Milford Football
Defensive Line Technique Manual
Defensive Concepts
Principles of Coaching Defense
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Maximize the speed of your defense.
– Take away all indecision of the defensive
player.
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Each athlete must always understand:
– Alignment
– Assignment
– Technique
– Pursuit and Fits.
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Teach
– Down and Distance tendencies.
– Formation Recognition
– Field Position tendencies.
Run to the ball.
• Effort is coached and modeled.
• Run with Proper pursuit angles and
fits.
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Teaching Tackling through quality drills.
“Never challenge their courage, challenge their
technique.”
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Keys to Tackling
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Feet underneath and arch back.
Chest and shoulder tackle.
Rake the hands and grab cloth.
Eyes on target and bite the ball with your chin.
Run your feet.
Tackle specific to position.
Coach on the run and create maximum
repetitions.
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Instruction takes place in the classroom not
on the field.
Use game situation drills that have short
lines.
Correct on the run not on the time of the
next rep.
Scout teams must get a rep every 25
seconds.
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Team
Group
Pass Skeleton
Principles of Coaching Defense
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Have your drill progression for
individual period completed before
practice every day.
– 15 Minutes Tackling
– 20 Minutes Individual
Coach with enthusiasm and attend to
details during individual period.
– “Coaches are rated good or horse
shit by their ability to teach
technique during individual
breakdown.”
Buck Nystrom
Coach to stop the Big Plays.
– Support, Cut Back and Play action.
– Internal run lanes and Fits.
– Pursuit
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Defense is still about hitting, shedding the
blocker, and pursuing .
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Practice Game Situation.
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Create Hard edges
• Body to body no less than a 2/3 ratio.
• Strike the blocker in the teeth.
Third Down
Red Zone and Goal Line
Sudden Change
Golden eyes
Take the offense out of their comfort zone.
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Great Kicking game
Third and Long
Pressure defense
Take away best plays.
Take away quick answers
Developing a Defensive Scheme.
• Have a defensive philosophy.
– Talent level at your school.
– Opponents schemes.
– Your personality and back ground.
• Develop your defensive scheme from your philosophy.
• Develop a program wide defensive mentality.
– Toughness
– Effort
• When things get tough go back to fundamentals.
– Alignment and Assignment
– Tackling
– Pursuit and run fits.
Understanding “G” Defense
D gap
C gap
B gap
A gap
9 8 7 5 4 4i 3 2 1
A gap
B gap
C gap
Defensive Line
1. Define techniques.
2. Define drills.
3. Define coaching points.
Coaching Defensive Line
Base Techniques
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Stance.
Alignment.
Get Off.
Get Off and Strike.
Strike and Escape.
Spark.
Defensive Line Base
Technique Chart.
Skill
Technique
Drills
Coaching Points
Stance
Components
Three Point Stance
Sprinters Stance
Inside Hand Down
Narrow Base
Hand in front of head.
Tail higher than head.
Alignment
Alignment Left or Right
Cobra Angle
White Finger Tips
Reach out
Eyes on screws
Alignment
Vertical Alignment
a) Snug the ball. No Air.
b) Horizontal
Tackles - 1, 2, 3, and 4T.
Ends - 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9T.
Stance and Alignment
Stem and Stance
Split the Foot
Crowd the ball
Credit Card Alignment
Crotch to foot
Tight splits heavier alignment
Loose Splits loosen alignment.
Get Off
Step with back foot.
Long stride
Replace the down hand with step 1.
Move on movement
Ball on a rope.
Stem and rope
Get off and target
Figure 8
Figure 8 chase
Foot to hand
Move on movement
Target shows - Strike
Target Inside - Bend
GET OFF THE ROCK.
Defensive Line Base
Technique Chart. Part Two
Skill
Technique
Drills
Coaching Points
Strike
Make contact with 4/5 Ratio
Two hands with thumbs up.
Eyes up and hips back
Six Point hit.
a)Sled
b)Partner Chest
Hands inside
Handle Bar
Be first and firm.
Hips Back
Get off
And Strike
Combo of get off and strike.
Perfect step
Get off the Rock
Snap the Target
--------------Strike and
Escape
----------------------------------Get Off and Strike
Ball at heels depth
Post, Rip and Run
Sled Drill
Partner Chest
Partner Shield
1 on 1
----------------------------Lock out drill
a) Escape to technique
b) Escape across gap
Sled and ball Carrier
Spark
Lateral Step with heal out
Rip and penetrate vertically
Get off and Spark
Stem and Spark
Heal out
Vertical push
Get the gap
----------------------------Post with lead arm
Eliminate Cut back
Post, Rip, and Run
Finish
Stance and Alignment
1. Stance Fundamentals.
2. Alignment Fundamentals.
3. Drills and Coaching Points.
Stance Fundamentals
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1. Three Point Stance.
2. Inside Hand Down.
3. Greater width than sprinters stance.
4. Narrow Base.
5. Hand in front of head.
6. Tail higher than head.
Alignment Fundamentals
• Vertical Alignment
– Snug the ball.
– Credit Card
Alignment.
• Horizontal Alignment
– 1Tech - Midline on
inside foot of the
Guard.
