THE KING ON THE HILL DRILL is a perfect drill for your sub-varsity offensive linemen. This drill emphasizes explosion on initial contact and forces players to keep their feet wide while maintaining proper position.
This drill is also competitive in nature as the declared “winner” remains in the game to take on the next “challenger.” Players always look forward to this drill as it provides an opportunity for hand-to-hand combat. Plus, it combines the requirements of a wide foot base, physical aggressiveness and proper blocking position all in one drill. It’s perfect for linemen of all skill levels and is well-suited for younger players who are having a difficult time maintaining proper blocking position.
Drill Keys
Before starting this drill, remember the three key points to ensure a successful running of the drill.
1. Players must be grouped together according to size and strength. Do not allow mismatches in size and strength as it’s just asking for a player to get hurt. And, if a smaller player consistently has to battle a larger one and always loses, his morale is going to drop. Having an opportunity to win keeps players motivated. However, if a smaller player has exceptional ability and aggressiveness, you may consider allowing that player to change groups.
2. When executing the drill some players have a tendency to get too low and flatten out on the bag, resulting in a “stalemate” determined by the coach in charge.
3. Don’t allow players to throw opponents sideways off the bag. This results in an immediate loss (disqualification) from the coach in charge.
Starting The Drill
To start the drill, align players across from each other with a cigar dummy separating them. Players begin the drill with hands placed on opposing ends of the bag with feet chopping.
On the coach’s command, players use proper head and hand placement while exploding in a low, forward orientation to drive their opponent backward off the bag (forceful, full speed contact is expected).
Players continue to drive with their hands and feet against each other while straddling the bag in an attempt physically to overpower their opponent and drive them backward off the bag.
When the player is driven off the bag, the coach blows the whistle to stop the players’ movement. He declares a winner and that player remains in the drill to face the next, fresh competitor. Keep the winner in the drill until he loses. This keeps players motivated and competitive as everyone wants to remain in the drill.
As for the coaching points to this drill, be sure to stress fundamentals to the linemen. Don’t let them get sneaky or tricky. This is a smashmouth, player-to-player, contact drill that enables the most aggressive, forceful, fundamental players to come out on top.
To be successful in this drill, players must stay low, use proper head and hand position and keep their feet constantly moving throughout the drill. Point out to onlooking players what the winner did to win the drill. Also, let the losing player know what he did to cause him to come out on the wrong end of the decision. If a player is told he wasn’t moving his feet, which caused him to get pushed off the bag, you can bet the next time he hits the bag, his feet are going to be moving.
A few other things to watch during this drill are “illegal” movements, which result in an immediate loss for the player committing that act. Don’t let players throw the opponent off the bag sideways. Linemen block face-to-face, not to the side. Also, don’t allow any head-to-head contact, which obviously is a safety concern, especially because this drill is run at full speed.
Finally, if players get too low, they end up flattened out on the dummy. In a game situation, a lineman who ends up flat is not good for your team.