OAKLAND RAIDERS OFFENSIVE LINE

2004 AREAS OF EMPHASIS

A. COMMUNICATE (DOUBLE CALLS)

B. EXPLODE OFF THE BALL AS ONE!
C. PLAY WITH LEVERAGE.
D. BE EXPLOSIVE AND QUICK.
E. EXACT HAND PLACEMENT AND BASE ON THE MOVE.
F. DISCIPLINED LANDMARKS!!!!!
G. SECOND LEVEL TRANSITION AND BLOCKING.
H. BLITZ PICK-UP.
I. SNAP OFF AND SWITCH STUNTS. MASTER THE PICK UP OF DELAY
STUNTS.
J. MASTER THE PICK UP OF 3 MAN STUNTS.
K. PROTECT YOUR INSIDE IN PASS PROTECTION.
L. MASTER REDIRECT IN PASS PROTECTION AND THE RUN GAME VS.
MOVEMENT.
M. FINISH!!!!!

OFFENSIVE LINE COMMUNICATION

ONE VITAL ELEMENT IN ANY TEAM EFFORT IS A COMPLETE COHERENT

SYSTEM OF COMMUNICATION. THERE IS NO GROUP WITHIN PROFESSIONAL
SPORTS WHOSE SUCCESS IS AS DEPENDENT ON EFFECTIVE
COMMUNICATION AS THE OFFENSIVE LINE. THE INFORMATION IN THIS
BOOK MAKES UP OUR LANGUAGE. A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF THIS
AND THE PLAYS TO WHICH THEY RELATE WILL ALLOW US TO OPERATE WITH
AGRRESSIVENESS, CONFIDENCE AND UNITY. IN OFFENSIVE LINE PLAY THAT
IS EVERYTHING!

KEYS TO COMMUNICATION:

A. GET TO THE LINE EARLY TO PREVENT LATE CALLS AND CALLS DURING
THE CADENCE.
B. DECLARE ALIGNMENTS AND SPLITS (CENTER).
C. IDENTIFICATION OF THE “MIKE LB” ON EVERY PLAY (CENTER).
D. YOU ARE ALL ACCOUNTABLE TO MAKE CALLS! DON’T TELL ME THAT
YOU DIDN’T GET THE CALL! MAKE THE CALL AND BE ACCOUNTABLE!
E. TALK IN A NORMAL DIALOUGE. DON’T BE ROBOTIC!
F. ECHO THE CALLS DOWN THE LINE. THE CALLS WILL ALLOW YOU TO
ANTICIPATE BETTER.
G. WORK YOUR EYES AT THE L.O.S. AND BE ALERT TO “DOUBLE CALL” VS.
DL STEMS AND LB SLIDES.
H. “DUMMY CALL” MORE! SET DEFENDERS UP. DON’T ALLOW THEM TO
GET A BEAD ON YOUR CALL. A LOT OF WAYS TO DO THIS!
 OAKLAND RAIDERS

PHILOSOPHY OF OFFENSIVE LINE PLAY

THE BASIS OF ANY GOOD OFFENSIVE FOOTBALL TEAM IS ITS OFFENSIVE

LINE. THERE IS NO POSITION THAT REQUIRES MORE DISCIPLINE OR
TECHNIQUES THAN BEING AN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN. OUR SUCCESS AS AN
OFFENSIVE FOOTBALL TEAM HINGES ON OUR ABILITY TO CONTROL THE LINE
OF SCRIMMAGE. TO WIN CONSISTENTLY IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL
LEAGUE YOU MUST WIN IN THE TRENCHES. WE MUST EXECUTE AND FINISH!

THE OAKLAND RAIDER OFFENSIVE LINE APPROACH WILL BE TO OUT

EXECUTE OUR OPPONENTS. EASIER SAID THAN DONE! TO TAKE THIS TYPE
OF APPROACH AND TO BELIEVE IN THIS PHILOSOPHY MEANS A GREAT DEAL
OF TIME HAS TO BE SPENT ON FUNDAMENTALS AND BLOCKING
TECHNIQUES. WE ARE BASICALLY A POWER ZONE AND TRACK SCHEME
FOOTBALL TEAM AND WE WILL STRIVE TO KEEP OUR BLOCKING RULES
SIMPLE AND CONSISTENT. BY KEEPING THE RULES AND LINE CALLS SIMPLE,
WE WILL GIVE YOU THE CHANCE TO PERFECT YOUR TECHNIQUES IN AN
AGGRESSIVE, VIOLENT MANNER.

TO BE THE BEST OFFENSIVE LINE IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

REQUIRES MORE THAN JUST DISCIPLINE OR GOOD BLOCKING TECHNIQUE. IT
REQUIRES PRIDE! PRIDE IN YOURSELF, PRIDE IN OUR LINE AND OUR TEAM.
A TEAM WITH PRIDE IS HARD TO BEAT BECAUSE THEY DO THE LITTLE
THINGS THAT MOST TEAMS ARE NOT WILLING TO DO. NO DETAIL SHOULD
EVER BE OVERLOOKED, REGARDLESS OF HOW SMALL IT MAY SEEM ON THE
SURFACE. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINNING AND LOSING OFTEN LIES IN
DOING THE LITTLE THINGS RIGHT, ALL THE TIME!

