AFM Home | Back Issues | Oct 2004 | Three-Step Pass Protection

The Doane College football program has an historically successful tradition. Over the past 20 years Doane College has competed in the national playoffs during the 1980’s and 1990’s (last appearance in 1999), and has proven the test of time with consistency by accumulating a .603 winning percentage. We run the “West Coast Offense” at Doane College. Our offensive philosophy is a balanced attack that utilizes the short passing game, zone-based run blocking schemes, and a multiple screen package. Our 560 combination route series was responsible for 64% of our pass attempts in 2003.

The development of the passing game last year was based upon the ability of our offensive line to protect our three-step drop timing combination routes. Our goal in pass protection is to help our offensive linemen develop their motor skills, specifically the reflexes and balance. We believe we become more efficient in our protection through our sound three-step scheme. This enables us to drill consistently on technique. This article will first detail the coaching points we use to teach our three-step pass protection fundamentals. I will then discuss and illustrate specific drills and techniques we use on a daily basis in our drill and individual periods in practice.

Stance: Our linemen use a two-point stance for our three-step pass protection. We do not cut our opponents. We teach our linemen to fit / jam / and control the defender. The reason we use this technique is because at our level of competition, the defenders we face are athletic enough to recoil after getting cut to the ground and still affect the pass attempt.

The first biomechanical phase of pass protection is the stance. A proper stance allows the offensive lineman the ability to move and react with agility, strength, and quick reaction time. There is no allowance for a poor stance.

Drills: The focus is on technique and the pedagogy used to provide maximum performance with limited drill time during practices. Included are a number of drills that may be helpful to your team:. They include the Stance/Pop Set/ Sit Drill; the Shuffle and Re-Set Drill; the Two-Man Twist Drill; the Stunt Drill; the Three-Man Twist Drill; and the 560 Protection Drill.

Diagram 1.

Stance/Pop-Set & Sit: Each blocking phase has an individual drill designed specifically to teach the proper mechanics of the technique. (See Diagram 1.)

Stance and Starts: This drill is used as a pre-practice warm-up. We work on Stance every day. The coach stands five yards in front of five offensive linemen. Linemen will demonstrate the proper stance. The coach will give a verbal command (usually the cadence) and the lineman will snap into their Pop-Set, and then Sit position.

Diagram 2.

Shuffle Drill: This drill is used to develop the proper footwork and balance in the shuffle. There will be two stations set up. The first station is the Center/Guard station. This station works on closed contact drills and lateral movement. Set three cones 5 yards apart down a straight line. The coach stands on the LOS. He gives an auditory command for the interior lineman to Pop-Set out of his stance and Slide in the Sit position. The second station is for Offensive Tackles. Set a cone five yards behind the LOS at a 45-degree angle. The coach stands at the LOS. When he gives an auditory command the OT will Pop-Set and Slide to the cone at the 45-degree angle. The proper posture should be coached with short slide steps for balance. The outside foot is dropped back in a toe to heel relationship with the inside foot. Weight should be distributed on the insteps. Short “punch” steps toward the cone will improve balance and the reaction time for resetting on the defender. (See Diagram 2.)

Reset Drill: Designed to work on reaction on the defender's counter move. Use the shuffle drill station. Have a pass rusher imitate moves and counter moves in front of the offensive lineman. The offensive lineman will mirror the defender. The next phase is to have the OL engage the defender and hand fight the counter move, all the while mirroring the actions of the defender.

Combination: Combination drills are designed to coordinate communication and protection between two or more offensive linemen. This is the second phase of teaching pass protection. Teamwork and communication is the emphasis over technique (although you never stop teaching technique).

Diagram 3.

Two Man Twist Drill: This drill is designed to work on the ability of “passing off” the defenders in a zone protection scheme. The goal is for the offensive linemen to keep their shoulders square while using their vision and verbal commands to communicate the direction of the twist. The technique we teach is “Attack the Flash” in all loop stunts. This technique teaches the eyes of the offensive lineman to follow the “loop” defender and protect that vacated gap as well as wait for the second slanting defender. (See Diagram 3.)

Diagram 4. Diagram 5. Diagram 6.

DL & LB Twist Drill: The same concept as the twist drill except this drill is designed to control the first and second level defender stunt. Same zone gap rules apply. “Attack the Flash” technique is still used. The vision elevates to the second level. (See Diagram 4.)

Three Man Twist Drill: Drill used to pick up three men down defender twist drill. Slant two adjacent defenders and loop the third around the other two. Offensive Lineman need to keep their shoulders square and keep their vision wide for the loop defender. (See Diagram 5.)

Scheme-560 Protection: Linking the techniques are illustrated by using our three step protection as an example. 560 Protection is a weak side slide by the offensive line. All techniques discussed are used in this simple three-step protection. This is a six-man protection. The slide starts at the uncovered lineman on the weak side. The running back will step up and check for any blitz from strong side A gap to strong side C gap. The QB will be responsible for #3 defender strong. (See Diagram 6.)

The offensive line is responsible for a second level slide to the weakside linebacker. We still maintain the integrity of the Big on Big philosophy (OL blocking DL so there does not exist a mismatch in personnel).

We have established certain disciplined techniques and drills that have allowed us to lay the foundation of offensive success. The fundamentals of pass protection are universal in every offensive philosophy. For your offense to achieve maximum efficiency in pass protection it is imperative that these fundamentals are drilled every day.

About the author
Dan Dieringer

Offensive Coordinator Dan Dieringer joined the Doane College staff in 2002. Since that time Dieringer’s offense has been in the Top 10 of the Doane record books. Dieringer earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Pacific University and his Master’s from Chadron State College. He can be reached at DDieringer@doane.edu