Defensive LineFundamentals and Drills vs. the Run

ANTHONY GRAZZINI

ELMHURST COLLEGEFrank Glazier Clinic--Madison

• Stuff the run• Attack the QB

Our defensive philosophy is simple:

Necessary Defensive Components

1. Be aligned properly

2. Know and understand your assignment

3. Swarm to the football

This is Swarming to the Football

Advantages of the 4-2

• Simplicity

• Shades and one-gap responsibility

• Speed and agility are necessary

Philosophy of the 4-2 Defense

• “Attack”

• New LOS

• “Spilling” the ball – Build a wall– Force the ball East/West rather than North/South

Defensive Organization

2 4 6 824681 3 5 79 1357 9

0

Defensive Alignments and Techniques

ABCD A B C D

Defensive Gaps

2I2I4I 4I

S.A.K.R.A.T.S.

• Stance

• Alignment

• Key

• Reaction

• Attack

• Technique

• Sustained Effort

Run Maxims

One Man Cant Block Me

Two Men can’t move me

Take off with hips, hands, and feet to gain the heel line

Shoot, separate, shed, and tackle

Bend and Spill

Beat the inside hand on transition pass rush

Base Stance And Alignment

• Attack Stance• Inside Hand Down &

Inside Foot Back • Weight On Down Hand

And Ball Of Front Foot • Off hand out in front with

thumb turned out• Crowd Ball = Credit Card• Align On inside eye on

outside eye of the visual key

GAINING POWERthrough

the“MASTER MIND”

PRE-SNAP READY PROCESS

• Down and distance

• Time and score

• Stance of offensive linemen

• Splits of offensive linemen

• Eyes of offensive linemen

• Hand pressure of offensive linemen

• Personnel and formations

S.I.P.R

Pre-Snap Ready Process– S= Scan

– I= Interpret

– P=Predict

– R=React

SCAN

Down And Distance

1. What Are Their Scouting Report Tendencies

2. What Are The Trends During The Game

Offensive Line Tells

Splits1. Wide Splits Denote

Inside Run

2. Narrow Splits Denote Outside Run Or Pass

Depth Of Offensive Line1. Deep Denotes Pulling

Or Pass

2. Shallow Denotes Fire Out Or Run Block

Scan Says Pass or Outside Run

•Line splits are narrow

•Offensive line is in off-alignment

•Green Call on the Right

Offensive Linemen Stance

Weight Distribution For Run Key

1. White Knuckles

2. Elbows Bent

3. Foot Back

Weight Distribution For Pass Key

1. Light Hands

2. Balance Stance

3. Weight On Heels

The Stance As A Key Says Run (Think Pullers)•Weight distribution is on heels

•Light hands to the left heavy hands to the right•Feet are balanced•Head and eyes are up

Eyes

• Is he pointing?• What direction is he

looking at?• Are eyes high or low?

Eye Keys—Say Run•The Tackle’s eyes are pointing to the OLB•He is looking to his right•The OLM has his head and eyes up

INTERPERT

• What Do You Know Based On The Scouting Report

• What Does Scanning Tell You

• What Has The Offensive Lineman Done In Similar Situations

PREDICT

• Make A Hypothesis• Formulate Your Plan

With The Hypothesis In Mind (Move/Counter Move)

• Attack Based On The Hypothesis

Your Hypothesis: This Is A Running Play•The D &D is 2rd and 7 and they have ran counter GT previously in this situation.•The line splits, OLM stance, and OLM eyes tell me run•I will get in my attack stance to play the counter gap; I will react to pass if it shows using my power rush technique

REACT

React To The Movement Of The Offensive Lineman

• If Key = PSR, Then Make A Play

• If Key not = to PSR React and begin your pass rush

My prediction was correct: The play is a counter GT

•The Front side spilled the pullers

•I ran the heel line and I am in on the cutback tackle

Run Game Fundamentals

Alignment and Assignment

• Defensive Ends– Jam 7 technique is responsible for strong C-

gap– 5 technique is responsible for weak C-gap

• Defensive Tackles– 3 technique is responsible for strong B-gap– 1 technique is responsible for weak A-gap

Stance• Inside hand down, inside foot back with

toe-to-heel stagger. (DE’s can be staggered slightly more)

STANCE

Loose and Jet

Jet• Align 1 to 1 ½ Yards

outside EMOL• Take tilt out of stance—

Get in the blocks• Attack OLM set point and

beat them to the spot• React to run• (Interior linemen will align

in gap)

LOOSE • Inside toe to outside toe

of OLM you are shaded on

• Flexed of the ball 6-10 inches off the ball

• Know assignment and technique

• Attack and Penetrate

Ball Get-Off

Coaching Points•Explode with your Hips•Shoot your hands—Steel Rods•Bring your feet

Replace down handGet your second foot in the ground

T BNC

HAND PLACEMENT• Deliver blow into

inside of near numbers and outside shoulder

• Thumbs up--Grab cloth• Lock out and turn

OLM shoulders

HAT PLACEMENT• Eyes shoot to the “V”

of the neck• Head up• Keep head lower then

OLM chin-strap

Contact Fit

Two kinds of leverage are essential: • vertical leverage- the defender gets his pad level lower than the blocker• horizontal leverage- the defender gets his hands inside those of the blocker.