A RAIDER OFFENSIVE LINEMAN IS A “PRO” ON AND OFF THE FIELD!

OAKLAND RAIDERS
OFFENSIVE LINE SPLITS AND ALIGNMENTS

YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE AN EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR

SPLITS AND ALIGNMENTS. YOUR APPLICATION OF THESE CONCEPTS WILL
GIVE OUR OFFENSE A DISTINCT ADVANTAGE. THERE WILL BE SITUATIONS
THAT AT TIMES WILL DICTATE CERTAIN SPLITS AND ALIGNMENT. YOUR
KNOWLEDGE AND APPLICATION IS CRITICAL TO OUR SUCCESS. THE CENTER
WILL COMMUNICATE THE SPLIT AND ALIGNMENT CALLS IN THE HUDDLE.

OFFENSIVE LINE SPLITS:

NORMAL SPLITS: 2 FOOT SPACING ACROSS THE LINE.

MINIMUM SPLITS: 1 FOOT SPACING ACROSS THE LINE.
MAXIMUM SPLITS: 3 FOOT SPACING ACROSS THE LINE.
OUR GUARDS HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THEIR SPLITS IN OR OUT BASED
ON PLAYSIDE OR BACKSIDE BLOCKING COMBINATIONS. THE GUARD IS THE
ONLY PLAYER WHO CAN ADJUST HIS SPLIT. IT IS KEY THAT THE TACKLE
MAINTAINS THE INTEGRITY OF HIS SPLIT BY NOT MOVING WHEN THE GUARD
IS ADJUSTING. AS A GUARD WE MUST CHALLENGE OURSELVES TO MAINTAIN
2 FOOT SPLIT INTEGRITY.

OFFENSIVE LINE ALIGNMENTS:

ON THE BALL: DOWNHAND IS ON THE NEAR TIP OF THE BALL.

REGULAR: DOWNHAND IS ON THE CENTER’S TOE.
OFF THE BALL: DOWNHAND IS ON THE CENTER’S HEEL

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR LINE SPLIT AND ALIGNMENT. WE WILL
GAME PLAN THE SPLITS AND ALIGNMENT BASED ON THE CALL, THE MATCH-
UP OR THE SITUATION.

OAKLAND RAIDERS
RUN BLOCKING FOOTWORK

A. THE DROP STEP:

WHEN ZONE BLOCKING IN THE NFL IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT

EACH OFFENSIVE LINEMAN HAVE A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THE
NECESSARY FOOTWORK REQUIRED TO EXECUTE HIS PARTICULAR BLOCK.
THIS BLOCKING IS PRIMARY TO OUR CORE POWER ZONE BLOCKING
SCHEMES. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE FOOTWORK WITHIN THIS BLOCKING
CONCEPT IS ORCHESTRATED, COORDINATED AND EXECUTED WITH
PRECISION.

THE BASIC CONCEPT OF THE DROP STEP IS TO MAINTAIN A “FUNCTIONAL

BASE” AND TO “CREATE POWER ANGLES” AT THE SAME TIME. THIS TYPE OF
FOOTWORK GIVES THE BLOCKER THE ABILITY TO STAY BALANCED AND HAVE
HIS WEIGHT CENTERED ON AND THROUGH CONTACT. IT IS USED ON PLAYS
WHERE THE BLOCKER MUST BLOCK A DEFENDER IN A TITE SHADE, LOOSE
SHADE OR WIDE ALIGNMENT.

DROP STEP COACHING POINTS:

A. THE DROP STEP ENABLES YOU AS A BLOCKER TO BLOCK A DEFENDER ON

A GIVEN “ANGLE” WHILE MAINTAINING A BENT KNEE DEMEANOR.

B. POWER MUST BE GENERATED FROM THE GROUND. IN ORDER

FOR THIS TO HAPPEN THE ENTIRE INSTEP OF BOTH FEET
MUST DRIVE FROM THE GROUND.

C. “ANGLE OF DEPARTURE” AND “THE DEPTH AND WIDTH” OF

THE DROP STEP FROM THE LOS IS BASED ON A DEFENDER’S
ALIGNMENT. WE EMPHASIZE THAT WE WILL BLOCK THE
 DEFENDER ON THE ANGLE YOU FIND HIM ON.

A. “DEPTH AND WIDTH” OF THE DROP STEP IS VITAL TO

“DISPLACE” THE DEFENDER ON THE ANGLE. YOU WILL GAIN
NO ANGLE OR ADVANTAGE IF YOU STEP UNDERNEATH
YOURSELF.

B. HAT PLACEMENT MUST “CROSS THE “T” OF THE DEFENDER”. THIS

HELPS THE BLOCKER TO INTERSECT THE DEFENDERS PURSUIT ANGLE
WITH HIS HELMET. CROSSING THE “T” MEANS PUTTING THE BLOCKERS
HELMET ON THE OUTSIDE NUMBER OF THE DEFENDER. BY LOSING A
LITTLE GROUND ON THE DROP STEP YOU GET BETTER HEAD POSITION
AND PLACEMENT.

