FOLLOW ME

Offensive Line
Manual

Philosophy

We are LEADERS

We will be leaders both on the field by clearing the way and leading the play to the end-zone, as well
as leaders off the field within the team, within the school, and within the community. Our position as
offensive linemen requires many great character qualities. We must be selfless, working and toiling
for the greater good while receiving little or no glory. Always doing what is right and what is
necessary for all to succeed. We must be reliable and consistent. We must be team players. We must
be a unit, acting as one to execute schemes and concepts while adjusting to the defense. We must trust
each other and we must be trustworthy, earning and deserving the trust and respect of our coaches and
teammates. More.

We must be SMART

Who, What, When, Wherebut also understand the Why? (Know what the whole unit is doing, what
the back is doing, and why the scheme or concept works)
Know assignment.
Know blocking schemes and protection concepts
Know defenses and our adjustments
Know and use calls

We must be PHYSICAL

We must be the meanest, toughest group on the field. We must have a blue collar wok ethic. We will
out-work, out-physical every opponent. When you square off with us you better bring your lunch pail
because it is going to be a long day of work. You may beat us on a block here or there, but at the end
of the day you are going to limp away knowing you were in a fight.
Knock Downs any part of the body touches the ground.
Bull Dozers demoralizing drive block.
Pancake dominating knock down.
We want to create as many double teams as possible taking advantage of every opportunity to
demoralize the DL.

We must be TECHNICAL MASTERS

Put on a clinic every game.

Great feet.
Great hands.

Offensive linemen need to be fundamentally tough and fundamentally sound in both the run and pass
game. To be an effective and fundamentally sound offensive lineman requires patience and many
hours of hard work on and off the field.
Offensive linemen need to understand that run and pass blocking are an unnatural task and can be
developed to a greater degree than any other phase of the game (skill acquisition). Successful offensive

line play depends on the execution, the perfection, and the mastery of the techniques required in the
run and pass game.
An offensive linemans success can only be brought about with tremendous WORK ETHIC and
CONFIDENCE in his ability in both the run and pass game.
CONCENTRATION, SELF-DISCIPLINE, COMMUNICATION, and the WILLINGNESS to pay
the price are part of being a respected offensive lineman.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN:

1.Toughness
2.Intelligence
3.Work Ethic
4.Team Player
5.Great Feet
6.Great Vision
7. Hip flexibility (the ability to unlock the hips), knee, and ankle flexibility.
8.Balance; A lineman will redirect his feet approximately 5 times per play.
The strength and success of every team is based on the strength of the offensive line. Therefore, it
is imperative that offensive linemen establish a presence.

THE LITTLE THINGS

There is no position in football that requires more discipline or technique then being an offensive
lineman. The success of any football team, hinges on its ability to control the line of scrimmage. To
win consistently, you must win in the trenches and that means playing on your opponent's side of the
line of scrimmage not yours. Information contained in this section is my personal believes and the
basic mechanics I use when talking technique and developing the terminology I will use with my drill
work. The information contained in this section will be the fundamental wording when teaching your
technique and developing your drills.
It is my approach, like many other line coaches that we out - execute our opponents. This is a lot easier
said than done! To take this approach and to believe in this philosophy means a great deal of time must
be spent on fundamentals and blocking technique. My primary goal as I prepare our blocking schemes
is that they be simple and that they have a basic rule that can tie them all into one another. Thus, I try
to keep the rules and line calls simple, it will give your offensive line the chance to perfect there
techniques and perform them in an aggressive manner.
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. It's my belief, the faster your offensive line understands that working for common goals as a
group not as individuals builds your foundation for UNITY and PRIDE.
A group that's unified is more apt to do the "LITTLE THINGS" that most teams are not willing to
do. No detail should ever be overlooked, regardless of how non-important it may look on the surface.
The difference between WINNING and LOSING often lies in the failure to do the little things! Not
every offensive lineman that plays for you will make it to the NFL or COLLEGE or be an ALL-

AMERICAN or even a STARTER, but every offensive lineman that decides to play for you can hustle
and hit and be a good TEAM PLAYER.

