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How to improve your D-Line's eyes: thread
D-Line is all about recognition.
The faster you can recognize what your opponent is trying to accomplish, the quicker you'll get into position to defeat them.
But you can't recognize and react if your eyes aren't in the right place.
The faster you can recognize what your opponent is trying to accomplish, the quicker you'll get into position to defeat them.
But you can't recognize and react if your eyes aren't in the right place.
Take the below example.
99 here stares directly at the QB on a trap block and ends up getting pancaked. OUCH!
So, for this breakdown, I'll be detailing where to key and how to improve your eyes so this doesn't happen to your D-Line.
99 here stares directly at the QB on a trap block and ends up getting pancaked. OUCH!
So, for this breakdown, I'll be detailing where to key and how to improve your eyes so this doesn't happen to your D-Line.
Pre-snap keys
Your opponent is going to give you all the information you need to destroy any blocking scheme that comes at you...
but where you key will change when playing a 1-gap vs. 2-gap technique.
Your opponent is going to give you all the information you need to destroy any blocking scheme that comes at you...
but where you key will change when playing a 1-gap vs. 2-gap technique.
1-gap keys
When playing a 1-gap technique (1, 3, 5), key the shoulder or knee.
The shoulder and knee are typically the first part of the blockers body to move and will give you information fast on what the blocker is doing.
When playing a 1-gap technique (1, 3, 5), key the shoulder or knee.
The shoulder and knee are typically the first part of the blockers body to move and will give you information fast on what the blocker is doing.
2-gap keys
For 2-gap (0, 2, 4), key the screws of your opponents helmet.
When you're head up, it's easy to see this key and react quickly to it's movement
For 2-gap (0, 2, 4), key the screws of your opponents helmet.
When you're head up, it's easy to see this key and react quickly to it's movement
Post-snap keys
Once the ball is snapped, you'll encounter two different situation.
The blocker will either contact or avoid you.
Once the ball is snapped, you'll encounter two different situation.
The blocker will either contact or avoid you.
Contact path
If you recognize the blocker is on a path to contact you, defeat him first and then find the ball to make the play.
To do this, see your hands into his chest. Then, once you have extension, peek around the blocker to find the ball.
If you recognize the blocker is on a path to contact you, defeat him first and then find the ball to make the play.
To do this, see your hands into his chest. Then, once you have extension, peek around the blocker to find the ball.
Avoid path
If the blocker avoids you, scan down the line and look for counter, boot, reverse.
If the blocker avoids you, scan down the line and look for counter, boot, reverse.
How to improve
To improve your D-Line's eyes, practice drills that challenge their recognition and reaction. Below are a few that I personally use.
To improve your D-Line's eyes, practice drills that challenge their recognition and reaction. Below are a few that I personally use.
Drill #1: Point reads
Have your D-Line get off the ball and react to the point.
Sometime you need an exaggerated key (the point) to drive home where the eyes need to be focussed (the blocker).
Have your D-Line get off the ball and react to the point.
Sometime you need an exaggerated key (the point) to drive home where the eyes need to be focussed (the blocker).
Drill #2: Feather drill
Use this drill to practice defeating zone read by repping shuffling, reading the mesh point and tackling the QB or cutback.
Use this drill to practice defeating zone read by repping shuffling, reading the mesh point and tackling the QB or cutback.
Drill #3: 1-on-1 Block Recognition
This is an EDD that trains your D-Line to focus on keying the shoulder, knee or screws to quickly recognize different blocking schemes.
You can also use two (2-on-1) or three (3-on-1) blockers to simulate more advanced blocking schemes.
This is an EDD that trains your D-Line to focus on keying the shoulder, knee or screws to quickly recognize different blocking schemes.
You can also use two (2-on-1) or three (3-on-1) blockers to simulate more advanced blocking schemes.
Chase two rabbits catch none
The point of all of these drills is to focus your D-Line's eyes on the right thing at the right time every time.
As the old Russian proverb says
"If you chase two rabbits you'll catch none."
The point of all of these drills is to focus your D-Line's eyes on the right thing at the right time every time.
As the old Russian proverb says
"If you chase two rabbits you'll catch none."
If you enjoyed this thread, I'm writing a book full of breakdowns just like this one.
You can get updates (bi-weekly), free samples (bi-weekly) and discounts (when it launches) by signing up below http://craigroh.com/block-destruction
You can get updates (bi-weekly), free samples (bi-weekly) and discounts (when it launches) by signing up below http://craigroh.com/block-destruction
