Severe Angle Blocking 2005

Severe Angle Blocking

Coach Jack Gregory Opening Remarks

Where did it come from?

The Beginnings of SAB SLAM and Track Blocking

Benefits of Slam
Slam satisfies all the criteria for a base play. The unique feature is the highly physical collapse blocking scheme in which blockers in unison and shoulder-to-shoulder down block the gaps to their inside. Coach Don Schnake commenting on SLAM off tackle scheme in his book Simple Six

Slam Blocking
SAB is derived from SLAM blocking a technique used by Woody Hayes and Earl Bruce. It was a simple system of having the play side collapse down into the gaps. It essentially created a wall of blockers at an angle.

Benefits of Slam
With patient encouragement and steady work, the blockers will develop a tight bonding as they create their own version of a legal flying wedge. Properly executed, this technique will handle virtually every alignment, stunt, or blitz. Assignment simplicity and camaraderie of teamwork make the SLAM a linemans dream . Coach Earl Bruce, Head Coach Ohio State and assistant coach under Woody Hayes.

Track Blocking
All NFL and College teams use some form of Track blocking to run Powers and Counters (Trey). Wisconsin University and VMI both have papers that discuss the track blocking schemes they use in AFCA articles. It is considered a standard blocking scheme used in conjunction with other schemes.

Benefits of Track Blocking

The objective behind this method of blocking are to attack the defense with gap-blocked play, sometimes with misdirection. We force the defense to defeat gap blocks as opposed to zone blocks , thus creating more defined running lanes for the running backThese plays blocked on tracks are toughness plays, which create basic looks at a run for the tailback. Coach Barry Alvarez

What is Severe Angle Blocking

It is an aggressive angle blocking scheme. It is designed to collapse the defense with blockers in unison and to deny the defense any gap to penetrate into on the LOS. If properly executed it is capable of handling any alignment , stunt, or blitz. It along with the Wedge scheme develops lineman team work and camaraderie in our offense. It creates more defined running lanes and allows the use of landmarks to run to.

Rules of Severe Angle Blocking

Angle blocking scheme at a 30-degree angle on play side either inward or outward. Shoeshine, Slide, or scoop block the back side to seal off backside leakage. Blocks an imaginary 30 degree track to the boundary. Exploding off the LOS is KEY! Sound engagement technique and good footwork. Is used with or without pulling and trapping.

Benefits of SAB
Two things I have noticed that are always a given is that the guy that gets off the LOS faster has a better a chance and the guy that hits at an angle always beats his man. Coach John Carbon on SAB.

Advantages of SAB
Easy to understand Simple to teach Simple to implement Simple to execute Simple to adjust Allows your blockers to be aggressive Gives your lineman a force advantage Builds unity in the offensive line

Benefit of SAB
The clear advantage is leverage and it picks up any stunts or blitzes because of the track blocking involved in the system. I think if you went to NASA and asked them to come up with a blocking scheme for football they would give you SABThe fact that anytime you go on you best have a better athlete at that position are you are going to get beat. With SAB this is not a factor unless you have a 100lb lineman facing a 250lb DT. Coach John Carbon

How SAB Works

Using Angles to block the defense gives the blockers a force advantage (F=ma). Since Force is not a scalar (magnitude only) but a vector (magnitude and direction) using angles when blocking gives us a clear advantage on the LOS against bigger and/or faster defenders. Striking an opponent at an angle gives the blocker a x1.5 to x3 force advantage depending on the angle of attack.

How SAB Works

The more radical the angle the more net force is generated. A 45 degree down block generates x1.5 to x2 net force. A 30 degree down block generates x2 to x2.5 net force. A trap or kick out block can generate x2.5 to x3 the net force.

SAB verses Traditional Down Blocking

30 45 90

SAB verses Down Blocking

Middle to Back Side Middle to Play Side

60 9 4

20 0

20 4

60 9

How SAB Works

The use of a 30 degree down block vice a 45 degree down block is also key in defending the gaps. The angle allows the line to close their gaps down quickly. In two steps they can close down a 2 to 2.5 foot line split as they attack the defense. It allows the line to close down or wall off the defense front from getting to the runner.

How SAB Works

It does not lock your blockers on particular defenders but an imaginary track. It allows your blockers to wall off defenders aggressively. It picks up blitzes at the LOS and walls them off and away from the hole. It picks up line stunts in the same manner. It forces line backers to over react making them susceptible to misdirection. (scraping high and fast to avoid wall off) It allows your back side pulling lineman to pull flat on the LOS.

