How to Play Defensive End Like Michael Strahan

One of the NFL's dominant defensive rushers for a while now, Michael Strahan's relentless pass rushing and two sacks are widely credited with rattling Tom Brady enough to hand the Giants Super Bowl XXXV. Be among the best, learn how to play defensive end like Michael Strahan with these steps.

Instructions

    • 1

      Use your mammoth strength to tear through offensive linemen. Strahan makes excellent use of rip and swim moves to tear his opponents hands off and bluster past him, driving hard toward the quarterback. Use your shoulder strength to build up momentum and follow-through with your swim and rip moves. Keep repeating it until you get free.

    • 2

      Blitz with lightning speed on the pass rush to get to the corner of the pocket. Strahan's quick cuts and powerful steps allow him to simply run his way around offensive players to come up around behind the pocket. This is how he got one of his crucial sacks on Tom Brady in Super Bowl XXXV.

    • 3

      Fake an outside rush and then drive your inside shoulder to the lineman's outside shoulder and spin off of him to get around to the inside. Strahan's nimble legs work well for him on spin moves, and he uses them frequently to confound offensive players.

    • 4

      Club your opponent's hands away from you as you begin your pass rush. Strahan uses this technique with the precision of a martial arts master. Sweep your wrists hard against the offensive player's and prevent him from making contact with you and grappling hold.

    • 5

      Hunch low and power-drive your opponent backwards. Strahan's bull rush is among the best in the league. Even if he doesn't succeed in pushing back the lineman into the quarterback to force a sack or a fumble, simply driving back the offensive player can open up the offensive line, allowing another pass rusher to break through.