Red Hawk D-Line Manual

2. Red HawkD-Line Manual Mike Cieri Defensive Line Coach Montclair State University 2009, 2010 NJAC Champions D3 Playoffs ‘Sweet 16’

4. DL Run Stopping Techniques & Drills Michael Cieri ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH Special Teams Coordinator & Defensive Line Montclair State University 2003, 2009, 2010 NJAC Champions D3 Playoffs ‘Sweet 16’

5. This video will concentrate on preparing defensive linemen to stop the run. I will take you through a typical practice week & how we breakdown the practice segments. Included will be an in-depth discussion on the techniques & drills utilized to develop a sound & effective get off, blow delivery, block explosion. Video will clarifying the coaching points.

6. D - Line Creed “Paralyze their Resistance with Your Persistence"

7. D Line’s Job Stop the Run & Pressure the QB

8. MSU “Red Hawk” DEFENSE • THE TRADEMARKS OF MSU 4-3 MULTI-DEFENSE • AN ATTACKING, SWARMING DEFENSE • A DEFENSE THAT GANG TACKLES • ONE THAT MAKES BIG PLAYS WITH EMOTION • PRINCIPLES: • ATTACK & SWARM • “OUT-PHYSICAL” THE OPPONENT • ASSIGNMENT EXECUTION • NO LONG RUNS OR PASSES • CONFIDENCE • FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND IN TECHNIQUES • MAKES BIG PLAYS PHILOSOPHY Play Minimum 8 D Linemen Each Game Be Lean and Be Fast

9. Character of a Red Hawk Defensive Linemen • Football is a Team Game – Be a Team Player • Make Sacrifices to help team, ultimately Helping Yourself • Each Player on the Team has a Role to Play • It is Your Job to do everything mentally and physically to be successful within your role and the team concept • Applaud the Accomplishments of Your Teammates • Attitudes are Contagious • Practice with a Purpose • Each drill is designed to help you improve. • There is a definite correlation between the way you practice & the way you perform in games • Practice at game speed • Always Look for Ways to Improve • Make Each Drill Important and Perfect – Focus! Stop the Run & Pressure the QB

10. Character of a Red Hawk Defensive Linemen • You Must Make a Commitment to all Areas • Practice • Weight Room • Film Study • STUDY YOUR OPPONENT. Look for tendencies, strengths and weaknesses so that you can take advantage of them when the time comes to complete • REVIEW YOUR PERFORMANCE. Your preparation for the next game begins with assessing your previous performance. Try to correct mistakes and build on your successes and then put the game behind you and get ready for the next one. • Meetings • Off-Season Conditioning • All Year Round Academics • Ask Yourself • Am I Committed? Am I Sincere? Can I Be Trusted Stop the Run & Pressure the QB

11. Defensive Line’s Mentality • Desire • All DL Must Have the Willingness and Burning Passion to Excel • Get to the BC or Passer on Every Single Play • Physical Toughness • Practicing Tough and Hard • Intelligence (Know Your Assignment) • Allows You to Play Instinctively during the game Building Confident, Fast & Aggressive • REVIEW YOUR TEAMMATES’ ASSIGNMENTS. Will help you make adjustments & decisions that will work for the entire team • REHEARSE MENTALLY. Visualize as many situations as possible that you will encounter in the game • Conditioning Takes Precedence Over Everything • Win the 4th Quarter • CONCENTRATE DURING WARM-UPS. Use time to get ready physically & mentally. Working hard can relax you, prepare your muscles, & give you confidence before a game begins. Stop the Run & Pressure the QB

12. DL ACCOUNTABILITY (Coaching Points) Do’s Be a hand fighter Have active feet Leverage All Blocks Beat and destroy #1(Key) Need to separate from the blocker Maintain Pursuit Speed Get in on every tackle • Don’t • Don’t Stop Your Feet • Don’t look for the ball too early • Don’t go backwards • Don’t go to the ground • (If you do, don’t stay their too long) • Don’t trust your teammate • Don’t be inactive • Don’t trade 1 for 1 • Change the Math • Get things on your terms

