STEVEN CIOCCI

“ If you are versatile, tough and smart you will be a successful offensive lineman.”
-- Grey Ruegamer (Offensive lineman for the New York Giants)
• As an Offensive Line you
set the tone for the rest of
the football team
• Toughness, Grit,
Nastiness, Relentless
Effort, Intense Focus,
Selflessness,
Accountability, Trust,
Great Work Ethic
• “5 STRONG”-No Man is an
Island, you must draw
your strength from others
WE ARE ONLY AS STRONG
AS THE MAN NEXT TO US!

“Linemen are literally the unsung heroes of the game. Their situation is analogous to the infantry in warfare. They do the
hard, bitter fighting for victory. As the generals reap the headlines in war, the backs reap the headlines in football. Yet in
their hearts, the generals and backs know that victory and the accolades came to them through the work of the foot
soldiers and linemen.”
Gomer Jones
Rules:
1. BE EARLY – 5 Minutes early is late!
2. BE PREPARED – Have manual and playbooks ready to go….bring pen or pencil
3, BE READY TO WORK – No attitudes just ready to go
4. BE RESPECTFUL – Nothing is personal
5. EFFORT- Is not an option, it is to be expected
6. EMBRACE THE COMPETITION- Constant atmosphere of competition
7. KNOW YOUR ROLE- Feed the collective by succeeding individually
8. TECHNIQUE- Is the great equalizer, master it
9. HAVE FUN – What is said in meetings stays in meetings, but laugh when we need to

• Be honest with yourself as a player, did I work as hard as I could have that
rep, that drill, that practice….and that game?
• If it is easy it is wrong
• One Unit – Its about us
• We will be the hardest working position
group on the field. We will be physical,
disciplined and play with great pad level and
technique
• Need to have nasty players all across the
board.
• Score with your man!
• One unit that plays together, bleeds
together and works 24/7 together
• We will block until the whistle blows
• Know your assignment 100% of the time
• Trust your steps and technique
• Need to be violent and aggressive
• We will dominate the line of scrimmage in
the run game and pass game
• Violent with your hands
• Take the fight to them! We will be the
aggressors!
• Win the day every day!
• 100% Assignment Execution
• 100% Hustle and Effort-we will
never walk on the field!
• Play with feet fire and hand
violence
• No selfish penalties
• Protect your quarterback! No
excuse to give up a sack
• No Tackles for Loss ever! Win
with your man downfield
• OWN THE 4TH QUARTER
• Be accountable and do your
job
• Communicate every play!
The more the better!!!
• Establish the line of
scrimmage on every play
• Make first contact with
defenders (with controlled
aggression)
• Aim to finish every block
with a pancake or cut
• The edge of our offensive line.
Needs to be excellent pass blocker
and run blocker
• Has to be athletic to reach blocks
on read plays and physical enough to
play within our inside zone and
power schemes
• Responsible for seeing edge blitzes
and pressure
• Need to communicate to the guards
and tight ends
• Responsible for making sure tight
ends know who to block
• Has to be very athletic in pass pro,
understand pocket depth and be
able to win 1 on 1 situations
• Living on an Island, protect
quarterback’s blind side
• Most physical players up front
• Need to be big and athletic to move
3 techniques as well as assist center
with 0 shade
• Need to be athletic when facing 3
down defenses and they need to
climb to second level
• Need to be good at pass pro and
have to work twist pickup with
center as well as tackle
• Have to be able to get movement
against head up defensive lineman
• Athletic enough to pull and move in
space
• Assist center and tackle in blitz and
front identification and pickup
• The focus point of our offensive
line, he is the general
• Runs the show, needs to make all
front and box identification calls
• Makes combo calls with guards
• Needs to be able to identify blitzes
and work twist pickup with guards
• 100% PERFECT SNAPS! NO EXCUSES
• Athletic enough to pull into space
and get to second level
• Needs to be able to block a 0
Technique in 3 down defense
• Shotgun and Under Center
snapping
C B A A B C D
 6i 9

