Run Stopping Drills

A defensive lineman’s chances of successfully stopping the run and making a tackle for loss or minimal gain are greatly increased by his ability to identify who is trying to block him and how. The sooner he recognizes this, the better his chances of beating the block and making the play.

	Read the Head Drill The Read the Head Drill is a cornerstone drill for developing elite defensive linemen. This drill trains linemen to decipher the initial head movement of an offensive lineman, allowing them to read and react to the type of block being executed. By refining their recognition skills and response times, linemen become disruptive forces at the line of scrimmage, effectively shutting down running plays and pressuring the quarterback.
	Read Drill The Read Drill is a cornerstone exercise for developing elite defensive linemen. This drill focuses on refining reaction time and technique, allowing linemen to effectively read the movement of offensive linemen and react decisively to disrupt running plays and make tackles. By incorporating cones, a designated ball carrier, and a partner acting as the offensive lineman, this drill simulates a live running play scenario, helping linemen translate their skills to game-like situations.
	Contain Drills Contain Drills are essential for developing lockdown defensive ends and outside linebackers. These drills focus on mastering proper technique to contain the outside edge of the run play, preventing ball carriers from breaking free for significant gains. By incorporating cones, a designated blocker, and a ball carrier simulating sweeps, this drill scenario allows linemen to refine their skills in a controlled environment that translates well to game situations.
	Block Recognition Drills Block Recognition Drills are a cornerstone for developing elite defensive linemen. These drills train linemen to decipher the offensive line's blocking scheme quickly and efficiently. By understanding the type of block being executed (run block, pass block) and reacting accordingly, linemen gain a significant advantage at the line of scrimmage, disrupting plays and pressuring the quarterback. This drill series utilizes a "Big Ball" and various offensive player simulations to create realistic blocking scenarios, allowing linemen to hone their recognition skills in a controlled environment.
	Hit Progression Drills Hit Progression Drills are a fundamental building block for developing dominant defensive linemen. These drills focus on mastering proper technique for taking on blockers with full-body control and generating explosive power. By incorporating a blocking sled and various drill progressions, linemen learn to launch off the snap, initiate contact effectively, and maintain leverage throughout the play. This drill series provides a controlled environment for linemen to refine their hitting technique, translating to improved performance in disrupting running plays and pressuring the quarterback.
	One on One Read Drill The One on One Read Drill is a cornerstone for developing elite defensive linemen. This drill focuses on refining reaction time and decision-making skills, allowing linemen to read the offensive lineman's blocking scheme and react decisively. Through a series of head-to-head matchups with offensive players simulating various blocks, linemen learn to decipher the play quickly and execute the proper counter move. This drill requires no equipment, making it a convenient and versatile tool for any defensive line training program.
	Three on One Read Drills Three on One Read Drills are a dynamic tool for developing elite defensive linemen who can decipher complex blocking schemes and react decisively. These drills introduce a realistic scenario where a single defensive lineman faces a triple threat from the offensive line. By simulating various combination blocks and gap assignments, linemen learn to read the offensive linemen's movements, diagnose the play, and execute the proper counter moves. This drill requires no equipment, making it a convenient and versatile addition to any defensive line training program.

Agility Drills

DL

Pass Rush Drills