Fundamentals of Run Blocking
Fundamentals of Run Blocking
Line Coach: Paul Orr
Line Coach: Paul Orr
Five Fundamentals of run blocking Five Fundamentals of run blocking
1.
1. StStancance e (T(Thrhree ee PoPoinint)t) a.
a. ShShououldlderers s sqsquauarere b.
b. FeFeet et ShShoulouldeder r wiwidtdthh c.
c. HeHeel tel toe roe relelatatioionsnshihipp d
d.. BBaacck k ffllaatt e.
e. KnKneeees bes bent (nt (Z’Z’s in ts in the knhe kneeees)s) ff.. EEyyees Fs Foorrwwaarrdd
g.
g. HaHand dnd dowown (Sn (Shihip wop won’n’t sit sink)nk) h.
h. WWeieighght ot on in in sn stetepp 2
2.. SSttaarrtt a.
a. PPrere--loload ad fofootot b.
b. FirFirst sst step tep in a in a forforwarward did direcrectiotionn c.
c. StStep oep ovever a bor a boarard “Cd “Chohop-p-ChChopop”” d.
d. Hips oHips out like ut like a rocket a rocket not up lnot up like a Jeike a Jet (Do not (Do not unloat unload hips ud hips until cntil contactontact)) 3
3.. TTaarrggeett a.
a. Hands Hands insidinside fe for or base base block block or or ShoulShoulder der on Hon Hip ip of of defendedefender r b
b.. ThThumumbs bs up up papalmlms os outut c.
c. ElElbobows ws clclosose te to bo bododyy 4
4.. FFiinniisshh a.
a. RoRoll ll HiHipsps! o! on con contntacactt b
b.. MoMove fve feeeet on t on cocontntacactt c.
c. PowPower er stesteps ps (W(Walk alk liklike a e a duckduck)) d.
d. KeKeep ep a wa widide be basasee 5.
5. BaBalalancnce (e (No No SlSlipip)) a.
a. AdAdjujust st to to dedefefendnder er b.
b. OOppeen Hn Hiipps us upp c.
c. CaCatctch uh up wp witith fh feeeett d.
d. KeeKeep hap hands nds insinside ide the the fraframewmework ork
Steps Steps On step
On step-is an aggressive six inch step straight ahead and is used primarily to start a base-is an aggressive six inch step straight ahead and is used primarily to start a base block to a defender who is head up.
block to a defender who is head up.
Fire step
Fire step- is an aggressive six inch step to a - is an aggressive six inch step to a forty-five degree angle to a shaded defender forty-five degree angle to a shaded defender and is used to start a
and is used to start a base block to a defender. Do not point toe anbase block to a defender. Do not point toe and keep at ad keep at a perpendicular angle to the LOS.
perpendicular angle to the LOS.
Reach Step
Reach Step-Is a sideways step used to reach and -Is a sideways step used to reach and seal a defender outside of the bseal a defender outside of the blockerlocker.. Do not point toe and keep at a perpendicular angle to the LOS.
Do not point toe and keep at a perpendicular angle to the LOS.
Bucket
Step-Bucket Step- Like a reach step but blocker takes a step back and around an imaginaryLike a reach step but blocker takes a step back and around an imaginary bucket.
bucket.
3 o’clock (To the Right) and 9 o’clock (To the
left)-3 o’clock (To the Right) and 9 o’clock (To the left)- Lineman throws offset hand toLineman throws offset hand to open hips and runs down the LOS.
open hips and runs down the LOS.
5 o’clock and 7 o’clock
5 o’clock and 7 o’clock - Lineman throws off set hand and rotates hips at a forty-five- Lineman throws off set hand and rotates hips at a forty-five degree angle behind. Used to get depth around down blocks.
degree angle behind. Used to get depth around down blocks.
