Athletes must master multiple pass rush techniques, if they want to be an effective pass rusher. As a middle school coach, I interact with kids who have learned how to bull rush at the youth level, and very little else. I have nothing against bull rushing, but even at the high school level, an effective defensive lineman must be proficient at multiple pass rush techniques.

Examples of the techniques that we teach are the: Get Off, Rip, as well as the Drive and Spin.

Every good pass rusher that I have watched always has a combination of good balance, maintained proper leverage, and strength. In addition, effective pass rushers will be aggressive, and most importantly, quick off the ball. If a player can beat the opponent off the ball, then the battle is already half won.

Get Off

In this drill, a defensive lineman lines up in front of a blocking dummy. The drill begins at the first movement of a snapped football. The defensive linemen performs a designated technique during the rep. When evaluating players in this drill, I always look for the speed of the player off the ball. Second, I determine how aggressive they were, as well as if they maintained leverage. Lastly, I look at their technique. Speed and aggression usually rule the day. Meanwhile, stance and technique can always be perfected. When your players become more effective at getting off the ball, then single man sleds and live offensive linemen can be slowly introduced in place of the blocking dummy.

Rip

Place a defensive lineman in front of a blocking dummy. On the snap of the ball, the player will perform a Rip move. When teaching the Rip, the defender aggressively strikes the gap shoulder of the offensive linemen with his outside hand. Then, the defender rips through the armpit with their inside hand, while quickly stepping through the gap. It is important that a defender maintains leverage, speed and aggression throughout the duration of the drill. These abilities are essential for an effective defensive linemen. Always evaluate the speed/aggression of the rep, prior to examining stance and technique. The last two issues, stance and technique, can be drilled and perfected during the season. As your defensive linemen progress, slowly introduce and replace the dummy with sleds and/or live offensive linemen.

Drive and Spin

The purpose of this technique is to spin away from a block. When done effectively, it will create an open lane to get to the quarterback quickly. Start with a defensive lineman facing an offensive linemen. With the offensive player holds a blocking shield, the defensive player will line up on the outside eye of the offensive lineman. At the snap of the ball, the player explodes up field and entices the blocker to over commit to either the inside or outside. Once the blocker commits to one side, and the defensive linemen feels this commitment, he will spin off the block as fast he can and track down the QB. When evaluating, examine speed and intensity first because they are the most important elements in an effective pass rush. When your players become more effective at the spin move, then begin to add live offensive linemen in place of the blocking shield.

 

Chris Booth is the head football coach at Peterstown Middle School in West Virginia. He has had four books and nine videos published by Coaches Choice-available here- and will have a youth drill book published later in 2016.