60

• It is important for our offensive line to identify the difference between the defensive alignments
• Something as simple as a 2i vs a 2 technique could signal a defensive stunt or blitz
• Defensive alignment identification is critical in the run and pass game blocking schemes
 FRONT IDENTIFICATION
FRONT RECOGNITION FRONT RECOGNITION
OKIE OKIE NOTES STACK STACK NOTES
 There will be a NT aligned somewhere on the  All three LBs must be aligned “in the box”
Center  There will be a B Gap defender aligned to the
J M  Both Guards will be completely uncovered W M S TE (or formation strength in 2 TE formations )
and an A Gap defender aligned away from
W E N T S E N T E
the TE
Y

Y
Q Q We will still call it Stack if both DTs are
aligned head up on the Guards and there are
three LBs “in the box”

33 33 NOTES OVER OVER NOTES

 There will be a NT aligned somewhere on the  There will be two LBs aligned “in the box”
Center  There will be a B Gap defender aligned to the
W M S  Both Guards will be completely uncovered W M TE (or formation strength in 2 TE formations )
WS SS S
 There will be three LBs “in the box” usually and an A Gap defender aligned away from
E N E E N T E
stacked behind the DL the TE
Y Y
Q  It is common for two additional LBs or DBs to Q  We will still call it Over if both DTs are aligned
be aligned slightly outside the box head up on the Guards and there are only
two LBs “in the box”

BEAR BEAR NOTES UNDER UNDER NOTES

 There will be a NT aligned somewhere on the  There will be an A Gap defender aligned to
Center the TE (or formation strength in 2 TE
FS M  Both Guards must be covered W M formations ) and a B Gap defender aligned
S  The alignment of the LBs or DBs does not away from the TE
W E N T L E T N E S
affect the front call  There will be two LBs aligned “in the box”

Y Y
Q It will be common for defenses to play a 3 LB Q

Bear in short yardage /goal line situations

 Some teams will play a 2 LB Bear in normal
field and down & distance situations

OVER 33 OVER 33 NOTES UNDER STACK UNDER STACK NOTES

 There will be two LBs aligned “in the box”  There will be an A Gap defender aligned to
W M  There will be a DL aligned in both B Gaps the TE (or formation strength in 2 TE
S W M S
 If three LBs align “in the box” with the two B formations ) and a B Gap defender aligned
E N T E Gap DL we will refer to the front as “Wendy away from the TE
Stack”
E T N E  All three LBs aligned “in the box”
Y
Q Y
Q
 4 DOWN FRONTS
W M W M S W M
A T N E S A T N E A T N E S
Y Y Y

UNDER UNDER G UNDER G BOSS

S M W S M W S M W
A T N E A T N E A T N E
Y Y Y

OVER OVER G OVER G BOSS

S M W S M W S M W
A T N E A T N E A T N E
Y Y Y

OVER G WIDE STACK OVER WIDE

M W S M W
S A T N E A T N E M W
Y Y S A T N E
Y

EVEN 15 OVER 33 LOADED

 3 DOWN/GOALINE FRONTS
M J M J W M J
S T N E W T N
S E S T N E W
Y Y Y

OAKIE 33 STACK GRIZ

M J M J M J
S T N E W S T N E W S E N T W
Y Y Y

BEAR BEAR WEAK BEAR STRONG

FS J FS
M J M
C S L T N E W C C S L T N E W C
Y X Y X

62
GAP 8

M J M J
S T N E W W T N E S
Y Y

ANGLE – Defensive Line move away from TE SLANT – Defensive Line move toward TE
• EFFORT
• They need to buy in right away
• Must play for each other
• Special group of guys
• Preparation, they must know how to handle everything
• Knowledge allows them to use Great Effort = Confidence
• ONE UNIT
• BALANCE
• Run game and pass game
• Base / Full Foot in the ground / repeated deliberate movements
• Cannot have your head down and your ass up
• FINISH
• Send a message every play
• Nothing better for an offense than physical, violent offensive
linemen
• Score with your man
• SPLITS
• Wider for inside plays
• Tighter for outside plays

• STANCE
• 50/50 Stance
• Comfortable – not interested in robots that look good
• Be able to run block and pass block out of the same stance
• Everything is tight and compact
• 3 point vs. 2 point
 Good Stance Bad Stance
Eyes up, Eyes down Elbow resting
Hand not in
Keying defender Poor Knee
Bend Attack position
Hips and
Butt
high

