Transcript Severe Angle Blocking

Severe Angle Blocking
2005
Severe Angle Blocking
Coach Jack Gregory
Opening Remarks
Where did it come from?
The Beginnings of SAB
SLAM and Track Blocking
Benefits of Slam
“Slam satisfies all the criteria for a base play.
The unique feature is the highly physical
collapse blocking scheme in which blockers
in unison and shoulder-to-shoulder down
block the gaps to their inside.”
Coach Don Schnake commenting on SLAM
off tackle scheme in his book Simple Six
Slam Blocking
• SAB is derived from SLAM blocking a
technique used by Woody Hayes and Earl
Bruce.
• It was a simple system of having the play
side collapse down into the gaps. It
essentially created a wall of blockers at an
angle.
Benefits of Slam
“With patient encouragement and steady work, the
blockers will develop a tight bonding as they
create their own version of a legal flying wedge.
Properly executed, this technique will handle
virtually every alignment, stunt, or blitz.
Assignment simplicity and camaraderie of
teamwork make the SLAM a lineman’s dream .”
Coach Earl Bruce, Head Coach Ohio State and
assistant coach under Woody Hayes.
Track Blocking
• All NFL and College teams use some form
of Track blocking to run Powers and
Counters (Trey).
• Wisconsin University and VMI both have
papers that discuss the track blocking
schemes they use in AFCA articles.
• It is considered a standard blocking scheme
used in conjunction with other schemes.
Benefits of Track Blocking
“The objective behind this method of blocking
are to attack the defense with gap-blocked
play, sometimes with misdirection. We
force the defense to defeat gap blocks as
opposed to zone blocks , thus creating more
defined running lanes for the running
back……These plays blocked on tracks are
toughness plays, which create basic looks at
a run for the tailback.”
Coach Barry Alvarez
What is Severe Angle Blocking
• It is an aggressive angle blocking scheme.
• It is designed to collapse the defense with blockers
in unison and to deny the defense any gap to
penetrate into on the LOS.
• If properly executed it is capable of handling any
alignment , stunt, or blitz.
• It along with the Wedge scheme develops lineman
team work and camaraderie in our offense.
• It creates more defined running lanes and allows
the use of landmarks to run to.
Rules of Severe Angle Blocking
• Angle blocking scheme at a 30-degree angle on
play side either inward or outward.
• Shoeshine, Slide, or scoop block the back side to
seal off backside leakage.
• Blocks an imaginary 30 degree track to the
boundary.
• Exploding off the LOS is KEY!
• Sound engagement technique and good footwork.
• Is used with or without pulling and trapping.
Benefits of SAB
“Two things I have noticed that are always a
given is that the guy that gets off the LOS
faster has a better a chance and the guy that
hits at an angle always beats his man.”
Coach John Carbon on SAB.
Advantages of SAB
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Easy to understand
Simple to teach
Simple to implement
Simple to execute
Simple to adjust
Allows your blockers to be aggressive
Gives your lineman a force advantage
Builds unity in the offensive line
Benefit of SAB
“The clear advantage is leverage and it picks up any
stunts or blitzes because of the track blocking
involved in the system. I think if you went to
NASA and asked them to come up with a blocking
scheme for football they would give you
SAB…The fact that anytime you go “on” you best
have a better athlete at that position are you are
going to get beat. With SAB this is not a factor
unless you have a 100lb lineman facing a 250lb
DT.”
Coach John Carbon
How SAB Works
• Using Angles to block the defense gives the
blockers a force advantage (F=ma).
• Since Force is not a scalar (magnitude only) but a
vector (magnitude and direction) using angles
when blocking gives us a clear advantage on the
LOS against bigger and/or faster defenders.
• Striking an opponent at an angle gives the blocker
a x1.5 to x3 force advantage depending on the
angle of attack.
How SAB Works
• The more radical the angle the more net
force is generated.
• A 45 degree down block generates x1.5 to
x2 net force.
• A 30 degree down block generates x2 to
x2.5 net force.
• A trap or kick out block can generate x2.5
to x3 the net force.
SAB verses Traditional Down
Blocking
30
0
45
90
3
9
SAB verses Down Blocking
Middle to Back Side
60
9
Middle to Play Side
20
4
20
0
60
4
9
How SAB Works
• The use of a 30 degree down block vice a 45
degree down block is also key in defending the
gaps.
• The angle allows the line to close their gaps down
quickly. In two steps they can close down a 2 to
2.5 foot line split as they attack the defense.
• It allows the line to close down or wall off the
defense front from getting to the runner.
How SAB Works
• It does not lock your blockers on particular
defenders but an imaginary track.
• It allows your blockers to wall off defenders
aggressively.
• It picks up blitzes at the LOS and walls them off
and away from the hole.
• It picks up line stunts in the same manner.
• It forces line backers to over react making them
susceptible to misdirection. (scraping high and fast
to avoid wall off)
• It allows your back side pulling lineman to pull
flat on the LOS.
