What I am going to break down is nothing brand new and has probably been said or done over and over again in some form or fashion. The focus of this article is not so much on the specific pass rush moves I present, but more on the progression in which I teach them. I focus on the fundamentals and making sure the players understand the essentials of being a good pass rusher. This is just my way of teaching these skills; because it is what I have found to work best in training productive pass rushers in my own experiences. To teach effective pass rush techniques to defensive linemen I believe you have to start by breaking down these 4 principles of pass rush – closing the distance, always have a move in mind & know the counter, and always rush half man. Your players have to understand that being a great pass rusher is not simply about being a speed rusher or a bull rusher, there is plenty of technique & skill involved that you can teach.
CLOSING THE DISTANCE
Offensive linemen want to keep the defender as far from the QB as possible during a pass play and most of the time they only need less than 3 seconds to get the job done. When I talk about closing the distance I’m not talking about the QB or the offensive lineman in the protection. I teach defensive linemen to close the distance to an aiming point that relates to the QBs position or drop (5 or 7 step) in the pocket. The aiming point is located at 4 to 5 yards behind the inside leg of the offensive lineman across from the defender.
The defensive line must understand that the race between them and that offensive lineman to that 4 to 5 yard aiming point is the most important aspect of having a great pass rush. The better a defensive lineman is at closing the distance to that point, the more likely he will be able to apply pressure and dictate the type of pass set he will see from the offensive lineman, no matter what he was taught. The 4 to 5 yards is ideal because in a 5 step drop the QB is roughly 5 yards away from the line of scrimmage and with an aiming point of 4 yards the defender can leverage (balance out) the QBs position in the pocket.
If the QB is a 7 step dropper or in shotgun, then adjust the aiming point to 5 yards for leverage. Leveraging the QB means being able to put pressure on him if he steps up in the pocket while also being able to get to him if he steps out of the pocket to break contain (NEVER LOSE CONTAIN!). Most defensive line coaches use or teach the term “rush lanes” to emphasize getting to the QB, and that works too. I use leveraging the QB, because I find it easier for the players to understand how to adjust when the QB moves around in the pocket. When the QB moves, rush lanes move too. The aiming point is set behind the inside leg of the offensive lineman. This is because it creates a place where the defender won’t rush too far outside of the QB, giving him an easy pocket to step into and close enough inside where the QB can be pressured and contained if he tries to go outside the pocket (leverage). The following drills are the first two drills taught to my defensive linemen when we get to pass rush.
Drill #1: Tag Drill
Purpose: Emphasize closing the distance (get off), aiming point, pad level, and bending toward the quarterback in pass rush. Secondary purpose – Teaching your D-line how to rush ½ the man and stay on an edge.
Equipment needed: 4 bodies and 4 cones
Setting up the drill: Establish a line of scrimmage as a starting point for the defenders. Place each cone 4 yards behind the LOS. Line up a player on the LOS with their inside foot even with the cone 4 yards behind them. This is your O-line. Each defender will line up shaded to the right of the O-lineman if that O-lineman’s inside foot is the right foot and shade to the left if the O-lineman’s inside foot is the left foot.
Executing the drill: On the coach’s command, the offensive player will backpedal toward the cone as fast as he can. The defender must get off with low pad level and beat the blocker to the cone. The defender must be able to dip his inside shoulder and tag the hamstring of the O-lineman with his inside hand as he bends to the aiming point.
Reps: 2 left side and 2 right side.
Coaching Point: After they practice and understand the drill, I will allow the offensive lineman to start the drill by telling the defender to go on his first movement. Make sure the defenders finish to the QB and don’t stop after the tag.
Drill #2: Towel or ball scoop
Purpose: Emphasize closing the distance (get off), aiming point, and pad level with a focus on dipping that inside shoulder to turn the corner at the aiming point.
Equipment needed: Football, 4 Cones, 4 tennis balls or 4 towels.
Setting up the drill: Establish a line of scrimmage as a starting point for the defenders. Place each cone 4 yards behind the LOS. Place each tennis ball or towel slightly behind and to the right of each cone if the defender is shaded on the left and to the left of the cone if defender is shaded right. Each player will line up at the LOS to the left or right of each cone.
