coaching offensive linemen

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Coaching Offensive Linemen

Dave Christensen

James A. Peterson

1998 Coaches Choice Books. All rights reserved. Printed in the nited !tates.

"o #art of this $ook ma% $e re#rod&ced' store in a retrieval s%stem' or transmitted' in an% form or $% an% means'

electronic' mechanical' #hotoco#%ing' recording' or other(ise' (itho&t the #rior #ermission of !agamoreP&$lishing' )nc.

)!B"* 1+,-1-+/08+-

Li$rar% of Congress Catalog Card "&m$er* 98+8,0

Cover Design* Joe J. B&ck2 Do$% A. B&llerman

)nterior Design* 3ichelle A. !&mmers

)ll&strations* D(aine "&gent

Develo#mental 4ditor* Jeff 5alker

6he information #resented on #ages -+11 in this te7t is $ased in #art on material from Bill 5alsh* inding the

5inning 4dge $% Bill 5alsh' Brian Billick' and James A. Peterson' #ages 1/1/92 &sed $% #ermission.

Coaches Choice Books is a division of* !agamore P&$lishing' )nc.

P.O. Bo7 -

Cham#aign' )L 18/+0-

5e$ !ite* htt#(((.sagamore#&$.com

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Contents

Contents 3

Dedication 6

Acknowledgements 7

Preface 8

Diagram Key 9

Selecting the Oensi!e "ineman #$

Center 11

Ofensive Guards 12

Ofensive Tackles 12

Tight End 13

%&ndamental Conce'ts for Oensi!e "ine Play #(

Hole Numbering 14

Ga !ettering 1"

#denti$%ing &e$ensive 'lignment Techni(ues 1)

#denti$%ing &e$ensive *ronts 1+

Presna' %&ndamentals and the )*change +(

The Center,s -tance 2.

-lit 2)

'lignment &eth 2+

One,-an .locks 3#

The /un0locking &emeanor 32

&rive lock 32

Cut0Of lock 34

&on lock 3

#nuence lock 3+

!evel lock 45

*an lock 42

utt lock 43

Escae 6oves 7Ola% and /i8 4

'rc /elease 4"

lock /elease 4)

'lle% lock 4)

/each 7Hook8 lock 1

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/wo,-an .locks 0+

Combo lock 2

Cross lock )

&euce lock .2

&ouble Team lock .4

9ost block ..-eal block ."

*old lock ."

#nside :one lock "5

Outside :one lock "3

P&ll .locks 8#

-ee Hammer 9ull )1

Tra 9ull )"

;aggle 114

Hard 9ost 11

-o$t 9ost 125

-o$t ?ick 121

@um ,em Techni(ue 122

?ick -lide 122

&ouble /ead 123The -tack Techni(ue 12"

One,s #nside 7The Triangle8 12+

Pass,.locking Drills #3+

2oal "ine .locking #(+

Oensi!e "inemen in the Kicking 2ame #(7

?ick0Of return 14"

*ield GoalEAtra 9oint 15

The 9unt 12

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Pass Protection Schemes #06

&roback 9ass 9rotection -chemes 1"

'rea 9ass 9rotection -cheme 1"

6an 9ass 9rotection /ules 1)

*an 9ass 9rotection -cheme 1.3

&ash 9ass 9rotection -cheme 1..Turnback 9ass 9rotection -cheme 1."

-rint Out 9ass 9rotection -cheme 1."

>ncovered &on 9ass 9rotection -cheme 1.)

&ra locking 1.+

1&n,.locking Schemes #69

Tra0locking -chemes 1.+

Ga0locking -chemes 1"5

6an0locking -chemes 1"5

Beer0locking -chemes 1"5

Outside :one0locking -chemes 1"5

#nside :one0locking -chemes 1"5

Ado'ting an Alignment Philoso'hy #8+

*li0*loing Bersus -ingle0-ide 1)3

The ottom !ine 1))

A&thors #89

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Dedication

) (o&ld like to dedicate this $ook to m% (ife' !&sie' (ho has $een m% $iggest fan and the $est s#ort s%stem an%

coach co&ld ever dream of having. !he has #rovided &nrelenting ins#iration from the time (e (ere starving :A;s

(orking on masters degrees to the #oint (here (e are toda%. 6o m% children


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Acknowledgements

5e m&st all recogni=e that great foot$all teams and great coaches are a $%+#rod&ct of great #la%ers. 5itho&t the

total dedication and resol&te commitment of these e7traordinar% #la%ers' it is highl% likel% that no team or coach

(o&ld ever receive the attention that might other(ise $e d&e to them. )t is $eca&se of those t%#es of talented

individ&als that ) (as a$le to #&t this $ook together. )n that regard' ) (o&ld like to ackno(ledge each and ever%

#la%er that ) have had the good fort&ne to come in contact (ith thro&gho&t m% career.

)n addition' ) (o&ld like to s#ecificall% ackno(ledge t(o other individ&als (ho have #&t me in #ositions to (rite

this $ook. irst' :ar% Pinkel' the head foot$all coach at the niversit% of 6oledo' for hiring me' for ins#iring me to

ever+higher levels of e7cellence' and for #romoting me to the #osition ) c&rrentl% hold on his staff as the >ockets;

offensive coordinator. ) (o&ld also like to thank Dr. Jim Peterson for all his hard (ork' time' and effort s#ent

(orking on this #ro?ect. 5itho&t these t(o men $elieving in me' this $ook (o&ld not have $ecome a realit%.

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Preface

oot$all is a game of f&ndamentals. Almost an% (eek of !e#tem$er' a veteran foot$all coach can $e heard &rging

his #la%ers to consider the $asic sim#licit% of the game as he e7horts his team to remem$er@oot$all is $locking

and tackling.@ Over one h&ndred %ears of foot$all have #roven this ma7im to $e tr&e. 6he flo( of the game' the

s&ccess of the game #lan' and the dominance of the str&ggle are all related to the f&ndamental sim#licit% of the

s#ort.

6o 5alter Cam#' the game (as a matter of mastering the f&ndamentals of $locking and tackling. 6o ockne'

the game (as a matter of @hitting them hard and hitting them &ick.@ 6o ince Lom$ardi' the game (as a matter of

e7ec&tion and to&ghness. 6o all of the #ast coaching legends' the contest (as (on in the trenches. or %o& and the

f&t&re coaches of the modern game' the f&ndamentals of the game (ill not change. )n order to $e s&ccessf&l' %o&r

team m&st $e $etter at $locking and tackling than %o&r o##onent.

6he #oint to remem$er is that %o& (in foot$all games $% o&t+coaching and o&t+#la%ing the o##osition in the

trenches. 6eaching %o&r #la%ers to master the f&ndamentals and techni&es of offensive line #la% can hel#

g&arantee that %o&r team #la%s to the $est of its a$ilities and talent level. 3ore im#ortantl%' mastering the

f&ndamentals and techni&es of offensive line #la% can hel# enhance the likelihood that %o&r #la%ers (ill

e7#erience man% s(eet memories of victor%.

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Diagram Key

4ach of the ga#s listed $elo( is defined on #age /1*

A2 B2 C2 D

All of the follo(ing defensive line techni&es 0 thro&gh 9 aredefined on #age /E*

02 12 /2 E2 i2 2 ,2 -2 2 9

B ...Backer Line$acker

" ..."ose 6acke

6 ...6ackle

4 ...4nd

CB ...Corner$ack

! ...ree !afet%

3 ...3ike 3iddle Line$acker

! ...!am !trongside Line$acker

5 ...5ill 5eakside Line$acker

!! ...!trong !afet%

5! ...5eak !afet%

LB ...Line$acker

DL ...Defensive Linemen

56 ...5eakside Offensive 6ackle

5: ...5eakside Offensive :&ard

C ...Center

!: ...!trongside Offensive :&ard

!6 ...!trongside Offensive 6ackle

6B ...6ail$ack

B ...&ll$ack

64 ...6ight 4nd

FB ...F&arter$ack

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Cha#ter 1Selecting the Offensive Lineman

6he first thing %o& sho&ld consider (hen $&ilding a cham#ionshi#+level offensive line is %o&r criteria for #ersonnel

selection. )n identif%ing (ho %o& (ant to $e %o&r offensive linemen' %o& sho&ld esta$lish a #rocess of selection

that (ill res&lt in the ac&isition of at least five individ&als (ho can #ractice' #la%' and (in' as a team. 6he criteria

for selecting an athlete to #la% on the offensive line can incl&de several considerations' incl&ding the follo(ing

traits and skills*

One of the most im#ortant factors to consider (hen selecting an offensive lineman is hi# fle7i$ilit%. rom a foot$all

stand#oint' the most relia$le meas&re of hi# fle7i$ilit% is the lineman;s a$ilit% to s&at to a #osition in (hich his

thighs are #arallel to the gro&nd (hile kee#ing his heels flat on the gro&nd. Ge sho&ld $e a$le to s&at to s&ch a

#arallel #osition (hile holding hands $ehind his neck. Accordingl%' offensive linemen m&st (ork dail% to develo#

and maintain their hi# and tr&nk #osterior fle7i$ilit% thro&gh stretching e7ercises and drills.

)deall%' #otential offensive linemen sho&ld #ossess e7ce#tional #er+ and lo(er+$od% strength. Go(ever' this trait

is something that can $e develo#ed if the offensive line candidate demonstrates a good $aseline level of fle7i$ilit%'

an a##ro#riate meas&re of &ickness' and a desire to do @(hatever@ is necessar% in the (eight room to ma7imi=ehis strength.

Offensive linemen sho&ld demonstrate e7ce#tional &ickness for their si=e. An offensive lineman sho&ld $e a$le to

demonstrate a high t&rnover rate (ithin a three+%ard distance. )n addition' he sho&ld $e a$le to &se his hands in

shar#' $risk movements.

Offensive linemen sho&ld generall% #ossess a relativel% high level of #ain threshold $eca&se the% have to $e

#h%sicall% and mentall% to&gh on the field at all times. )n t&rn' an offensive linemen m&st $e a$le to maintain his

self+confidence d&ring times of adversit%. 5ithin the confines of the total foot$all team' an offensive lineman

sho&ld feel that he is a mem$er of an elite cor#s.