2 o’clock and 10 o’clock (Punch Pull
Step)-2 o’clock and 10 o’clock (Punch Pull Step)- Lineman punches at 2 or 10 and sets up toLineman punches at 2 or 10 and sets up to come across the LOS at a
Individual Blocks Individual Blocks
Down Block (Same Shoulder block) Down Block (Same Shoulder block)
Used to block the first man on
Used to block the first man on the line inside an adjacent the line inside an adjacent lineman. Fire step to pull steplineman. Fire step to pull step down to inside with the inside foot,
down to inside with the inside foot, deliver a blow with the near deliver a blow with the near shoulder and forearmshoulder and forearm (Aim at the hip) and drive the man down the line. Head should be on the back hip of the (Aim at the hip) and drive the man down the line. Head should be on the back hip of the defensive lineman. If defense is penetrating use the GAP technique.
defensive lineman. If defense is penetrating use the GAP technique.
Gap Block
Gap Block (Wrong or Opposite Shoulder block)(Wrong or Opposite Shoulder block) Used to block the man
Used to block the man on the inside gap. Fire Step to on the inside gap. Fire Step to pull step down inside with insidepull step down inside with inside foot. Rip backside arm and
foot. Rip backside arm and leg through the defender. Deliver a blow with the far sideleg through the defender. Deliver a blow with the far side shoulder and forearm, (Aim at the hip)
shoulder and forearm, (Aim at the hip) getting head across the D-lineman’s belt. (Headgetting head across the D-lineman’s belt. (Head cuts penetration) Finish down the line (when
cuts penetration) Finish down the line (when contact is made the blocker should contact is made the blocker should try to gettry to get his hands on the de
his hands on the defender and lock and fender and lock and push him down the line). A good gap block willpush him down the line). A good gap block will create dominos.
create dominos.
Fire Block Fire Block
Used to aggressively block a man o
Used to aggressively block a man on play side. Step with a fire step (6 inchn play side. Step with a fire step (6 inches forty fivees forty five degrees) to opposite shoulder of the d
degrees) to opposite shoulder of the defender. Deliver a blow with the opposite shoulder efender. Deliver a blow with the opposite shoulder and rotate shoulders and put camera to the hole. Key is to get head outside the defender and rotate shoulders and put camera to the hole. Key is to get head outside the defender
Reach Block Reach Block
W
We use this block when trying to e use this block when trying to reach a defender outside the reach a defender outside the blocker. Use the reachblocker. Use the reach block parallel to the LOS and
block parallel to the LOS and reach the outside pad of the reach the outside pad of the defender. If hard to reach, thedefender. If hard to reach, the blocker can use a bucket step. It is crucial to get the opposite pad reached and the
blocker can use a bucket step. It is crucial to get the opposite pad reached and the shoulders of defender turned. To avoid a holding call the blocker nee
shoulders of defender turned. To avoid a holding call the blocker nee ds to get his hipsds to get his hips outside of the defender
outside of the defender’s hips. ’s hips. This can be done This can be done by using an athletic cross over stepby using an athletic cross over step instead of a traditional shuffle step and needs to be run downhill. If defender cannot be instead of a traditional shuffle step and needs to be run downhill. If defender cannot be reached, kick him to the sideline. If defender is reading the tackle, then consider a down reached, kick him to the sideline. If defender is reading the tackle, then consider a down block with the tackle and then log with the guard.
block with the tackle and then log with the guard.
Log Log
The log block is used
The log block is used to log pinching and stationary defenders. Pull step to log pinching and stationary defenders. Pull step at 3 or 9strikeat 3 or 9strike defender with opposite shoulder and th
defender with opposite shoulder and then shot put with play-side shoulder and log. If en shot put with play-side shoulder and log. If defender cannot be
defender cannot be reached, kick him to the reached, kick him to the sideline. This is a great compliment to thesideline. This is a great compliment to the trap if the trap defender is pinching or wrong arming and should be used on the run in a trap if the trap defender is pinching or wrong arming and should be used on the run in a trap situation.
