Defensive Line Drill Library
DL Drills
1 Posistion Stance
2 Alighnment & Assighnment
3 Defeating Block Types (P. 3-4)
5 Pass Rush Moves (P. 5-6)
7 Combination Bag Drill
8 Sack & Strip Drill
9 Combination Snap/Bag Drill
10 Contain & Alley Drill
11 Drop Back Contain & Pursuit Drill
12 Cross Face Reaction Drill
13 Mirror Bag Drill/Machine Gun Drill
14 Weave Through Bags Drill
15 5 Man Sled Rip and Shiver Drill
16 5 Man Sled Rip & Shriver/Roll
17 Combination Snap & Bag Drill
18 DL Ladder 1 Foot Drill
19 DL Ladder HK Drill
20 DL Ladder HK Shuffle Drill
21 Pass Rush w/Hoops (Cones)
22 Hoops (Cones) Progression
23 Soukup Drill
24 Weave & Contain Drill
25 Weave Cones Drill
26 Tip Pass Drill
27 3 Cone Drill
28 Beat with Feet Drill
29 Rag Drill
30 DBL Hip Drill
31 Roll Sprint Out & Contain Drill
32 DL Stunt & React Drill
33 Plant, Cut & React Drill
34 Block distinction Drill
35 DL Extended Bag Work
36 Control & Takle Drill
37 DE Block play bs. TE (P. 37-41)
42 DL Cone Drill x3
43 Hands & Press/Launch Drill
44 Press & Shed Tackle (Cross/Angle)
45 Strike & Load Drill
46 Quick Hands
47 Get off, Set & Read
48
DL Stance
Hands & Feet
-The Defensive lineman should align with his
inside hand down and inside foot back.
-Pretend the inside eye is on the ground and you
need to pick it up.
-Feet should be approximately shoulder width or a
little wider apart.
-Have good bend in knees, ankles and waist.
-65% on the front hand and 35% on the back foot.
-The players feet should be in a toe-to-instep
relationship with feet pointing straight ahead.
Upper Body
-Back should be flat and tail should be slightly
above your shoulders.
-Player should have forward lean with more
weight on hand than feet.
-Off hand ready to go! Not resting on the quad.
#1
Alignment Assessment
Gap Identification
C
B
A
A
B
C
Inside Defensive Alignments
6i
3i
2i
2i
3i
6i
Outside Defensive Alignments
7
5
3
3
5
7
Head Up Defensive Alignments
6
4
2
0
2
4
6
#2
Defeating Block Types
Being Down Block
S
T
C
$
R
G
T
E
Base Block
M
T
C
Coaching Point: Strike chest plate with thumbs up.
Control outside shoulder. Use both hands! Have
eyes on the V of the neck of the offensive lineman.
Shock, shed & pursuit to ball.
S
N
G
R
T
E
Block Out
M
S
N
C
R
T
G
T
Coaching Point: Fight pressure with pressure and
force back. Don’t give ground! Keep shoulders
square as you can.
E
Coaching Point: Fight pressure with pressure and
force back. Compress gap that is attempted on
being created. Squeeze the OL to restrict the size of
the hole. Keep shoulders square to the L.O.S. in case
the ball bounces outside.
#3
Defeating Block Types
Reach Block
M
S
N
T
C
$
R
G
T
E
Down Block
S
T
$
R
C
G
T
E
Trap Block
M
N
S
T
C
R
G
T
E
Coaching Point: Step with inside foot. Widen on 2nd
step while fighting to maintain outside leverage. Aim
eyes at the V of the neck. Player should now push
through the OL’s outside shoulder. Try to make the
OL’s shoulders perpendicular to the L.O.S. Don’t run
away from block so as to create lane.
Coaching Point: Down = down. $ must step down.
Goal of the DL is to get his hands on the TE’s and drive
him down. Eyes up and come off the but of the TE
with shoulder perpendicular to the L.O.S. The $ drives
the TE and doe sot let him climb to the LB’s. Finally
don’t forget Down = Down!
Coaching Point: The Defensive lineman being kicked
out must spill. The spill means that the DL should hit
the G trying to kick him out. Get your head and arm
on the inside while making contact. Get as far inside
as you can. Contact the OL low and on the inside 3rd
of his body.