Leverage

KEY PROGRESSION

• Visual key man I am aligned on

• Pressure key—adjacent OLM

• Movement key—knee of OLM

• Reaction key—block of OLM

– High hat = Pass

– Low hat = Run

• Ball key—backfield flow

Pressure Key

Movement Key

Visual Key

Clear Minds Equal Fast FeetThree Questions •Question #1

–Is he trying to block me?•Yes, Push through my gap and control it•No, go on to question #2

•Question # 2–Is the “V” up?

•Yes, hit your pass rush move•No, go on to question #3

Question #3– Is the “V” is away with an inside threat?

–Yes-Spill all trappers or Kick out blocks, Tackle all backs in your path–No—Down block coming; feel pressure ricochet back and control

Key Drill– Reaction #1 Trying to Block Me

• Push through my gap and Control– Reaction #2 Not Trying to Block Me—V is Up

• Execute pass rush move– Reaction #3 Not Trying to Block and –V is Away

• Attack inside threat—Tackle all backs/Far Arm K.O. Blocks

• No inside threat—Ricochet back—Down block coming

1 ON 1 KEY PROGRESSION

Single Blocks

•BaseBase

•ReachReach

•DownDown

Base Block

DT DT

DT will drop right shoulder, and rip through with right arm to shed---then make tackle

DT will drop left shoulder, and rip through with left arm to shed---then make tackle

• Blocker fires ahead, trying to drive you off ball• Explode hands through breastplate on 2nd step• “Squeeze”, or leverage him back, keeping your gap• Lock out, find ball, and shed

Reach/Scoop Block

• Blocker steps outside to reach• Re-direct on 2nd step as you explode hands• Press the outside pec of blocker and pull inside pec• Find ball, shed, and make tackle• If DL can’t make play, he should at least make ball bubble deeper

B T C

Veer/Down Block• Blocker steps inside, not attempting to block you• Re-direct hard inside on 2nd step (bend)• Look for trap or kick-out block• Far-arm trap or kick-out block• Force ball to spill outside and run it down if cutback

DTDE DTDE

DE far-arm long trap DT far-arm a quick trap

Double Blocks

• DOWN/PULL

• REACH/SCOOP DOUBLE

• TRUE DOUBLE

Down/Pull

• Blocker turns his shoulders to pull inside or outside• Re-direct hard on 2nd step, expecting Down block•Penetrate, bend, and water ski •Compress down block, squeeze, cross-face• Shed block and make tackle

TC TC

Scoop /Reach Double Team Block• Scoop Double

Visual key steps awayDefender feels the pressure key scooping himGrab far breast plate of visual key, Re-direct feet, hips, butt and bend towards the ball while staying engaged on blocker (Slingshot)

• Reach DoubleVisual Key steps toward youDefender feels pressure key coming down on himSteer Visual key, direct feet, hips, butt into the hole and escape. You will get a run through…find the ball and get a TFAKL (Run Through)

N TC

T will leverage to his outside, and “slingshot” to make a play after slip leaves

T will steer and wipe through his gap and “run through” to make a tackle

True Double Team Block

•Explode off ball--fit hands-knock OLM back•Press the post blocker•Squeeze your hips to the wheel blocker drive feet while reducing blocking surface•Execute split, or corkscrew and hot stove to make the tackle•Keep feet alive and do not loose ground

T C T C

DT will split, spin, or "corkscrew" the double team block

T will split the double team

Combination Blocks

•TRAP/INFLUENCE TRAPTRAP/INFLUENCE TRAP•POWER/COUNTERPOWER/COUNTER

Trap/Influence TrapVeer Trap•As blocker veers or blocks back, Re-direct (Bend)•expect a kick out block; snap eyes inside, plant outside foot, drive far elbow around •Attack trapper, explode with far arm through the inside thigh of the OLM and rip up through the rib cage drive your feet vertically and make the tackle.Influence Trap• Never believe a front-side puller•As Visual Key pull outside; plant your outside foot and re-direct (Bend)•expecting a kick out block; snap eyes inside, plant outside foot, drive far elbow around •Attack trapper, explode with far arm through the inside thigh of the OLM and rip up through the rib cage drive your feet vertically and make the tackle.

TNTC

Kick Out-Insert•As locker veers or blocks back, Re-direct hard on 2nd step, expecting a kick out block•Snap eyes inside, plant outside foot, drive far elbow around •Attack trapper, explode with far arm through the inside thigh of the OLM• Spill two (never one for one) cause the ball to bounce to the leverage player hot stove and make a tackle

NB

TCCT

DEFENSIVE END SPECIFIC TECHNIQUE

•READREAD

•RABBITRABBIT

•BOOT/NAKEDBOOT/NAKED

Read

Technique between DE and Linebacker• Defensive End is the Bend player• Linebacker is the book Player• Linebacker makes a Tank call when 3T is to back

T BNCs

Rabbit

Technique between DE and Linebacker• Defensive End is the Book player• Linebacker is the Bend Player

T BNC

S

Vs. QB BootWhen the play goes away, we want you to chase and make a play. However, some teams will attempt to bootleg their QB's back towards you on a play away. If you are certain the QB has handed the ball off, continue to chase the back. If you see the QB keep it, or are unsure, you will play the QB (unless otherwise instructed by weekly game plan). When playing the QB bootleg, you will already have come hard inside. Slam on the brakes, and come back flat down the LOS to the outside, taking away his run.

