O-Line Progression

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Offensive Line Progression for the Single Wing

• Presented at the Single Wing Conclave
• February 27, 2010
• By Coach Walter Siryk

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Walt-Tzus The Art of Training the Death Squad
O-Line for Face Melter Results
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Presentation Agenda

• O-Line requirements for the SW offense
• Our Philosophy of O-Line Play
• O-line Teaching Progression
• Basic Blocks and schemes
• Its not what you know, but what you teach

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Ode of the O-Line Coach

• Work with the least athletic talent and ability
  on your team
• to contact, engage and force movement on a
  defender
• who is the Best player on their team and
  possesses quickness, great speed, excellent
  reaction-time and agility
• For No glory or recognition!

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The Greatest Rewards

• You can develop a player in this position more
  than any other.
• Work with great kids that are dedicated, loyal,
  hard workers.
• Great blocking has a profound impact on the game.
• For the kids Free license to commit assault and
  battery.

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The Objective

• Given that we
• Teach blocking in a Part-Whole progression,
• Use blocking rules that put each player in a
  position to succeed, and
• Equip each player with a Tool Box for any
  situation
• We can expect 100 success with our blocks.

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The Challenge

• Unnatural to assume a 3 point stance.
• Requires flexibility to fire off low and sprint
  with a line of force.
• Takes hard work, repetition, knowledge, and
  patience.

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Single Wing Characteristics

• Physical, power football
• Ball control offense, requiring 2.5 yards per
  carry
• Tight line splits
• Pulling required
• To bring overwhelming numbers to the point of
  attack
• To execute Traps
• 3 level blocking On, LBs, Down Field

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Theory of SW O-Line Play

• Change the LOS get off on the snap count with
  Sprint Action
• Dominate the 2x4 yard box
• 4-6 second Concept
• Block on 3 Levels

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4 Advantages of the Blocker

• Everything we do is designed to capitalize on the
  4 Advantages the blocker has
• Cadence 1st mover advantage
• Direction 1st chance to initiate proper angle
  of departure and attack
• Impact greater chance to generate great
  explosion and force on the defender
• Blocking Scheme knows the play

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Changing the LOS

• We teach our lineman to play fast
• Ball is 12 long, get on other side of it
• Foot Work is Sprint Action like a sprinter
• NOT A DUCK WALK
• Stance and Starts are repped every day
• In warm-ups, Indy time, conditioning
• Indy time is heavily based on competitive
  contests, including races
• Bag Race
• Bag Drive Race

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Bag Race Drills
Player/ Coach
Player/ Coach
Player/ Coach
Player/ Coach
Shield
Shield
Shield
Shield
4, 7, or 10 yds
Last player there, does push ups
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Bag Race Clip
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Bag Drive Race Drills
DRIVE FOR 10
10 yards
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Dominate the 2x4 yard box

• Anyone can be a sound fundamental player in this
  short contact space.
• Game of Leverage We stress shoulder blocking
  form to create a line of force from contact to
  finish
• Angular Advantage Our blocking rules put
  players into a position to succeed
• No base blocking, just angles and double teams
• Attitude If your man is still standing after
  the whistle blows, there is room for improvement

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Dominate with the Tool Box

• We expect our players to block defenders 1 on 1.
• Before Game 1, our players are taught a blocking
  progression strategy with 3 base blocks Tool
  Box
• Gap/Down
• Crab or Scramble
• Cut
• If they are having difficulty handling a
  defender, they are taught to go through the
  progression
• Base block doesnt work, so crab him, if that
  doesnt work, Cut him, if that doesnt work well
  get you some help
• They understand that we have eliminated all
  excuses, but that they are not on an island

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A Word on Shoulder vs Hands

• Why we shoulder block
• Player size and strength favors shoulder blocking
• Larger blocking area Elbow to Earhole
• leverage factor as younger players tend to work
  too high or miss target point
• Due to our Tight Splits and Quick Hitting nature
  of our plays
• Shoulder blocking is more explosive
• Tight Splits enable us to explode and unload into
  the defender without having to worry about
  missing the defender or being O-layed.

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A Word on Angular Advantage

• We use a version of SAB, GDB (Gap-Down-Backer)
  because we believe it
• Gives our players an Angular Advantage
• Puts more bodies on 2nd level defenders than GOD
  blocking
• Whatever blocking rules you use,
• IMPORTANT to note that different blocking rules
  create different play dynamics
• Whos pulling and puller timing,
• How quickly back hits POA,
• Angle of attack at the POA,
• Blocking emphasis
• Example Moving from GOD to GDB, we have
  de-emphasized the Double Team Block and
  emphasized the Gap and LB Block.