C. “COVER UP” THE DEFENDER BY THE COMBINATION OF YOUR HAT

PLACEMENT AND BRINGING YOUR BACK HAND AND FOOT. THE BLOCK
MUST STAY ON ANGLE AND THE BLOCKER SHOULD NEVER SWING HIS
ASS IN THE HOLE.

D. THE KEY TO AN EFFECTIVE DROP STEP IS GETTING THE SECOND STEP

DOWN ON CONTACT. THIS EMPHASES IS CALLED “TWO STEP
QUICKNESS”. WE EMPHASIZE TO THE BLOCKER TO PICK UP THE DROP
STEP AND PUT IT DOWN! WE ALSO EMPHASIZE GETTING THE SECOND
STEP IN THE GROUND AS FAST AS HE CAN. HE MUST GET IT DOWN NOW!
HOW FAST YOU GET THE SECOND STEP DOWN WILL DICTATE YOUR
BLOCKING SUCCESS. “EVERYTHING HAPPENS ON THE SECOND STEP!”
THE ABLILITY TO UNCOIL WITH BALANCE ON THE SECOND STEP IS A KEY
FACTOR. THE LANDMARK FOR SECOND STEP IS JUST INSIDE THE INSIDE
FOOT OF THE DEFENDER. TWO STEP QUICKNESS HELPS PREVENT THE
BLOCKER FROM CROSSING OVER, COLLASPING OR HANGING THE SECOND
STEP. IT IS VITAL THAT THE SECOND STEP GETS THROUGH PRIOR TO
CONTACT. IF YOU CAN’T GET THE SECOND STEP DOWN THEN GET OFF
THE BALL MORE. YOU CAN NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO GET HIT WHILE
THE SECOND STEP IS UP IN THE AIR. THIS TYPE OF FOOTWORK
EMPHASIS CREATES THE MOST POWERFUL ANGLES.

B. FOOTWORK TERMINOLOGY:

A. DROP AND POP: REFERS TO THE TWO STEP PLAYSIDE FOOTWORK OF A

COVERED BLOCKER VERSUS A DEFENDER IN A SHADED ALIGNMENT. THE
BLOCKER UNDERSTANDS THAT “DROP” MEANS OPEN YOUR SHOULDERS
ON THE GIVEN ANGLE. THIS FOOTWORK CORRESPONDS WITH OUR
INSIDE ZONE SCHEME.

B. JAB AND POP: REFERS TO THE FOOTWORK OF A PLAYSIDE OR BACKSIDE

LINEMAN WHEN HE HAS A HEAD-UP DEFENDER ALIGNED OVER HIM (TWO
GAPPER). THIS FOOTWORK REQUIRES THE BLOCKER TO MOVE HIS
PLAYSIDE FOOT LATERALLY TWO TO FOUR INCHES. THIS ALLOWS THE
SECOND STEP TO GET DOWN IMMEDIATELY. IN OTHER WORDS, THE JAB
GETS OUT OF THE WAY SO THE SECOND STEP CAN GET DOWN AND
UNCOIL. ON ALL JABS THE SHOULDERS REMAIN SQUARE! THIS
FOOTWORK ALLOWS THE BLOCKER TO COME OFF WITH POWER AND
 SQUARENESS. IT ALLOWS THE BLOCKER A BETTER ANGLE OF
DEPARTURE AND POSITION ON THE DEFENDER.

C. DROP AND CROTCH: REFERS TO FOOTWORK OF A BACKSIDE BLOCKER

WHEN HE IS CUTTING OFF OR IS IN COMBINATION SCHEME. THE
BLOCKER INITIALLY DROP STEPS AND THE SECOND STEP DRIVES
UPFRIELD INTO THE CROTCH OF THE DEFENDER. THE BLOCKE MUST USE
HIS BACKSIDE PAD, FLIPPER OR ONE ARM POST TO HOLD OFF THE
BACKSIDE GAP DEFENDER.

D. CROTCH STEP: REFERS TO THE INSIDE FOOTWORK OF THE DOWN BLOCK

(ANGLE BLOCK). THE BLOCKER LEADS WITH HIS NEAR FOOT TO THE
CROTCH OF THE DEFENDER THAT HE IS BLOCKING DOWN OR BACK ON.
THE ANGLE IS DETERMINED BY THE ALIGNMENT OF THE DEFENDER. WE
EMPHASIZE LEADING WITH THE NEAR KNEE SO THAT THE BLOCKER
DOESN’T STEP UNDER HIMSELF. IT WILL ALSO SLOW THE BLOCKER TO
BLOCK THROUGH THE DEFENDER WITH POWER ANGLES AND A
FUNCTIONAL BASE.

E. LATERAL JAB STEP: REFERS TO A LATERAL STEP TAKEN BY A PLAYSIDE

UNCOVERED BLOCKER IN OUR INSIDE ZONE SCHEME LATERAL JAB STEP
CAN ALSO REFER TO THE INSIDE FOOTWORK OF AN ONSIDE LINEMAN ON
A “GAP” TYPE BLOCKING PLAY.

F. LEAD STEP: REFERS TO A DIRECT STEP IN A VERTICAL AND SQUARE

MANNER. THIS FOOTWORK IS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR SHORT YARDAGE
AND GOALLINE BLOCKING SCHEMES.