If a back comes at you to block, his angle will indicate the type of play. If he tries to kick you out, the play is to your inside. Wrong-shoulder him and play inside him. If he tries to "chip" your outside shoulder, it is a bootleg pass coming back to your side. Rip through his outside shoulder, and re-direct to come flat outside to prevent the QB from running outside you.

DTDE DTDE

REACT TO THE INSIDE THREAT

OT is not blocking Defensive End & Fullback on “J” Course• Defensive End will bend and spill• Attacks the inside threat and spill through it because the back is

on a “J” course thus eliminating the cutback lane

T BNC

REACT TO THE INSIDE THREAT

OT is not blocking Defensive End & Fullback on “P” Course• Defensive End will plant and redirect to pull up boot• Attacks the inside threat and recognizes the “Pin” course,

because the back is on a “P” course the D-End will plant and redirect to pull up or force a take-away.

T BNCs

REACT TO THE INSIDE THREAT

OT is not blocking Defensive End & inside threat is off the line • Attacks the inside threat and recognizes the Puller is off the line,

because Puller is of the line it means he is on a “Pin and Protect” or “P” course

• The D-End will plant and redirect to pull up or force a take-away.

T BNCs

REACT TO THE INSIDE THREAT

OT is not blocking Defensive End & there is no inside threat • The D-End will bend and attack the opposite “A” Gap• When the D-End recognizes that it is a “Naked” play he will

will plant and redirect to force a take-away.

T BNCs

Every Day Drills

•No Fish HooksNo Fish Hooks•Stab DrillStab Drill•Stab/Press/Squeeze/ShedStab/Press/Squeeze/Shed•Shrug DrillShrug Drill•Steer DrillSteer Drill•Ski/Cross-faceSki/Cross-face•SlingshotSlingshot•Split/ScrewSplit/Screw•Spill ThroughSpill Through

• Explode with Hips, Hands and Feet• Recognize stimulus• Plant on outside foot with your knee in your armpit• Snap your inside elbow in the direction you intend

to go• Drive outside Arm and leg

– 4 Reactions Right, Left, Pass, Draw

No Fish Hooks

Stab Progression– 5 pt Extension– 4 pt Lock Out/Escapes– 2 pt Hip Strike

Press/Squeeze/Shed– 3 pt Stab– 3 pt Stab and Press– 3 pt Stab/Press and Squeeze– 3 pt Stab/Press/Squeeze/Shed and Tackle

STAB DRILL

SHRUG DRILL

PUSH/PULL/THROW BY• Fit Hands• Hard pull with inside hand toward you• Violent push with gap hand away from you• Violent Shrug with both hands as you

swing hips into the hole and throw the OLM by you

From Defeated – Leverage Steer– Leverage Steer Rip

• Execute steer• Push/Pull to turn blockers shoulder• Rip under with inside arm and get

hips through

– Leverage Steer Wipe• Execute steer• Break elbow by driving saw into

outside arm of the OLM and driving wt into OLM

• Wipe across nose with a violent circular striking movement and get hips through

STEER DRILL

From Dominant Position– Leverage Steer– Leverage Steer Rip– Leverage Steer Wipe

**Pipes Variation

Ski• Explode with Hips, Hands, and Feet

– See to visual key pulling – React to pressure Key

• Pressure key up-field at a 45 • ski the puller

Cross Face• Explode with Hips, Hands, and Feet

– See to visual key pulling – React to pressure Key

• Pressure key hard and flat to cut you off• Cross face him

CROSS FACE/SKI

SLINGSHOT DOWN THE LINE• Pre-Fit Steer/Run Through• Pre-Fit Steer/Latch On/Run Through• Pre-Fit Steer/Latch On/Runt Through/Sling Shot• 3 Pt Latch On/Run Through/Sling Shot

SLINGSHOT

SPLIT• Pre-Fit Press the post• Pre-Fit Press the post/Hips to wheel• Pre-Fit Press the Post/Hips to wheel/Skinny the hole• Pre-Fit Press the post/Hips to wheel/Skinny the hole/Wipe

through

Screw• Pre-Fit Press the post• Pre-Fit Press the post/Latch on inside number• Pre-Fit Press the Post/Latch on inside number/Seat roll• Pre-Fit Press the Post/Latch on inside number/Seat roll/Hot

Stove

SPLIT/SCREW

• SPILL DRILL– Visual Key Veers

• Plant and Bend– Visual Key Veers

• Plant and Bend/Spill inside threat with far arm by ripping hip to ribcage

– Visual Key Veers• Plant and Bend/Spill inside threat with far arm by ripping

hip to ribcage/Drive inside foot vertical and pick off second threat or make tackle

SPILL TWO