J.J. Watt is the best defensive lineman playing in the NFL. The majority of football pundits agree. Last season’s installment of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” went behind the scenes of the Houston Texans training camp and provided an intimate look at Watt’s unparalleled work ethic.

Football fans marveled at Watt’s dedication and consistently high effort. However, his commitment to becoming the best was evident long before Hard Knocks highlighted it.

In late 2014, Watt was quoted by ESPN as stating:

"Success isn't owned. It's leased and rent is due every day." ~ J.J. Watt

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 13, 2014

Apparently, Watt’s unusually high drive to succeed was also noticed by those in-the-know. Wade Phillips, the Texans defensive coordinator in 2012, saw his work ethic up-close and had this to say:

“(What’s) going to be a bust – not a first-round bust but a bust in the Hall of fame,” Phillips told NFL.com. “The only players I’ve seen that can do what he can do with his intensity can be found in Canton.”

In other words, Watt’s late-night workouts was not a put-on for TV. Watt was consistently repeating individual drills by himself over-and-over, drills that already had been run earlier in the day when his teammates where still on the field. Accordingly, the behind-the-scenes look at the sport’s best provides an incomparable understanding of what it takes to be the greatest.

The techniques that Watt was captured continuously drilling included some of Watt’s go-to methods, which are very similar to the club and rip drill. The purpose of the drill is to work on the club and rip technique against a pop-up tackling dummy. This is entirely different than a straight bull-rush because the technique takes the defensive linemen to either the outside or inside of the offensive linemen.

Actually, this type of elusive and evasive technique, which does not relying strictly on overpowering your foe, is Watt’s favorite technique according to Pro Football Focus.

Drill set up

Place each player directly across from a pop-up tackling dummy. Players can initially position either head up, inside or outside shade depending on your defensive playbook.

Prior to running the drill, the coach should instruct players which side of the dummy to rush.

Key coaching points

On the first whistle, the players have active feet while staying in place. On the second whistle, players execute a club and rip technique to the predetermined side of the dummy. The technique is an explosive and aggressive club with the outside arm, which simulates their attempting to turn the shoulders of the blocker.

After the initial club, when the bag moves down and inside, the player should perform a rip technique while simultaneously using their hips and feet to turn the corner and rush the passer.

SEE ALSO: Defensive line techniques for defeating one-on-one

SEE ALSO: Be an expert at your position: defensive line