Ultimate Defensive

Line Fundamentals
www.TheLinemenFactory.com
Mastering the Art of Defensive Line

The “FIST” Principle

The “FIST” Principle

React
Attack
Alignment & Escape
Assignment

Finish

The “FIST” is a symbol of the progression that a defensive linemen

must go through in order to master the fundamentals of playing D-line.
Each finger on the hand represents a key component of the defensive
line progression. Once all fingers, or components, have been mastered
the fingers come together to make a fist. The fist is strong and solid.
Without all fingers, the mastery of defensive line, or “fist” will not be
strong. It is critical for defensive linemen to master all 5 components,
or “fingers”, so that they can form their own fist.
Alignment & Assignment
 Stance
1. Relatively balanced with just slight weight
toward down hand (60/40)
2. Eyes looking through the eyebrows
3. Back flat
4. Thumb of up hand pointing up
5. Only 6 inch first step
6. Feet shoulder width apart (exception N)
7. Slight heel-to-toe stagger (exception N)
8. Covered hand ALWAYS down
 Alignment & Assignment
Gaps:
Gaps are the space in between the lineman. They are labeled by letters shown
below:
A Gap: The gap between the C and the two G
B Gap: The gap between the two G and the two T
C Gap: The gap between the T and the TE
D Gap: The gap next to (outside) the TE
 Numerical Alignment
QB

T G G T TE

Shade weak = Inside foot on center’s outside foot on weak side

0 = Head up on Center
Shade strong = Inside foot on center’s outside foot on strong side
1 = Outside foot on Guard’s inside foot
2 = Head up on Guard
3 = Inside foot on guard’s outside foot
4 =Outside foot on Tackle’s inside foot
5 = Head up on Tackle
6 = Inside foot on Tackle’s outside foot
7 = Outside foot on tight end’s inside foot
8 = Head up on Tight End
9 = Inside foot on tight end’s outside foot
 Numerical Alignment
QB

T G G T TE

LE: 6 technique
N: Shade
T: 3 Technique
RE: 9 Technique
 Numerical Alignment
QB

T G G T TE

Position Alignment Assignment

LE: 6 technique C gap responsibility
N: Shade A gap responsibility
T: 3 Technique B gap responsibility
RE: 8 Technique D gap responsibility
Attack
 Attack
1. Explode out of stance
2. Win the collision
3. Get penetration
4. Hips, Hands, Feet
5. Punch & extend
6. Control opponent
7. Stop charge of OL
8. Hips low and behind body
9. Fast hands, fast feet
React
 Keys
Each DL will have key reads that will help him defend the run
and pass. We will attack and get penetration and read our keys
on the run. “Read on the run”

End: Tackle & Nose:

Base Block Base Block
Down Block Down Block
Down w/ Lead Reach Block
Down with Trap Block Scoop Block
Reach to Block Pull to
Scoop Block Pull Away
Double Team Double Team
3 Step Pass Block 3 Step Pass Block
5 Step Pass Block 5 Step Pass Block
Cut Block Cut Block
 Keys: Ends

Vs. BASE block Punch and Vs. DOWN block force T

extend, force T inside and inside and squeeze the C gap.
squeeze the C gap. Push pull
Look inside for trapping guard
to escape to tackle ball carrier. or lead block from FB, wrong
arm.

Vs. REACH block to the play. Vs. SCOOP Block away,

Punch and extend, fast feet
squeeze down and look for
down the LOS until escape
BCR, don’t chase play away,
play boot first.
 Keys: Ends

Vs. Down Block with Trap Vs. DOWN block with FB

Block Punch and extend, Lead force T inside and
force T inside and squeeze the
squeeze the C gap. Wrong
C gap. Wrong arm pulling arm FB
guard.