LAY IT ON THE LINE!!!

Run Fundamentals

Greenville High
Department of Transportation

Paving the Way

OFFENSIVE LINE FUNDEMENALS

Some guys like to scream and holler about block that guy or just focus on assignments. I am a firm
believer that a player must be fundamentally sound and understand the progression of blocking that
guy. The following is a list of fundamentals that we do as often as possible. Some of these drills the
players can work on by themselves during the off-season without pads.
Winning Points for Offensive Line Blocking
1. Get off ball quickly; anticipate snap count; explode from stance.
2. Keep shoulders low and square, back straight, neck bowed with head up; eyes focused
straight ahead.
3. Keep feet on ground; plant power foot forcibly; generate power from ground up
through legs and back.
4. Legs drive with short, choppy steps; maintain wide base.
5. Finish block with hip thrust and arm extension forward and upward until play ends.
6. When pulling, do not lean in direction of pull.
7. On double-team blocks, maintain hip-to-hip relationship, drive up and through
defender; finish block together.
8. On combination blocks, both linemen start in one direction and determine blocking
targets on the move.
9. On goalline/short-yardage situations, assume four-point stance.
Run Fundamentals
1) Stance
We work out of a balanced stance that we can run block, take a pass set or pull from. We do not want
to tip off our opponents by being too tight or heavy on our hand.
Points of Emphasis (Photos 1-3)
A. Feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart
B. Drop elbows down on knees (I actually prefer hands on thighs as we will discuss at practice)
C. If in a three point stance the hand will be placed just inside of the foot,
out in front of the head.
D. Toe to instep stagger, outside foot back, inside foot up
E. Weight equally distributed on 1/3s (2 feet and hand)

2) Feet
Quick feet, short choppy steps, wide base, stomp the arches
3) Hands
Elbows in thumbs up and 4 inches or less apart, shoot hands to breast plate and arm pits of
Defender
4) Balance
Do not lunge, bring feet with you, lead with feet and eyes, not hands.lift-dont push
5) Aiming Points
Feet and hands to aiming points.play-side numbers, backside number, etc.

PASS PROTECTION

BASICS OF PASS PROTECTION

1. Always know where the QB set up point is. This knowledge is vital so that the blocker will
position himself properly in relation to the QB and the rusher.
2. Be patient. Dont commit too soon. Let the rusher make the first commitment unless its a pass
play requiring an aggressive technique.
3. Get into the pass set quickly. Dont allow the rusher to make contact while you are still in the
process of getting into the fundamental pass pro position.
4. Use of hands is vital. The player who establishes inside hand position on his opponent first will
almost always win.
5. If you are covered by a down defender, always know if you have help and where that help is
coming from.
6. Maintain a loose and relaxed posture prior to contact. Dont tie yourself up by being too rigid
prior to contact. You wont be able to adjust to a move by the defender.
7. Stay off your toes. You will be susceptible to being pulled. Stay relatively flat-footed with the
weight on the inside of bother feet.
8. Dont lean on the defender after contact (Dont lean on your hands is the term we use). Use
your legs to provide the power to stop a rusher rather than leaning on him.

9. When the hands and arms extend to jam the rusher, the head goes back.
10. The Guards and Center provide for the depth of the pocket on drop back passes and the Tackles
provide for the width.
11. Cover in the direction the pass is thrown in case of an interception.
12. The inside foot is the POST foot and the outside foot is the SET foot.
13. Make contact with the rusher on or near the line of scrimmage.
14. When not covered by a rusher, put head on a swivel and find possible escaping rusher. Then,
really STICK HIM!
15. Cover the defender with your feet (your feet opposite his). You wont see it but will feel it.
16. In most cases, be dominant with the inside hand.
17. Always have a target which is a small point on the defenders uniform on which the blocker
focuses. The target is determined by the mans strongest or best move.

