Dline rip technique

we teach:
1) aiming point is to punch the OLineman in the ribs (3" under the armpit).
2) carry through with 'uppercut' until your bicep is even with his ear hole.
3) hips should be as tight as possible
4) same hand - same foot

I don't know if you're into gap control or just penetrating, but if it's the former, the get off is important and drilling the extension & hip roll is essential.
1) Pop Extension - both hands for interior, the outside guys we teach them to use a "Vader" move (inside hand cupped like Darth Vader's choke) to the EMOL 'V' of the neck.
2) quick rip to gap.

SAME HAND - SAME FOOT.

Totally agree! I tell them they must narrow their body and shoot themselves throug the arm pit. as they rip through the armpit, they need to step beyond the OL's feet to get through and upfield. If this is accomplished, it is impossible for the OL to block him unless he grabs cloth.

Hey RushLB49,

Your statement "we NEVER want to get up field, but settle at the heels of the OLM" doesn't give much hope for a very successful PASS RUSH, does it?

Coach Easton

RushLB,

I was just yanking your chain! HAHA I knew you meant to put that in.

Coach Easton

Rush and Tiger,

I would like to elaborate on the comment about 'playing on the heels'. For example, If my DT is shading the G, I tell him that it is his first responsibilty to read the Head of the G and he is stepping with his inside foot and hopefully getting a piece of the G. The G's are the key to reading the offense. If the G steps inside and avoids my DT, i want him closing to take on the BSG trap, or closing on the FB for midline, etc. He gets into the hip pocket of the G if he pulls/traps either way. In any of these scenarios, he would be playing on the heels of the G. If he penetrated too much, that FB goes right by him on the midline and the trapper does not even have to block him. So in a sense, being over aggressive (getting too deep) can work against you. So in one sense, I am telling my kids to play on the heels. Now the other scenario (G shows pass pro) - obviously we are getting up field to pass rush. Do you agree with what I am telling my DL?

I do agree that the guard should take your d lineman to the play (we work on the 80% 20% principle here- if were gonna be right 80% of the time then were gonna take it, so follow your gaurds!!). Getting up the field can kill you at times because its like 2 ships passing in the night- and you usually have a very poor arm tackle being attempted!
I'm not so sure I would use the word "Read" though. We want to react to the path of the guard and adjust accordingly. To me "read" means you let him go first, you know? We want to get off as fast as possible.
We do a drill where we rip R or L, and settle (getting balanced athletic position= toes foreward/shoulders SQUARE!). Then I point either way and the d lineman turns and runs down the imaginary heels of the o line. This teaches them to get under control and to redirect to the ball.