Defensive Line Play Versus the Pass
The major part of any defensive lineman's job on game
day in the National Football League is pass rushing. As
a rule, the professional defensive lineman will face
pass protection schemes on more snaps from center than
all of the other run blocking schemes combined. In
reality, regardless of the competitive level at which he
plays, a defensive lineman should never be surprised by
a pass read. He must anticipate that he will have to be
a pass rusher on every snap. He should play the pass and
react to the run. In order to play the pass, a defensive
lineman should constantly be aware of the coaching
points for the numerous pass rush techniques. For
example, a defensive lineman should address the
following guidelines involving his role as a pass
rusher.
* Have a plan. An effective pass rusher predetermines
his move. Pre-snap planning the move increases the
quickness factor of the move.
* Maintain a consistent stance. Prior to the snap of the
ball, a defensive lineman should crowd the ball and take
a good stance, but he shouldn't tip his stance and alert
the offensive lineman as to where he is going or what
move he is going to make.
* Pass rush from a shade alignment. A defensive lineman
should align in an inside or outside shade. Such an
alignment enables a defensive lineman to attack only
half the man (his opponent). Forcing an offensive
lineman to commit to one side is of ten the initial step
in making a good move. A shade alignment not only allows
the defensive lineman to get his hat in the crack and
penetrate, it forces an offensive lineman to commit to
one side.
* Recognize the pass blocker's set. The depth of the
quarterbacks drop is a factor that determines the type
of pass rushing technique that is most effective in a
particular situation. For example, a short quarterback
drop mandates that the defensive lineman execute a
quicker pass rush move (e.g., grab and rip)
* Keep in mind the precept "same hand, same foot." The
primary key to finishing all pass rushing moves (e.g.,
slaps, swims, rips, etc.) is to have the defensive
lineman adhere to the "same hand, same foot" precept.
Whenever a move is finished, the defensive lineman
should use the same foot as his primary hand to finish
the move. For example, when punching his right hand over
to perform a swim technique, the defensive lineman
should swing his right foot across to gain upfield
position on the blocker.
* Use his hands with sharp movements. A pass rusher
should visualize his hands as those of a martial arts
master. Accordingly, he should use his hands in sharp
movements to stun and jerk the offensive lineman. The
defender's hands should be wielding a razor, not a
sledgehammer.
* Use a counter move when caught (i.e., when your
original move did not work). A defensive lineman should
have a counter move to every base pass rushing move. For
example, the counter move for the rip is the re-rip or
swim.
* Spin or club the blocker when being carried past the
quarterback. A pass rusher should never "give up" on his
pass rush and allow himself to be carried past the
quarterback.
* Keep his weight and momentum going forward. Above all
else, a pass rusher should keep his feet moving and
avoid dancing.
* Know the quarterback. The best pass rushers
familiarize themselves with a particular quarterback's
escape mechanisms. As such, a defensive lineman should
use film study (to the extent possible, depending on the
specific resources available) to identify the opposing
quarterback's escape moves.
* Run through the sack. A pass rusher shouldn't jump or
leave his feet to sack the quarterback. He should run
through the sack and land on the quarterback, using the
quarterback's body to cushion his fall.
The pass rushing ability of a defensive lineman is
enhanced by his practice of the proper getoff technique.
Getting off on the snap with a big step enables a
defensive lineman to gain a jump on upfield penetration.
All factors considered, dropback pass protection is
normally easily recognized by a defender who reads on
the run. As the defender replaces his up-hand with his
back foot in taking a big step, he reads the screws of
the offensive lineman's headgear. If the screws pop up
and the offensive lineman shows a "high hat," the
defensive lineman should read dropback pass. An
offensive lineman showing a high hat should face a
defensive lineman who gets his hat in the crack and
attacks the pass rush lane. Since an attacking
read-on-the-run lineman focuses on his getoff and on
gaining penetration on every snap, he should never be
surprised by a high hat read. He must maintain the
mentality of a pass rusher on every down. |
