EDSBS HOW-TO GUIDES: PART ONE, O-LINE

by Orson on Jul 5, 2006 9:57 AM EDT

As part of our ongoing football education, we realized that we had a particularly gaping hole in our understanding of how the game is played position-wise: the offensive line. So rather than sit in the back of the class with a cheat sheet hoping to scrape by with a C, we went to someone who knows what they're talking about: Jim Richards, former Cal lineman and Dallas Cowboys lineman, a guy who gets reeeeeeeeaaaaaallllllly excited when anyone shows some curiosity regarding the hairy ballerinas who keep model-pretty qbs unruptured and throwing on Saturdays. Jim did a splendid job on part one, so be sure to leave a comment goading him into part two.

Me and my big mouth Well, Ive gone and done it now. After commenting on a story about offensive lineman, Orson looked me up and asked me to write about offensive line techniques. Since I played o-line in college, and a couple of years in the pros (NFL and CFL), I figured I might have a little insight to offer, so what they hell. That, along with the prostitutes and the cool pair of tie-dyed jorts Orson promised me sealed the deal! (I thought jorts were mythical, like Sasquatch or the Lochness Monster, but I have been assured that they do in fact exist in places very east and south from where I live in beautiful, warm and not humid California).

I thought about it a bit and decided to cover o-line techniques in three parts: Part 1 consists of the basics like stance, alignment and footwork. Part 2 will cover run blocking techniques and blocking diagrams. Part 3 will cover pass blocking techniques and footwork.

Part 1: The Basics

Whats it take to be an offensive lineman? Well, thats a good question. Without a doubt, it takes intelligence, footwork, and above all, a willingness to do your job and get abso-fucking-lutely no credit for it. It takes attention to the minutest detail, and the ability to think on the fly. O-liners are usually the biggest, ugliest, fattest guys on the team who, because of their considerable size and girth, dont pull ANY trim. They are generally the closest-knit group on the team; five guys working in unison to plow the opposition into the ground requires a lot of uncontested beer drinking and frat house destruction. Whos gonna say ANYthing to a 65 320 drunk dude with no neck and legs like tree trunks??? Not frat boys!!!

Not even frat aliens would mess with o-lineman, brah.

The 3-point Stance:

The basic starting position for an offensive lineman is the 3-point stance. The 3-point stance is all about balance and weight distribution. The lineman needs to be able to move equally well left and right, forward and backward without changing their stance and tipping off the play. Defenses are able to key the stance to determine whether its a run to the right or left, or if its a pass play, by the amount of weight distributed to the fingertips. The whiter the fingernails, the higher the butt in the air bringing more weight forward, usually tips off a run play. The less weight on the fingertips, and a little more chest exposure, along with the butt a little lower, usually tips off a pass play. To execute the standard 3-point stance, perform the following steps:

1. Stand with your feet spread slightly wider than shoulder-width.

2. For a right-handed stance, the right big toe should be even with the left instep.

3. For a left-handed stance, the left big toe should be even with the right instep.

4. From this position, squat until both of your elbows rest above their respective knee, with the weight evenly distributed across your lower body and feet. The two large muscles in your lower body; the buttocks and quadriceps, bear most of the weight, coiling the o-liner so that hes ready to explode off the ball.

5. Reach down and slightly away from your body with your right hand and place your fingertips on the ground. Your hand should be no more than six inches in front of your right shoulder. You should also be able to pick up your hand from the ground without falling forward or backward. You feet should be flat on the ground. If your heels are raised, you have too much weight forward. Go back to the beginning and try again!

6. Rest you left forearm just above the left knee.

7. Your back should be flat, with your head up, and eyes looking through the top of the facemask at the defender(s) in front of you.

