At every level of the sport, it is impossible to overstate the importance of a solid run defense. Effective drills in practice lay the foundation for on-field dominance. Here are some drills that can produce game-changing defensive linemen.
Stance-and-Start
Why it's important: This is the foundation of any play. A good stance allows for an explosive start, quick reaction to the snap, and better balance.
Set Up/Equipment: Line markers or cones
Execution:
- Players line up on the line.
- On the coach's signal or ball movement, players explode out of their stance, moving forward about 3-5 yards.
Coaching Points: Weight should be on the balls of the feet, not the heels. Stay low and explode forward, not upward. Head should be up so you can see what you are going to hit.
Example: Good D Line Stance
Stance and Shock
Why it's important: Proper striking and hand placement allows a defensive lineman to control the blocker and ultimately, the line of scrimmage.
Set Up/Equipment: Partner with or without a blocking shield
Execution:
- Player begins in a 3-point stance.
- On the snap, player shoots hands quickly, aiming for the inside chest plate or armpits of the dummy or partner.
Coaching Points: Keep elbows tight and thumbs pointing up. Strike quickly and with power, aiming for precise hand placement. You can alternate the drill between targeting the center of the chest, one hand on each side of the partner's breast plate, and targeting "half a man", inside hand on the near breast plate and outside hand on near shoulder.
Example: Stance and Shock Drill
Strike and Lockout
Why it's important: To effectively control an offensive lineman, a defensive lineman needs to strike them first, then lock out their arms to control the block.
Set Up/Equipment: Partner in pads or with a blocking shield
Execution:
- Player starts in a 3-point stance.
- On the snap, they explode out, aiming to strike the bag or partner with their hands.
- Immediately after the strike, they extend their arms, locking them out and keeping the blocker away from their body.
Coaching Points: Hand placement is crucial: aim for the inside chest plate of the offensive lineman. Keep elbows inside and thumbs up. Activate hips to provide power to the strike and leverage for the lockout.
Example: Strike and Lockout Drill
Peek and Shed
Why it's important: After controlling the blocker, the lineman needs to quickly locate the ball and shed the block to make the play.
Set Up/Equipment: Partner to act as the offensive lineman
Execution:
- Start in a locked out position against the partner.
- D lineman peeks to locate the ball.
- Using a violent motion, the player throws off, or sheds, the blocker and pursues the football.
Coaching Points: Head must stay up to locate the ball quickly. Use hips and hands in coordination to throw the blocker off.
Example: Peek and Shed Drill
Maintaining Gap Integrity
Why it's important: Discipline in gap assignment ensures a coordinated defense and minimizes running lanes for the offense.
Set Up/Equipment: Partner
Execution:
- Pre-snap coach assigns either the left or the right gap to the D lineman and gives the partner a direction to move on the snap.
- D lineman starts in a 3-point stance head up to the partner
- On the snap, the D lineman must get to the assigned side of the partner and maintain his position "in the gap".
Coaching Points: Recognize the play direction quickly. Don't get washed out of your gap. Maintain leverage against the blocker. The point is not to stay in one place, it is to stay in the gap as defined by where the blockers are. If the blocker is moving to your left and your gap is to your left, then you have to move to stay to that side of the blocker. The lineman should always try to keep their outside arm free.
Example: Maintaining Gap Integrity
Fighting Double Teams
Why it's important: The best defensive linemen can hold their ground even when faced with multiple blockers.
Set Up/Equipment: Two partners acting as offensive linemen
Execution:
- Player starts in a 3-point stance.
- On the snap, the two partners execute a double team block on the D lineman.
- D lineman strikes and locks out one of the opponents. As the 2nd opponent tries to move him, the player should swing his hips into the 2nd opponent while maintaining control of the 1st opponent.
Coaching Points: Always attack one of the blockers; never allow yourself to be passive. Keep a low center of gravity. Keep fighting the pressure from the other blocker as long as it is there. The primary goal is for the D lineman to maintain his position and not be displaced.
Example: Fighting Double Teams Drill
High Hat, Low Hat Drill
Why it's important: This drill emphasizes the differentiation between pass and run blocking by identifying the offensive lineman's posture, "High Hat" for pass sets and "Low Hat" for run blocks.
Set Up/Equipment: Partner to act as offensive lineman and a partner to act as the ball carrier (can be another player or coach).
Execution:
- The defensive lineman starts in their stance opposite the offensive lineman.
- On the snap or coach's signal, the offensive lineman will engage in either a run block or pass set.
- The defensive lineman must immediately react to the block type — penetrating and attacking for a low hat read or getting into a pass rush mode for a high hat read.
Coaching Points: Teach that the first movement of the offensive lineman's head and hands are key indicators. Look at the offensive lineman's footwork; pass sets often involve more lateral or backward movement. Typically, a lower pad level indicates a run block while a higher one indicates a pass set. If a player misreads, give immediate feedback on what cues they might have missed.
Example: Reading Run Vs Pass
Backfield Flow Read Drill
Why it's important: This drill helps linemen recognize the direction of a play based on the movement of the backfield (mainly the running backs).
Set Up/Equipment: Partners to act as QB and RBs in an offensive backfield set and a partner to act as an offensive lineman.
Execution:
- The defensive lineman starts in their stance opposite the offensive line.
- On the snap, the running back will execute a given run (e.g., inside zone, outside zone, counter). The defensive lineman should strike, lockout, and peek.
- The defensive lineman should read the flow of the backfield and react accordingly. For instance, if it's an outside zone to the right, the lineman should shed their block and move laterally to the right.
Coaching Points: The first steps of the running back are crucial in determining the play's direction. Players shouldn't overcommit too early as it can make them susceptible to misdirection plays or cutbacks.
Example: Reading Backs and Guards on Run Defense
Guard Key Read Drill
Why it's important: Guard play can often be a telltale sign of where a play is headed. This drill focuses on reading the guards to predict the direction of a run.
Set Up/Equipment: One partner set up as an offensive guard, one partner acting as the tackle next to the guard, and a partner to act as the ball carrier (can be another player or coach).
Execution:
- The defensive lineman begins in their stance, lining up in front of the offensive tackle or in the gap between the tackle and guard.
- On the snap, the guard will pull, down-block, or drive-block in a direction given by the coach but not told to the defensive lineman.
- The defensive lineman reads the guard's action and responds accordingly — following a pulling guard, squeezing down for a down block, or holding ground against a drive block.
Coaching Points: Train linemen to have quick, active eyes, picking up on the guard's movement immediately. Ensure players maintain balance and don’t get turned around by the various blocks. Linemen should remember their primary gap responsibilities.
Example: Reading Backs and Guards on Run Defense
Incorporating these drills into regular practice will ensure your defensive line is prepared for anything the opposing offense throws at them. Remember, consistency and repetition are the keys to mastery. Happy coaching!