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AFM Magazine


Cougar Defensive Line Drills

by: Tremaine Jackson
Defensive Coordinator • University of Sioux Falls
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We believe that constant drill work for our defensive line makes them better players. We have a variety of drills for our D-line that feature four different agility bag drills including two in a hole, a lateral run drill, and a cut drill. There are also four different cage drills that we practice on a regular basis – get offs, fast feet, the lateral shuffle, and the L-step. In part II next month, we will include drills such as post mount sleds, pop up bags, and tite up bags.
 # 1.  Agility Bags

Objective of Drill:
• Develop quick feet
• Work on lateral movement
• Work on the cut block

Frequency: One to two times per week

 Relationship to the game:
• Foot quickness
• Ability to stay off the ground

Description:
• Lay five agile bags on the ground about 2 ½ feet apart. Place a cone 2 yards from the last bag on each side. Players align on the cone.
• Players run through the bags, placing one foot between each bag. When the player gets to the last bag, he should accelerate through the cone.

• When the player gets to the third bag, the next player in line should begin the drill.
 


# 2.  Agility Bags – Two in a Hole
 
Objective of Drill:
• Develop quick feet
• Work on lateral movement
• Work on the cut block

Frequency: One to two times a week

Relationship to the game:
• Foot quickness
• Ability to stay off the ground

Description:
• Lay five agile bags on the ground about 2 ½ feet apart. Place a cone 2 yards from the last bag on each side. Players align on the cone.

• Players run through the bags placing both feet between each bag. When the player gets to the last bag he should accelerate through the cone.

• When the player gets to the third bag, the next player in line should begin the drill.
 

# 3.  Agile Bags – lateral run
 
Objective of Drill:
•  Develop quick hands
•  Develop explosion from the hips
•  Work on pad level
•  Work on escaping blocks

Frequency:  One to two times a week
 
Relationship to game:
•  Ability to play the run
•  Ability to get off blocks
•  Ability to neutralize blocks
•  Keep pads low

Description:
•  Lay five agile bags on the ground about 2  ½ feet apart. Place a cone 2 yards from the last bag on each side. Players align on the cone.

•  Players turn and face the coach reaching with their inside foot stepping over the bag. Players should keep their eyes forward. When the player gets to the last bag, he should whip his outside arm around turn and sprint through the cone.

•  When the player gets to the third bag, the next player in line should begin the drill.


#4.  Agility Bags – Cut Drill
 
Objective of Drill:
•  Develop quick feet
•  Work on lateral movement
•  Work on the cut block

Frequency:  One to two times a week
 
Relationship to game:
•  Foot quickness
•  Ability to stay off the ground

Description:
•  Lay five agile bags on the ground about 2 ½ feet apart. Place a cone 2 yards from the last bag on each side. Players align on the cone.

•  Players turn and face the coach reaching with inside foot stepping over the bag. The coach will roll the ball at the player. The player should use both hands to stop the ball in front of him before the ball reaches his legs. When he gets to the last bag he should whip his outside arm around turn and sprint through the cone.

•  When the player gets to the third bag, the next player in line should begin the drill.


# 5.  Cage Drill – Get Offs
 
Objective of Drill:
•  Learn to play with low pads
•  Keeping a ‘Z’ in knees
•  Improve ball get off

Frequency:   Every day
 
Relationship to game:
•  Pad level
•  Every down
 
Description:
•  Set the height of the cage at 4 ft. 6 inches.
•  Form two lines.

•  Coach will be in the middle of two lines with the ball on a stick.

•  Give a set command as the two players in the front of the line get in a three-point stance. On the snap of the ball, the players begin the drill.

•  Players must shoot hands out of their stance and finish through the cone.


#6.  Cage Drill – Fast Feet
 
Objective of Drill:
•  Learn to play with low pads
•  Develop flexibility in ankles, hips, and knees
•  Improve movement

Frequency:  Twice a week
 
Relationship to game:
•  Pad level
•  Improve slant and angle techniques
•  Improve change of direction while staying low

Description:
•  Set the height of the cage at 4 ft. 6 inches.

•  Form two lines.

•  Give a “ready command”. The two players in the front of the line get in a football position. On the second command “feet” players move their feet. Last command is “Go” and the players begin the drill.

•  Coaching Point – The player wants to get into a hitting position before working his feet as fast as he can without gaining a lot of ground. This is not a race to get as many steps in as possible before you reach the end of the cage. Once the player gets to the end of the cage, he should accelerate through the cone.


# 7.  Cage Drill – Lateral Shuffle
 
Objective of Drill:
•  Learn to play with low pads
•  Develop flexibility in ankles, hips, and knees
•  Improve movement techniques

Frequency: 
•  Twice a week
 
Relationship to game:
•  Pad level
•  Improve slant and angle techniques
•  Improve change of direction while staying low

Description:
•  Set the height of the cage at 4 ft. 6 inches.

•  Form one line.

•  Give a “ready command”. The player in the front of the line gets in a football position. On the second command, “feet” players move their feet. Last command is “Go” as the players begin the drill.

•  Lateral Shuffle – The player will push off his outside foot to change directions. He will shuffle to the end of the bag and plant off his outside foot to change directions again. When he gets to the end of the cage, he will burst through the cone.


# 8.  Cage Drill – L-Step
 
Objective of Drill:l
•  Learn to play with low pads
•  Develop flexibility in ankles, hips, and knees
•  Improve movement techniques

Frequency:  Twice a week
 
Relationship to game:
•  Pad level
•  Improve slant and angle techniques
•  Improve change of direction while staying low

Description:

•  Set the height of the cage at 4 ft. 6 inches.
Form two lines.

•  Set two cans on the inside legs of the cage.

•  The players should be in a three-point stance outside the cage.

•  Off-set steps – The players should drive off their outside foot and step laterally with their inside foot. Their second step should go forward so that it is even with the can. They should dip and rip their outside arm across the can and then accelerate through the cone.

About the Author: Tremaine Jackson was recently promoted to defensive coordinator at the University of Sioux Falls. Last season, his first at USF, he coached the defensive line. Jackson came from Evangel University where he was both the D-line coach and defensive coordinator. He also coached at Texas Southern University, Texas A&M–Kingsville and Trinity Valley Community College. Jackson played for two years on the offensive line at Texas Southern.






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