How We Teach Severe Angle Blocking

Offensive Line Priorities

Protect the inside gap (play side gap). Negate leakage across the entire front. Give smaller or less talented lineman a technical and physical advantage. (Force advantage) Attack the POA with more blockers than they have defenders. Reacting to the cadence quickly and correctly. Keep it simple.

Offensive Line Requirements

Zero to small line splits (six inches). Line up off the ball slightly (half and half). Balanced two point stance. Solid base and good technique.

Blocking Basics
Blocking Basics: 1) Good stance 2) Get off the ball 3) Maintain a wide base 4) Maintain a solid blocking surface 5) Keep your feet moving at all times with short powerful steps 6) Stay lower then the defender your blocking Simple Rules: 1) Explode off the ball! 2) Block track not a man! 3) Block at a 30-degree angle! 4) All lineman play side blocks SAB. 5) All lineman backside slide block or shoeshine.

FUNDAMENTALS of SAB
The key to SAB are sound fundamentals Stance narrow balanced two-point stance. Footwork blast off step, explode step, elevate step, and finish off step(s). Hat, Shoulder, Hand Placement. Explode off the LOS! Stay low.

Stance

A good solid stance is key. We use a balanced two-point stance with the dominant hand being able to barely touch the ground. The head is up, the butt is down, the knees are bent and the legs are relaxed ready to explode. The key is a flat back and head is up. Initially the stance will not be comfortable but the more you have them get into the stance and work from it the more comfortable they will get and the more explosive they will become. The hips and feet are inline vertically and the back is flat and parallel to the ground and the heels are on the ground. The feet are slightly inside the shoulders so the stance is a little narrower then shoulder width. We use this stance because it allows slower lineman to move laterally and forward much quicker and allows our lineman to see out in front of them. It also provides more power because the entire foot is on the ground providing more Ground Force Reaction (GFR) as they take those short power steps.

Foot Work B.E.E.F

B Blast Off Step E Explode Step E Elevate Step F Finish Off Step (This is a system that Coach Tim Murphy (Head Coach of Clovis East, CA) uses to teach his lineman. I have incorporated it into my SAB scheme and is differs only in that respect.)

Foot Work B.E.E.F

We call the first step the BLAST OFF STEP as they have to get that foot up and down fast (literally stomp the ground) into their track with a fast short step while staying low (head up, chest on knee). The back should not raise up at all on this step. The step should be no longer then 6 inches. Foot near the track. You must load your arms on this step quickly.
Aiming Points:
Attacker (Penetrater) - Face mask aims for the soft part of the far shoulder. First step aims for the far toe. Reader Face mask aims for the soft part of the near shoulder. First step aims for the far heel. If there is no one on the LOS as you blast off into the track you simply apply this simple rule. If you are off the LOS anything else is a reader/pursuer.

Foot work:
The foot should land flat, meaning all seven cleats hit the ground while taking these steps. Literally stomping the ground as the blocker moves down the track.

Foot Work B.E.E.F

The next step we call the EXPLODE STEP as that is the back foot taking a short power step down the track. Staying low, the back should not rise, and unload the arms (hands) into the body of the defender (chest plate and ribs). It is important to get this second step down as fast as possible as this is the step that first contact is made. The arms should unload has the foot makes contact. (creates a additional force production via Ground Force Reaction SYNERGY).
KEY POINT: The arms should unload hard into the body so that the defender is literally being punched in the chest and ribs with the outer portion of the heels of the hands. KEY POINT: The face mask does not make contact with the body. The facemask is a reference so that the eyes have a landmark so that they body will follow.

Foot Work B.E.E.F

The next step is the ELEVATE STEP and the near foot again takes a short power step into the track that is fast and short (get it down quick). Maintaining a wide base is key as you step and elevate. As you step you immediately elevate from the ground up unloading from the feet, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, arms, and hands. You should stay under the defender as you elevate him. Literally elevating through him driving your hands inward and upward as you drive him down the track.

Foot Work B.E.E.F

The final step(s) is the FINISH OFF STEP and it begins with the back foot taking a short, fast, power step. It should land where the defender was on the ENGAGEMENT STEP. Each step after this step is a finish off step and continues until the echo of the whistle to stop the play. If the defender is driven back and off his base then the blocker should immediately speed up (get on the balls of his feet) and pancake the defender. The steps should be fast and as you go to the balls of the feet (vice flat) the stride length will increase so keep a wide base.

AIMING POINTS
ATTACKER/PENETRATER
Face Mask aims into the soft part of the shoulder on the far side. Blast Off Foot (near) aims for the far toes.

