DL Pass Rush Drills

When I start my day with the kids I always start with about 5 drills that we do every day (everyday Drills) I focus on the "Rip". I do not teach the swim. It opens up the intire side of your body for a good block. with the rip you stay closed and in good position to hit should you encounter a back when you clear the line. Most of the drills I teach the kids deal with the DL hitting the tricep of the OL with "Controled rage" this constant slaming of the tricep or forearm wears down the OL's form and the OL will start to get sloppy and protect themselves. When this happens you should be able to control them throughout the game. Always remeber #1. three point punch #2 make your read on what type of block #3. attack with a rip, spin, etc.we practice these everyday.

ADDED THOUGHT- WELL COACHED DEFENSES ALWAYS PUT THEIR BEST PASS RUSH TACKLE ON THE OFFENSE'S BACKSIDE, MUCH AS THE SECONDARY PUTS THEIR BEST CB ON THE SPLIT END AS HE IS THEIR BEST RECEIVER, ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THAT ONE ON ONE MATCHUP. IT PITS YOUR BEST AGAINST THEIR BEST.

J.C.Easton

I teach LBs, and one day in camp we focus SOLEY on pass rushing (as they may be our GATA substitution package later in the year) - as these skills will relate to ESCAPING blocks. (actually tonight - the 8th day of camp)

Pass rushing is all about speed and movement (agility). All moves start from the bull rush and you work your move out of that.
*Rips are great and CP is to violently throw that inside arm WITH the inside leg, keeping your HIPS tight to the blocker.
*Swims should be taught just like you SWIM...not like you do haymakers...it can be difficult to swim correctly at first because a violently thrown swim that's out of control will can break a finger if the blocker raises too quick. You should swim (just like you swim in the pool-tight) with an aiming point just over the trapezius and will end up "knifing the linemen in the back" (near the lower shoulder blade or kidney area). We teach a method of pulling with the outside arm and swimming with the inside arm.
*counter club, just an old Reggie White move, we want to work leverage with a hard charge outside, followed by a violent club to the inside rib cage.
*spin, we teach this as an escape move from a FAILED rip. If the rip you use peters out and you don't get through, we want him to sit down (almost on a knee) and spin to counter the momentum we've built up

** the main thing I've learned with pass rushing is REPETITION .... keep working the bench / extension and the moves will flow naturally.