How We Teach
Severe Angle Blocking
Offensive Line Priorities
• Protect the inside gap (play side gap).
• Negate leakage across the entire front.
• Give smaller or less talented lineman a technical
and physical advantage. (Force advantage)
• Attack the POA with more blockers than they have
defenders.
• Reacting to the cadence quickly and correctly.
• Keep it simple.
Offensive Line Requirements
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Zero to small line splits (six inches).
Line up off the ball slightly (half and half).
Balanced two point stance.
Solid base and good technique.
Blocking Basics
Blocking Basics:
• 1) Good stance
• 2) Get off the ball
• 3) Maintain a wide base
• 4) Maintain a solid
blocking surface
• 5) Keep your feet moving
at all times with short
powerful steps
• 6) Stay lower then the
defender your blocking
Simple Rules:
• 1) Explode off the ball!
• 2) Block track not a man!
• 3) Block at a 30-degree
angle!
• 4) All lineman play side
blocks SAB.
• 5) All lineman backside
slide block or shoeshine.
FUNDAMENTALS of SAB
The key to SAB are sound fundamentals
• Stance – narrow balanced two-point stance.
• Footwork – blast off step, explode step,
elevate step, and finish off step(s).
• Hat, Shoulder, Hand Placement.
• Explode off the LOS!
• Stay low.
Stance
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A good solid stance is key. We use a balanced two-point stance
with the dominant hand being able to barely touch the ground. The
head is up, the butt is down, the knees are bent and the legs are relaxed
ready to explode. The key is a flat back and head is up. Initially the
stance will not be comfortable but the more you have them get into the
stance and work from it the more comfortable they will get and the
more explosive they will become. The hips and feet are inline
vertically and the back is flat and parallel to the ground and the heels
are on the ground. The feet are slightly inside the shoulders so the
stance is a little narrower then shoulder width.
• We use this stance because it allows slower lineman to move laterally
and forward much quicker and allows our lineman to see out in front
of them. It also provides more power because the entire foot is on the
ground providing more Ground Force Reaction (GFR) as they take
those short power steps.
Foot Work
B.E.E.F
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B – Blast Off Step
E – Explode Step
E – Elevate Step
F – Finish Off Step
(This is a system that Coach Tim Murphy (Head
Coach of Clovis East, CA) uses to teach his
lineman. I have incorporated it into my SAB
scheme and is differs only in that respect.)
Foot Work
B.E.E.F
• We call the first step the BLAST OFF STEP as they have to get that
foot up and down fast (literally stomp the ground) into their track with
a fast short step while staying low (head up, chest on knee). The back
should not raise up at all on this step. The step should be no longer
then 6 inches. Foot near the track. You must load your arms on this
step quickly.
– Aiming Points:
• Attacker (Penetrater) - Face mask aims for the soft part of the far shoulder.
First step aims for the far toe.
• Reader – Face mask aims for the soft part of the near shoulder. First step aims
for the far heel.
• If there is no one on the LOS as you blast off into the track you simply apply
this simple rule. If you are off the LOS anything else is a reader/pursuer.
– Foot work:
• The foot should land flat, meaning all seven cleats hit the ground while taking
these steps. Literally stomping the ground as the blocker moves down the
track.
Foot Work
B.E.E.F
• The next step we call the EXPLODE STEP as that is the back foot
taking a short power step down the track. Staying low, the back should
not rise, and unload the arms (hands) into the body of the defender
(chest plate and ribs). It is important to get this second step down as
fast as possible as this is the step that first contact is made. The arms
should unload has the foot makes contact. (creates a additional force
production via Ground Force Reaction – SYNERGY).
– KEY POINT: The arms should unload hard into the body so that the
defender is literally being punched in the chest and ribs with the outer
portion of the heels of the hands.
– KEY POINT: The face mask does not make contact with the body. The
facemask is a reference so that the eyes have a landmark so that they body
will follow.
Foot Work
B.E.E.F
• The next step is the ELEVATE STEP and the near foot
again takes a short power step into the track that is fast and
short (get it down quick). Maintaining a wide base is key
as you step and elevate. As you step you immediately
elevate from the ground up unloading from the feet, ankles,
knees, hips, shoulders, arms, and hands. You should stay
under the defender as you elevate him. Literally elevating
through him driving your hands inward and upward as you
drive him down the track.
Foot Work
B.E.E.F
• The final step(s) is the FINISH OFF STEP and it begins
with the back foot taking a short, fast, power step. It
should land where the defender was on the
ENGAGEMENT STEP. Each step after this step is a
finish off step and continues until the echo of the whistle to
stop the play.
• If the defender is driven back and off his base then the
blocker should immediately speed up (get on the balls of
his feet) and pancake the defender. The steps should be
fast and as you go to the balls of the feet (vice flat) the
stride length will increase so keep a wide base.