– 2 Tech - Stripe on
Stripe.
– 3 Tech - Midline on
outside foot of the
Guard.
Stance and Alignment
Credit Card Alignment
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Midline to Foot
Stud and Will - Thre e man surface - Se v e n Te chnique .
Two man surface - Crash Fiv e Te chnique .
Tackle s - Thre e man surface -Thre e Te chnique .
Two man surface - One Te chnique .
Alignment Drill
1. Scout Offense.
2. Break Huddle.
3. Align with a perfect stance and perfect vertical and horizontal alignment.
4. Check Points.
a. Width of stance and Hand Placement.
c. Angle of body and Credit Card Alignment.
e. Horizontal alignment
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Teaching Stance,
Alignment, and Trade
Credit Card Alignment
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Midline to Foot
Stud and Will - Thre e man surface - Se v e n Te chnique .
Two man surface - Crash Fiv e Te chnique .
Tackle s - Thre e man surface -Thre e Te chnique .
Two man surface - One Te chnique .
Alignment Drill and Trade
1. Same drill and add TE Trade.
2. Align to Original formation.
3. Use Check Points.
4. Trade TE.
5. Realign and use check points.
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Get Off Drills
1. Hoop Drill.
2. Ball on a rope.
3. Get off on target.
Hoop Drill.
Coach
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Coaching Points
1.Great Alignment.
2. Big Fist Step.
3. Move on Movement.
Hoop Drill
1. Stance
2. Get Off
3. Bend
4. Finish
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Sprint past cone
Ball on a Rope.
Coach
Sprint past cone
Sprint past cone
TE
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Coaching Points
1.Great Alignment.
2. Big Fist Step.
3. Move on Movement.
Ball on a Rope Drill
1. Coach needs a ball on a rope and line strips.
2. Break Huddle.
3. Align with a perfect stance and perfect vertical and horizontal alignment.
4. Coach will utilize hard cadence and try to draw defensive line offside.
5. Coach pulls rope - line move on movement.
6. Sprint past cone
Get off on Target.
Reach Block
Target Shows Strike.
T
Target Veer Blocks
Bend and Attack.
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High Hat Set
Strike /Move.
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Coach
Get Off on Target
1. Coach Gives Offensive Linemen Signal. Fist/Reach - Hand/Veer - Twist/Pass
2. Break Huddle.
3. Align with a perfect stance and perfect vertical and horizontal alignment.
4. Player will move and execute when ready.
5. Reach Block
a. Big Stride
b. React to Target.
Strike and Get Off and Strike Drills
1. Strike and Sled / Partner.
2. Get off and Strike Triangle
a. Sled
b. Shield
c. Partner
Strike and Sled / Partner
Coach
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Punch and Grab handle bars
Strike Sled and Partner
1. The Defensive Tackle will align in a six point stance.
A. Stripe on Stripe ( Head up Sled )
2. On ball movement the Defensive Tackle will snap the punch.
A. Hands inside.
B. Thumbs up.
C. Elbows locked.
D. Hips Back.
3. Eyes up.
Get off and Strike Triangle
Get Off and Strike vs. Sled
Get Off and Strike - 1 on 1.
S WT T
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Get Off and Strike vs. Shield
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Get Off and Strike - Sled and Shield
1. The Defensive Tackle will demonstrate perfect alignment.
2. On ball movement the Defensive Tackle will use perfect Get Off Technique.
A. Foot to Hand.
B. Strike on Step #2
3. Strike Technique.
A. Hands inside.
B. Thumbs up.
C. Elbows locked.
D. Hips Back.
3. Eyes up.
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Escape and Get Off, Strike and
Escape Drills.
1. Escape Drill
2. Get off, Strike, and Escape Drill.
Escape Drill
Great Frame and Get Off!
BC
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BC
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Lock out and Escape
1. The Defensive Tackle and Ends will frame in a perfect frame.
A. Hands inside.
B. Thumbs up.
C. Elbows locked.
D. Hips Back.
2. Ball carrier brakes at heals of Offensive Linemen.
3. Escape
A. Post with lead arm.
B. Eliminate cut back - Make move when back is at the heals of LOS.
C. Post, Rip, and Run.
D. Make the Tackle.
Get Off, Strike, and
Escape Drill
Get Off and Strike vs. Sled
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BC
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Get Off, Strike and Escape.
1. The Defensive Tackle and Ends will demonstrate a perfect alignment.
2. On movement the Defensive Tackle will execute a perfect get off and strike
the sled with perfect technique.
A. Hands inside and Thumbs up.
C. Elbows locked and Hips Back.
2. Ball carrier brakes at heals of Offensive Linemen.
3. Escape
A. Post with lead arm.
B. Eliminate cut back - Make move when back is at the heals of LOS.
C. Post, Rip, and Run and make the Tackle.
Spark Fundamentals and Spark Drill.
Spark Fundamentals
• 1. Technique used to rip across gaps.
• 2. Lateral step with heal out.
• 3. Rip and penetrate.
