I attended a demonstration at AFCA Convention in Nashville presented by retired NFL offensive line coach Jim McNally and former NFL offensive linemen Scott Peters. The demonstration focused on different jump sets, which aim to create a better angle for the offensive linemen to more effectively close distance with the defender.

The jump set is often utilized in the quick passing game when it is essential to engage a defender quickly, but it can be utilized in a number of other situations as well. Most simply, it is a good change up for an offensive linemen to use against a very good defensive linemen.

Coach McNally illustrated how the distance between the offensive lineman and the defender can be utilized by going from a two point stance and squeezing the ball. McNally has employed this philosophy with guards who compete against good 3-technique rushers, which helps get the hands into the defender immediately and stop a bull rush. Further, this will take away the distance that a bull rusher has to execute his move.

McNally provided two different scenarios that utilize this philosophy, the object for both options is to take away half the distance between the defender and the lineman.

In the first scenario, the defender is using a head-up technique. The offensive lineman will foot fire quickly and punch. The foot fire takes away half the distance and the punch allows the lineman to strike the defender inside.

In the second scenario, a defender utilizes a 3-technique while lined up on the guard or a tight 5 technique while lined up on the tackle. The footwork is a slide step with the outside foot, setting the angle and then foot firing to take away half the distance. With the slide step, the foot is kept close to the ground, which allows the offensive lineman to quickly reset back inside, in case of an inside move by the defender.

Coach McNally also demonstrated two techniques that a tackle can use against a wide 5-technique end. The main objective of this approach is to widen the pocket and not allow the defender to get a running start on a bull rush. 

The offensive lineman will drop step on an angle, which is followed by a slide step and then a plant step with the inside foot. After the initial footwork, the lineman foot fires on his track with very short and quick steps.

The alternative footwork for this same situation will utilize two slide steps and a long arm punch. The slide steps take the offensive lineman on a wider path. The one arm punch allows the offensive lineman to only need to get a quarter of the defender on the punch. The lineman effectively widens the pocket if the technique is properly executed.

As the offseason continues, I recommend that you continue researching innovative techniques and schemes to learn from those with experience. This is the best way to evolve and improve any system.