AIMING POINTS
• ATTACKER/PENETRATER
– Face Mask aims into the soft part of the shoulder on the far side.
– Blast Off Foot (near) aims for the far toes.
•
READER
– Face Mask aims into the soft part of the near shoulder.
– Blast Off Foot aims (near) for the far heel.
Aiming Points
• Coach Tim Murphy made a couple of
brilliant comments at the 2nd Double Wing
Symposium when concerning aiming
points.
– “Kids need visuals because it allows them to
learn and adapt faster.”
– “These aiming points are references and allow
kids to see where they need to go. So where
ever the head goes the body follows.”
Blocking Surface
• The big key is blocking surface and we want to maximize
the area provided to us by the angle block. We want our
blocker’s shoulder, body, and hands on the defender and
driving him down the track.
• Never lean into a defender (always attempt to drive your
hips into the defender to make sure your Center of Gravity
is under the defender’s); keep your center of gravity low
and stay under the defender as you drive him upward.
Drive your hips into him so that your body stays under his.
Feet constantly moving towards the defender. This leads
me to the next part of the equation:
Body Surface
(Hand and Head contact)
The lineman load (cock) their arms past the hips with slightly bent elbows
and thumbs up (it doesn’t need to be perfect). As they elevate and the
face mask moves towards the soft part of the shoulder they strike into
the chest plate and/or ribcage with the palms and drives upward and
forward maintaining contact and force throughout the block.
You don’t re-cock and strike again instead you keep driving into the
defender with the palms as you lock into the defender and keep taking
short power steps. The reason for this is two fold; one you want to get
the defender on his toes and moving down the track fast and secondly
you want to have a large platform or blocking surface (palm of hands,
head, and shoulder) that controls the defenders movements as he tries
to break away.
Never ever let your hands, shoulders, or body disengage the defender.
Always work to maintain your initial placement as you drive
upward into the defender and drive him down the track. If he
starts to go back speed up get on the balls of your feet and sprint
through him and pancake him!!!
Explode off the LOS!!!
• Last but not least the linemen must learn to
EXPLODE off the LOS and into their track and
engage and clear out the first defender they cross.
They must realize that they have to be the first to
move and the last to stop moving on every play.
• As they engage the defender they must learn
to take short power steps and speed up as the
defender loses ground so that the advantage
they have is fully utilized and the defender is
driven down the track and out of the play or
better pancaked.
Key Advantage Points
• Puts defenders on the LOS and inside in an
already blocked position due to blocking angles.
• Allows a blocker to leverage a defender’s center
of gravity making him lighter and the blocker
heavier due to blocking angles.
• Allows blockers to be more aggressive as it
requires less thinking (cycling through rules).
Adjustments
Adjustments
(Width and Depth)
• Increasing and decreasing the line splits alters the
angles of attack on the defense. We use 0 to 6
inch splits but we can adjust out to 1 foot if
needed. Coach John Carbon uses SAB with the
Wing-T using 2-2-3 splits.
• Moving your play side blockers up to the LOS or
back off the LOS also adjusts the angle of attack.
• I prefer not to use either method above and our starting splits are
normally six inches vice the traditional zero of most DW teams as the
additional width helps SAB. But it is another tool in the tool box if I
need it.
Moving your Blockers
Normal Path
Normal path with center up allows the PSG to
get incidental double team with center.
Moving your Blockers
Moving them up
Allows playside to get into second level better;
especially the PSG. Good if you have a PSILB
scrapping hard to play.
Moving your Blockers
Moving them back
This allows you to concentrate your blockers more at
the interior LOS. Good if your facing overloads in
the middle.
Moving your Blockers
Widen the splits
By increasing the splits to a foot this allows the
blockers that reach the second level to seal off
closer pursuit.
Line Man Adjustments
(Shoulder Him)
• Shoulder Block
– If a defender is presenting a problem either due
to poor explosion by the lineman or the
defender simply has a solid escape technique,
or more upper body strength, then we will
attempt to simply shoulder block him at the hip.
This simplifies the EXPLODE STEP and
ELEVATE STEP. When we communicate this
to our line we simply say “Shoulder him”.
Line Man Adjustment
(Shoulder Him)
• Blast Off Step – Same as SAB B.E.E.F
• Explode Step - The back foot taking a short power step down
the track. Staying low, the back should not rise, and attack the near hip
with the far shoulder driving it into the defender’s hip. As your
shoulder makes contact do not unload the arms (hands) into the body
of the defender. It is important to get this second step down as fast as
possible as this is the step that first contact is made. The far shoulder
should drive into the near hip has the foot makes contact. (creates a
additional force production via Ground Force Reaction – SYNERGY).
– KEY POINT: Do not use the arms! Keep the arms loaded.
Line Man Adjustments
(Shoulder Him)
• Elevate Step – On the next step the near foot again
takes a short power step into the track that is fast and short
(get it down quick). Maintaining a wide base is key as you
step and elevate. As you step you immediately elevate
from the ground up unloading from the feet, ankles, knees,
hips into the shoulder driving into the near hip. You should
stay under the defender as you elevate him. Literally
elevating through him driving your far shoulder inward
and upward as you drive him down the track.
