Blocking Drills

Use blocking drills to teach football players new techniques. Perhaps you want to change an unsuccessful blocking scheme to one that works better for your players. They are also great at honing existing skills and practicing together as a team. Football is the ultimate team sport where no one player can execute a play without the help of teammates. Blocking drills help your players understand this concept before taking the field for a game.

  1. Pass Blocking

    • Teach your players to protect the quarterback. This is called pass-blocking. Teach your players to move quickly on the snap of the football. This helps them get into a blocking stance faster. There are five offensive linemen. Teach the center to stay put after hiking the ball, the other four linemen take a quick step with their inside foot toward the center but in a low position. This first move will close down the gaps between them and stop a blitz from coming through. The four linemen then sweep their outside legs backwards, forming a protective U-shaped wall of protection. They must snap their heads up and keep their feet moving.

    Drive Blocking

    • Passing is not the only way to score in football. There is also the running play. For this tactic you must teach your players to drive block. This means they must block the defense out of the way and open up a lane for the running back to move forward. The offensive linemen can use a combination of brute strength and technique to stay low, lean forward and block through the defensive players in front of them. You can also teach them the double-team block. This is useful when playing a particularly tough opponent or to help ensure success at the point of attack. You will find the double play important for short yardage gains or goal-line plays.

    Blocking for Screens

    • Blocking drills are especially important for this type of play. Screen-play blocking takes good timing to succeed because the screen is a play that is designed to fool the defense. It is possible to run a draw-play, a hand-off, a quarterback-keeper, or a screen-pass from this formation. At the snap of the ball the offensive line needs to pretend they are pass-blocking and let the defense penetrate through the scrimmage line. The offensive linemen then peel away from their blocks and run down field to block the remaining defensive players standing between them and the goal line. If this play is timed well, it can be highly successful. If the timing is off, the offense usually loses yardage.

    Blocking for Kickoffs, Field Goals and Extra Points

    • Many times the field goal, extra-point and kickoff teams are made up of units called special teams. Often these players do not practice together except for these plays. Some players who are not used to blocking are called on to do so on special teams. For instance a defensive corner back might be used on kickoffs due to his great speed. Blocking drills are important for these players to familiarize them with working together and effective blocking techniques.