Virtually every offense includes a package for one back to lead block for another. In our offensive scheme, this block is called the “wham.”

Since our offensive scheme is to run out of multiple formations – spread, Husker I and pro I – the drills to practice this block are designed to give the blockers a realistic look at what they will see in game action.

Straight ahead wham out of the Husker I

When we run the Husker I, we wham block with one back, kickout block with another and have the tailback follow behind the wham block.

The drill we use to work on these assignments is to have a defensive end and two linebackers with hand shields line up across from the quarterback, fullback, wham back and tailback. With the wham in the A gap, the fullback takes on the Mike linebacker and the wham back takes on and kicks out the playside outside linebacker.

This means that the fullback sprints through the A gap and blocks the Mike to the left and away from the A gap. The wham back blocks the playside linebacker to the right and away from the A gap.

If we run a B gap wham out of this formation, the fullback kicks out the playside defensive end and the wham back blocks the playside outside linebacker to the right and away from the B gap.

When we evaluate, we look for:

• Solid blocking fundamentals
• If they gained leverage on the defenders
• Head placement and if they dropped their heads
• Did they finish the block?

 

 

Spread slide wham

When we run the spread, we sometimes slide motion a slot sideways and lead block with him through the A or B gap. We may use this block in conjunction with a lead block by a trapping guard.

In the drill, we line up three defenders at linebacker depth and give each a blocking shield. Before each rep, the back who is to block is told which linebacker he is to block.

When evaluating the backs, we look at:

• Ability to slide and square up on the defenders
• Fundamentals in making the blocks
• Leverage on the linebackers
• Head up so they can see what they hit
• Maintain control of the defender throughout the rep.
• At no time should the defender work free from the block.

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.