Explaining some of O-Line Techniques

#1
Caleb59seal

Caleb59seal

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#1
I know several on this website has mentioned seeing weird techniques and schemes from the O-Line. I have been one of those people, so I began looking into different popular techniques in the NFL (because they usually slide down to college), and I have come across a technique that Jim McNally (old Bengals O-Line coach) has been endorsing for awhile now. The technique I am referring to is called "circular force" and if anyone knows what centrifugal force and centripetal force is imagine the two combining into one blocking technique.

The general idea of the technique is that you will absorb the initial force of the D-linemen and then redirect his force upward... the staple "your pads lower than their pads idea" and then drive the defender back... now I can go into arm placement and all kinds of details but I don't really think you care about that, so I will stick with the general points of the technique.

1.) You are keeping your head out of the block, essentially making it safer for the linemen.

2.) You're gain great leverage and eliminating any extra movement.

3.) You are "giving ground to gain ground"... basically getting your feet behind you and a forward body lean to explode with your hands (like an uppercut) UP TO the defenders chest to either torque him one way or the other... or to raise his pad level and drive him backwards...

I had all this confirmed by seeing the O-Line practicing with medicine balls (that's the only technique I know of to need those for)

There are more techniques with double teams and "rooting your feet" "playing long with your hands"... etc. etc...

However, the main point of the O line is there needs to be an attitude to "finish" your block... there needs to be a grittiness to your approach... whenever I coach my kids before we ever teach them technique... we teach them effort... that's what it will come down to... do you want it more than the guy across from you...
 
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#2
#2
Caleb59seal said:
I know several on this website has mentioned seeing weird techniques and schemes from the O-Line. I have been one of those people, so I began looking into different popular techniques in the NFL (because they usually slide down to college), and I have come across a technique that Jim McNally (old Bengals O-Line coach) has been endorsing for awhile now. The technique I am referring to is called "circular force" and if anyone knows what centrifugal force and centripetal force is imagine the two combining into one blocking technique.

The general idea of the technique is that you will absorb the initial force of the D-linemen and then redirect his force upward... the staple "your pads lower than their pads idea" and then drive the defender back... now I can go into arm placement and all kinds of details but I don't really think you care about that, so I will stick with the general points of the technique.

1.) You are keeping your head out of the block, essentially making it safer for the linemen.

2.) You're gain great leverage and eliminating any extra movement.

3.) You are "giving ground to gain ground"... basically getting your feet behind you and a forward body lean to explode with your hands (like an uppercut) UP TO the defenders chest to either torque him one way or the other... or to raise his pad level and drive him backwards...

I had all this confirmed by seeing the O-Line practicing with medicine balls (that's the only technique I know of to need those for)

There are more techniques with double teams and "rooting your feet" "playing long with your hands"... etc. etc...

However, the main point of the O line is there needs to be an attitude to "finish" your block... there needs to be a grittiness to your approach... whenever I coach my kids before we ever teach them technique... we teach them effort... that's what it will come down to... do you want it more than the guy across from you...
Click to expand...
for the record I am sure my grammartical errors are terrible... forgive me...
 
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#3
#3
It's a very common technique you'll see. Same with the Gibbs one you mentioned.
 
#4
#4
Burger said:
It's a very common technique you'll see. Same with the Gibbs one you mentioned.
Click to expand...

Yea I understand that but it clears up some of the scheme and techniques being used by UT... I heard they had a Coaching clinic this weekend... how do you go about getting into this one or do you know?
 
#5
#5
Excellent.

Now the real test....

Can you explain the technique used by our DBs last season? (i.e. ignore the ball until the receiver catches it)
 
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#6
#6
utvols74 said:
Excellent.

Now the real test....

Can you explain the technique used by our DBs last season? (i.e. ignore the ball until the receiver catches it)
Click to expand...

Lol yea... I was a DB coach last year and I still pay very close attention to my safeties... (favorite position... multiple reasons) but I tried to get BB on it because it will be a long post..... lol... real long...
 
#8
#8
Biopsyman said:
No lineman drafted in 4 years .. the technique is not working
Click to expand...

I agree this technique is definitely theory over practice. It's sounds good because you're using the momentum or the dlinemen against him. The problem is these dlinemen are athletic and can catch themselves. I can only see this happening successfully in high school or lower levels
 
#9
#9
Rishvol said:
I agree this technique is definitely theory over practice. It's sounds good because you're using the momentum or the dlinemen against him. The problem is these dlinemen are athletic and can catch themselves. I can only see this happening successfully in high school or lower levels
Click to expand...

