Drills and Skills for the Defensive LineANTHONY GRAZZINIELMHURST COLLEGEWheaton North Clinic

S.A.K.R.A.T.S.StanceAlignmentKeyReactionAttackTechniqueSustained Effort

Base Stance And AlignmentAttack StanceInside Hand Down & Inside Foot Back Weight On Down Hand And Ball Of Front Foot Off hand out in front with thumb turned outCrowd Ball = Credit CardAlign On inside eye on outside eye of the visual key

Loose and JetJetAlign 1 to 1 Yards outside EMOLTake tilt out of stanceGet in the blocksAttack OLM set point and beat them to the spotReact to run(Interior linemen will align in gap)LOOSE Inside toe to outside toe of OLM you are shaded onFlexed of the ball 6-10 inches off the ballKnow assignment and techniqueAttack and Penetrate

Ball Get-OffCoaching PointsExplode with your HipsShoot your handsSteel RodsBring your feetReplace down handGet your second foot in the ground

No Fish HooksExplode with Hips, Hands and FeetRecognize stimulusPlant on outside foot with your knee in your armpitSnap your inside elbow in the direction you intend to goDrive outside Arm and leg4 Reactions Right, Left, Pass, Draw

Contact FitHAND PLACEMENTDeliver blow into inside of near numbers and outside shoulderThumbs up--Grab clothLock out and turn OLM shouldersHAT PLACEMENTEyes shoot to the V of the neckHead upKeep head lower then OLM chin-strap

STAB DRILL Stab Progression5 pt Extension4 pt Lock Out/Escapes2 pt Hip Strike3 pt Press/Squeeze/Shed

SHRUG DRILLPUSH/PULL/THROW BYFit HandsHard pull with inside hand toward youViolent push with gap hand away from youViolent Shrug with both hands as you swing hips into the hole and throw the OLM by you

STEER DRILL From Defeated Leverage SteerLeverage Steer RipExecute steerPush/Pull to turn blockers shoulderRip under with inside arm and get hips throughLeverage Steer WipeExecute steerBreak elbow by driving saw into outside arm of the OLM and driving wt into OLMWipe across nose with a violent circular striking movement and get hips through

From Dominant PositionLeverage SteerLeverage Steer RipLeverage Steer Wipe

Clear Minds Equal Fast FeetThree Questions Question #1Is he trying to block me?Yes, Push through my gap and control itNo, go on to question #2

Question # 2Is the V up? Yes, hit your pass rush moveNo, 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 pathNoDown block coming; feel pressure ricochet back and control

Key DrillReaction #1 Trying to Block MePush through my gap and ControlReaction #2 Not Trying to Block MeV is UpExecute pass rush moveReaction #3 Not Trying to Block and V is AwayAttack inside threatTackle all backs/Far Arm K.O. BlocksNo inside threatRicochet backDown block coming

1 ON 1 KEY PROGRESSION

Double Blocks DOWN/PULLREACH/SCOOP DOUBLETRUE DOUBLE

SkiExplode with Hips, Hands, and FeetSee to visual key pulling React to pressure KeyPressure key up-field at a 45 ski the puller

Cross FaceExplode with Hips, Hands, and FeetSee to visual key pulling React to pressure KeyPressure key hard and flat to cut you offCross face himCROSS FACE/SKI

SLINGSHOTPre-Fit Steer/Run ThroughPre-Fit Steer/Latch On/Run ThroughPre-Fit Steer/Latch On/Runt Through/Sling Shot3 Pt Latch On/Run Through/Sling ShotANTI REACH

SPLITPre-Fit Press the postPre-Fit Press the post/Hips to wheelPre-Fit Press the Post/Hips to wheel/Skinny the holePre-Fit Press the post/Hips to wheel/Skinny the hole/Wipe through

ScrewPre-Fit Press the postPre-Fit Press the post/Latch on inside numberPre-Fit Press the Post/Latch on inside number/Seat rollPre-Fit Press the Post/Latch on inside number/Seat roll/Hot StoveANTI DOUBLE TEAM

Combination BlocksTRAP/INFLUENCE TRAPPOWER/COUNTER

SPILL DRILLVisual Key VeersPlant and BendVisual Key VeersPlant and Bend/Spill inside threat with far arm by ripping hip to ribcageVisual Key VeersPlant 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