#4
Pass Rush Moves A (1-7)
Bull Rush 1
Club and Rip 4
Used as a strong surge over the outside shoulder of an offensive blocker. The
bull rush is used versus linemen who lack strength or pass set inside to much.
This is an all out attempt to whip your man physically, and must be your first
technique because it sets the offensive man up for all other escape moves.
Rusher must get off quick and force blocker to move his feet and turn his
shoulders. The rushers aiming point must be an imaginary shoulder wider
than the pressure point. Once rusher gets close enough he will execute a club
and rip technique in an attempt to break down the angles of the blocker's
shoulders then explode to the quarterback.
1. Designing Your Bull Rush Drills:
2. No head fakes, pulls or throws, but simple power thrust and get the
offensive blocker on his heels.
3. Once getting the blocker on his heels, force the blocker back into the
quarterback.
4. Drive your forehead through the throat or chin of the offensive blocker,
then with both hands punch through his numbers in an upward
movement.
5. Defensive lineman must keep his pads underneath the blocker.
Club and Turn 5
Use Jet technique from a three point stance, driving the heel of the hand on
the side of your first step into the shoulder of the blocker, simultaneously
grabbing the blocker's opposite arm above the elbow with the other hand,
turning the blocker away from you, while continuing your charge around the
blocker to the quarterback.
Rip Through 6
Butt and Rip 2
Technique used whereby the defensive lineman drives his face mask to a
point just above the blocker's numbers with the hands grabbing both
shoulder points. The rusher will drive forward working blocker up and back in
an attempt to over power him. Once the rusher has the blocker off balance
he will rip and explode to quarterback.
Punch, Shoulder Club & Rip 3
Same as the punch and shoulder club except the rusher will now rip with the
offside shoulder and arm. Used to stop the feet of blocker, then work a side
to the quarterback.
Release the inside hand, pulling with the outside hand and arm, turning the
shoulders of the blocker. Dip and rip with the inside arm and leg. Must get
shoulder in the armpit of the blocker, rip the inside arm to the sky. Defender
must get his hip past the blockers hip, roll the hips through while ripping the
inside arm to the sky.
Punch Shoulder, Club & Swim 7
It is the same as the punch and shoulder club except the rusher will now
swim over with offside arm after the shoulder club. Use this technique when
you want to force offensive blocker to stop his feet. You should be able to
beat him to the side.
#5
Pass Rush Moves B (8-12)
Inside Crossover 8
Jab Step and Throw 10
You use this technique when an offensive lineman has taken away your
outside Go or Jet. The object of this rush is to take advantage of the offensive
blockers over compensation to stop the outside jet move.
Jab step forward under control, making contact with your hands on the
blocker's shoulders. Push off with your inside foot, sliding laterally and
forward to the outside of the blocker while throwing him off to the inside
with your hands. Continue your pass rush past the blocker to the
quarterback.
Note: Any combination of the above techniques can be used. The defensive
lineman must adopt a combination that most suits his abilities.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Drill Technique
Explode off the football.
Take Jet angle outside.
Turn sharp inside and drive helmet for outside shoulder of offensive
blocker.
Crash inside shoulder so blocker will compensate with body weight.
Drive inside shoulder through outside number of offensive blocker's
chest. Inside arm should be in a drag arm position as outside hand grabs
jersey.
Drive up field in a pinching manner destroying blocker.
Pull outside shoulder out and back as inside arm clubs inside shoulder of
blocker. Bring outside arm over as you cross over. Club backside of
blocker with outside hand as you release to sack quarterback.
Swim Over 11
Same as rip through, but your inside arm will come over the top of the
blocker's shoulder, as if punching the quarterback. Must bring arm over
quickly, with elbow landing on kidney area of the back, this keeps the blocker
from wheeling on the pass rusher. Emphasize tight hip to the blocker and
must get the inside hip past the blocker when making the swim move. Never
stop your feet from moving up field when making any type of counter move.
