Defensive Linemen Program Goals Summary
I would first like
point out that some of the terminology in this summary is new to must student and coaches. Don’t be concerned
about that at this time. I want everyone to review this summary to understand the complexity of the program and the
work that will be required to get through it. Plus, the UFLS educational process starts now.
Learn
different Defensive Line Philosophies to stop the run:
GAP
– Vertical Penetration up field to the quarterback or to intersect the ball carrier.
HARD POINT – Strike offensive linemen and build pillars that force the ball carrier to run around them
making it easier for the linebackers to locate and tackle the ball carrier.
WALL
– Strike offensive linemen and control them, then be prepared to break off the offensive blockers to make tackles which
seals off all gaps forming an impregnable wall. You have to realize that this wall only exist for as long as the threat
of a ball carrier penetrating your gap exist. No Defensive linemen are never expected to stand there and wait. They
must always be flowing to the ball and gang tackling.
PIT DEFENSE
– (Personal Impact Territory) Each defensive lineman is assigned a territory which he most maintain and defend for approximately
1.5 seconds. He must be able to tackle anything which enters his pit and never allow his pit to be moved backwards.
Pit defense always starts off with the defensive lineman viciously striking the offensive lineman backwards.
ZONE – Common to see defensive ends jumping outside to cover a zone.
OBSERVE & REACTED – This is when the lineman first
watches then reacts to want is happening in the play.
Learn Key
Single Action Pass Rush Moves:
- Forearm
Strike & Forward wheel
Learn three Pass Rush Attack Series:
Learn to Play under
the Lights:
RED LIGHT – Stop the run. Your
first movements out of your stance is to stop the run then you react to the ball.
YELLOW LIGHT – It maybe a run or a pass play. You will have to read the play on the way. Follow
your assignment. If your assignment allows, takeoff out of your stance and maintain your posture to stop the run.
You have to realize one half second into the play you have to read/react to run, pass, draw, screen, ball right, ball left
your training will help you react not think. During film study you read so that during the game you can react.
GREEN COLD – Jet to the quarterback with containment responsibilities.
Do not let the ball leave the pocket and we not care who has it. It will be important for coaches to understand the
containment zones that exist for each pass rush attack series.
GREEN HOT
– All out jet rush to the quarterback with no restrictions. Let me point out that no restrictions does not mean run
after the quarterback like crazy animal. All great pass rushers learn how to containment the quarterback as they close
in. They also learn to read the quarterbacks eye’s as they approach, to determine if they have been indentified (ID.)
How do you determine which Color Light to play under?
Before snap reads and indicators will
determine which color light you should be playing under. If you have not realized it yet the color light simply represents
the state of mind and focus you will start the play with. The following is a list pre-snap indictors you must learn to keep
tract before the snap of each ball. The more you can learn to keep track of the better you’re going to be.
Is this difficult? Is this hard? You have to earn a scholarship not win one, because they cost allot of money. No one
pays you allot of money because it’s easy.
#1) Your assignment plus all other indicators
Learn all you
can about the battle before it starts. Learn to read all the play indicators before the ball is snapped. Follow
your assignment, but always know which light you are playing under. Defensive is not just about following your assignment.
It’s about reacting to everything around you. If your standing in the middle of a jungle and your order comes
in to shoot right, but the bullets are coming from the left, what do you do? You react or die. That’s defense.
#2) Down and Distance to the first down line and/or the end zone
Note to coaches and players;
I have
concluded after six years of game film study and a whole lot of exploratory questioning, that most defensive linemen play
in a mental vacuum and are unaware of any per-snap play indicator other then the play call. Most do not even know
the down and distances. Some do not even know how to figure out the down and distances while they are on the field.
Coaches, let just keep coaching them up. Players, you can start coaching yourself up on this one.
#3) Learn to read
the offensive linemen stances. Determining Pass, Pull, or Run.
Sometimes you can find an offensive lineman with
stances that tells you everything. Some offensive linemen become tell all players when they get tired or put under allot
of stress. The best way is to beat on and frustrate an offensive lineman until he becomes your own personal tell all
indicator.
#4) Time remaining, score and field position
#5)
Film study and previous game statistics
Where can a high school football player get good statistics on his opponents?
It’s in those little boxes in the news paper. Just cut them out and save them like your mother saves coupons.
The only difference is your coupons could be worth over a quarter million dollars in a scholarship.
#6) Back field alignment, personnel and their stances
#7) Receiver alignment and personnel
#8) Receiver’s in motion footwork
#9) Your will to
be the best player you can be on every play.
I do not care if your team is up by a hundred or down by hundred.
Your job is to play to the best of your ability on every play and sack the quarterback as hard as you physically possibly
can. Your job is to play hard while your coaches carry the responsibility of protecting you and your teammates
while respecting the condition of the opponent’s personnel.
Learn how to react to different
Offensive Linemen Blocks:
1) Drive Block
2)
Hook Block
3) Quick Trap
4) Long Trap
5) Fold Block Inside or Outside
6) Log Block
7) Near Back Block or Drive
8) Double Team Drive Block
9) Double Down Block
10) Comb or Zone Block
11) Cut Block
12) High Hat Read (Drop back Pass Protection)
13) Jump-Through (OLM moving to the second level.)
14)
No Block
This goal can not be accomplished in just one year of training. Line read reaction training is
a never ending process toward perfection.
Learn effective safe tackling skills.
Learn proper lines of
pursuit to the ball.
Learn proper pass rush lanes to the quarterback so you do not disrupt your teammates efforts
or lose containment of the quarterback.
Learn how to deal with a QB who throws the ball so quickly that a sack
is not possible.
Learn the Roll Strike stance with four different takeoffs:
Learn
three different attack postures:
Learn the Blow Delivery Hitting System. Learn to strike
an offensive lineman and apply the proper fit, control him and breakout to make a tackle or purse the ball.
Develop
hard hitting and effective hand striking skills.
Develop a powerful and effective grip.
Develop flexibility
that will enhance your speed, athletic range of motion, improve the quality of your weightlifting techniques and prevent injuries.
Develop excellent weight lifting technique and intensity in the following exercises:
- Five different types of Lunges
- Straight Legged Dead Lifts
Learn and become proficient and strong in a number of different core and neck
exercises to properly prepare you to play football in a safe and powerful manner. The most valuable exercise will be the Tiger
exercise which is a lumber power movement exercise. This exercise gives the athlete the ability to move the lumbar area of
his spine in and out with quick and powerful adjustments while under the stress of a full force pushing battle. This
ability can double an athlete’s effective pushing power on the Line of Scrimmage.
During the last
six weeks of training we will work to improve agility and cardiovascular conditioning. Get ready to learn how to jump
rope.