• Finish Off Step – Same rules apply from SAB
B.E.E.F.
Line Man Adjustments
(Shoulder Him – Aiming Points)
Aiming Points:
• Attacker (Penetrater) - Face mask aims for far hip
pad. First step aims for the far toe.
• Reader – Face mask aims for the far hip pad. First
step aims for the far heel.
Line Man Adjustment
(Cut Him)
• Cut Block –
– If a defender is again presenting a problem for
any reason and the shoulder block is not
working we tell the lineman to simply “Cut
Him”.
– If applied correctly this is a very safe block.
– The blocker must attack aggressively and
quickly for this block to succeed.
Line Man Adjustments
(Cut Him)
• Blast Off Step – Same as SAB B.E.E.F
• Explode Step - The back foot taking a short power step down
the track. Staying low, the back should not rise, and attack the near
sheen with the far shoulder driving the shoulder in front of the sheen
and not actually at it. As the second step goes down the arms should
explode outward so that they are in front of the body. As the
defender’s sheen makes contact with the shoulder/arm it is important to
keep contact with the defender’s body. It is important to get this
second step down as fast as possible as this is the step that first contact
is made. The far shoulder should make contact with the defender’s leg
as he runs into the blocker.
– KEY POINT: Do not use the arms! Keep the arms loaded.
– KEY PONT: This only works on a Penetrater at the line.
Line Man Adjustments
(Cut Him)
• Elevate Step – On the next step the near foot again takes a short
power step into the track that is fast and short (get it down quick). The
blocker must elevate his body down the LOS (not upward) as if to lay
out on the LOS. This creates a wall that they defender must go over,
around, or stop. Normally as the defender attempts to penetrate he hits
the blockers body at the sheen level and flops over him.
• Finish Off Step – At this point the blocker will be on all fours
as he elevated down the LOS. He must keep on all fours and keep
moving up field and inward driving the defender away from the LOS.
Like a crab block.
Line Man Adjustments
(Cut Him)
• Aiming Points:
• Attacker (Penetrater) - Face mask aims to in front
of knee pad. First step aims for the far toe.
• Not used against a Reader.
Line Man Adjustments
• The Shoulder and Cut are adjustment blocks that I
like to teach my individual lineman to use with
SAB. These have been very effective for us in
dealing with one on one match ups over a course
of a game.
• Being able to change up a block at one time or another in a
game can often allow us to get in the head of a defender as the
game goes on. During the course of a game that defensive line
man is going to be SAB blocked from the inside, outside,
trapped, cut, shoulder blocked, and wedged. That is a lot for a
defender to take in during the course of a game.
Post and Track Adjustment
(SAB Double Teams)
• Coach Barry Alvarez and Coach John Carbon use
this adjustment.
• A blocker who has a head up defender or an inside
eye defender can post the defender and then get in
his track to negate a tough charging or slanting
defender so that the next outside blocker can wall
him off.
• He must not have a defender in the gap or man
over to his inside.
• If that blocker calls “HELP” he calls “GOTCHA”
to indicate he can POST and TRACK. If not he
stays silent.
Post and Track Adjustment
Tough 2
tech
Post and Track Foot Work
• This is nothing more the Double
Team/Combo block with POST man posting
up the defender and then getting back into
his track.
• He is able to do this because there is no
immediate threat to is inside gap (line man
or possible blitzer) or a man over the next
inside blocker.
Post and Track Footwork
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Foot Work of POST man.
Blast Off Step – He has to get that foot up and down fast (literally stomp the
ground) into their track with a fast short step (foot near track) while staying
low (head up, chest on knee). The back should not raise up at all on this step.
The step should be no longer then 6 inches. Foot near the track. You must
load your arms on this step quickly. Instead of going at an angle the step is
towards the head up defender.
Explode Step - The back foot takes a short power step towards the defender.
Staying low, the back should not rise, and unload the arms (hands) into the
body of the defender (chest plate and ribs). It is important to get this second
step down as fast as possible as this is the step that first contact is made. The
arms should unload has the foot makes contact. (creates a additional force
production via Ground Force Reaction – SYNERGY). At this point the track
blocker should have made contact as well.
Elevate Step – This is the key step in the POST TRACK block as this when
you must stand up this defender so that the track blocker can get the defender
moving down the track.
Post Track Footwork
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ELEVATE STEP and the near foot again takes a short power step into the
head up defender that is fast and short (get it down quick). Maintaining a wide
base is key as you step and elevate. As you step you immediately elevate from
the ground up unloading from the feet, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, arms,
and hands. You should stay under the defender as you elevate him. Literally
elevating through him driving your hands inward and upward as you drive him
down the track. As that happens the track blocker should be elevating as well
causing the defender to be driven back and down the track at the same time.