)deall%' offensive linemen sho&ld #ossess large frames. 5ith regard to the #revio&sl% mentioned re&isite traits and

skills for an offensive lineman' the si=e of an offensive lineman can $e either the least im#ortant or the mostim#ortant factor for selection. As a general r&le' the (eight given to the consideration of si=e as a factor in selecting

offensive lineman generall% increases (ith the ascending level of com#etitive #la%. All factors considered' the

higher the level of com#etition' the more im#ortant si=e as a factor $ecomes to the selection criteria. Conversel%'

the lo(er the level of #la%' the less im#ortant the si=e factor t%#icall% is to the coach (ho is selecting offensive

lineman #ersonnel. Credence to this concl&sion is #rovided $% the sim#le tr&th (hich ever% high school coach

kno(s@6he most im#ortant m&scle of the $od% is the heart.@ Certainl%' no coach can state that he hasn;t heard at

least one high school line coach fondl% reminisce (ith his @(ar@ stories a$o&t the 1,,+#o&nd g&ard (ho (o&ldn;t

$ack do(n. Certaint%' most coaches (ho have (orked (ith the offensive line have a #ersonal anecdote a$o&t a

#int+si=ed' relativel% scra(n% kid (ho co&ld get off the $all and drive $lock almost ever% defensive lineman that he

faced(hatever the si=e of the defender.

6he #rod&ctive offensive lineman is an over+achiever (ith man% #ositive &alities. Ge is an athlete (ho is

contin&all% develo#ing his skills. !ince $locking is an &nnat&ral act' the athlete m&st #ossess a $&rning desire to

learn the mechanics of $locking. Blocking' &nlike r&nning a ., fort%' can $e mastered $% an%one (ho is e7#osed

to a good teacher.

6he s&ccessf&l offensive lineman (ill have e7ce#tional $od% $alance and hi# res#onse. 6o a #oint' $alance can $e

develo#ed thro&gh training' $&t hi# res#onse is more indicative of an athlete;s nat&ral a$ilit% to #&nch thro&gh an

o##onent (ith a lo(+to+high deliver%. Gi# res#onse is the term &sed to descri$e to the action of the #la%er;s hi#s

and #elvis sna##ing for(ard on contacting the o##onent. 5hatever the #recise definition' a relativel% high level

to hi# res#onse is a trait generall% #ossessed $% $oth effective $lockers and skilled tacklers.

An offensive lineman sho&ld have the #ersonalit% make and the #s%chological training that allo(s him to #la%

&nselfishl%. Ge sho&ld $e an athlete (ho takes acco&nta$ilit% for his #erformance and &nderstands that relativel%

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little o##ort&nit% e7ists for #raise from the media and fans. 6he #oint to remem$er is that an effective offensive

lineman doesn;t react to a set$ack* he res#onds. &rthermore a good offensive lineman kno(s that no s&$stit&te

e7ists for to&ghness' com#etitiveness' inner strength' and team &nit%.

3ost of the other #rimar% considerations that can affect %o&r decisions regarding more $asic factors' s&ch as the

offensive line involve more $asic factors' s&ch as the level of #la%' %o&r team;s offensive scheme' the a$ilit% of %o&r

team to match+ (ith %o&r o##onents' and the f&ndamental demands of each #osition. As a r&le' these

considerations address the follo(ing #oints*

6he level of #la%. 6he level of #la% sho&ld $e a significant infl&ence on %o&r #ersonnel selections for the offensive

line. Ho& sho&ld strongl% consider %o&r district com#etitors; #ersonnel and st%le of #la% (hen identif%ing (hat

criteria %o& sho&ld em#lo% to select athletes to #la% on %o&r offesive line.

Ho&r team;s st%le of offense. ario&s offenses #lace #artic&larl% task+s#ecific demands on the offense line. or

e7am#le' an )+formation offense re&ires a different standard for offensive line selection than a 5ing+6 offensive

scheme. 6he )+formation offense is characteri=ed $% a need for large+$odied' ;;(heel and t&rn@+t%#e

$lockers$lockers (ho can knock the defensive lineman off the $all and maintain contact. On the other hand' a

5ing+6 scheme re&ires offensive linemen (ho can r&nlinemen (ho s(ee# #&ll and tra# #&ll. Altho&gh 5ing+6linemen $enefit from a #redominance of @angle@ $locking assignments (ithin the scheme' the% m&st #ossess

e7ce#tional &ickness. Accordingl%' $efore esta$lishing a #recise list of selection criteria for the offensive line' %o&

m&st have a firm idea of (hat offensive scheme %o& #lan to have %o&r team em#lo%.

6he #revalent st%le of defense &sed $% %o&r common o##onents. A common o##onent is an o##onent (hom %o&r

team t%#icall% #la%s on a %ear+to+%ear $asis. 5itho&t &estion' @the road to s&ccess@ goes thro&gh %o&r o##onents.

As s&ch' the st%le of defensive #la% that is #revalent among %o&r common o##onents sho&ld $e considered (hen

making decisions on offensive line #ersonnel. or e7am#le' if seven of %o&r ten common o##onents &se an even

defensive front' %o& sho&ld consider #lacing %o&r t(o most #h%sical and dominating #la%ers at the offensive g&ard

#ositions. On the other hand' if seven of %o&r ten common o##onents &se an odd defensive front' %o& sho&ld

consider #lacing %o&r t(o most #h%sical and dominating #la%ers at the offensive tackle #ositions. 5hile this factorcan easil% $e overlooked or overem#hasi=ed' @street+(ise@ coaches (ho have $een charged (ith re$&ilding

str&ggling #rograms kno( the% have to str&ct&re their offensive and defensive schemes in a manner that $est

ena$les them to $eat those teams (ho m&st $e $eaten%ear in and %ear o&t.

6he #osition demands. J&st as the demands of %o&r team;s offensive s%stem ma% affect some of the #ersonnel

decisions (ithin %o&r offensive line' the generic differences $et(een the vario&s offensive line #ositions ma%

infl&ence the #ersonnel selection #rocess. As a general r&le' the fo&r different offensive line #ositions three

different interior line #ositions involve the follo(ing &ni&e considerations*

Center.6he offensive center has an essential role in a team;s offensive s%stem. "ot onl% m&st he start ever% #la%

(ith a fla(less e7ec&ted sna#' he is t%#icall% the ke% man in making line calls. 6hese calls are vital' and there is no

(a% a team can do (itho&t them. or e7am#le' (ith the constant defensive changes that occ&r d&ring a game' the

offensive line m&st react to those changes if an ad?&stment in the $locking scheme is re&ired. Beca&se he is

literall% at the @center@ of the action i.e.' in the middle of things' the center is the o$vio&s mem$er of the offensive

line to identif% and comm&nicate to the other offensive linemen (hat $locking ad?&stments m&st $e made. As a

res&lt' the center m&st have a thoro&gh command of the offensive line $locking s%stem' the game #lan' and

individ&al defensive #la%ers his team is facing. )n a fe( isolated instances' some teams &se an offensive g&ard to

make line calls $eca&se the g&ard is either more e7#erienced or more ade#t at making them.

As a general r&le' the center doesn;t have to $e an e7ce#tional $locker. 6he center &s&all% doesn;t have to $lock the

nose tackle one+on+one' altho&gh if he can' it #rovides a considera$le advantage to his team. 6he center (ho can

isolate one+on+one (ith a nose tackle (ill take tremendo&s #ress&re off of the offensive line' #artic&larl% the

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g&ards. 3ost teams t%#icall% find a (a% to hel# the center (ith the nose tackle e.g.' slide a line. )f the other team

is in an alignment that doesn;t have a nose tackle e.g.' the +E defense or has the nose tackle st&nt a(a% from the

center' the center hel#s a teammate (ith his $locking res#onsi$ilities.

One additional factor related to the center that some teams address is his height. Altho&gh there have $een

s&ccessf&l centers at all com#etitive levels (ho (ere relativel% tall' man% teams feel that' all factors considered' a

shorter relative to the height of the other offensive linemen center is $etter. "ot onl% does a shorter center have a

lo(er center of gravit% there$% facilitating $od% $alance' he also tends to $e more mo$ilea trait that offers

significant $enefits to an individ&al (ho m&st o#erate in a relativel% small area. 3ost teams #refer a center (ho is

a$le to &ickl% move in $et(een #eo#le. )n most cases' a shorter center can do that $etter than a tall' rang% one. B%

the same token' the (eight of the center can also $e a factor in his selection. A large $od% can $e a hindrance in a

small area some(hat analogo&s to the limitations im#osed on a $asket$all #la%er (ho is carr%ing too m&ch

(eight.

Offensive Guards. !imilar to some of the offensive line #ositions' the re&irements for #la%ing g&ard de#end to

a great e7tent on the t%#e of offensive s%stem in (hich he #la%s. )n this regard' t(o o$vio&s o#tions e7ist* either the

offensive g&ard has to $e selected $ased on his ca#acit% to contri$&te to a team;s e7isting s%stem of offense or a

team has to st%le its offense according to (ho its g&ards are. 6%#icall%' the latter o#tion #revails. A team ada#ts itsoffensive st%le to the a$ilities of its g&ards. An e7am#le of ho( a team ada#ts its offensive s%stem to its g&ards

occ&rs (hen a #artic&lar offensive g&ard can or cannot do something to his right or left. )f the left g&ard can #&ll

and tra#' then the team is more likel% to r&n #la%s to the right (ith the left g&ard #&lling and vise versa. 6he g&ard

#ositions are @#ersonali=ed@ according to (hat the% can do. 6%#icall%' one of the offensive g&ards on a team is

stronger or (eaker in a #artic&lar techni&e or the a$ilit% to get the ?o$ done.

As a r&le' great offensive g&ards #ossess several traits' incl&ding &ickness' agilit%' e7#losiveness' the a$ilit% to

#&ll and tra#' and the a$ilit% to go inside+o&t on a line$acker. Offensive g&ards m&st also $e a$le to #ass $lock.

:enerall% s#eaking' girth' sta$ilit% and $od% $alance are essential factors in this skill. Beca&se the offensive g&ard

can &s&all% get hel# as a #ass #rotector' he ?&st has to have eno&gh #o(er to avoid $eing knocked $ack. J&st thesheer n&m$er of #eo#le inside (ill hel# the g&ard #ass $lock. As a res&lt' the g&ard can have some limitations as a

#ass $locker as long as he has eno&gh girth to kee# the defensive tackle from #icking him and moving him.

