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UNC-Charlotte Offensive Line Blocking Stationsby: Ed Ratliff© More from this issue Editor’s Note: UNC-Charlotte former offensive line coach Ed Ratliff wrote this clinic this summer before his sudden passing. Ratliff died of natural causes in early August and was both an experienced and respected coach. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. We start practice with a blocking station circuit that sets the tone for the day. We play in a fast tempo offense that runs the inside zone, counter play, and power play. We take pride in starting practice fast and working on basic, but vital, fundamentals in developing our run game. The OL and TEs are separated into two even groups. One group will start on the Crowther Sled and the other on the boards and chutes. Each station consists of five minutes. Keep in mind this is a high tempo offense and very intense start to practice. We never allow our players to walk around on the field. At the conclusion of each rep, they sprint to where they are going. We are extremely intense demanding precision and maximum effort. This includes our Boards and Chutes Drill and the Crowther sled. The first rotation is right and left foot base step. The first step is up and down gaining very little ground but not losing any either. This allows maximum power as the second step makes contact and explodes through the pad. They will then use the over and up step. We have the players place their foot along the edge of the board which forces them to step over it as they go over up to the right and then over up to the left. Their punch will come from their rib cage, tight elbows, and thumbs at 12 o’clock. They lead with their hands, hitting on the rise with a flat back, and never winding up. Their weight is on the balls of their feet pounding the inside of their cleats into the ground. They finish by pulling right and left down the board, forcing them to remain low and explode through the bag. We have them put their foot on the end of the board forcing them to step and bucket pull. Keep in mind that during this drill they sprint back to the end of the line after they hold the pad. Once the player takes a rep, he then grabs the pad and holds it for the next player. We start with two players on their knees. Have them reach out and touch the pad. This will put them at the proper distance to the Sled. On command, they hit the sled with the top of their pads exploding out of their hips and landing on their stomach. We repeat this and have them punch the sled, forcing them to keep their thumbs at 12 o’clock, having tight elbows from the rib cage, and punching on the rise. They then repeat the sequence from a stance. Then have them drive it. The sequence is then repeated where the players start on their knees. This forces them to come out of their hips. Once the whistle blows to end their rep, they sprint to the back of the line. |
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