Executing the drill: On the snap, the defender must get off with low pad level and close the distance to the cone as quickly as possible. The defender must be able to dip his inside shoulder and pick up the tennis ball or towel behind the cone on the first try without breaking stride or slowing down.
Reps: 2 left side and 2 right side.
Coaching Point: Some players will have a tendency to run with their arm hanging down preparing to pick up the ball. This will prevent them from accelerating and it looks funny. Make sure they pump their arms from the beginning and make the scoop happen at the last possible second to pick up the ball. This simulates getting as close as possible to that O-lineman and dipping right underneath his arms and stepping behind him at or below waist level on the way to the QB.
HAVE A MOVE IN MIND & KNOW THE COUNTER
After teaching and drilling the aiming point, we get into the multiple pass rush moves and techniques that can be used to beat an offensive lineman who has cut off that aiming point. My philosophy is a productive pass rusher only needs two moves – the one he is really good at and the counter off of it (anything else is a bonus). The one example I would always use to express this to my players is All-Pro Dwight Freeney. The one move he was good at was speed off the edge (winning the race to the aiming point) and when O-linemen started over-setting him to cut off the aiming point, his counter was the spin move.
I like to teach the defensive line multiple moves for an outside rush and the counters that go with them. Teaching multiple moves throughout camp gives each individual a chance to find out what he is good at, and which move is most comfortable and effective for him. I always start out teaching pass rush moves from a two- point stance to show the players how their hands and feet work together to execute the move. I always tell my players that every great pass rusher has hands that are always working throughout the rush. Michael Strahan was a good example of a great pass rusher with busy hands. I will explain this further by telling my players that their inside rush hand is always the “setup” hand, the hand that initiates the move. The outside hand is always the “cloth hand” or the “finisher”, the hand that grabs cloth and/or finishes the move to get you to the QB. With the following drills I will talk about the first two moves I teach the defensive ends and the defensive tackles for pass rush. One is an outside move and one is a counter move.
Defensive Ends
The 1st move I teach the defensive ends is how to skate rush. This move requires space, quick feet, and very good hips. The following describes how I teach it from a 2-point stance with a partner. For this example, the defender will be working the move from his right side, O-line’s left.
Move: Skate Rush.
Set up Hand (inside hand): To set up this move, the inside hand (left) must stab or punch the O-lineman with the meat of his palm, fingers open and up. Start the defender with his left hand on the outside number of his partner in the chest area to simulate the punch. His elbow is bent while in this position. It is important to have the left foot up in a staggered stance for balance and power when initiating the punch. I always remind the players by repeating the phrase “same hand, same foot” to emphasize the importance of the set up hand and the inside foot working together to execute any move.
Cloth Hand (outside hand): The defender’s outside hand (right) must be placed on the back of the jersey in the shoulder blade area. This target area is intentionally exaggerated to decrease the margin of error when reaching for some cloth in a game situation. The defender may be reaching for the shoulder blade, but ends up with a hand full of cloth from the edge of the shoulder pads, which is perfectly okay as long as he has something to hold on to. Make sure that this hand grabs as much cloth as possible. The right foot is back and almost in a heel toe relationship with the left foot.
Executing the move: Now that the defender is in the “fit” position, it is time to execute the entire move. Remember that the feet and hands are interdependent and must be in sync to work the move and finish to the QB. I will breakdown the hands and feet separately but they are in unison during the move.
Hands – The inside hand must lock out on the punch while the outside hand grabs cloth. After providing the shock and locking out the punch, the inside hand must come off the O-lineman and the elbow is then thrown back to open up the hips as the outside hand locks out while still grabbing cloth. The hips should be opened up wide enough that the defender’s torso is facing back toward the line of scrimmage. To finish the move the outside hand must violently pull the shoulder of the O-lineman back towards the LOS while the inside hand punches right over the top of the shoulders to sling shot the defender to the QB.
Feet – After the punch, the inside foot must drop to expose the hips to the LOS. This step is very similar to a center posting up and taking a drop step in basketball. This step should put the inside foot even or slightly behind the outside foot. The outside foot is simply the pivot that maintains balance while the outside arm extends preparing to execute the sling shot to the QB.
Coaching Point: When executed correctly, the footwork will be similar, if not the same, as a carioca step. Sometimes players will want to grab cloth with the inside hand. Remind them that this hand is only for the setup – just punch with an open palm to distract the O-lineman while the outside hand grabs cloth.