G. “J” STEP: REFERS TO THE STEP TAKEN BY THE P.S.T. ON THE DUECE
CONBINATION THAT ALLOWS HIM TO STEP IN, UP AND OVER IN ONE STEP

CUTOFF BLOCK

LANDMARK: INSIDE NUMBER

FOOTWORK: DROP AND CROTCH
HANDS: TWO HAND PUNCH
ALIGNMENT: REGULAR

PURPOSE:

THE CUTOFF IS A BACKSIDE BLOCK THAT IS USED TO CUTOFF THE PURSUIT

OF A BACKSIDE DEFENDER. WE WILL EMPHASIZE THAT THE BLOCKER STAYS
HIGH ON ALL CUTOFF BLOCKS WHEN THE BALL IS BEING RUN INSIDE THE
TACKLE’S. THERE IS ALWAYS THE POTENTIAL OF A CUTBACK BY THE BALL
CARRIER WHEN WE USE THIS BLOCKING TECHNIQUE. WE CANNOT ALLOW
ANY PENETRATION TO THE INSIDE, MAKE THE DEFENDER FIGHT DIRECTLY
THROUGH YOU AS THE BLOCKER. KEEP THE DEFENDER BETWEEN THE YOU
AND THE BALL CARRIER.

TECHNIQUES AND COACHING POINTS:

A. FOOTWORK IS BASED ON THE ALIGNMENT OF THE DEFENDER. IT IS

IMPORTANT TO GET THE SECOND STEP DOWN. THE SECOND STEP
CANNOT GET SQUEEZED, COLLASPED OR FLATTEN OUT. CROTCH STEP
 EMPHASIS ALLOWS THE BLOCKER TO KEEP THE SHADED DEFENDER WIDE
WHILE MAINTAINING A BASE THROUGHOUT THE BLOCK.

B. CONTACT IS DOWN WITH A FLIPPER OR 2 HAND PUNCH TECHNIQUE.

WORK FOR PAD UNDER PAD LEVERAGE. THE KEY IS TO STAY ON THE
ANGLE AND NOT LOSE THE LANDMARK.

C. FINISHING TECHNIQUES USED FOR THIS TYPE OF BLOCK ARE THE “ASS
BLOCK” AND THE “HIGH WALL” BASE ON WHETHER THE DEFENDER
ATTEMPTS TO BACK DOOR THE CUTOFF. ON THE ASS BLOCK FINISH YOU
MUST ARCH YOUR BACK AND SQUEEZE BACK WITH THE HEAD AND NECK
WHICH WILL ALLOW BETTER CONTROL ON THE DEFENDER. “BOX OUT
TECHNIQUE” AT TIMES A “TWO HANDED SNATCH” WILL BE USED VS. A
SQUEEZED DEFENDER TO ASSIST THE HIGH WALL TECHNIQUE. THE
MOST IMPORTANT THING ON THE FINISH IS TO KEEP WORKING THE FEET
AND DON’T ALLOW THE DEFENDER TO CROSS YOUR FACE INSIDE. “TAKE
THE DEFENDER TO THE BALL INSTEAD OF THE DEFENDER TAKING YOU TO
THE BALL!”

D. VERSUS THE HEAD-UP DEFENDER YOU MUST “JAB AND CROTCH IT” TO
ESTABLISH AN ANGLE TO CUTOFF. YOU MUST REALLY SPEED UP THE
FEET AND THE EYES CANNOT LAG ON THE SNAP OF THE BALL. USE TWO
HAND PUNCH TECHNIQUE.

E. ALERT “SIFT” IF THE BLOCKER IS ON THE OPENSIDE OF THE FORMATION.

POSSIBLE SIFT FOR THE WILL LINEBACKER OR THE FREE SAFETY.

DOWN BLOCK

LANDMARK: ‘V’ OF THE NECK

FOOTWORK: CROTCH STEP
HANDS: TWO HAND SPLIT PUNCH
ALIGNMENT: REGULAR

PURPOSE:

THE DOWN BLOCK (CHOKE BLOCK FOR THE CENTER) IS USED WHEN
BLOCKING A DEFENDER TO YOUR INSIDE/BACKSIDE. THE DOWN BLOCK IS A
POWER BLOCK AND NOT A FINESSE WALL OFF TYPE BLOCK. IT REQUIRES A
NEAR FOOT AND NEAR SHOULDER PRINCIPAL.

TECHNIQUES AND COACHING POINTS:

A. THE LANDMARK IS THE ‘V’ OF THE DEFENDERS NECK. THE NOSE AIMS AT
THE ‘V’ AND THE NEAR PAD HITS UNDER THE CHIN STRAP. IF YOU READ
OR KNOW THE TYPE OF TECHNIQUE THAT IS BEING DEPLOYED BY THE
DEFENDER IT WILL HELP. IF THERE IS ANY INDECISION OR UNCERTAINTY
AS TO WEATHER THE DEFENDER IS A READER OR A PENETRATOR, TREAT
HIM AS PENETRATOR FIRST. DO NOT ALLOW HIM TO PENETRATE!