READER
Face Mask aims into the soft part of the near shoulder. Blast Off Foot aims (near) for the far heel.

Aiming Points
Coach Tim Murphy made a couple of brilliant comments at the 2nd Double Wing Symposium when concerning aiming points.
Kids need visuals because it allows them to learn and adapt faster. These aiming points are references and allow kids to see where they need to go. So where ever the head goes the body follows.

Blocking Surface
The big key is blocking surface and we want to maximize the area provided to us by the angle block. We want our blockers shoulder, body, and hands on the defender and driving him down the track. Never lean into a defender (always attempt to drive your hips into the defender to make sure your Center of Gravity is under the defenders); keep your center of gravity low and stay under the defender as you drive him upward. Drive your hips into him so that your body stays under his. Feet constantly moving towards the defender. This leads me to the next part of the equation:

The lineman load (cock) their arms past the hips with slightly bent elbows and thumbs up (it doesnt need to be perfect). As they elevate and the face mask moves towards the soft part of the shoulder they strike into the chest plate and/or ribcage with the palms and drives upward and forward maintaining contact and force throughout the block. You dont re-cock and strike again instead you keep driving into the defender with the palms as you lock into the defender and keep taking short power steps. The reason for this is two fold; one you want to get the defender on his toes and moving down the track fast and secondly you want to have a large platform or blocking surface (palm of hands, head, and shoulder) that controls the defenders movements as he tries to break away. Never ever let your hands, shoulders, or body disengage the defender. Always work to maintain your initial placement as you drive upward into the defender and drive him down the track. If he starts to go back speed up get on the balls of your feet and sprint through him and pancake him!!!

Body Surface (Hand and Head contact)

Explode off the LOS!!!

Last but not least the linemen must learn to EXPLODE off the LOS and into their track and engage and clear out the first defender they cross. They must realize that they have to be the first to move and the last to stop moving on every play. As they engage the defender they must learn to take short power steps and speed up as the defender loses ground so that the advantage they have is fully utilized and the defender is driven down the track and out of the play or better pancaked.

Key Advantage Points

Puts defenders on the LOS and inside in an already blocked position due to blocking angles. Allows a blocker to leverage a defenders center of gravity making him lighter and the blocker heavier due to blocking angles. Allows blockers to be more aggressive as it requires less thinking (cycling through rules).

Adjustments

Adjustments (Width and Depth)

Increasing and decreasing the line splits alters the angles of attack on the defense. We use 0 to 6 inch splits but we can adjust out to 1 foot if needed. Coach John Carbon uses SAB with the Wing-T using 2-2-3 splits. Moving your play side blockers up to the LOS or back off the LOS also adjusts the angle of attack.
I prefer not to use either method above and our starting splits are normally six inches vice the traditional zero of most DW teams as the additional width helps SAB. But it is another tool in the tool box if I need it.

Moving your Blockers

Normal Path

Normal path with center up allows the PSG to get incidental double team with center.

Moving your Blockers

Moving them up

Allows playside to get into second level better; especially the PSG. Good if you have a PSILB scrapping hard to play.

Moving your Blockers

Moving them back

This allows you to concentrate your blockers more at the interior LOS. Good if your facing overloads in the middle.

Moving your Blockers

Widen the splits

By increasing the splits to a foot this allows the blockers that reach the second level to seal off closer pursuit.

Line Man Adjustments (Shoulder Him)

Shoulder Block
If a defender is presenting a problem either due to poor explosion by the lineman or the defender simply has a solid escape technique, or more upper body strength, then we will attempt to simply shoulder block him at the hip. This simplifies the EXPLODE STEP and ELEVATE STEP. When we communicate this to our line we simply say Shoulder him.

Line Man Adjustment (Shoulder Him)

Blast Off Step Same as SAB B.E.E.F Explode Step - The back foot taking a short power step down
the track. Staying low, the back should not rise, and attack the near hip with the far shoulder driving it into the defenders hip. As your shoulder makes contact do not unload the arms (hands) into the body of the defender. It is important to get this second step down as fast as possible as this is the step that first contact is made. The far shoulder should drive into the near hip has the foot makes contact. (creates a additional force production via Ground Force Reaction SYNERGY).
KEY POINT: Do not use the arms! Keep the arms loaded.

Line Man Adjustments (Shoulder Him)

Elevate Step On the next step the near foot again
takes a short power step into the track that is fast and short (get it down quick). Maintaining a wide base is key as you step and elevate. As you step you immediately elevate from the ground up unloading from the feet, ankles, knees, hips into the shoulder driving into the near hip. You should stay under the defender as you elevate him. Literally elevating through him driving your far shoulder inward and upward as you drive him down the track.

