stopping the power running game

You can't block what you can't hit (what doesn't sit still).

The most feared thing of an offensive lineman is a linebacker (dlineman) that can move.
What's going to happen to that linemen on the sidelines when he misses his block? He's gonna get chewed out by his coach....

Anytime a defense can put the offense on their heels by forcing them to make decisions before they are ready to, the defense opens the game up for turnovers / negative yardage plays.

You've got two choices if you are smaller than your opponent;
1) sit and get run over
2) shoot a gap and force the issue.


IF you plan on playing a penetrating defense, your crux will lay with the linebackers. Teach the LB's run-thrus so they know where they fit, otherwise you'll have holes too big to fill or cutback runs for touchdowns.