Drive Block

Driving and blocking are the bases for a good lineman. Hence the name for the most common drive: the drive block. This drive block means that you are going to push the opponent in the direction that they are aligned. The first step of this block is the scrimmage alignment, in order to drive to the right or left this basic block will push your opponent in the way that they are aligned, so if they are aligned to the right the drive will push them to the right. When executing this block start with your play side foot, meaning if the play is on the right side of you it will be your right foot. Connect hard against your opponent, bring your other foot into play and continue to drive in the aligned direction.

Angle tackling

The reason for angle tackles is simple, cover the shortest area to get to the tackle, but there is still a great need to practice this technique. This can be done by having a player run with the ball on a straight line with the defender at any angle. As the opponent comes toward the defender he will need to adjust his body position and shorten the angle, put his foot in front of the opponent, and make sure that he put his head in front of the opponent. The tackle is completed as the defender wraps his hands tightly around the opponent, straightens his hips and pushes the opponent to the ground or off sides.

Strip Tackling

There is a golden rule in football defense, get the ball to the offensive team as quickly as possible. The fastest way to gain possession of the ball is to force an offensive player to fumble the football. This drill practices with two players. Have the defender move up on the offensive player, trust his arms back and then forward with his fists clenched. The point is to have the defensive player throw the fist into the football causing the offensive player to fumble the football. This drill is most effective if you start it slow focusing on the motions needed to be effective, and then speed up over time.

Catching the ball low

Great plays are made through dedicated practice of the fundamentals. Execution on a football field starts with practice. Perfect and not so perfect scenarios should constantly run at football practice. Here are some secrets to making this catch. First, keep your hands down low in a scooping or shovel position; you can even cross your pinkies. This ensures that the ball will not slip through your fingers. Second, keep your knees bent low and in extreme cases you should be flat on the ground or diving. Once you have the football in your hands scoop it up and tuck it away. Remember, the cardinal rule of catching is to use your hands and not your body. Keep your eyes right on the ball. And always see the ball through, meaning that you are watching it into the tuck.