All factors considered' the offensive g&ard #osition re&ires less techni&e for #ass #rotecting than is essential for

an offensive tackle. On the other hand' the offensive g&ard #osition re&ires more $locking and movement skills.

or e7am#le' the g&ard is &sed on n&mero&s $locking com$inations (here he m&st get from #oint @A@ to #oint @B'@

#&lling thro&gh a hole' tra##ing' #&lling on s(ee#s' coming inside+o&t on a $lit=ing line$acker' etc. Collectivel%'

this ca#a$ilit% re&ires that the offensive g&ard has agilit%' mo$ilit%' and a refined level of techni&es.

Offensive ackles. 6he one a$sol&te essential trait for all offensive tackles is nat&ral $od% girth. )n addition to

girth' offensive tackles m&st $e ver% strong and have a high level of agilit% $od% control. Accordingl%' the

#osition of offensive tackle is t%#icall% filled $% the most athletic #artic&larl% on the (eakside of the offensive

line candidates.

Beca&se an offensive tackle tends to f&nction most of the time in the game in a t(o+%ard s&are area' the a$ilit% of

this individ&al to move his feet &ickl% and #&r#osef&ll% (ithin this area is a$sol&tel% critical. A s&$stantial #art of

this a$ilit% can $e develo#ed and enhanced to a degree. On the other hand' if an offensive tackle has @slo( feet'@ he

ma% im#rove some(hat' $&t he (ill al(a%s $e limited. An offensive tackle sho&ld also have strong' long arms to

facilitate those $locking tasks involving leverage. rom a $locking #ers#ective' ho(ever' the timing of the $lock

itself i.e.' the timing of the e7tension is the critical factor. )n addition' the offensive tackle m&st have an int&itive

sense of feeling or kno(ing (here to intersect defenders.

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At most com#etitive levels of foot$all toda%' the offensive tackle m&st $e a$le to antici#ate and $e read% to handle

an% one of three to fo&r different sit&ations that might occ&r. Gistoricall%' the offensive tackle onl% had to deal (ith

one or t(o #ossi$le scenarios. Over the %ears' ho(ever' as defenses have $ecome relativel% more com#le7' the

#ossi$le ad?&stments the offensive tackle m&st make have $ecome more diverse. or e7am#le' the offensive tackle

m&st $e a$le to ada#t to a sit&ation (here a line$acker $lit=es from the o&tside and the defender he (as e7#ecting

to $lock dro#s $ack into #ass coverage. As a res&lt' the offensive tackle m&st $e shar# eno&gh to &ickl% identif%

the scenario and $e a$le to move and ad?&st to the circ&mstances as needed. Ge m&st also $e e7tremel% (ell+versed

and #re#ared in the skills and the techni&es re&ired to handle a variet% of sit&ations.

6he nat&re of the #osition of offensive tackle also re&ires that athletes (ho #la% this #osition #ossess a level of

inner+confidence and nat&ral self+control that ena$les them to deal (ith fr&stration e.g.' the defender head sla#s

him' the #la% is sto##ed for no gain' etc. and' on some occasions in a foot$all+sense' disaster e.g.' his man sacks

the &arter$ack. >egardless of the circ&mstances' the offensive tackle m&st $e a$le to regain his foc&s and

f&nction at a high level of #erformance (ithin a relativel% $rief time. 6he #oint to kee# in mind (hen selecting

%o&r offensive tackles is that some athletes a##ear to have a $etter dis#osition to deal (ith #otentiall% disrtive

elements of others.

ight !nd. 6he re&irements for #la%ing tight end de#end #rimaril% on the s%stem a team de#lo%s. Accordingl%'each team m&st find the athlete (ho $est fits the team;s a##roach to offensive foot$all. !ome teams (ant a tight end

(ho had girth' $allast and strength. or these teams' the tight end is one of the #rimar% ke%s to their offensive

s%stem $eca&se he had the si=e and #h%sical tools to sec&re the #oint of attack. )f the tight end is a$le to $lock a

defensive linemen (ho is #ositioned on the edge of the offense' then a team a&tomaticall% has an increased

likelihood of having a r&nning game (ith ?&st that single feat&re.

)n man% of the defensive alignments of the 1990s' defensive linemen are lining ad?acent to or across from the

tight end' (hereas %ears ago the% (eren;t. )f the tight end can $lock those defensive linemen' then the entire offense

has a focal #oint from (hich to (ork. 6his t%#e of tight end can $e a dominating factor. Ge is $igger and stronger'

tho&gh less &ick and agile' than the other t%#e of tight end. 6eams tend to fashion their #assing game (ith him inthe vicinit% of the line$ackers. Accordingl%' he m&st have $oth the a$ilit% to a$sor$ a $all as he is $eing hit and soft

hands. On virt&all% ever% #ass thro(n to him' he is going to $e hit almost sim&ltaneo&sl% (ith the catch. 6his t%#e

of tight end also does not need to #ossess great s#eeda ,.0 time on the 0+%ard dash (ill get the ?o$ done. 6he

ma?or shortcoming attendant to his lack of e7traordinar% s#eed is the fact that he is not going to $e a$le to clear

defenders on certain #ass #atterns to hel# other receivers. All in all' that limitation is not that significant com#ared

to all the $locking ca#a$ilities he #rovides.

6he other e7treme (o&ld $e a 3ark Chm&ra+t%#e tight end' (ho can $e a ma?or factor all over the field. 6his t%#e

of tight end has the a$ilit% and the foot s#eed to go an%(here on the field &ickl%across the field' to the o&tside'

do(n the field' etc.and the a$ilit% to catch #asses in traffic. )n the #rocess' he (ill $e a$le to either $ring defenders

(ith him or find o#enings in the defenses. 6his kind of tight end needs the $od% control' the great hands and a lot

of the skills of (ide receiver' altho&gh more girth si=e than a (ide receiver $eca&se man% of the #asses he catches

(ill $e in the vicinit% of line$ackers and even defensive linemen. 6he &icker and faster t%#e of tight end (ill

&tili=e an all+techni&e rather than $&lk a##roach (hen $locking. )t is essential that he learns and develo#s those

$locking techni&es that he can &se (ith a reasona$le level of effectiveness against defensive linemen and

line$ackers. nlike the stronger' $igger t%#e of tight end' he (ill not $e a$le to &se a mass+against+mass a##roach

to $locking.

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Cha#ter /"undamental Conce#ts for Offensive Line Play

)n an% offensive line s%stem' certain f&ndamental conce#ts m&st $e esta$lished. Different s%stems ma% var% in the

designation of these conce#ts' $&t ever% s%stem m&st incl&de the follo(ing elements* hole n&m$ering2 ga#

lettering2 and defensive alignments.

$ole %um&ering

6he term @hole n&m$ering@ refers to the identification of a #artic&lar area thro&gh (here the $all carrier (ill r&n.

3ost offensive coaches n&m$er the holes for identification. 6he common method of n&m$ering the holes assigns

n&merical val&es to the offensive line #ositions. )n this method' the val&es of the n&m$ers increase as %o& co&nt

o&t(ard from the center. 6he center;s right leg is assigned the n&m$er is assigned to the right hi# of the tackle'

and the n&m$er is assigned to the right hi# of the end. 6he n&m$er 8 identifies the (ide hole i.e.' the area

$et(een the imaginar% fo&rth man on the line of scrimmage and the side line. Co&nting o&t(ard from the center;s

left leg' the n&m$er E corres#onds to the left hi# of the g&ard' the n&m$er , corres#onds to the left hi# of the tackle'

the n&m$er - corres#onds to the left hi# of the end' and the n&m$er 9 corres#onds to the (ide hole. Diagram /+1ill&strates s&ch a n&m$ering s%stem.

Diagram /+1* 6he common n&m$ering s%stem.

!everal different hole n&m$ering #hiloso#hies are availa$le to the offensive coach. A n&m$er of coaches n&m$er

the holes in a reverse manner. 6hese coaches &se a s%stem that co&nts in(ard' starting (ith the (ide hole andsto##ing (ith the near leg of the center. )n this n&m$ering s%stem' the n&m$er 8 is assigned to the right leg of the

center2 the n&m$er 9 is assigned to the left leg of the center. 6his s%stem is $elieved to $e &sef&l (hen calling

a&di$les. !ince the most common n&m$ering s%stem assigns the lo(er val&es to the center' the reverse s%stem

#revents an a&di$le from $eing deci#hered $% the defense. 6his t%#e of n&m$ering s%stem is sho(n in Diagram /+

/.

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Diagram /+/* 6he reverse n&m$ering s%stem.

A third n&m$ering s%stem is the right+to+left conce#t. 6he right+to+left n&m$ering conce#t is a s%stem in (hich the

n&m$ers increase in val&e from right to left. )n this s%stem' the (ide hole on the right side of the $all is n&m$er 1.6he n&m$er / corres#onds to the o&tside hi# of the right end' the n&m$er E corres#onds to the o&tside hi# of the

right tackle' the n&m$er corres#onds to the o&tside hi# of the right g&ard' the n&m$er , corres#onds to the

tail$one of the center' the n&m$er corres#onds to the o&tside hi# of the left g&ard' the n&m$er - corres#onds to

the o&tside hi# of the left tackle' the n&m$er 9 corres#onds to the o&tside hi# of the left end' and the n&m$er 0

corres#onds to the (ide hole on the left side of the $all. "&m$ering the holes consec&tivel% from right to left is

rarel% &sed' even tho&gh it is #ro$a$l% the oldest n&m$ering s%stem in &se. !ince the right+to+left s%stem is rarel%

&sed' it is also a good s%stem to &se if %o& are concerned a$o&t the sec&rit% of %o&r a&di$les. Diagram /+E sho(s

the right+to+left s%stem.

Diagram /+E* 6he right+to+left n&m$ering s%stem.

6he hole n&m$ering #hiloso#h% is sometimes linked to the str&ct&ral #hiloso#h% of the formation alignment. )n the

fli#+flo# s%stem disc&ssed in Cha#ter 1' the hole n&m$ers can fli# (ith the #la%er' altho&gh all factors considered'

) #ersonall% #refer that the n&m$ers sta% the sameright and leftregardless of (hether a fli#+flo# s%stem is

em#lo%ed. )n a s%stem (here the hole n&m$ers s(itch according to a formation strength call' a strong tackle (ill

carr% the n&m$er hole (ith him (hen he fli#s from side to side. )n other (ords' the even+n&m$ered holes fli#

(ith the strong side lineman and the odd+n&m$ered holes fli# (ith the (eak side lineman. Diagrams /+ and /+,

ill&strate the conce#t of the n&m$ered holes fli#+flo##ing (ith the offensive strength call.

