3. OLINE CHARACTERISTICS
Attitude
A good attitude in an offensive lineman can’t be over-emphasized. Give us
a player with a good attitude and we can teach him what he needs to be
successful. Give us a player with a bad attitude and it will have a negative
impact on the entire offense. A player has to be selfless to before we can
develop unity on the offensive line. Once we develop a feeling of unity we
can create an identity (such as the Hogs, Trench Pigs, etc.). Then we can
establish a tradition on the offensive line. This all starts with attitude. A
good attitude is the foundation of everything we can do with a lineman.
4. OLINE CHARACTERISTICS
Effort
No one should ever question your effort -NEVER! We determine effort by
players who go to the whistle and finish blocks and games. A player giving
effort always gets the last shove in on a block. He also has excellent
awareness. We are looking for enthusiasm also. An enthusiastic player will
give you great effort. We want a group of players who are enthusiastic
about football.
Loyalty
Playing on the offensive line is about trust and honesty. If a player can't be
honest with me or his teammates then we can't trust him. If trust is ever
broken, failure is inevitable. Loyalty is the key to the togetherness we need
on the offensive linemen and the team. Loyalty is demonstrated by
showing respect for your coaches, yourself, and each other and being
coachable. Loyalty is the key to our goal of having “one heart beat” on the
offensive line.
5. OLINE CHARACTERISTICS
Hitter
This is why you play! We want players who love contact. It's the player
who hits first, the hardest, most often and the longest, that wins
Championships. When it comes to being a hitter actions speak louder than
words. We want an aggressive player who plays with his head, heart and
pads.
6. OLINE CHARACTERISTICS
Quickness and Leverage
This is key is to controlling the line of scrimmage. This includes quick
hands and feet out of your stance and during your block, and upper and
lower body leverage. You want to concentrate on balance, staying low and
keeping your hands inside. You want to be a knee bender, not a hip
bender. Stay on your feet.
Strength
The key to strength is how it translates onto the field, not just in the weight
room. When we talk about strength we are referring to explosive, overall
and core strength necessary to be a dominating blocker. Explosive
strength is the key because we work in such a small area. Olympic lifts and
plyometrics are great ways to improve this aspect.
7. OLINE CHARACTERISTICS
Conditioning
If you can't breathe, you can't play. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.
Fatigue will eventually defeat your opponent. Unfortunately it can also
defeat you. Conditioning is important part of mental toughness. Your
bodies and minds must endure the physical and mental pounding of a
game and a season. The harder you work the harder it is to surrender.
8. OLINE CHARACTERISTICS
Knowledge
There is no excuse for not knowing assignments and how to block them (technique). This prevents mistakes
and thereby eliminates bad or unsuccessful plays. Players should also know what all linemen are doing on
each play and where the quarterback and running back are going so they know point of attack.
Furthermore, they should understand formations and how defenses will react to them.
Film study is an important part of developing knowledge. Film study and scouting reports will help lineman
know what defensive players have what gap responsibilities, or that defensive line movement means
someone will replace, or how linebacker and defensive back alignment will show different blitzes.
Knowledge through preparation helps you to think and make a decision under pressure, and to know the
assignments of your teammates in order to execute the offense.
• Play smart, get your eyes up and see the defense. Be aware of what's going on in the trenches
(anticipation).
• Identify Communicate Execute
• Repetition is the Mother of Learning.
• Listen with not only your ears, but with your eyes.
• Doing things right all the time breeds confidence.
9. WHAT WE WANT IN EACH
POSITON
CENTER
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
SMARTEST LINEMEN. MAKES ALL PROTECTION CALLS.