Finish Off Step Same rules apply from SAB

B.E.E.F.

Line Man Adjustments (Shoulder Him Aiming Points)

Aiming Points:
Attacker (Penetrater) - Face mask aims for far hip pad. First step aims for the far toe. Reader Face mask aims for the far hip pad. First step aims for the far heel.

Line Man Adjustment (Cut Him)

Cut Block
If a defender is again presenting a problem for any reason and the shoulder block is not working we tell the lineman to simply Cut Him. If applied correctly this is a very safe block. The blocker must attack aggressively and quickly for this block to succeed.

Line Man Adjustments (Cut Him)

Blast Off Step Same as SAB B.E.E.F Explode Step - The back foot taking a short power step down
the track. Staying low, the back should not rise, and attack the near sheen with the far shoulder driving the shoulder in front of the sheen and not actually at it. As the second step goes down the arms should explode outward so that they are in front of the body. As the defenders sheen makes contact with the shoulder/arm it is important to keep contact with the defenders body. It is important to get this second step down as fast as possible as this is the step that first contact is made. The far shoulder should make contact with the defenders leg as he runs into the blocker.
KEY POINT: Do not use the arms! Keep the arms loaded. KEY PONT: This only works on a Penetrater at the line.

Line Man Adjustments (Cut Him)

Elevate Step On the next step the near foot again takes a short
power step into the track that is fast and short (get it down quick). The blocker must elevate his body down the LOS (not upward) as if to lay out on the LOS. This creates a wall that they defender must go over, around, or stop. Normally as the defender attempts to penetrate he hits the blockers body at the sheen level and flops over him.

Finish Off Step At this point the blocker will be on all fours
as he elevated down the LOS. He must keep on all fours and keep moving up field and inward driving the defender away from the LOS. Like a crab block.

Line Man Adjustments (Cut Him)

Aiming Points:
Attacker (Penetrater) - Face mask aims to in front of knee pad. First step aims for the far toe. Not used against a Reader.

Line Man Adjustments

The Shoulder and Cut are adjustment blocks that I like to teach my individual lineman to use with SAB. These have been very effective for us in dealing with one on one match ups over a course of a game.
Being able to change up a block at one time or another in a game can often allow us to get in the head of a defender as the game goes on. During the course of a game that defensive line man is going to be SAB blocked from the inside, outside, trapped, cut, shoulder blocked, and wedged. That is a lot for a defender to take in during the course of a game.

 Coach Barry Alvarez and Coach John Carbon use this adjustment. A blocker who has a head up defender or an inside eye defender can post the defender and then get in his track to negate a tough charging or slanting defender so that the next outside blocker can wall him off. He must not have a defender in the gap or man over to his inside. If that blocker calls HELP he calls GOTCHA to indicate he can POST and TRACK. If not he stays silent.

Post and Track Adjustment (SAB Double Teams)

Post and Track Adjustment

Tough 2 tech

Post and Track Foot Work

This is nothing more the Double Team/Combo block with POST man posting up the defender and then getting back into his track. He is able to do this because there is no immediate threat to is inside gap (line man or possible blitzer) or a man over the next inside blocker.

Post and Track Footwork

Foot Work of POST man. Blast Off Step He has to get that foot up and down fast (literally stomp the ground) into their track with a fast short step (foot near track) while staying low (head up, chest on knee). The back should not raise up at all on this step. The step should be no longer then 6 inches. Foot near the track. You must load your arms on this step quickly. Instead of going at an angle the step is towards the head up defender. Explode Step - The back foot takes a short power step towards the defender. Staying low, the back should not rise, and unload the arms (hands) into the body of the defender (chest plate and ribs). It is important to get this second step down as fast as possible as this is the step that first contact is made. The arms should unload has the foot makes contact. (creates a additional force production via Ground Force Reaction SYNERGY). At this point the track blocker should have made contact as well. Elevate Step This is the key step in the POST TRACK block as this when you must stand up this defender so that the track blocker can get the defender moving down the track.

Post Track Footwork

ELEVATE STEP and the near foot again takes a short power step into the head up defender that is fast and short (get it down quick). Maintaining a wide base is key as you step and elevate. As you step you immediately elevate from the ground up unloading from the feet, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, arms, and hands. You should stay under the defender as you elevate him. Literally elevating through him driving your hands inward and upward as you drive him down the track. As that happens the track blocker should be elevating as well causing the defender to be driven back and down the track at the same time.
him down the track your next step is the far foot taking a fast short power step aiming down your new track line and resetting as you come off your block. You should drive your hands off by punching out (literally shoving off the defender) and moving down your track as you get low and block the first defender that crosses your face.