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Blocking Rule Comparison
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4-6 Second Concept

• We DEMAND all out effort for 6 seconds
• We play a Double Whistle in practice
• After play is over, we delay 1-2 seconds with a
  second whistle
• All lineman must continue to be engaged with a
  defender, if not we do push ups
• Game simulated drills like the
• Zig-Zag Drill
• Funnel Drill

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Zig Zag Drills
Stay with Shield until whistle blows Variation
Keep Defender off of Coach until whistle blows
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Zig Zag Drill
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Funnel Drill
Coach walks through Funnel, Blocker must hold
blocks or Youre Fired. Use Starting Defenders,
Best on Best.
COACH
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Funnel Drill
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3 Level Blocking

• We Teach players to block at 3 levels
• Down Lineman DLM
• Linebacker LB
• Down Field DF
• The main differences in the blocks are
• The Direction of the 1st Step
• Aiming Point of Contact
• Blocking Surface
• Stance, Take-offs, and Contact Fit are
  essentially the same

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Teaching Progression Philosophy

• Teach BIG PICTURE, the PARTS, then the WHOLE
• KEY POINT
• Start with the Finish
• Ensure the Blocker feels and experiences the
  perfect block FIRST, so they can train and
  discipline themselves in the proper mechanics to
  get there.

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Start with Base Drive Block

• Every blocking technique in our system
  encompasses the fundamentals of the Base Drive
  Block
• Once the lineman learns the basic fundamentals
  and mechanics, he has a solid basis to execute
  every block in our system.

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Elements of Good Blocking

1. Good Stance
2. Stay lower than defender, maintain leverage, Low
   Man Wins
3. Back in leverage position w/Ram-Rod angle Line of
   Force
4. Power Angles in the legs
5. Block with your Feet
6. Follow Through

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Ram Rod Line of Force
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Teaching Progression

• 3 Phase Progression
• Stance Takeoffs
• Fit Position
• Specific Blocks
• Gap/Down
• Crab/Scramble
• Cut block
• Power Climb to 2nd level
• Pull

Tool Box
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Phase 1 Stance Takeoffs

• A correct disciplined Stance will provide for
  excellent take-off mechanics and allow for a
  quick transition in all 4 directions

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Stance

1. Feet under arm pits
2. Toe to In-Step Stagger
3. Tripod arm inside of knee, 6 in front of
   shoulder
4. Weight distributed and balanced
   (trick 4 pt then raise hand)
5. Power Z in knees, ankles. Be a knee bender, not a
   hip bender
6. Back Flat with a line of force thru defender
7. Head Up
8. Air under heels

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Stance Clip
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Takeoff Goals

• Take-offs must
• Change the LOS (Sprint Action),
• Stop Penetration,
• Allow blocker to get into position for Angular
  Force Advantage, and
• Get movement on the defender
• Emphasize Sprint Action Speed!
• Get off the ball!

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Takeoffs 3 Step Progression

• Player who gets their 2nd step down first Wins
• First Step (6 Power Step)
• Establishes direction
• Movement forward, not up
• Eyes on target
• Second Step (6)
• To split the crotch of defender
• Unload forearms into the defender
• Third Step
• Accelerate upfield
• Acronyms used
• B.E.E.F. (Murphy) Blast off, Explode, Elevate,
  Finish
• L.E.G. (Lawson) Load, Explode, Go

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How we teach it

• Load 6 power step with near foot
• Roll over the front step
• Knee of drive leg points to ground
• Stay Low numbers to knees
• Initial movement forward, not up
• Thrust arms in sprint motions
• First step should never be further than the down
  hand
• Explode Power Step, Unload forearm and
  shoulder into defender
• Go Short step and accelerate
• If your man is still standing at the whistle,
  there is room for improvement

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Takeoffs Clip
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Takeoff Mechanics

• Blocking Surface Elbows to Ear-hole
• Target Far or Armpit before contact so we get
  into the hips of the defender
• Down hand swings back hard (Sprint Action)
• Replace down hand with foot
• Coaching Point
• Have players slap hand of player behind them to
  emphasize sprint action.
• Progress to walking with pumping arms then to
  sprints.

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3 Step Drills

• We drill the first 3 steps hard at the beginning
  of the season, then we review it 1x per week
  after with fun drills.
• Tennis Ball Drill catch tennis ball on 1
  step, then 2nd step
• Splatter Drill 2nd Step into bag holder
  standing in front of landing pad

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Tennis Ball Drill
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Splatter Block Drill
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Directional Drills
Next we introduce directional footwork and
emphasizing forward movement, not upward movement
with CHUTES BOARDS
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Boards Drill
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Phase 2 Fit Position

• Objective To show the Blocker the ideal blocking
  position at initial contact.
• Drill 1 Fit Position
• Ex. Right Shoulder
• Right foot in crotch of partner
• Ear hole to elbow contact
• Back Flat
• Power Z in knees ankles
• Opposite hand down
• Partner holds head up

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Fit Position
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Fit Position Demo
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Drill 2 Follow Through

• Objective Develop experience to accelerate and
  finish block while maintaining proper mechanics
  and body position
• Assume Fit Position against bag over board.
• 4 Short steps to the whistle while maintaining
  fit, power z, feet underneath.
• Do both shoulders
• Progress to 5 yard sprints while maintaining fit,
  power z, feet underneath.