13. DL Fundamentals (Grading)“Expect Production” • SAKER • Stance • Alignment • Keys* • Execution (Get Off) • Reads *D–Line Recognitions/ Pre-Snap Calls

14. Defensive Line Efficiency“Expect Production” • Play TAPS • Tackles • Assists • Pressures • Altered Pass • Battered Balls • Force Fumbles • Sacks • Interceptions Make Practices Competitive Simulate Game Conditions & Situations

15. Week Teaching Schedule • Monday • Film Review (prior opponent) • Review Game Plan (new opponent) • Personnel (Opponent) • Basic Defensive Schemes (Game Plan) • Indy Techniques (Reinforce/Improve) • Run Fits w/LB’s-Sec.Force (Inside Run) • Team (Basic Defensive Schemes-GP) • Film Review (new opponent) • Tuesday • Run Techniques, Blocking Schemes, Blitzes & Stunts / • Run / Play Action Emphasis • Wednesday • Pass Rush Moves, Pass Blitz & Stunts w/ Sub Packages • Pass Blocking Scheme Emphasis • Thursday • Special Pass Rush Considerations (Ball Disruption, Screen/Draw Reactions) • Pass Rush Blitzes vs Protection Schemes • Goal line & Situations (3rd & L, Red Zone, Short Yd) DLCoaching PrincipleKeep It Likeable & Learnable

16. Defensive Line Practice Breakdown (Tuesday) • Pre – Practice • Barrel Review (Alignments & Assignments (Blitzes/Stunts) • Dynamic Warm-Up & Flexibility (DWF) • Agility and Footwork • Run & Pass • Get-offs (Stance and Starts) • Run & Pass • Blow Delivery (Explosion and Escape) • Team Pursuit (Team Run, Team Pass/Screen-Locked Up) • Block Protection (Individual Technique Development) • Run & Pass • One on One’s & Combos (w/Offensive Line) • Block Scheme Recognition & Reaction of Opponent Indy, Group Group, Team

17. Barrel Review (Alignment/Assignments) TB Strong Left Bang Cover 9 FB QB SE N QE T SB WB MB Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

18. Barrel Review (Alignment/Assignments)

19. Dynamic Warm-up & Flexibility (DWF) Monday and Wednesday • Walking Lunge w/Twist (Forward) _(Down) • Walking Lunge w/o Twist (Backward)_(Back) • High Knees w/ Arm Thrusts (Down) • Butt Kicks w/Arm Thrusts_(Back) • Lateral Shuffle_ Rt (Down)& Lt (Back) • Carioca w/Over the Fence_Rt (Down) & Lt (Back) • 6 pt Get-Offs (Down) • Push Up Get-Offs (Back) • NFL Combined Get-Offs (Back) Tuesday and Thursday • Knee Huggers – Knee Lunges_(Down) • Sprinters Skips – Scissor Lunges w/Start_(Back) • Frankenstein’s w/Same Leg - Frankenstein’s w/Cross Leg (Down) • Power Squats – Bounding For Height/Distance (Back) • 6 pt Get-Offs • Push Up Get-Offs • NFL Combined Get-Offs Each DWF is Excuted for 20 Yards

20. DWF (Various Get Offs)

21. DL Drill Coaching Points • Demand Perfection • Poor Effort = Repeat Rep • Emphasize Maintaining Low Pad Level • Keep them Down, Z Bends in the Knees • Utilized Various Types of Change of Direction • Encourages Flexibility & Quickness • Put the Pedal to the Metal • Set the Tone for Practice • Develops the Attitude • “Outwork Your Opponents” • Finish • Always with a Burst (Builds Desire to Make Plays) • Add 5 Yard Burst Run to End of the Drill