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Diagram /+* )n a fli#+flo# s%stem' the even+n&m$ered holes are to the right in a #ro right formation.

Diagram /+,* )n a fli#+flo# s%stem' the even+n&m$ered holes are to the left in a #ro left formation.

6he same+side #hiloso#h% of alignment kee#s the n&m$ered holes in static #ositions. 6he n&m$ers remain in the

same location in ever% formation. Diagrams /+ and /+- ill&strate this conce#t.

A relativel% small n&m$er of offensive coaches don;t em#lo% a hole n&m$ering s%stem. 6hese coaches teach their

#la%s (itho&t reference to a s#ecific hole identification s%stem' teaching landmarks that identif% the aiming #oints(ith #hrases s&ch as @hi# of the tackle'@ @leg of the g&ard'@ etc.

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Diagram /+* )n a same+side s%stem' the even+n&m$ered holes are to the right regardless (hether a #ro right

formation is called.

Diagram /+-* )n a same+side s%stem' the even+n&m$ered holes are to the right regardless (hether a #ro left

formation is em#lo%ed.

Ga# Lettering

:a#s refer to the area $et(een ad?acent offensive linemen. :enerall%' the ga#s are la$eled (ith letters. 4ach center+

g&ard ga# is called an @A@ ga#. 4ach g&ard+tackle ga# is called a @B@ ga#. 4ach tackle+end ga# is called a @C@ ga#.

6he area corres#onding to the (ide hole is called the @D;; ga#. A #artic&lar ga# is identified $% designating it an

onside or offside ga#. 6he #refi7 onside is attached to the letter of the ga# (hen the $all is moving to(ard the side

of that ga#. or e7am#le' the right @A@ ga# is the @onside ;A; ga#@ (hen the #la% is designed to hit over the right

side. On s&ch a right+handed #la%' the left @A@ ga# is the @offside ;A; ga#.@ Diagram /+8 sho(s ho( ga#s are

assigned $asic letters.

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Diagram /+8* :a# lettering.

'dentifying Defensive Alignment echni(ues

6he alignments of the defensive front are identified $% recogni=ing the individ&al alignment techni&es of the

defensive linemen. !everal different conce#ts are &sed to designate the alignment of the defensive linemen

thro&gho&t the man% levels of #la%. One of the $est conce#ts for identif%ing the defensive front alignments is

sho(n in Diagram /+9.

Diagram /+9* Defensive line techni&es.

Chart /+1 details the #arameters of each defensive line techni&e sho(n in Diagram /+9. )t is e7tremel% im#ortant

that %o&r offensive linemen not onl% $e a$le to recogni=e and ver$all% identif% defensive techni&e alignments' $&t

$e a$le to e7#lain the res#onsi$ilit% of that #artic&lar defensive techni&e.

)n the defensive techni&e n&m$ering model sho(n in Diagram /+9' an even+n&m$ered techni&e corres#onds to a

head techni&e. O&tside shades are odd+n&m$ered techni&es. 6he - techni&e is the one e7ce#t to the o&tside

shade techni&e correlating to the odd+n&m$ered techni&e. 6he - techni&e is the onl% inside shade techni&e

identified $% an odd n&m$er. 6he remaining inside shades are s#ecified $% even n&m$ers. An even+n&m$ered

techni&e also corres#onds to a head techni&e.

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6he letter @i@ is &sed to s#ecif% (hen the even+n&m$ered techni&e is an inside shade and not a head alignment.

or e7am#le' the inside shade alignment on the offensive g&ard is a called a @/i@ techni&e. An inside shade

alignment on the offensive tackle is called a @i@ techni&e. Another &irk of the classical n&m$ering s%stem is

reali=ed (hen %o& attem#t to identif% a ga# techni&e.

Chart /+1* Defensive line techni&e #arameters.

64CG")F4 :AP A!!):"34"6 L44>A:4 A>3 >44 A>3

0 Pla%side @A@ ga#s Pla%side arm

1 @A@ ga# )nside arm

/ @A@ ga# )nside arm

E @B@ ga# O&tside arm

@B@ ga# )nside arm

, @C@ ga# O&tside arm

- @C@ ga# )nside arm

@C@ ga# )nsideI

9 @D@ ga# O&tside

8 @D@ ga# O&tside

I 6he leverage arm of the techni&e ma% var% in res#onse to the $locking

scheme.

5ith one e7ce#tion' no identif%ing n&m$er for a ga# alignment e7ists in the classical s%stem. )n order to identif% a

defender as a ga# alignment techni&e' %o& m&st add the (ord @ga#@ after the techni&e n&m$er. or e7am#le'

(hen a defender aligns in the ga# $et(een the g&ard and tackle' he is said to align in a @ ga#.@ Ho& co&ld also

acc&ratel% descri$e that #artic&lar ga# alignment as a @E ga#.@ 6he designation of a defender aligned in the g&ard+

tackle ga# as either a @ ga#;; or a @E ga#@ is a matter of #reference. A defender (ho aligns in the ga# $et(een theoffensive tackle and the tight end ma% also $e designated $% one of t(o names. 6he defender aligned in tackle+tight

end ga# can $e called a @, ga#@ or a @- ga#.@ 6he choice of (hich name is $est is one of #ersonal #reference. 6he

classic n&m$ering s%stem calls the defender (ho is aligned in the center+g&ard ga# a 1 techni&e.

'dentifying Defensive "ronts

Defensive fronts are classified as either seven+man or eight+man fronts. An alternate method of classif%ing fronts is

according to their str&ct&re. 6hree different front str&ct&res incl&de all of the standard defensive frontseven

str&ct&res2 odd str&ct&res2 and goal line str&ct&res. ive $asic defensive fronts fall &nder the categor% of even+

str&ct&red defense2 the odd+str&ct&red defensive classification encom#asses fo&r $asic defensive fronts2 and si7$asic defensive fronts are incl&ded in the categor% of goal line str&ct&red defense. Chart /+/ sho(s the $asic

defensive fronts and the categor% to (hich the% $elong. Diagrams /+10 thro&gh /+/ ill&strate each front.

Chart /+/* Defensive front str&ct&res.

44" !6>C6>4! ODD !6>C6>4! :OAL L)"4 !6>C6>4!

/0 E0 /0 Do&$le Crash

0 E0 4agle !trong ,E

E E0 4agle 5eak /

1 E0 Do&$le 4agle ,

!lide -+1

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:a# 8

Diagram /+10* /0.

Diagram /+11* 0.

Diagram /+1/* E.

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Diagram /+1E* 1.

Diagram /+1* !lide.

Diagram /+1,* E0.

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Diagram /+1* E0 4agle !trong.

Diagram /+1-* E0 4agle 5eak.

Diagram /+18* E0 Do&$le 4agle look.

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Diagram /+19* /0 Do&$le Crash.

Diagram /+/0* ,E.

Diagram /+/1* /.

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Diagram /+//* ,.

Diagram /+/E* -+1.

Diagram /+/* :a# 8.

Cha#ter E

Presna# "undamentals and the !)change

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As a general r&le' an offensive lineman sho&ld not change his stance from #la% to #la%. Gis stance sho&ld remain

consistent on ever% sna#' regardless of his assignment. 6he most common error committed $% a %o&ng lineman

occ&rs (hen he ad?&sts his stance to hel# himself accom#lish his task. Ho&ng linemen often $end their el$o(s' or

lean for(ard on their hands' so that the% ma% fire off the $all more &ickl% and drive $lock their o##onent. 5hen

assigned to #&ll on a #la%' ine7#erienced linemen tend to lean $ack(ard in their stance' $arel% to&ching the gro&nd

(ith their hands so that the% ma% #&ll to lead interference for the $all carrier.

A lineman is more likel% to feel the need to ad?&st his stance (hen he has not #racticed the correct stance

f&ndamentals on a dail% $asis. )f a #la%er leans $ack(ard to #&ll for interference' he hasn;t received eno&gh

re#etitions on #&lling from a $alanced stance. )f a #la%er leans for(ard on his fingers and tilts his $od% for a drive

$lock' he hasn;t received s&fficient #ractice at drive $locking from a $alanced stance. 6he onl% acce#ta$le

circ&mstances &nder (hich an offensive lineman can ad?&st his stance to gain an advantage age s&ch sit&ations as a

definite #assing do(n' a goal line short+%ardage sit&ation' or a time+related #assing sit&ation. 6he ke% #oint to kee#

in mind is that &nder normal circ&mstances' the offensive lineman sho&ld align in a $alanced stance' no matter (hat

his assignment.

As (ith an% foot$all #osition' the #ro#er techni&e $egins (ith the #ro#er stance. "ormall%' the ideal stance serves

$oth the r&n $locking and the #ass $locking techni&e. A $alanced stance gives the offensive lineman the a$ilit% tomove in eight different directions (itho&t ti##ing off his assignment to the defense. 6he eight directions of

movement from $alanced stance are sho(n in Diagram E+1.

6he $asic foot$all stance that ) recommend is a three+#oint $alanced stance. A three+#oint stance gives the #la%er an

o##ort&nit% to ma7imi=e his leverage (hen #erforming all of the tasks of $locking. rom drive $locking to #&lling'

the three+#oint stance is the $est stance to initiate a #ro#er r&n+$locking demeanor. A $alanced three+#oint stance

t%#icall% e7hi$its the follo(ing characteristics*

A good base:

6he feet sho&ld $e #ositioned slightl% (ider than the (idth of the sho&lders.6he feet sho&ld $e #laced close to a #arallel #osition' not staggered.

6he toes sho&ld $e #ointed for(ard.

6he (eight of the #la%er sho&ld $e centered on the inside of his feet.

6he $ase sho&ld $e centered in his hi#s and $&ttocks.

6he #la%er sho&ld $e a$le to lift his do(n hand (itho&t affecting his $alance.

6he #ro#er #o(er angle formed thro&gh the hi#s and sho&lders*

6he ankles sho&ld $e fle7ed.