• Finish Off Step – as the track blocker fully engages the defender and moves
him down the track your next step is the far foot taking a fast short power step
aiming down your new track line and resetting as you come off your block.
You should drive your hands off by punching out (literally shoving off the
defender) and moving down your track as you get low and block the first
defender that crosses your face.
SAB Blocking Schemes
Seal Scheme
Seal Scheme
• Basic Slam or Track scheme.
• PSTE to Center SAB IN.
• FB aims at inside hip of PSG; cross over steps and then
down LOS and kicks out first defender to CROSS HIS
FACE.
• BSG and BST pulls flat and into hole looking for leakage
as they hit the hole. They blocks inside out on first open
defender as they go into first day light and seal him.
• BSTE shoe shines (slide) block to seal off backside
pressure.
• PSWB outside releases and goes back inside tight to the
LOS and seals the first LB coming play side if blocking.
– If a defender is in the C gap (head up on TE or in gap) then he
must block SAB IN has he is the MOST DANGEROUS MAN.
– Should make a call for Post-Track (get the double team).
Seal Adjustment
FB Log Block
Seal Adjustment
(Log Block by FB)
• Often we face a DE that is sitting on the LOS reading,
crashing, pinching, or sliding down the LOS. In all of these
cases we will LOG block that DE (meaning we will seal
him inside by attacking his outside shoulder and turning
him inside).
• It is a complimentary block for the Kick Out when DE’s
wrong arm are attempt to close space on a BB.
• If the BB logs the QB, BSG, and Ball Carrier flow under
him. The blocking rules for the QB and BSG still apply.
This takes practice so that the QB and pullers can time up
the flow.
Super Seal Scheme
Super Seal Scheme
• PSTE to Center SAB IN.
• FB aims at inside hip of PSG, cross over steps and
then down LOS and kicks out first defender to
cross his face.
• QB toss spins and then gets in hole and blocks
first defender to show outside in.
• BSG and BST pulls flat and into hole looking for
leakage as they hit the hole. They blocks inside
out on first open defender.
• BSTE shoeshines/slide block to seal off backside
pressure.
• PSWB outside releases and goes back inside tight
to the LOS and seals the first LB coming play
side.
Super Seal Scheme Adjustments
• DOUBLE – QB and FB double kick out a tough
defender or kicks out multiple defenders on the
LOS.
• ON – Tells WB to shift on to the LOS on down.
Bear ON Super Seal Right. Still follow’s base
rule.
• LONG – Tells WB to shift as an ON call and
mirror PSTE’s block. Bear LONG Super Seal
Right.
Kick Scheme
Kick Scheme
• PSTE to Center SAB IN.
• QB reverse pivots with width towards hole and
gives and inside hand off to ball carrier.
• BSG pulls flat on LOS and kicks out first defender
to cross his face play side..
• BST pulls flat on LOS and blocks first defender
outside inside as he follows BSG.
• BSTE shoeshine/ slide block to seal off backside
pressure.
Kick Scheme Adjustments
• REVERSE: tells QB to reverse pivot tight and
make an outside hand off. It also tells BSG to
LOG block first man to cross his face and for the
BST to pull under the LOG and kick out the run
force or if no run force seal off inside.
• LEAD: tells FB to lead block.
• WHAM: tells WB to lead block.
• BLAST: tells FB and WB to lead block
Trap Scheme
Trap Scheme
• Center, PSG, and PST block SAB IN.
• PSTE release clean and seal first LB inside.
• PSWB releases up field and helps PSTE seal first
LB inside. (can adjust this to have the WB release
and seal the safety up field to the inside).
• BSG kicks out first defender to show past the
center.
• BST pulls flat on LOS and blocks first defender
outside inside as he follows BSG.
• BSTE shoeshines, scoop, or slide blocks inside to
seal off backside leakage.
Trap Adjustments
• SHORT: tells PST to release and seal of 1st Lber
inside. Also tells the PSTE he will help seal off 1st
LB inside with the PST. If WB is blocking he will
release and seal off first safety inside instead of
helping out.
– Normally our trap is designed to trap a 4 tech out but
the SHORT call allows us to trap a 2 or 3 tech.
• SUPER: QB lead blocks
• LEAD: FB lead blocks
• WHAM: WB lead blocks
G Scheme
G Scheme
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PSTE and PST block SAB IN.
PSG kicks out first defender to cross his face.
Center blocks MOMA.
BSG and BST pulls and seals first defender to
show outside in.
• BST shoeshines, slides, or scoop block and seals
off backside leakage.
• WB – outside releases and goes back inside tight to the
LOS and seals the first LB coming play side if blocking.
G Adjustments
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LEAD – FB lead blocks
WHAM – WB lead blocks
SUPER – QB lead blocks
BLAST – FB and WB lead blocks
SLAM – QB and FB lead blocks
DOUBLE – QB doubles with PSG on kick out.