Counter move: Inside Skate. When a player is good at working the skate rush, he will start to see O-linemen start taking their outside shoulder away, mostly by giving a box pass set. What I call a “box set” is when the O-lineman pass sets deep and turns his shoulders perpendicular to the line of scrimmage. In this pass set, he has taken away the outside edge of the aiming point and made it almost impossible to grab his outside shoulder without getting punched in the chest. This is where the inside skate move comes into play.
Setup Hand (inside hand): In this move, the inside hand actually plays the role of the setup and the cloth hand. From a two-point stance, have the O-lineman stand perpendicular to an established line of scrimmage. The defender must grab cloth on the inside shoulder of the O-lineman. Remember the same hand, same foot rule.
Cloth Hand (outside hand): The defender’s outside hand will be the hand punching over the top of the O-lineman’s shoulder to finish the move.
Executing the move: To execute this move from the “fit” position everything will be the same as the outside skate except that the move is beating the O-lineman to the inside as oppose to the outside because of the type of pass set he gives.
Hands – The inside hand will violently pull the inside shoulder of the O-lineman towards the outside. The outside hand will throw back the elbow to open up the hips as the inside hand locks out while still grabbing cloth. The outside hand will finish the move by punching right over the top of the O-lineman’s shoulders to sling shot the defender to the QB.
Feet –The inside foot is now the pivot that maintains balance while the inside arm extends, preparing to execute the sling shot to the QB. The outside foot must drop to expose the hips to the sideline.
Coaching Point: This move is risky because it is an inside move and ALL inside moves are a gamble because it gives the QB a chance to break contain and get outside. Make sure that players understand when performing this move they still have to leverage the QB by staying or getting right back on the path of the aiming point as they close to the QB.
Defensive Tackles
Because defensive tackles are in the heart of the trenches and have less room to work with than defensive ends, they must have moves that create immediate contact but still allows for quick hips and footwork. On any pass play at least one defensive tackle has a good chance of getting double teamed, so his pass rush needs to be quick, physical and precise. Every move a defensive tackle uses a defensive end can use, but not every move a defensive end uses a defensive tackle can use. These are the first two moves I always like to introduce to the defensive tackles.
Move: Rip Check. This move works almost exactly the way it sounds.
Set up Hand (inside hand): From a two-point stance, the inside hand must be placed under the armpit of the outside arm of the O-lineman in a rip position. Put an emphasis on showing a high elbow in the rip. Remember the same hand same, foot concept (left hand ripping, left foot up).
Cloth Hand (outside hand): The defender’s outside hand will be the hand grabbing the jersey in the shoulder blade area.
Executing the move: Remember that the feet and hands are interdependent and must be in sync to work the move and finish to the QB.
Hands – The inside hand will violently shoot the rip high under the outside armpit of the O-lineman while running toward the aiming point. It is important that the defender is leaning into the O-lineman during the rip. The outside hand grabs cloth and waits for the O-lineman’s “cue” to finish the move. The “cue” to finish is when the defender can feel the O-lineman leaning and applying pressure on his torso in an effort to slow down the rush and counter the force of the defender’s body leaning against his. When this happens, the defender can use the O-lineman’s weight against him to finish the move. The inside hand quickly checks the rip out of the armpit while the outside hand will violently pull the cloth and shoulder down and inside. The inside hand will finish the move by punching over the top of the O-lineman’s shoulders to accelerate the defender to the QB. Use the same hand to follow through and seal and pin the O-lineman to prevent him from turning around and impeding your progress.
Feet – The feet are running until the defender feels the “cue”. When he feels the pressure by the O-lineman, the defender’s outside foot will immediately plant into the ground and become a pivot to finish the move. When the rip checks out, the inside foot checks out by opening up the hips just enough to punch over the top and clear the O-lineman’s body being jerked inside. When the hips close, the inside hand is punched over top and is sealing the O-lineman. Step behind the O-lineman and push off of the outside foot to clear him and accelerate to the QB.
