How to Do an Offensive Line Stance Drill in Football

Understanding the proper fundamentals is valuable to all players on the football field. Players need to know their own position-specific skills and practice drills that allow them to perform better. The foundation skill most important for every offensive lineman is his stance. The stance allows him to execute both run and pass plays effectively. Work and drill with the offensive line daily in order to improve their stance.

Instructions

    • 1

      Teach the basic fundamentals for a quality offensive line stance. The feet are slightly wider than shoulder width apart with no more than a heel-to-toe stagger. When the lineman goes down into his stance, his down hand comfortably and loosely provides support and balance. Keep the shoulders square to the line of scrimmage. Avoid leaning in a direction. Leaning tips the defensive line to the direction that the play is going.

    • 2

      Keep the pressure on the down hand the same so as to keep the defensive linemen confused about the play type. Avoid putting too much pressure on the down hand. Pressure on the fingertips indicates a run play, while not enough pressure on the fingertips signals a pass play. Rest the off hand forearm comfortably on the near thigh.

    • 3

      Fire off the ball explosively. While run blocking, take a short six to eight inch step in the direction of the play and then follow the initial step with the back foot. Take many short, rapid and choppy steps to the coach's landmark while maintaining a wide base with the feet. The offensive lineman's hands come close together to punch an aiming point that the coach dictates.

    • 4

      Train the stance. In front of a board or while straddling a line, have the offensive lineman practice standing up and going down into his stance. Once the players master the stance, the offensive lineman fires off the ball using proper footwork for approximately three to five yards. The coach should insist on keeping the player's feet wide using choppy steps as he works down the board or line.

    • 5

      Use a metal chute drill to force the offensive line to stay low while practicing the stance and get off. The chute's design forces an offensive lineman to explode outward and not upward. If the offensive lineman pops upward from his stance, he bangs his head on the chute and is reminded immediately to stay low.

    • 6

      Incorporate a defensive player. Have him hold a bag in front of the offensive lineman. During the get off, the offensive lineman punches his hands at a prescribed aiming point on the bag holder while accelerating his feet. Work on speed and physicality while combining all of these key offensive line fundamentals.