DefenseBasic DL & LB Technique & Drills

Brian KelleyDefensive CoordinatorUnionville High Schoolbkelley@ucfsd.org484-354-4328

Defensive Line Stance

▫ should be a little discomfort in their stanceFeet▫ hip/shoulder width apart▫ Toes pointing straight ahead▫ Toe to heel relationship

HipsCocked in athletic position; ready to transfer energy

Flat Back Give us a chance to play at the proper level

Defensive Line Stance• Down hand▫ all five fingers in the ground▫ Down hand leg = light

Off handshould be right in front of shoulderready to deliver a blow

Eyeslooking through eyelidslooking dead at the ball

Linebacker StanceFlexible hips, knee, ankles – all power angles – all on a 45On balls of feet / inside archRelaxed hands in holsterEyes on keys

DL Get-OffBall moves, you move

DL Jab stepComes down just behind the down handI talk “6 inches”

Gatherbring your trail leg/hiplight on feet; heavy on hands

LB Get-OffGather stap / a short hopGet your feet live, active, close to the grass – “cut the grass”Keep your feet close to the grass so you can get your feet in and out fast

DL/OLB Hat & Hand Placement▫ Screws below the chin▫ Eyes in backfield▫ Hands (shade)

inside hand splitting the opponentoutside hand on a pad

Hands (head up)tight hands on breast plate of blocker

Thumbs up, fingers away (GRAB HIM)

Fit Position• Where we are on contact▫ Screws below chin▫ Flat back▫ Shoulders square to blocker▫ Hips coiled ready for explosion▫ Knees (bend) –a Z in the knee▫ Feet – on balls of feet, toes straight ahead

▫ Drill: One Knee Fit

Separation• Leverage gained by pressing the blocker away• Locking out your arms to find the football

DL & LB Escapes• Working from separation to get off the blocker

• Drills▫ Bull & Jerk▫ Bullpen▫ Rip▫ Swipe

Redirect• Once you get off the block, plant your outside

foot and get to the football.

• Drill▫ PURPOSE: getting foot in and out of the ground

High bend kareokeAcceleration through end point

Pursuit• Taking the correct path to the football• Accelerate through the ball

Drills:

1st: Agility bags: establish how you attack & accelerate landmarks2nd: Teach the path – jog the path – w/ acceleration through landmarks3rd: full speed with acceleration through landmarks