Using a Grid fr the O-Line?

Coach:

There is an article in the 2002 AFCA Summer Manual by Michael White. "Maximize your practice time with a grid" is the title. He has been quite successful using this aide.

Bob Wylie, an offensive linemen coach in the NFL for quite a few years, has used a box grid for summer drills/etc. over the years. From my understanding it allows a few things.

- Lets the coach see more

-Allows a coach to see exactly where the OL should be, since the boxes are all the same in size. This would require some familiarity as
to where the linemen should be within the box on a given drill.

-Allows a player to see where they should be within the box, or on the lines on any given drill/stance work.

-Can get more reps and drills done.

Coach,
I have come to realize that when you apply a concept to your own porgram the best thing is to adapt that idea or concept to your needs. What I mean is...what is the first thing that you want your linemen to learn? What does your Offense ask of your Line? What are you doing now that will replace or supplement well with a "Grid?" How many linemen do you have? What drills will you be using within the "Grid?"
I think it's great to learn from others and when you can apply those things you've learned to your own program and techniques, you'll become a more versatile coach.

I would need to look one of my Wylie tapes, and guesstimate his grid sizes. Of course, that is for NFL linemen.

I will say, I had had a thought a few years back on the ability to make the grids portable.

Going to a local hardware store and buying nylon rope that is small in diameter, and rather long. Buying several
packages, of course.

You can then make the grids by using long lengths and then cutting shorter pieces to attach to the long lengths in between the
long pieces. Thus this will give you a grid work of squares that will be portable.

Of course, with them being portable some linemen will no doubt get tangled in them. If they do not adjust after a few days, one
could find the U type stakes that are pounded in the ground, and would go flush to the ground without any harm to feet. There
are a few different types, some can be found in a camping area at a sporting goods store, and possibly at the same hardware store.

This would not cost much, as the rope is fairly cheap, and the stakes if needed, are not much to a package as well. This would allow one
to move the grid around, as well as make it smaller and larger by doubling/etc. it over to decrease the size.

Many many ways to come up with new equipment to assist one in coaching.

That same hardware store, one could go down the rope area, and find the heavier/thicker stuff that they use for boats. They would
then have them cut 25 - 35 foot lengths that one could use to make large circles. This could then be used for the defensive linemen as edge drills. You can also place 2 circles close and that would get them to adjust their work, as well as putting somebody in the circle and placing pressure on them as they go around the circle(s).

The low hurdles have been mentioned on here already. These have been used by Nebraska on their linemen for years in their offseason training, as well as early season training. Tight hips are a killer for getting the most out of a lineman. Of course this would be for OL as well as DL. Unlocking, stretching, and strengthening the hips are a definite way to improve OL movements.

There are also several medicine ball drills for OL. Many programs use medicine balls. It assists the punch, the forcefulness, movements, etc.

I have believed in using agility/movement drills for OL/DL similar to what the Hurricanes use. Weaving, movement, change of direction over 1/2 dummies(here again, a cheaper alternative can be used)