In our past two blogs, we have detailed at-home offensive line drills for Run and Pass Blocking. This week, we focus on Pull Steps in the run game. While we teach 5 different Pulls (Flat, Lead, Skip, Quick and Wide), for at-home training, we will only focus on the first three.
We will address the Steps as well as the body positioning in relationship to the line of scrimmage (or the view of your phone’s camera). With the Flat Pull (Guard on the Trap play), we will take a 90-degree step with our play-side foot 
and turn our body 90 degrees so that we can run Flat down the line of scrimmage or parallel to the line of scrimmage to Kick out a first level defender (Defensive Lineman) on the other side of the Center.
Next, we will do a Lead Pull (Tackle on the Wrap play). We will take a 45-degree angle Bucket step with our play-side foot and turn our body at a 45-degree angle to the line of scrimmage then crossover step in front to run to the other side of the Center to Isolate a second-level defender (Inside Linebacker).
Lastly, we will Skip Pull (Guard on the Power play). Take 
a crossover drop step with your backside foot going behind your play-side foot then follow with the play-side foot to keep your hips and shoulders parallel to the line of scrimmage.
Now, take the camera on your phone and place it directly in front of you. Stand all the way to the left of your camera’s view so that you can record your movement in the direction you will pull. Align as a Left Guard and Left Tackle. Take a Flat Pull to your right stepping with your right foot first, return. Take a Lead Pull to your right stepping with your right foot first, return. Take a Skip Pull to the right stepping with your left foot first. When you view your recording, confirm that on the Flat Pull your body is turned at a 90-degree angle to the camera. On your Lead Pull your body is at a 45-degree angle to the camera. And on your Skip Pull, you are facing the camera throughout the pull. Then repeat as a Right Guard and Right Tackle.
Continue to practice and hone your OLine Skills every week with your Run, Pass and Pull Steps.
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 supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time!
O Line Skills 