Focus on the Fundamentals…
We begin our summer Organized Team Activities (OTAs) this week. During the next 6 weeks, my blog will discuss how we teach/train our offensive linemen during that period. Although we have returning players, we teach OTAs as if it is the first time we are installing it. While the next few weeks topics are likely a little heavy on X’s & O’s, the focus on fundamentals and establishing a foundation of success is the consistent theme. Back to basics!
During week 1, we introduce our Man Scheme. Man schemes differ from our Zone and Gap schemes in that we block a particular person regardless of play direction and defender alignment. In its simplest form, the Guards block #1 on the line of scrimmage (Defensive Tackles in a 4 down front), Tackles block #2 (Defensive Ends). The Center blocks the middle or backside Inside Linebacker (Mike) often in combination with one of the Guards if their #1 impedes the Center’s path to Mike. The Running Back blocks the 1st Linebacker to the playside (Sam).
In Week 1, we introduce QB Iso, Lead, and Draw. For our OLine, all 3 plays are blocked the same (simplifying the scheme breeds early success and confidence!). Only the backfield action differs. Iso is a downhill QB run to the side of the running back’s offset alignment. Lead is run to the side of the line of scrimmage opposite the running back’s alignment. The QB rides the running back as he would on inside zone then follows him. Draw is run to the side of the running back like Iso but is done with a pass set by the running back and a drop step by the quarterback.
Offensive linemen can use drive blocks or jump sets. The jump set can only be used if the defender has outside alignment (ex. 3 tech on a Guard or 5 tech on a Tackle). On the Jump set, the offensive lineman takes a base run step with his inside foot but makes a pass set with his upper body. The step defends the inside gap. The show of “high hat and hands” in the pass set invites the defender to get into a pass rush and has him remove himself from his gap responsibility opening up running lanes.
Examples follow:
You’ve read here how we reinforce the mantra “Championships are not won on Saturdays in the Fall.” This back to basics approach to teaching fundamentals is the next step in our process of reinforcing who we are and how we think about our roles, responsibilities, and commitments to the team. While understanding and appreciation of individual assignments are imperative to getting the play right, I’m equally focussed on helping teammates recognize their interdependence in pursuit of collective success.
Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for your time!
O Line Skills 