Good knee and

hip bend
Hand in attack
position

Heels in On toes
ground
• Feet shoulder width apart. Toes pointed
forward or slightly out. Center feet stay
parallel. Guards toe to in-step stagger and
Tackles toe to heel stagger.
• Squat down placing your forearms on
your thigh, bow your neck, Keep all 7
cleats in the ground
• Extend your outside hand in front of you
and sit back in your hamstrings. Keeping
all your cleats in the ground
• Place your hand down on the ground just
inside of the knee. Your hand should be in
the same spot as your eye if it fell out of
your head. Have a flat back with eyes up
ready to scan the defense. Have weight
50-50 on the inside balls of your feet.
From this position you should be able to
run block, pass block and step in any
direction
• Off hand should be in an attack position
ready to strike
• Take the same stagger that
you use in a 3 point stance
• Squat down with knees inside
your ankles
• Your stance will adjust based
on pass or run
• Run Game-flat back, eyes up,
same feet separation as if you
were in a 3 point stance
• RAM ROD you back in pass
pro
• Place hands on your thighs
• Weight 50-50 on in-steps
• Zone = GAP – COMBO – MAN

• You have to end up blocking someone

• Box Drill
• Feet Drive Finish
• Combos
• Chaos
• Zone = GAP – COMBO – MAN
• Work back only when the numbers allow it

• Drive Block – Landmark - Execution

• Tight Reach Block – Landmark – Execution
• Reach Block - Landmark – Execution

(POSITION STEP / POWER STEP )

ZONE, BOOK, ZONE READ, SPEED, ZONE CYCLE, STRETCH

• Take proper splits. It can be determined by which adjacent
lineman you are working with or if you are on the backside
or front side of the play.
• Communicate: In all zone schemes the uncovered lineman
is responsible to make the call
• Take proper landmarks. Be mindful of the alignment of the
defender
• Hit your target and work to get vertical push.
• FINISH!!!!
 1 2 3 4

OS ½ OF BS # OS ½ OF PS #

IS½ OF BS # IS½ OF PS #

WHAT TO LOOK AT DURING THE COURSE OF A PLAY?

YOU MUST GET HERE!
• Take a 3”- 6” lateral lead step
(Depends on width of the defender),
Pre snap, determine alignment of
defender (Position Step)
• Aim to get your inside foot on top of
the defenders inside foot, split his
crotch (Power Step)
• Punch from low to high and latch on
to breast plate
• Elbows inside your body’s
framework. Squeeze your elbows
punch with your thumbs up through
the ribs of the defender. Strike with
the palm of your hand and grab with
your fingers.
• Facemask under the chin
• Drive thru the defender
• FEET, DRIVE, FINISH!!!!!!!!
• TARGET: MIDLINE:EYES TO THE APPLE
• POSITION STEP: EYES TO TARGET, SQUARE
• POWER STEP: GET IT IN THE GROUND
• PUNCH: THUMBS UP, HEELS
• WIDE BASE: PUSH OFF INSTEPS
• FEET: TOES POINT OUT, STRAIN
• DRIVE: 7 CLEATS, FIRE THE FEET
• FINISH: EXTEND, EXPLODE THROUGH FINISH

2) POWER STEP
(VERTICAL)

1) POSITION STEP
• Take 6” lateral lead step
(depends on the width of the
defender) (Position Step)
• Aim to get your inside foot to
the crotch of the defender.
(Power Step)
• Keep your shoulders square to
defender
• Punch inside hand to the
sternum of the defender.
• Work to get hat placement
outside shoulder
• Working to get horizontal
displacement, displace defender
from their gap responsibility
• Feet, Drive, Finish!!!!
• TARGET: OUTSIDE ARM PIT WITH EYES
• POSITION STEP: OPEN, EYES TO TARGET
• POWER STEP: HAS TO GET TO THE CROTCH
• PUNCH: SHOULDER AND STERNUM
• WIDE BASE: RUN THROUGH THE TARGET
• FEET: RUN
• DRIVE: ON TRACK THROUGH TARGET
• FINISH: CREATE AN EDGE
2) POWER STEP
(VERTICAL)
1) POSITION STEP
(MORE LATERAL)

(IF WIDE DEFENDER YOU CAN LOSE SOME

GROUND TO GET TO AIMING POINT)
• Where is everyone going
• Center is the decision maker up front
Center blocks “0”
Guards block “1”
Tackles block “2”
TE / FB / QB “3”

