Flipper Tech

THAT IS A MATTER OF THE COACH'S PERSONAL PREFERENCE. I STILL LIKE THE HANDS ON BOTH (IF YOU TEACH THE "STUN GUN" TECHNIQUE LIKE JOE BUGEL, RUSS GRIMM, ETC. - I.E. THUMBS UP - PUNCH WITH HEELS OF HAND OR FIST): SEE ARTICLE BELOW:

Bugel's current and former players believe his success stems from masterful motivational skills, communication ability and teaching acumen. Returning Redskins say they have improved markedly through Bugel's emphasis on hand techniques to hinder defenders.

Last season, Thomas, a gifted athlete who is agile despite his 6-foot-5, 306-pound frame, relied on a flawed blocking method -- blocking wide, with his hands several inches apart. It left Thomas' chest open to defenders, making him more vulnerable. A lineman has more control over the defender by keeping his hands close together inside the chest area -- "tight hands," Bugel explained -- before punching out.

The Redskins also have incorporated one of Bugel's trademark techniques: the arm pump, which is used in run blocking. The lineman cocks, or pumps, his arms to his sides before forcefully pushing upward -- "like a fork lift," Bugel said -- into the defender's chest area. It diminishes the chances of holding and keeps the lineman from being passive.

"He wants us to hit 'em in the chest and make their heartbeat stop," Thomas said. "It stuns them at the line because the defense is taught to hit you in your chest, so it's better if you hit them first."

Bugel used imaginary handcuffs, teaching his players through repetition and constant reminders. Thomas, a sixth-year veteran, had previously known a similar technique but stopped using it last season because it wasn't emphasized. Samuels, who is coming off perhaps his worst NFL season, picked up damaging tendencies in recent years -- dropping his head and using his hands improperly.

Coach, I am in total agreement with oneback on this one. I had answered your post earlier, but it did not post I guess. At any rate, I said that coach was probably basing his theory or preference on the distance of the DLM from the OLM, as to what technique to use. But since you deliver a flipper technique with an elbow and forearm, while the arm is bent, imo, there is no way you will generate the speed or strength as you do in the punch technique.

Coach Easton

Please explain the crowther tech.