Joe Daniel Football

Coach Simple. Play Fast. Win.

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Defensive Line Key Drill for Reacting to Blocks

 

 
Key Reads are our basic drill for the Defensive Line. Everything a Defensive Lineman needs to do can be counted on one hand – just like any defensive player…

  1. Tackle
  2. Defeat Blocks
  3. Read keys and react
  4. Rush the passer
  5. Pass Coverage (if you use Zone Blitzes or Blitz Peel schemes)

For Defensive Linemen, reading keys and defeating blocks are almost the same. We’ll focus on the read itself first.

To put the focus specifically on defeating the block, start from a fitted position. Your defender has already hit strike point. Now just work the post & rip, or other block destruct technique.

Watch the video above, and enter your primary email address when requested. I’ll email with the complete 6 video series on the Key Read Drill for your Defensive Linemen.

This is the single most important drill for our Defensive Linemen. No matter what defense!

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Comments

  1. Robert Ripp says

    Thanks Coach Daniel,

    Great info in all 6 videos. I like how you broke it down into each section and then build on it and can combine them all together, then add the block destruct moves.

    Quick question, practically speaking, what do you have the DL do in the initial drill? Are they stepping through it and verbalizing what they read in the block? Are they full speed read and reacting to the block with feet and hips, but not engaging into the block destruct move like a club and rip? Just trying to visualize how you begin to teach each one.

    Thanks,

    Coach Ripp