It's mainly a run blocking technique. You commonly see it with zone blocking when you have some assistance.
 
#10
#10
I am interested to know that Coleman Thomas technique from early in last season. I think it's called rag doll. It's where the center stands straight up and allows the nose tackle to basically lift him off the ground, throw him left or right forward or backward, then immediately be on top of the RB or QB. From my understanding it will completely wear down a DL by late in the 4th Q. The best part is that it works equally well against power 5 or lower level talent. Not sure if we'll see that again this season or not?
 
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#11
#11
Biopsyman said:
No lineman drafted in 4 years .. the technique is not working
Click to expand...

Technique is never the problem... lack of it could be.... also I am not sure how long we have used this technique either... as mentioned above this is a IZ or OZ blocking scheme... so it doesn't reflect all of the blocking techniques that we employ...
 
#12
#12
livefaith said:
I am interested to know that Coleman Thomas technique from early in last season. I think it's called rag doll. It's where the center stands straight up and allows the nose tackle to basically lift him off the ground, throw him left or right forward or backward, then immediately be on top of the RB or QB. From my understanding it will completely wear down a DL by late in the 4th Q. The best part is that it works equally well against power 5 or lower level talent. Not sure if we'll see that again this season or not?
Click to expand...

The only sec Oline that can make an appyst Dline look like an NFL caliber unit.
 
#13
#13
Rishvol said:
I agree this technique is definitely theory over practice. It's sounds good because you're using the momentum or the dlinemen against him. The problem is these dlinemen are athletic and can catch themselves. I can only see this happening successfully in high school or lower levels
Click to expand...

Good to know the term, because I have noticed the UT linemen practicing this uppercut technique. It isn't working. One negative is attempting to drive upward also shifts the center of gravity higher for the Oline men, putting him off balance. It would only work if the Oline can perfectly time and line up a defender, and it provides a "one shot" block.
 
Last edited:
#14
#14
Seems like due to zone read that there is a delay in drive the the DL back.. since jones has been here we have had a lot of penetration
 
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#15
#15
livefaith said:
I am interested to know that Coleman Thomas technique from early in last season. I think it's called rag doll. It's where the center stands straight up and allows the nose tackle to basically lift him off the ground, throw him left or right forward or backward, then immediately be on top of the RB or QB. From my understanding it will completely wear down a DL by late in the 4th Q. The best part is that it works equally well against power 5 or lower level talent. Not sure if we'll see that again this season or not?
Click to expand...

Thomas was still recovering from ankle injuries early in the season.
 
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#16
#16
I like the Bobby Boucher method. First the quarterback says hike and I try to tackle him unless he hands the ball to someone else and in that case I try to tackle him instead.
 
#17
#17
utvols74 said:
Excellent.

Now the real test....

Can you explain the technique used by our DBs last season? (i.e. ignore the ball until the receiver catches it)
Click to expand...

I think it's the same technique I used in my football days (9-10 year PeeWee league). To keep it simple, you just chase the guy who catches the ball. If he drops it, you're a pretty good player.
 
#18
#18
I'm a proponent of the oline technique that allows the offensive lineman to fire off the ball with malice, make violent contact, and drive the defender into the next zip code.
 
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#19
#19
wwilso29 said:
Thomas was still recovering from ankle injuries early in the season.
Click to expand...

Then he shouldn't have been playing. There were other options at center, and Butch even commented in the media about how bad Thomas's ankles looked.
 
#20
#20
90 Vol said:
I'm a proponent of the oline technique that allows the offensive lineman to fire off the ball with malice, make violent contact, and drive the defender into the next zip code.
Click to expand...

Looks like Trey Smith thinks the same way. Smith versus Kongbo. There was nothing Kongbo could do. He feet were just sliding backwards. Bulldozer versus a pickup.
 
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#21
#21
The one I know is attack! Head up back straight and move your feet. Position if needed. Plant them and see if they will grow!
 
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#22
#22
Rishvol said:
I agree this technique is definitely theory over practice. It's sounds good because you're using the momentum or the dlinemen against him. The problem is these dlinemen are athletic and can catch themselves. I can only see this happening successfully in high school or lower levels
Click to expand...
The Bengals, Pittsburg, Cowboys, Titans, all use this technique...
 
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#24
#24
Burger said:
So do the Broncos, GB, and any other zone team.
Click to expand...

Yea I got tired of naming them after mentioning the two most dominate rushing O lines in the NFL... I figured they got the point... not trying to be mean just tryin to help him see what I was talking about... and GB has AR so I don't count them...
 
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