8. From this stance you are ready to explode in any direction on the snap of the ball.

The 2-point Stance:

The 2-point stance is used primarily in passing situations to gain an advantage on the pass rusher. It saves the o-liner the time required to get out of his three point stance and set up in a good pass protection position to block the oncoming rusher. Instead, as the theory goes, by being in a 2-point stance, the o-liner is effectively already in his pass protection stance, waiting for the pass rush. The first four steps in the 2-point stance are the same as for the 3-point stance, with a couple of exceptions:

1. Often you may see a right or left tackle with an exaggerated stagger of the outside foot. This enables the tackle to get to a position of advantage to cut off the angle of an outside pass rusher quicker, and without having to take an extra step or two with their outside foot.

2. The weight distribution will be on the heels of the feet, instead of evenly distributed across the sole of the foot.

3. Instead of resting your elbows above your knee (step 4), many times youll see the lineman with their hands on their knees, exposing their chests. Again, they are trying to gain a time advantage by already being out of their stance and waiting for the pass rush.

Alignment

Alignment is usually overlooked by the casual football fan, but its very important, and is governed by rules. When I say alignment, I am referring to the position of each lineman, relative to the center. By rule (Rule 2-27-4-a-3), each offensive linemans helmet must cross the waist of the center. Many times you will see an illegal procedure penalty called for only six players on the line of scrimmage when a tackle is lined up in the backfield. Its because his helmet wasnt breaking the plane of the centers waist.

I am also talking about line splits. Line splits vary depending on the type of offense being run, and the strategies being deployed against specific defenses. For example, Texas Tech (the horror!) plays very large line splits (about a yard between linemen). These wide splits create natural running lanes and gaps in the defense, while also limiting or eliminating the number of line stunts that can be run by the defensive line. It would take far too long to cover the ground necessary for a defensive tackle to run a stunt around the offensive tackle on his way to the quarterback.

Split 'em wide.

Footwork

Ah, footwork the biggest predictor of success as an offensive lineman. Now you wont see too many of these guys wearing pink tutus, but to an aficionado like me, good o-line footwork is like beautiful ballet. And, if you thought the steps detailed for the 3-point stance were tedious, wait until we look at footwork.

Good footwork is important for the following reasons:

1. It puts the o-liner in a position of advantage.

2. It allows the o-liner to make contact with the d-line on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage.

3. It enables the o-liner to stay on balance while making contact with the d-liner.

4. It allows the o-liner to maintain contact and drive the defender.

5. It enables the o-liner to make contact with a defender in space, beyond the LOS (usually a linebacker of defensive back).

Wide base

The crucial element of footwork for the o-liner is to maintain a wide base. If you remember Step 1 in the 3-point stance section, it says to stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width. At no time should an o-liners feet ever get closer than that, nor should they get farther apart than that. Any closer and the o-liner can lose his lateral balance when the d-liner attempts to shed his block and throw him laterally. Any wider and the o-liner is off balance vertically and can be shed forwards or backwards.

The first two steps

The first two steps a lineman takes will determine the success or failure of a block. To guarantee a successful block, the first two steps for a run block must be quick, short, and gain ground up the field. The first step is made by the play-side foot, in the direction of the play, and is usually 12-18 inches in length. When you consider that most 65 lineman wear a size 15 shoe and larger, then essentially they are just taking a step the size of their shoe in the direction of the play. If the first step is too long with the play-side foot, and the lineman engages with the defender, then he is vulnerable to being knocked backwards or laterally. If the first step is too short, then the defender can usually get across the face of the blocker and into the running lane and blow up the play.

The second step with the back-side foot must be the same length and direction as the first step, and it has to happen the moment the first step is on the ground. For obvious reasons, the blocker never wants to have both feet in the air, or they can be knocked back ass over teakettle. Often, you will see the blocker initiate a great first step and get position on the defender, but they leave the second step in concrete and get beaten by the defender to the play-side. Or, the blocker may take his second step too quickly and overrun the defender. In this case, the defender simply comes under the blocker and blows up the play.

Blowed-up.

