Utica College Defensive Line Drill Catalog

By Ben McKaig
Defensive Line Coach
Utica College
Twitter: @McKaig_Ben

Introduction:

The offseason is drill season. At Utica College, we place a heavy emphasis on using drills outside of the season to work on the little things that make winning defensive line play. In this drill report, I am going to share our stance and get off drill progression that we do daily.

Editor’s Note: Please review the brief drill outlines below and then scroll down for the full 20 minute video featuring these drills.

1 Step Launch

• DL in a stance across from crash mat
• On ball movement
  • DL takes first step
  • Push off first step and launch onto crash mat
    • Land on belly
    • Triple extend ankle, knees, and hips
    • Explosive jump through the first step
      • Work to generate power and explosive ability.
      • Roll the hips

6 Point Punch Progression

• Speed punch placement
  • DL are in a 6 point stance, toes of cleats tucked, shading their partner
  • Partner standing in good bent stance with hands on hips and chest exposed
  • On the whistle DL will punch shade with proper hand placement
    • Shade hand on shade number, outside hand clamps shade arm
    • Thumbs up elbows tight
  • Rapid fire
    • On each whistle, quick punch and reset
      • Emphasis on accuracy and speed of the punch
• Punch extension
  • Punch and grab, hands above eyes
  • Full hip extension, Full arm extension
  • Coach resets the drill each time
    • Emphasis on power and locking out hips and arms
    • OL head will snap back
• Punch explosion - 2x each shade
  • Punch the shade, pressing thru the toes with full hip extension
    • Emphasize exploding thru toes
    • DL will come off of the ground
  • DL should land on their stomachs

123 Step

• All players line up on the line facing coach
  • Front foot should have toes touching the line
• On ball movement, players take 1st step
  • Step should land close to the line players are lined up on
• Reset – two steps
  • Quick feet, tight hands, thumbs up
    • Avoid the hop – 2 quick steps
  • Flat back, good knee bend, hands above eyes
• Reset – Full get off
  • Quick feet, roll hips, finish through
• Can be performed with an OL
  • Incorporate punch, extend, rip and finish

Crash Mat Base Blocks