1. Chowan University Defense
Defensive Line Fundamental Techniques & Drills
Ricky Coon, Co-Defensive Coordinator

2. Mentality One man cannot block us. Two men cannot move us.
REFUSE TO BE BLOCKED!!
One man cannot block us.
Two men cannot move us.

3. Three R’s RELAX – Do not tense up. Be ready to explode.
REHEARSE – Know your assignment
REACT – Quick movement to diagnose and defeat blocker.

4. Always Align for Success!
Alignment
Always Align for Success!
Five Types of Alignment:
Normal – Nose to the shoulder pad of the OL.
Heavy – Nose to the “V” of the neck of the OL.
Gap – Nose to the middle of Gap.
Head Up – Nose to nose with the OL.
Tilt – Nose to the hip of OL

5. Stance Comfortable, powerful, functional.
Man (shade) hand is down. Down hand is front of face for two reasons:
Ensures we fire “out” and not “up”
As long as our hand is in front of our face, we are never off-sides.
Feet are shoulder width apart to slightly wider.
Toe to instep stagger. Can use toe to heel stagger in passing situation.
Weight is distributed on the outside foot.
Off Hand is cocked and ready to fire.

6. Footwork Short read step
Explode off of power foot and get the second foot in the ground ASAP. If not, we become a one legged defender
Must maintain balance for re-direct. Never stop feet
In a passing situation, we make a “Rocket” call which allows a bigger first step to close distance on blocker

7. Attack Attack Point = spot in which we place our hands
Stab the sternum of the OL with the man (power) hand
Gap (leverage) hand grab and control the outside shoulder (“Stab & Grab”)
Must be violent with punch
Grab as much cloth as possible
Shoot the hands to the attack point, feet will follow hands

8. Pass Rush Principles Pre-Determine your move. Have a plan!
No lateral steps, always work toes towards QB.
Get off on ball movement!
Close the gap on the OL right now!
Flip your hips as you get to the blocker and start your move.
Work a half man technique with all moves.
Work move close to blocker, know his set. No WASTED movement.
Use violent hands on ALL moves.
Rush with a fiery passion, REFUSE TO BE BLOCKED!!

9. Keys for Success 10 Keys that I believe are vital for success:
Align for Success
Know your assignment – this comes through making the most of your reps in practice. Read and understand the scouting report.
GET OFF on movement!!
Be Physical with Your Hands – Do not catch, punch VIOLENTLY. Stab & Grab.
Keep the feet moving – Accelerate the feet on contact!

10. Keys for Success
Be Coachable – use the technique taught. Take pride in being a technician.
Know The Situation – Understand the personnel and down & distance. Use provided information to maximize performance.
Watch Film – Must know the opponent.
Run! – When in doubt, RUN TO THE BALL!. Motor cannot stop until off the field.
REFUSE TO BE BLOCKED! – One man cannot block us. Two men cannot move us. Take pride in being unblockable, be tenacious. Accept the challenge.

11. DRILL WORK Footwork and Movement

12. Chute Footwork
•Base Steps – working lateral through the chute while maintaining a good pad level while working to develop a strong base.
•Step Recover – working diagonal through the chute while maintaining a good pad level while working to develop a good base when reacting to an inside release.
•Man Step – Working vertical through the chute in 3 or 4 lines. Begin in a great stance. Get off low and get in as many steps as possible halfway through the chute, then reset and finish through the end.

13. Re-Direct 4 DL line up on LOS 5 yards from coach.
On coaches’ movement, DL will rush to coach.
On coaches’ signal, the DL will redirect accordingly.
No wasted movement. Looking for plant, sink, point toe, drive, finish
Will work lateral, screen, draw, pass

14. DRILL WORK Run Progression

15. Fit & Lock
Start in the “fit” position, which is man hand on the sternum and gap hand on the outside shoulder pad, with your nose on the bottom of the OL numbers. Grab as much cloth as possible.
On command, accelerate your feet with while maintaining a good base and obtain lockout position.
Maintain position and accelerate feet until whistle blows.

16. Hat & Hands Begin in three point stance facing OL
On movement, execute get off, stabbing man hand to the sternum, grabbing outside shoulder of OL with gap hand, facemask in between. (3 Points of Contact)
As 3 points of contact are made, accelerate feet and work for full extension with hands slightly above the eyes.
Maintain position and foot drive until whistle is blown.