BEST TECHNICIAN
MULTITASKER – MUST SNAP & STEP AT SAME TIME
CONSISTENT SNAP
LEADER
YOU CAN’T HIDE A POOR PLAYER AT CENTER, HE IS THE
TRIGGERMAN EVERY PLAY
GATA ATTITUDE
10. WHAT WE WANT IN EACH
POSITON
GUARDS
•
•
•
•
•
•
BIGGER LINEMEN, SIZE ON SIZE
ABLE TO PULL/EYEBALL
GREAT RUN BLOCKERS
STRONGEST PLAYERS ON TEAM
COMMUNICATERS
GATA ATTITUDE
TACKLES
•
•
•
•
•
•
BEST ATHLETES – MUST BE ABLE TO HANDLE AN EDGE RUSHER 1 ON 1
SPEED
HEIGHT
GREAT FEET
LONG ARMS
GATA ATTITUDE
14. The Stance
•
•
•
•
•
•
2 Point Stance
Feet Pointed Straight Ahead and Under the Armpits
Heel – Toe Stagger
Heels in the Ground
Sit in the Chair (Knees over Toes)
Z’s in the Knees
Hands resting on Thigh Boards
15. The Stance
3 Point Stance
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Feet Pointed Straight Ahead and Under the Armpits
Heel – Toe Stagger
Heels in the Ground
Sit in the Chair (Knees over Toes)
Z’s in the Knees
Prayer (Forearms on Thighs, Hands clasped together)
Place Hand out in Front of Staggered Foot in front of Facemask
* Right Hand Down on Right Side of Line
* Left Hand Down on Left Side of Line
All 5 Fingers in the Ground
Off Hand in Holster (Thumb Behind Knee)
Balanced Weight on Hand and Feet
Flat Back
Head & Eyes Up
Heels in the Ground - NO AIR UNDER HEELS
16.
17. The Steps
•
•
•
•
•
ON 1ST Step, Hands Come Back onto the “Guns”
All Steps are Short and Quick.
Feet on Fire
If Steps are Long and Slow you are unbalanced.
Speed to Contact
BASE
REACH
DOWN
ZONE
=
=
=
=
STEP-STEP-PUNCH
45 Degree ,1-2-3 PUNCH, CLIMB THE LADDER
90 Degree-SCRAMBLE-PUNCH
BUCKET STEP-CROSSOVER-PUNCH, CLIMB THE LADDER
18. The Punch
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
From the “Guns” Position
Target is Numbers
At Face to Fit (Contact)
Clap Hands Together to keep
Thumbs Up & Elbows In
Accelerate Feet on Contact
Do Not Lockout Right Away
Stay on block, Keep Defender Moving
19. Drill Progression
RUN TECHNIQUE
1. AGILITY WARM UP
A) TOE THE LINE B) HIGH KNEE C) HIGH KNEE CROSSOVER D) SHUFFLE E) CARIOCA F) TAPIOCA
2. PERFECT STANCE
A) 3 PT B) 2 PT
3. PERFECT STEPS DRILL
A) BASE (STEP-STEP-PUNCH) B) REACH (1-2-3 PUNCH, CLIMB LADDER) C) DOWN (DOWN-SCRAMBLEPUNCH) D) ZONE (BUCKET STEP-CROSSOVER-PUNCH, CLIMB LADDER)
4. PUNCH PROGRESSION
A) 6 PT (HIP ROLL INTO PUNCH) B) 4 PT (EXPLOSION TO PUNCH) C) BASE TO PUNCH (STEP-STEPPUNCH) D) REACH TO PUNCH [FACE TO FIT] (1-2-3 PUNCH) E) DOWN TO PUNCH (DOWN-SCRAMBLEPUNCH)
5. EYEBALL / TRAP DRILL
6. INSIDE RELEASE DRILL (WITH/WITHOUT LB)
7. DOWN BLOCK DRILL
8. HEAVY SHOULDER DRILL
9. ZONE/STRETCH ZONE DRILL
10. PERP DRILL
A) COMBO B) SUPER C) ZONE
11. CHUTE ROUTINE
A) BASE B) REACH C) DOWN D) ZONE E) SCREEN
12. SLED ROUTINE
A) BASE B) REACH C) DOWN D) ZONE
21. The Pass Set
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Feet a little Wider Than Shoulder Width
Sit in the Chair
Weight Distributed on All of Foot, No Lean Either Way
Shoulders Back
Chest Puffed out
Head Up
Chin out
Bug in the Eyes
Elbows In Tight to Body
Target Together (Hands in W)
Loose like a boxer
3 to 6 inch Punch
Do Not Lean into Punch.. Throw Only Hands .. QUICK
Pound the Post/Kick Slide
Light on Feet
22. Drill Progression
PASS TECHNIQUE
1. SET DRILL
A) 2 PT
B) 3 PT
2. WAVE DRILL
A) 2 PT
B) 3 PT
3. PUNCH DRILL
A) 2 PT
B) 3 PT
4. MIRROR DRILL
5. SWITCH DRILL
6. MACHINE GUN DRILL
7. LIVE PASS PRO W/ RB
A) 50
B) 60
C) 90
D) 100-900