STANCE
The blockers on the right side of the line are in a right handed stance and the blockers on the left side
of the line are in a left handed stance. The outside foot is staggered. The degree of stagger will be
different with each individual, but as a general rule, the toe of the outside or staggered foot should be
in the area of the instep to heel of the inside foot. The outside foot stagger accomplishes two things:
1. Helps when setting to an outside defender. The blocker can pick up the outside foot and move
in the direction of the wide defender without taking a false step which he might have to do if he
was in a stance with the inside foot back.
2. Allows the blocker to have a firm inside which helps in protecting against the inside rush by the
pass rusher.
The inside foot is called the POST foot and the outside foot is called the SET foot.
As a general rule, the feet should be about shoulder width, again allowing for individual differences.
Too narrow a stance takes away from stability while too wide a stance inhibits lateral movement.
Weight should be concentrated on the inside of both feet. Forcing the knees inside helps to place the
weight on the inside. By having the weight inside, the blocker is able to move to the inside or outside
more effectively. If the weight is on the outside foot, the lateral steps inside or outside will be big and
slow.
The down hand should be slightly inside the staggered knee with the arm straight and the fingers
extended. Reach as far as possible with the down hand but keep the weight in the hips.
The other elbow should squeeze the knee of the inside leg to aid in keeping the weight on the inside of
that foot.
The head is up but not straining. The eyes not only see the defender in front of the blocker but also
other defenders in the area to get a feel for possible blitzes and twists.

BASICS OF PASS SET

Getting quickly from the stance and into a pass blocking position is vital. If the set is slow, the
defender has a great advantage as he will be into the blocker before the blocker is in a position to take
on the rusher. Getting proper foot, body, and head position is the basis for great pass position. If the
blocker can win the first second of the battle with body position, hands, etc., he will usually win that
confrontation.
Although footwork will vary on different sets based on the alignment of the defender, there are key
elements present in every pass set.
1. Head and upper body come up quickly.
2. The butt sinks and the knees remain bent.
3. Weight remains on the inside of the feet with about 60% of the weight on the inside or Post leg.
4. Maintain a stagger but not so much that the weight goes to the heel of the Post foot.
5. Stay off the toes. This causes leaning and makes it easy for the defender to pull the blocker.
6. Hands come up to shoulder to chest level. The lower the blocker sets, the higher he can carry
his hands. The elbows are close to the body and bent so the arms are 8-10" from full extension.
The hands should be relaxed with the thumbs 4-6" apart.
7. The upper body should be loose and relaxed with the shoulder slightly forward and the neck
also relaxed. If the blocker sets in an upright, rigid position, the rigidness is also felt in the legs
and the ability to move prior to contact is restricted. Be like a basketball player, relaxed and
ready to move (the upright rigid position occurs after contact).
8. The nose should be aligned directly above the crotch. If this alignment isnt maintained
throughout the block, it means the blocker is leaning to one side or another.
9. Throughout the set, the eyes are on a target, a spot on the defenders jersey. Where the target is
depends on different factors such as the alignment of the defender or if the blocker has help
from an uncovered teammate. The target is the spot where the blocker wants his nose aligned in
relation to the defender.

PASS SETS
For communication purposes, the outside foot will be called the SET foot and the inside foot will be
called the POST foot.

Footwork
1. Kick step - Outside step with the SET foot. Keep weight concentrated on inside foot and leg.
The ankle is wider than the knee and the knee is wider than the hip. This helps to maintain the
weight on the inside leg. If the weight transfers to the outside leg, the ability to continue kick
stepping is lost. The nose should stay aligned with the crotch.
2. Power Step - Flat, aggressive, inside step with the post foot. It is intended to take away inside
rush lanes. Once again, dont let the head go past midline of the body.
3. Slide - Move by opposite foot after Kick or Power step.

Pass sets are determined by the alignment of the defender in relation to the blocker and the QB. Shown
below are alignments and how they are labeled.

