Getting Off the Ball

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Defensive linemen must learn to react to the movement of the center's hand as he brings the ball up to the quarterback. Because their start is so critical, all their drills begin when the ball is moved.

What follows are drills for three different techniques for getting off the ball straight ahead charge, lateral step, slant step. They help teach the foot movements executed by the defensive linemen in most defenses. One or all of get-off drills should be part of a defensive lineman's daily practice routine.

Drill: Getting Off the Ball

The coach kneels down with one hand all that is placed on the ground directly in front of him. The drill is designed to teach the defensive linemen to move forward the instant the coach moves the ball.

All four defensive linemen get down into their stances, each making certain he can see the ball out of the corner of his eye. As the coach moves the ball, the four linemen should charge straight ahead, sprinting for five yards.

Once the coach sees the players reacting properly to the movement of the ball, he starts the drill by calling out, "Hit, hit, hit," simulating a quarterback's cadence. This training is added to the drill so the defensive linemen will become accustomed to hearing an offensive cadence, while still understanding they cannot move until the center snaps the ball.

Drill: Lateral Step

This drill is designed to teach the defensive linemen to take a quick lateral step to the right or left before charging up the field. This is the type of movement a defensive lineman executes when he is responsible for the gap to his right or left. Once the players are in their stances, the coach calls right or left, indicating the direction they should step. As the ball moves, they take a short lateral step in the direction called and then charge straight up the field for five yards.

When first introducing this type of defensive line movement, the players should go one at a time so the coach may be certain they are stepping correctly.

Drill: Slant Stop

This drill is similar to the previous one except that now each defensive lineman steps with the foot opposite the direction called. His foot comes across his body toward the offensive side of the line of scrimmage, and he moves his arm on the same side in a ripping motion across his chest. The drill starts with the movement of the ball. The defensive linemen, after slant-stepping right or left, charge hard up the field for five yards.

The slant-step technique initially should be worked on one player at a time. After all the defensive linemen have mastered the technique, the entire line can do the drill simultaneously.

"Play Football The NFL Way" is the first Instructional Manual for Football Players and Coaches ever published by the NFL. It is the ultimate position-by-position guide of techniques and drills for Offense, Defense and Special Teams. Author Tom Bass is a former NFL coach with more than 20 years of experience with the Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

For a personalized autographed copy of "Play Football the NFL Way," plus information on Coach Bass Sport Maps--the new Official NFL Licensed Football Guides to watching, enjoying and understanding all the action on the field, for all fans--please visit www.CoachBass.com.

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Copyright © Thomas L. Bass 2006. All rights reserved.