Pressure Points
Rowan\'s defensive line pass rush relies on relentless pressure to control the line of scrimmage
Defensive Line Coach, Rowan©
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Each year over the past
five seasons, the front four sack totals at Rowan have increased.
This past season our defensive front four alone accounted for 43
QB sacks, four interceptions, numerous hurries, tips and QB hits.
We preach and teach relentless pressure!
The mental approach that defensive linemen take is one of the most important
factors in this phase of the game: You must stress how important it is to put
pressure on the passer. The determination of the pass rush exemplifies the spirit
and determination of a strong defensive team. The three most important factors
in obtaining this are: 1) The combined effort of the defensive unit in first
stopping the run, 2) A combined effort of a consistent defensive line rush and
3) A pressure package with linebackers and the secondary. You must as a defensive
front be fanatical in trying to get to the QB. The defensive line must set the
tempo of the game, attack and control the LOS!
Our philosophy of rushing the passer is to disrupt the QB by pressuring him with
normally our defensive line to:
A. Sack the QB
B. Hurry the QB and divert his attention
C. Bat the ball
D. Force a bad throw
E. Force the QB to pull the ball down and run (we want to be able to hit the
QB
F. Force elevation of the throw, which gives the secondary more time to break
underneath on the ball
G. Squeeze the QB with pressure; interceptions and coverage sacks result
H. Disrupt the passer’s timing by forcing him to step up or back in order
to find a throwing lane
In addition, we must create and use a pressure package with linebackers and secondary
to change tempo and create 2-on-1 situations for the offense to handle.
Our method of rushing the passer varies according to the situation. We have a
philosophy of stopping the run first. By being successful in doing this we create
more predictable passing situations.
Diagram 1. |
Once the offense is in a pass situation we will make alignment calls to stretch
our front four and put them in better position to rush the passer:
Blood Call - Moves our normal shade alignment (DL earhole to
OL earhole) to the DDDL shoulder pad tip to the OL shoulder pad tip NORMAL TO
BLOOD
Jet call - Jet is only a call for our defensive ends. On this
call the DE is widened 1 - 2 yards outside the last offensive lineman to his
side. This
puts him on an island.
Diagram 2.
FIRST 3 STEPS ARE EXPLODED UPFIELD
In both blood and jet we know we have forced the OL to have to move their
feet. We are in a better position to have our DL hips beat the OL hips upfield.
Defensive linemen cannot play run and pass equally well at one time, and
they usually become average by trying to do both at one time. Normally we
play run,
and if a pass develops we must react and rush by coming off the edge of the
OL. In pass situations that we recognize before the snap, we may get in a
predetermined
rush mode (blood or jet calls) or run front games.
This recognition is based on:
A. Down and distance
B. Formation
C. Field position
D. Offensive personnel in the game
E. Stance and/or split of OL (weight)
F. Score of the game
G. Time left in half or game
When a pass rush situation is present, our DL will also adjust their stance
when in blood or jet to more of a sprinter’s stance. We want them
to explode upfield!
To apply techniques and fundamentals of pass rush, the rusher must recognize
a pass set on take-off as the blocker’s head pops up. At this point
the rusher must do two things:
A. Make the OL move his feet; if not, he will never miss you and if you run
into him then you must overpower him at his strongest position.
B. Run in as straight a line as possible to the QB (Prevents the OL from
catching you after you get your hips even with his).
To make the OL move his feet, the rusher must see the pressure point of the
blocker, which is the inside or outside holder of the blocker, depending
on which lane
you are rushing.
The rusher’s aiming point should be a full shoulder-width wider.
The rusher will move towards his aiming point and keep going unless the OL
pressure point moves directly into his path and prevents him from advancing
(OL gets width
and sets firm enough to stop the rusher.) If the rusher widens his alignment
in a blood call, this is easier and quicker. If the rusher has to react from
a run alignment, he must flip his hips to the QB and get outside the pressure
point by skating to the outside and getting his feet, hips and shoulders
facing as straight a line as possible to the QB or where he will throw from.