6he heels sho&ld $e on the gro&nd never raised.

6he knees sho&ld $e ahead of the toes.

6he hi#s are fle7ed along (ith the $end of the knees and the fle7 of the ankles.

6he hands in a #osition to set the #ro#er demeanor*

6he th&m$ of the do(n hand sho&ld $e #ositioned inches for(ard of the sho&lders.

6he (eight sho&ld $e slightl% for(ard on the fingerti#s of the do(n hand.

6he off hand sho&ld $e held o#en and #laced on the side of the knee (ith the th&m$ #ointing for(ard.

6he off+hand el$o( sho&ld $e tight to the $od%.

6he offensive linemen on the left side of the center sho&ld &se a left+handed stance i.e.' left hand do(n.

6he offensive linemen on the right side of the center sho&ld &se a right+handed stance i.e.' the right hand do(n.

6he center ma% &se a one+handed i.e.' three+#oint stance or a t(o+handed i.e.' fo&r+#oint stance.

6he sho&lders forming an ade&ate $locking s&rface*

6he sho&lders sho&ld $e s&are to the line of scrimmage.

6he sho&lders sho&ld $e #arallel to the gro&nd.

6he head and e%es leading the $lock*

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6he head sho&ld $e #ositioned so that the #er scre(s (hich connect the facemask to the headgear are facing

for(ard.

6he e%es sho&ld $e foc&sed straight ahead' as the $locker looks thro&gh the do(n defender.

Diagram E+1* 6he right directions in (hich the offensive linemen moves.

he Center*s Stance

6he center is the most &ni&e #osition on the offensive line. nlike coaching the other fo&r to si7 #ositions'

coaching the center re&ires that %o& teach ho( the $all is to $e gri##ed' monitor the mechanics of the sna# to the

&arter$ack' and e7#lain the n&ances of $locking (hile sna##ing the foot$all.

6he stance em#lo%ed $% the center is a $alanced stance. 6he heels are slightl% raised' and the neck is $o(ed. 6he

hi#s are slightl% higher than the flat of the $ack. 6he feet are evenl% s#aced (ith no stagger. 6he feet m&st $e

slightl% (ider than sho&lder (idth' $&t onl% slightl% (ider. An e7aggerated (idth of the stance is a detriment to

$locking. 6he center can roll his heels slightl% o&t(ard in his stance. 6he stance is o#ened $% the heels rollingo&t(ard' there$% creating a #o(er line and a tor&e in the hi#s. As a learning e7ercise for %o& as a coach' %o&

sho&ld tr% ass&ming the center;s stance and roll %o&r heels slightl% o&t(ard. )n this instance' %o& sho&ld $e a$le to

feel the sensation of increased #o(er in %o&r hi#s.

6o man% coaches' a fo&r+#oint center stance is a #referred stance for $alance. 6he fo&r+#oint stance for the center

offers s#ecific #ositive feat&res. or e7am#le' it lo(ers the center;s sho&lders. 6he fo&r+#oint stance also $enefits

the $ack+$lock techni&e of the center' giving him a #&sh hand or #oint hand as he $locks $ack to fill for a $ackside

#&lling g&ard. 6he fo&r+#oint stance gives the center a #&sh hand that allo(s him to #&sh off as he sna#s the $all.

6his ca#a$ilit% adds more initial force on the center;s movement. 5hen $locking $ack' the center ma% &se his

onside hand as a #oint hand. 6he #oint hand is the hand the center &ses to #oint or o#en to the defender. As thecenter sna#s the $all' the #oint hand sna#s o&t to the target' #roviding a r&$$er+hand effect on the $od% of the

center.

6he three+#oint stance does not #rovide the center (ith these advantages. 6he three+#oint stance #laces the hand of

the center $ehind the sho&lders of the $od%. )n the three+#oint center stance' the center normall% rests his forearm

across his knee. 6his (ill cost the center moment&m as he loses a #&sh hand and a #oint hand. 6he three+#oint

stance' ho(ever' can give the center an advantage in #ass $locking#artic&larl% against a nose tackle. Gis hand is

#laced near his knee' there$% making it closer to the target area of the nose tackle;s chest. Gis hand ma% $e driven

for(ard at the same moment of the $all moving $ack(ard on the sna#. 6he hand sho&ld $e &sed to gain a feel

and esta$lish an inside leverage #osition to the defender;s chest' given the fact that it sho&ld strike the nose tackle

slightl% ahead of the sna##ing hand.

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or coaches (ho like a large $odied center' a three+#oint stance is #referred. An &nd&l% large center (ill &s&all% get

to# heav% in the fo&r+#oint stance. On the other hand' a larger $odied center tends to have more #o(er in the hi#s.

6h&s' he ma% get a(a% (ith a slightl% slo(er time to domination.

6ime to domination is the term &sed to descri$e the act&al time it takes to o$tain the three+inch movement of the

drive $lock. A $locker;s time to domination is a #rod&ct of his foot &ickness and e7#losiveness off the $all. :reat

$lockers get their first three ste#s do(n and o$tain the desired three+inch movement in a minim&m time to

domination.

6he center;s gri# on the foot$all is an im#ortant coaching #oint. 6he fingers of the center;s off hand sho&ld $e

s#read. 6he center #laces the $all &nder the corres#onding e%e of his sna##ing handonl% an inch or so to the side of

his nose. A right+handed center #laces the $all &nder his right e%e' (hile a left+handed center #laces the $all &nder

his left e%e. Altho&gh the $all sho&ld $e #laced as close to the midline of the center;s stance as #ossi$le2 #lacing the

$all &nder the e%e allo(s the center to sna# the $all in a straight line.

6he center gras#s the $all &sing a &arter$ack;s gras#. Go(ever' his fo&r fingers sho&ld not $e on the laces. Ge

#laces his th&m$ on the laces' ho(ever' (ith his hand over the for(ard third of the $all. 5itho&t covering the #oint'

he (ra#s his hand aro&nd the for(ard third of the $all. Gis (rist is rolled o&t(ard. >olling the (rist o&t(ard forcesthe $all to tilt slightl% (ith the nose . 6he (rist sho&ld $e locked in this #osition thro&gho&t the sna##ing motion.


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Pro$lem Ca&se !ol&tion

FB getting the #oint of $all Center not cocking (rist Correct the center;s gri#

Ball hitting the FB;s $ottom hand Center not sna##ing $all Correct el$o( from fl%ing o&t

Bad sna#2 $all dro#s straight do(n FB #&lling o&t too soon 3ake FB thro( hands for(ard on sna#

Bad sna#2 $all dro#s straight do(n FB;s $ottom hand not #ressing 3ake FB lock th&m$s of each hand

Bad sna#2 $all rolls $ack(ard Center is slinging the $all Correct el$o( from fl%ing o&t

Bad sna#2 $all flies (ard in air Center is short+arming the sna# 3ake s&re center gets (ork &nder stress

Center+&arter$ack e7change #ro$lems commonl% occ&r in the red =one' close to the o##onent;s goal line. >ed

=one defenders &s&all% align in the ga#s in a goal+line stance. !it&ations in (hich the defensive overloads the

middle e.g.' $lit=es' th and short' etc. re&ire that the &arter$ack $e es#eciall% conscio&s of receiving the sna#

$efore #&lling o&t from the center. 6he center m&st $e trained to e7#ect s&r#rise $lit=es from the line of scrimmage

and m&st not #anic. 6he &arter$ack can often hel# the center $% #a&sing his sna# co&nt if line$ackers cro(d the

line of scrimmage over the center. 6he #oint to em#hasi=e is that it is the &arter$ack;s res#onsi$ilit% to never allo(

the $lit=ing defenders to get a timed r&nning start thro&gh the @A@ ga#.

6he center can $e trained to take advantage of a defensive encroachment. Ge can sna# the $all (hen he recogni=es

that a defender is in the ne&tral =one. Ho& can train %o&r center to &ickl% sna# the $all if he sees an encroachingdefender. Go(ever' the &arter$ack m&st also $e trained to e7#ect a &ick sna#. Ho& sho&ld kee# in mind that the

officials ma% not necessaril% make the correct call and flag the encroachment. 6he res&lt of the officials missing the

#la% is a (asted #la% at $est. A missed encroachment call and a &ick sna# on a th do(n #la% res&lts in a (asted

#la% and a loss of #ossession. 6eaching %o&r center and &arter$ack to e7ec&te the &ick sna# can $e a #rod&ctive

strateg%. )t (o&ld $e erroneo&s' ho(ever' to $elieve that s&ch a strateg% has never $een a #ivotal factor in the loss

of a $ig game. )n fact' games have $een lost on a &ick sna# (hen the officials didn;t see the encroachment and

didn;t make the call.

S#lit

6he second im#ortant conce#t to master (ith regard to r&n $locking is the s#lit. 6he term s#lit refers to the distance

$et(een t(o ad?acent lineman. 6he (idth of a s#lit determines the si=e of the aforementioned ga#. or instance' if a

g&ard gets a large s#lit from the center' the @A@ ga# is (idened. )f a tackle gets a large s#lit from the g&ard' the @B@

ga# is (idened. 6he #la%er on the o&tside controls the s#lit to his inside.

!#lits across the line of scrimmage can $e firml% set as standard (idths. Go(ever' s#lits across the line of

scrimmage can $e individ&all% set $% the #la%ers on a sna#+to+sna# $asis. 6he accordion+like movement of a #la%er

(ho changes his s#lit to enhance his $locking techni&e from do(n+to+do(n is called s#lit mani#&lation. !ome

offensive schemes incor#orate s#lit mani#&lation as #art of the offensive s%stem. O#tion offenses and 5ing+6

offenses often re&ire their lineman to mani#&late their s#lits according to the #la% called.

:enerall% s#eaking' line s#lits sho&ld ideall% $e ke#t at a standard distance from #la%+to+#la%. 6he s#lit sho&ld $e

as (ide as the distance that the o&tside #la%er can control (ith an angle $locking techni&e. F&icker' stronger'

more talented' offensive linemen can &s&all% take larger s#lits than their slo(er' (eaker' less talented' co&nter#arts.

6he (idth of the s#lit is also related to the talent levels and the techni&es em#lo%ed $% the offensive linemen;s

o##onent. 6he #enetrating techni&e of a talented defensive lineman ma% re&ire %o&r offensive lineman to close

i.e.' red&ce his s#lit.