Trap Block Trap Block
Blocker is to punch pull at 2 or 10 allowing Gap or Down blocks to happen then the Blocker is to punch pull at 2 or 10 allowing Gap or Down blocks to happen then the blocker should cross the LOS. (It is critical that the trapping
blocker should cross the LOS. (It is critical that the trapping blocker crosses the LOS).blocker crosses the LOS). T
Tell guards “Cross the nose of the football”. It is important ell guards “Cross the nose of the football”. It is important to cross the LOS, because thisto cross the LOS, because this prevents the defender from slipping under the
prevents the defender from slipping under the block. This is a wrong shoulder block, theblock. This is a wrong shoulder block, the blocker should stay low and aim
blocker should stay low and aim at the hip. The blocker should kick at the hip. The blocker should kick out “scoop out’ onout “scoop out’ on contact. Tel
contact. Tell players to “scoop the defender out l players to “scoop the defender out like an ice cream scoop”. like an ice cream scoop”. If defender isIf defender is pinching, Log. If the center is uncovered then you can apply the “speed trap” technique, pinching, Log. If the center is uncovered then you can apply the “speed trap” technique,
this is where the trapper takes his opposite foot and tries to step on the near foot of the this is where the trapper takes his opposite foot and tries to step on the near foot of the center, this will motivate the center to hurry-up on his down block
center, this will motivate the center to hurry-up on his down block and will make the trapand will make the trap faster.
faster.
Superman Superman
Backside penetration cut off block. This is also referred to as the “Cut block” or the Chop Backside penetration cut off block. This is also referred to as the “Cut block” or the Chop block”. When a sweep or a
block”. When a sweep or a power is away from a tackle this should be power is away from a tackle this should be used to make fastused to make fast flow defenders honest. The tackle leaves his feet
flow defenders honest. The tackle leaves his feet and aims his oppsite shulder andand aims his oppsite shulder and forearm through the far knee
forearm through the far knee of the defender. This block is best executed when theof the defender. This block is best executed when the blocker gets his head across; moreover, this block can eve
blocker gets his head across; moreover, this block can eve n be followed through with an be followed through with a crab block, that is to
crab block, that is to say when contact is made the blocksay when contact is made the blocker goes to all fours and swivelser goes to all fours and swivels his hips to the play and walks into the defender like a crab.
his hips to the play and walks into the defender like a crab.
T
Touchdown ouchdown Block Block - Used when we want to get an ext- Used when we want to get an extra blocker at the point of ra blocker at the point of attack attack from across the field.
from across the field. Used mainly on Sweep where the OT will sprint acrosUsed mainly on Sweep where the OT will sprint across field at thes field at the depth of the linebackers and
superman early in the game, as this will keep the backside defender honest and allow a superman early in the game, as this will keep the backside defender honest and allow a tackle to get a DB
tackle to get a DB from the opposite side of the formation, which from the opposite side of the formation, which can spring a big play,can spring a big play, hence the title.
hence the title.
Fold Block Fold Block
Down + Trap. In this illustration the man to the outside goes first with a gap
Down + Trap. In this illustration the man to the outside goes first with a gap block andblock and the man inside performs the trap block. This is a
the man inside performs the trap block. This is a great block to send a great block to send a lead wing or lead wing or fullback through. Is a great c
fullback through. Is a great compliment to up-field ends trying to take away sweep anompliment to up-field ends trying to take away sweep an d/or d/or when tackles are pinching.
when tackles are pinching. If tackles are upfield rush use the Gap If tackles are upfield rush use the Gap technique (Note: Thetechnique (Note: The gap technique is not as effective for this scheme as it allows for a DT to spin back into the gap technique is not as effective for this scheme as it allows for a DT to spin back into the hole.
hole.
GUT-Guard Under Tackle GUT-Guard Under Tackle
The guard traps out and
The guard traps out and the tackle reaches in and the tackle reaches in and up to backer. This is a great way toup to backer. This is a great way to blind side a middle backer and account for a pinching tackle.
blind side a middle backer and account for a pinching tackle.
Outside Outside Inside Inside Outside Outside Inside Inside
TUG- T
TUG- Tackle Under ackle Under GuardGuard
T
Tackle blocks down and the guard reaches around up to a backackle blocks down and the guard reaches around up to a back erer. . This is a great way toThis is a great way to take advantage of a 5-3 with an up-field end.
take advantage of a 5-3 with an up-field end.