He must
get his hip outside the outside of the OL, then go to the QB. If the rusher
is rushing inside, he should keep his feet, hips and shoulders square to
the LOS,
to present from being washed inside by the blocker. He should get his inside
hip inside the inside hip of the OL and then go to the QB. These steps are
referred to as clear steps or skating and should be used with a pull by the
rusher.
This approach to the rush usually turns the shoulders of the OL, which
weakens his ability to stay as strong. In most cases, the rusher must get
the OL’s
hands off to be able to turn his shoulders as effectively as desired. The
rusher may use speed and alignment to turn the shoulders of the blocker.
To be fast
the rusher uses slightly longer steps (sprinter) than are used in playing
the run because the hips may be rolled under him. He should never lose
his leverage
on the blocker in case he must use power to get to the QB (use power vs.
soft set by OL).
Any time the blocker moves enough to intercept the rusher on his aiming
point, the rusher reacts by changing his rush lane to the opposite side
of the blocker.
This usually is accompanied by a technique to keep the blocker’s hands
off and other escape techniques designed to get the hips of the rusher even with
the blocker’s hips. When the hips are even, the rusher’s body
can pin the OL to the inside or outside and prevent him from regaining
position.
Any time the hips are even and the rusher is facing the QB, the blocker
should not be able to present the rusher from bursting to the QB without
an obvious
holding infraction. A lean should be used as the rusher bursts to the QB.
Generally the blocker will be able to move enough to be able to intercept
half of the rusher as he runs through his aiming point, thereby not giving
up the
rush through the opposite gap and trying to get hands on the rusher to negate
his charge. At this time the rusher must see the set of the OL and react
with a rush technique that maximizes his chance to escape the blocker.
The pass rush techniques we practice daily are:
• rips to gap responsibility
• club with a hip turn and inside chop
(our chop is probably your swim or slip move; we call it chop becausewe take
the arm opposite the club and hip turn and chop it over the club side shoulder
of the OL to his back and push off as we run the hips upfield)
• pulldown and chop
• dekes and clubs
• spins and counter moves
The best drills we use involve 1 on 1’s and half line on our alignment
and lane diagram painted on the practice field
By utilizing the field diagram we can practice all our front alignments,
bloods, jets and stance and starts up rush lanes. We also practice all front
games and
blitzes with the linebackers present to work rush lane responsibility.
When we involve the OL in the boxes we work all pass rush techniques and
lane responsibilities with 1-on-1’s, half line and full line work.
GAME PLANNING A PASS RUSH
Game planning a pass rush enables you to identify a flaw or weakness in
an offense’s
protection or in an individual’s technique. By watching game film
of your opponent the following questions should be asked:
A. How many protectors does the offense use?
B. Does the tight end stay in?
C. Where does the center go - strong or weak?
D. How many backs stay in?
E. Are the backs direction related to the centers direction?
F. How do the tackles react to the wide rush?
G. What foot does the tackle set with?
H. When can the DE take an inside move?
I. How high or low are the protector’s hands?
J. Where is the double team?
K. Is the center vulnerable? How does he protect his snap hand?
L. Who is their worst offensive lineman?
These are just a few of the weekly questions that need to be answered. Any
information that you can give and teach to your rushers can help through
the course of the
game.
Additional ways to help the pass rush can be stance adjustments for all rushers.
Make them feel like sprinters in pass situations. Width for all rushers is
critical because you can now dictate the first step of the offensive lineman.
The more
well-executed moves that the rusher can do from the same width will keep
that pass protector off balance. The idea is to keep the protector guessing
and to
make his initial set up work against him.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
• Always rush the edge of the protector
• Throw your move while advancing to the QB.
• Remember to counter the protector.
• Successful pass rush does not always mean a sack. Any disruption to the
flight of the ball is good (DEFLECTIONS).
• Hands up at the right time.
• Be smart in jumping.
• Make the best pass protector worry about the rush: pick on the worst
pass protector.
• Make the QB worry about the rush; the more he sees you, the less he sees
his receivers.
• Knock the QB down; it will take its toll!
About the author
Phil Petitte
Before joining the Rowan University staff in 1994 as the defensive
line coach, Petitte was head coach at Camden Catholic High
School, head coach at Triton Regional High School and assistant
coach at Washington Township High School. Coach Petitte has
a wife and three daughters. |
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