Defensive Position Drills

Glazier ClinicGlazier Clinic

Chicago 2007Chicago 2007

Session #6Session #6

Defensive Drills

Tackle/TurnoverTackle/Turnover Drill by positionDrill by position

D-LineD-Line Line BackerLine Backer Defensive BacksDefensive Backs

Group DrillsGroup Drills Team DrillsTeam Drills

Tackling Do’s and Don’ts

DoDo Read the warning Read the warning

label w/kids and label w/kids and parentsparents

Practice the proper Practice the proper techniques dailytechniques daily

Do notDo not Allow the head to Allow the head to

be usedbe used Allow improper Allow improper

techniques to go techniques to go uncorrecteduncorrected

Allow major size Allow major size mismatches in drillsmismatches in drills

Form Tackle

Shoulder Tackle?Shoulder Tackle? Chest Tackle?Chest Tackle? It doesn’t matter just practice it.It doesn’t matter just practice it.

Air Force Drill (Mat Tackling)Air Force Drill (Mat Tackling)

Tackle and Turnover Circuit

Multi-Station drill focusing on Multi-Station drill focusing on fundamentals:fundamentals: TacklingTackling Causing turnoversCausing turnovers Capitalizing on turnoversCapitalizing on turnovers

Tackle and Turnover Circuit

StationsStations Strip, Scoop, and ScoreStrip, Scoop, and Score Goal Line Tackle and StripGoal Line Tackle and Strip Machine Gun TackleMachine Gun Tackle Sweep TackleSweep Tackle One Man Sled TackleOne Man Sled Tackle Tip DrillsTip Drills

Tackle and Turnover Circuit

Strip, Scoop and ScoreStrip, Scoop and Score Ball carrier is trailed by 2 defendersBall carrier is trailed by 2 defenders First defender grabs cloth and comes over First defender grabs cloth and comes over

the top to grab the point of ball and stripthe top to grab the point of ball and strip Second defender scoops the ball and goes Second defender scoops the ball and goes

for TDfor TD Also teach the PunchAlso teach the Punch

Tackle and Turnover Circuit

Coaching PointsCoaching Points The tackle must be secured firstThe tackle must be secured first If the ball doesn’t come out on the first If the ball doesn’t come out on the first

try get him downtry get him down Fumble recoveryFumble recovery

Scoop parallel to sidelineScoop parallel to sidelineFall on the ball in trafficFall on the ball in traffic

Goal Line Tackle and Strip

The offensive player will attempt to cross the goal and the defender will execute a good tackle to stop him. AfterContact a second defender will enter and either work to strip or secure the tackle

Machine Gun Tackle

One player lines up at each of the triangle areas. One is offense the other defense. As the ball carrier moves up between the first two bags the defender fits up (form tackle).The ball carrier backs out and process repeats until the final bag. Then the defender will wrap and drive. Drill should be Rapid fire and emphasize body and eye position

Sweep Tackle

Two lines of players at the triangles. Two players are holding2 large bags. We will work the sweep tackle by tackling witheither the right or left shoulder. Get the head across and get the Inside shoulder on the outside thigh board. Be sure that players get low and run at least two steps after contact.

One Man Sled

At Central we have replaced the one man sled with a pop-upDummy. One line at each triangle. One group will execute a form tackle, while the other line will scoop up the fumble and try to score.

Defensive Line Drills

Defensive line play in integral to any sound Defensive line play in integral to any sound defense.defense.

Like the Offensive line it is often a position Like the Offensive line it is often a position with lots of work and little creditwith lots of work and little credit

““It’s not the size of the dog in the fight but It’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog!”the size of the fight in the dog!”

Defensive Line Drills

Fit and LockoutFit and Lockout Partner up one on either side of the linePartner up one on either side of the line One defender is the “Dummy” the other One defender is the “Dummy” the other

the defenderthe defender Defender will sink his hips, bull his neck, Defender will sink his hips, bull his neck,

and fit into his partner.and fit into his partner.

Defensive Line Drills

Fit and Lockout Fit and Lockout Thumbs up, hitting with the heel of the Thumbs up, hitting with the heel of the

handhand Inside position is key for controlInside position is key for control Defender should now be able to “stretch” Defender should now be able to “stretch”

their partnertheir partner

Defensive Line Drills

SwimSwim Starts with a good fitStarts with a good fit

Need to keep the LB cleanNeed to keep the LB clean Useful in both the run game and pass Useful in both the run game and pass

gamegame

Defensive Line Drills

Swim Swim Right arm swimRight arm swim

Pull defender with left armPull defender with left arm““Swim” over with right arm and step Swim” over with right arm and step

through with right leg to get clearancethrough with right leg to get clearanceGet “Skinny”Get “Skinny”

Defensive Line Drills

Swim Swim Coaching PointsCoaching Points

““Swim” as close to the opponents Swim” as close to the opponents shoulder as possibleshoulder as possible

