Penn State DL Philosophy

8/8/2019 Penn State DL Philosophy

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2004 2005 2006 2007Scoring Defense 5th 15pts 10th 17pts 9th 14pts 7th 17pts

Total Defense 10th 291yds 12th 304yds 15th 284yds 11th 308yds

Rushing Defense 34th 129yds 7th 93 yds 7th 87yds 7th 93yds

Sacks 8th 41sacks 6th 40sacks 2nd 46sacks


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DEVELOPING D-LINE DRILLS As you prepare your D-Line drills you must

keep a certain mentality in mind whileconducting the drill. D-Lineman have oneof the most important assignments in

football, and it is predicated on their abilityto rush the passer or get to the ball carrier.The main ingredients for a good defensive

lineman, is the need for quickness anddetermination. Areas of considerationwhen conducting your drills:


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1) SPEED: A D-Lineman must have excellent foot

speed. He must always keep his feet alive andmoving.

2) ACCELERATION: Initial quickness mustalways be emphasized. The desire toaccelerate on movement of the football is theprincipal athletic trait a D-Lineman needs.Areas of concentration will be to accelerate,react quickly, and develop good physicalcoordination. If a blocker is quick enough to gethis hands inside the framework of the D-Linemans numbers and get his elbows lockedon him, forget it. The defender will not get tothe passer.


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3) COORDINATION: A D-Lineman must be

able to coordinate the action of his hands,feet, and body as he rushes the passer.

When rushing the passer or playing the

run, a D-Lineman must keep his feet

moving. Remember this point with your

drills.

4) COMPETITIVENESS: An attitude is one of the mostimportant football qualities a D-Lineman should have. AD-Lineman gets more sacks when he just keeps comingand he never gives up. A D-Lineman needs to have a

mean streak, meaning they want to get after people,even on the practice field. Make your drills tough anddemanding.


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5) TOUGHNESS: A D-Lineman must not bedenied. How will he react when playingagainst a bigger and stronger opponent?

6) INSIDE POWER: Your D-Line must beable to control the line of scrimmage.


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D-LINEMAN CHARACTERISTICS QUICKNESS: The D-Lineman must demonstrate quickness in his

ability to move in all directions. He should demonstrate an above-average reactive ability for his size.

FLUIDITY: The D-Lineman must demonstrate fluid movement as hereacts and changes direction on the field.

FLEXIBILITY: A D-Lineman must demonstrate extraordinary

flexibility for his size. Flexibility is a requirement for maintaining theproper leverage as he defeats the blockers.

POWER: The D-Lineman must be able to strike a blow with power.He should have a knack for delivering an explosive blow to the

opponent. He cannot be a leaner. He must be able to quickly shedthe blocker.


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RECOGNITION SKILLS: The D-Lineman shouldbe able to make the proper adjustments andadapt to changing situations. He has to be ableto recognize offensive blocking patterns quickly

and respond with an immediate physicalreaction.

CONSISTENCY: The D-Lineman must

demonstrate reliability and consistency underpressure. He should respond to his readsproperly at all times. He should demonstrate afootball IQ in he is able to relate to down and

distance tendencies, field position tendencies,clock factors, formation tendencies, etc


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The exceptional D-Lineman is involved inthe leadership process of the unit. He notonly rises to the occasion, he leadsthrough his body and mind. Some of the

things the involved D-Lineman does for histeam include: Checking the yard markers and reminding teammates of

the offensive tendencies

Helping his teammates be alert for the opponentsspecial plays.

Anticipating checks and other such defensive audibles. Understanding the relationship of the secondary

perimeter support call to the front scheme. Appreciating the impact of the field position. Understanding the relevance of the weather on the style

of play.


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THE FIVE ESSENTIALS

1. STANCE: You should not

overemphasize the stance parameters ofthe D-Lineman. What is important is thestance allows the D-Lineman to take asomewhat neutral position. He should beable to move in either direction with an

explosive power-step.


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2. ATTACK: We do not teach the big first stepcoaching point many coaches edify in theirdesire to gain penetration. We feel the big firststep puts the D-Lineman at a disadvantageagainst every type of block, save one. The onlyblocking scheme a big first step technique iseffective against is the high-hat read (passprotection). Against all other blocks, the bigfirst step outs the D-Lineman on the edge or ina position of imbalance against a blocker usingshort power strides. In order for a player tocontact the blocker in a fundamentally soundbody position, it is extremely important theplayer utilize short, powerful steps whilemaintaining a good base.