Hitting a moving target

The thing to keep in mind during all of this is that the defender isnt just standing there waiting to be run over. Hes moving laterally and forward in the direction of the play,
covering his gap responsibility. As a blocker comes off the ball, he must do so at the proper angle to cut off the defender from fighting across his face and working up the field. Its pretty easy to determine the angle when the defender is lined up directly in front of you, or shading one or the other shoulder. The difficulty happens when the blocker is uncovered and has to take an angle to the linebacker or any other defender lined up off the ball. This is a good news, bad news conundrum; the good news is linebackers are usually smaller than defensive linemen, but the bad news is they are usually a hell of a lot faster. As a result, the angle to the linebacker may be 45º or flatter!

Got it? Good, now strap a hundred pound weight to your back, hold a 3-point stance for 20 seconds, sprint 5 yards maintaining a wide base while pushing a refrigerator on shag carpet, and repeat 75 times in a 3-hour span to really get a feel for what its like to be an offensive lineman Good luck!

There are much more specific run and pass blocking footwork techniques that I will discuss later. Next week Ill get into more detail about run blocking, along with the technique required to execute a variety of blocks. Until then, study hard as there will be a test, and you dont want to fail this one!!!

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Comments

Detail that cannot be surpassed. Can this guy do a regular feature on which lines are the most bad-assed?

by Southern Papa on Jul 5, 2006 10:11 AM EDT reply actions

Fascinating. I tried to evaluate good performance of linemen, and I always couldn’t put all the pieces together- usually, reviewing film, I thought they did good if:
A. QB didn’t get his pretty face smashed on a passing play
B. Line pushed defenders back 2 yards from LOS by the time ball was handed off to RB/HB/FB. Great job in opening this dumbass’ eyes, even if i fail the test later on.

by psuedosilent observer on Jul 5, 2006 10:12 AM EDT reply actions

please help solve a debate i’m having on SMQ’s comments:
is it easier to pass block or run block?

by Brad on Jul 5, 2006 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

Brad,

I can chime in on that debate. It is easier to run block. The BIG difference is that an O lineman knows which way he is going, the running back is going, and on down the line. It helps because you can get up field and know who to hit. You also getto hit them as hard as you can.

Pass blocking is more difficult usually because you are moving backward and trying to hit a moving, barking, scratching, D-lineman or LB who is trying to rip you QB’s head off. This is where footwork is sooo important.

Nice write up on the o line. Loving it!

by Odell 51 on Jul 5, 2006 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

Jim, color yourself “goaded”. I too would be interested in knowing your position on the best offensive lines year in and year out.

by Johnny on Jul 5, 2006 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

That was amazing. Would this guy be willing to take a job as Michigan’s o-line coach? Please?!?

by Rich Eisen on Jul 5, 2006 10:59 AM EDT reply actions

Wide Line Splits? Ask Texas Tech how that worked for them in the Cotton Bowl.

by Mike on Jul 5, 2006 11:02 AM EDT reply actions

Exceptional piece. Parts two and three are eagerly anticipated.

by I'm a Realist on Jul 5, 2006 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

Mike, TT just came up against a super strong defensive unit. Not much they could do there.

Great writeup! I feel like I could semi-successfully play some O-line now (if i wasnt 6foot4 220)

by Erik on Jul 5, 2006 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

Erik 1107am
I’m just glad we played them last year. This year might’ve been a different story.
Roll Tide!

by Mike on Jul 5, 2006 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks to Jim, Orson and Stanko you have now created the most complete College football site. Hopefully folks didn’t pass over this post looking for Fulmer Cup points and Orge highlights. As a fan and a coach I still cannot get my head rapped aroun the D-back position. You got a hook up with Deion Sanders form his ATL days. You guys seem to know everyone. That could be how you solve your summer blues. Try to go position by position.

by brain on Jul 5, 2006 11:11 AM EDT reply actions

Excellent — will definitely change how I watch this coming season — bring on parts 2 & 3.

by DC Trojan on Jul 5, 2006 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

EDSBS – come for the humor, leave with… some knowledge? Wow. Thanks, Orson. And bravo, Jim!

by Roger on Jul 5, 2006 11:46 AM EDT reply actions

I wish I could have had access to this knowledge in High School. I had not been able to play football when I was younger and the coaches at my school just didnt explain technique at all. Long story short I quit because I wasnt learning how to improve. It was a shame since I was o-line size.