Finish by getting the “swim” elbow Finish by getting the “swim” elbow into the back of the lineman to gain into the back of the lineman to gain clearanceclearance

Defensive Line Drills

Rip Rip Starts with the fitStarts with the fit

Need to keep the LB cleanNeed to keep the LB clean Useful in both the run game and pass Useful in both the run game and pass

gamegame

Defensive Line Drills

Rip Rip Right Arm RipRight Arm Rip

Use your left hand to move the Use your left hand to move the Offensive playerOffensive player

Rip from the Hip to the armpit and step Rip from the Hip to the armpit and step through with the same legthrough with the same leg

Defensive Line Drills

Rip Rip Coaching PointsCoaching Points

Finish the rip with your elbow at your Finish the rip with your elbow at your ear holeear hole

Run the edge of the lineman to Run the edge of the lineman to maintain lane integritymaintain lane integrity

Defensive Line Drills

Double TeamDouble Team 3 man drill3 man drill

Defender needs to be sure to get a fit Defender needs to be sure to get a fit and fight to pressure.and fight to pressure.

Defender must never give groundDefender must never give ground

Double Team Drill

The 2 circle are offense and the starburst is Defense. Defender needs to get off the ball and fit up. When he feels Pressure he needs to fight to it through the near shoulder of his man. Players need not beat both men just one. If you Feel like your losing ground make a pile.

Taking on the Trap

As the Tackle rips to the second level the defender needs toClose down and jam him. This will also close down the hole. The defender needs to “sense” the trap. DO NOT TURN INTO THE TRAP! Stay square to the LOS and blow up the trap with your inside arm on the trapper’s inside shoulder.

Line Backer Drills

Agility DrillAgility Drill Lateral ShuffleLateral Shuffle Pass DropsPass Drops

Defeating a Blocker ProgressionDefeating a Blocker Progression Knee DrillKnee Drill Lock out DrillLock out Drill Stun Technique and DrillsStun Technique and Drills

Agility Drill: Lateral Shuffle

The LB’s will follow the Coach’s commands shuffling left and right using the reach and slide. LB’s will maintain good stance with knees over their toes and shoulders over the knees. The feet shoulder width apart. Finish with them coming forward to recover a fumble.

LB LB LB LB

Coach

Agility Drill: Pass Drops

The LB will be in a good stance. The coach will direct themWhich direction to drop, be sure to work in multiple changes of direction. The drill finishes with all 4 LB’s closing on the Coach. Apex players should be shoulder to shoulder and wingsInside foot should be on the Coach’s outside foot.

LB LB LB LB

Coach

Defeating the Block Progression:Kneel Drill

The LB (circle) will begin on his knees facing his partner.He will lunge and strike the bag: elbows in, thumbs up and thenlockout

Defeating the Block Progression: Lockout Drill

The LB will get into a perfect fit on his partner and the bag holder will lean heavily into his partner. On command the LBwill lockout then reload, then lockout, shed and finish. Keycoaching point is the LB must be in position to make a playafter the shed.

Defeating the Block Progression: Stun Drill

The LB will be one yard his partner. On command the LBwill punch, lockout, shed and finish. Key coaching point is to make sure the LB must be delivering a rising blow onthe punch and be in position to make a play after the shed.

Defeating the Block Progression:Change of Direction Stun Drill

LB

BC

LB will lateral shuffle to the left and take on the blockers with the stun technique. He will Lateral shuffle to the right and take on the blockers again and will finish with aTackle.

Defensive Back Drills

Some keys to help your DB’sSome keys to help your DB’s QB DropQB Drop QB ShouldersQB Shoulders QB’s Off HandQB’s Off Hand

Gear Drill

Player starts back pedaling slowly and on a Player starts back pedaling slowly and on a whistle the player will increase speedwhistle the player will increase speed

Head and shoulder level must remain Head and shoulder level must remain constant at any speedconstant at any speed

Players will change speeds 5-6 times per Players will change speeds 5-6 times per repetitionrepetition

Players helmet and shoulders need to be at Players helmet and shoulders need to be at the same levelthe same level

Break and Drive

On the command the defender will begin his backpedal using Good technique. Then on the action or whistle he will break and drive. This can and should be done straight ahead, and aforty-five degree angle in both directions. Can be used for bothPass break ups and run support.

Defensive Group Drills

Defensive line and Line backersDefensive line and Line backers Alignment and gap responsibilityAlignment and gap responsibility Inside Drill w/safeties if involved in run Inside Drill w/safeties if involved in run

supportsupport Line backers and Defensive BacksLine backers and Defensive Backs

Pass dropsPass drops 7 on 77 on 7

Defensive Team

Pursuit DrillPursuit Drill 11 men to the ball with a bad attitude11 men to the ball with a bad attitude

Fits and DropsFits and Drops Turnover reactionTurnover reaction