Break and Rip 12
Punch and Shoulder Club 9
Technique whereby the defensive lineman will punch the offside shoulder of
the blocker then club the onside shoulder of the blocker in an attempt to get
blocker off balance. Coaching point - The punch must occur on the 1st step.
Use this technique when you want to stop an offensive blocker and then
work a side.
This move is used to counter a late lock out by the blocker, strike down
through the outside arm of the blocker with the inside hand and arm.
Possible rip or swim move. It is important to keep a good grip on the outside
shoulder of the blocker while driving up field, the key is to keep the tip of the
shoulder pad pulled down the outside hand, because the blocker can't
square up on the defender
#6
Combination Bag Drill
#7
Sack & Strip Drill
Coach
Explanation: Getting an edge rush, creating
turnovers as well as getting a sack.
1. Perform edge rush. Take tight round hoop
angle around the hoop.
2. Sack and strip. Strike downward with hand on
passing arm.
3. Scoop ball and score. If not dive on like
grenade.
Note: Could add coach/player holding a blocker.
Could also do drill w/Blue roof for lowering pad
level.
End: Alternate lines for the DL. Go from one side
to the other.
Wobble
#8
Combination Snap/Bag Drill
#9
Contain and Alley Drill
#10
Drop back Contain, Alley, and Pursuit Drill
#11
DL Pursuit/Cross Face Reaction Drill
#12
Mirror Bags/Machine Gun Drill
#13
Weave Through Bags Drill
#14
Five Man Sled Rip & Shiver Drill
#15
Five Man Sled Rip & Shiver and Roll Drill
#16
Snap & Bag Drill
Explanation: Agility, movement and redirection!
Drill: See notes below.
#17
DL Ladder 1 Foot Drill
#18
DL Ladder HK Drill
#19
DL Ladder HK Shuffle Drill
#20
Pass Rush w/Hoops
#21
Hoops Progression
Hoops Progression Drill
Coaching Points
Purpose: To teach proper use of running the feet, lean, dip and rip
techniques.
1. Full speed effort.
2. Maintain balance.
Procedure
3. Execute lean, dip, and rip techniques.
1. Utilize PVC pipe to make hoops 7 feet in diameter.
2. From starting position, execute progression with DL.
4. Use leg drive to shorten edge rush.
1 HOOP
• Run both directions.
• Run/Lean both directions.
• Run/Lean/Dip both directions.
• Run/Lean/Dip/Rip both directions.
• Run/Lean/Dip/Rip vs. OL without pressure.
• Run/Lean/Dip/Rip vs. OL with pressure.
2 HOOPS
• Run figure 8’s.
• Run/Lean figure 8’s.
• Run/Lean/Dip figure 8’s.
• Run/Lean/Dip/Rip figure 8’s.
• Run/Lean/Dip/Rip figure 8’s vs. OL without pressure.
• Run/Lean/Dip/Rip figure 8’s vs. OL with pressure,
#22
Soukup Drill
Purpose: To teach agility and reaction.
Procedure: Player crabs on all fours, then flips his body over rolling on his seat, and then
continues to crab on all fours. Repeat, following direction from coach left and right, somersault,
regain your feet, forearm lift man in front, and finally the player turns to meet the opponent
coming from behind, this is a quick reaction move. Drill can also be performed from bear crawl
position. Also feel free to mix in “monkey roles” with a group of 3.
Coaching Points: Stress low center of gravity, quickness and operating from a good football
position. Coach can use hand or oral signals for reactions
Bear Crawl
Crab Walk
#23
Wave and Contain Drill
#24
Weave Cones Drill
#25
Tip Pass Drill
Tip Pass Drill
To quickly teach having separation from an OL and working into a passing lane, we will use our tip pass drill. We will align
two or three groups of OL vs. DL and put a QB at different depths. This drill works well to teach rush lanes and
responsibilities, finding an open rush lane, working the timing of our rushes, and gives us the opportunity to work specific
moves.
Purpose: To teach DL to work into passing lanes and tip passes
Procedure
1. Align OL vs. DL. At snap, QB drops to simulate pass.
2. DL works pass rush moves. QB pulls guide hand as if to throw.
3. DL disengages and works to passing window to tip ball as QB
throws.