Diagram E+/ sho(s the $asic s#lits of a standard offensive attack. A list of the other factors that sho&ld $e

considered (hen setting %o&r line s#lits incl&de the follo(ing* the field conditions2 the do(n+and+distance

sit&ation2 the =one of o#eration e.g.' red =one' etc.2 %o&r #redominant $locking scheme2 and the $lit=ing #atterns

of the defense.

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Diagram E+/* Basic line s#lits of a standard offensive attack.

Alignment De#th

6he de#th of the offensive alignment is determined $% %o&r #hiloso#h% of $locking' as (ell as the st%le of %o&r

offensive attack and the talents of %o&r offensive line #ersonnel. 6he alignment of %o&r interior line can have a

critical im#act on the s#eed of the initial line charge. 6he alignment is also vital to the timing for $oth the single

#oint of attack $locks i.e.' one+man $locks and the com$ination $locks i.e.' t(o+man $locks. B% r&le' no #art of

an offensive lineman;s $od% can $reak the #lane of the foot$all $efore the sna# of the $all. 6he onl% e7ce#tion to

this r&le is the center #osition. 3ost centers' ho(ever' #lace the $all far eno&gh in front of their $od% as to

effectivel% com#l% (ith this r&le.

6he area $et(een the defenders and the offensive line is called the ne&tral =one. )f an offensive lineman aligns as

tight to the $all as he legall% can' he can red&ce the si=e of the ne&tral =one. 6his t%#e of tight alignment to the $allis &s&all% #referred $% offensive line coaches (ho have #h%sicall% strong' dominating #ersonnel. )t is a favored

alignment of the @(heel and t&rn@ s#ecialists in the ) formation offensive attack. 6he #rimar% o$?ective of a tight

alignment is for an offensive lineman to engage the defender as &ickl% as #ossi$le and &se his serior si=e and

strength to carr% him $ack(ard.

Other st%les of offensive attacks &tili=e a dee#er alignment' th&s creating a c&shion in the ne&tral =one. )n this t%#e

of st%le of attack' the $locking schemes are &s&all% t(o+man schemes#artic&larl% =one $locking schemes. one

$lockers can &se the larger ne&tral =one to their advantage as the% (ork together in reading the defensive reaction

in a target area. As disc&ssed in Cha#ter ,' a =one $locker (ill (ork together (ith an ad?acent teammate to seal a

#air of defenders from the #&rs&it. 6he d%namics of the =one $lock de#ends on the reaction of the defenders.

An% t%#e of $locking scheme that incl&des a read of the defender as an integral #art of the scheme;s e7ec&tion is

$est facilitated $% the offensive line aligning farther off the $all. As disc&ssed in Cha#ter ' most #ass #rotection

techni&es are $etter served $% an offensive lineman aligning as far off the $all as he is legall% allo(ed. A #ass

#rotector (ants to initiall% sna#+ and create a c&shion $et(een him and the defender.

Ho&nger' ine7#erienced' offensive linemen ma% have diffic&lt% kee#ing their alignment &niform do(n the line of

scrimmage. Ho& sho&ld $e a(are of this #otential #ro$lem d&ring the #reseason and cond&ct drills that are designed

to hel# the linemen develo# a sense of the a##ro#riate individ&al alignment landmarks to ens&re &niform' straight'

alignment do(n the line of scrimmage.

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Diagram E+E* 6he offensive linemen are aligned close to the $all' res&lting in a narro( ne&tral =one.

Diagram E+* 6he offensive linemen are aligned off the $all' res&lting in a c&shioned ne&tral =one.

:enerall%' t(o main methods of landmark instr&ction are effective. One method involves having the linemen set

their alignment $% &sing the foot of their inside teammate as a g&ideline. Ho& can stand on the end of the formationand look do(n the offensive line to check their alignment. Once %o& have ad?&sted their alignments to get them

aligned &niforml% at the desired de#th' instr&ct the #la%ers to take note of their inside foot;s relationshi# to their

teammate;s foot. Ho& sho&ld then tell them to make s&re their inside foot is in that same relationshi# each time the%

address the line of scrimmage.

6he second method of ens&ring &niform alignment along the offensive line is to have the #la%ers &se their

teammates; inside hand as a landmark. 5hen &sing the inside hand as a landmark' the g&ards #&t their hand do(n

on a #lane #assing $ehind the foot$all. 6he tackles then #lace their hand do(n on the same #lane as the ad?acent

g&ard;s hand. 6his method is $est (hen &sed $% offensive linemen (ho align in a fo&r+#oint stance.

5hichever techni&e %o& &se as a method of g&aranteeing &niform alignment' make s&re %o&r offensive linemen

are trained to remem$er that the% cannot raise their hand once it to&ches the gro&nd. 6his mistake is a common

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error $% a %o&nger lineman. 3ore often than not he (ill reali=e that he didn;t align #ro#erl% after #&tting his hand

do(n' then #ick his hand to move inside' or move for(ard. 6he res&lt is an illegal #roced&re #enalt%.

An e7cellent instr&ctional aid for alignment &niformit% involves the &se of a hose. D&ring o&r team;s #reseason

drills' %o& can #lace an old fire hoseor mark a chalk lineon the field. 6he offensive linemen can &se this hose as a

line marking the offensive edge of the ne&tral =one. 6he% then can take note of their res#ective #osition to their

inside teammate as the% align as close to the hose as #ossi$le. 6o develo# &niformit% in a s%stem that &tili=es the

dee#er alignment' %o& can sim#l% #lace the $all across the hose. 6he offensive linemen s&$se&entl% can &se the

hose as a g&ideline for their foot #lacement. 6his hose is marked (ith the standard s#acing along the offensive line

and can $e &sed as a teaching tool d&ring the entire season' not onl% for the offensive line' $&t for the r&nning $acks

(hen the% r&n their drills (itho&t offensive linemen.

Diagram E+,* 6he fire hose (ith #osition markings can $e &sed to teach &niform alignment on the $all.

Cha#ter One+,an -locks

>&n $locking is divided into three categories* man $locking techni&es2 t(o+man $locking techni&es' and #&ll

techni&es (Two-man blocking is examined in Chapter 5, while pull blocks are discussed in depth in Chapter 6).

Blocks categori=ed as man $locks are characteri=ed as $eing techni&es e7ec&ted $% onl% one lineman. 6he vario&s

t%#es of man $locking incl&de the follo(ing*

Drive $lock

C&t+off $lock

Do(n $lock

)nfl&ence $lock

Level $lock

an $lock

B&tt $lock

4sca#e move

Arc release

Block release

Alle% $lock

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>each $lock

5hen a $locker #&ts together the coaching #oints of an effective r&n $lock' he is said to $e in the #ro#er r&n+

$locking demeanor. A ke% #art of ever% r&n $lock' esta$lishing a #ro#er r&n+$locking demeanor fig&res heavil% into

the e7ec&tion of one+man $locks.

he un+-locking Demeanor

6he #ro#er r&n+$locking demeanor is a com$ination of the correct $od% #ositioning and the $locker;s movement

d&ring the @fit@ stage of the $lock. A $locker fits (ith the defender at the moment of contact. A #ro#er fit is a

#osition that allo(s the $locker to maintain a s&fficient $locking s&rface on the defender. 6he fit incl&des the stage

of the $lock in (hich the offensive lineman ma7imi=es his leverage. 6he #ro#er r&n+$locking demeanor is an

im#ortant as#ect of the man $locks' #artic&larl% the drive $lock. A $locker e7hi$iting the correct $locking

demeanor sho&ld demonstrate the follo(ing*

Gi#s lo(


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6he drive $lock consists of three main elements* the set to drive2 the attack ste#2 and the leverage ste#.

The set to drie is the departure step o! the o!!ensie lineman (i"e", the !irst step o! the blocker)" 6his ste# is a fo&r+

inch ?a$ ste# that serves as either a directional ste# or a settle ste#. 6he set to drive is a directional ste# (hen the

offensive lineman is firing off the line to meet the st&nting defender. 5hen the defender is not a threat to st&nt' the

set to drive is a settle ste#.

!etting to drive entails the lead foot gra=ing the t&rf to &ickl% #lant and enhance the #o(er of the offensive

lineman;s demeanor. )t is im#ortant for the offensive lineman to arch his lo(er $ack and fle7 his large m&scle

gros as he sets to drive. Gis e%es sho&ld foc&s on the target or the #oint+of+aim as he attacks the ne&tral =one.

The attack step is the o!!ensie lineman#s second step . 5hen drive $locking a defensive lineman' the attack ste# is

made ?&st $efore contact is made (ith the defender. )deall%' the offensive $locker sho&ld make contact (ith the

do(n defender after the third ste#2 ho(ever' contact is &s&all% made (ith the do(n defender after t(o and one+half

ste#s. 6he attack ste# is also a tracking ste#. On the attack ste#' the $locker;s inside foot ste#s to(ard the defender;s

inside foot' there$% #&tting the $locker on the track to strike the landmark (ith a f&ll $locking s&rface. 6he attack

ste# #ro#els the $locker thro&gh the ne&tral =one as the $locker gains moment&m to hit thro&gh the defender.

@Git thro&gh them' not to them@ is a good #hrase to &se (hen coaching ine7#erienced offensive linemen. Beginningoffensive linemen tend to sto# at the moment of contact. As an offensive line coach' %o& sho&ld note that (hile

$locking is a f&ndamental #art of foot$all' it is one of the more &nnat&ral #h%sical acts in the (orld of s#orts.

Blocking sho&ld $e ta&ght in a manner that ena$les a $locker to overcome his fear of #ro#elling his $od% into an

o##onent. One (a% of accom#lishing this o$?ective is to teach %o&ng kids to $lock thro&gh relativel% soft d&mmies

that are held (ith minim&m resistance. )n kee#ing (ith the conce#t of minim&m resistance' %o& sho&ld refrain from

standing on the $locking sled d&ring re#etitions. )ndeed' man% %o&ng #la%ers are not strong eno&gh to e7#lode

thro&gh the heavier five+man and seven+man sleds. !tanding on sleds onl% teaches the %o&ng offensive lineman to

@h&nker@ on contact (ith the #ad' the res&lt $eing the develo#ment of ma?or mechanical fla(s and a negative

#s%chological o&tlook on $locking.