FAR ARM PROGRESSION

Trap/Influence TrapVeer TrapAs 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 pullerAs 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-InsertAs locker veers or blocks back, Re-direct hard on 2nd step, expecting a kick out blockSnap 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 tackleNBTCCT

Basic Pass Rush Concepts

Stance And AlignmentAttack StanceOutside Hand Down & Outside Foot Back Weight On Down Hand And Ball Of Front Foot Crowd BallAlign On Outside 1/3 Of The Man

Explode with hips out of the blocksfast ballLow Body LeanBurn The Cushionget the TSLStay on an edge (Rush A Man) Vertical Push Feet Ripping GroundTarget--6 1/2 Yards Behind The CenterBall Get Off

Power RushStab the cuffExtend arms and push off cuff until the OLM squats to stop vertical pushif he doesn't sit drive him over the QBPull down and across the body with your outside armShuffle hips perpendicular to the LOSArm over/under; step through; and run hoop to the QB

Rip or Arm UnderUsed by a contain rusher or gap rusherBurn cushionClub the outside armRip with the inside armelbow to eye levelAccelerate to the QBIf OLM checks your hip and rides you once at qb levelPull rip out and hump back Pull rip out and spin back Accelerate to the QB

Punch or Arm OverUsed by a contain rusher when the defender has a low base Burn cushionClub the outside arm Punch low and tight over the outside shoulder with the inside armAccelerate to the QBIf OLM checks your hip and rides you Grab cloth on the outside shoulder with your off hand and pull the defender down and awayExecute hip flip techniquePull back punch and rip through Accelerate to the QB

Power SlipUsed by and inside rusher Burn cushionStrike with your saw on the outside cuff of the offensive lineman Extend saw and leverage offensive lineman upwardGrab cloth on the outside shoulder with your off hand and pull the defender down and awaySlip saw over the shoulder and clear with your elbowAccelerate to the QB

Speed SlipBurn cushionWhen offensive lineman punches for your near breast plate redirect his punch using the Hook technique. Strike the near arm with your near arm in a downward circling motionSwat and pin the elbow of the near arm with the outside armFinish the move with a punch, rip, or wipe depending on the height advantage of the OLMAccelerate to the QB

SpinSpinBurn cushionWhen offensive lineman punches for your near breast plate set the Hook. Pivot on Inside footDrive outside elbow into the OLMs sternumSnap you butt into the inside hip of the OLM (Sit down when he give you his knee)Clear with elbowFinish the move by throwing home to get you back into your rush laneAccelerate to the QB

Pass Rush Drill Progressions

USC CLOTH PROGRESSIONUSC Cloth ProgressionBFCOBFCO FlipStab/BFCOStab/BFCO/FlipStab/BFCO/Flip/Throw by/wipeHop/Retreat/Spar

KARATE PROGRESSIONKarate ProgressionHook Cut Saw Strike SnakesDoorsHook/Saw combos Speed Slip Power SlipWalk and SpinWalk and SparSpar Conditioning

HookDL1 extends left hand to the right shoulder of DL2DL2 makes a downward chop with his right arm turning his wrist outward to hook the arm of DL1DL2 open hand swats the elbow of DL1 pinning the elbow to the bodyDL2 replaces his hand on the shoulder of DL1DL1 Repeats the drill5X each

CutDL1 extends left hand to the right shoulder of DL2DL2 makes an outward chop with his right arm turning his wrist outward to cut the arm of DL1DL2 open hand swats the elbow of DL1 pinning the elbow to the bodyDL2 replaces his hand on the shoulder of DL1DL1 Repeats the drill5X each

Sharpen the SawDrill begins with two linemen facing each otherDL1 extends left forearm to the right forearm of DL2DL1 and DL2 alternate bring their forearms up in a circular movement with their palms facing upDL1 and DL2 maintain constant pressure on each others forearms as they work to circle each otherSwitch arms and repeat the drill5X each

StrikeDrill begins with two linemen facing each otherDL2 Holds a blocking shield for DL1DL1 makes and upward strike with his saw into the blocking shield; at the same time as the strike he will bring his back leg through and press DL2 backwardDL1 will now alternate the technique with the other arm5X each