Example – Bull Slam G Left
Part Scheme
Part Scheme
• PST and PSTE SAB OUT.
• PSG and Center SAB IN.
• BSG kicks out first defender to cross his face
(unblocked DL) if he comes to the LOS and sees
no DL sitting from 2 to 4 tech then he pulls seals
outside in.
• BST pulls and seals outside in.
• BSTE shoeshine, slide, or scoop block backside to
seal off inside.
Part Adjustment
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LEAD – FB lead blocks
WHAM – WB lead blocks
SUPER – QB lead blocks
BLAST – FB and WB lead blocks.
X – PST and PSG X block using You/Me.
Example – Bear Blast Part Right.
Side Scheme
Side Scheme
• PSWB – can block SAB UP if no other
action is required.
• PSTE to BSG block SAB UP.
• BST and BSTE slide block.
• BB buck fakes to playside and lets the BSG
and Center flow to playside and then works
to backside and seals first defender to show.
He can be the runner and in that case no
backside seal is there.
• Land Mark is 1 yard below PST’s inside
hip.
Side Scheme
• PSTE to BSG SAB Out.
• BST to BSTE scoop block.
• FB lead blocks into hole as the BSG cross
his face. (if the WB is faking counter he
waits for BSG and WB to cross face and
then goes). (No need for LEAD call on this
as it is automatic).
Side Adjustments
• WHAM – WB lead blocks
• BLAST – FB and WB lead blocks
T.A.G Scheme
(Tackle And Guard)
T.A.G Scheme
• PSTE – SAB IN
• PST – Log or kick out first defender to
cross your face play side (dependant on
play).
• PSG – pull and seal first defender to cross
your face outside in inside of PST’s block.
• Center to BSTE – SAB OUT to play side.
Notes on T.A.G
• This is a fairly new scheme that I have used in a series of plays.
• It has two uses really.
– When facing a 9 or 6 tech that is squatting on the LOS, pinching,
or sliding down we have the PST log him and the PSG go inside
and seal off the first Lber inside.
– When facing a 9,8, or 6 that can be kicked out quickly we have the
PST kick out and the PSG pull and seal inside of the kick out on
the first Lber inside.
– A 7 or 5 tech can be hard to SAB IN so often we will not use this
scheme against a tough 7 or 5 instead using it against a 4 or less
with the more severe angle block coming from the outside.
– The use of the SAB IN on the back side gives the appearance of
the play going that way and often forces the defense on the
backside to squat and read.
Blocking Scheme Adjustment
“Tank”
• Tank is used on any scheme when the BSG
and BST pull. It tells the BSG to mirror the
play blocks while the BST takes the BSG’s
job and the BSTE takes the BST’s job. This
is a good way of handling backside leakage
or a tough interior defender and still get the
full power of our backside pulling line.
• Example: Bear Super Seal Right Tank
Effective Drills for SAB
•
•
•
•
Positive reinforcement.
Keep it simple.
Mimic what happens in the trenches in drill.
Teaching:
–
–
–
–
Talk it
Show it
Walk it
Run it
Effective Drilling
•
The most important thing you can do for a kid is to give them as much positive
reinforcement about this system and the advantage it gives them against bigger
opponents. As soon as smaller lineman whips a bigger lineman’s butt using
this system the light goes on and they realize they now have a tool that will
allow them to succeed in the trenches. The key is using drills that first teach
explosiveness and technique and then mimic what is going to happen in the
trenches. Once they become fundamentally sound and realize they have a
technical advantage the sky becomes the limit to what your line can do for
you.
•
The more explosive and more confident of their agility your linemen are the
more effective your offensive line will be in this scheme or any scheme you
develop. I strongly suggest you set some time away that works on leg
strengthening and developing agility and quickness. At the youth level this
does not require an enormous amount of time nor does it require the use of
weights as the legs are not normally developed. Instead the use of hills,
resisted training, and plyometrics is far better and at this age much quicker in
developing the lineman’s legs and hips for explosive blocking. At the higher
levels the use of weights becomes more effective since you have a built in
strength and conditioning program in the off-season.
Effective Drilling
• In short we teach are lineman to do three things: one we
teach them to wedge block, we teach them to SAB block,
and finally we teach them the various techniques of pulling
and trapping. We feel if we can do these three things well
individually and as a group that our line will not only be
effective they will dominate their opponents and that is
what we strive for as a offensive line.
Key Points of Our Drills
Key points to our drills:
• Proper Stance
• Correct Cadence
• Proper Technique
• Explosiveness
• Correct Path
• Maintaining Contact
• Finishing the Block Off
Sequence of Teaching Our Line
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Stance and Cadence
Line Agility
Explosive Movement (optional if time allows)
Wedge
SAB
– B.E.E.F
– Running the Track
– Adjustments
– Combative Hand Technique (one and two hand
punching) (optional if time allows)
Pulling
Blocking Schemes
Aggressive Attitude
Playaction Pass Protection
Stance and Cadence
• Break Down Stance to Two Point Stance Drill – Circle Formation or
all in a line – have each player get in a break down stance and then a
two – point stance on “DOWN”. Check and correct stances. Repeat
as needed.
