2009 Emory & Henry College Pass Protection Clinic

Pass Blocking Principles

Before we master pass schematics we have to master pass mechanics 1.Stance 2.Set 3.Position 4.Jam 5.Finish

STANCE
CENTERS
Feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart Feet should be parallel, or a slight staggered with pressure on the insole of the feet Toes, knees and shoulders are pointed straight ahead Knees should be slightly ahead of the toes Must have bend in the knee s, ankles and hip joints The ball should be placed under and slightly ahead of your right eye Off hand can be either on the ground next to the ball or placed on the side of the knee Weight should be evenly distributed to all points touching the ground Shoulders and back are parallel to the ground and neck should be bowed, looking through your eyebrows

GUARDS AND TACKLES (2 POINT STANCE)

Feet should be slightly wider than shoulder with apart with pressure on the insole of your feet We want our right side in a right-handed stance and the left side in a lefthanded stance. The outside foot will always be the stager foot. We want to be in a balanced stance Knee s, toes and shoulder should all be pointed straight ahead Your off arm should be flexed with forearm resting on the side of the knee with your hand relaxed Your butt, shoulder and back should be parallel with the ground, eyes looking through your eyebrows, neck should be slightly bowed Your weight should be evenly distributed. You must be able to mentally shift your weight in your stance without giving away your intentions

SET
The set is the most important phase of pass pro. You must set with a sense of URGENCY be quick and explosive out of your stance. Be efficient with movement no wasted motion. Don t give the defender an advantage with unnecessary steps or poor use of hands. We must be in balance at the worst. The best position is to carry your weight over your inside foot at a 60 40 ratio. 80% of the losses in PP are caused by poor O-Line technique. Not the D-Line beating them.

The Centers Set vs. A Head up NT, set by taking a slight step off the LOS with the foot to your snapping hand side as you are snapping the ball, while, at the same time extending your off-hand to establish separation from the defender. The center has no post or slide foot. vs. A Shaded NT, you want to set off the LOS, be careful not to get too much width. Get your non-snapping hand on the nearest point of the NT. DO NOT CHASE THE NT. KEEP HIM TO WHATEVER SIDE HE IS ON. DO NOT WORK TO SQUARE UP ON HIM.

Because the set is the most important part of pass protection, we cannot emphasize enough about getting out of your stance. You must also have body control when setting. Do not be in a hurry or panic when setting. Once set, your body should be relaxed not tight or tense.

POSITION
GUARDS
Vs. A One Technique

You want to gap step with your inside foot. You need to gain position first then work to stop inside penetration.
Vs. A Two Technique

A Regular Set Protect the inside first, take a quick inside step, do not over step, you must be ready to react to both the inside and outside move. A Short Set Step up with your inside foot. Make sure you are in balance. Be ready for an inside or an outside move, with a short set you cannot be late with your hands Punch Up.

 Vs. A Three Technique

A Regular Set Take a quick step with your outside foot. Do not set out and get your weight on your outside foot. Stay in balance and work the defender inside out. A Short Set Step up with your outside foot. You want to cover up the defender. Again, do not step out. Stay in balance and stretch defender after contact. Again, do not be late with your hands!

 Vs. A Wide Alignment Set off LOS with a little width. Do not over set, stay in balance. Work the defender inside out.

All this must be done as close to the LOS as possible we want the QB to have the ability to step up in the pocket.

TACKLES Vs. 4 on 41 Take a gap step with your inside foot. Expect an inside move. Stay square to LOS. Work to flatten the defender vs. an inside move. Work the vertical if the DE works outside.

Vs. 5 Technique Regular Set Take a quick set with your outside foot (pound the ground or off the LOS) stay square to LOS. Short Set Step up with outside foot. Work DE s inside half. Do not drift outside when using a short set do not punch to the outside #. This makes you vulnerable to an inside move. If you have a tight 5 tech you can Use inside footwork.

Vs. A wide DE Vertical Set Push off your inside foot working off the LOS. Stay square to LOS. Vs. 9 techniques to the TE side, you can get some width on your set. Stay on the inside half, work defensive end up field. Short Set Take a quick drop step and climb the DE. Work him inside out A.P. is the inside #. Stay in balance be ready for inside move.

vs. An inside move you want to flatten the defender out by being strong with your inside hand and foot. Work to force the defender back into the LOS. By posting your inside foot and applying pressure with your inside hand.

Guards vs. an up field rush You want to stretch the defender. Do not drop your outside foot and allow the defender to open you up. This will expose you to many other problems too numerous to get into. Be ready for an inside club or rip from this alignment. Stay in balance, work the defender inside out and finish the block!

Tackles vs. an up filed rush Do not open your hips too soon. If this occurs, it could create a short corner. Do not sink back towards the QB. Make sure your set is straight back and not back and in. Stay square to the LOS as long as possible. Once you have made contact work the DE up field. Maintain inside out leverage block him through the back of his shoulder.

JAM (Punch) The jam is used to establish and maintain separation from the defender. If you fail to get and maintain separation, the defender can now dictate to you YOU MUST NEVER ALLOW THE DEFENDER TO CONTROL YOU! You must work to control him. When jamming, you want to drive your hands through the target of the defender in a low to high punch. However, when jamming you must also maintain all power angles and proper body position. You must keep your helmet away from the defenders body to prevent from becoming over-extended. When timing the jam you want to wait until the defender is just inside your reach. If you wait until the defender is too close, you will work that much harder for separation. If you jam too soon, you may become over-extended. Once you have punched the defender, do not lock your arms out. Keep some bend in your elbows. Once you get into the defender, stay within his body. Do not separate from the defender and be forced to start over.