Vs. DOUBLE TEAM block Vs. PASS Rush QB staying in

Drop hips & knee into blockers
C/D gap. Keep contain at all
and stay very low. Do not give
costs, force everything inside.
ground. Penetrate through
window. Pull OL with you
 Keys: Tackles & Nose

Vs. BASE block Punch and Vs. DOWN block penetrate

extend, force G inside and through B gap & chase ball
squeeze the B gap. Push pull
carrier. If you get stuck by T
or stab to escape to tackle ball block, use stab escape and
carrier.
pursue

Vs. REACH block on back side

play. Punch and extend keeping Vs. REACH Block to play side,
inside leverage, fast feet down punch keeping outside arm
the LOS until escape, don’t get leverage, escape and pursue
reached…ever! down LOS
 Keys: Tackles & Nose

Vs. Down Block with Pull Vs. Pull Away Get in the hip of
penetrate through A gap & the G and follow him to the RB
chase ball carrier. If you get
for the tackle. If to slow, then
stuck by C block, use stab or use Stab or rip and slip
rip and slip escape and pursue
technique

Vs. DOUBLE TEAM block Vs. PASS Pursuit QB staying

Drop hips & knee into blocker
in B/A gap.
and stay very low. Do not give
ground. Penetrate through the
window. Hold onto OL
ESCAPE
 ESCAPE
Principles:
• Pre-reads (heavy, light, formation, D & D, personnel, tells)
• Movement (fast feet, fast hands)
• Hand separation
• Primary escape move, counter move
• Secondary escape move, counter move
• Combo escape moves
 ESCAPE
Primary Escape Moves:
• Rip:
• Push/Pull
• Chop (Hand Fighting)
 ESCAPE
Secondary Escape Moves:

• Stab
• Swim
 ESCAPE
Combo Escape Moves:
• Chop & Rip
• Rip & Slip*
• Rip & Stab
• Chop & Swim
• Pull & Swim
• Chop & Stab
 Finish
1. EFFORT EFFORT EFFORT!
2. Angle of pursuit
3. Tackle
4. Turnover
5. Play to the EOW, Demand it!
 Fast flow pursuit angles

Backside C: Check for reverse/boot, then insurance angle Playside C: Tackle to force inside
R: Tackle to force inside Playside E: Force outside, pursuit down line
FS :Backside cutback Backside E: Check Boot/Reverse,
S: Tackle to spill outside N: Pursuit down line
M: Tackle to spill outside T: Pursuit down line
W: Backside cutback
 Near flow pursuit angles

Backside C: Check for reverse/boot, then insurance angle Playside C: Tackle to force inside
SS: Tackle to force inside Playside E: Force outside, pursuit down line
FS :Backside cutback Backside E: Check Boot/Reverse,
S: Tackle to spill outside N: Pursuit down line
M: Tackle to spill outside T: Pursuit down line
W: Backside cutback
 Drills
Each drill is focused on one of the 5 fingers. A natural
progression is used for maximum development and efficiency.
 Drills
Ali & Ass Attack React Escape Finish
Call outs 1 legged get off Run Read Circuit Form fit-rip Tackle 1v2
Game plan calls 2 legged get off Walk thru reads Form fit-rip & slip Draw pursuit
Punch from knees Down block Form fit push/pull Screen pursuit
Punch from stance Base block Form fit stab QB turnover
From fit extension Reach block Hand fights RB turnover
Pass ¾ speed run thrus
Down with pull Full speed 1v1
Down with lead
½ line cards
3 way
Drills: Alignment & Assignment
“Call outs”

Ex. Over to Under

E T N E
E T N E
T E
E N
T E
E
T
React: Key Read Circuit = Cone
= OL
= DL
= Coach

Station 1: Station 6:
Double Team Scoop

Station 2: Station 5:
Reach Base

Station 4: Pull
Station 3:
Pass
Escape: Run Thrus
= OL
= DL
= Coach
Juniors Sophomores

Rip
Left!
 DL Drill Progression

1) Stance 5) React
a) Down block
2) Get off
b) Base block
a) 1 legged get off on movement c) Reach block
d) Pass
b) 2 step get off on movement
e) Double team
c) Change of direction (COD) drill on f) Trap/pull
movement g) Lead (ends)
h) Pre-reads
3) Alignment & Assignment
6) Escape
a) Call out – Huddle break, strength call, point a) Primary
to gap, get off * b) Secondary
c) Combo
4) Attack
7) Finish (EOW)
a) Punch from knees (sled, body, bag)* a) Tackling *, **, ***
b) Turnover, **, ***
b) Punch from stance (sled, body, bag),*, **
c) Pursuit angles *, **, ***
c) Form fit extension (body, bag) **, ***

* = Focus for Spring camp *** = Focus for pre-season

** = Focus for Summer camp