OUR BLOCKING TECHNIQUES
Blocking techniques are basically the same for all linemen. The blocks the backs are called upon to execute are basically the same, too. Therefore, we will not discuss the techniques of each position, but merely discuss techniques and procedures as a whole.
The Drive Block
The drive block or the one-on-one block was developed primarily for a fast hitting attack, and is one that we use on many occasions. All blocks consist of the following steps: (1) the approach, (2) the contact, and (3) the follow through.
Approach:
1. Approach with short, controlled step. First step should be with the outside foot, and it should not go beyond the forward foot. The knees should be bent at this time.
2. Split the opponent’s course with the first step, and aim the nose guard at the middle of the opponent’s target.
3. Keep the eyes on the target at all times.
4. Uncoil off the forward foot. Do not duck the head during the uncoil.
Contact:
1. Strike a jarring blow with the forehead.
2. Bring the head up as contact is made. (The body will follow the head; this will help arch the back.)
3. The drive should be forward, then upward. The object is to knock the opponent off-balance, thus depriving him of his traction; this will make him easy to move out of the play.
4. Bring the feet up fast with short, choppy, digging steps, but still keeping the knees bent.
Follow Through:
1. Stay on feet with the knees still bent and keep driving.
2. Keep the feet well spread and under the body.
3. Charge through the opponent.
4. Keep the body between the opponent and the path of the ball carrier.
The most important single step in the drive block is keeping the feet driving the instant contact is made.
The Reverse Shoulder Block
This block is used primarily when the blocker already has position on a hard charging lineman.
Approach:
1. Aim the far shoulder for the opponent’s far hip. This will help allow for the opponent’s charge.
2. Shoot the head and shoulders in front of the defensive man.
3. This movement must be sharp and on a straight line.
4. Take a short positive step with the inside foot.
Contact:
1. Uncoil off the near foot.
2. Strike a good blow on the opponent’s hip, squeezing with the neck and head in the stomach.
3. Bring inside foot up to help cut off penetration.
Follow Through:
1. Bring the legs up fast and keep them driving.
2. The charge of the defensive man will put the blocker in a perfect blocking position.
3. Keep the body weight into opponent.
4. If and when the opponent attempts to spin out, go into a crab position around the outside thigh to prevent pursuit.
Blocking Linebackers
The percentage of time the offense can block the linebackers will determine to a great extent how successful the offense will be. If the linebackers are blocked, the defense will usually break down.
Approach:
1. Get off on snap of the ball.
2. Whenever possible release to the inside to block an inside linebacker; to the outside when blocking an outside linebacker.
3. Stay low, don’t run in a circle, but take the shortest route to the linebacker.
4. Get to the point of attack in position to block before the linebacker can get there to defend it.
5. Keep your body between the linebacker and the ball carrier.
Contact:
1. Split the linebacker right down the middle with initial block.
2. Thrust the body forward and upward, hit the linebacker on the rise and elevate the shoulders on contact.
3. Strike the blow with a low fundamental position, hit with forehead and forearm.
4. Make contact off top of the feet. Keep the feet underneath the blocker, thus making it impossible for the blocker to follow-through properly if he lunges or leaves his feet before or while making contact.
Follow Through:
1. As soon as contact is made with the linebacker, continue the leg drive. The initial blow should knock him off balance and the leg drive should keep him this way.
2. Keep the weight into the linebacker.
3. Gain position follow through. The blocker should continue to strive for position to eliminate any possibility of the linebacker being in on the tackle downfield.
Downfield Blocking
The approach of the downfield block will vary with the play called and position of the defensive secondary men. The approach we will discuss will be centered around attacking the defensive halfback.
The downfield block is a definite characteristic of all good football teams, and it is virtually impossible to have many long runs without good downfield blocking.
Approach:
1. Release rapidly on the line of scrimmage.
2. Sprint shallowly just beyond the line of scrimmage.
3. When approaching the designated person to block, aim for a spot in front of his original position; this eliminates running behind the halfback when he comes up to make the tackle.
4. The blocker must have a clear concept of the point of attack and the prescribed path of the ball carrier.
5. The blocker should make the defensive man commit himself before he starts to make contact.
Contact:
1. Once the defensive man has committed himself in a specific direction, the blocker then starts his contact.
2. The blocker will get as close as possible to the defensive man (about two yards) and spring off his inside foot, thus swinging his outside elbow and arm toward the head of the opponent. This will cause a lifting motion and make it possible for the blocker to extend the entire length of his body in a horizontal position.
3. The blocker must aim his body at the opponent’s throat, trying to make contact with his hip.
4. The defensive man will not allow him to hit him in the throat, but by aiming there he may hit him around the knees.
Follow Through:
1. The follow through will consist of keeping the body extended as long as possible and jumping up and trying to make another block.
The Post-Lead Block
The post-lead block, or two-on-one block, is used to insure the blocking of the most dangerous defensive man, and at the same time give the ball carrier the feeling of confidence that he can concentrate his efforts on whipping the one defensive man to the inside or outside of the man being double-teamed. With this in mind, the blockers are more conscious of turning the defensive man away from the play rather than drive him straight down the field. By using this same method, it makes it possible to cut off the pursuit.
