Developing Young Offensive Linemen

Here are some drills by Joe Bugel (O-Line Coach of the "Hogs"/Redskins), & technique by John Matsko (O-Line Coach of the "Rams") on the basic drive block which must be repped repeatedly with boards, bags, live, etc:

#1 JOE BUGEL – OFFENSIVE LINE DRILLS (REDSKINS)

“FOUR CORNERS” = Better warm up drill that stretching. For a guy who is stiff – improves feet. Go ¾ speed. Put 4 cones at the corners of a square – 10 yds. apart. Teaches how to run (over exaggerate arm pump) . Go forward-lateral-backward-lateral. RUN to first cone & come under control – SHUFFLE to next cone (with a slight stagger of L foot if going L & R foot if going R) in a bridge position (sit down & bend, with a wide base – bridge neck – keep hands up - be sure to SHUFFLE – not gallop). BACKPEDAL – then SHUFFLE again. NOTE: Your feet can move TOO fast in pass pro).

“SHUFFLE DRILL” (pass pro) = Break down in good “football position” – wide base – don’t worry about speed. Shuffle to lines - 5 yds. – 10 yds. – 5 yds. When changing directions at line - don’t stop & plant to change – keep on balance – keep wide base – don’t gallop or get crossed over.

“STRAIGHT LINE DRILL” (like the Secondary’s “Run the Line” drill) = Straddle line – run backwards – coach waves off & he turns hips keeping eyes on coach. Everything in football is usually below the waist – “you block with your feet”. Teach stiff kid how to turn – break down & stay low, working feet & hips.

“BAG DRILL” = Over the bags – another shuffle drill. Keep hands up – neck in bridge position – back & forth, back & forth, & break. NOTE: How you FINISH any drill is important – put towel 15 yds. downfield & he has to break on ball to towel.

“UP & BACK DRILL” (4 bags in a straight line) = Back-shuffle-forward-shuffle (moving feet) – up & back, up & back. Don’t go 100 MPH – concentrate on moving feet quick - keeping shoulders square – moving in a good “football position”.

“SOFTBALL DRILL” = Used to teach big man to bend at knees – go down & pick up object where you have to use hand & eye coordination to see it (moving target). Use an area with 2 cones 10 yds. apart. Roll softball to farthest point of cone – he runs shuffles laterally & he has to bend knees with both hands down – pick up ball with both hands & throw it to coach. Coach then rolls it to the other farthest point. Direction drill where big guy has to bend & pick it up. GOOD CONDITIONER.

“PUNCH DRILL” = Teaches man how to roll hips, get under target, & deliver blow. Vs. shield, get man in football position – move feet (not a chop) with just bounce movement – step & hit UP – roll hips & hit up thru target. Step & deliver 10 right & 10 left.

“MIRROR DRILL” (pass pro) = Get in perfect fit position with bridge back – service guys grabs rt. arm – blocker sits down & applies pressure (he’s on rt. shoulder). Back & forth a couple of times on a juke – guy tries aggressively to jerk him (doesn’t try to penetrate). Blocker never stops moving feet (doesn’t have to be too fast). “Stack the deck” so offense wins!

“2 MAN BULL SLED DRILL” = Teach how to be explosive. 2 step blow delivery (don’t drive the sled after second step). Parallel stance – frontal position – step – blow delivery. OVER EXAGGERAGE use of fists or heels of hands (with thumbs on top) by taking first directional step & second step is 100% BLOW DELIVERY – throw arms out of sockets on first step (wind up with elbows back for good arm thrust) – second step hit & lift sled up in air.

“TRIANGLE DRILL” = Blocking Lbers (base or cutoff). Use on hand & face on outside number – stay square.

“DRIVE DRILL” = Cutoff drill. Get a perfect fit – drive 10 yds, - stay square.

NOTE: No longer run wind sprints after practice because players will pace themselves. Get the running by: #1 TEAM PERIOD – 40 PLAY SCRIPT – THROWING - line sprints 15 yds. downfield on each pass to cover (like covering punts). #2 “RIGGO DRILL” = 15 plays (40/50 GUT) & RB/Line sprints 30 yds. on each snap. “SELL THE RANCH” during these two drills!!!


#2 BASE DRIVE BLOCK – JOHN MATSKO (ST LOUIS RAMS)

NOTE: ALL blocks become the basic drive block upon contact - the angle of approach & aiming point may differ, but the BASIC principles are the same!

1. Explode out.
2. Short first step (1/2 way to fingers of down hand; knee rolls over toe – NOT behind).
3. Back flat.
4. Bull neck.
5. Proper aiming point (aim face at throat of DLM; base of #’s of LB). Look the block in.
6. Second step MUST be beyond first step to win. Make contact on second step (most important step). Hit 1 yard through defender.
7. Whip the arms.
8. Blocking surface (drive the elbows inside & make contact with a triangle of hat & hands (thumbs up) to a lockout; contact the short ribs & “lift him out of his socks” on a 45 degree angle with fork lift motion).
9. Shoot the hips (unlock the power).
10. Driving steps.
11. Feet under you – good base.
12. Maintain contact.
13. 2nd & 3rd effort.

QUESTION: When do you whip the defender?
ANSWER: When he tries to escape the block – you come alive and finish (STAY ON BLOCK).



If you work on these drills, & the technique of the DRIVE block - you will see definite improvement!!!!!

I won't provide as much detail as Coach Mountjoy, however, I will say a few words. Any drill that teaches a young player to stay low is a huge bonus. Every season I break my players (or at least attempt to) of the habit of standing up. This habit originated at youth levels where coaches who did not know any better allowed them to stand up. I think being creative with this helps. For example, use the chutes, do a quarter eagle drill (stand with knees bent for a duration), use agility drills as described above, etc... Second, use drills and tools that teach the blocking scheme you would like your players to know. If you like blocking with the hands use or create drills that echo such, likewise for shoulder blocking. Think of the drills and tools you would use for older players and break them down into smaller drills that younger players can execute and learn from.