I hope you get into coaching so other young men have an opportunity to learn how to play the position. Thanks for the terrific article.

by GatorInGeorgia on Jul 5, 2006 11:50 AM EDT reply actions

Bravo Jim!

I am pleased in the level of interest other members of this blog have on this subject.

by tzubear on Jul 5, 2006 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Great work, Jim. I look forward to seeing parts two and three. The variety of material offered here at EDSBS is awesome and Jim’s contribution just adds to that.

by Don V on Jul 5, 2006 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

Outstanding stuff Jim. As a long-time football fan and high school D back I knew some of the things you described but had little clue on the real technique. I’ve never been any good at assessing an o-lineman unless he just put a guy on his ass. I’m eagerly awaiting parts 2 and 3. I have a feeling that your summary will make a rapid trip around the internet to a huge number of serious football fans.

by Notre Dan on Jul 5, 2006 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

From a former OL, that was nice stuff. An enjoyable read that reminded me of playing again.

And I agree with brain’s comment, an excellent idea to cure the summertime blues would be to bring in various former players and have them discuss the nuances of their respective positions.

by Mr. Egger on Jul 5, 2006 12:46 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with egger and brian, great idea.

by tzubear on Jul 5, 2006 1:03 PM EDT reply actions

Great stuff. Hey Orson, how about getting a long snapper next. Those guys may get less respect than o-linemen.

by bubba on Jul 5, 2006 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

I’ll continue the parade of kudos. Most long time fans assume they actually know everything there is to know about the game, and then you read something like this and you realize that you really are, in fact, mostly clueless. Excellent cure for the summertime dog days, would love to see this become a regular feature going through each position on the field. Great job, Jim.

by Mark on Jul 5, 2006 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

I’ll throw my compliments on the pile, as well. One of the most interesting discussions of O-line technique I’ve ever read. Accessible to the average fan and still compelling to the die hard. This blog continues to out-do itself.

by Chris on Jul 5, 2006 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

Fucking outstanding piece! Who knew? More, please!

by BaggyPantsDevil on Jul 5, 2006 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

I’m new here and don’t quite get the Fulmer Cup thing. Please explain.

Cf4e

by Collegefootball4ever on Jul 5, 2006 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

Jim-

Email me your pants and t-shirt sizes, care of Orson, for those snazzy tie-dyed jorts and possibly a shirt. Excellent piece; Orson’s rave reviews were right on.

by The Conscience of a Nation on Jul 5, 2006 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

Jim, great piece. I have many a question for you, if you have time to answer them:
-What you think of the 3-4? (tackle lined up on top of center, and lots of messed up blitzing)
-What types of pre-snap reads do you have to do?
-How do you defend against stunts?

by J.J. on Jul 5, 2006 7:52 PM EDT reply actions

Um, yeah that was pretty awesome, seriously I hope this turns into a complete series. I like how Jim even Id’d the lineman telltales that the D looks for…. great details to the description. Between this, podcasts, and powerpoints I may actually be enjoying the off-season… scary

by Jonathan on Jul 5, 2006 9:37 PM EDT reply actions

Both my kid brothers are linemen…thanks for the added perspective! (I’ve been watching them for years, and haven’t got much past yelling, “C’mon, darlin’, break his legs!!”)

by Holly on Jul 5, 2006 10:42 PM EDT reply actions

Yay! We’re getting respect! It just sob makes me so sob HAPPY!

Great piece. A few things I’d like to ask, as a current high school guard:

My school encourages (not necessarily demands, just encourages) an o-line stance with no stagger. Do you think that makes a huge difference, or is that just sort of a procedural point that can be either way?