17. 5 Man Sled Progression Knees Read Step and Hold (three point)
Full w/ finish on whistle (three point)

18. 1 on 1 Fit – Base/Drive Start in the “fit” position
When the DL feels drive pressure, he accelerates his feet while maintaining a strong base and locks out his man arm right now, while keeping his hands above his eyes working to squeeze the blocker into the gap.
Eventually work in Gap and Cross face release (Rip or Wipe).

19. 1 on 1 Fit – Reach Start in the “fit” position
When DL feels the OL trying to get to his outside shoulder, he must attain lock out right away with heavy outside hand pressure while working his “hips to the heat”, trying to work the OL vertical and keep the gap as small as possible.
Eventually work in Gap and Cross face release (Rip or Wipe).

20. 1 on 1 Fit – Inside Release Start in the “fit” position
When the DL feels the OL going away from him, must lock the man arm out right now and work hips and feet lateral and square into a position that blocks the OL from climbing to the second level right away. Must stay square and work blocker vertical!

21. 1 on 1 Read – Base / Drive Begin in three point stance.
Align with nose to the V of the neck.
Eyes are on the outside/inside knee of the OL.
When the outside/inside leg comes to you, strike the OL with the man hand to the sternum and the gap hand to the outside shoulder pad (stab & grab) and accelerate feet while maintaining a strong base and lock out the inside arm right now, while keeping the hands above the eyes working to squeeze the blocker into the gap.
Eventually work in Gap and Cross face release (Rip or Wipe).

22. 1 on 1 Read – Reach Begin in three point stance.
Align with nose to the V of the neck.
Eyes are on the outside/inside knee of the OL.
When the outside/inside knee comes at an angle, strike the OL with the man hand to the sternum and the gap hand to the outside shoulder pad (stab & grab) and attain lock out right away with heavy outside hand pressure while working the “hips to the heat”, trying to work the OL vertical and keep the gap as small as possible.
Eventually work in Gap and Cross face release (Rip or Wipe).

23. 1 on 1 Read – Inside Release
Begin in three point stance.
Align with nose to the V of the neck.
Eyes are on the outside/inside knee of the OL.
When the outside/inside knee breaks away, strike the OL with the man hand to the sternum and the gap hand to the outside shoulder pad (stab & grab), must lock the inside arm out right now and work hips and feet lateral and square into a position that blocks the OL from climbing to the second level right away. Must stay square and work blocker vertical!

24. 2 on 1 Fit – Double Team Start in the “fit” position
When the DL feels drive pressure, he accelerates his feet while maintaining a strong base and locks out his man arm right now, while keeping his hands above his eyes working to squeeze the blocker into the gap.
As soon as the defender gets the OG on a different level, get skinny to split the blockers and immediately square up, throwing the elbow to knock the tackle off the “wash” angle.

25. 2 on 1 Fit – Down / Pull Start in the “fit” position
When the DL feels down pressure, he accelerates his feet while maintaining a strong base and locks out his man arm right now, while keeping his hands above his eyes working to squeeze the blocker into the gap.
As you see the “flash” (Puller), after squeezing the OL, work to cross his face (Squeeze & Cross).

26. 2 on 1 Fit – Down / Down Start in the “fit” position
When the DL feels inside release, lock the man arm out right now and work hips and feet lateral and square into a position that blocks the OL from climbing to the second level right away. Must stay square and work blocker vertical!
When DL feels OL trying to wash down, must come off inside release. Transition gap hand and eyes into down blocking OL and squeeze him back, must stay square!
If the DL gets a good squeeze, he may work across the face.

27. 2 on 1 Fit – Scoop Start in the “fit” position
When the DL feels inside release, lock the man arm out right now and work hips and feet lateral and square into a position that blocks the OL from climbing to the second level right away. Must stay square and work blocker vertical!
As the DL feel the OL trying to cut him off (Scoop), play through the inside releasing OL. Never get cut off (Scooped). We always play through the Scoop block.

