Defensive Line Leverage

Two kinds of leverage are essential: 

• vertical leverage- the defender gets his pad level lower than the blocker

• horizontal leverage- the defender gets his hands inside those of the blocker.

 

Clear Minds Equal Fast Feet

Three Questions 

•Question #1

–Is he trying to block me?

•Yes, Push through my gap and control it

•No, go on to question #2

•Question # 2

–Is the “V” up? 

•Yes, hit your pass rush move

•No, go on to question #3

Question #3

– Is the “V” away with an inside threat?

–Yes-Spill all trappers or Kick out blocks, Tackle 

all backs in your path

–No—Down block coming; feel pressure ricochet 

back and control

1 ON 1 KEY PROGRESSION

Key Drill

–Reaction #1 Trying  to Block Me

•Push through my gap and Control

–Reaction #2 Not Trying to Block

 Me—V is Up

•Execute pass rush move

–Reaction #3 Not Trying to Block and

–V is Away

•Attack inside threat—Tackle all backs/Far

 Arm K.O. Blocks

•No inside threat—

Ricochet back—Down block coming