• The BST is the adjuster and has the hardest job

when running the read, the lock, or the option off
the zone play
• Find the B gap defender or the QB player
 -1 1
W M
-3 -2 0 2 3
R E N T S
 BOX IDENTIFICATION
Zone LT

1 -1 -3
2 0 -2
• Combo blocks are what we use in
our Zone scheme runs like Zone,
Molly, Book and Cycle
• These double team blocks are
extremely physical
• 4 EYES, 4 FEET, 4 HANDS vs 2 eyes, 2
feet, 2 hands-use all of these body
parts combined to overwhelm the
defender (your 4 vs. his 2!)
• The OL is responsible for identifying
who we are double teaming to
• Emphasis is vertical displacement of
defender
• Cannot get caught up in combo
blocks if you have a PS gap
defender!
ZONE CALLS
 FAN SCOOP STICK TAT

SLIP CAGE SLIP

SCOOP STICK
• TED-TIGHT END DOWN WITH THE TACKLE PULLING
AROUND FOR OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
TED
• TAT-TRUE DOUBLE TEAM BLOCK WITH THE TACKLE. WORK
VERTICAL THROUGH THE DEFENDER UP TO THE SECOND LEVEL
DEFENDER. DO NOT LEAVE BLOCK UNTIL LEVERAGE IS SECURED.
COMMUNICATE WITH TACKLE. COMMUNICATE WHETHER YOU
ARE WORKING IN THE BOX OR TO OVERHANG DEFENDER ON
COMBO TAT TAT

• GAT-DOUBLE TEAM CALL BETWEEN GUARD AND TACKLE

IMPORTANT BECAUSE THIS CAN ALERT THE TIGHT END
TO A POSSIBLE SOLID CALL MEANING YOU ARE ALONE GAT
AGAINST YOUR DEFENDER

• BOX-OFFENSIVE LINE AND TIGHT ENDS BLOCKING

DEFENDERS IN THE BOX. TURNS A ZONE SCHEME INTO A
MAN SCHEME
BOX

• PUSH-OFFENSIVE LINE AND TIGHT END ZONING TO AN

EXTRA DEFENDER IN THE BOX EVERYONE WORKS ONE
MAN OVER THAN THEIR ORIGINAL ASSIGNMENT

PUSH
BOX/PUSH CALLS
 -2 -1 0 2
-3 1

PUSH
ZORO VS PRESSURE
PUSH

PUSH
BOX
1 -1
0 -2 -3
2
• ZONE READ AND BOOK
• In Zone Read and Book the QB will call out the
read man. The offensive line will adjust their
calls off of this
• BST is the adjuster, hardest spot to play up front,
needs to be athletic enough to take on those
tough blocks
 READ
GAT

READ READ
BOOK
• GAP = GAP - COMBO - MAN
• Every lineman (including tight end) is responsible for a gap
unless he is the puller
• Down Block– Aiming Point-Combo Block (Blitz=TIMBER!)
• Power– Skip Pull Technique / Identifying PS LB
• Counter / Trap- Kickout Technique– Execution
• 1 Back vs. 2 Back Power
Gap Scheme responsibilities:
• PS Tight End: C Gap
• PS Tackle: B Gap
• PS Guard: A Gap
• Center: A-B Gap
• BS Guard: Puller
• BS Tackle: C Gap or Puller
• BS Tight End: D Gap
• Combo blocks are what we use in
our gap scheme runs like Power and
Counter
• These double team blocks are
extremely physical
• 4 EYES, 4 FEET, 4 HANDS vs 2 eyes, 2
feet, 2 hands-use all of these body
parts combined to overwhelm the
defender (your 4 vs. his 2!)
• These combos usually work back to
the first or second LB head up to
backside of the Center
• Emphasis is vertical displacement of
defender
• Cannot get caught up in combo
blocks if you have a PS gap
defender!
ACE P DEUCE

