Defensive Line fundamentals

I want to start by digging into the *new* way we are playing our defensive linemen.

Personnel

We utilize 3 defensive linemen: 

• Left End
• Middle Guard 
• Right End

Stance

I'm going to say this with just about every personnel group - we don't over coach stance, I want my kids in an position that they can be comfortable and also make their steps. We typically use a standard 4 point stance, this gets them the lowest and most comfortable (especially for new players)

Depth & Alignment

In our base scheme, we want our Defensive Linemen to be as tight to the ball as possible and in heads up alignment: 

• Left End - Head up on the Left Offensive Tackle
• Middle Guard - Head up on the Offensive Center
• Right End - Head up on the Right Offensive Tackle

Phases of Line Play

We look at Defensive Line play as three separate phases: Read, React, Release. Thinking this way allows us to drill each phase individually and work on specific portions of a players technique.

Read

In the read phase, our linemen will take a short 45 step with the down side leg - this is a directional power step - and a simultaneous open-hand punch to the chest with the same side hand.

React 
Once he has made contact; he will take a vertical gather step, and counter the steps taken by the Offensive Linemen: 

• Offensive Linemen is going away - Follow him (Squeeze) laterally, do not cross the LOS
• Offensive Linemen is coming at you - Drive through his shoulder (Drive)
• Offensive Linemen is trying to get outside you - Fight to keep your original position.

Release

Once you have countered the block, get your eyes into the backfield and play the flow of the play:

• ball going away from you, keep tight to the line and collapse - you are playing cutback 
• ball going to you, keep tight to the line collapse and keep the ball where it is in relation to you
• If you are inside of it, stay inside.
• If you are outside of it, stay outside.

this shouldn't be that unfamiliar to most D-line coaches. But really what i wanted to share was our method for breaking down the D-line into 3 separate - teachable and repeatable steps.