In one on one blocking, it is the objective of the blocker to set his body in a position
where he always has the defender in a tight 3 (Guard) or 5 (Tackle) technique. That is, always set
so that the nose of the blocker is aligned with the inside number of the defender which will
insure a slight inside out position on the defender.

AFTER CONTACT
After the blocker sets and punches, he now has to maintain contact with the rusher, allowing as little
closure to the QB as possible. Listed below are techniques and tips to accomplish this.
1. Dont try to get separation. Once contact is made, lock on (the exception is a tackle blocking a
wide, upfield rusher) and maintain a full lockout position, with the elbows in, thumbs up, and
open hand into the chest of the rusher.
2. Dont lean on the hands. Use the power generated through bent knees and the stagger to stop
the forward progress of the rusher.
3. Keep the head out of the block with the upper body upright and rigid.
4. The base should widen after contact to aid in lateral stability.
5. The weight should still be on the inside of the feet with about 60% of the weight on the inside
leg.
6. The heel of the outside or stagger foot should be on the ground to prevent tipping forward or
getting pulled by the rusher.
7. If the defender tries to rush through the outside shoulder, widen him.
a. Maintain nose to inside number alignment.
b. Hard pressure with inside hand to prevent defender from coming back inside.
c. Maintain bent knee position with outside foot stagger.
d. Dont lean on hands.
e. Keep the weight concentrated on the inside leg so that the outside foot can continue to
kick up and widen the rusher. If the weight shifts to the outside foot, the ability to
continue to kick out is eliminated.
8. If the defender tries to rush inside, power step to the inside, flattening the rusher to the inside.
Try to trip the defender with the post foot. You wont actually trip him but by emphasizing this,
the post foot wont bail out (drop back) which creates a soft inside shoulder and allows a rush
lane inside to the QB.
9. If the defender tries to power or bull rush through the defender, brace up as if you were being
pushed off a cliff.
a. Keep the head out. Dont lean on hands (The rusher may be setting you up for a pull or
jerk move).
b. Stop the defender with leg power generated by bent knees.
c. Maintain the stagger. If the defender has leverage and is walking the blocker back to
the QB because the blocker has lost his stagger, the blocker should hop back with the
feet to regain the stagger. The blocker may loose a little ground by doing this but he will

regain his base. This is much better than continuing to be walked back by the rusher
because of a lost stagger.
d. If inside hand placement has been lost, re-establish inside hand position by bringing
hands under the defenders arms, then aggressively up into his chest.

PASS RUSH MOVES AND COUNTERS

The ability to counter a pass rush move is important. Below are some common moves and their
counters.
1. Swim - The rusher will grab a shoulder and pull, then attempt to bring his opposite arm
over the blocker while bringing his off leg past the leg of the blocker to the side of the pull.
Counter
a. First of all, make punch so effective that the defender misses the grab.
b. If he gets the grab, the blocker presses hard with the hand to the side of the grab.
DONT ALLOW THAT HAND TO LOSE CONTACT WITH THE DEFENDER.
Press with more force than the defender is pulling with.
c. As the opposite arm swims over the blocker, the blocker places the hand to that side
into the armpit of the swim arm and pushes hard.
d. Keep the foot and body moving in the direction of the swim move so the lane to the
QB is shut off.
2. Rip - The rusher will rip his upper arm into the opposite arm pit area of the blocker, at the
same time, bringing the opposite leg past the leg of the blocker.
Counter
a. Clamp and trap the rip arm in the armpit.
b. The blocker drops the center of gravity (with the rip arm trapped) to prevent the
rusher from completing the rip.
c. With the off hand, the blocker pushes on the hip of the rusher to widen him.
d. Keep the feet and body moving in the direction of the rip to shut off the rush lane to
the QB.
3. Club - A move perfected by Howie Long of the Raiders, the rusher makes a quick move to
one side of the blocker, trying to get him to lean in that direct. The rusher than comes back
to the other side, at the same time hitting the opposite upper arm of the blocker with a hard
horizontal, straight armed clubbing action with his arm. The intent is to push the blocker in
the direction of the lean caused by the quick initial move, thereby opening up a rush lane to
the QB.
Counter
a. The key to countering this move is proper weight distribution and body mechanics.

