6 Drills to Progressively Improve Pass Protection

By Matthew Keith
Offensive Line Coach/Strength & Conditioning Coordinator
College of St. Scholastica (MN)
Twitter: @CoachMattKeith

Several components go into becoming an elite offensive line. It requires the knowledge and understanding of the game, great technique, the ability to recognize and react, and a gritty mentality. Obviously, when it comes to pass protection the offensive line's job is to give the quarterback as much time as possible, so he can make the correct read and throw.

This report will cover the drills you can incorporate in practice on a daily basis to improve the offensive line's ability to successfully do their job. The drills below are set up as a progression, working on separate parts of pass progression technique and building on top of each other.

Fast Backs

This drill is designed to work on creating separation and snapping the upper body back out of a stance. Out of a three-point stance, have a bag close to touching the head of the player that is up. On the go signal, the player will get a big chest while punching the bag and creating separation without moving their feet. The will feel their weight transition from the front to foot to the back foot. We work both right handed and left-handed stances with all our guys and go two to three reps before rotating.

Once this drill is introduced it can be a high tempo drill and a good warm-up that allows for each player to get a lot of reps in a short amount of time.

Coaching Points:

• Feet should stay in the ground as much as possible.
• Punch with palm of the hands, thumbs pointing up.
• Punch at a slightly upward angle
  • If the punch angle is down, there's most likely too much forward lean. If the angle is up too far, it is most likely due to too much bend in the knees. This is not in a good position to be able to move.
• Back should be straight with a slight arc back and weight balanced with all cleats in the ground.
• Bag should be closer to guys with shorter arms (adjust position accordingly).

To study film of this drill, click on the video below: