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Three-Step Pass ProtectionDoane College Three-Step Pass Protection Fundamentals© More from this issue 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.
Stance/Pop-Set & Sit: Each blocking phase has an individual drill designed
specifically to teach the proper mechanics of the technique. (See Diagram 1.)
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.)
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.)
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.) About the author |
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