This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.
Elevate your defensive line’s performance with these game-changing individual drills. Whether you’re looking to refine technique or boost explosiveness, these 7 EDDs will transform your D-line into an unstoppable force.
The presenter in the video is Northern Illinois’ defensive line coach, Jordan Gigli. The video is a 10 minute segment of his 49 minute Glazier Drive clinic on: D-Line Run Game Fundamentals & Drills.
See why 33,000+ coaches from schools across the nation trust Glazier Drive to help their program succeed. Glazier Drive has 2,000+ Curated Videos from Top Coaches, 40 Complete Coaching Systems, and Exclusive Content from Top Coaches in the Industry.
Start your free trial by signing up here GlazierDrive.com
There are more takeaways from the clinic below the video.
Ball Get Offs
- Triggered by ball or man movement by the offense, not sound.
- Roll off front hand, grabbing grass, and push off both feet–shove hips.
- He is not a believer in staggered stances. He wants the feet base and shoulder width apart.
- Drill off different stimuli–foot, ball, coach twitch, etc…
Run Progression
Emphasize what your players can execute at your level of coaching. High School programs won’t be able to do as much as a Division I program.
- Down and Distance/Personnel/Backfield Alignment and Sets are very important to help you determine how to play.
- Get the call from the coach
- Alignment/Stance
- Attack “Target” (the v of the neck)
- Separate
- Disengage
- Pursue
- Tackle
Pre-Snap Keys (Play the percentages)
These are all worth looking at to determine how you are going to play.
- 2 man / 3 man surface
- Know where your threats are
- Is the QB under center / shotgun / or pistol?
They have game plans for each of these - Backfield set–is the back to you? Is he away?
Is he deep? Is he even? Is he in front?