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3. NEUTRALIZE: The effective D-Lineman must

neutralize the blockers impact and stabilizethe line of scrimmage. Neutralizing a blocker ora combination blocking scheme involves

several reactions. Getting an up field push ona pass protector, spilling a trap blocker,disrupting a combo block, etc. In order to

consistently neutralize a blocker or blockingscheme, the productive D-Lineman must beable to move quickly and efficiently in eight

different directions.


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4. ESCAPE: This is where the kinship of D-Line

play and wrestling is the strongest. A primarycharacteristic of an effective defensive playeris his ability to quickly and violently shed ablocker. Against the run, escaping

predominantly entails lateral movement ability.Against the pass, the defender may have tothrow the blocker aside with a club move inorder to clear the pass rushing lane. Good

technique and leverage is simply not enough.The escape factor is a critical component to D-Line play and it should be practiced on a dailybasis with specific drills which hone the

players technique in escaping from contactwith the blocker.


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5. PURSUIT: An effective escape puts theD-Lineman into position to effectivelypursue the ball carrier. No one can out-

hustle our defense. In addition to out-hustling our opponent, our players(through the use of the proper escape

technique) will pursue the ball carrieraccording to the proper angle andleverage. Hustle and angle are the two

components of effective individualpursuit.


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PHILOSOPHY OF PURSUIT &TACKLING

Pursuit is the burning desire to get to the football. Pursuitcan be evaluated by freezing a video frame and countingthe number of players around the football on any givenplay.

You can be a turnover producing defense with greatpursuit by your D-Lineman. Force people to go thedistance to score.

You can build a reputation of punishing gang tacklingfrom the front and backside by demanding team pursuit.


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WHAT IT TAKES TO PURSUE1. Pursuit is first a mental process

2. Visualize pursuing and making greatplays.

3. Physical conditioning is necessary soyou can have great pursuit on every play.

4. Speed- react fast and quickly. You can

improve your speed and quickness.


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HOW TO PURSUE1. Play technique and gap responsibility first

2. Concentrate on lateral movement when theball comes your way.

3. Take correct course (pursuit angle) to the ball

so you are in good position for the cutback.4. You have to want to be the first to the ball.

5. Whoever is responsible for contain, must turn

the ball carrier inside to pursuit. Everyone elseworks inside out to the ball.


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ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT THE

BALL

1. Come to balance (come under control).

2. Good bent knee striking position.

3. Step to and through the ball carrier (take

one extra step).4. Club and wrap-up, driving your numbers

through their numbers.


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WHAT PURSUIT DOES1. Eliminates the long touchdown.

2. Discourages opponents.

a. During the course of a game

b. Strikes fear and intimidates futureopponents.

3. Promotes consistent team performance.

4. Creates turnovers all over the field.


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TACKLINGDEFINITION: A tackle is a desired collision

between the defensive man and the ball carrier.THE DEFENSIVE MAN MUST WIN!

OBJECTIVE: To stop the ball carrier in his tracksfor little or no gain and to gang tackle. Tacklingis 50% determination and 50% technique. It

takes both aggressiveness and good techniqueto be a great tackler.


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TECHNIQUE/FUNDAMENTALS1. Meet the ball carrier in a good hitting

position.2. Eyes should be focused on the ball

carriers numbers.

3. Dont give the ball carrier a two way cut.4. Keep butt low, keep head up, first

contact should be made with the chest ornumbers. As the chest or numbers makecontact, roll the hips.


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5. Do not leave your feet, wide base, short

choppy steps, drive through ball carrierand take him backwards.

6. On contact work arms from low to high,wrap viciously and pull the ball carriertowards you, squeeze and grab cloth.

7. If you are caught in a poor hittingposition, somehow make the tackle.Grab arms, legs, or anything you can get

a hold of, except the face mask.


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OPEN FIELD TACKLE1. Gather yourself and come under control 3-4

yards from the ball carrier, feet chopping-move toward ball carrier.

2. Keep eyes on the belt buckle and get into agood hitting position. Make the tackle.

3. Give the ball carrier only one way to go, thentake it away.4. Leave your feet only as a last resort.5. Use the sideline whenever possible.6. Force the ball carrier back into pursuit when

possible.

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Penn State DL Philosophy

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