The next step (i"e", the third step) a!ter the attack step is the leerage step. Against an o&tside shaded defender s&ch

as a E techni&e' the leverage ste# is made (ith the o&tside foot. 6he leverage ste# allo(s the $locker to gain de#th

and initiate the finish of the $lock. )t is on this ste# that the $locker gets the lift on the defender as the fit is sec&red.

6he $locker sho&ld fit sn&ggl% (ith his #ads &nder the defender;s #ads. @Pads &nder #ads@ is the commonl% &sed

#hrase &sed to reinforce the conce#t of fitting (ith the defender on the third ste#. Ho& sho&ld coach %o&r linemen to

attem#t to get the third ste# do(n $efore contact is made. 6he three+ste# #rogression m&st $e made (ith fo&r+inch

strides com#leted in ra#id fire s&ccession.

6he net res&lt of the ra#id three+ste# de#art&re to gain leverage (ith #ad+&nder+#ad contact sho&ld res&lt in the

#ro#er r&n+$locking demeanor. As the $locker com#letes his third ste# and engages the defender he $egins to

attem#t to gain lift on the defender. 6he $locker $egins to a##l% his effort (ith regard to the @three+inchr&le@. )

recommend &sing a three+inch r&le in determining a $locker;s #rod&ction. 6he three+inch r&le of offensive line

$locking states that if the $locker can achieve a vertical dominance on the defender in a manner to knock him $ack

off the line a##ro7imatel% three inches' the $locker (ill $e s&ccessf&l in his $lock. )n other (ords' after a $locker

engages a defender' it is a matter of (hether the $locker can achieve onl% three inches of movement. 3% %ears of

e7#erience have led me to $elieve that in the first fraction of a second the s&ccess of a $lock is determined. Almost

(itho&t fail' a $locker (ho achieved three inches of movement and maintains a #ro#er fit (ith the o##onent (ill

dominate the defender.

Lift is achieved #rimaril% from the violent #&nch and thr&st of the hands thro&gh the o##onent;s chest. !hooting the

hands from the knee and gro&nd ca&ses the $locker;s hi#s to sna# for(ard on contact. As the hi#s sna# for(ard' the

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feet m&st accelerate to chase the hi#s' th&s #roviding even more moment&m to the $locker;s for(ard thr&st. B%

forcing the defender to elevate his head and #ads' the $locker is a$le to finish the $lock. Once the defender elevates

and the $locker $egins to chase his hi#s $% accelerating his feet' the defender $ecomes off $alance and v&lnera$le

to $eing #ancaked.

B% sim#l% r&nning thro&gh the defender and not to him' the $locker can shoot the hands' elevate the defender' and

#ile drive him into the t&rf after he to##les. 3&lti#le #ancakes d&ring a $all game invaria$l% s(ing the

#s%chological #end&l&m in favor of the offensive lineman. e( things are more mentall% devastating to a defender

than $eing #ancaked on m&lti#le occasions d&ring the earl% #art of a game.

Another (a% for a lineman to finish the $lock is to maintain contact &ntil the (histle $lo(s. )f %o&r lineman forces

his o##onent to take an e7tra ste# to get to the $all carrier' %o&r lineman has achieved a degree of s&ccess. 6he

&estion to ans(er is a &estion of acco&nta$ilit%. Did the $locker inhi$it or #revent the defender from getting to

the $all carrierK )f the ans(er is %es' the $locker meas&red to his level of acco&nta$ilit% in e7ec&ting the drive

$lock. Diagrams +1 to +E ill&strate three t%#es of different drive $locks an inside shade' an o&tside shade' and a

man over %o&.

Cut+Off -lock

A c&t+off $lock is commonl% called a scram$le $lock. A c&t+off $lock is a $ackside $locking techni&e. 6his factor

means that the $all carrier is moving a(a% from a c&t+off $locker. 6he o$?ective of a c&t+off $lock is to sto# the

#enetration and #&rs&it of the defender. 5hen the $all is moving to(ard the far end of the offensive line' the c&t+off

$lock is a &sef&l techni&e against the inside shade alignments of do(n defenders. 3ost #rod&ctive (hen the $all is

$eing r&n (ide' a c&t+off $lock is es#eciall% effective against inside slanting techni&e defenders.

Diagram +1* 6he drive $lock.

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Diagram +/* 6he drive $lock.

Diagram +E* 6he drive $lock.

5hen e7ec&ting a c&t+off $lock' the $locker #&shes off his o&tside foot and ste#s (ith the inside foot to gain

#la%side leverage on the do(n defender. On the second ste#' the $locker thro(s his $ackside arm and leg thro&gh

the crotch of the defensive lineman. !ince the defender (ill $e moving inside as a res&lt of his res#onse to either

the lead ste# of the $locker or a #redetermined slant called in the defensive h&ddle' the $locker sho&ld thro( his

$ackside fist to the inside of the defender;s #la%side knee. 6hro(ing the $ackside fist to the inside of the defender;s

#la%side knee (ill res&lt in the $ackside arm hooking the defender $et(een his crotch and #la%side knee.

&rthermore' thro(ing the $ackside arm in this manner (ill kee# the $locker;s $ackside sho&lder lo( and level.

P&nching thro&gh the crotch (ith the $ackside arm also kee#s the $locker;s #la%side sho&lder free.


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!etting to reach (ith the lead foot to gain inside leverage field.

6hro(ing the $ackside arm thro&gh the crotch of the defender.

!&aring the sho&lders and $ear cra(ling field to the second level.

:etting to his feet on the r&n and s#rinting to the alle%.

Down -lock

A do(n $lock is an angle $lock to(ard the inside i.e.' to(ard the center. 6he do(n $locker (ill choose one of

t(o landmarks to attack. 6he sco&ting re#ort ma% dictate the choice of the landmark. Another factor to consider is

the defender;s techni&e d&ring the last fe( scrimmage do(ns' or d&ring the last scrimmage of a similar do(n+and+

distance sit&ation. 6(o landmarks are #ossi$le $eca&se a do(n defender (ill demonstrate one of t(o techni&es.

Ge ma% $e a #enetrator i.e.' a defender (ho attacks the line of scrimmage on the sna#' or he ma% $e a reader i.e.'

a defender (ho sits on the line of scrimmage and reacts to the $locking scheme.

Diagram +* 6he c&t+off $lock.

A #enetrator has little regard for the #artic&lar $locking scheme. Gis role is to charge the line of scrimmage. B%

charging the line' the #enetrating defender ho#es to force %o&r offensive linemen to tighten their s#lits.

)n order to $lock a #enetrator' the offensive lineman sho&ld aim for the o##osite sho&lder of the defender. 6he

$locker sho&ld drive his o&tside arm and #ad thro&gh the near sho&lder of the defender as his facemask fits into the

neck of the defender. Ge m&st kee# his hi#s do(n and his lo(er $ack arched as he #&nches thro&gh the defender.

6he $locker sho&ld #&nch his inside hand to the chest of the defender (hile he drives his o&tside hand &nder the

arm#it of the #enetrating defender. Driving the first thro&gh the near arm#it of the defender forces the defender;s

near sho&lder to elevate' th&s increasing the likelihood of a #ancake $lock. 5hen #&nching thro&gh the near arm#it

of the #enetrating defender' the $locker;s o&tside hand sho&ld $e ke#t o#en so that he ma% (edge the arm#it

$et(een his th&m$ and inde7 finger. Positioning the o&tside hand to (edge the arm#it gives the $locker an

e7cellent feel of the defender;s esca#e move. 6he hand locks in the defender' cements the fit' and #revents his

esca#e.

A read techni&e defender (ill attem#t to anchor the ga# and fight the #ress&re of the $locker. Ge (ill attem#t to

cross the face of the $locker and fight o&tside on a lateral #lane. 6he read techni&e do(n lineman is &s&all%

e7ce#tionall% strong in his #er $od%. sing his o&tside sho&lder' this t%#e of defensive lineman (ill di# and ri#

his inside sho&lder across the face of the $locker to #&rs&e to(ard the o&tside.

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!ince the read techni&e defensive lineman doesn;t move for(ard to an% significant de#th' the #ro#er aiming #oint

for the $locker is on a shar#er angle from the $locker. 6he $locker doesn;t fire o&t on a flat angle to $lock do(n on

the reading defender. 6he aiming #oint against the reading defender is the defender;s hi#' not his sho&lder.

Beca&se the inside reading defender (ill &s&all% get an o&tside read $% the inside $locker' the defender (ill $e on

the move to(ard the o&tside at the moment of the do(n $locker;s contact.

Diagram +,* 6he do(n $lock vers&s a #enetrating defender.

Diagram +* 5hen the center e7ec&tes a do(n $lock' it is called a $ack $lock.

)f the do(n $locker (ere to aim for the defender;s sho&lder' the read techni&e defender (o&ld gain several inches

of clearance across the $locker;s face. B% aiming to the hi# of the defensive reader' the do(n $locker can meet the

defender (ith a sec&re fit as the defender reacts to the o&tside #&ll read. 6he finish techni&e is the same finish

techni&e that is &sed against the #enetrator. 6he o&tside hand' arm' and sho&ld #rovide a violent thr&st and lift into

the o&tside half of the defender;s $od%. 6he (ell+coached defender (ill kee# his sho&lders nearl% #arallel to the line

of scrimmage as he reacts to the o&tside #&ll. )f the defender commits the techni&e error of ;;facing @ to the

$locker' he (ill $e hit head on and easil% #ancaked $% the do(n $locker;s moment&m. 6he $locker sho&ld &se his

inside hand to #&nch across the defender;s chest and gra$ cloth. Gis o&tside hand cements the fit and #revents the

defender;s esca#e.

)f the landmark is correctl% sec&red and the fit is cemented' the do(n $locker can easil% dominate the inside

defender. B% the same token' the si=e of the s#lit sho&ld $e directl% related to the ca#a$ilities of the do(n $locker

i.e.' the more skilled the $locker' the greater the s#lit. or e7am#le' if a $locker is ineffective (hen do(n

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$locking' %o& sho&ld first consider c&tting his s#lit. or %o&ng #la%ers it is #artic&larl% im#ortant that %o& $&ild

from s&ccess' instead of correct from fail&re. 6his means that %o& sho&ld develo# the do(n $locking techni&e of

%o&ng linemen from smaller s#lits. Develo#ing the ine7#erienced lineman;s do(n $locking techni&e from a tighter

s#lit gives him the o##ort&nit% to e7#erience the feel of s&ccess. A smaller distance $et(een the defender and the

$locker allo(s the $locker to concentrate on his de#art&re' demeanor' and finish of the $lock. 5orking from

infle7i$le' fi7ed s#lits is a (aste of time if %o&r linemen aren;t #h%sicall% ca#a$le of controlling the s#lit. Ho&

sho&ld concentrate on teaching the techni&e of the do(n $lock first' then grad&all% (iden the s#lits as %o&r

linemen $ecome more skilled at do(n $locking.