TREY
W M S W M S
R N T E R N T E

DEUCE
DEUCE F
• TACO F

T T

W M J J M
R N S R N T
T W S

TREY
ACE F TACO F TREY
T T
TREY TACO
 W M
S

R T E
N

T
DEUCE TACO
• Own your man!
• Mentality of back to a cliff,
only you stand between
defender and quarterback
• Balance and control of body
• Patience vs. Aggressiveness
• Developing a good punch
• Weight loaded on foot
opposite of direction you
are kicking/posting
• Shoulders back/proud chest
• Ramrod your Back!
• Hands ready in attack
position!
• 6 Man “Man” Scheme Protection-Offensive Line Zone Side is to the call, Man is Opposite
• Number of DL plus LB(s) away from Mike ID
• 1 RB/TE/WR in protection with OL
• RB has # 1 to #2 inside out on the MAN SIDE
• Zone side alert for possible “HARD” call vs. edge rush
• Protection alerts RB which side he is reading/defending

“ID”
#1

52 55 #2

56
E N T E
ZONE MAN
LUCKY Q T
#2 RINGO #1

MAN ZONE
LUCKY #1LUCKY #2

ZONE MAN
RIP

LIZ
 • 6 Man “Gap” Protection
• Responsible for blocking and cutting play side gap to call side
• 1 RB in protection with QB
• RB has 1st defender off of the BS Tackle
• Inside-Out for RB protection, cannot get beat inside
• QB alert for check to pressure

56 52 55
E N T E

Q
T

RIP
We will use 3 Types of Pass Sets:
• Jump Set
• Kick Set (Drop and Drag)
• Vertical Set
• This is an attacking pass set use mostly by centers and guards but can be
used by tackles to switch up their set vs. a heavy or tight technique
• Snap your head up out of your stance
• Mirror defenders feet with yours exactly how you would on inside zone
landmarks
• Attack the inside number and sternum with a 2 hand punch
• Stun him off the L.O.S.
• If you can lock up do so, if not pull punch back and reset off the L.O.S
• Kick Set (Kick and Post)
• Snap your head up and
back out of your stance
• Set to the near point
• Be patient with your
punch
• Make him commit to one
direction (Outside)
• If you land a solid punch
inside, lock him up and
anchor. Never get beat
inside!!!
• This set is used by our tackles when they have to block a wide
technique or speed rusher.
• Tackles must gain ground on the first 2 initial kick slides.
(maybe 3)
• DON’T BE A SLOOPER!!! Stay Square in your kick slide. Don’t
turn until the DE makes you turn. Then Punch near target and
make him go around
• Keep your inside toe pointed straight up the field. This will
help keep your shoulders square and you can change
directions vs. a counter move inside and brace against the
bull rush
 3 YARDS
3 YARDS

5 YARDS
5 YARDS

• Centers and Guards have 3 yards of space to work with

• Cannot get beat off the ball
• Cannot allow inside penetration
• Critical to keep defenders in front
• Back against the cliff mentality

QB
• Tackles have 5 yards of depth to work with • Tackles have 5 yards of depth to work with
• Cannot allow inside penetration • Cannot allow inside penetration
 Shoulders
Leaning forward

Hands Wide apart,

chest exposed
 Eyes up, Eyes up,
Shoulders
Shoulders keying keying defender
slightly back
slightly back defender

Hands
ready Hands
to strike ready
to strike
“ I make my practices real hard…..because if a player is a
quitter I want him to quit in practices, not in a game.”
Bear Bryant Alabama

• We will practice hard, fast and physical. Our practices

will involve high energy and enthusiasm from everyone
on the unit.
• Every player will receive a high amount of reps and we
will operate with the “Next Man in Mentality” every day.
• We are a family that will play together, look out for each
other and win with each other every day in practice.
• Our practices will be hard so that gameday is easy
compared to it.
PRACTICE COMPOSITION- These are the
themes our items will look to cover
everyday for at least ten minutes a day

