control the line of scrimmage from underneath the opponent's shoulder pads.

• Bend your knees slightly to insure low body position.
• Poise the arms in front of the body as you get ready to take on a blocker.
• Focus your eyes on the man you are to get the key from.
• One foot is slightly forward; step with this foot first as you react to the key and find the football.

• Keep your feet slightly staggered, with the outside foot back.
• Point the toes straight ahead.
• Focus eyes on the main you are to key.
• Assume a slightly crouching position with your knees bent a little.
• Take a short read step on the snap, and then react to the play.

• Make sure that you are under control so as not to overrun the ballcarrier or dive and miss a tackle.
• Maintain a wide, balanced stance, keep the feet moving with choppy steps.
• Extend your arms and head in front of your body.
• Keep your head up, your back arched and your knees slightly bent.
• Slide your head to the outside just before making contact.
• With your arms, grasp behind the legs of the ballcarrier and pull him toward you.
• Lift and pull the ballcarrier toward you as you take him off his feet.

• Keep under control and be ready to move in any direction.
• It's important to maintain a good balanced stance in a good hitting position.
• Drive your head in front of the ballcarrier's number, across the line of his run.
• Drive your shoulder upward on the runner at about waist level.
• With your arms, grasp the runner behind the legs and lift him off the ground.
• Arch your back to lift and drive through the ballcarrier.
• Keep the feet moving with short choppy steps as you finish the tackle.

• Keep under control with your legs bent.
• Use the sideline to your advantage, penning in or getting an angle on the runner.
• Your number one priority is to grasp the runner.
• Once you have a hold on the runner, help should be soon to arrive. But, if possible, try to drive him out of bounds or pull him to the turf.
• Don't worry about driving through the man or delivering a hard blow. Your sole responsibility is to get a hold of the player and prevent the score.

This tip provided by Toby and Active Team Sports

October 25, 2006

There may be no more important position on the football field than the quarterback. Though the following set of drills and programs are not terribly extensive or long individually, when coupled together they can vastly improve a quarterback's technique-especially in the drop back, set-up, and delivery of the ball.

Two Knee Drill ( 20 passes)

The purpose of this drill is to warm up the arm and, at the same time, teach concentration on target and ball release. Pair off about ten yards apart directly in line with each another, kneeling on both knees. Receiver will hold both hands up, giving the QB a target to throw to. Don't throw hard and concentrate on target.

One Knee Drill (20 passes)

Put your knee on the throwing side down. Place the ball on the ground, grip it with just the throwing hand, lift it up with one hand, cock it high with two hands, and throw it to partner. Exaggerate your follow through as if to pick up grass. Use the arm only and lead with elbow. Helps to develop stronger arc and wrist snap. Switch the down knee for variation.

Feet Parallel Drill (20 passes)

Purpose is to warm up the arm, and at the same time teach concentration on target and passing technique. Pair off about 12 yards apart directly in line with each other. Increase the distance as you warm up. Don't exceed 20 yards and do not take a step with your foot. This helps to develop a stronger arm.

Opposite Foot Drill (20 passes)

A basic warm- up to teach how to throw off the wrong foot by simulating the motion of throwing off the wrong foot while scrambling or sprinting out. If you're a right-hander start with your right foot forward in heel to toe relationship. Point the toe in the direction of the throw. To throw with the body you must rotate hips. If thrown with correct motion, you will be forced forward on the ball of your right foot and your weight will follow through.

Normal Foot Follow- Through Drill (20 passes)

Same as above except step with the correct foot. Right hander steps with left foot. Point the toe in the direction of the throw. When throwing at release of ball, turn hand to outside and palm down. This motion assures tip of ball will be up for a soft pass. Over-emphasize the follow through until it becomes an automatic part of throwing motion.

Down the Line (200 yards)

Run the length of the field and back playing catch. Keep 10 yards apart. Release the ball quickly. Square the shoulders and hips to the target. Work to increase speed.

Sprint Out Drill (20 passes)

Sprint right and left. Throw to other QB or target. Release the ball quickly. Square the shoulders and hips to target. Practice throwback pass also. Get a depth of 6-7 yards.

Set- Up Drill (20 passes)

Concentrate on speed on getting back. Get depth, step up and throw to a target. Start at 20 yards and work to 40 with lowest possible trajectory. Throw hard and soft. Use centers if possible. May time drops.