• Cadence Clap Drill – (Coach Wyatt’s drill) Circle Formation or all in a
line – Coach has all players place hands up in front of face palms
facing each other. Go through each leg of the cadence having them
clap in unison on the call. For us our cadence is GO
READYYYYY_HIT. We also go on second HIT as well. We will work
on GO and HIT firsts and then add READY and second HIT. This is a
very effective way of teaching cadence and having everyone realize
the importance of timing. Should have one immediate clap if right.
Line Agility
• We emphasize the importance of good footwork,
agility, and quickness in our line.
• We do line agility drills every day to include
getting off the ground quickly.
• We spend at most 5 to 10 minutes on this in the
beginning of the season at every practice. We start
slow making sure they have good technique. As
they improve we increase speed and intensity.
• By mid season we spend one session of one
practice day (based on three practices a week).
Line Agility Progression
(Line Ladder)
1st
3rd
2nd
10 yards
5 yards
C
Line Agility Progression
• 1) All start from line stance on cadence.
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1 Jog, 2 Somersault, 3 Jog
1 High Knees, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog
1 Butt Kickers, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog
1 Left Shuffle, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog
1 Right Shuffle, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog
1 Left Carioca, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog
1 Right Carioca, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog
1 Prone on Belly Bear Crawl, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog
1 Prone on Back Bear Crawl, 2 Sprint, 3 Jog
1 Prone on Back Bear Crawl/Somersault, 2 Sprint, 3
Jog
Line Body Strengthening
Explosive Movement
• Note – at the pre adolescent and child hood years neuromuscular
adaptation is major impact on physiological development. Muscular
growth does not occur until the onset of adolescences so any gains in
strength, speed, quickness, or agility is derived from adaptation of the
neuromuscular system.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Core Stability Progression
Leg Balancing and Stability Progression
Body Weight Squat Progression
Hop and Jump Progression
Push up Pyramid Progression (upper body)
Dog Push ups/ Hindu Push ups /Dive Bomber Push ups Progression
(upper body)
• Medicine Ball Progression (upper/lower body )
Wedge Blocking
• We believe that the wedge and the SAB
compliment each other very well.
• Both are taught and reinforced every day in
practice.
• Both build offensive line unity.
S.A.B Blocking Progression
• Footwork Progression
– B.E.E.F
• After teaching stance teach Blast Off step.
• Then Blast off Step and Explode step (first two steps
that stay low).
• Then add Elevate ( most import step in progression)
• Then add Finish Off
• Add live contact (1/2 speed work to full speed)
SAB
B.E.E.F Progression
C
SAB Blocking
Tennis Ball Drill
•
If any lineman lack an explosive step have a coach work with them one on one using the
TENNIS BALL DRILL to increase the BEEF footwork progression.
•
SAB Tennis Ball Drill - (modified Clark Wilkin’s Drill) – Have several coaches or one
work on the weakest linemen first. Have the blocker get in a good stance (two-point for
us) and get arms length away from the coach on his 30-degree track (coach should
actually be just above the track). Tell the blocker that when you drop the tennis ball
from head height he must explode with of the LOS using a good Blast Off tech before
the ball bounces. Reinforce good technique. As he gets good at the blast off step move
one more arm length away and add the Explode step doing the same thing. Then add one
more arm length and work on the Elevate step. Once a lineman can catch a tennis ball
drop from head height from three arms length away you have developed a solid
explosive footwork pattern.
If he is having hard time with foot work and upper body technique (staying low and
elevating then add a bag into the drill so that he has to catch the ball and deliver a blow
at the same time. This forces him to concentrate on multiple things (three vice two
(footwork and upper body) and simplifies the process for him by using a much more
complex pattern. Start slow as this will take time to develop but the blocker’s footwork
and upper body tech will be much more in-sync.
•
SAB Blocking
Tennis Ball Drill
bag
BAG
SAB Blocking
•
•
•
Track Progression
Team Line Drill – Can use either Painted LOS with seven 30-degree lines
going the left and the right in different colors that are five yards long or you
can simply use the clock method and start by having the show you the path vie
2 o’clock and 10 o’clock. You do this with all your lineman or small groups of
3 to 7 for more control and correction (good way to begin this drill at first). If
using the painted lines they line u up with the angle lines in the center of the
body. The coach calls DOWN and all of the player set in a two-point stance.
(with the clock method start with “Lines” and the show you the right or left
track). On Cadence they explode into the SAB sprint down the line until the
whistle blows. Watch for good B.E.E.F technique and stress explosive
footwork (stomp the ground).