b. Keep the weight concentrated on the inside or post leg.

c. Keep the nose over the crotch. Dont lean in the direction of the initial move. If the
blocker leans, he will bail out and create a soft shoulder when he reacts to the
change of direction by the rusher. The rusher wants the blocker to lean in the
direction of his initial move.
d. Be patient. Time the punch. Punching too early will cause a forward lean which is
detrimental.
e. After the punch, be strong with the arm being clubbed. If it gets knocked away, get
it quickly back into the frame of the defender and apply pressure.
f. Keep the body and feet moving to stay in front of the defender and shut off rush
lanes to the QB.
4. Hand Slap - A hand slapper wants to knock the hands down and prevent the blocker from
getting his hands on the defender. If can also distract the blocker from executing his other
techniques.
Counter
a. The first things to remember is that, if the defender is slapping, hes not grabbing. In
other works, while hes involved in trying to knock the blockers hands away, hes
not grabbing the blocker or getting his hands on the blocker in a meaningful way. So
the key is for the blocker to not be distracted by the slap but to immediately after the
slap, bring the hands back into position before the defender can do the same with his
hands. The ability to do this is aided by the hands and arms being relaxed during the
set and prior to contact.
b. Once the hand position has been re-established, continue to go through with the
basic pass protection techniques.
c. A very effective technique is the fake jam. A hand slapper relies on making
contact with the blocker, then getting into his pass rush move before the blocker can
get his hands back in position. A fake jam is merely showing the hands to the
rusher, then pulling them back. If the blocker slaps and misses, his timing is
disrupted and he has to start over on his rush. The blocker fake jams, then
punches into the body of the rusher after he has tried to slap and missed.

OFFENSIVE LINE
DRILLS
Dont Get By, Get
Better

Pre-Practice (during Special Teams)

Pipe Drills
1) Forward Step with Power Foot

Base-Balance-Power
Helps with over-striding
Lead with heal
Sit on your hips (sit in the chair)
Staggered foot should stay outside of your hip
Like being pulled by the rusher
Down and back with right foot, then down and
back with left foot.

2) Later Power Step

Base-Balance-Power
Helps with over-striding
Lead with heal
Sit on your hips (sit in the chair)
Staggered foot should stay outside of your hip
Punch with inside arm
Shoulders back, dolly the chest,
chin in/head back
Down and back with right foot, then down and
back with left foot.

3) Lateral Power Step with Wipe and Punch

Same as above but add a partner acting as the defender. Defender reaches for Inside shoulder
of OL and we wipe his arm off of us and get our inside punch back onto the DLs chest plate.
This is done as the OL steps through the pipes. As we begin to concentrate on the punch, many
will over-stride and step on the pipes.

Pipes 2nd Step Quickness

4) Zone Steps
Work out of both a 2 point & 3 point stance.
The footwork is for the covered lineman in the Zone (Alabama/Arkansas), who is covered by an
outside shade.
1st step is over the pipe and quick into the ground, 2nd step quick-pound into the tire.
Bring the 2nd foot to the crotch of the defender.

4
3

Get 2nd Step in the Ground (Pound)

3
2

Depicted from Left

Handed Stance,
must be executed
from position
specific stance.

R
L

1
R
L

5) Trail Step
Work out of both a 2 point & 3 point stance.
The footwork is for the uncovered lineman in the Zone (Alabama/Arkansas).
Drop step and get on the angle to the Zone Combo.
1st step is over the pipe and quick into the ground, 2nd step quick-pound into the tire.

4
nd

Get 2 Step in the

Ground (Pound)
3
2
L

R
1

Depicted from Right Handed

Stance,
must be executed from
position specific stance.

