A lot of football coaches say defense wins championships, and what separates the good teams from great teams are the individuals in the trenches.

Bill Williams, who was a coach on the World Championship team last year in China as well a coach on the U-18 National Team in Orlando this past January, holds a special place in his heart for the defensive big men.

With that in mind, Williams – who has also been on the sidelines at numerous additional National Team events – has some tips for becoming a force on the line next year.

“I hang my hat on our defensive lineman being in excellent physical condition for the reason that defensive linemen are using so much energy every snap,” Williams said. “They must be as sharp on the last snap as they were on the first because that last snap may be on the goal line for the win.

“In the offseason this is what defensive linemen need to work on.”

Williams breaks down aspects for football players to work on such as stance and ball get-off (BGO), hand speed and foot speed.

Work your best two moves and the counter move every day on an escape dummy, he said. Hand fight every as well. Williams also added practicing reaction drills every day you train. It will take a partner, but the work is simple. Take 20 seconds between each repetition and get 20 reps a day. Make it game speed to the ball – alternate reaction drills – run, pass, run, pass, etc.  

Learning how to get to the quarterback is the second step to work on in the offseason, and it’s more simple than you think.

“You get to the quarterback by simple effort,” Williams said. “Become a master of your best moves in the offseason and be in better shape than anyone you go up against. There is no secret to getting to the quarterback.”

Williams urges players working on their pass rush skills to focus in on BGO, their escape and overall effort. Be a master of your best moves and beat offensive linemen with your BGO – hands, feet and effort. 

If you haven’t really decided which pass-rushing defensive lineman move is the best for you, Williams wants you to think about keeping it basic and selecting the speed rush.

“The speed rush is the best pass rush move because it can easily transition into any other move,” he said. “In the speed rush you must: have your hips above your head; have your weight on your front foot to keep you from false stepping and losing valuable time, and you must win the first two steps.”

If a defensive lineman doesn’t win the first two steps, the offensive lineman will most likely be waiting on you, and you will then have to turn to the bull jerk and rip,” Williams added.

The rip is a very simple and very effective for both inside and outside rushers at all levels. 

• first step – quick and sharp 
• second step – up the field
• third step – be hip to hip and run your hips through the quarterback

 

Work on these moves day-in and day-out in the offseason to become un-blockable in 2017.