22. Pro-Shuttle Up-Down Change of Direction Agilities(Improve Neuromuscular Efficiency) • Closed – Teach Precise Techniques in a High-Quality Practice the makes for retention and efficiency • Linear Bags - Get-off (5 yds.) – Up/Down - Shuffle / Pro Agility • Nebraska Agility – Get-off/ Angle Run (Shuffle, Carioca) / Crawl (cones) / Angle Run (Shuffle, Carioca) / Sprint Forward

23. Agility and Footwork (Run-Tuesday) 5 yds. Ball on Stick Circle Bend/Angle Tackle Circle Bend/Retrace Play Flat to LOS LOS

24. Slow 2 Go & Play the Cut

25. E T N E C Change of Direction Agilities(Improve Neuromuscular Efficiency) • Open (“Neck Up”) – To improve cognitive & response-related elements • (Demands movement, hustle & rxns under competitive ever-changing conditions) • Wave Drills • Simply lined up the defense line &They begin by chopping feet • On the football coaches point of direction the players sprint (forward, back Lt, back Rt, left, Rt, front Rt, front Lt, etc) • With one whistle they “breakdown” & chop feet until a new direction is pointed • On two whistles, they do an “up – down” and  chop feet until new direction is pointed • Optional: Individual w/Dummies

26. Defensive Line Five Essentials • Stance • Ready to take an explosive power step • Attack (Get – Off / 1st Step) • Short power steps starting with the first step • Neutralize (2nd Step) • Stabilize the LOS by stunning the blocker w/hands, getting up field on pass block, disrupting/spilling blocking schemes • Escape • Quickly & violently shed the blocker by locking out • Pursuit (Can’t Get Out Hustled) • Utilizing Proper Angles

28. Relentless Pressure to Control LOS Run Stance • Attack, Attack, Attack (Mindset) • Starts with Great Get-off • Explosive Stance • 60% of Body Weight on Forward • Key the Ball (Diminishes Offsides Penalties) • Get a Pre-Snap from Stance or Splits of Offensive Lineman • Ex-If Center & Guard are very close on one side & a big split on the other side they are scooping to the big split Play One Gap Defense • Move LOS 2 yards back

29. “Get Your Hat in the Crack” "In your stance, you should be like a time bomb ready to explode."

30. Normal Stance (Run Situation) This Stance Permits Powerful, Explosive First Steps • Feet armpit width apart with very little stagger (Toe –Arch) • Toes / Knees pointed forward, not out • Hand closet to the key is down & foot closest to the key is back • Down hand in line with foot that is back • Slight weigh on hands, legs under body, knees flexed no greater than 90% • Heels off ground, back parallel to ground (tail slightly higher than shoulders • Generates More Power • Head and Eyes Up w/ weight equally distributed on balls of feet – Eyes locked on the ball • Free Hand Leading

31. Alignment Techniques • Edge Alignments • Alignment: Play on shoulder (1, 3) 0 Shade Nose • Stance:Head –Up: Staggered 3 pt. - Down hand, staggered leg to shoulder side (Run). Opposite footwork for Pass. • Key: Ball movement and man on you. • Responsibility: Play side gap. • Execution: Explode into offensive man getting your hands on near shoulder and inside on breast plates. Extend arms and separate to ball.

32. Get Off (Run Downs) • Explosion step on ball movement (first step) • Push off with up-field foot bringing up offset foot (short first step) slightly ahead of push foot for balance • Contact step (second/third step) • Bring push foot parallel or slightly ahead & make contact with hands, getting eyes focused on key, getting 3rd step down • Drive blocker back - Make all steps as short and quick as possible • Penetration is vital! • Read block and react with proper escape on the run • Never be so intent on “reading” that your charge is delayed or soft • Always Keep Feet Moving (Time is Money) • Allows for Quicker Reaction (ex. - Reach Blocks) • Butt Down, Head up, Ft Shoulder Width (Too Wide, Can’t Escape) • Attack the Half Man(especially pass rush) • Aiming point is the numbers shaded to • Play with Your Hands (Maintain Inside Position with Your Hands) • On 1st Step, hands begin to shoot low to high, thumbs are up, elbows in • As hands violently strike OLine full extension must be gained (Prevents holding), full extension needed to disengage from block • Maintain Leverage w/Hands Inside (Butt & Pull Move, Bull Rush) • Stay Low-Bend Knees(Pads under pads, headgear under Headgear)

