- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Rant O-Lineman- I have a question
Posted on 8/9/13 at 9:25 am
Posted on 8/9/13 at 9:25 am
When I was in high school many of our linemen would pretty much headbutt somebody when they blocked them. When two lineman would hit each other they would look like rams, almost always making contact face mask to face mask first! Is this normal? Is that the correct way to block? I was a receiver, and only for one year, so I have no experience with lineman play.
9
Posted on 8/9/13 at 9:29 am to weisertiger
quote:
, almost always making contact face mask to face mask first! Is this normal? Is that the correct way to block?
No, especially College o-line should pretty much use all hands. Just like every position you want to be able to use your eyes.
This post was edited on 8/9/13 at 9:31 am
Posted on 8/9/13 at 9:30 am to weisertiger
There's a reason they make the sled.
Posted on 8/9/13 at 9:31 am to weisertiger
For a mane lined head up. Facemask to chest; followed by hands to the inside then drive.
With zone blocking schemes used today the techniques have probably evolved.
Technique is different by position, how defense lines up, and where the ball is going.
With zone blocking schemes used today the techniques have probably evolved.
Technique is different by position, how defense lines up, and where the ball is going.
Posted on 8/9/13 at 9:34 am to weisertiger
quote:
When I was in high school many of our linemen would pretty much headbutt somebody when they blocked them.
Basic OL technique varies from play to play. For most running plays, the OL wants to initiate contact from a lower, leveraged position, arms extended, and drive the DL to the target area with leg drive and forward momentum. In those situations, body-to-body contact is expected and desireable as that is going to be what moves him.
Basic pass blocking, the roles are a little reversed - particularly in the interior (DEs and OTs are dealing with all kinds of stuff on the end - virtually every play goes a little differently) - the DT in that case, tries to initiate contact, and from a leveraged position, but slightly off of square, depending on his target rush line. He is trying to get the OG or C out of his way, so he can disrupt the passer (or in some cases, he wants to drive the blocker into the passer or passing lane). In these situations, the OG or C does not necessarily want to fully absorb the rush, although sometimes it is unavoidable - but rather maintain a little spacing with the arms, so he can manage the rush in accordance with the pass blocking scheme.
"Head butting" as you describe it is often a side effect of the guy who loses the leverage war and collapses/crashes down on the other, whether the bull rusher, or the Olineman having to go to his "Plan B", which is brute force and keep the legs moving.
This post was edited on 8/9/13 at 9:38 am
Posted on 8/9/13 at 9:35 am to weisertiger
Run plays, you want no cushion between you and d linemen. Pass plays, you want as much cushion as possible.
Posted on 8/9/13 at 10:02 am to Scooby
I was always told to use the top of my helmet when engaging someone. 
Posted on 8/9/13 at 10:13 am to recstar7
You must played for the academy for morons if you were taught that.
Posted on 8/9/13 at 10:18 am to Ace Midnight
quote:
Basic OL technique varies from play to play. For most running plays, the OL wants to initiate contact from a lower, leveraged position, arms extended, and drive the DL to the target area with leg drive and forward momentum. In those situations, body-to-body contact is expected and desireable as that is going to be what moves him.
Basic pass blocking, the roles are a little reversed - particularly in the interior (DEs and OTs are dealing with all kinds of stuff on the end - virtually every play goes a little differently) - the DT in that case, tries to initiate contact, and from a leveraged position, but slightly off of square, depending on his target rush line. He is trying to get the OG or C out of his way, so he can disrupt the passer (or in some cases, he wants to drive the blocker into the passer or passing lane). In these situations, the OG or C does not necessarily want to fully absorb the rush, although sometimes it is unavoidable - but rather maintain a little spacing with the arms, so he can manage the rush in accordance with the pass blocking scheme.
"Head butting" as you describe it is often a side effect of the guy who loses the leverage war and collapses/crashes down on the other, whether the bull rusher, or the Olineman having to go to his "Plan B", which is brute force and keep the legs moving.
This is a good assessment.
Sometimes our coaches would simplify it (for the dumb ones) by telling us "If we're passin', get your fat arse in the way of whoever's comin'. If we're runnin', move that other fat arse out of the way."
Posted on 8/9/13 at 10:18 am to weisertiger
Where the hell did you play?
Posted on 8/9/13 at 10:58 am to recstar7
quote:
I was always told to use the top of my helmet when engaging someone.
Your coach was an idiot then
You need to have your head up
Posted on 8/9/13 at 7:57 pm to Ace Midnight
Wow. Good post. 
Posted on 8/9/13 at 7:59 pm to weisertiger
I was always told to see what I hit. So don't put your head down.
Posted on 8/9/13 at 8:09 pm to weisertiger
kool post. i learned!
Posted on 8/9/13 at 8:25 pm to weisertiger
You always want to keep your head up. I was taught that you put your face mask at the top of the numbers and keep your hands inside. I played guard on a veer offense that ran 95 percent of the time and our OLineman weren't all that big. Technique is everything, from head placement to how big you take your steps while you are engaged in a block.
Page 1 of 1
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News