Coaching Points
1. Get off the ball.
2. Work a pass rush move.
3. See the QB and force a line to the QB.
4. As QB pulls guide hand, work to the passing lane.
#26
Three Cone Drill
Procedure
Three-Cone Drill
1. Fit OL and DL in attack position.
We will use a sideline of a field as the line of scrimmage. We
place an OL straddling every 5 yards and place a DL across
from him. A cone is placed between each 5-yard line at a
relative 3-step drop depth. We will begin the drill from the left
side of an OL and execute a pre-determined pass rush move
with a burst to the cone. We will then slide the DL group 5
yards in the other direction and rush the other direction to
work rushes from the right edge.
2. On “Hit”, DL executes pass rush move.
Purpose: To teach and practice rushes from the FIT position.
2. Clear the hips.
3. After beating OL, burst to QB at 3-step
drop depth.
Coaching Points
1. Fast hands, fast feet.
3. Stay on track for 3-step; don’t get washed up field.
4. Employ counter moves if needed.
5. Burst to QB
#27
Beat w/Feet Drill
Procedure
Beat With Feet
1. Align two cones 3-4 yards apart.
Purpose: To teach DL to use their feet to beat OL
2. Align an OL between the cones and a
DL facing the OL.
3. On “hit”, DL works to move past the
OL using feet and speed.
4. OL has restricted use of hands (not a
contact drill).
5. After DL beats OL, re-circle and
continue drill.
Coaching Points
1. Move the feet.
2. Full speed effort.
#28
Rag Drill
Procedure
1.
2.
Line up behind the line.
Break on movement from coach.
Note
1. Drive w/movement side leg.
2. Opposite hand grabs the towel.
3. Could use a FB on a stick to
simulate snap of ball.
4. Could add hoop to provide edged
symbol.
Object
1.
2.
Stay tight to cones and low.
Rip low and grab rag.
QB
Rag
Rip inside
hand down
low and grasp
rag. “This
teaches the
low dip rip
and getting
skinny vs. the
OL on pass
rush.”
#29
Double Hip Drill
Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Strike Sled from stance.
Other player holding bags provides
pressure from the outside on the
side.
Play w/good balance and wide base.
Play w/contact.
Bag does not have to come every
time, this ensures the DL player will
not cheat the drill.
X
Go from DL,
to bag holder
to out..
Object
1.
2.
Work on gap control
Work on playing w/good base &
leverage while taking pressure from
DBL team.
Led Sled
#30
Roll Sprint-Out, Contain Drill
Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
QB/Coach gives scout look for DL.
Start w/summersault
Stress low center of gravity for
defender as he executes his
forward roll.
From a good football position
execute a somersault, come to your
feet in a good hitting position, with
extended arms and hands lifting the
defender and warding off or
shedding the blocker.
Then reacting to the coaches hand
signal, reacting to the proper angle
of pursuit.
Object
1.
To teach agility, shedding or
warding off an opponent and
reaction.
#31
DL Stunt & React Drill
Explanation: Getting off the ball, Coming down
under control and retracing to locate ball.
Drill: Coach starts drill w/movement. DL comes
down back and reacts to coaches given direction.
Note: Coach gives reaction to retrace and chase
to designated side. Use most often with our
stunts. Examples (Slant Strong, Pinch or Slant
Weak. Later work with Nut, Ton & Hurricane.
End: Refill at back of opposite line.
Coach
B
A
G
B
A
G
#32
Plant, Cut & React Drill
Explanation: Coming down of the line.
Planting, cutting and reacting to cut back
run.
Drill: Come from behind cone line, go down
around lower cone. React and chase ball.
Fit up with proper tackling form.
Note: Make sure DL gets around the
bottom cone.
End: Offense, defense & Out.
Coach
#33
DL Block Distinction
Explanation: Down = down wrong arm and spill void. Coach
gives lineman one of 2 things. Block down, down and pull!
Drill: Lineman goes down, close down gap by pinching g
towards the center. Head and arm on inside of kick out
black. Spill it! Opposite DL work to cross face of down block
away from kick out.
Note: DL x3, Offense and out.
End: Coach give action for lineman to follow.
