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Drills Report: The Pipe Drill for Offensive Linemen

by: Ken Wilmesherr
Offensive Line Coach, Grossmont College
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We use the Pipe Drill on a regular basis with our offensive linemen. The objective of the drill is to teach O-linemen the proper footwork in five blocking techniques versus air.  


There are five phases to the pipe drill:

    1. Bucket step
       2. Lateral jab step
       3. Down block
       4. Trap-pull
       5. Drive block


 1.  Bucket step - The first step is a bucket step, with the losing ground angle of departure at 45 degrees (hips should open up at 45 degrees). The second step is a full step, getting vertical through the crotch of the down defender. The third step will square the offensive lineman upfield.

2.  Lateral jab step – This is a 6-inch lateral jab step to get width (landmark for first step should be the outside of the defenders call-side foot). The second step drives through the crotch of the down defender while maintaining inside leverage and shoulders kept square. The third step will square the offensive lineman upfield.

3.  Down block – The first step is at a 45 degree angle, thus turning shoulders at a 45 degree angle from the LOS. The second step is across the LOS. The landmark is the point of the near hip of the down defender. The footwork and landmark will change depending on whether the down defender is a reader or a penetrator.

4.  Trap-pull - The first step is squeeze toe away (opposite the call side-foot). Then he jerks the elbow backwards. The lead hand opens up to the direction or the path the offensive lineman will take. The hand opens up and is called the handshake. Jerking the elbow backwards allows the offensive lineman to open his hips at a 90-degree angle. Also on the first step, the inside foot the lineman will pick and point to the desired path of the trap angle. On the second step, the outside foot pivots and the O-lineman pushes to the desired path right at the aiming point of the trapping angle. 

5.  Drive block - The first step is a 4-to-6 inch vertical or lateral jab step with the directional foot. The second step is the power step getting vertical pushing over and up on the down defender driving the knee through the down defenders knee. The first step of the drive block is determined by the alignment of the down defender. If the defender is aligned in a 2-tech, it is a lateral jab step. If the down defender is aligned in a 3 tech, it is a vertical with eyes focused on the landmark.
 
    The linemen are placed in two lines on both sides of the pipe. Right-handed stances are on the right side and left-handed stances on the left side. There are two cones placed five yards upfield on both sides of the pipe. Each lineman will perform the proper footwork for all five phases of the drill and sprint for five yards past the cones. It is important that the linemen finish. Have them run through the cones. The linemen should be simulating the punch as if they were actually blocking a down defender. Have them jog back around the cones and return to their line. After each lineman has completed the five blocking techniques, have them switch sides. Linemen who started in a left-handed stance will finish in a right-handed stance and vice versa (See Diagram).  

Coaching Points:

1. Check to make sure each lineman is executing the proper footwork for all five phases, stepping with the proper directional foot and pushing off with proper power foot.

2. Check for balance in the stance.

3. Check to see if each lineman is executing the punch when stepping.

4. Check for pad level.

5. Make sure each lineman is finishing the drill. Make sure they run through the cones. u


About the Author: 
Ken Wilmesherr is now in his sixth season as the offensive line coach at Grossmont College. He previously coached at Southwestern College and has 29 years of coaching experience on the high school and college level.






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