Defensive Line Teaching Progression

Shaler Area HS Defensive Line

Teaching Progression
Pre Snap Checklist
A. Stance (of OL)
B. Eyes (of OL)

C. Splits (of OL)

D. Formation strength (Run Strength)
I.

Knowledge
Stance Rip-Charge

A.

1.

Covered hand down covered foot back; unless 5-tech out, then hand to the ball!

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

8.
9.

B.

toe to instep/heel stagger

Feet slightly shoulder-width apart
Weight on the inside balls of feet- Heels slightly out Eagle-Claw
Inside hand on front of eyes All fingers in contact with ground
Crowd ball NOT OFF SIDES!!!

7.
Shoulders square Tail slightly above shoulders
Head slightly up looking through brow
Weight slightly forward (60% on hand 40% on feet) off hand in ready position as a weapon
thumb up!
Alignment

1.
2.

Inside foot splits the crotch of offensive lineman

Covered shoulder pad tip to OL shoulder pad tip unless hand to the ball in 5-tech out!
Assignment - KNOW YOUR DEFENSE!!!

C.
1.
2.
3.

Know your defensive fronts

Know ahead what your movement will be to defeat blocks
Know your gap assignment Know when these change due to blitzes
GOAL: Establish new line of scrimmage through the OL gap side; STRIKE V of neck with
strike hand & shoulder pad tip with offhand!
We want one yard deep
in the backfield to be OURS!!

II.
A.

Fundamentals
Get-off

1.
2.
3.

Key the ball Strike when ball moves; (All drills will begin with ball movement when possible)
Attack with inside foot; short 6 inch power step, looking to get 3 steps before the down hand and
assume a great strike position!!
Pad level down, eyes at the numbers of OL & STAY LOW!!!
GOAL: Beat the OL out of their stance. By the time the ball reaches the
Centers tail, we should be striking / attacking OL & gap @ v of neck

B.

Hand/Hat Placement
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Hands explode from ground up - Elbows in, thumbs up

Aiming for V of the neck / breastplate of OL Be quick, inside hand replacement wins
Helmet attacks and stays to gap side V of neck - critical on reach blocks
Feet must NEVER stop moving / win the battle of the hands!
Pad level down & STAY LOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

C.

Separation
1.
2.
a.
b.
3.

D.

Strike- Zone @ full extension of arm, Lock elbows so arms are straight!!
Use power hand/trail hand technique to turn shoulders of OL.
Power hand lock out and stop pressure of OL using Push-Pull technique to turn OL shoulders &
Drive-Away from block!!
Trail hand pull
Separation will occur up field

Escape
1.
2.
3.
4.

Violent pull disrupt blocker from his responsibility

Rip under - power hand press, trail hand under
Arm over Power hand grab, trail hand over
Play to backside (away), squeeze 1 gap

E.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
a.

Pass Rush Stance - Cobra-Charge

Covered hand down covered foot back; unless 5-tech out, then hand to the ball!
Toe to heel stagger
Feet slightly narrower than shoulder-width apart
Weight on the inside balls of feet- Heels slightly out Back toe is a toe tap ready position!!
Inside hand on front of eyes All fingers in contact with ground
Crowd ball NOT OFFSIDES!!!
Shoulders square Tail slightly above shoulders
Head slightly up looking through brow Weight slightly forward (70% on hand 30% on feet) off
hand in ready position as a weapon thumb up!
8.
Know your rush lane
9.
Concentrate on defeating the blocker never stop feet!!
10.
Break blocker down with mechanism never stop feet!!
11.
Execute rush with technique dispose of blocker;
A. Speed
B. Speed Power
C. Speed - Counter
12.
QB fronts to you Hands tall & up in passing lane!
13.
QB fronts away close hard & drive to finish rush!!

III.
A.

Effort
Pursuit

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
B.

ALWAYS 110% effort to the ball on every play

use correct pursuit angles
Expect to make every play
Swarm and PUNISH all ball carriers
Pass contain
Pursuit Laterally
Trail play to backside
Strip ball cause turnovers
Tackling

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Explode through ball carrier from ground up

Bull neck, club arms, grab cloth
Never Stop FEET!!
Drive ball carrier back
Force turnover, creating Takeaways!

BE ALERT FOR:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Long snap counts KEY BALL

Quick counts - KEY BALL
No huddle
OL Subs
Fumble (recover/ score)

ON THE PRACTICE FIELD AND DURING A GAME ALWAYS REMEMBER

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Encourage each other

Communicate with each other
Teach with each other
Teach each other
Learn from each other.

"Feet Never Stop Moving! Win the Battle of the Hands!"

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