What, in your opinion, is the proper hand placement? I know to always fight for the inside position, but at some camps I’ve been told thumbs in, fingers up, but at school I’ve always been told up, fingers out. Which one is correct? Does it matter?

Thanks for the help. I loved the article, and I’m eagerly awaiting the follow-ups.

by Mike on Jul 5, 2006 11:00 PM EDT reply actions

Really good stuff, thanks Jim. Looking forward to parts 2 & 3, I echo the comments it would be neat to get other former player’s takes on different positions. For an extra bonus chuckle from this article, imagine the final line being said by Terry Tate, Office Linebacker.

by Brad on Jul 6, 2006 12:36 AM EDT reply actions

Best. O-line analysis. Ever. Thus saith this former O-lineman, who now fully grasps how much he didn’t know. Please submit the promised sequels promptly.

by Oren Incandenza on Jul 6, 2006 8:27 AM EDT reply actions

Just brilliant. With the addition of the two more promised sections, and a few pictures, you could easily turn this into a little book, “The College Football Fan’s Brief Guide to Offensive Line Play.” As long as it fits in the back pocket of a pair of jorts, it’d be a bestseller. You should seriously consider it.

by baconboy on Jul 6, 2006 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

I played offensive line for 13 years in high school and college, plus Peewee.

Not all of us are ugly, or at least weren’t back when I played. : ) We were slender back then — look at the Green Bay Packers line in the 60s — and far more athletic than the huge hulks who play today. Of course, the big guys would beat our brains out if we had to practice against them.

However, what hasn’t changed is the nobility of the offensive lineman. You never get mentioned unless you do something wrong, and very seldom do backs really give the line the credit they deserve. But that’s just the way it is. Dang . . . we’re great guys! : )

by Chuck on Jul 6, 2006 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

There is one thing I do know – when an O-line isn’t working.

http://x12.putfile.com/11/32411230999.gif

by NewAZTiger on Jul 6, 2006 8:22 PM EDT reply actions

Excellent technical description, I know I have tried to write this myself hard to believe how tough this is to describe because you never see it written down, it is beaten into you by rote usually rather than explained until you get to a coaching clinic, even then it is likely to be vague.

Offensive linemen are football. They are literally a team within a team. However, the trend now is that interior linemen are actually getting smaller. The defenses are going to speed and the offensive linemen have to be quicker (not fast but quick) to engage them.

To the high school guard, fingers out is a good way to get a finger broken if I am visualizing this correctly. Besides you want to use the sides of your hand and the heels of the palm for the punch.

BTW, the center stance is somewhat different, feet are even and weight is slightly more forward.

A couple of places if you are interested:
A look at the Colts line is here.
The other site is for the person above asking about long snapping a very good summary can be found here

by Sisyphus on Jul 6, 2006 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

As a former CFL OL myself and current O-line coach, my response to #29 would be to go thumbs in and fingers upo. It allows for greatesr flexibility in terms of your hand usage because it’s more natural this way. I also teach my kids to try and get their hands under the DL’s pads and use his pads as a steering wheel and ‘drive the truck,’ so to speak.

The article was phenomenal and bang-on. The footwork is an aspect that too many people are willing to overlook in their haste to line up the biggest kids possible up front. It’s more about speed than it is about bulk.

by Marc on Jul 7, 2006 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

Excellent piece, it is good to hear about the work the grafters, who really make a team, do rather than the more showy positions.

As an Lineman I have always been taught thumbs up when blocking. To see why stand up with your elbows by your side, hands out in front of you and your fingers up and have a friend/coworker/enemy push his hands against yours and lean in against you. Unless you are far stronger than them you will be unable to keep your arms from moving backwards. Now try again with your thumbs up and you should be able to easily support their weight.

by 72 on Jul 8, 2006 2:57 AM EDT reply actions

Awesome piece guys…

…are Frat Alien and Tony Mandrich related?

by JeromeFromDecatur on Jul 9, 2006 11:19 PM EDT reply actions

I looking to get some feedback as to optimum distance to D-Lineman that the O-Line should be? Is the general rule O-Line should be as far back as possible?

by Gus Bernal on Jul 31, 2006 12:34 AM EDT reply actions

Hey lineman dude,

Check out my chillin’, grillin’, stylin’ and profilin’ website.