33. Get Off Drills (Monday/Tuesday) Visible Ball Drop 3 Yard Away Waist High Release Add: Long Stick

34. Get Off (Chute/Sticks-Various Get-offs)

35. Get Off (Chute/Sticks-Various Get-offs)

36. Get Offs (Run-Tuesday) Get-Off/Stance Stay Low Get – Off Chute Drills (Power/Bull Rush/Edge Technique) A. Push Tires B. Sticks and Bags Rt/Lt Handed Stance 5 yds. Push-Off on Up Field Foot • Coaching Points: • Get-Off on Ball Movement • Don’t Step Under • Lead with Hands/Punch # • Run the Feet • Stay Low • Dip & Rip on Command Ball on Stick • Coaching Points: • Get-Off on Ball Movement • Don’t Step Under • Lead w/ Hands • Run the Feet • Stay Low Stress Visual & Pressure Keys

37. Alignment Techniques • Slant Technique • Alignment: Played from a head-up alignment • Stance: Balanced 3 pt.-Hips slightly above shoulders. Anticipate Ball Movement. • Key: Ball and near hip of OL moving to. • Responsibility: Gap you’re moving to • Execution: Beat the man your aligned on by taking a quick 45 degree angle step (Aiming Point-Far Hip of OL moving to). Angle Shoulders, Rip the backside arm. Then, shoot your arms out to the near hip of the OL your moving too.

38. Alignment Techniques • Spark Technique • Alignment:Played from an Head-Up/Edge alignment • Stance:Balanced 3 pt.-Hips slightly above shoulders.Anticipate Ball Movement. • Key:Ball and near hip of OL moving to. • Responsibility:Gap you’re moving to (Outside Contain) • Execution:Beat the man your aligned on by taking a quick 45 degree angle step (Aiming Point-Far Hip of TE or Ghost TE moving to). Square Shoulders, Rip the backside arm. Get Up-Field. Maintain Contain.

39. Get Off (Run – Tuesday) Get – Off Chute Drills (Slants & Sparks) A. Slants (Sticks/Bags) B. Slant on Air Under Chute C. Sparks • Coaching Points: • Get-Off on Ball Movement • Don’t Step Under • Take Proper Angle Steps • Rip Backside Arm, • Lead with Hands/Punch # • Run the Feet • Stay Low • Dip & Rip on Command Vs Reach Block Vs Pass Set Vs High Wall Rt/Lt Handed Stance

40. Blow Delivery (Explosion and Escape) Blow Delivery Explosion and Escape (Tuesday)

41. Hand Placement(Control Your Key) • Head Up - Thumbs up & Elbows in, aiming at top of numbers • Edge – Same Thumbs & Elbows with outside hand on tip of the shoulder & inside hand on near # of key • Bad Hand Placement – Reset

42. Locking Out • With good hand placement, now lock out arms • Creates clear view to your gap (Peek Technique) • Controls Blocker • Minimizes greatly the opportunity for offense to hold us or re-block us • Enables the shedding of block to pursue & make the tackle

43. Lock Out & Rip Escape (Run-Tuesday)

44. Coaching Points on Form Tackling • Be Perfect • Pad Level = Z’s in the knees, head, hands, hips & feet • Eyes & Head Up / Arm through the armpits • Roll Up the Hip = Stick hips into BC’s Belly Button • Accelerate – Run Your Feet in Front of BC • Grab the Cloth on the back of the jersey • Finish – Head goes across to the ball, taking the ball carrier back Hint: Give the BC an aiming point to run to so that your angle is consistent