If it is not correct stop everyone explain why it is wrong (and who) and start
over. Coach should be behind the line watching that every blocker stays on his
path and is using correct footwork and upper body tech. This is easy to see
because everyone is parallel to each other. Work for 5 yards at first then 10
yards and then extend it out to the boundaries as they master it and do it to the
left and the right. As they get good at it have them close their eyes and do it a
few times.
The key is stressing that they stay in their tracks and create an angler wall of
bodies.
SAB Blocking
Track Progression
Coach
SAB Blocking
Contact Team Line Drill
•
•
Team Contact and Boundary Drill – same as above but using the
painted line or clock method – have the same number of defenders
place themselves on the left lines of the blockers facing the blockers
at 30-degrees with the defender holding shield facing blocker. On
“GO” the defender steps fast towards the GAP while the blocker
goes from a two-point stance and explodes executing his B.E.E.F
progression at slow speed (bird dog).
This allows you to check for good technique. Then repeat at full
speed after correcting any technique maintaining contact and driving
the defender to the boundary while making sure the blocker is
staying on his track and not adjusting it. Stress correct B.E.E.F
technique at all times and finishing off to the echo of the whistle.
Stress being nasty and aggressive.
SAB Blocking
Adjustment Progression
• This is taught after the SAB progression is taught
and mastered by the lineman. Once they have a
good understanding of the concepts of B.E.E.F
and Track the blocking adjustments can be shown
and taught.
– Moving the Play side (width and depth) using the track
progression. If you plan on using this it only requires a
brief explanation and review.
– “Shoulder Him” and “Cut Him” using the B.E.E.F
progression and blocking bags. Rep them so that they
understand how and when to utilize them.
Combatitive Arm Technique
• This is an invaluable way to teach fine motor skills and
hand punching techniques that are necessary for our line
men. This is especially necessary when coaching preadolescences as their fine motor skills are just developing
and it is imperative to teach them proper punch technique
and this helps in developing upper body quickness as well.
Often with youth lineman this is a quality that needs to be
developed.
• You need two blockers; one with a shield.
• They face each other with the blocker in a fit position. On
“Down” he loads his arms and the shield man readies to
allow the blocker to punch into the shield.
Combatitive Arm Technique
• The coach will call out the hitting pattern. The
blocker must immediately respond and reload as
fast a possible.
• Pattern #1
– Left, Both, Right = 5 times
• Pattern #2
– Both, Left, Right = 5 times
• Pattern #3
– Both, Right, Both, Left = 5 times
Pulling
1.
2.
3.
Pull and Fly Drill – one line of blockers facing a coach – a cone five yards
away on each side of the first blocker after stepping up to the LOS and on
GO the blocker drops his near foot as he swings his near elbow back and
then explodes his far foot forward as he stays low and explodes to the left
cone. Everyone goes through the drill and then goes to the right doing the
same thing. Latter on in the season you can do everyone at once in a
vertical line facing the coach with the players about 2 yards apart.
Pull and Contact Drill – again one line of blockers as above except a player
offset so that he can hold a blocking bag on the path. The blocker is told on
GO to explode down the path and using our contact technique drive through
the bag while he stays on his feet and runs through.
Pull Around Drill – one line of blockers facing a coach – a cone is three
yards away on each side of the first blocker after stepping up to the LOS
and another cone is one yard up field and two yards inside on GO the
blocker executes his pull as above but now as he reaches the first cone he
moves up field and inside sprinting to the inside cone. After the entire line
does it they go to the other side. Stress to read Inside/Out and block the first
defender he comes to.
Pull and Fly Drill
Pull and Contact Drill
Kick Out
Pull Around Drill
After you do singles work on
doubles so that you have two
lineman pulling to simulate the
BSG and BST. Use two
defenders and move them
around.
Move the defender around and
get the blockers used to
reading INSIDE – OUT. Use
multiple defenders as well to
teach them that they must read
INSIDE to OUT.
Blocking Scheme Teaching
Progression
• As we teach SAB, Wedge, and Pulling
along with the other aspects of our Line
Teaching we also begin teaching schemes
and plays.
• Scheme Bird Dog Drills
• Full Speed Scheme Drills
• Play Bird Dog Drills
• Full Speed Play Drills
Aggressive Attitude
• Probably one of the hardest things to develop in a young
child is the aggressive attitude to consistently attack a
defender on every play.
• Some kids have this attitude naturally or develop it from
the environment they grow up in or the people they are
around on a day to day basis. For other kids this is not the
case and developing an aggressive attitude on the field at
the LOS is key to the success of any offensive football
play.
• Find drills that you can use to get them attacking and
finishing off.
• Use drills that mimic live action in a controlled setting so
that each of your players can develop that mental
toughness and aggressive attitude needed to succeed in the
trenches.
Point of Contact
• If you would like a copy of the presentation
you can find it at:
http://www.gregorydoublewing.com/ARTIC
LES.html
• If you have any questions you can email me
at:
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
Closing Remarks
Copyright 2005, Jack Gregory
This item is not to be sold or
distributed by anyone with out
express permission by me.