Defensive Line Play

Lee-Davis High School

Confederate Football
Jason Meade Head Football Coach
Lee-Davis High School meade@leedavisfootball.com 804.513.2460 www.leedavisfootball.com

BUILD
The deeper the foundation, the stronger the individual
This applies to life, academics, and football

The goal is for each player to be at his best on the final play of his football career
We will build on each rep, drill, practice, and game Constant improvement

BUILD
The product of our profession is BUILDING successful lives The byproduct of our profession is winning football games
The little things make this possible

Our role as coaches is to take our players to a level that was not possible for them to achieve on their own

Coaching Defensive Linemen

Eliminate the word dont
Tell the players what to do

Establish positive communication When we address one player, they all must pay attention
If they always listen, they will always learn
They all have the same name

Mental reps
If you are focused, your body will react as if your were taking the rep

Players learn by doing

Reps, Reps, Reps

Great Defensive Linemen

If you have quick feet you can be a good Defensive Lineman
Drill footwork everyday

If you have quick hands you can be a good Defensive Lineman

Work on hand fight and quickness everyday

If you have both, you can be a GREAT Defensive Lineman

If you play with leverage

Great Defensive Linemen

Maintain Body Leverage
The goal is to keep your helmet below the offensive linemens helmet the entire play In reality, some players struggle to consistently play with this body position They must learn when to drop their pad level
This is leverage control
Timing your pad level for effective contact and control

Pad level can be trained

Box Squats, Hurdles, Duck Walk, Stadium Stairs

Defensive Line Philosophy

We are going to make the offense earn every block and every yard by:
Attacking work to the heels of the offensive line and spill all kick-out blocks Escaping recognize the blocking scheme and get out of their line of fire Pursuing make the tackle if your gap is threatened or chase into the line of scrimmage with relentless effort if it is not threatened Tackling finish every play involved in the tackle (Drive Stop, TFL, SACK, first hit/assist, FF, FR)

Techniques
A B

Q Y T G C G T Y

7 6i 5 4i 3 2i 6 4 2

1 1 2i 3 4i 5 6i 7 0 2 4 6

Base

Base
A B

Z Y

Q X

J 3x3 C 1x7

E 6i

T 2i S 30 D 8-10

N 2i M 30

A Loose 5

R 4x3 C 1x7

Under
A B

Z Y

Q X

J 9

E 5 S 30

T 1

N A 3 Loose 5 M 20

R 4x3 C 1x7

C 1x7 D 8-10

Get Set (TNT)

Defensive Call
Everyone looks to the sideline There is no huddle

Assignment/Responsibility
Front Stunt Blitz Movement

Get Set (TNT)

Alignment
Right or Left
Depends on the call and the strength of the formation

Heavy or Loose
Depends on ability and confidence

Credit Card
Regular alignment Crowd the ball

Shoe Box
Movement alignment Between 12 and 18 inches off of the ball

Get Set (TNT)

Stance
Nike
3 point stance, man hand down Toe to instep stagger, man foot back
Taller players may need to have more stagger

Feet at a comfortable distance Down hand will always be in front of our eyes Weight slightly forward 60%/40% Hips slightly elevated above the shoulders Head up with the inside eye keying the football

Guns
Get-off stance in passing situations More stagger, more weight on the down hand, higher hips

Stance

Pre-Snap Reads (TNT)

Offensive Linemans stance
Run (Reno call) Pass (Vegas call) This read may change your stance

Gap size Offensive Linemans depth

Most offensive lineman gain depth to pull or pass set

We will study film to learn our opponents tendencies

Keys
1. 2. Take-off Key
Back point of the football Limit your vision

Man-on
V of the neck or the screws of the helmet Block Recognition
Base, Down, Zone Scoop, Reach, Pass Set, Pull, Double Team, Arc Your alignment will limit the blocks you will face

3. 4. 5.

Adjacent Man Near Back

Wrong arm and climb vertically

Down the Line

Wrong arm and climb vertically

Mat Take-Offs

Band Take-Offs

Take-Offs

Chase Take-Offs

Attack the Man

Hands
Violently strike the target from low to high
Quick Jab

Hand placement Breast plate and Tricep/Shoulder Tip Keep your eyes below hands

Hips
Play with leverage Stay square and maintain your gap leverage Play with Great Body Position
Keep your facemask below the offensive linemans facemask

Feet
Your 1st step is to your man, your 2nd step is with your key Stay square and maintain your gap leverage Be Active Keep your feet moving
Always drive to the offensive linemans heels

6-Point Explosion

Versus the Run

Separate
Arms of Steel Thumbs up and elbows locked

Squeeze and spill all kickers

Recognize the blocking scheme Occupy your gap Stay square until you are forced to wrong arm

Escape
Get out of the line of fire Must be quick, explosive, and aggressive

Chase into the Line of Scrimmage Tackle

Weekly Run Drills

Footwork Take-Offs Can Work
Techniques Movement Stunts and Blitzes
Involve ILBs

Block Recognition
1 vs 1; 1 vs 2; 2 vs 2 Involve ILBs Use the offensive line

Wrong Arm Drill Line of Fire Drill Rip Technique

Rip and Long Stick

Arms of Steel
6-point 3-point Sled

Line and Full Line Work

Involve the offensive line

3-point Fit and Press

Working Extension

*Must also work these drills under the chutes

Chute Work

Board Fight

Rip Technique

Versus the Pass

Close the space and set up our move
Defensive Tackles Defensive Ends Square Principle Tackle Set Line
Make the offensive lineman move horizontally Sprint to a point 4 yard behind the offensive tackles outside foot Beat him with speed first React to his set

Work a Move
Same hand/shoulder, same foot Ends Plant the seed of speed Tackle Power

Hip Slide Accelerate Sack or Pursue

Rush Lanes

Weekly Pass Drills

Footwork Take-Offs Hand Fighting Rip Progression Swim Progression Transition Drill
Recognizing high hats

1 on 1 Pass Rush Illini Drill Pop-Up Bags

Slalom Radical Turns Square Drill

Hoops
Under the chutes

Push/Pull Drill 3 (OL) on 1 (DL) Screen and Draw

Retrace your steps

Hoops

Radical Turns

Defensive Line Play

Lee-Davis High School
Confederate Football
Jason Meade Head Football Coach
Lee-Davis High School meade@leedavisfootball.com 804.513.2460 www.leedavisfootball.com