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Drill 2 continued

• Coach checks for following
• Straight back
• Power Z in knees, ankles
• Maintained contact with bag
• Head Up
• Common Problems
• Head down
• Back humped
• Lose of power angles
• Laziness

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Drill 2 Follow Through
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Drill 3 Fire to Fit

• Objective To train explosion into the proper fit
  position
• Line up on blocking shield over board
• Hit Freeze on Hand Shield
• Hit and freeze with knee and same side shoulder
  up
• Progress from 6pt , 4 pt, to 3 pt stance
• Progress to Hit, 4 short steps, freeze
• Coaching Point always make sure arms are flying
  back

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Drill 3 Fire to Fit
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Drill 4 Fire to Finish

• Objective To bring together all the previous
  blocking progressions into the total block.
• Line up on blocking shield over board
• From Stance, Fire Out, Hit, sprint drive
• bag 5-10 yards (or 4-6 seconds) to the whistle
  while maintaining contact and proper fit.

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Drill 4 Fire to Finish
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Phase 3 Individual Blocks

• Once a player learns the Base Drive Block
  fundamentals, they have a foundation to execute
  the other blocks.
• The differences are in the
• Direction of 1st step
• Aiming point of contact, and
• Blocking surface

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A Word about Line Depth

• The depth of the O-line has an impact on Aiming
  points, leverage angles, and speed of blocks.
• Tight helmet on back tip of ball
• Allows for quicker contact for movement
• Greater Angle of Leverage
• Loose helmet on centers waist
• Greater momentum at contact
• More time for pullers
• Combination Pullers in Loose, others in tight

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Reminder Which foot?

• Gap or Down Step with nearest foot
• Man On/Over Step with Back Foot, drive with up
  foot

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Gap/Down Block

• Purpose Prevent Penetration, move defender down
  LOS
• Aiming Point
• Tight Defender inside
• Loose defender near
• 1st Step Near foot at DLMs far instep, head in
  front of DLM
• 2nd Step To crotch of DLM
• Contact Backside shoulder forearm explode into
  DLMs side/hips.
• Finish Drive DLM down LOS.

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Gap/Down Block
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Crab/Scramble Block

• Purpose Seal a hard charging DLM, helps weaker
  O- Lineman handle stronger DLM.
• Aiming Point Play-side number or gap
• 1st Step Near foot to far arm pit
• 2nd Step Step while ripping backside arm and
  shoulder in front of defender.
• Finish Assume 4 pt stance and accelerate
  sideways into defender
• Can also use Squeeze Seal technique

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Crab/Scramble Block
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Cut Block

• Purpose Cut-off a hard charging DLM, helps
  smaller O- lineman vs bigger DLM
• Aiming Point Play-side thigh
• 1st Step Near foot at DLMs far instep
• 2nd Step Crotch of defender, helmet in front of
  thigh.
• Contact Drive Backside shoulder thru thigh,
  backside arm thru crotch, defenders thigh is
  between V of head and shoulder
• Finish 4 pt stance and accelerate to take
  defender to the ground.

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Cut Block
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Blocking 2nd/3rd level

• Power Climb
• Square up between defender and ball carrier.
• Strike with Closed Fists under LBs shoulder pads
  into breast plate, pad under pad
• Long part of forearm is the blocking surface
• Run hips under LB, keep running feet
• Do not lean forward during attack
• Striking with fists first enables lineman to keep
  his feet and adjust to defenders evasive moves.
  
• Leading with shoulder can cause you to whiff.

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Power Climb
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Traps

• Use Loop Pull, do not run to sideline
• Step for the back tip of the football
• Aiming point is the near thigh board
• Pull Right Right shoulder contact
• Pull Left Left shoulder contact

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Loop Pull for Traps/Power

• Not the traditional Rip arm back while stepping
  parallel to LOS and facing sideline
• Keeps Shoulder square to LOS, ready to take on
  blitzing backers.
• Pullers eyes are upfield on-target, not the
  sideline.
• Easier to log a squeezing defender
• Puller hugs line movement

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Loop Pull

• Key Points for Left Guard Pulling Right
• Drop left foot behind right foot,
• Right foot step toward back of ball

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Loop Pull Demonstration
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Traditional Pull
L3
L1
R
L
L2
R2
R1
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Loop Pull
L3
R2
L2
R
L
R1
L1
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Traditional Pull - Trap
QE
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Loop Pull - Trap
QE
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Traditional Pull - Power
QE
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Loop Pull - Power
QE
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Loop Pull - Clips
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Key Take-Aways for Success

• Show them how a block feels, the FIT
• Teach them how to block
• Use a structured progression
• Start at the Finish
• Put them in a position to succeed with angular
  advantage blocking rules
• Give them a Tool Box
• A progression to use when having a challenging
  opponent
• Rep each block in practice
• Drills should simulate game conditions