Approach:
(Post Man)
1. Drive straight at the defensive man with a short controlled step. First step is with the outside foot.
2. Aim the nose guard at the middle of the target.
3. Keep the eyes on the target at all times.
4. Uncoil off the forward foot.
(Drive Man)
1. Take a position step with the inside foot and then a good step with the outside foot to get squared away.
2. From this new position aim the nose guard at the middle of the opponent and use as an apex. From this position the middle of the opponent would be below the armpit and just above the waist.
3. Keep eyes on target all the way.
Contact:
(Post Man)
1. Strike a good blow with the forehead.
2. Drive straight through the opponent to stop his charge.
3. Hit on the rise and keep the pressure applied, keeping the knees bent at all times.
(Drive Man)
1. Strike a jarring blow with the forehead below the armpit of the opponent.
2. After good contact, slide head past body and continue applied pressure with the inside shoulder.
3. Keep the tail down, head up, and feet under the body.
Follow Through:
(Post Man)
1. After good contact and feet are well up under the body, turn the tail toward the drive man.
2. Keep pressure applied, feet moving in short, choppy steps, and drive man down the line.
(Drive Man)
1. Keep pressure with shoulder and neck, and do not let man spin out to outside.
2. Keep the tail to inside and do not allow defensive man to split.
3. Keep feet moving in short, choppy steps and move man down the line.
4. Force defensive man into pursuit to help eliminate it.
The Trap Block
Approach:
1. It is important to take the same stance as if going straight ahead, but just before the ball is snapped, the weight is shifted to the outside foot.
2. Take a quick, short, 6-inch step with inside foot and point toe directly toward spot to be trapped.
3. Never raise the body up. Stay down and in a semicoiled position.
4. Drive off the forward foot, still taking short steps.
5. Anticipate the person to be trapped, to be filling the inside or floating in the hole.
Contact: (see below)
Follow Through:
The contact and follow through are exactly the same as on our drive block, which I explained previously.
The Pass Protection (Drop back pass)
This technique is used by the guards and tackles when protecting the passer on a straight dropback pass. It is good to go from a pre-shift position when using this type of block.
Approach:
1. Take a short step backwards with the inside foot, then a longer step backwards with the other foot.
2. While doing this, turn the tail slightly to the inside and remember the inside gap must be protected.
3. After the second step backwards, the blocker should be in a good football position (tail down, head up, knees bent, back straight, and the body in a cocked position ready to strike a blow).
Contact:
1. Look at the man to be blocked, make him come to the blocker. When close enough, spring and butt him with the forehead, trying to make contact with him at the numbers.
2. After contact is made and the charge of the offensive man has been stopped, the blocker will take a step back, regain his football position and make contact again.
3. At all times the blocker will be forcing the defensive man to the outside.
Follow Through:
1. When the blocker sees that he can no longer strike a blow with his head, due to the position of the defensive man, he will fake a blow with his head, then slide it and his body in front of the defensive man.
2. He will lock him with his leg and at the same time apply pressure with his body.
3. At all times the blocker will be in a crab position and working his feet around to force the defensive man to the outside, thus keeping him away from the passer.
The Crack Back Block
This block is used primarily by the ends when they are blocking an inside linebacker. It can also be used by anyone who might be blocking directly in front of the ball carrier.
Approach:
1. Release from line of scrimmage as quickly as possible and run straight at linebacker.
2. Aim slightly above the knees of the linebacker.
3. Get within a yard and a half before going into block.
Contact:
1. Throw outside arm with a quick, jerky motion in front of linebacker. This quick motion will cause the head and shoulder to get in front of defensive man.
2. Release off of inside foot to start block.
3. Make good solid contact with the outside hip just above the defensive man’s knees.
Follow Through:
1. After contact is made, go into a four-point position with the arms extended, and tail high into the air.
2. Work the feet around and force the defensive man to go in front of blocker’s head.
3. Do not let defensive man get out behind the blocker’s feet because this will allow him to pursue the ball from a proper angle.
4. Keep tail up and feet working.
The Junction Block
This block is used primarily by the fullback when he is blocking a true end or a corner man on a wide play.
Approach:
1. Aim for a spot about a yard in front and outside of man to be blocked.
2. Run low and hard at spot.
Contact:
1. Extend the head and shoulders in front of and past the defensive man. (The blocker’s head is pointing downfield.)
2. The blocker will use his inside leg and hip to catch the outside leg and hip of the defensive man.
3. The blocker will then have his head and shoulders past the defensive man and his inside leg firmly against the outside leg of the defensive man, with his hands down and his tail up.
Follow Through:
1. Force defensive man to go inside by keeping feet moving and driving downfield.
2. Do not extend body and fall flat on the ground.
3. Do not let man spin to blocker’s outside.
4. Keep pressure on defensive man as long as possible.
The Roll Block
This block is used when a small back, in particular, is trying to block a true end or corner man on the ground.
Approach:
1. Aim for a spot about a yard in front and outside of the man to be blocked.
2. Run low and hard at spot.
Contact:
1. With the head pointed at the outside hip of the defensive man, the blocker will get about a yard and a half from him. As the blocker springs, he will drop his inside shoulder and turn his head down and to the outside.
2. The blocker will hit the outside leg of the defensive man with the part of his shoulder pad that covers the scapula of his inside shoulder.
Follow Through:
1. After contact has been made with the back of shoulder, the blocker will roll to his inside and give a corkscrew effect.
2. Stay as high as possible (around the knees) and make two or three complete rolls in the corkscrew fashion, trying to knock the legs out from under the defensive man.
3. At all times the blocker must keep his head pointing downfield or no less than a 60 degree angle.