Mastering the Gap: The Linebacker Close Drill
The Close Drill is designed to refine a linebacker’s ability to quickly and explosively close the gap between them and the offensive lineman. This drill emphasizes the importance of proper footwork, hand placement, and body positioning for winning one-on-one battles at the line of scrimmage.
Purpose
- Explosive Gap Closure: The drill develops a linebacker’s ability to accelerate explosively off the snap and rapidly close the distance to the offensive lineman. It emphasizes quickness, first-step burst, and efficient use of leverage.
- Hand Placement and Technique: Linebackers practice various hand placement and pass-rushing techniques while closing the gap. This refines their ability to defeat offensive blocks and penetrate into the backfield.
- Body Positioning: The drill emphasizes maintaining a low center of gravity, proper pad level, and a strong base throughout the gap-closing process. This allows linebackers to generate power and maintain balance while attacking the offensive lineman.
Description
Drill Setup
- Partner Up: Divide linebackers into pairs.
- Starting Position: Each pair faces each other in a two-point football stance. The offensive lineman (blocker) aligns approximately 3-4 yards away from the defensive lineman (pass rusher).
Drill Execution
- Snap and Engagement: On the coach’s command (or the snap of a football), the offensive lineman initiates a pass-blocking stance, shuffling laterally to mirror the pass rusher’s movements. Simultaneously, the pass rusher explodes off the line, aiming to close the gap between them and the offensive lineman as quickly as possible.
- Pass Rush Technique: As the pass rusher closes the gap, they execute a designated pass-rushing technique (e.g., bull rush, rip move, swim move) to defeat the offensive lineman’s block and penetrate into the backfield.
- Role Reversal: After each repetition, have the players switch roles so that each linebacker has an opportunity to practice both pass rushing and pass blocking.
Progressions and Variations
- Increased Separation: Gradually increase the distance between the pass rusher and the offensive lineman to challenge the pass rusher’s ability to close the gap quickly and effectively.
- Introduction of Counter Moves: As linebackers become proficient with basic pass-rushing moves, introduce the concept of counter moves. This can involve using a secondary move to defeat the blocker’s counter to their initial pass-rushing move.
- Live Blocking: For more advanced linebackers, incorporate live blocking with pads to simulate a more realistic pass-rushing environment. This allows for the development of hand-fighting skills and the ability to react to unexpected blocking techniques.
By incorporating these variations and progressions, the Close Drill becomes a valuable tool for developing explosive and technically sound pass rushers. As linebackers master the fundamentals of gap closure, hand placement, and leverage, they build a strong foundation for success in more complex pass-rushing scenarios.
Coaching Points
- Explosive Start: Emphasize the importance of a powerful and explosive start off the line of scrimmage. Linebackers should strive to maximize their initial burst to gain an advantage over the offensive lineman.
- Pad Level and Balance: Reinforce the need to maintain a low pad level throughout the drill. Linebackers should keep their knees bent and their weight distributed evenly to ensure balance and power.
- Hand Placement and Leverage: Focus on proper hand placement and the use of leverage to defeat the offensive lineman’s block. Linebackers should use their hands actively to create separation and gain control of the engagement.
- Eye Discipline: Encourage linebackers to maintain focus on the blocker’s hands and chest. This helps them anticipate the blocker’s movements and react accordingly.
- Finishing the Rep: Even though the drill doesn’t involve tackling, emphasize the importance of finishing the rep with a strong punch or strike to reinforce proper technique.
Equipment
- Football (optional for simulating the snap)
The Close Drill is essential for developing linebackers with the quickness, explosiveness, and hand technique necessary to win one-on-one battles at the line of scrimmage. By focusing on closing the gap efficiently and executing proper pass-rushing moves, linebackers build the foundation for a dominant pass rush. As linebackers progress through the drill’s variations and challenges, they become more confident and effective in their ability to penetrate the backfield and disrupt the opposing offense.
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