Defensive Line Drills

1. P L Defensive Line Drills

2. Stance/Starts (Takeoffs) • Objective: To develop an effective stance and takeoff from the line of scrimmage. • Equipment needed: one football, lined field • Description: Place athletes in eight columns along the goal line. After instructing athletes on the proper stance techniques, • bring the first eight athletes to the L.O.S.. Check each one of their stances, correcting improper technique. • When all eight athletes have been cleared, • place football on L.O.S., instructing athletes to take off five yards on the ball’s movement. • Once players have mastered the drill, add a second coach to point a direction for the Dlinemen to break down and pursue. • . • Coaching Points: • Feet Direction – Always pointed in intended direction • Stagger – Always some stagger even if only slight • Hands – off hand parallel slightly off ground (never resting on leg • Weight Distribution – balanced (lateral) v. elongated (passing situation) v. bunch (short yardage). • Take-off – power step with back foot; low pad level • Cadence – Defensive linemen should go on ball movement not the coach’s cadence.

3. Coach DL DL L.O.S. DL DL DL DL DL DL

4. DL DL With Pursuit Coach Coach L.O.S. DL DL DL DL DL DL

5. Sled Punch (phase I) • Objective: To develop the upper-body mechanics of defensive linemen, • including their hip roll, hand placement, and separation • Equipment Needed: sled/hand-held pad • Description: The defensive lineman begins the drill positioned • slightly less than an arm’s length from the pad. • He has his knees on the ground, with his toes coiled behind. • His arms are relaxed, and his hands are at the height of the jersey number. • On the coach’s command (or ball movement), • the defensive lineman strikes the pad outward and upwards, • locking his arms while rolling his hips. • Striking the blow – palms and heels of hands • Aiming Point – outside front numbers – folding point • Power - quickness (no winding up) • Locking Out – adds strength and separation • Leverage – shoulder level must remain lower than opponent • Coaching Points: • make fit (check palm position) • lock out (point out the strength gained from larger muscle groups) • roll hips • head and shoulders should be monitored by next in line, making sure they are never above the dummy’s • Strike the blow • a. quickness • b. lock out • c. hip roll

6. Three – Point Explosion (Phase II) Objective: To develop the ability of defensive linemen to get their lower body to work in concert with their upper body when delivering a blow. Equipment Needed: sled/ hand-held pad Description: A defensive lineman begins the drill positioned in the proper three-point stance, head-up on the sled/pad. On the coach’s command (or ball movement), the player engages his hands delivering an extended blow while taking a power step with his back foot and rolling his hips. Coaching points: The player must be quick – engaging hands without winding up and then stepping. The player’s pad level must remain below the sled’s/pad’s. make fit (check palm position) lock out (point out the strength gained from larger muscle groups) roll hips Strike the blow a. quickness b. lock out c. hip roll

7. Three – Point Explosion against live blocker (Phase III) • Objective: To develop the ability of defensive linemen to get their lower body to work in • concert with their upper body when delivering a blow against a live blocker. • Equipment Needed: fully equipped opponent • Description: A defensive lineman begins the drill positioned in the proper three-point stance, • head-up over the offensive lineman. On the coach’s command (or ball movement), • the player engages his hands delivering an extended blow while taking a power step with his back foot and rolling his • hips. • The lineman continues taking short choppy steps while maintaining a low center of gravity and extension until the • coach blows the drill dead. • Coaching points: • The player must be quick – engaging hands without winding up and then stepping. • The player’s pad level must remain below the offensive lineman’s. • make fit (check palm position) • lock out (point out the strength gained from larger muscle groups) • roll hips • Strike the blow • a. quickness • b. lock out • c. hip roll

8. L.O.S. DL DL DL DL DL DL DL Phase I-III – may be done on a sled or using hand held dummies. A coach may also use a football and cadence to simulate a snap (defensive linemen should go on movement). Practice partners should increase resistance as technique improves.