Odd or Nose (Double Gut) Odd front
Odd or Nose (Double Gut) Odd front Good for a solid double team on a middle backer,Good for a solid double team on a middle backer, can be used for draw and or counter action in the backfield.
can be used for draw and or counter action in the backfield.
Outside Outside Inside Inside Outside Outside Inside Inside
Moses- Even Front Pinching tackles and Up field Ends, Tackle kicks out by taking first Moses- Even Front Pinching tackles and Up field Ends, Tackle kicks out by taking first step inside and the blocking straight out and guard blocks down.
step inside and the blocking straight out and guard blocks down.
Trap Block- Use this block when tackles are standing
Trap Block- Use this block when tackles are standing their ground in double teams totheir ground in double teams to take away off tackle plays or are up-field in p
take away off tackle plays or are up-field in pursuit of sweep. If the tackle is inside theursuit of sweep. If the tackle is inside the guard then a squash call can be made and the guard blocks the two down and the trap guard then a squash call can be made and the guard blocks the two down and the trap goes to the first player outside of the guard.
goes to the first player outside of the guard. If there is a nose then the If there is a nose then the guard shouldguard should double team and work
double team and work to the backer. Note: Trto the backer. Note: Trap means tackles go to ap means tackles go to backers.backers.
Deuce-Deuce-This is a play-side two on one block. The This is a play-side two on one block. The tackle takes a right foot on step tackle takes a right foot on step leftleft shoulder block to the left hip
shoulder block to the left hip of the defender (this can be of the defender (this can be referred to as a post). The Guardreferred to as a post). The Guard Outside
Outside Inside
Inside
Squash against a one Squash against a one technique
reach steps right and takes a
reach steps right and takes a right shoulder block to the left hip right shoulder block to the left hip of the defender. of the defender. AsAs
contact is made, both blockers should slide hips together and roll hips while moving feet. contact is made, both blockers should slide hips together and roll hips while moving feet. This is called locking the defender in the box, because he has a head of a blocker on This is called locking the defender in the box, because he has a head of a blocker on either side and he can
either side and he cannot split the double team. Tell the blockers that the double teamnot split the double team. Tell the blockers that the double team cannot get split and the
cannot get split and the way to do this is by a tight mesh at way to do this is by a tight mesh at the hips, if there were a pillowthe hips, if there were a pillow between them at their hips, it
between them at their hips, it would not fall to the grwould not fall to the ground through entire block. If ound through entire block. If bothboth defenders will take their knuckle and
defenders will take their knuckle and grab underneath the pad grab underneath the pad of the defender, this willof the defender, this will prevent him from falling to the ground before the linemen can get three feet of
prevent him from falling to the ground before the linemen can get three feet of movement.
movement. A great deuce block will not allow a backer to scrape over the top.(Note: For A great deuce block will not allow a backer to scrape over the top.(Note: For varsity players, tell the tackle he is 100% drive an
varsity players, tell the tackle he is 100% drive and the guard is 95% drive d the guard is 95% drive with his eyewith his eye on the next backer inside. If that backer comes through the guard has to come off the on the next backer inside. If that backer comes through the guard has to come off the deuce block
deuce block and close the and close the door. door. YYounger players need ounger players need to focus on to focus on driving together driving together without separation to the echo o
without separation to the echo of the whistle.)f the whistle.)
Scoop-
Scoop- Zone double team to protect backside gaps. Guard fZone double team to protect backside gaps. Guard fire steps right ire steps right into the gapinto the gap and across the face of the defender. (If backer stunts “A” gap the guard has to take him) and across the face of the defender. (If backer stunts “A” gap the guard has to take him) Tackle fire steps to reach steps right to the defender. It is the object of the tackle to run Tackle fire steps to reach steps right to the defender. It is the object of the tackle to run
down down
hill through the gap and through the defender and knock the guard off the block to the hill through the gap and through the defender and knock the guard off the block to the next level. (If the backer
next level. (If the backer blitzes “B” gap, the tackle has to blitzes “B” gap, the tackle has to take him).take him). P
Pllaa --ssiiddee Backside
