Football Linemen Drills

The offensive and defensive linemen in a football game may not get much in the way of glory, but it's through their hard work in the trenches that the play develops. If the offensive line does it job, the offense can make a successful play. If the defensive line is on its game, the defense gets a small victory. Long before the coin toss, linemen practice techniques to be on top of their game.

  1. Stance and Start Drill

    • The first step is vitally important along the line of scrimmage. If an offensive lineman beats his defensive counterpart off the line, it bodes well for the offense. The Stance and Start Drill is taught to the offensive line. For this drill, offensive linemen are paired up with defensive linemen. Offensive linemen are lined up and instructed to drop into their stances. The lineman's feet should be spaced at shoulder width with one foot ahead of the other. Both their feet should be pointed downfield. When the coach blows a whistle, the linemen should explode upward and engage the defensive attacker.

    Sled Drill

    • The tackling sled is an effective way to test a lineman's strength and endurance. In the Sled Drill, offensive linemen should form a single-file line in front of the sled. On the coach's signal, the first lineman should drop into his correct start stance one yard from the sled. When the coach blows his whistle, the lineman should explode into the sled and engage it to mimic pass protection. When the coach blows the whistle again, the lineman should disengage the sled and run 5 to 10 yards to mimic run blocking.

    First Step Drill

    • The First Step Drill is taught to defensive linemen to help them be quick off the snap of the ball. Pair up defensive linemen with offensive linemen. The players should get into their pre-snap stances across the line of scrimmage. The defensive lineman can be in a two- or three-point stance. The coach will explain the snap cadence to the offensive line so they'll know when to move. It's the defense's job to react only to the offensive line's movement and not jump offside.

    Explosion Drill

    • The Explosion Drill works on a defensive lineman's initial burst as well as his ability to read and react to the play. In this drill, linemen are lined up single file in front of a tackling sled and the coach places pylons 10 yards from the sled on the left and right. The lead linesman must drop into his stance and upon the whistle, burst into the sled and drive it downfield. The coach yells "left" or "right," at which point the lineman will disengage the sled and sprint to the pylon the coach indicates.