9. P L DL Shedding Blocks

10. Shedding Blocks • Knee Rips • One Step Rip • Two Step Rip • Full Attacks • Attack and Hit

11. DL Shedding Drills 1. Knee Rips Equipment: Hand Pads, if Shoulder pads are not worn yet Objective: Teaching the arm part of a proper Rip Attack. Directions: Both players kneel across from each other on the same knee. One player takes the opposite hand from the knee they are on and on command, rip with appropriate arm, grab opposite wrist and raise to the sky. Coaching Points: Punch to the sky with the arm doing the rip move

12. Knee Rip Drill DL DL DL DL DL DL C

13. DL Shedding Drills 2. One Step Rips Equipment: Hand Pads, if Shoulder pads are not worn yet Objective: To teach players the proper footwork and rip execution. Directions: DL will stand in front of a hand pad or man and execute one step rips right and left. One coaches command players will take one step and rip (Same Arm, Same Leg) Coaching Points: 6-8 inch power step, same arm, same leg. Attack half the man or pad. Don’t push the man away, Upper cut punch through half the man

14. One Step Rip Drill DL DL DL Step and Rip DL DL DL C

15. DL Shedding Drills 3. Two Step Rips Equipment: Hand Pads, if Shoulder pads are not worn yet Objective: To teach players the proper footwork and rip execution. Directions: DL will stand in front of a hand pad or man and execute Two step rips right and left. One coaches command players will take Two steps and rip (Same Arm, Same Leg) Coaching Points: 6-8 inch power step with the first step, recover with the second, same arm, same leg. Attack half the man or pad. Don’t push the man away, Upper cut punch through half the man

16. Two Step Rip Drill DL DL DL 2 Steps and Rip DL DL DL C

17. DL Shedding Drills 4. Rip Drill Equipment: Hand Pads, if Shoulder pads are not worn yet Objective: To teach players the proper footwork and rip execution when taking on an offensive lineman. Directions: DL will stand 1 yard in front of a hand pad or man and execute full rips right and left. One coaches command players will attack and rip (Same Arm, Same Leg) Coaching Points: Moving with low pad level, react and attack, same arm, same leg. Attack half the man or pad. Don’t push the man away, Upper cut punch through half the man, Keep your head up.

18. Rip Drill DL DL DL Full Rip DL DL DL C

19. DL Shedding Drills 5. Hit and Scrapes Equipment: Hand Pads, if Shoulder pads are not worn yet Objective: To teach players the proper footwork and rip execution when taking on an offensive lineman and scraping off to make the tackle. Directions: DL will stand 1 yard in front of a hand pad or man. After the coach snaps the football, the DL will execute the phase III drill and finish with full rips right and left. Coaching Points: Moving with low pad level, react and attack, same arm, same leg. Attack half the man or pad. Don’t push the man away, Upper cut punch through half the man, Keep your head up.

20. Hit and Scrape Drill Form Tackle RB OL Rip and Scrape DL C

21. P L DL Fighting Pressure

22. Push/Pull Drill Objective: To develop the ability of defensive linemen to fight pressure with pressure and invert the offensive lineman’s shoulder pads to the line of scrimmage, thus taking away his power angles on both scoop and reach blocks Equipment Needed: None Description: The coach fits up each defensive lineman with an offensive lineman in a two point stance. The offensive linemen are standing erect, with the coach standing behind the defenders to give instruction. The defensive linemen are to close their eyes s the coach points to either the right or the left. The offensive linemen have their hands on the defender’s shoulder pads. When the coach points, they should push on the shoulder pads. When the defensive linemen feel the push, they should push back and pull with the opposite arm, turning the shoulders of the offensive linemen. Coaching Points: The defensive linemen should have a lot of bend in their knees, as well as proper hand placement on the breast of the offensive linemen. When their shoulder is pushed, the defenders should push back and keep their feet moving in the direction of that push The defensive linemen should pull with their other hand. This action will move the offensive linemen’s other shoulder into them and cause the offensive linemen’s shoulders to turn. By having the defensive linemen close their eyes, the coach is taking ways the element of guessing and, in the process, forcing the players to rely on the feeling of pressure.

23. P L DL Tackling

24. Tackling Drills • FIT Drill • 4 cone • Wrap it up • Mirror • Head Across • Eye Opener

25. DLTackling Drills 1. FIT Drill Equipment: Hand Pads, if Shoulder pads are not worn yet Objective: To teach Players the proper technique for tackling Directions: Athletes partner up and line up across from one another On “Chop” Defenders chop feet On “Attack” Defenders attack and wrap, keep feet chopping On “Drive” Defenders Drive the RB Backwards Coaching Points Stay low (Low Pad Level!), head up and to the outside, never stop your feet (Run the Feet), good wrap (Club Arms) and drive through!

26. FIT Drill DL DL DL DL DL DL C

27. DL Tackling Drills 2. 4 Cone tackling Equipment: 4 cones per group Objective: To teach Players the proper technique for tackling and getting their head to the outside Directions: RB and DL will mirror each other on opposite cones, the RB will break to the side the coach tells him to and the DL will have to sprint to get his head to the outside, form tackle and drive. Coaching Points Stay low (Low Pad Level!), head up and to the outside, never stop your feet (Run the Feet), good wrap (Club Arms) and drive through!

