defeating cut blocks

Coach Woody,

Here is a drill I have used at the high school and Div III levels that I find works well for our kids. I just use a one-on-one drill with live cutting by an OLM. You really can't teach a DLM to defeat the cut block effectively without going full speed for the DLM's hand placement and footwork reasons.

1. First step is to teach getting the DLM's hands out to get them on the OLM so they can obtain extension from first read step onward. This is the same start to every DLM rep regardless of cut or not. As a side note I use a lot of progression drills to teach extension every practice for emphasis of this point.

2. The DLM should be reading the helmet of the OLM he is aligned over for his first "key." (7 aka 6i techniques depending on your terminology have a little different key, but your 1, 3, and 5 techniques should be reading the helmet) If that helmet goes down he knows he is getting cut.

3. The hands should be coming out on the first read step, also on the first read step the DLM should see the OLM's helmet go down.

4. Aiming point for hand placement is on either side of the "V" created by the OLM's head, neck, and shoulder. The inside hand should be on the shoulder pad, and the outside hand should be on the top or side of the helmet.

5. Push the OLM's helmet into the ground. This stops his forward momementum.

6. As the DLM pushes the helmet down have the DLM move their feet QUICKLY WITH SHORT FAST STEPS laterally first to get width from the OLM helmet then run past the OLM helmet once his helmet is in the ground.

7. Once your kids get proficient at this one-on-one drill move the cut block into your combo and read drills so they get used to reading the helmet on the fly. It always amazes me that kids that do the cut technique well during the one-on-one drill complete forget about it in the combo drill or during games. I would recommend working the cut into the combo drill so kids can take what they learn from the one-on-one drill and incorporate it into a more game like situation where they have to think about other reads other than just the cut.

Another variation if you do not want to go one-on-one live is have the DL coach swing a lighter blocking bag or agility pad at the DLM knees to simulate the cut block. This may prevent injury. If you are in a league that allows running backs to cut block, for OLB's and defensive ends, the swinging pad method is good to teach the fundamentals so no one gets hurt with the 3 or 4 yard running starts the defender and running backs have towards one another.

If your kids are getting cut there could be a couple of reasons. First is they are coming off the ball too high giving the knee and ankles up even if they have their hands out. Stance and Starts drills in the cutes are an effective drill to teach proper pad height on contact. The other reason I see frequently is kids do not get their hands out in front. They want to punch so bad that they cock their hands back to their sides. If you do that to a cut blocker there is nothing to stop the OLM from getting in your legs.


Hope that help,

Scott
OL, DL, D Coord
Rochester Lourdes High School, MN

THANKS COACHES FOR THE VERY GOOD INFO!!!