Regards,

J-Dog

by Jason Mulgrew on Aug 4, 2006 5:45 PM EDT reply actions

Thank you. As a coach for young 11 & 12 yr. old athletes playing pop warner football, I found your articles to be very useful.
However, I was hoping that you could elaborate a bit more when talking about footwork. For ex). How does a lineman get back to a block when the defender first takes an inside rush, then spins to the outside leaving the blocker to have to make up the ground he just lost?

by ernie on Aug 5, 2006 11:18 PM EDT reply actions

I always like getting a more bend in my knees, and keeping them until I hit. Try to get your butt down more. That is where all your power comes from. Keep it low until you get close, and then explodeup. That is how to hit. You will knock people out 6 inches in front of you if you do it that way. Engage low, and then explode up like a bull or a ram.

by Steve on Aug 13, 2006 10:13 PM EDT reply actions

Alright, im 16. and ive been a lineman since 3rd grade peewee. Im not dissing on your writing or anything but…its just.. ive known all these things since i was 10. I mean, getting your butt down, shooting the hands, moving the feet, punching inside pressure, these are all things that 10 yearolds should know and highschoolers + have known and should know by heart. if not.. you SUCK! You CAN NOT! i repeat CAN.NOT become a linman by ready a article on it.. it takes practice an practice so you do all these thing automaticly w/out thinking, If anyone has any question i can answer anything youd EVER like to know about linman, feel totally free to email me at steve_a_21@hotmail.com. Ill try and answer some of the question i just read now. (#3) it is easyier to pass block.. set your core get into what we call “pass pro” and punch there shoulderpads in the direction there goin to travel.. you dont have to move his fat ass 5 yrds back.. but keep him at the line for 3 seconds, thats all you have to block for in pass pro, 3 little tiny seconds… now for # 26, ""—What you think of the 3-4? What types of pre-snap reads do you have to do?
-How do you defend against stunts-?"" The 3-4 is easy to block againt i belive.. usually your center is a badass on a mission and he can solo block the tackle but the 2 gards can also step up and help, we call that an “ace” Linebackers are tough but do njot compare to my 6’5" 290lb build. i can easly get lower and put that chickin shit on his ass. Our reads, we are taught to talk alot on the line and have code words for every little thing. if we need help with a guy its “ace, duce, or trey” blitzing backer is called as “rambo, or bob” for exaple if im playing guard and need help with a linebacker number 12 from center id call, “ACE 12 RAMBO 12” and everyone on the line would now know what goin on.. And then defending against stunts.. when a defencive linman comes at you you are told to shoot your hands inside his pads and, SHHH… dont tell the ref… hold on, you can hold the inside and it will not be ruled holding unless he is running away, you also move your feet chop them as fast as you can and as long as you can stay in front of him he can not out any moves on you no matter how big he is.. the bigger, usually the slower…. you need to keep your hands inside and your fingers inside too… it is SOO easy to dislocate or break a finger if it gets caught between you and a 300lb backer… good question #42 i am assuming you are talkin on a pass play, and they are rusing the Qb.. as a lineman you need to keep distance between you and the d-lineman then kick back and hold them, if they run to the outside usually they are too slow and the qb has already thrown the ball, you only need to keep them at the line for 3 seconds, soo keep them inside by planting your feet staying low and if they spin to the outside kickbak and make them take wider slower turns.. anymore questions email me.. feel free steve_a_21@hotmail.com

by Steven - #61 on Aug 16, 2006 5:50 PM EDT reply actions