L
R

6) Lead Step
Work out of both a 2 point & 3 point stance.
The footwork is for the covered lineman in the Zone (Alabama/Arkansas), who is covered by an inside
shade or head up defender. The first step is with the play-side foot even though the defender may be
on our inside eye.
1st step is over the pipe and quick into the ground, 2nd step quick-pound into the tire.
Bring the 2nd foot to the crotch of the defender, straight ahead.

Get 2nd
Step in
the
Ground
(Pound)

4
2

R
L

4
2

L
Depicted from Left Handed Stance,
must be executed from position specific stance.

Chutes Bend at the Knees and Hip-Lift The Bag!

Work out of both a 2 point & 3 point stance.
7) Fit
Five defenders stand at edge of chutes, bent down, with palms up to hold offensive player elbows and
support them. Offensive players put face on chest of defender with hands on breastplate of defender.
Bow neck and bend knees with weight on the defender. Have a semi-flat back looking thru the
eyebrows. On command offensive player will step with right foot first and press the player off the
L.O.S. hitting on the rise. Have players drive off with good base, short power steps. Emphasize
bending the knees and starting in the fit position, Repeat and step with the left foot first.

8) Zone Step

8
7

6
4

3
2

3
2

3
2

8
7

8
7

3
2

This is the Zone step taken by a covered lineman who has an outside shade DL on the inside
zone.
9) Trail Steps

2
1

2
1

2
1

2
1

This is the Trail step taken by an uncovered lineman who is attempting to reach the playside gap and get into a hip-to-hip combo with the covered lineman on the inside zone.

10) Pull
Get head across to the inside of the bag.

6
4

2
1

3
2
1

11) LBs

4
3

3
2

3
2

Other Run Block Drills

12) Dig / Cutoff block
Drill used to teach OL how to cutoff backside gaps on run plays.

With the LG/LT we are working the 18 cutoff block - tell the OL to pick out a spot 18
inside the defenders. Open step with right foot, crossover with left foot (Picture 17) and rip the
left shoulder underneath the defender. Run a 40-yard sprint thru the spot and rip the left
shoulder underneath the defender until you clear your hips, then press the defender north and
south getting inside out. Common mistakes are stepping and looking at the defender. He will
beat you inside if you do this. (Picture 18) Repeat this drill to the other side (i.e., reaching
LT/LG/Center; cutting off with RG/RT). (Picture 19)
WRONG!

CORRECT!
The previous drills are our base-run fundamentals. We will also work on our combination drills
for zone and gaps plays based on the emphasis of the day. All of these drills will help your OL
with the basic block that they must do to help you win a championship. Base block, reach
block, cutoff block

13) 6 Point-Hands
One the sled, all linemen in a six point position (Toes, Knees, Hands) with their helmets on the pads.
On the coaching command set they cock their arms (draw your guns). On the coaching command
hit they strike the pad with an open handed punch. Violent contact should be made with the ball of
the hand. Thumbs up, elbows in tight, lock out

14) Down Blocks

Use the Trail Step technique. Upon contact work to lock out play-side arm and pull with
backside arm to prevent the DL from crossing your face or spinning out.

Play-side

backside

Play-side

backside

2
2
1
Left side blocking down

1
Right side blocking down

Variation: Down Block vs. Spin (two whistle drill)

Start the same as above, on the second whistle the DL will attempt to spin out to the play-side.
This allows the coach to test the lock-out/pull mentioned above.
15) Post Drive (Combo)
Tap Lift Drill
This drill is to practice being the lead man on a double team combo. We take our first two
steps into a DL holding a shield and shoot only one and lift the defender. Get face/shoulder
into the contact at the same time as the hand hits.
16) Post Drive (Combo)
Fit Drill
Lead man and Post man fit up into the double team, hip to hip, shoulder to shoulder and drive
the DL together. We then progress to doing the same thing starting from our stance.
17) Zone Combo (coming off)
Two OL and one DL/one LB.
The DL and LB will stunt/blitz, showing the OL movement. The OL starts with the double
team and then one of them comes off based on the defensive movement.