28. 4 Cone Tackling Drill RB RB DL DL C

29. DL Tackling Drills 3. Wrap it Up Equipment: 4-6 agile pads Objective: To teach Players the proper technique for tackling and the importance of “Club Arms” and wrapping up. Directions: Linemen start 2 yds facing a RB. On “Go” RB try’s to get past LB and DL must wrap up and hang on to drive the RB backwards. Coaching Points Stay low (Low Pad Level!), head up and to the outside, never stop your feet (Run the Feet), good wrap (Club Arms) and drive through!

30. Wrap it Up Drill RB RB RB DL DL DL C

31. DL Tackling Drills 4. Mirror Drill Equipment: 4-6 Agiles Objective: To teach Players the proper technique for tackling and the proper way to attack, with out creating a cut-back lane for the RB Directions: RB jogs laterally, then picks a lane to cut up, the Defender shuffles laterally, then attacks ball carrier when he cuts and executes a form tackle and drive Coaching Points: Stay on the RB’s back hip, Stay low (Low Pad Level!), head up and to the outside, never stop your feet (Run the Feet), good wrap (Club Arms) and drive through!

32. Mirror Drill RB DL C

33. DL Tackling Drills 5. Head Across Equipment: 4 Agiles per Group Objective: To teach Players the proper technique for tackling and getting their head across and to the outside Directions: On “Go” RB and DL will mirror each other to the opposite bags, the RB will cut back to the middle and DL will have to sprint to get his head across and form tackle. Coaching Points: Stay low (Low Pad Level!), head up and to the outside, never stop your feet (Run the Feet), good wrap (Club Arms) and drive through!

34. Head Across Drill RB C DL

35. DL Tackling Drills 6. Eye Opener Equipment: 9 cones Objective: To teach Players the proper technique for tackling and getting their head across and to the outside Directions: RB with ball jogs toward the middle cone then chooses either the right or left lane, Defender will keep his feet moving toward the middle cone then react to the RB and attack with a good form tackle. Coaching Points: Stay low (Low Pad Level!), head up and to the outside, never stop your feet (Run the Feet), good wrap (Club Arms) and drive through!

36. Eye Opener Tackling Drill RB C DL

37. P L DL Reading

38. Square Drill • Purpose: Develop quicker reaction time and technique to defend against various blocking schemes. • Equipment Needed: None • Procedure: • Line up two defensive linemen across from two other defensive linemen (Note: Defensive Ends and Defensive Tackles may be used interchangeably. However, like-sized athletes should used in each group). • Designate a pair of linemen as “offense” and “defense” • Have the offensive linemen coordinate their blocking assignments through a series of hand signals and set a snap count. • 1= double team right • 2= double team left • 3= reach right • 4= reach right • 5=pass • On the snap count the offensive line performs their blocking assignments and defensive linemen react accordingly. • Conclude the drill with a whistle • Coaching Points: • offensive linemen must exert effort and quality blocking technique for the drill to be effective • defensive tackles that are double teamed must • get skinny • change levels • not give ground • defensive tackles that are unblocked must close down square to the LOS while preparing for a kick-out block. • Defensive tackles must fight through the head when defending a reach block. • low extension • do not give ground

39. Square Drill Have the offensive linemen coordinate their blocking assignments through a series of hand signals and set a snap count. 1= double team right 2= double team left 3= reach right 4= reach right 5= pass

40. P L DL PASS RUSH

41. Ultimate Effort • Objective: To develop the ability of defensive linemen to chase the football after it has been thrown. • Equipment Needed: A lined field; a football • Description: The coach aligns the players in the defensive front in their positions and has them rush the passer on the snap of the ball. The coach simulates the actions of the quarterback by taking a five-step drop and throwing the ball to one of four stationary receivers. The defensive linemen should run to the spot of the throw until the other defenders get there. They should then break down and sprint off the field. • Coaching Points: • Take off – initiated by opposing man or ball…whatever moves first. Reduce pass set up time. • Elevation – Don’t allow set up time. Pad level must remain low. • Straight Line – anticipate where the passer will be when the ball is released. Stay in pass rush lanes. • Feet – choppy steps when engaged. Long strides when disengaged. Toes always pointed towards passer. • Hands – inside position. Create lanes by pushing and pulling pass blocker. Hands up when quarterback begins throwing motion. NEVER LEAVE FEET. • Relentless pursuit

42. Ultimate Effort Coach DE DT NG DT DE