At the high school level, the successful athletes are able to use their natural ability to dominate a football game. But at the collegiate level, every athlete possesses roughly the same playing ability with the opportunity to enhance their strength, endurance, and speed through a regimented collegiate strength and conditioning program. This makes it essential that defensive linemen know the types of proper techniques to use in an attempt to set themselves apart from their counterparts – offensive linemen and tight ends. The use of proper techniques can be the difference between being an average player and a dominant upfront athlete that can control the line of scrimmage throughout the course of a game.
The number one playing technique that is emphasized at the college level for defensive linemen is the ability to ‘get-off’ the football. This is a technique that is continuously repeated for down linemen, because for the majority of the time, the individual who gets his hands on his opponent the fastest will win the battle. Football is about instincts and the ability to play fast all the time.
Different coaches have their own unique ways of teaching get-off habits. But the most universal approach of teaching this practice is the ability to explode out of a stance as a D-lineman. My defensive linemen are taught to get on the balls of their feet as they get into their stances, giving them the ability to push off their toes, generating all of their weight and power in a forward motion so they can explode through their opponent.
The second playing technique that is often taught to D-linemen is the ability to ‘stay low’ as they fire off the football. The athlete that has the ability to play low or with bent knees will always win the battle. As a D-lineman, if you stay low out of your stance, it is difficult for an O-lineman to get into the framework of your body. It is important that an athlete stay low by bending his knees and not his waist. Playing with a good knee bent position gives the player the opportunity to play with a low center of gravity. This approach allows the player to drastically cut or change direction throughout the course of a play, putting him in a better pursuit angle to either trail the play or attack the ball carrier. Down linemen do not want to give their opponent a clear area to attack or punch. Staying low allows the opportunity to penetrate the line of scrimmage.
The third technique that is often taught throughout the duration of pre-season training camp is the ability to generate ‘good hand placement’ as a D-lineman. It is important that a down lineman has the ability to get his hands inside the opponent’s chest area in order to generate good separation. The characteristics of good hand placement include getting hands inside their opponent’s breast plates, giving the opportunity to roll their hips forward and dislodge from their opponent so that they can locate the ball carrier. As a D-lineman fires off of the football, it is imperative that he shoots his hands straight out and not sideways, grabbing the inner part of an O-lineman or tight end’s shoulder pads. He must keep his thumbs raised up, dictating where they want to ultimately drive their opponent.
This also allows the D-lineman the capability of playing with full body leverage. Good body leverage gives them the chance to play both the run and the pass. On running downs, it permits the down linemen the ability to get their hands on their key, and puts them in a better position to play runs like the trap, power, counter, or toss sweep. On passing downs, it allows him the opportunity to set up pass rush moves like the rip, bull rush or push-pull.
The final technique, often taught during pre-season camp, is the ability to ‘escape’ from an opponent. The defensive linemen are taught the techniques of getting off the ball, staying low to keep a low center of gravity, and getting their hands inside to gain separation. It is important that they know how to get to the ball carrier in an attempt to make a play. Escape methods can be done in a variety of ways: (1) forcefully extending and punching the opponent in the chest while whipping through his shoulder blades; (2) punching through the outer portion of the opponent’s shoulder pads commonly known as a ‘swim move’; or (3) forcefully throwing their opponent into your specific gap responsibility.
The ability to practice and perfect the basic techniques of defensive line play will set your players apart from the pack. p
About the Author: Cornelius Coleman has been on the staff of Averett University since 2007 and last fall was promoted to Assistant Head Coach. He also serves as the Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator. Coleman previously worked as a Compliance Assistant at Robert Morris University and was also the Director of Intramural Sports at Waynesburg University. He was a four year letterman at Waynesburg.