THE “2-STEP REACTION” Drill is one of our team’s favorite drills and it’s a great drill to help improve the play of your defensive linemen. The drill’s purpose is two-fold.
1. It teaches defensive linemen to take proper pursuit angles on reaction to running plays.
2. It reinforces the importance of defensive linemen remaining patient and taking proper pass-rush lanes when reacting to passing plays.
More specifically, this drill teaches defensive linemen flat-pursuit techniques on the play side, angled-pursuit techniques on the backside and staying disciplined in their designated pass-rush lanes during drop-back pass plays.
To set up the 2-Step Reaction Drill, align two cones 5 yards outside each defensive end and 3 yards apart (see Diagrams 1 and 2 for the set up alignment and positioning of the players).
Running The 2-Step Reaction Drill
The coach assumes the position of quarterback and holds a ball out in front of him. He will then call out the snap count in a cadence that intentionally tries to draw the defensive linemen off sides. At any time during the cadence, the coach quickly brings the ball into his stomach as if receiving the snap from under center.
After the coach “snaps” the ball to himself, he either moves laterally down the line of scrimmage (simulating a
QB running play such as the option) or takes a quick 5-step passing drop.
DIAGRAM 1: 2-Step Reaction Drill (Flat And Angled Pursuit). If the coach simulates a running play and runs flat down the LOS, the two defensive linemen positioned on the side that the coach is running toward take their steps on the movement of the ball. They will then turn and sprint to the first cone in the direction of the coach’s movement.
The two defensive linemen who are positioned away from the coach’s movement take two steps, turn and sprint toward the back cone in the direction of the coach’s movement.
DIAGRAM 2: 2-Step Reaction Drill (Outside Pass Rushers Aim Toward The QB’s Back Shoulder, Inside Pass Rushers Aim Toward The QB’s Front Shoulder). If the coach simulates a pass play by taking a 5-step drop, the two outside defensive linemen take their two steps on the coach’s movement and then contain-rush to the back shoulder of the coach. Both outside-rush defenders will try to knock the ball out of the coach’s hand.
The two inside defensive linemen take their two steps and then rush to the front shoulder of the coach with their hands up in the air, as if to block the pass attempt.