By Scouts, Inc. ESPN.com

For Active.com

January 16, 2006

The heart and soul of any good football team is its offensive line. There's no position that requires more discipline or technique than offensive lineman. Success as an offensive football team hinges on their ability to control the line of scrimmage.

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, because they're willing to do the little things that most teams aren't willing to do.

No detail should ever be overlooked, regardless of how minute it may seem. The difference between winning and losing often lies in the failure to do the little things. Not every player can be an "All-Pro," or even starter, but everyone can hustle and hit and be a good team man.

The basic fundamentals: The little things

1. The huddle. This is where every successful play begins. Listen and try to visualize your assignment; calls if any; keep the starting count in your mind. Jog to the line of scrimmage -- never walk -- this is a positive psychological advantage over your opponent.

2. The starting counts. In order to control the line of scrimmage, it's extremely important to execute the starting count. The single greatest advantage the offensive line has over the defense is that they know when the ball will be snapped and where the play is going. You want your offensive line to explode out together -- like a well-oiled machine.

3. The pre-set. Guards and Tackles should use a pre-set upon reaching the line of scrimmage.

• Base: Shoulder-width but never wider.


• Feet: Toes pointing straight ahead with feet parallel to one another -- the weight is evenly distributed on the balls of both feet.


• Elbows and hands: Elbows resting slightly above the knees, with hands forming fists facing one another.


• Shoulder, back, tail: The shoulders should be square to LOS with the back flat or parallel to ground. The tail should be an extension to the back and shouldn't be in a drooping position.


• Head and neck: The head and neck should be an extension of the shoulders, back and tail. You want your neck to be in a semi-bowed position, not in a "bulled-neck" position that forces the tail to droop.

Offensive line drills

The little things are the basic fundamentals that pertain to offensive line play before the different techniques of blocking can be mastered, the offensive line must show tremendous discipline and take great pride in doing these little things correctly.

The fundamentals that need the constant emphasis and repetition are as follows: pre-set; stance; one-step explosion; pull technique; line up and splits; takeoff; and proper sets for pass protection. These so-called little things will not be improved by just paying lip-service to them. They need to be done as often as time will allow.

Purpose: To improve the fundamentals of offensive line play in a non-contact drill.

Equipment: Work off of lines -- back end of the end zone or a side line will be excellent -- lines will aid the players in getting into a good square-up position.

Instruction: Offensive linemen will align along the line so that they can place their hand on the line when in a three-point stance. Work the entire group at the same time so that they can get more repetition within a shorter period of time.

• Pre-set: Good base -- feet parallel, weight on balls of the feet. (Work on snapping down together to a three-point stance).


• Stance: Toes towards goal line -- "Z" on knee, slight stagger, weight evenly distributed on three points.


• One-step explosion: Ability to explode out of stance on different angles: a) straight ahead; b) angle right; c) angle left.


• Pull technique: Right -- whip and pivot; left -- jump turn.


• Line up and splits: Guards set the lineup -- align with down hand along center's belt line. Tackles -- align on up foot and down hand of the guard.

This tip provided by Coach Hutchison
and Active Team Sports

City Sports Mag

August 16, 2006

Football coaches want their defensive linemen to be aggressive, strong, quick, and durable. Notice large is not a prerequisite (although it certainly doesn't hurt). There are several effective pass rush techniques. Let's examine a few:

The Swim

The Swim Technique is a technique often used by pass rushers. The Swim gets its name from the fact that when properly executed the player has the appearance of a swimmer's upstroke.

In the swim the defender hits with the open hand the side of an opponent's shoulder pads at about chest level. With the other hand the defender reaches out and over the shoulder of the blocker. The elbow is brought down to hook behind the defender. This technique is sometimes employed when a defender has an obvious size and/or strength advantage.

The Rip

The Rip Technique is usually employed by defenders and special teams players but especially by defensive linemen. The idea is to raise the arm close- handed backwards beneath the elbow and punch past the opponent's shoulder.

The Rip does not involve unnecessary contact. The object is not to hit the player full breath, rather to propel one's own torso beyond the shoulder and torso of the blocker. Then raising the elbow and coming backwards with it in a hooking motion further positioning oneself past the blocker.

Bull Rush

The Bull Rush Technique calls for the defender to get his hands up under the armpit area of the blocker and drive him back into the back field by vigorously pumping the legs and "bull rushing" into the backfield.