Building a Powerful Base: The Chute Drills for Effective Blocking
The Chute Drills are a fundamental tool for developing the core blocking mechanics essential for any offensive lineman. These drills emphasize proper body positioning, footwork, and leverage, ultimately helping linemen stay low, maintain a wide base, and drive defenders back to create running lanes.
Purpose
- Developing Low Pad Level: These drills reinforce the importance of maintaining a low pad level throughout the block. By working within the confines of the chute, linemen are challenged to keep their hips low and center of gravity centered, a crucial element for effective blocking.
- Building a Wide Base: The drill encourages linemen to establish a wide base with their feet. This wide base provides stability and power transfer, allowing them to anchor against defenders and generate force.
- Driving Through the Block: The resistance provided by the chute and the boards simulates the initial push against a defender. By driving their legs and maintaining proper body position, linemen learn to generate power and consistently move defenders off the line of scrimmage.
Description
Drill Setup
- Board Placement: Securely place boards under the designated chutes to force the linemen to keep a wide base throughout the drill.
- Body Position and Direction: Instruct linemen to assume a proper three-point stance at the entrance of the chute. Depending on the blocking scheme being practiced, they may need to adjust their body position to face different directions:
- Straight ahead (offset to the left or right) for down blocks.
- 45-degree angle to the left or right for reach blocks.
- 90-degree angle for pull blocks to the left or right.
Drill Execution
- On the coach’s call, linemen in the three-point stance explode out of their stance, driving their legs and maintaining a low pad level as they move through the chute.
- They focus on proper footwork and body positioning to effectively engage the resistance provided by the chute and the boards.
Progression with Shields (Optional)
- For a more advanced challenge, introduce hand shields held by other linemen positioned at the end of the chutes. These linemen should get low and actively “fight” the block by pushing back against the lineman performing the drill.
- When shields are introduced linemen transition to utilizing proper blocking mechanics to displace the shield holders simulating defenders.
Coaching Points
Fundamental Technique
- Wide Feet: Emphasize the importance of keeping feet shoulder-width apart or slightly wider to establish a stable base.
- Low Pad Level: Continuously remind linemen to stay low throughout the drill. Hips should be sunk back, and their center of gravity should remain low.
- Eyes Up: While maintaining a low pad level, instruct linemen to keep their heads up and eyes focused forward, maintaining awareness of their surroundings.
Blocking Mechanics (with Shields)
- Eyes on Target: Once shields are introduced, emphasize the importance of keeping their eyes focused on the target (the shield holder simulating the defender).
- Delivering the Blow: Coach linemen on proper hand placement and forearm strike technique when using a shoulder block. The goal is to deliver a powerful blow to displace the defender.
- Continuous Footwork: Stress the importance of keeping their feet moving throughout the block. This allows them to adjust to the defender’s movements and maintain leverage.
- Fighting Through the Freeze Point: Many blocks involve a brief “freeze point” where contact is made. Encourage linemen to push through this freeze point and continue driving the defender back.
- Dominating Leverage: Reinforce the concept of “low man wins.” Linemen should strive to maintain a lower body position than the defender to gain leverage and control the block.
- Shoulder Block Technique: For shoulder blocks, instruct linemen to drop the elbow of the blocking arm, creating a powerful “bench press” motion to drive the defender back.
- Hand Block Technique: Elbows should be tucked in, with thumbs up and fingers pointed outwards for optimal hand placement.
Equipment
- Chutes (enough for individual drill stations)
- Boards (enough to create a stable platform under each chute)
- Hand Shields
The Chute and Board Drill is a versatile and valuable tool for offensive line development. By incorporating this drill into their training program, linemen can solidify their fundamental blocking mechanics, build a powerful base, and learn to generate the necessary force to control defenders at the line of scrimmage. This ultimately contributes to a more effective and dominant offensive line that can pave the way for a successful running game and protect the quarterback for a potent passing attack.