Coach
#34
DL Extended Bag Work
Explanation: Agility, movement and redirection!
Drill: Sprint, backward run, combo, agility and more. See notes below.
#35
Control & Tackle Drill
Coach
Explanation: Coming down of the line. Planting,
cutting and reacting to cut back run.
Drill: BC = Ball Carrier
1. QB hands off to the back. Use plays from
given weeks opponent.
2. Back must stay inside the box or avoid tackle.
Note: Can also work in different backfield sets
4-5 Yards
such as split, wishbone or others.
End: HB, QB, OL then DL and out.
Wishbone
Split
I
#36
DE Block Play vs. TE
Explanation: The C gap
defender to your defensive
line versus a TE is critical
person in being effective at
stopping a running game.
Drill: Man on base/Double
Note: Two groups (Younger
and older)
End: Left, Right, Offense &
Out.
#37
DE Block Play vs. TE
Explanation: The C gap
Drill: Man on Reach
Note: This read uses the
OT as the visual key and
the TE as the pressure key.
1. The DE will put his near
hand to the man down.
End: Left, Right, Offense &
Out.
#38
DE Block Play vs. TE
Explanation: The C gap
Drill: Zip Read Base/Double
Note: Different technique
on the TE.
End: Left, Right, Offense &
Out.
#39
DE Block Play vs. TE
Explanation: The C gap
Drill: Zip Read Reach TE
Note: This read uses the
OT as the visual key and
the TE as the pressure key.
1. The DE will put his near
hand to the man down.
End: Left, Right, Offense &
Out.
#40
DL Cone Drills x3
#41
Hands Press & Launch Drill
Hands Press & Launch Drill
Explanation: Using hands and having
explosive violence with them.
Note: Lock out elbows! Can also use band to
keep hands in tight.
Coach: Stand back with staff to start
movement
Technique: Press & Launch
1. Press off blocker bad
2. Launch onto your belly on the read bag
3. Elbows in tight with your thumbs up!
End: DL, Bag holder to out
Press off
blocker bad
and launch on
to red bag
B
A
G
B
A
G
Coach
#42
Press Shed & Tackle Drill
Press Shed & Tackle Drill
Explanation: Using hands and having
explosive violence with them.
Note: Have Back in one of the 3 positions.
Coach: Coach can start the drill with
1. movement staff.
2. Coach should use blue roof for depth and
get off.
3. Back can cross (L/R) or angle
Technique: Press, Shrug and pursuit!
1. Pursuit to the ball of any given 3.
2. Shrug blue blocker!
End: DL, RB to bag holder to back of line.
1
Shield
2
3
#43
Strike & Load Drill
Strike & Load Drill
Explanation: Working the strike on blocker
collision. Using hands and being explosive.
Note: Work left shade x3 than right shade x3
1. Knees bent and loaded from crouched 4
point stance.
2. Pick up ball and explode (Toss) towards
other side.
3. Other side catches and resets to send back.
Coach: Use movement to key the start to the
drill. Ball staff works great!
Technique: Elbows in tight and thumbs up.
End: Side goes 2-3 sides in an alternating
fashion. After that the next group of 4 comes in.
Coach
MB
MB
4 Points Stance
By load side
#44
Quick Hands
Quick Hands Drill
Explanation: Pass rush, block
defeating and using hands.
Note: Club-Cloth or Club-Rip
Coach: Can play setter of have players
do it. Def, Bags & Out.
Technique:
1. DL/Bag take off on movement.
2. Bag will extend to a side.
3. DL must club side and get over and
out.
4. Bags than perform same drill the
other way in an alternating manner.
5. Elbows in tight with your thumbs up!
End: Go 4 times and rotate
“Club direction
side and get
over”
Shield
Shield
Coach
#45
Get Off, Set & Read
Chase 1 of 3 paths
Get Off, Set & Read
Explanation: Block Distinction
Coach: Can play setter of have players
do it. Give all reads!
Technique: Penetrate heal depth and
react the read.
1. Setter should show Pass set, Pull
(L/R) and Chase 3 directions
2. Use stick to simulate movement
start.
End: Hustle back to line.
Coach
Pull
Pass Set
#46