28. 2 on 1 Read – Double Team Begin in three point stance.
Align with nose to the V of the neck.
Eyes are on the outside/inside knee of the OL.
When the outside/inside leg comes to you, strike the OL with the man hand to the sternum and the gap hand to the outside shoulder pad (stab & grab) and accelerate feet while maintaining a strong base and lock out the man arm right now, while keeping the hands above the eyes working to squeeze the blocker into the gap.
As soon as the defender gets the OG on a different level, get skinny to split the blockers and immediately square up, throwing the elbow to knock the tackle off the “wash” angle.

29. 2 on 1 Read – Down / Pull Begin in three point stance.
Align with nose to the V of the neck.
Eyes are on the outside/inside knee of the OL.
When the outside/inside leg comes to you, strike the OL with the man hand to the sternum and the gap hand to the outside shoulder pad (stab & grab) and accelerate feet while maintaining a strong base and lock out the inside arm right now, while keeping the hands above the eyes working to squeeze the blocker into the gap.
As you see the “flash” (Puller), after squeezing the OL, work to cross his face (Squeeze & Cross).

30. 2 on 1 Read – Down / Down Begin in three point stance.
Align with nose to the V of the neck.
Eyes are on the outside/inside knee of the OL.
When the outside/inside knee breaks away, strike the OL with the man hand to the sternum and the gap hand to the outside shoulder pad (stab & grab), must lock the gap arm out right now and work hips and feet lateral and square into a position that blocks the OL from climbing to the second level right away. Must stay square and work blocker vertical!
When DL feels OL trying to wash down, must come off inside release. Transition outside hand and eyes into down blocking OL and squeeze him back, must stay square!
If the DL gets a good squeeze, he may work across the face.

31. 2 on 1 Read – Scoop Begin in three point stance.
Align with nose to the V of the neck.
Eyes are on the outside/inside knee of the OL.
When the outside/inside knee breaks away, strike the OL with the man hand to the sternum and the gap hand to the outside shoulder pad (stab & grab), must lock the man arm out right now and work hips and feet lateral and square into a position that blocks the OL from climbing to the second level right away. Must stay square and work blocker vertical!
As the DL feel the OL trying to cut him off (Scoop), play through the inside releasing OL. Never get cut off (Scooped). We always play through the Scoop block.

32. Block Recognition - PODS
Work blocking schemes in a bigger piece, using multiple combinations of OL and DL.

33. Block Recognition - PODS
Work blocking schemes in a bigger piece, using multiple combinations of OL and DL.

34. Block Recognition – Full Line
Work blocking schemes vs. a full OL

35. Gap Exchange / Squeeze
Combo drill with DE & LB vs. Zone Read Scheme

36. DRILL WORK Pass Rush

37. Close The Gap Start in three point stance. Align with nose to gap.
OL will line up in two point stance, 2-3 yards away. When ready the OL will run backwards to create separation.
The DL will react to movement and work to close the gap as quick as possible and tag the OL on the shoulder.

38. Near Hand Bat
Two DL in three point stance facing the coach 5 yards away.
On movement, rush to QB (Coach)
The DL that sees the QB chest with put near hand up.
The DL that sees the QB butt will not put hands up and just run through the QB.

39. Quick Game Reaction
Two DL in three point stance facing the coach 5 yards away.
On movement, rush to QB (Coach)
As QB hand comes off the ball, the DL will leap vertical while putting the gap hand up.
The man hand must stay on OL to protect DL.

40. Power Progression Stab Drill Sling Shot Arm Over Arm Under
Throw By (Counter)
3 Whistle Drill (Tempo)

41. Speed Progression Slab Club Slap Rip Fast Hands – Slap Club, Slap Rip
Club Rip
Speed Drill (Clear Hips)
Counter Club

42. DRILL WORK Tackling

43. Box Tackle Come to Balance
One Way Go (Come to Balance w/ Lateral Step and Finish Vertical!!)
Two Way Go (Come to Balance w/ Lateral Step and Finish Vertical!!)
Angle

44. Shed & Tackle
Work with Reach and Drive
Stay up on the Tackle!

45. Gator Tackle Work off a blocker
Execute a low (Gator) tackle on ball carrier (Bag).

46. Ricky Coon Co-Defensive Coordinator Chowan University One University Place Murfreesboro, NC (641)