B. THE CROTCH STEP IS RELATIVE TO THE DEFENDER’S ALIGNMENT.

RELEASE THE NEAR KNEE TO THE CROTCH OF THE DEFENDER. THE
 CLOSER ALIGNED THE DEFENDER IS THE MORE UPFIELD THE INSIDE KNEE
RELEASE ACTS AS A PLATFORM BASE THAT ADDS POWER AND STRENGTH
THROUGH THE ANGLE. THE DOWN BLOCKER CAN “NEVER” STEP
UNDERNEATH HIMSELF AND BE SUCCESSFUL ON A CONSISTENT BASIS.

C. THE TWO HAND SPLIT PUNCH IS USED FOR MOVEMENT AND LEVERAGE.
SINCE YOU WON’T GET A LOT OF SURFACE FOR YOUR HANDS TO HIT,
WORK THE HANDS TITE TO THE NUMBERS. WORK TO TRAP THE OUTSIDE
ARM OF THE DEFENDER SO THAT HE CAN NOT CROSSFACE OR SPIN OUT.
DRIVE THE DEFENDER DOWN INSIDE OR UPFIELD ON AN ADJUSTMENT.

D. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU ARE NOT LATE OFF THE BALL! THE SPLIT
AND THE ALIGNMENT IS IMPORTANT IN THAT YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO
CREATE AN ANGLE TO COME DOWN ON.

E. ONE OF THE COMMON FAULTS TO THIS BLOCK IS THE TELEGRAPHING OF

EYES BY THE BLOCKER AND THE PULLER. DEFENSIVE LINEMAN ARE
TAUGHT TO READ STANCES, SPLITS AND EYES. ANYTHING OUT OF THE
ORDINARY IS A CLEAR TIP OFF FOR THEIR BENEF

DOUBLE TEAM
DUECE/TREY/ACE

THE PUPOSE OF THE DOUBLE TEAM IS TO GET REMOVAL OF A DEFENSIVE

LINEMAN AT THE P.O.A. , FROM THE LOS THEN TRANSITION ONE OFFENSIVE
BLOCER TO THE SECOND LEVEL. THE DOUBLE TEAM IS UTILIZED IN A GAP OR
TRACK SCHEME. THE ORIGIN IS A GAP SCHEME RUN WITH THE LINEMAN
RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS INSIDE GAP.

COACHING POINTS

1. DOUBLE TEAM TECHNIQUES

A. THE PREPARATION REQUIRES IDENTIFICATION OF THE

DEFENDER’S TECHNIQUE.

 VS. 2 GAP= POST UP AND HIP PUNCH.

 VS. JET TECH OF THE 3/5 TECHNIQUE, USE A REMOVAL TYPE
TECHNIQUE. INSIDE FOOTWORK PLATFORM BY POST BLOCKER AND ‘J’
STEP BY THE OUTSIDE BLOCKER. GET REMOVAL WITH EYES ON THE
LB.
 VS WIDE 3/5 TECH ALERT TO USE OUTSIDE FOOTWORK BY THE POST
MAN.
 VS. JET READ TECHNIQUE LIKE TAMPA, WHERE THE 3 OR 5 WILL
CLOSE HARD BEHIND A ‘SPEED’ RELEASE BY THE POST PLAYER, USE A
‘SPEED OH’ RELEASE MAKING THE DEFENDER CLOSE HARD BEHIND
CREATING NATURAL HOLE … ALERT THE DOWN BLOCKER OF
TECHNIQUE BY CALL SO HE KNOWS HE WILL NEED AN ADDITIONAL
STEP BEFORE HE WILL MAKE CONTACT WITH THE DEFENDER.
 PULLER : STAY ON TRACK AND HIT ANYTHING IN THE HOLE.
 QUICK SET

LANDMARK: MIDLINE NUMBER

FOOTWORK: SHORT SET
HANDS: TWO HAND
ALIGNMENT: REGULAR/OFF

PURPOSE:

THE QUICK SET IS A PLAYSIDE BLOCK DESIGNED FOR OUR DRAW BLOCKING
PLAYS. THE BLOCKER MUST UNDERSTAND THE TIMING OF THIS BLOCK AND
THE NATURE OF ITS TECHNIQUE. THE CONCEPT OF THE BLOCK IS “FLASH” A
PASS SET AND GET A DEFENSIVE LINEMAN IN A PASS RUSH RESPONSE AND
REACTION. THEN USE HIS MOMENTUM AGAINST HIM.

TECHNIQUES AND COACHING POINTS:

A. ALWAYS USE PLAYSIDE FOOTWORK.

B. VERSUS THE OUTSIDE SHADED DEFENDER OR THE HEAD-UP DEFENDER.

SHORT SETTING IS ALL VERTICAL TWO STEP QUICKNESS. SET THE
DEFENDER THEN TRANSITION INTO A DRIVE BLOCK. IT IS IMPORTANT TO
SET THE DEFENDER WITH LOW HANDS ON THE INITIAL FLASH. SET THE
HANDS THEN DRIVE THE HANDS AND KNEES INTO THE DEFENDER.

C. FINISH BY TAKING THE DEFENDER WHERE HE WANTS TO GO. USE THE

DEFENDER’S MOMENTUM TO FINISH THE BLOCK. WORK TO STAY
SQUARED-UP ON THE DEFENDER AND USE THE SAME LEVERAGE
PRINCIPLES AS THE TITE REACH BLOCK ON THE FINISH.