Vertical Sets
Why do we Vertical Set?
Allows us to pick up stunts, twists, and zone blitzes because the defense declares their intention and execute their stunt before the reach the
level of our vertical set. So we are able to switch or hand people off before we ever make contact. Our Vertical Set also allows us to cut
off the outside rush without opening up the door for an inside move. Finally it allows us to identify and block the MDM (most dangerous
man) when the defense is sending more than we can block.

Vertical Set Drills (can be done as a part of Pre-Practice along with the pipe drills)

5
yards

THE GRID

Right Guard or Tackle

In a Right Handed Stance
Vs. a Head Up Technique

Left Guard or Tackle

In a Left Handed Stance
Vs. a Head Up Technique

Right Guard or Tackle

In a Right Handed Stance
Vs. an Inside Shade

Left Guard or Tackle

In a Left Handed Stance
Vs. an Inside Shade

All drills begin with the toes on the front horizontal line. The vertical lines represent the pre-snap alignment of the DL
on. We will vertical set and get our crotch over the line then react to the rush of the DL with power-steps or kickslides.

5
yards

18) Vertical Sets vs. Head Up DL

19) Vertical Sets vs. Inside Shade DL

20) Vertical Sets vs. Head Up DL

Then Power Step for Inside Charge

2
4

21) Vertical Sets vs. Head Up DL

Then Power Step for Inside Charge
Power-Power-Power to the next line

4
6

3
5

1
5

4
6

22) Vertical Sets vs. Inside Shade DL

Then Power Step for Inside Charge

2
4

23) Vertical Sets vs. Inside Shade DL

Then Kick-Slide to outside move.

6
3

4
2

6
3

6
4

4
1

24) Vertical Sets vs. Head Up DL

Then Kick-Slide to an outside threat.
6

7
4

5
3

2
1

5
3

25) Vertical Kick-Slide

Used by OT vs. outside rusher

6
3

5
6

4
2

3
1

Other Pass Protection Drills

26) Mirror Drill
Drills used to help train the OL to move feet laterally without crossing over. Set 2 cones five yards
apart on line. Have defender and offensive player face each other. On snap count have the defender run
back and forth cone to cone. The offensive player will mirror him. (Pictures 20, 21)

Coaching Points:
A. Stance - Feet slightly wider than shoulder width.
Bent knees with chest over Knees (like a LB) Lock hand to wrist behind
back.
B. Big Eyes on Target - Pick out small target to focus on the defenders jersey.
C. Lead Step - when going right lead with right foot and vice-versa. Keep base
shoulder width apart.
D. Shuffle - Right foot goes 6 left foot goes 6.
Variation: Have the OL get into their position specific stance and kick/power with appropriate
foot. Have the DL zig-zag and spin right and left while slowly taking ground. The OL must
keep their body in front of the DL.
27) Bull Drill
Drill used to teach OL to top the bull rush.
Have defender and OL face each other.
Stance - Same as above but the defender will now put his hands on the breastplate of OL. OL
will start with hands outside the body on shoulders. (Picture 22)
On command to start the defender will start to bull rush the OL back. OL will replace his
hands to breast plate and give ground grudgingly.
OL should take small 6 step backwards with feet slightly ducked out. (Picture 23)

 Keep defender locked out with arms extended and hands on breast plate.
After about 3 yards of giving ground grudgingly have the OL pop it. Hop and try to regain
leverage by popping the feet out and back to stop the charge of the defender.
28) Push/Pull Drill
Drill used to teach OL body control when pass protecting.
Have defender and OL face each other.
Stance - OL drop down like a linebacker with hands locked behind back.
Defender will put left hand behind OLs neck and right hand on shoulder.
On command to start the defender will give steady pressure (either to push or pull) on the OL.
(Picture 24)

If the defender pulls, the OL will sink his hips and work up into the defender grudgingly.
If the defender pushes, the OL will brace up with a slight stagger and arch the back to fight
the pressure.
Have defender push/pull several times but not in a herky jerky fashion be steady this
teaches the OL balance and body control.
Tell OL he has a telephone pole down the center of his body.
29) Combo Drill
Combination of the three previous drills. Put it all together. Mirror/Bull/Push/Pull

 Stance - Have defender and OL face each other. OL drop down like a linebacker and put
hands on the outside of defenders shoulders. Defender starts with hands inside. (Picture 25)
On command to go, OL replace hands to breastplate being strong with hands. (Picture 26)

Coaching point - OL work to control drill with strong hands.

