Hand Techniques for Defensive Linemen

A defensive lineman has different duties. Chasing down the quarterback is one principal responsibility and sacking a quarterback will help you standout among your teammates and impress your coaches. Maintaining outside containment is another important role and requires keeping a running back or quarterback from making gains. Having good hand techniques is crucial to breaking through a strong offensive line.

  1. The Blocker's Hands

    • A pass rusher must protect his body using his hands. A lineman on the offensive side of the ball who gets his hands, arms and shoulders into the body of the pass rusher will execute a successful block. A defensive lineman who uses his hands to push off and disrupt a blocker can succeed in meeting his responsibilities and prevent an offense from advancing down the field.

    Swim Move

    • The swim move is a technique to get past an offensive lineman that involves using the hands and arms. The name comes from the resemblance of a swimmer using an upstroke motion when the defensive lineman blasts through the offensive line. The defender strike's the opponent's shoulder with an open hand. The defender then reaches over the shoulder of the blocker with the opposite hand and lowers the elbow so that the arm hooks behind the offensive lineman. This technique is useful when the opposing player is much larger than the defensive lineman.

    Bull Rush

    • The bull rush is a simple technique that requires precise placement of the hands and much strength. The defensive lineman wedges the hands under the armpits of the offensive lineman for leverage. The idea is to simply overpower the player and "bull rush" him back, meaning the defensive player is running at full strength forward, while outs the offensive lineman on his heels.

    Rip Technique

    • The concept behind the rip technique is to raise an arm with a closed hand. It is kept beneath the elbow and used to punch past the opponent's shoulder. When executed with skill, the player looks as if he is "ripping" past the offensive line. This move should not involve any extra contact and with proper positioning it can be more beneficial than relying on brute strength.