Spark Drill
Coach
Sprint past cone
Sprint past cone
TE
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Coaching Points
1. Lateral Step.
2. Kick heal out.
3. Get to gap.
Spark with Ball on a Rope Drill
1. Coach needs a ball on a rope and line strips.
2. Break Huddle.
3. Align with a perfect stance and perfect vertical and horizontal alignment.
4. Coach will utilize hard cadence and try to draw defensive line offside.
5. Coach pulls rope - line sparks on movement.
6. Sprint past cone
Defensive Line vs.
Blocking Schemes.
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Define Blocks
Define Technique
Define Coaching Points
Define Drills
Defensive Line Technique and Drill Chart.
Blocking Schemes.
Block
Technique
Drills
Coaching Points
Reach or
Base
Target Shows -Strike Target.
Hips to Gap.
Cheese Steak Sandwich the hips.
Post, Rip and Run
1 on 1 Recognition
1 on 1 Live
3 on 2 box of hell
a) Internal
b) 1/2 Line
5 on 4 Box of Hell
Strike
Handle Bars
Hips in Gap
Cheese Steak
Post, Rip and Run
Play on their turf
Zone
Target Shows -Strike Target.
Hips to Gap.
Cheese steak the hips.
Destroy lead block.
Keep hips in gap
2 on 1 Zone
1/2 Line
5 on 4
Strike
Handle Bars
Hips in Gap
Cheese Steak
Force Double Team
Play on their turf
Veer
Target Inside - Bend on step one.
Eyes on the trapper or lead.
Trap inside 4/5 of the blocker.
Surface on surface
1 on 1 Recognition
1 on 1 Live
3 on 2 box of hell
a) Internal
b) 1/2 Line
5 on 4 Box of Hell
Key screws.
Bend on step one.
No edges
Defensive Line Technique and Drill Chart.
Blocking Schemes - Part two.
Block
Technique
Drills
Coaching Points
Pull with
Turn Block
Penetrate - Get flat and chase.
No penetration
a) Club
b) Cross
c) Chase
Never Quit
3 on 2 Box of Hell
a) 3 on 2 - G, C, and G.
b) 1/2 Line
5 on 4 Box of Hell
Figure 8 Circle
Chase
Club and cross face.
Double
Team
Target Shows -Strike Target.
Feel pressure
Pull the Post
Sit on Lead
2 on 1 Recognition
2 on 1 Live
3 on 2 box of hell
a) Internal
b) 1/2 Line
5 on 4 Box of Hell
Pull the post
Sit on lead ( Bar stool).
Pass Set
Target Shows - Strike target.
Attack Target - Feel pressure.
Pull on Pressure
Make move in lanes.
Trace step for draw/ screen.
1 on 1 Recognition
1 on 1 Live
3 on 2 box of hell
a) Internal
b) 1/2 Line
5 on 4 Box of Hell
Dominate the strike.
Move on punch.
1 Move
1 Counter
One on One
Credit Card Alignment
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Midline to Foot
Stud and Will - Three man surface - Seven Technique.
Two man surface - Crash FiveTechnique.
Tackles - Three man surface -Three Technique.
Two man surface - OneTechnique.
Tackles and Ends - Reach vs.Veer.
Internal Three on Two
Box of Hell.
Reach
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Playing the Reach Block.
1. Target Shows
2. Strike
3. Hips to Gap
4. Cheese Steak
5. Post Rip and Runn.
Trap
Trap
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Playing the Veer Block
1. Target Inside.
2. Bend on 1st step.
3. Trap the Trapper.
4. No edges.
5. Surface to Surface.
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Playing the Pull with a turn
block.
1. Target Pulls.
a. Penetrate - Flat and Chase.
b. No Penetration - Club and
Cross Face.
External Box of Hell - 3 on 2.
Zone
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Arc and Veer
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Reach
Zone
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Veer
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Pull with Back Block
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Arc and Veer
1. Bend on one.
2. Attack inside 2/3 of Trap
Base
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Pull with Back Block
1. Penetration / Bend and chase.
2. No penetration / Club and cross face.
Base
1. Strike Target.
2. Hips in gap.
Full Line - Six on four.
Run Strong
1. Zone Strong
2. Veer
3. G Scheme
4. Arc X
5. Arc Veer
6. Fan
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Internal
1. Reach
2. Trap
3. Midline
4. Tackle Trap
5. Influence Trap
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Weak Run
1. Veer
2. Counter Gap
3. Isolation
Nine on Nine
QB
Be
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Wo
Defensive Line
Tackling
Position Tackling - Defensive Line
• Fundamental Four.
• Lock out tackle drill.
• Strike Tackle
– Shield
– Sled
– Player
Defensive Line
Lock Out Tackle Drill.
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BC
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Defensive Linemen will lock out on shield
• Hips in gap.
• Near am post position.
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On whistle defensive linemen will post rip and run.
Drill can be set for angle tackle or lateral tackle.
Defensive Line
Strike Tackle Drill.
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BC
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From a stance the defensive linemen will: Hips in gap.
• Get off on movement.
• Strike a blow.
• Post, Rip and Run.
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Following the strike and escape the defensive line man will tackle.
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Drill can be set for angle tackle or lateral tackle.