AJ Cooper, LB Coach, Arizona State
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A summary of the transcript is available below the video.
This presentation focuses on block destruction techniques for linebackers, with the coach emphasizing that the ability to defeat blocks is what separates average linebackers from “plus one” players — those who can make plays beyond what the scheme draws up on the board.
BLOCK DESTRUCTION PHILOSOPHY
The core technique taught is “hit and shed,” where linebackers strike offensive linemen or tight ends with violent hands while maintaining a slight bend in the elbows on contact. The coach compares this to the strongest point of a bench press — just before lockout — explaining that too much bend forces the defender to try to bench press a 300+ pound blocker, which is ineffective.
KEY DRILLS COVERED
Four main drill variations are highlighted: 101 (basic hit and shed), DTL (Down the Line, where players work block destruction against multiple blockers in sequence), Ubar, and Donut Punch. The coach also incorporates a medicine ball drill to help players who struggle with separation work on timing their punch. Nearly all block destruction drills finish with a tackling element, though the coach stresses clearly communicating to players which skill is being emphasized in a given rep.
COACHING POINTS
The coach repeatedly stresses arm extension and separation as the primary indicators of success. A player who collapses his arms and gets too close to the blocker loses the ability to shed and make a play. Even when a linebacker doesn’t make the tackle, creating separation still has value — it can condense the hole and allow a safety to fit. Eyes staying up through contact is another key coaching point mentioned throughout.
DRILL TO SKILL APPLICATION
Game clips are used to connect the drills to real play situations, showing linebackers successfully using hit-and-shed against duo and vertical double-team blocks to stay clean and make plays in the run game.