Chowan University Defense

Defensive Line
Fundamental Techniques &
Drills
Ricky Coon, Co-Defensive

Mentality
REFUSE TO BE BLOCKED!!

One man cannot block us.

Two men cannot move us.

Three Rs
RELAX Do not tense up. Be ready to
explode.
REHEARSE Know your assignment
REACT Quick movement to diagnose and
defeat blocker.

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

Stance
Comfortable, powerful, functional.
Man (shade) hand is down. Down hand is front
of face for two reasons:
1. Ensures we fire out and not up
2. 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.

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

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

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

Keys for
Success

10 Keys that I believe are vital for

success:
1.Align for Success
2.Know your assignment this comes through
making the most of your reps in practice. Read
and understand the scouting report.
3.GET OFF on movement!!
4.Be Physical with Your Hands Do not catch,
punch VIOLENTLY. Stab & Grab.
5.Keep the feet moving Accelerate the feet on
contact!

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

DRILL WORK
Footwork and
Movement

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.

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

DRILL WORK
Run Progression

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.

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.

5 Man Sled
Progression

Knees
Read Step and Hold (three point)
Full w/ finish on whistle (three point)

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).

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).

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!

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).

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).

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!

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Block Recognition PODS

Work blocking schemes in a
bigger piece, using multiple
combinations of OL and DL.

Block Recognition PODS

Work blocking schemes in a
bigger piece, using multiple
combinations of OL and DL.

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

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

DRILL WORK
Pass Rush

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.

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.

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.

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

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

DRILL WORK
Tackling

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

Shed & Tackle

Work with Reach and Drive
Stay up on the Tackle!

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

Ricky Coon
Co-Defensive
Coordinator
Chowan University
One University Place
Murfreesboro, NC
27855
(641) 373-8184