Offensive Line Slide Pass Protection Drills and their Application

Coach Anthony Fitzpatrick

A Bit About Me• 14th Season

• Hertfordshire Hurricanes

• London Blitz

• Bedfordshire Blue Raiders

• GB Seniors OL Coach

• GB Juniors Coaching Assistant

• Build speed through familiarity

• “Cant treat every one the same but you can treat them fairly” – Coach Bowden

• 100 things 1% better than the opposition

Why I coach?

Notes

• Off set splits

Notes

• Guards & Tackles line up on the hip of the Centre

• OL double as DL in drills

• Success measured in two ways• Ability to complete a pass• Time To Pressure (2.8 sec)

• Questions – please ask as we go through

The Slide Scheme

Half Slide Right Scheme Notes• 6 defenders in the box

• Can run with 7 • If more than 8 we can

change scheme

Mirror Drill Aim To practise reacting to the movement of the defender laterally

rather than anticipating their movement

For All linemenEquipment Two cones, whistle, white field line if availableSpeed Early Preseason: 50%

End Preason / Season: 100%General Notes Shoulders are over kness

Hands slightly lower than chest

Stage stance depending on side he plays on

Defender works cone to cone

If defender crosses LOS to step into hit – dont lean

Don't over run the drill

Mirror Drill

• React not anticipate• OL can crowd the line• Step with correct foot• Read shirt numbers / hips• Foot speed• Don't allow Linemen to lean• Linemen to be under control

Mirror Drill

Drop, Post & KickAim To practise the footwork required for tackles

For Offensive tackles

Equipment Six or twelve cones, whistle, (unopposed)

Notes Work out of a staged 3 point stance

Game day stance

Maintain good body position - Shoulders over knees

3 Footwork Drills Vertical Drop – deep drop stepPost – step and press the LOSKick – work for width

Vertical Drop Vs Rush

• First step works for depth• Shoulders over knees• Work to keep the

Defender in front• When defender starts to

become level– Outside hand to chest

plate– Inside hand on hip

• Divert away from QB

Kick Step

• First step is 45 degrees• Work for depth• Keep defender in front of

you• When defender starts to

become level– Outside hand to chest plate– Inside hand on hip

• Divert away from QB

Drop, Post & Kick• Shoulders over knees

• Staged stance depending on side

• Deep drop on first step

• Feet up and down as quickly as possible

• React to cone, don't anticipate

• Technique more important than speed

Drop, Post & Kick

Vertical Drop - OpposedAim To practise the skills required for Tackles to cover a rushing DE

For TacklesEquipment 3 cones, football, cone, whistleSpeed Early Preseason: 50%

End Presason / Season: 100%

General Notes Continuation of the drop and post footworkLook for continuation in footwork

Variation: Inside Move

Opposed Vertical Drop

Interior Linemen Pass Pro SetAim To practise the skills required for interior linemen to get into the

correct position for pass pro

For Centres and GuardsEquipment 2 step over bags, football, cone, whistleSpeed Early Preseason: 50%

End Presason / Season: 100%

General Notes Centres: Take a deep bucket step Get body position on defender and re-divert Get shoulder and hand across Give ground in controlled manor

Guards: Already set back Set to inside gap (closest to ball) Head and shoulders back Keep feet moving Divert defender from QB – use his momentum

Interior Linemen Pass Pro Set

Twist Pick Up Aim To practise recognising when defensive linemen swap gap

responsibilityFor All linemen

Equipment Whistle

Speed Early Preseason: 50%End Preason / Season: 100%

General Notes OL crowd the line Shoulders are over kneesHands slightly lower than chest Use eyes as well as schemeDon't chase defenderKeep feet movingKeep hips and shoulders squareHand defender off – expect exchangeBe aggressive in the block

Twist Pick Up

Mirror Drill Vs Bull Rush Aim To practise reacting to the movement of the defender laterally

rather than anticipating their movement

For All linemenEquipment Two cones, whistle, white field line if availableSpeed Early Preseason: 50%

End Preason / Season: 100%General Notes Aim to control the defender

Maintain lower pad level (v of pads)

Give ground in a controlled manor

Tougher than the defender

Mirror Drill vs Bull Rush

Mirror Drill Vs RIPAim To practise reacting to the movement of the defender laterally

rather than anticipating their movement

For All linemenEquipment Two cones, whistle, white field line if availableSpeed Early Preseason: 50%

End Preason / Season: 100%

General Notes Recognise the move

Step into the RIP armClamp the RIP arm to the bodyAttack the chest plate of the RIP arm

With off hand attack the hip of the defender

Keep feet and body moving in the direction of the RIP move

Mirror Drill vs Rip

Mirror Drill Vs SPINAim To practise reacting to the movement of the defender laterally

rather than anticipating their movement

For All linemenEquipment Two cones, whistle, white field line if availableSpeed Early Preseason: 50%

End Preason / Season: 100%

General Notes Recognise the move

Keep head and shoulders back – dont lean!

Maintain contact with defender

Keep feet and body moving in the same direction

Aggressively Redirect defender

Mirror Drill Vs Spin

And Finally...

• Adjust drills as required

• Need to rep this scheme with RB’s as much as possible

• Record practice

• Any questions?