A GOOD PASS RUSHER anticipates when the offense is going to pass the ball. He adjusts his stance when he anticipates a pass and concentrates on the ball. He starts moving forward the instant the center moves the ball.
Because the movement on anticipated pass plays is instantaneous, defensive linemen need to decide what pass-rush move they’re going to use before the play begins.
When defending a running play, a defensive lineman uses a balanced stance with a wide base so that he can react left or right. When he is pass rushing, however, he changes his stance. He narrows the distance between his feet and moves one foot back, bringing the front foot directly under his hip. He places one hand on the ground in front of his helmet, shifting most of his weight to the front foot and the hand on the ground. He raises his hips above his shoulders and focuses his eyes on the ball. He concentrates on exploding forward and coming up as he moves across the line.
Defensive linemen use several pass-rush techniques. The key is to find the one or two moves that are best suited to the size and skill level of the individual. Regardless of the technique, defensive linemen must always have an idea of where the QB will set up to throw (called the “QB target area”). He must remember that his ultimate goal is to influence the QB, but he needs to defeat the blocker first. He must keep moving forward and keep his legs and feet moving toward the QB and remain aggressive for the entire play. The following pass-rush moves are critical for developing a defensive lineman who can bring the pressure.
4 Straight-Ahead Bull Rush. In this technique, the DL quickly comes off the ball and drives forward to the target area, where the QB sets up to throw. The DL’s goal is not to get around the blocker, but to drive the offensive blocker directly back into the QB. If he succeeds with this, it can interrupt the QB’s throwing motion and force the QB to throw before he is ready. This type of rush is particularly effective against a blocker who backs away from the LOS.
On the snap, the DL explodes off the line in a low charge. He keeps his shoulders below the blocker’s shoulders and bends his arms, keeping his elbows close to his body. His palms are up with the fingers open and thumbs close together. As the DL reaches the blocker, he drives the palms of his hands into the armpits of the blockers. He pushes his arms forward and up, raising the blocker up and backward. He relentlessly drives the blocker back into the QB with short, quick steps and keeps driving until the whistle blows.
- Bull-And-Jerk Move. This move is a variation of the bull rush that should be taught from the start. Often, when the DL is successfully pushing the blocker into the QB, the blocker sets his feet and lunges at the DL. It’s important to use the blocker’s forward thrust against him and help pull him out of the way.
When the DL sees the blocker set and lunge, he grabs the front of the blocker’s jersey in both hands and pulls him to the side. He steps across the blocker’s body with the foot on the same side that he pulled the blocker to and drives past the blocker to the target area.
- Rushing To The Outside. There are two techniques for rushing to the outside shoulder of a blocker. The shoulder-club-and-arm-slip” pass rush is an ideal technique for a shorter player to learn and perfect. In this technique, the DL steps quickly with his inside foot, takes a long step with his outside foot and gets in position to touch the blocker. He takes his outside hand and arm and hits hard under the blocker’s shoulder pad, lifting his shoulder and arm up. He steps to the outside of the blocker with his inside foot while dropping his inside shoulder and driving it under the armpit of the blocker. He bows and pushes back his neck and back, while diving his hips up and past the blocker and keeps moving toward the QB.
The “wrist-club-and-arm-over” pass rush begins the same way. Instead of pushing the blocker’s shoulder and arm up, now the DL directs them down-and-into the blocker’s chest. As the DL’s second step hits, he uses his outside forearm to drive down on the blocker’s outside forearm and wrist. The DL drives the blocker’s arm and hand down-and-into his chest. He reaches over the blocker’s outside shoulder with his inside arm and drives his elbow into the blocker’s back. He drives his inside leg to the outside and past the blocker, moving forward and attacking the QB.
- Rushing To The Inside. The DL uses the “rip-and-run” pass rush technique to take an inside path to the QB. The DL attacks the inside of the offensive blocker with a rip-and-run move. Often, this uncovers the shortest, quickest path to the QB. This technique is unique in that the DL commits to an inside rush on the snap and only the rip arm comes in contact with the offensive blocker. The instant the center moves the ball, the DL takes a long step with his outside foot forward-and-across the blocker’s body, allowing his outside shoulder to drop. The DL tries to drive his outside shoulder under the blocker’s inside armpit. He propels himself past the blocker by bringing his outside arm up and back. He drives his feet and hips toward the QB.
For more information on defensive line techniques and other valuable position-by-position instructional material from Tom Bass’s 30-plus years of pro and college coaching experience, check out his new book,
Football Skills And Drills.
To order this book, visit the Gridiron Strategies Web site at: www.gridironstrategies.com/ff/gridstore.