D. VERSUS A HEAD-UP TECHNIQUE SET THE DEFENDER WITH OUTSIDE

FOOTWORK. IF THE DEFENDER SLANTS INSIDE THEN USE HIS
MOMENTUM AND BLOCK THE BACK OF HIS PAD. THIS ALLOWS YOU AS A
BLOCKER TO ESTABLISH AN ANGLE OF THE DEFENDER. THIS IS THE ONLY
PLAY WHERE WE ALLOW SLIGHT PENETRATION AT THE P.O.A. IF WE GET
FRONTAL ON THE SLANT THIS ALLOWS THE DEFENDER A TWO WAY GO.

E. VS. THE INSIDE ALIGNED DEFENDER USE PLAYSIDE FOOTWORK AGAIN

AND WORK TO “PIN SET” THE DEFENDER INSIDE. THIS SET MUST GET
DOWN RAPIDLY OFF THE FLASH BUT ALLOWS THE BLOCKER TO MAINTAIN
A POSITION AND ANGLE ON THE DEFENDER. PIN THE ‘V’ ON THE NECK
AS A LANDMARK FOR THE BLOCKER.

F. VERSUS A WIDE DEFENDER OR A JET DEFENDER OVER THE TACKLE WE

WILL ALLOW A “BAITED DRAW SET” TECHNIQUE TO BE USED. INSTEAD
OF DRIVING OFF THE FLASH OF THE HANDS THE TACKLE NOW BAITS AND
SHOTPUTS THE DEFENDER UPFIELD WITH HIS INSIDE ARM.
 STRETCH “CUT” TECHNIQUE

LANDMARK: INSIDE THIGHBOARD

FOOTWORK: DROP AND CROSSOVER
HANDS: RIP
ALIGNMENT: OFF

PURPOSE:

TO CUT DOWN A DEFENDER ON THE BACKSIDE OF A OUTSIDE STRETCH

RUN. THIS WILL ENABLE THE RUN TO AN INSIDE CUT ON AN OUTSIDE PLAY.
IT IS USED TO CUT THE DEFENSE IN HALF AND STOP THE BACKSIDE PURSUIT
OF DEFENSIVE LINEMAN.

TECHNIQUES AND COACHING POINTS:

UNCOIL
HAT AND EYES THRU
BACK PAD ACROSS
UPPERBODY INSIDE DEFENDER
4 STEP TIMING ON CUT
LAND ON CHEST
LEVERAGE, LET PADS UNDER DEFENDER’S THIGHPAD
PUNCH YOUR BACK ARM THRU DEF. INSIDE THIGHPAD
GET ‘LAT’ ON DEFENDERS INSIDE THIGHPAD
ROLL AND LEGWHIP IF YOU OVERSHOOT DEFENDER
SPEED SWAP/SPEED SLIP/SPEED SCRAPE: 1)POST ARM/CUT
2)TOMAHAWK/CUT
NEVER CUT A ‘2 GAPPER’(I.E. 1 TECH./SQUARED SHOULERED SHADE

SCRAPE

THE SCRAPE IS A BACKSIDE COMBINATION BETWEEN THE BACKSIDE TACKLE

AND TIGHTEND FOR THE DEFENSIVE END AND THE STRONG SAFETY ON
WEAKSIDE RUNS. THE SCRAPE IS PRIMARILY USE IN THE ZONE RUNNING
GAME WHEN THE STRONG SAFETY POSES A THREAT ON THE BACKSIDE. THE
BLOCK IS FEATURED WHEN THE TACKLE IS COVERED BY AN END AND THE
TIGHTEND IS COVERED BY A BUCK LINEBACKER.

TECHNIQUES AND COACHING POINTS:

POST BLOCKER:
A. THE BACKSIDE TACKLE USE “DROP IT AND CROTCH IT” FOOTWORK. THE
TACKLE IS WORKING TO HOLD OFF THE DEFENSIVE END LONG ENOUGH
TO GIVE THE TIGHTEND SOMETHING TO HIT. ANOTHER WORDS, THE
TACKLE MUST BUY SOME TIME FOR THE TIGHTEND TO GET ENGAGED.
THE TACKLE PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR THE TIGHTEND BY EITHER
SHOULDER PRYING OR USING A FLIPPER TECHNIQUE WHILE HE FREES UP
HIS INSIDE ARM TO MAINTAIN HIS ANGLE RELATIVE TO THE STRONG
SAFETY.

B. THE TACKLE’S FOOTWORK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE

COMBINATION BLOCK. TWO STEP QUICKNESS IS IMPERATIVE IN ORDER
TO NOT GET COLLASPED, FLATTENED OUT OR SQUEEZED IN TO THE
HOLE. THE FOOTWORK ALLOWS GOOD BODY PRESENCE ON THE FIVE
TECHNIQUE WHEN WORKING A HALF MAN COMBINATION. DON’T BE IN A
HURRY TO THE STRONG SAFETY. SECURE THE DEFENSIVE END FIRST
AND USE THE ANGLE TO BLOCK THE STRONG SAFETY, THE FIVE
TECHNIQUE CAN NEVER SPLIT US.

C. THE TACKLE’S MUST DISCIPLINE A FREE INSIDE GAP HAND ON THE

SCRAPE IN ORDER TO NOT GET GRABBED. THE GAP ARM ALLOWS YOU
TO REMAIN BALANCED AND ALLOW FOR A SECOND LEVEL TRANSITION
ON THE ANGLE TO THE STRONG SAFTY.

D. IT IS VITAL FOR THE TACKLE TO WORK HIS EYES THROUGH OUT THE
PRESNAP FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF THE STRONG SAFETY ROTATING
DOWN INTO THE PAINT DURING THE CADENCE.

LEAD BLOCKER:

A. THE TIGHTEND WILL BLOCK THE DEFENSIVE END WITH “DROP IT AND
POP IT” FOOTWORK. THE TIGHTEND WILL PIGGY BACK THE TACKLE
AND OVERTAKE THE 5 TECKNIQUE. THE SCAPE CALL LOCKS THE
TIGHTEND ON THE DEFENSIVE END FOR THE DOWN.

B. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT THE TIGHTEND NOT FALSE STEP ON HIS INITIAL

STEP. ANOTHER POINT OF EMPHASIS IS TO NOT BE LATE COMING OFF
THE BALL AS THIS WILL EFFECT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TACKLE.

C. REACT AND RESPOND TO A 5 SPIKE/BUCK SPIKE STUNT AND DOG.

OAKLAND RAIDERS OFFENSIVE LINE

THE SHORT SET

THE SHORT SET IS FOR THE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN WHO WANTS TO BRING
THEIR GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL. YOU WILL LEARN TO APPREICATE THE
ADVENTAGES THAT THIS TYPE OF PASS BLOCKING WILL GIVE YOU AS YOU
BECOME A COMPLETE PLAYER. THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE IN PLAYING TO
NOT GET BEAT AND PLAYING TO BEAT A GUY IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL
LEAGUE.

ADVANTAGES TO SHORT SETTING;

1. IT WILL ALLOW YOU TO CHANGE UP YOUR GAME AND TO PLAY IN A
“CONTROLLED AGGRESSIVE” MANNER. THIS IS NOT A PASSIVE PASS
SET!

2. YOU WILL PLAY AGAINST STRONG PLAYERS AND BULL RUSHERS WHO’S
GOAL IT IS TO PUSH AND COLLASPE THE POCKET. THE SHORT SET DOES
NOT ALLOW THE BULL RUSHER A HEAD START UPFIELD. THIS WILL
PREVENT YOU FROM LOSING GROUND IN THE POCKET AND ALSO
MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE POCKET. ONE OF THE GOALS OF
SHORT SETTING IS TO GET YOUR PUNCH ON THE RUSHER BEFORE HE
CAN GET HIS FIRST STEP DOWN. STONE AND WIRE THE DEFENDER.

3. DEFENSIVE LINEMAN WON’T BE ABLE TO ANTICIPATE YOUR SET AND

HAND PLACEMENT IN THE SHORT AREA. IT HAS FASTBALL TIMING.

4. IT WILL INCREASE YOUR FOCUS ON THE SNAP AND YOUR

CONCENTRATION ON YOUR AIMING POINT FOR YOUR HANDS.

5. IT GIVES YOU A DIFFERENT MINDSET THAT ALLOWS YOU TO “CRANK” A

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN. YOU’RE DICTATING THE TEMPO NOT THE
RUSHER!

6. IT FORCES YOU TO GET OUT OF YOUR STANCE AND GET YOUR HANDS
ON THE RUSHER FASTER AND QUICKER THAN ANYONE ON THE BALL.
YOU CANNOT PERFORM THIS SET WITH ANY HESITATION WHAT SO
EVER!!!

7. THE SHORT SET MAKES YOU PLAY WITH “BIG EYES”. THE FOCUS MUST
ALWAYS BE THE EYES. THE EYES LEAD THE BODY! YOU MUST ALWAYS
FOCUS THE EYES ON THE TARGET. ON EVERY SET YOU MUST FOCUS
YOUR EYES ON EXACTLY WHERE YOU’RE GOING TO PLACE YOUR HANDS!

8. THE SHORT SET CAN BE USED ON BOTH THE 3 AND 5 STEP DROPBACK
PASS……IT EVEN WORKS ON QUICK 7 STEP DROPS.

9. THE SHORT SET CAN AND SHOULD ALWAYS BE USED IN A ONE ON ONE
PASS PROTECTION DRILL.

10. GOOD TO USE ON “MIKE” CALLS IN THE OVER FRONT WHEN THE
CENTER IS COVERED TY THE NT. WE CAN SHORT SET THE GUARD ANY
TIME THE CENTER CAN COVER HIS INSIDE SHOULDER. ALSO EFFECTIVE
WHEN THE CENTER IS SLIDING INTO A TWO MAN, THREE MAN OR FOUR
MAN SLIDE CALL.

11. EFFECTIVE VS. THE “TE” STUNT GAME WHERE THE GUARD CAN
FLATTEN OUT THE PENETRATOR ON THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.

12. THE BLOCKER MUST HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF WHETHER OR NOT THE

RUSHER IS ALIGNED ON OR OFF THE BALL. THIS IS CRITICAL TO THE
TIMING OF THE SET.
 THE SHORT SET VS. AN INSIDE SHADE ALIGNMENT

THE SHORT SET BEGINS VS. A DEFENDER ALIGNED ON THE INSIDE OF THE
PASS BLOCKER. THE BLOCKER MUST SET WITH INSIDE FOOTWORK. THE
INSIDE FOOT (POST FOOT) MUST COME “IN AND UP”. YOU WILL GAIN A
LITTLE GROUND INTO THE LOS. THEREFORE, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU
PUSH OFF THE OUTSKIDE FOOT WITH THE WEIGHT ON THE INSTEP OF THE
FOOT SO THAT YOU DON’T OVERSTRIDE THE FOOTWORK. THIS WILL KEEP
YOUR FEET UNDER YOU AND ALLOW YOU TO REDIRECT AND PUSH BACK
OUTSIDE SHOULD THE DEFENDER MOVE TO YOUR OUTSIDE. YOU MUST PUT
A PREMIUM ON YOUR EYES AND HANDS COMING ALIVE AT THE SNAP OF THE
BALL. THERE IS A PREMIUM PUT ON CUTTING THE CROTCH WITH THE
INSIDE KNEE. THIS SET IS ALSO EFFECTIVE IN COMING DOWN INSIDE ON A
TILTED NOSE!

THE SHORT SET VS. A HEAD-UP ALIGNMENT

THE SHORT SET VS. THE GEAD-UP DEFENDER USES THE SAME INSIDE
FOOTWORK EMPHASIS AS THE INSIDE SHADE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO
REITERATE “TWO STEP QUICKNESS WITH THE HANDS AND EYES”. IT IS
PARAMOUNT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE SET. YOU WILL NAIL THE DEFENDER
ON THE SECOND STEP SHOULD HE MAKE AN INSIDE MOVE. YOU HAVE NOW
PUT UYOURSELF IN POSITION TO SHUT DOWN BOTH THE HARD INSIDE MOVE
AND THE BULL BUSH. IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHORT SET A HEAD-UP TECHNIQUE
WITH OUTSIDE FOOTWORK PROVIDING YOU GAVE CENTER HELP. THIS IS
DONE ON A GAME PLAN BASIS VERSUS THE 43 ALIGNMENT.

THE SHORT SET VS. AN OUTSIDE SHADE ALIGNMENT

THE SHORT SET VS. THE OUTSIDER SHADE ALLOWS THE PASS PROTECTOR
TO SET WITH OUTSIDE FOOTWORK ON THE DEFENDER. THE MINDSET FOR
THIS SET IS TO TAKE AWAY THE OUSIDE WITH YOUR BODY AND TAKE AWAY
THE INSIDE WITH YOUR MIND. THE BLOCKER WORKS IN AND UP FOOTWORK
IN A VERTICAL FASHION. WE EMPHASIZE. A KNEE TO CROTCH
RELATIONSHIP. THE SHORT SET ON THE OUTSIDE SHADE IS DESIGNED TO
CUT DOWN THE SISTANCE OF THE RUSHER TO THE BLOCKER AND TO
DISPLACE THE OUTSIDE RUSHER HORIZONALLY. IF THE RUSHER GOES HARD
TO THE INSIDE YOU MUST COME ALIVE ON THE SECOND STEP THAT IS ALSO
MOVING FORWARD. YOU MUST HAVE BIG EYES ON THE INSIDE SHOULDER.
ON THIS SET YOU DO NOT WANT TO OVER SET WITH YOUR SHOULDERS TO
THE OUTSIDE. WORK TO STAY SQUARE AND VERTICAL. THE FOOTWORK
MUST BE HARD AND CRISP, JUST AS IT IS IN RUN BLOCKING. BOTH HANDS
ARE WORKING FOR PLACEMENT ON THE NUMBERS.

ADDITIONAL COACHING POINTS:

 VERSUS A WIDE OR LOOSE ALIGNMENT USE DISCRETION BY GAME

PLAN MATCH-P AS TO THE USE OF THE SHORT SET. IT IS BETTER TO
 LATERAL SET AT TIMES AND TAKE ON A RUSHER IN THIS TYPE OF
ALIGNMENT.

 REMEMBER……BIG EYES!!!!! ON EVERY P0LAY IN YOUR STANCE

KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOU WANT TO PLACE YOUR HANDS. THIS
WILL TAKE TREMENDOUS FOCUS AND CONCENTRATION.

 THE STRENGTH OF THE SECOND STEP IS SO IMPORTANT. IT MUST

STRIKE DOWN VIOLENTLY AND QUICKLY. TWO STEP QUICKNESS
MUST BE A CONSTANT IN THIS TYPE OF SETTING.

 YOUR ALIGNMENT AS A PASS BLOCKER MUST BE

ADAPTABLE…..DON’T GIVE A RUSHER THE SAME ALIGNMENT FOR
HIS TIMING AND AT THE SAME TIME PUT YOURSELF IN THE BEST
POSSIBLE ALIGNMENT TO EXECUTE. WHEN SHORT SETTING BE
CONSCIOUR OF YOUR SPLITS, YOU DON’T WANT TO BE SPLIT TOO
WIDE.

 THE SPEED AND QUICKNESS OF THE EYES, HANDS AND FEET AS ONE
IS ESSENTIAL.