Coaching Point: Because the drill is starting from a two-point stance, it is important for the defender to keep a good bend in his knees for low pad level. Stay low throughout the entire drill. Make sure the offensive partner in the drill puts his inside hand on the defender’s hip and the outside on his shoulder or chest area to provide the pressure he needs to feel. Sealing the O-lineman after the punch over the shoulder also helps the defender balance himself on the way to the QB.
Counter move: Rip & Power Inside. This move is exactly the same as the Rip Check until the finish. It is a perfect counter to the rip check because the O-lineman has no idea what’s coming until it’s too late. This move is the answer to what if the O-lineman doesn’t give the “cue”? What if he never leans to apply pressure? If he doesn’t apply pressure to the defender by pushing on his hip, then there is only one other thing he could be doing, and that’s giving ground.
Executing the move: Since everything in the beginning is the same as the Rip Check, I will get right into the execution of the move.
Hands – The rip is high and the outside hand has a secure grip on the cloth, but the O-lineman is giving ground in an effort to run the defender outside of the aiming point and behind the QB. Now the O-lineman’s momentum is going backwards and the defender can feel and use this to his advantage. The outside hand will still violently pull cloth, but pull it in the same direction as the rush, upfield and toward the outside. It is essential to check the rip out at the exact moment the outside hand begins to pull. The inside hand checks out the rip and immediately punches the inside number of the O-lineman, forcing him to fall back and open an inside lane to the aiming point. After the punch, the outside rusher releases the cloth and rips inside.
Feet – The feet are running until the defender’s outside foot plants into the ground and becomes a pivot to finish the move. The outside foot must plant hard and fast while pulling the cloth. When the rip checks out, the inside foot power steps forward to follow through with the inside hand’s punch to push the O-lineman off balance.
Final Coaching Points: To make sure that I can see every player execute the move correctly at least once and be able to maximize reps and time, I use the following format for the previous drills. After teaching and demonstrating the move for the group as a whole – 1) Players get a partner and line up in a straight line where I can see every pair straight across. Name one side offense and one side defense. 2) Start at one end and give that pair the whistle to execute the move. Move to the next pair and blow the whistle. Repeat down the line. Once you get to the end, the pairs should have switched offense and defense. Repeat going back down the line. 3) The whole line goes on the whistle and offense/defense switch and repeat. 4) Execute the move from a three-point stance.
If you don’t have the resources to have your drills filmed everyday, I found this to be the best way of seeing who needs more work and correction while not having to stop the whole drill to focus on an individual.
ALWAYS RUSH HALF MAN
In teaching players how to pass rush with a focus on aiming point, and outside or inside moves, you should notice that the pass rusher always works on one side of the offensive lineman. Every pass rush drill is taught to work on the outside or inside number of the offensive lineman, which is half the man. Understanding the importance of rushing half man is critical to being a great pass rusher.
Offensive linemen want separation during a pass play to keep the defender away from the QB as long as possible. They attempt to get this separation by using both hands to punch and slow down or stop the momentum of the pass rusher. Running straight down the middle of a pass set, chest to chest, makes an offensive lineman’s job a lot easier. Rushing head up gives the O-lineman a better chance to cut off the aiming point, punch with two hands, and establish a strong base and demeanor in his pass set. When you teach defensive linemen to rush half man, you’re teaching them to rush with a smaller surface/target to punch, lower pad level, and a rush lane that provides a more defined track to the QB. Teaching defensive linemen to rush half man directly correlates to the aiming point and having a move and counter move in mind.
As an example, a defensive end is rushing on the outside number of the O-lineman and is closing the distance to the aiming point when suddenly that lineman kicks out a little deeper and wider than last time, cutting off the aiming point and putting himself head up with that defensive end. The defensive end has to immediately decide whether to 1) keep trying to beat him outside 2) just run down the middle of him and try to overpower him to the QB or 3) get to the inside number and make a counter move inside. After teaching and drilling the half man principle, it becomes second nature for that defensive end to make a move on the inside half of the O-lineman and get back on the aiming point as quickly as possible. It is always dangerous for a defensive end to take an inside track to the QB, especially if the QB is a runner, but sometimes it’s necessary. So whenever one of my defensive ends makes an inside move, I ask what made them go inside and the only acceptable answer is; “He cut off the aiming point or he over-set me.” Either way, they still understand that they are responsible for contain and if they go inside they had better leverage the QB.
By Ron W. Cook