Depth off LOS

If you are doubleteaming or power blocking then you probably want to crowd the Los. If you are pulling then you want to deepen. To run the stretch and get leverage get deeper. Crowd the line to get on a penetrator quicker(like LG that has a gap penetrator between he and the C on the Zone to the RT. and no help from the C.)
Another thing that has helped us, is the general rule that the slower a linemans feet are the deeper we align them. The reason being that if the lineman can't get his second step down before contact then he will be off balance. So we deepen our lineman at the beginning and only allow those who are getting that quick second step down to move up.

Sounds good. One additional question then...

Do you alter depth based on the individual skill and quickness of the O Lineman? on what play you are running? on what kind of defense you happen to be facing that week (penetrating vs. gap control)?...or do you just stay with one set depth at the beginning of the year and go with that?

I want to make sure we get every advantage we can! Thank you all for your replies!

lochness,

We are not stubborn about our line depth. If I feel it is to our advantage to vary the depth then I will have them adjust it. We will crowd the LOS in short yardage and goalline situations. I am not sure about varying the depth according to play, we have some great coaches in this area and they would no doubt pick up on it. What are some other thoughts on varying your line depth?

To stay consistant across the front we ask our offensive line to put their helmets on the belt buckle of the center. Coach Campbell

We will always stay consist with our offensive line alignments. The difference maker here is how the center places the ball. It is easier for him to adjust the ball to set the defensive line then to have the offensive line change up. Coach Campbell

Don't have the snap problems. By allowing the center to adjust the football he can set the line of scrimmage either tight or if you want more separation off the ball he sets it further away from him. Coach CAmpbell

Angles are an important and regular part of blocking schemes. Have your linemen put their down hand even with the center's feet. A good center is the line QB and ought to have some smarts. He is the one to set the alignment of the offensive line. I want the center to know my goal. That goal is to be sure our linemen have the best opportunity to get that second step down first. ("To beat action, meet it" is something we say). This allows them to get the most out of their efforts in the shortest amount of time and space. Whatever depth will give them the most accuracy and power is important to consider. Some years you have quicker players, some years not. You take what you have and adjust depth depending on what will meet the goal I mentioned above.

Coach Campbell, you have lost me on this one. I thought I fully comprehended what you were saying by having your line put their helmets on your centers belt buckle for consistency. I thought you meant that if you wanted the line closer to the LOS, your center would adjust HIS BODY POSITION so that his belt would move forward and in order to keep their heads on his buckle, they would have to slide up. If you wanted them deeper , he would slide back and extend his hands to the ball. But, you lost me when you said your center can adjust the set of the DEFENSIVE LINE BY ADJUSTING THE BALL. Of course he is not allowed to move the ball, by rule, so what am I missing here? I appreciate you getting back to me on this, at your convenience of course. I just have never liked it on a football field when I don't understand what is going on, and obviously I'm missing something in what you are saying. Thanks in advance for your time.

Coach Easton