Finish Off Step as the track blocker fully engages the defender and moves

SAB Blocking Schemes

Seal Scheme

Seal Scheme
Basic Slam or Track scheme. PSTE to Center SAB IN. FB aims at inside hip of PSG; cross over steps and then down LOS and kicks out first defender to CROSS HIS FACE. BSG and BST pulls flat and into hole looking for leakage as they hit the hole. They blocks inside out on first open defender as they go into first day light and seal him. BSTE shoe shines (slide) block to seal off backside pressure. PSWB outside releases and goes back inside tight to the LOS and seals the first LB coming play side if blocking.
If a defender is in the C gap (head up on TE or in gap) then he must block SAB IN has he is the MOST DANGEROUS MAN. Should make a call for Post-Track (get the double team).

Seal Adjustment
FB Log Block

Seal Adjustment (Log Block by FB)

Often we face a DE that is sitting on the LOS reading, crashing, pinching, or sliding down the LOS. In all of these cases we will LOG block that DE (meaning we will seal him inside by attacking his outside shoulder and turning him inside). It is a complimentary block for the Kick Out when DEs wrong arm are attempt to close space on a BB. If the BB logs the QB, BSG, and Ball Carrier flow under him. The blocking rules for the QB and BSG still apply. This takes practice so that the QB and pullers can time up the flow.

Super Seal Scheme

Super Seal Scheme

PSTE to Center SAB IN. FB aims at inside hip of PSG, cross over steps and then down LOS and kicks out first defender to cross his face. QB toss spins and then gets in hole and blocks first defender to show outside in. BSG and BST pulls flat and into hole looking for leakage as they hit the hole. They blocks inside out on first open defender. BSTE shoeshines/slide block to seal off backside pressure. PSWB outside releases and goes back inside tight to the LOS and seals the first LB coming play side.

Super Seal Scheme Adjustments

DOUBLE QB and FB double kick out a tough defender or kicks out multiple defenders on the LOS. ON Tells WB to shift on to the LOS on down. Bear ON Super Seal Right. Still follows base rule. LONG Tells WB to shift as an ON call and mirror PSTEs block. Bear LONG Super Seal Right.

Kick Scheme

Kick Scheme
PSTE to Center SAB IN. QB reverse pivots with width towards hole and gives and inside hand off to ball carrier. BSG pulls flat on LOS and kicks out first defender to cross his face play side.. BST pulls flat on LOS and blocks first defender outside inside as he follows BSG. BSTE shoeshine/ slide block to seal off backside pressure.

Kick Scheme Adjustments

REVERSE: tells QB to reverse pivot tight and make an outside hand off. It also tells BSG to LOG block first man to cross his face and for the BST to pull under the LOG and kick out the run force or if no run force seal off inside. LEAD: tells FB to lead block. WHAM: tells WB to lead block. BLAST: tells FB and WB to lead block

Trap Scheme

Trap Scheme
Center, PSG, and PST block SAB IN. PSTE release clean and seal first LB inside. PSWB releases up field and helps PSTE seal first LB inside. (can adjust this to have the WB release and seal the safety up field to the inside). BSG kicks out first defender to show past the center. BST pulls flat on LOS and blocks first defender outside inside as he follows BSG. BSTE shoeshines, scoop, or slide blocks inside to seal off backside leakage.

Trap Adjustments
SHORT: tells PST to release and seal of 1st Lber inside. Also tells the PSTE he will help seal off 1st LB inside with the PST. If WB is blocking he will release and seal off first safety inside instead of helping out.
Normally our trap is designed to trap a 4 tech out but the SHORT call allows us to trap a 2 or 3 tech.

SUPER: QB lead blocks LEAD: FB lead blocks WHAM: WB lead blocks

G Scheme

G Scheme
PSTE and PST block SAB IN. PSG kicks out first defender to cross his face. Center blocks MOMA. BSG and BST pulls and seals first defender to show outside in. BST shoeshines, slides, or scoop block and seals off backside leakage. WB outside releases and goes back inside tight to the
LOS and seals the first LB coming play side if blocking.

G Adjustments
LEAD FB lead blocks WHAM WB lead blocks SUPER QB lead blocks BLAST FB and WB lead blocks SLAM QB and FB lead blocks DOUBLE QB doubles with PSG on kick out. Example Bull Slam G Left

Part Scheme

Part Scheme
PST and PSTE SAB OUT. PSG and Center SAB IN. BSG kicks out first defender to cross his face (unblocked DL) if he comes to the LOS and sees no DL sitting from 2 to 4 tech then he pulls seals outside in. BST pulls and seals outside in. BSTE shoeshine, slide, or scoop block backside to seal off inside.

Part Adjustment
LEAD FB lead blocks WHAM WB lead blocks SUPER QB lead blocks BLAST FB and WB lead blocks. X PST and PSG X block using You/Me. Example Bear Blast Part Right.

Side Scheme

Side Scheme
PSWB can block SAB UP if no other action is required. PSTE to BSG block SAB UP. BST and BSTE slide block. BB buck fakes to playside and lets the BSG and Center flow to playside and then works to backside and seals first defender to show. He can be the runner and in that case no backside seal is there. Land Mark is 1 yard below PSTs inside hip.

Side Scheme
PSTE to BSG SAB Out. BST to BSTE scoop block. FB lead blocks into hole as the BSG cross his face. (if the WB is faking counter he waits for BSG and WB to cross face and then goes). (No need for LEAD call on this as it is automatic).

Side Adjustments
WHAM WB lead blocks BLAST FB and WB lead blocks

T.A.G Scheme (Tackle And Guard)

T.A.G Scheme
PSTE SAB IN PST Log or kick out first defender to cross your face play side (dependant on play). PSG pull and seal first defender to cross your face outside in inside of PSTs block. Center to BSTE SAB OUT to play side.

Notes on T.A.G
This is a fairly new scheme that I have used in a series of plays. It has two uses really. When facing a 9 or 6 tech that is squatting on the LOS, pinching, or sliding down we have the PST log him and the PSG go inside and seal off the first Lber inside. When facing a 9,8, or 6 that can be kicked out quickly we have the PST kick out and the PSG pull and seal inside of the kick out on the first Lber inside. A 7 or 5 tech can be hard to SAB IN so often we will not use this scheme against a tough 7 or 5 instead using it against a 4 or less with the more severe angle block coming from the outside. The use of the SAB IN on the back side gives the appearance of the play going that way and often forces the defense on the backside to squat and read.

Blocking Scheme Adjustment Tank

Tank is used on any scheme when the BSG and BST pull. It tells the BSG to mirror the play blocks while the BST takes the BSGs job and the BSTE takes the BSTs job. This is a good way of handling backside leakage or a tough interior defender and still get the full power of our backside pulling line. Example: Bear Super Seal Right Tank

Effective Drills for SAB

Positive reinforcement. Keep it simple. Mimic what happens in the trenches in drill. Teaching:
Talk it Show it Walk it Run it

Effective Drilling
The most important thing you can do for a kid is to give them as much positive reinforcement about this system and the advantage it gives them against bigger opponents. As soon as smaller lineman whips a bigger linemans butt using this system the light goes on and they realize they now have a tool that will allow them to succeed in the trenches. The key is using drills that first teach explosiveness and technique and then mimic what is going to happen in the trenches. Once they become fundamentally sound and realize they have a technical advantage the sky becomes the limit to what your line can do for you. The more explosive and more confident of their agility your linemen are the more effective your offensive line will be in this scheme or any scheme you develop. I strongly suggest you set some time away that works on leg strengthening and developing agility and quickness. At the youth level this does not require an enormous amount of time nor does it require the use of weights as the legs are not normally developed. Instead the use of hills, resisted training, and plyometrics is far better and at this age much quicker in developing the linemans legs and hips for explosive blocking. At the higher levels the use of weights becomes more effective since you have a built in strength and conditioning program in the off-season.

Effective Drilling
In short we teach are lineman to do three things: one we teach them to wedge block, we teach them to SAB block, and finally we teach them the various techniques of pulling and trapping. We feel if we can do these three things well individually and as a group that our line will not only be effective they will dominate their opponents and that is what we strive for as a offensive line.

Key Points of Our Drills

Key points to our drills: Proper Stance Correct Cadence Proper Technique Explosiveness Correct Path Maintaining Contact Finishing the Block Off

Sequence of Teaching Our Line

Stance and Cadence Line Agility Explosive Movement (optional if time allows) Wedge SAB B.E.E.F Running the Track Adjustments Combative Hand Technique (one and two hand punching) (optional if time allows) Pulling Blocking Schemes Aggressive Attitude Playaction Pass Protection

Stance and Cadence

Break Down Stance to Two Point Stance Drill Circle Formation or all in a line have each player get in a break down stance and then a two point stance on DOWN. Check and correct stances. Repeat as needed.

Cadence Clap Drill (Coach Wyatts drill) Circle Formation or all in a line Coach has all players place hands up in front of face palms facing each other. Go through each leg of the cadence having them clap in unison on the call. For us our cadence is GO READYYYYY_HIT. We also go on second HIT as well. We will work on GO and HIT firsts and then add READY and second HIT. This is a very effective way of teaching cadence and having everyone realize the importance of timing. Should have one immediate clap if right.

Line Agility
We emphasize the importance of good footwork, agility, and quickness in our line. We do line agility drills every day to include getting off the ground quickly. We spend at most 5 to 10 minutes on this in the beginning of the season at every practice. We start slow making sure they have good technique. As they improve we increase speed and intensity. By mid season we spend one session of one practice day (based on three practices a week).

Line Agility Progression (Line Ladder)

1st 3rd
10 yards

2nd

5 yards

Line Agility Progression

1) All start from line stance on cadence.
1 Jog, 2 Somersault, 3 Jog 1 High Knees, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog 1 Butt Kickers, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog 1 Left Shuffle, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog 1 Right Shuffle, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog 1 Left Carioca, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog 1 Right Carioca, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog 1 Prone on Belly Bear Crawl, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog 1 Prone on Back Bear Crawl, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog 1 Prone on Back Bear Crawl/Somersault, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog

Line Body Strengthening Explosive Movement

Note at the pre adolescent and child hood years neuromuscular adaptation is major impact on physiological development. Muscular growth does not occur until the onset of adolescences so any gains in strength, speed, quickness, or agility is derived from adaptation of the neuromuscular system.
Core Stability Progression Leg Balancing and Stability Progression Body Weight Squat Progression Hop and Jump Progression Push up Pyramid Progression (upper body) Dog Push ups/ Hindu Push ups /Dive Bomber Push ups Progression (upper body) Medicine Ball Progression (upper/lower body )

Wedge Blocking
We believe that the wedge and the SAB compliment each other very well. Both are taught and reinforced every day in practice. Both build offensive line unity.

S.A.B Blocking Progression

Footwork Progression
B.E.E.F
After teaching stance teach Blast Off step. Then Blast off Step and Explode step (first two steps that stay low). Then add Elevate ( most import step in progression) Then add Finish Off Add live contact (1/2 speed work to full speed)

SAB B.E.E.F Progression

SAB Blocking Tennis Ball Drill

If any lineman lack an explosive step have a coach work with them one on one using the TENNIS BALL DRILL to increase the BEEF footwork progression.
SAB Tennis Ball Drill - (modified Clark Wilkins Drill) Have several coaches or one work on the weakest linemen first. Have the blocker get in a good stance (two-point for us) and get arms length away from the coach on his 30-degree track (coach should actually be just above the track). Tell the blocker that when you drop the tennis ball from head height he must explode with of the LOS using a good Blast Off tech before the ball bounces. Reinforce good technique. As he gets good at the blast off step move one more arm length away and add the Explode step doing the same thing. Then add one more arm length and work on the Elevate step. Once a lineman can catch a tennis ball drop from head height from three arms length away you have developed a solid explosive footwork pattern. If he is having hard time with foot work and upper body technique (staying low and elevating then add a bag into the drill so that he has to catch the ball and deliver a blow at the same time. This forces him to concentrate on multiple things (three vice two (footwork and upper body) and simplifies the process for him by using a much more complex pattern. Start slow as this will take time to develop but the blockers footwork and upper body tech will be much more in-sync.

SAB Blocking
Tennis Ball Drill

bag

BAG

SAB Blocking
Team Line Drill Can use either Painted LOS with seven 30-degree lines going the left and the right in different colors that are five yards long or you can simply use the clock method and start by having the show you the path vie 2 oclock and 10 oclock. You do this with all your lineman or small groups of 3 to 7 for more control and correction (good way to begin this drill at first). If using the painted lines they line u up with the angle lines in the center of the body. The coach calls DOWN and all of the player set in a two-point stance. (with the clock method start with Lines and the show you the right or left track). On Cadence they explode into the SAB sprint down the line until the whistle blows. Watch for good B.E.E.F technique and stress explosive footwork (stomp the ground). If it is not correct stop everyone explain why it is wrong (and who) and start over. Coach should be behind the line watching that every blocker stays on his path and is using correct footwork and upper body tech. This is easy to see because everyone is parallel to each other. Work for 5 yards at first then 10 yards and then extend it out to the boundaries as they master it and do it to the left and the right. As they get good at it have them close their eyes and do it a few times. The key is stressing that they stay in their tracks and create an angler wall of bodies.

Track Progression

SAB Blocking
Track Progression

Coach

SAB Blocking Contact Team Line Drill

Team Contact and Boundary Drill same as above but using the painted line or clock method have the same number of defenders place themselves on the left lines of the blockers facing the blockers at 30-degrees with the defender holding shield facing blocker. On GO the defender steps fast towards the GAP while the blocker goes from a two-point stance and explodes executing his B.E.E.F progression at slow speed (bird dog). This allows you to check for good technique. Then repeat at full speed after correcting any technique maintaining contact and driving the defender to the boundary while making sure the blocker is staying on his track and not adjusting it. Stress correct B.E.E.F technique at all times and finishing off to the echo of the whistle. Stress being nasty and aggressive.

SAB Blocking Adjustment Progression

This is taught after the SAB progression is taught and mastered by the lineman. Once they have a good understanding of the concepts of B.E.E.F and Track the blocking adjustments can be shown and taught.
Moving the Play side (width and depth) using the track progression. If you plan on using this it only requires a brief explanation and review. Shoulder Him and Cut Him using the B.E.E.F progression and blocking bags. Rep them so that they understand how and when to utilize them.

Combatitive Arm Technique

This is an invaluable way to teach fine motor skills and hand punching techniques that are necessary for our line men. This is especially necessary when coaching preadolescences as their fine motor skills are just developing and it is imperative to teach them proper punch technique and this helps in developing upper body quickness as well. Often with youth lineman this is a quality that needs to be developed. You need two blockers; one with a shield. They face each other with the blocker in a fit position. On Down he loads his arms and the shield man readies to allow the blocker to punch into the shield.

Combatitive Arm Technique

The coach will call out the hitting pattern. The blocker must immediately respond and reload as fast a possible. Pattern #1
Left, Both, Right = 5 times

Pattern #2
Both, Left, Right = 5 times

Pattern #3
Both, Right, Both, Left = 5 times

Pulling
1. Pull and Fly Drill one line of blockers facing a coach a cone five yards away on each side of the first blocker after stepping up to the LOS and on GO the blocker drops his near foot as he swings his near elbow back and then explodes his far foot forward as he stays low and explodes to the left cone. Everyone goes through the drill and then goes to the right doing the same thing. Latter on in the season you can do everyone at once in a vertical line facing the coach with the players about 2 yards apart. Pull and Contact Drill again one line of blockers as above except a player offset so that he can hold a blocking bag on the path. The blocker is told on GO to explode down the path and using our contact technique drive through the bag while he stays on his feet and runs through. Pull Around Drill one line of blockers facing a coach a cone is three yards away on each side of the first blocker after stepping up to the LOS and another cone is one yard up field and two yards inside on GO the blocker executes his pull as above but now as he reaches the first cone he moves up field and inside sprinting to the inside cone. After the entire line does it they go to the other side. Stress to read Inside/Out and block the first defender he comes to.

2.

3.

Pull and Fly Drill

Pull and Contact Drill Kick Out

Pull Around Drill

After you do singles work on doubles so that you have two lineman pulling to simulate the BSG and BST. Use two defenders and move them around.

Move the defender around and get the blockers used to reading INSIDE OUT. Use multiple defenders as well to teach them that they must read INSIDE to OUT.

Blocking Scheme Teaching Progression

As we teach SAB, Wedge, and Pulling along with the other aspects of our Line Teaching we also begin teaching schemes and plays. Scheme Bird Dog Drills Full Speed Scheme Drills Play Bird Dog Drills Full Speed Play Drills

Aggressive Attitude
Probably one of the hardest things to develop in a young child is the aggressive attitude to consistently attack a defender on every play. Some kids have this attitude naturally or develop it from the environment they grow up in or the people they are around on a day to day basis. For other kids this is not the case and developing an aggressive attitude on the field at the LOS is key to the success of any offensive football play. Find drills that you can use to get them attacking and finishing off. Use drills that mimic live action in a controlled setting so that each of your players can develop that mental toughness and aggressive attitude needed to succeed in the trenches.

Point of Contact
If you would like a copy of the presentation you can find it at: http://www.gregorydoublewing.com/ARTI CLES.html If you have any questions you can email me at: jack.gregory@globalcrossing.com Fasterthenlight@sbcglobal.net

Closing Remarks
Copyright 2005, Jack Gregory This item is not to be sold or distributed by anyone with out express permission by me.