Mastering the Initial Strike: The Fire Out Drill for Explosive Offensive Linemen
The Fire Out Drill is a cornerstone for developing explosive offensive linemen who can consistently win the battle at the line of scrimmage. This drill hones an offensive lineman’s ability to fire out of their stance quickly and efficiently, emphasizing proper body position, hand placement, and reaction time.
Purpose
- Explosive First Step: The drill trains linemen to explode out of their stance with speed and power, creating a quick initial strike that disrupts defenders and gains an advantage at the snap.
- Body Control and Pad Level: By focusing on catching the tennis ball at specific heights, the drill encourages linemen to maintain proper body control and pad level throughout their firing motion. This is crucial for maintaining leverage and staying low throughout the block.
- Hand Placement and Technique: Catching the tennis ball reinforces proper hand placement and technique, ensuring linemen are prepared to transition seamlessly into effective blocking once they engage with a defender.
Description
Drill Setup
- Surface Considerations: This drill is best performed on a firm, smooth surface such as a gym floor or a paved parking lot. Avoid using natural grass due to uneven terrain that can affect the ball bounce. If using a gym floor, instruct linemen to wear sneakers instead of cleats to prevent damage.
- Lineman Stance: The offensive lineman assumes their normal three-point stance at the designated starting point.
- Coach Positioning: The coach stands approximately 3 feet in front of the lineman, slightly to the side. This positioning allows the coach to drop the tennis ball directly in front of the lineman’s catching zone. The exact distance may vary depending on the lineman’s size, quickness, and the specific coaching focus.
Drill Execution
- Upon seeing the dropped ball hitting the ground, the lineman explodes out of their stance, driving their legs and maintaining a low pad level as they reach for the tennis ball with both hands.
- They focus on proper body control and hand placement to catch the ball still on the rise but as low as possible.
Coaching Points
- Adapting Distance and Height: The distance between the coach and the lineman, as well as the height at which the coach drops the tennis ball, should be adjusted based on the desired coaching emphasis.
- Staying Low: For drills emphasizing a low pad level, the coach can stand closer and lower the launch point of the tennis ball.
- Developing the Arch: To work on the “arch” technique (starting low and rising into the block), the coach can increase the distance and raise the launch point (potentially even overhead). In this case, instruct linemen to focus on catching the ball at its current position, not where it will be when they arrive. This naturally encourages them to rise with the ball as they fire out.
- Reaction Time and Anticipation: While a warning sound can be used initially, the drill should eventually progress to dropping the ball without warning. This challenges linemen to react quickly to the visual cue of the dropping ball and fire out explosively.
- Proper Catching Technique: Emphasize catching the tennis ball with outstretched arms, thumbs up and wrists together. This reinforces proper hand placement and technique that will translate into effective blocking.
Equipment
- Tennis Balls
- (Optional) Footstool or similar platform for coach (for high launch points)
The Fire Out Drill is a valuable tool for developing explosive and technically sound offensive linemen. By incorporating this drill into their training program, linemen can refine their initial strike, maintain proper body positioning, and develop the hand placement necessary for dominant blocking technique. This ultimately contributes to a more effective offensive line that can control the line of scrimmage and create running lanes for ball carriers.
|
|
|