1. Stance – First Steps

2. Base Run Technique – Punching and
footwork
3. Base Pass Pro – Working Set and Punch
4. Finish Drills – Emphasizing No play is
over without five defenders on the
ground
5. Man on Man Drill – Competition is the
best drill work there is
6. Team Drill – Put it all together
7. Assignment Period – Mentally Sharp
1. Duck Walk Progression- Step with play side Foot, cock arms
2. Duck Walk Progression-Bring second step, punch with arms
3. Duck Walk Progression-Bring third step finish duck walk for five
yards (hip explosion)
4. Sled Progression-Zone Drive Blocking 10 yards each direction
(multiple reps), focus on putting together Duck Walk
Progression and exploding through blocks
5. Install-new plays, blocking schemes on air, bags or look teams
1. Boards Tight Reach (no bags)
2. Boards Wide Reach- run off end of board
3. Boards with Bag (PREFIT), Drive on command
4. Boards with Bag Feet Fire 2 Step Progression
5. Boards with Bag-fire off board weave drill progression
6. Boards with Bag-LB depth
7. Chutes Zone Blocking
8. Power Pull open and run to sideline (Counter Pull)
9. Power Skip Pull (Power)
10.Power Skip Pull- hit bag 4 ½ yards depth
11.Power Double Team Progression/Bag Between Hips
12.Power Double Team Defender to LB
13.Pass Cones
14.Box Drill Pass
15.Waterfall
16.Vertical vs. Power Step
17.Half Line Twist Pickup
18.Full Line Twist Pickup
“We are offensive linemen, part of the o-line. Five guys working as a unit within the football
team to establish the tempo and demeanor of the game. Our job description doesn't sound
fun, interesting or flashy, nor should it. Those who know football know the game is won or lost
in the trenches, along the line. We start the play and if we are good we finish it. We are the O-
Line, we set the examples, we "LEAD FROM THE FRONT.”
-- Grey Ruegamer (Offensive lineman for the New York Giants)

“The heart and soul of any good football team is its offensive line. There's no position that
requires more discipline or technique than offensive lineman. Success as an offensive football
team hinges on their ability to control the line of scrimmage.”
1. SELFLESSNESS-BECOMING A MAN MEANS SERVING SOMEONE OR SOMETHING GREATER THAN YOURSELF.
CHANGE THE THOUGHT PROCESS FROM SELF TO “US”. “No man has ever risen to the real stature of spiritual
manhood until he has found that it is finer to serve somebody else than it is to serve himself.” ~ Woodrow T.
Wilson

2. CONSISTENCY-REAL MEN ARE PEOPLE THAT OTHERS CAN COUNT ON. ANYONE CAN DO THINGS RIGHT ONCE IN A
WHILE, A REAL MAN DOES ALL THE TIME. SHOWING UP TO CLASS, DOING HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS, MAKING
WORKOUTS EARLY NOT ON TIME! ETC CONSISTENCY IS THE GAME FOR PROS, WHO ACTUALLY HAVE PEOPLE
COUNTING ON THEM, MEN WITH REAL RESPONSIBILITY, REAL MEN.

3. HUMILITY-REAL MEN ARE SECURE IN THEIR ABILITIES AND DO NOT FIND IT NECESSARY TO PLACE THEMSELVES IN
HIGHER ESTEEM THAN THOSE AROUND THEM. REAL MEN CHOOSE RESTRAINT AND HUMILITY. TAKE CARE OF
YOUR TEAMMATES AROUND YOU, TEACH THEM HOW TO DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY.
My power will be in humility ~ Walter Russell
 4TH QUARTER
THE PAIN OF COMMITMENT
COMMITMENT CAN BE PAINFUL. INDEED, IT IS THE POSSIBILITY OF
PAIN, THAT COMMITMENT FINDS MEANING AND POWER. OF WHAT
VALUE COULD COMMITMENT BE IF IT DID NOT HAVE ITS PRICE?
CHOOSE YOUR COMMITMENTS
EXPECT PAINFUL TIMES
BE READY TO MAKE SACRIFICES
BE READY TO SEE IT THROUGH

BUILD SOMETHING GREAT

DISCIPLINE
DO WHAT YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO
EFFORT
IT TAKES NO ATHLETIC ABILITY TO
DO WHEN YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO GIVE GREAT EFFORT. IT’S AN
DO IT EXACTLY LIKE IT’S SUPPOSED ATTITUDE. BE RELENTLESS, AND
TO BE DONE, AND DO IT THAT COMPETE FOR 60 MINUTES
WAY ALL THE TIME
TOUGHNESS
THE ABILITY TO PERFORM AT YOUR VERY BEST TALENT AND
SKILL REGARDLESS OF COMPETITIVE CIRCUMSTANCES.
WHEN THINGS GET TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING