Drills for Getting off Blocks

Ripping/punching in an upward motion.

The basic techinque is the same for every defensive player. Low pad level. Shoot hands inside and up through the top of the numbers of the offensvie player and and the same time the leverage foot (depending on spill or contian) will split the Offensive mans legs and the feet will continue to move on contact. The Lock one arm out straight and rip. You can also push pull to escape as well.

We use sleds for basic techinque purposes. As for a drill that I like is the machine gun. 3 offensive blockers at different levels and a ball carrier. The defensive player works downhill to the ball taking on each blocker as he works to the ball. He hits (shock and shed is what I call it) and then escapes to the ball. If you are in college then the second blocker would try to cut the defender, but in HS we don't work on it. Another basic drill is the Oklahoma drill. 2 on one, shock and shed and get to the ball.

For DL we use a sled and an offensive player depending on what we want and a ball carrier to work from a stance. DB's work on stalk blocks the same way. Schools like West Virgina and Tulsa use a basic OK drill that is one on one at the begining of each practice called the cage drill. Offensive player blocks defensive player hits and sheds.

A get resource is Lou Teppers Linebacking Book, it is a great resource.

Coach:

I mis-read your question. I use the sled, machine gun and O-linemen and backs, as Aztec. I have used both of these sets of drills.

Vs. Base Block
1. Drive forearm shiver beneath shoulders.
2. Gap control is first priority (gap arm and leg free).
3. Shoulders square.
4. Ball away- squeeze running lane and escape/pursue when ball commits - Cross his face.
5. Ball to you- control gap, shed and make the hit.
6. Pursue at proper angle.

Vs. Reach Block
1. Must control OL's playside # (grab cloth)
2. Work 2x2 (lock out gap playside arm and pull OL's back shoulder) - get his shoulders turned
3. Keep outside arm and leg free
4. Shoulders square
5. Rip the reach and attack ball at proper angle

Vs. Veer - Cutoff Block
1. Squeeze blocker - don't allow release to backer, squeeze running lane
2. Stay square
3. Cross face or hip pocket when ball commits
4. Tackle the cutback
5. Wrong arm any attempt to kick- out

Double-Team Block
1. Get to your man and stuff him.
2. Penetrate - strong body lean.
3. If blocked, try to split blockers - turn shoulders (rip through). Keep feet alive.
4. If you start losing ground, drop to knee quickly and crab.

BREAK AND RIP MOVE DRILL
1. Strike down through outside arm of blocker with your inside hand and arm.
2. Possible rip or wheel move.
3. Keep strong grip on outside shoulder of blocker.
4. Key = keep tip of his shoulder pad pulled down with your outside hand.

BUTT AND RIP
1. DL drives face mask to just above blocker's numbers.
2. Hands simultaneously grab both shoulder points/breastplate.
3. Drive forward working blocker up and back - overpower him.
4. Once blocker is off balance, rip and explode to ball carrier/QB.

CLUB AND RIP
1. Quick ball get off.
2. Power into blocker to make him move his feet and turn his shoulders.
3. Target is imaginary shoulder wider than the pressure point.
4. When you can step on his toes, use a club and rip technique.
5. As blocker's shoulders turn, explode to ball carrier/QB.

CLUB AND TURN
1. Drive heel of the hand into shoulder of the blocker.
2. Simultaneously, grab his opposite arm triceps with the other hand.
3. Turn him away from you.
4. Continue to the ball carrier/QB.

RIP THROUGH DRILL
1. Release your inside hand, pulling with outside hand and arm, turning shoulders of blocker.
2. Dip and rip with the inside arm and leg.
3. Get shoulder in the armpit of the blocker, rip the inside arm to the sky.
4. Defender must get his hip past the blocker's hip, roll the hips through while ripping the inside arm to the sky.