Mastering the Bull Rush: Throw Hands Drill for Powerful Defensive Linemen
The Throw Hands Drill is a fundamental exercise designed to develop explosive hand technique in defensive linemen. By focusing on proper hand placement, violent extension, and leverage, this drill equips linemen with the tools necessary to effectively shed blockers and create opportunities to disrupt plays. The drill incorporates a hand shield to simulate an offensive lineman’s engagement, allowing linemen to refine their initial strike and drive through contact.
Purpose
- Explosive Hand Technique: The drill emphasizes the importance of explosive hand placement and extension. Defensive linemen learn to shoot their hands into the blocker with force, disrupting their balance and creating separation.
- Leverage and Control: The drill focuses on maintaining proper leverage throughout the engagement. Linemen learn to drive through their legs and hips, leveraging the initial hand strike to gain control over the blocker and open up rushing lanes.
- Pursuit and Tackling: The drill incorporates a tackling element, allowing linemen to practice transitioning from shedding the blocker to pursuing the ball carrier and executing a form tackle.
Description
Drill Setup
- Line Formation: Divide defensive linemen into two groups based on their alignment (left and right defensive ends). Each group forms a single-file line, facing a designated hand shield holder.
- Dummy Placement: Position two tackling dummies approximately 5-7 yards behind the hand shield holders, with 3 yards of space separating them. This creates a designated tackling area for each defensive lineman after they shed the block.
- Coach Positioning: One coach positions themself behind the defensive linemen, holding a football and simulating the snap with a verbal cadence and hand signal. A second coach positions themself behind the hand shield holder, observing the drill execution and potentially assisting with moderate resistance during the block shed.
Drill Execution
- Cadence and Snap: The coach with the football calls out a cadence to keep the linemen alert and focused. They then simulate the snap of the ball at any point during the cadence, forcing the linemen to react to the movement of the football, not the cadence itself.
- Explosive Hand Strike: On the snap of the ball, the defensive lineman explodes off the line of scrimmage, utilizing a powerful first step and low pad level. They focus on driving their hands violently into the hand shield, using the heels of their palms for maximum impact. Ensure they maintain proper hand placement, aiming for the blocker’s chest plate or outside shoulder.
- Drive and Leverage: Simultaneously with the hand strike, the defensive lineman drives their legs and hips through the contact point. This explosive extension allows them to leverage the initial hand strike and push the hand shield holder backwards. Emphasis should be placed on staying low and maintaining a strong base throughout the movement.
- Block Shed and Tackle: After driving the hand shield holder back two or three steps, the coach behind the shield holder will indicate the direction for the defensive lineman to “rip” (release from the block). The lineman uses a quick rip move to disengage from the blocker and sprints towards the designated tackling dummy. Upon reaching the dummy, they execute a proper form tackle, driving through their hips and wrapping their arms securely around the dummy to bring it to the ground.
Variations
The Throw Hands Drill offers versatility that allows you to cater to different skill levels and training objectives. Here are some variations you can incorporate:
- Resistance Levels: Initially, the hand shield holder can offer minimal resistance to allow linemen to focus on proper hand technique and leverage. As their proficiency increases, the coach behind the shield holder can gradually increase resistance to simulate a more realistic blocking scenario.
- Footwork Drills: Integrate footwork drills into the warm-up phase to prime the linemen for explosive movement. Drills like shuffles, pass sets, and lateral lunges can enhance their agility and ability to react quickly to changes in direction during the block shed.
- Multiple Block Shed Techniques: Once linemen have mastered the basic hand strike and leverage principles, introduce variations in block shed techniques. Incorporate drills that focus on rip moves, swim moves, and club moves, allowing linemen to develop a diverse toolbox to counter different blocking schemes.
- Partner Drills: For a more competitive element, consider partner drills. One lineman acts as the defensive lineman, while the other simulates the offensive lineman by holding blocking pads. This allows them to practice hand placement, leverage, and block shed techniques in a more interactive setting.
- Live Ball Carrier: As linemen become confident in their technique, progress to a variation that incorporates a live ball carrier behind the tackling dummies. This injects a game-like element, forcing linemen to react quickly after shedding the block and pursue the ball carrier for a tackle. Ensure proper safety precautions are in place when utilizing a live ball carrier.
Coaching Points
- Stance and Pad Level: Reinforce the importance of a proper stance with a low center of gravity. Linemen should keep their knees bent, back flat, and head up with eyes focused on the hand shield holder’s chest or belt buckle.
- First Step Explosiveness: Emphasize the importance of a quick and powerful first step. This initial burst of speed helps linemen close the gap to the blocker and create separation.
- Violent Hand Technique: Stress the importance of a violent hand strike with proper hand placement. Linemen should focus on driving their hands into the blocker with force, disrupting their balance and creating space to maneuver.
- Leverage Through Legs and Hips: Remind linemen to drive through their legs and hips to maximize leverage. This allows them to control the blocker and translate the force of the hand strike into effective movement.
- Maintain Balance: Coach linemen to maintain good balance throughout the drill. Le leaning forward or overextending can put them off balance and make it easier for the blocker to maintain control.
- Transition to Tackle: Ensure linemen smoothly transition from shedding the block to pursuing the ball carrier and completing a tackle. They should keep their feet moving and maintain a low pad level throughout the pursuit.
Equipment
- Football
- Hand Shields (one per defensive lineman)
- Two Stand-Up Tackling Dummies
By incorporating these variations, you can keep the Throw Hands Drill challenging and engaging for your defensive linemen. This progressive approach allows them to refine their hand technique, leverage, and overall effectiveness in defeating blocks and disrupting plays. The Throw Hands Drill is a valuable tool for developing a dominant defensive line that can consistently win the battle in the trenches.
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