Developing Football Defensive Suggestions

Line of scrimmage tactics

Football is all about strategy and fining, or making weak spots in your opponent. A great technique that will give you an advantage on the line is double team blocking. It is basically putting two linemen on one. This technique is effective for punching a hole through the line and getting a running back through, or it also works great on a defensive blitz. The basics are simple for this technique: First, both players will need to step together, and put their hips together. Next, form a wall, an impenetrable block that the opposing teams linemen cant break. Hit the shoulders hard and pin the opponent down as you drive them back. Work it fast and work it hard!

Strip Tackling

There is a golden rule in football defense, get the ball to the offensive team as quickly as possible. Forcing a fumble is one of the quickest ways that you can turn the tides and retain possession of the football. A great way to practice is have two players line up, one as the defense, the other with the football as the offense. The point is to have the defensive player throw the fist into the football causing the offensive player to fumble the football. Start the drill slowly, and reward for a strong tackle that affectively tackles and makes an attack to dislodge the offensive players grip on the ball.

Making a great hand off

Learning the basics in a handoff is essential to a strong offense. Lets look at a simple hand off between a quarterback and a running back to point out the fundamentals of this skill. A running back at the start of a hand off should give the quarterback a target by opening up his arms that are in front of his chest enough to allow about one and a half footballs in. When the quarterback slides the ball into the arms, or the pocket as it is called, the running back closes his arms around the ball to protect it. Now that the running back has the ball when he leaves the quarterback he should remain low to the ground in order to react quickly on the field.

Receivers: Ball Security Drill

To insure a proper catch, a receiver must secure the football into a proper carrying position. There are three steps of a great catch: First, place your hands in front of you with your palms open and thumbs out forming an open triangle for the football. Second, follow the ball through with your eyes. Third, tuck the ball away security, keeping your eyes on the ball, so that it is in a high tight position. The problem is that receivers have a tenancy to start looking down the field before they have the ball properly secured. This increases fumbles and turnovers. To overcome this habit set up a simple drill where two players pass the ball to each other stopping at each critical step: the catch, the follow through, and the tuck.