!ome coaches install a s%stem of s#lits (itho&t taking into acco&nt the &ndevelo#ed do(n $locking skills of

%o&nger linemen. 6he% are event&all% forced to tighten the s#lits so that the $lockers can achieve their goal.

Achieving the goal is then com#licated f&rther $% the $locker;s fear of fail&re and lack of confidence ca&sed $% his

#revio&s ina$ilit% to control the larger s#lit. )t is m&ch $etter to start (ith tighter s#lits and #rogress to do(n

$locking (ith (ider s#lits. 6he #oint to kee# in mind is that it is easier to $&ild from s&ccess than from fail&re.

!&ccessf&l do(n $locking is a matter of the linemen adhering to several coaching #oints' incl&ding*


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Diagram +8* 6he g&ard $locks too flat vers&s the reading defender.

Diagram +9* 6he tackle infl&ence $lock.

'nfluence -lock

6(o t%#es of infl&ence $locks e7ist. 4ach of the t%#es of infl&ence $locks is a $lock that com$ines the techni&e of

t(o different $locks. 6he infl&ence $lock is #art of a tra##ing scheme.

A tra# scheme is a $locking scheme in (hich a lineman #&lls on a tra# angle from the offside. 6he tra# scheme is

one of the oldest $locking schemes in foot$all. !ome foot$all coaches of the #remodern era felt that the $lock

sho&ld $e o&tla(ed d&e to its inherent tricker%. )t (as deemed $% man% to $e &ns#ortsmanlikeand' as s&ch' (as

given the slightl% ill+s&ited name of @mo&se+tra#.@ 6he name (as event&all% shortened into the c&rrentl% &sede7#ression @tra#@a less colorf&l moniker $&t a more foot$all+like term.

One t%#e of infl&ence $lockthe #ass infl&ence $lockis a $aiting mechanism to dra( the defensive lineman field

to o#en a crease inside and make the defender a relativel% eas% target for the tra##er. 6he #ass infl&ence $lock is a

com$ination of a modified #ass set and a tra# #&ll. 6his $lock re&ires the $locker to #o# his head and hands to

give the defensive lineman a @high+hat@ read. 6his #ass set tricks the defender into charging field to #ass r&sh.

6he timing of the second #hase of the #ass infl&ence $lock is s&ch that ?&st as the defender has his moment&m

going for(ard to r&sh the #asser' the $locker #&shes hard off his inside foot and takes a shar# inside+o&t tra##ing

angle to(ard the nearest o&tside defender. )n essence' t(o tra#s occ&rthe kick+o&t of the nearest o&tside defender

$% the infl&ence $locker and the tra# of the $aited defender.

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Diagram +10* An infl&ence #ass set $% the right g&ard.

6he second t%#e of infl&ence $lockthe #&ll infl&ence $lockis a $aiting mechanism to dra( the defender o&t(ard

(ith an o&tside #&ll read. 6he #&ll infl&ence is &sed in offenses that incor#orate an e7tensive g&ard #&lling game

for s(ee#s and toss #la%s. )f s&ccessf&l' it res&lts in a (ide gash o#ening inside of the defender' there$% giving thetra##er an e7cellent tra##ing angle.

Diagram +11* An infl&ence #&ll $% the right g&ard.

A s&ccessf&l infl&ence $lock incl&des the $locker adhering to the follo(ing coaching #oints*

!elling the infl&ence (hether it is a #ass infl&ence or a #&ll infl&ence.P&shing off the inside foot to dig into the line of scrimmage and kick+o&t the nearest o&tside defender.

!(a% into a good #ass #ro demeanor.

Level -lock

A level $lock is a $ackside $locking techni&e &sed e7cl&sivel% $% the tackle. 6he level $lock is normall% &sed $%

the $ackside tackle (hen he ha##ens to $e aligned on the s#lit side of the formation. 5hen scenario occ&rs the

defense (ill normall% em#lo% a stack alignment $ehind a (eakside and , techni&e tackle if there is no (eakside

tight end. 6he stack alignment ma% $e a loose stack alignment or a vertical stack alignment.

6he level $locking techni&e res&lts in the offensive tackle moving on an field #lane thro&gh the first t(o levels.

6he level $locking tackle;s assignment is to c&t+off the #&rs&it of an% defender (ho attem#ts to cross his face. )t is

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im#ortant that the tackle ste# to a #oint $et(een the set+to+reach landmark and the set+to+drive landmark so that he

can &se onl% the o&tside half of his $od% to $lock the defender in his #ath. )deall%' the tackle (ants to &se his

o&tside sho&lder and fli##er to slam the inside #ortion of the do(n defender $efore #roceeding into the second

level. 6he tackle;s o$?ective is to disrt the #&rs&it of the defensive tackle and force him to go $ehind the $lock.


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Diagram +1* 6he level $lock can $reak the c&t$ack lane o#en.

One of the most im#ortant #oints of em#hasis of the level $lock techni&e sho&ld $e the necessit% of the offensive

tackle cho##ing his feet and (idening his $ase as he enters the second level. B% c&tting his stride length and(idening his feet' the $locker #ost&res himself in the #ro#er r&n+$locking demeanor to (all o&t the sh&ffling

o&tside $acker. 6he cho##% foot(ork and the (ide $ase also hel# to ens&re the timing of the tackle;s arrival at the

?&nction #oint. Once the tackle reaches the ?&nction #oint' he sho&ld e7ec&te a high @r&n thro&gh@ $lock as he

drives his o&tside sho&lder #ad into the chest of the o&tside line$acker.

An effective level $locking techni&e involves the follo(ing #rescri$ed coaching #oints*

6aking the a##ro#riate set to level $lock.


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the techni&es are mirrored techni&es. 5hat the o&tside arm is for the do(n $locker is com#ara$le to (hat the

inside arm is for the fan $locker.

6he fan $locker sho&ld drive his inside hand thro&gh the near arm#it of the defender. B% #&nching to the arm#it'

the inside arm forces the inside #ad of the defender to elevate. 5hen one sho&lder of a defender elevates' he

$ecomes off $alance and is easil% to##led. !ince the inside #ad of the o&tside shade techni&e is his attack #ad'

driving the defender;s inside sho&lder (ard removes his leverage.

6he o&tside hand of the fan $locker #&nches to the inside n&m$er of the defender. 6he fan $locker sho&ld &se his

hand to gra$ cloth and control the defender. 47tending the o&tside arm into the defender #rod&ces a lateral thr&st.

6he thr&st act&all% hel#s to facilitate the o&t(ard #&sh of the $locker against the defender' there$% (idening the

hole. 6he o&tside arm also f&nctions as a mechanism to allo( the $locker to feel the #ress&re of the defender.

eeling the #ress&re of the defender c&es the $locker to redirect his moment&m and maintain contact. 6he inside

arm #rovides the lift and forces an im$alance of the defender;s #ost&re2 the o&tside arm assists in knocking the

defender o&t(ard and hel#s to cement the fit.

6he (ider the alignment of the defender' the flatter the attack angle the $locker sho&ld take. 6he #lacement of theset+to+drive ste# is de#endent on the defender;s (idth and de#th from the line of scrimmage. !ta%ing on line to

the defender;s near hi# is es#eciall% im#ortant for the s&ccess of the fan $lock. iring o&t on too flat on an angle

&s&all% res&lts in the defender easil% ri##ing his o&tside sho&lder across the face of the $locker. iring o&t on too

shar# of an angle &s&all% res&lts in the defender r&nning $ehind the $lock to easil% make the #la%. 6he fan $lock

techni&e is #artic&larl% sensitive to the $locker making the #ro#er set+to+drive and attack ste#.

6he com#onents of an effective fan $lock incl&de the follo(ing factors*

A #ro#er set+to+drive ste#.

A #ro#er attack ste#.


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Diagram +1,* 6he g&ard fires o&t too flat on his fan $lock' res&lting in the defender crossing his face.

Diagram +1* 6he g&ard fires o&t too shar#l% on his fan $lockthe defender r&ns aro&nd and makes the #la%.

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Diagram +/0* 6he g&ard e7ec&tes an ola% move to the inside.

Di##ing the o&tside sho&lder decreases the availa$le s&rface area that the defensive lineman can &se as leverage.

6he defensive lineman is trained to shoot his hands inside to the chest of the $locker. 5hen the $locker;s o&tside

sho&lder di#s and t(ists across the defender' the defender has no s&rface to strike (ith his o&tside hand. A

defensive linemaneven a (ell+coached onetends to res#ond to the $locker;s lo(ered sho&lder $% #lacing his o&tside

hand on the $ack of the $locker;s sho&lder. 6he act of the defender #lacing his hand on the $ack of the $locker;s

sho&lder act&all% assists the ri##ing $locker in gaining clearance to the inside. 6he defender (ill normall% #&sh

against the $ack of the $locker;s sho&lder' there$% aiding him in crossing the $locker;s face. Defensive coaches

often (ork had on training the defensive linemen to kee# their o&tside hand lo(&nder the ri##ing $locker;s o&tside

sho&lder.

6he $locker &ses his o&tside arm to drive across the defender;s $od% and to $reak free to the inside. Once the

second ste# is com#leted' the ri##ing $locker (ill (ork field (ith his sho&lders s&are. According to his

assignment' the esca#ing $locker (ill (ork thro&gh the second level to seal a line$acker or com$o+off a E

techni&e.

5hen a defensive lineman is aligned on an inside teammate' the ri##ing offensive lineman sho&ld &se a glide ste#

in finishing his esca#e the reader sho&ld refer to the section on glide ste##ing for more details. 5hen no defensive

lineman is #ositioned on the offensive lineman to the inside' the ri##ing lineman (ill take a more ang&lar first ste#

i.e.

coaching offensive linemen

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