Football Toolbox

The WIPER Technique: How D Linemen Destroy Blocks & Control Gaps

by

Winston DeLattiboudere, Arizona Cardinals, D-Line Coach

Full video on Glazier Drive:  Overall Teaching of D-Line Block Destruction, Part 2: Wiper

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.

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COACH DEEBO’S D-LINE KEYS TO VICTORY: BLOCK DESTRUCTION PART TWO – THE WIPER TECHNIQUE

This coaching video focuses on teaching defensive linemen the “wiper” technique, which is Phase 2 of block destruction fundamentals.

CORE CONCEPT

The wiper technique teaches defensive linemen to see “down, around, and through” their assigned gap while taking the offensive lineman’s body and placing it in the opposite gap. This allows the defensive lineman to maintain gap integrity and dictate daylight for linebackers.

KEY TECHNICAL POINTS

  • After achieving separation (Phase 1), the defensive lineman must violently snap their body to see through their gap
  • The critical coaching cue: Put your chin on your bicep to maintain proper eye discipline in your gap
  • Players can transition from primary to secondary gaps by moving from one bicep to the other (A to B gap, C to D gap)
  • Keep your hat in the gap to show linebackers that responsibility is covered

PLAYER EXAMPLE: #93

The coach highlights #93’s excellent execution, showing how he:

  • Creates explosive separation with feet in the ground
  • Violently strikes and knocks the offensive lineman back
  • Gets his hat in the gap immediately after separation
  • Recovers when bumped, throws back into the gap, and makes the play
  • Demonstrates trustworthiness by maintaining gap discipline

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

Young players often get “sticky and tight” to offensive linemen and peek too early, which causes them to get washed out of their gap—exactly what offensive linemen want.

THE THREE PHASES

  1. Separation (violent strike, hips, hands, eyes)
  2. Wiper (see through gap, dictate daylight)
  3. Clear