Defender will now grab shoulder of the OL and run side to side (mirror) forward and
backwards (Bull, Push/Pull). (Picture 27)
OL will shuffle side to side with defender being strong with the lead hand.

When the defender bulls, fight pressure and bow up.

When the defender pulls, sink hips and walk up into him grudgingly. (Picture 28)
This is an up tempo drill with the defender trying to throw the OL off balance.
30) Kick down the Board
Drill to teach the OL to keep hips square on speed rushing defender.
Stance - Start in race horse (up) stance.
Set five boards on line - at a 45-degree angle. This is for right side players only. Have OL
lineman start with heels even with end of board. On command to start have the OL kick the
length of the board approximately 4 yards.
Emphasize carrying the weight on inside half of body while keeping hips down and square.
Explode backwards down the board while staying square.
Have the five OL compete to see who is the quickest.
Flip the boards to the left for left side OL and repeat.
31) Off sides Rush on the Board
Same purpose as previous drill but now incorporate a defender who is basically offside. Teach
the OL to really explode back and get hands on the defender and still keep hips square to LOS.
Have the defender position himself to the outside of defender with his toes even with the OL
toes.

 On command to start have the defender try and grab the back of the OL shoulder pads and
clear his hips by the OL.
On command to start the OL will explode back with a kick set keeping his hips square and
straddling the board.
Work to bat the defenders grab hand away with outside arm and stab the defender with inside
arm.
You must stay low and square to get back on this drill.
Flip boards for other side OL. The previous drills dealt mainly with the movement part of pass
protection. The next drills will be the basic punch drills that we like to incorporate into practice.
32) Punch Away
Drill used to teach OL to strike a blow and keep their hands up.
Have defender facing the OL, hold a hand shield tight to his chest leaning on the OL. (Picture
29)
OL get in a LB stance with hands up in front of face, pressed against the bag with arms semi
extended.
OL will start the drill by pushing the defender back.

Defender will walk steadily with pressure into the OL.

OL should time his punch and strike a 6 blow to the pad. It should be in a jack-hammer
fashion not a pushing fashion. As the OL strikes a blow he should always reset his feet. Try to
strike blow with both feet on the ground. (Picture 30)
33) A-B DRILL
Drill to make sure OL are setting with their hands up and ready to strike.
Defender holds a hand shield like a baseball bat and swings it hard at the OL face.

Two reps from race horse stance (up), two reps from down stance.

 Have OL in his stance and on command to start the defender swings the bag. (Picture 31)
Have OL take a kick set and punch the bag. (Picture 32) Make sure the OL takes the proper
set not coming up out of his hips and striking a blow. (Pictures 33, 34, 35)

34) Med Ball-Hands

The OL power-steps and/or kick-slide as a coach throws med balls at their face, forcing them to
get in front of the ball and punch the ball with an open hand punch. Violent contact should be
made with the ball of the hand. Thumbs up, elbows in tight, lock out. The elbows should lock
out at exactly the same moment as contact with the ball.
35) Med Ball-Crotch
The OL power-steps and/or kick-slide as a coach rolls med balls to the outside and/or inside of
the OL. The OL must power-step and/or kick-slide to get their crotch straddling the med ball.
Teaches the OL to get their body in front of the defender instead of leading with the hands and
lunging.
36) 1 on 1 Pass
Try to now apply all the drills we have just discussed in pass protection vs. the DL in a live
situation. Try to do this daily. Use the terms of these drills now in coaching live 1-on-l pass and
the OL will understand why you have been doing these drills.

37) Grid Drill

Snapping the Ball

38)