Protecting the quarterback and creating lanes for the running backs are two of the most important functions of the offensive line. A chaotic offense is the result of ineffective blocking, whereas a strong defensive front puts your team in a position to win every time you take the field.
Learning the Roles of Different Blocks
Use the tactics of heads-up blocking in real-world blocking scenarios. This is the most common kind of block in football, and it is the foundation for other kinds of blocks including cut-off and trap. The stance, the approach, the impact, the hold, and the follow-up are the five distinct parts of a block. Depending on the play and your coach's instructions, these elements can be used by either the linemen or the running backs.
A strong, athletic three-point stance is the starting point. This stance is the basis for each block and will decide your starting position on the line. The correct stance is one that immediately optimizes speed and power after the whistle has blown. Remember this:
Keep your feet hip-width apart and up off your heels when standing.
Keep your shins parallel to the floor and your knees bent.
Always use a waist hinge and never a back hinge. Maintain a diagonal line with your spine at all times.
Put your strong hand down to the floor for stability. Your other hand should be kept low and parallel to the floor.
Don't lower your gaze; you need to see where you're going.
Step one should be used to square off against your opponent's shoulders. In order to get into position, you take a short step with your non-dominant foot (the left foot for right-footed players). This 6-inch step will efficiently transfer your body weight when you close off the running path. You should try to have your shoulders in line with your opponent's.
Stay alert and on your toes rather than letting your gait slacken.
While blocking, keep your head up and eyes on your opponent.
When you're close enough to your opponent, take a short, powerful stride forward. Your alignment is set in the first phase, and you'll be propelled into the block by the second. Take short, powerful steps of about 6 inches with your dominant foot while keeping your knees slightly bent and your legs strong.
Short, powerful steps are more efficient and expedient than big, sweeping ones. To help their players run faster, several football coaches use ladder and tire workouts.
You should strike with your palms positioned directly below your opponent's armpits. When making contact on the second step, rather than extending your hands forward, shove your palms beneath the shoulder pads, preferably between the numbers and the armpits. Try to make explosive contact with them to drive them back.
Keep your head up and avoid hitting your opponent in the noggin. This is not only illegal, but also dangerous.
In order to "roll" your hips into your opponent, you must keep moving your feet. When your hands make contact, the other blocker may try to push back. Keep your knees bent and your bottom low for force as you take short, rapid steps toward the opponent. Pay attention to driving your hips forward and up through impact to keep going forward.
To force your opponent back, you need to apply pressure both up and forward. A small upward push can throw off an opponent's balance and greatly weaken their attack. This is why keeping your knees bent throughout the hip roll motion is so important for creating vertical and lateral momentum.
Keep moving forward with purposeful footwork until the whistle is blown. Keep your barrier in place because you can't see what's occurring behind you. Keep moving your feet and press the defender into inactivity until the whistle blows.
Keep your line tight and protect your quarterback by not pushing all the way up on pass plays.
Learning to Block Effectively
Driving into the defense and pushing back with all your might is what running plays are all about.
Holding your line and stopping the other team from getting to the quarterback is essential when pass blocking. Keep where you are.
When a false run happens during a play-action pass, you should pretend to run a block but instead maintain your place on the field.
Take quick, powerful steps forward continuously. The blocker who keeps their feet going even after their opponent has been defeated usually comes out on top. In addition, your lower body will outlive your upper body during a whole game, and your legs are stronger than your arms.
Keep your knees bent while you block.
Keep moving forward by emphasizing quick, powerful, ball-of-the-foot steps.
Keep your back straight to minimize the risk of injury and maximize your strength. When blocking, one of the worst things you can do is arch your back, which puts undue pressure on your spine and substantially decreases your strength. Keep your back straight and your knees bent when crouching. Keep your back as straight as a broomstick and lean forward from the waist as contact is made.
Building a solid back and abdominal muscle foundation will help you achieve this goal, giving you an edge over competitors.
For maximum strength, keep your elbows in close to your body and your hands slightly rotated outward. When making contact, keep your elbows close to your ribs to maximize your arm strength. By twisting your arms slightly outward, you can align your biceps with the opponent's and increase your power.
Visualize pointing your thumbs straight up toward the sky to aid in recalling proper hand placement.
To get closer to far-off obstructions, use quick, powerful steps forward. Not all roadblocks appear at the beginning of the queue. There are occasions when direct contact with the enemy is necessary. Don't just sprint up like you normally would. To block well from a distance of 10-12 feet, drop your hips and use short, choppy steps while remaining on the balls of your feet. Quickly reorient yourself to block effectively, and try to line up your shoulders with theirs.
This holds true even if a defender is coming at you full speed. Keep your shoulders in line with theirs as you take a few quick steps and then charge ahead as they make contact with you.
When you charge someone, you can't easily change your course to avoid being tricked.
Maintain constant hand pressure in an effort to get your opponent to the ground. Make it a goal to outmuscle everybody who gets in your way. The most dogged and aggressive blocker will always have the upper hand, so don't discount the importance of your mental game. Use your hands to forcefully subjugate your opponent, and not just to grip or grab a jersey.
Once you make physical touch, you can keep your hands moving. Short, sharp shoves and prods can overturn them with enough force to help you push through.