Snakes

Over SnakeWith his inside hand DL1 snakes his arm over the inside arm and under the outside arm of DL2, pins DL2s elbow to his body and finishes with a punch or rip and at the same time he will bring his inside leg through and separate from his partnerDL1 will now alternate the technique with the other arm5X each

Under SnakeWith his inside hand DL1 snakes his arm under the inside arm and over the outside arm of DL2 grabbing and breaking down DL2s elbow; he will then pins DL2s elbow to his body with his outside arm and finishes with a punch or rip and at the same time he will bring his inside leg through and separate from his partnerDL1 will now alternate the technique with the other arm5X each

Doors and Fork-lifts

Open DoorsWith his inside hand DL1 will hook the inside hand of the DL2, simultaneously DL1 will push up the wrist of DL2 and then step through the door created under DL2s armpit with a rip and at the same time he will bring his inside leg through and separate from his partnerDL1 will now alternate the technique with the other arm5X each

Hook/Saw Combos

Hook/Saw PunchWith his inside hand DL1 hooks the wrist of DL2, flips his hips and strikes the arm of DL2 with his saw to pin it to his body and finishes with a punch, and at the same time he will bring his inside leg through and separate from his partnerDL1 will now alternate the technique with the other arm5X each

Hook/Saw PunchWith his inside hand DL1 hooks the wrist of DL2, flips his hips and strikes the arm of DL2 with his saw to pin it to his body and finishes with a Rip, and at the same time he will bring his inside leg through and separate from his partnerDL1 will now alternate the technique with the other arm5X each

Speed SlipDrill begins with two linemen facing each other on one kneeDL1 is on an outside shade of DL2DL2 extends his outside hand to DL1DL1 sets the hook on the outside had of DL2, strikes the outside elbow with his saw, and flips his hip as he punches through the hole, and reaches for his back foot as he drive his inside knee through the holeRepeat 5X each

Power SlipDrill begins with two linemen facing each other on one kneeDL1 is on an outside shade of DL2DL1 assumes a pre-fit position with his saw on ht outside number of DL2 and his outside hand grabbing cloth on the shoulderDL1 pushes with his saw and pulls with his outside armDL1Punches his inside hand over the outside shoulder of DL2 and reaches for his back foot as he drive his inside knee through the holeRepeat 5X each

Walk and SpinDrill begins with two linemen facing each otherDL1 stands five yards from DL2DL1 and DL2 walk toward each otherDL1 executes a spin move (chops with inside arm, plants and sinks near hip, drive far hip around into the body of DL2, executes a rip to clear, and throws homeBoth DLM Alternate turns5X each

Walk and SparDrill begins with two linemen facing each otherDL1 stands five yards from DL2DL1 and DL2 walk toward each otherDL1 executes the appropriate pass rush technique when the Offensive Player give him a stimulus5X each

Spar ConditioningDrill begins with two linemen facing each otherDL1 stands one yard from DL2DL1 and DL2 walk toward each otherDL1 executes the appropriate pass rush technique when the Offensive Player give him a stimulusDL1 and DL2 quickly turn around and repeat5X each

COUNTER COMBATIVESRip to PunchPunch to RipChop (Hook) to SpinRip to Hump

Boxing in the QuarterbackHigh Number PositionBurst up fieldAt 5 yardsDLM should be hip to hip in a high number position; continue over the top to QBEven After 5 YardsTurn and power down OLM to QBCollapse the PocketContain the QBAlert for QB to Bail OutLow Number PositionIf Low Number after 5 yards come underUSE HUMP OR SPIN

*As soon as the back tip of the ball moves, the defender will explode forward, using a 6" power step with his inside foot. Create a new line of scrimmage. The aiming point for all four linemen is the "V of the neck" of the opposing blocker. This is NOT where his hands go, but where his eyes go--"put your eyes and screws in the V of his neck". He will have to re-direct almost every snap from your initial path when the "V of the neck" moves. The defender will shoot his hands to the breastplate of the blocker on the second step, recognize the block, and re-direct accordingly. This must be done aggressively, with penetration across the line of scrimmage. He will keep your eyes on the blocker until lockout occurs, then find the ball.

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