Skip Pull

This is how I teach the skip pull. For example, pulling to the right. The first step is with the backside foot stepping directly behind the call side foot. The second step is a drop step with the call side foot gaining width and depth. The third step is cross over step; the heel of the back side foot (inside foot, cross over foot) should be in front of the toes of the call side foot (outside foot, drop foot). The forth step is with the call side foot; the lineman will get back to base on the fourth step. The fifth step is with the inside foot. On the fifth step the lineman may get vertical push (pushing off the call side foot) up field or continue on the same path depending on who he is blocking and the defensive structure. The lineman's shoulders are back and parallel to the L.O.S. On the third step lineman should have his eyes on the landmark area of the defender he is blocking. Depending on the length of the pull more steps maybe required.

The skip pull allows the offensive lineman performing the technique to get depth so when he attacks the L.O.S. the shoulders are square.

If you have any question email me at kwilmesh@cox.net

kw

If you are anywhere near NW Ohio... get to Bowling Green. I went there this spring to watch their "Big Man Camp" for the OL/DL.

They had a station where they taught the kids to skip pull - it is a GREAT camp for linemen and I will be bringing as many kids as I can down. The coaching staff there does a GREAT job with HS kids. You may also want to contact Greg Studrawa their OC & OL guy - he is very passionate and I have only heard great things about him!

The skip pull should only be used when pulling for a linebacker, leading up a hole, or sealing/logging BECAUSE the shoulders remain parallel to the los and your eyes can target the LB better. I can't see it being useful for a kick-out scheme.

There are two ways to teach it I have seen:

1) The 'Square Pull" - The feet do NOT cross over, and it is more of a shuffle pull. That's what Flaherty is teaching in the COOL clinic tape (Bugel described this as well in his Gilman tape for Kevin Gogan). This is a VERY good tape for general OL fundamentals - in person his lecture was good and the tape is great as well. Email if needed.

2) The "Skip Pull" - here is my progression:

a) Step with the BACKSIDE foot gaining depth and landing directly behind the playside foot.

b) Slide step with the playside foot losing some ground

The 3rs step then depends on the movement of the LB you are assigned to.


At the very beginning I did not like the skip pull - kinda ran contrary to what most OL are taught (never take a backwards step or cross-over). But when you analyze the footwork - you end up saving 2 steps from a traditional bucket/pivot pull.

Two steps can make a big difference on the field.

Scott & Jerry - very goods posts. You might add on the coaching points to "get your eyes on that LBer ASAP"!