Pass Pro tecnnique for the Center

The Center's TECHNIQUE depends on where his HELP is coming from. IF Center is covered - you need to give him help (such as from an uncovered OG who is assigned a LBer that may not come). Giving him help on the PROPER side is important - that is where making the proper pass pro call is important.

This can be very involved depending on what type pro you use, & what type look you get. NFL & Major College QB's MAKE the call (not O-Linemen) because the call depends on the SAFETIES, & O-Linemen can't SEE the Safeties. For example - IF the S/S is inverted down to the right, the Center probably needs help to HIS LEFT!

It is IMPOSSIBLE to type all this up. If anyone wishes to PHONE me at 804-740-4479, I can explain.

Coach Mountjoy,
Thanks for the info you sent last week. I especially liked the zone technique reading - the footwork portions were great. The tight zone technique was helpful on a couple levels. There seems to be a variation between teams - some rip through on wide zone (like this reading) and others punch/work numbers - I suppose this depends on the angle of the back and the aiming point of the play. Got some useful stuff out of it. Thanks again.

Didn't mean to change the subject of the thread - back to pass protection.

This is what we do - don't know if it is right. Centers and Guards are treated basically the same. We want them to set solid - pretty much squared up and don't give ground. Like you said, there is a lot to the technique specifics. The only difference in footwork for me is that the Center might drop a little bit vs. a shade to gain an angle for a better blocking surface - so his first two steps will differ slightly from the guards and they will depend on the shade of the Nose. The steps will get him to the midline (or number depending on the help coming) of the defender.

I agree. The only time our center blocks alone is vs. a five man front in which all down lineman are known rushers. Even then, there are ways around it - like sliding and putting a back or TE on the weakest DE.

Anyway, for us we teach the Guards and Centers the same technique as far as body position, hand placement, and overall footwork.

If you ever get a dead headed nose on the center his footwork would be back with a one, two set as he gets help from his uncovered guard. Coach campbell

Is this true for the center in the gun also??

Now that everyone seems to agree that the correct way to block is to ALWAYS get your center help from an uncovered guard, I still stand by my statement posted above. I said that IF YOU HAVE AN OUTSTANDING CENTER WHO CAN BASE A NOSE ON HIS OWN, YOUR AHEAD OF THE GAME AS IT WILL FREE UP THE GUARD. Example of tihs advantage would be: Let's say that the nose is not the stud, but a tackle is. If the guard can step to him and help his teammate block the stud, the nose is handled by the center ALONE, you win that round, IMO. Of course, I ace the nose just as anyone else does, but when you have that SPECIAL CENTER, my theory has always been utilize his talents to the utmost. Just my opinion as always.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

Where ANYONE'S help comes from depends on the defensive alignment. Normally the uncovered men seek to help the covered men. You shoud TRY to get as many double teams as possible in pass pro. Vs many 43 aligns we can get 2 double teams (on the DT's) & end up with 6 blocking 4!

We BOB callside & SOLID away from the call.

EXAMPLE: VS 34 (52) look

1. SS down to right (Cover 3 look) - Nose comes left (pass rush lane) because OLB & DE on right are coming (Nose & DE come left) - (& vice-versa).

2. FS high to left & SS high to right (Cover 2 look) - Nose goes to the right (pass rush lane) because Will & DE are coming left (Nose & DE come right) - (& vice-versa).

QB makes all protection checks. we DO NOT check to ANOTHER protection - just check the protection "OPPOSITE"!

IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS PHONE - IT WOULD TAKE A YEAR TO TYPE ALL THE "WHAT-IF'S"!!!!! My number is 804-740-4479

SOME PRE SNAP: "INDICATORS" FOR QB:

PRE-SNAP COVERAGE READS

A) Scan the formation for uncovered receivers. If uncovered receivers – signal uncovered check.

B) Find the Weak Safety for PRE-SNAP read.

1. If the W/S is low – check other coverage keys for “Cover 0”.
2. If the W/S is high – check other coverage keys for “Cover 1” or “Cover 3”
3. If there are 2 safeties and they are both low – check other coverage keys for
“Cover 0”.
4. If there are 2 safeties and they are both high – check other coverage keys for
“Cover 2”, “Cover 2/Man”, or “Cover 4” (1/4’s).
5. If there are 2 safeties and they are staggered – check other coverage keys for
“Cover 1/Robber” or “Cover 3/Robber”.

NOTE: QB must be aware of the following actions from a well “disguised” secondary in the dropback passing game:

A) If there is 1 safety and he rolls down hard after the snap – HAVE A PLAN VS. PRESSURE!
B) If there are 2 safeties and both roll down hard after the snap – HAVE A PLAN VS. PRESSURE!
C) If the W/S or 2 safeties maintain their alignment after the snap – execute your progression reads with an awareness of where the weaknesses are in the coverage and which coverage defender we are attacking.