Share via

Equipment:

A 1 man blocking sled, a football on a stick for the coach.

Purpose:

To develop a defenders’ ability to drive a lineman back before getting off the block.

Setup:

Players will form a line in front of the sled, with the coach placing the ball in the players’ peripheral vision.

Instructions:

  1. On the snap of the ball, the player will explode out of their stance, driving the sled back for a few feet.
  2. The player will then use their get off technique, separating from the block and exploding a few yards into the backfield.
  3. Next player in line steps up and drill continues.

Coaching Tips:

Players can use either a ‘Rip’ or ‘Swim’ move, but make sure they practice getting off to both the left and right.

Make sure players are staying low and maintaining some separation from the bag, using good hand placement to create leverage.

Tips for Younger Athletes:

  • Encourage younger players to focus on maintaining a low pad level throughout the drill to ensure they use their leverage effectively against the sled.
  • Remind younger athletes to keep their eyes up and watch the ball on the stick to develop their reaction time to the snap.
  • Teach younger players the importance of using their legs to drive through the sled, emphasizing a strong initial burst.

Tips for Older Athletes:

  • For older players, focus on refining their hand placement and ensuring they strike the sled with proper technique to maximize power and control.
  • Encourage experienced players to practice their get off moves at full speed, incorporating combinations of ‘Rip’ and ‘Swim’ techniques to improve versatility.
  • Emphasize the importance of footwork for older athletes, making sure they take quick, powerful steps to drive the sled back and then transition smoothly into their get off technique.
Share via