There are three pass patterns we'll look at today - the "post", "corner", and "seam".
To have success with these patterns, all three will need to be run at full speed for their entire length. Each will test the QB's arm and your ability to run underneath the ball and potentially stretch for a catch. You will be required to look the ball into your hands.
The Seam:
1. Be aware of the safety's alignment on the field.
2. Try to release outside the defender in front of you
3. Immediately direct your speed and momentum upfield
4. At 12 yards, bend to the outside while still making headway upfield
5. Settle into a position and path that allow you to run upfield 5-to-7 yards outside the hashmarks
6. At 15 yards, allow your path to bring you slightly back to the inside
7. Establish a sight path to the QB and ball
8. Pick up the ball as it leaves the QB's hand
9. Look over your inside shoulder and pick up the flight of the ball
10. Maintain stride
11. Be prepared to adjust to the flight of the ball
12. Expect to make the catch on your inside, directly in front of you, or over your outside shoulder
Speed here is crucial. Regardless of the main defender's position, you cannot slow down to make moves.
Regarding the Post:
If the defender is lined up and playing you on the inside, angle slightly toward the sideline as you sprint upfield, getting him to come with you to open up the inside. If he's playing you on the outside, you'll probably be able to sprint straight ahead for 12 yards before making your break to the inside.
When you make your break, roll over your inside foot and direct your path at 45 degrees into the center of the field.
You will probably have to run under the pass. The ball will be lofted and it is your responsibility to keep running in order to make the catch. As soon as you break, look for the QB and the ball in the air. Adjust your path if necessary to make the catch.
And the Corner:
The run the corner successfully, you must sell the post to the defender. After you make your "post" cut and run three or four more yards, make a second cut at 45 degrees BACK toward the corner of the field.
The ball should hang in the air a long time - expect it to travel at LEAST 15-20 yards through the air before you can make a catch. Check over your outside shoulder for the QB and the ball. Make adjustments as necessary. Reap the glory of your efforts.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Tight Ends: The "Ins" and "Outs"
For medium range routes, such as an "out" or "in" pattern, there are a couple more elements to keep in mind.
The first thing you need to determine as you release up the field is how the defensive back is playing you. Is he on your inside or outside? You have to understand that you can influence the position of the DB and help yourself get open by angling your route slightly away from the direction of your final cut.
If running an "in" pattern, angle to the outside 5 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. This adjustment to your route will cause the defender to vacate your target location. If inside, the defensive man will come right along with you. If on the outside, he'll move out wider to attempt to remain on the outside.
Once you've got the defender moving, it's important to redirect your pattern straight upfield. This will convince the defender you're going deep, hopefully tricking him into turning and running upfield as well.
After another five yards, you can cut into your final pattern. Don't plant and push - keep your momentum and speed by leaning your upper body to the inside and rolling over your inside foot.
Turn your head to the QB and make the catch.
For an "out", you'll first angle to the inside before sprinting upfield and making a cut to the outside. This pattern is essentially run in opposite to the "in".
The first thing you need to determine as you release up the field is how the defensive back is playing you. Is he on your inside or outside? You have to understand that you can influence the position of the DB and help yourself get open by angling your route slightly away from the direction of your final cut.
If running an "in" pattern, angle to the outside 5 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. This adjustment to your route will cause the defender to vacate your target location. If inside, the defensive man will come right along with you. If on the outside, he'll move out wider to attempt to remain on the outside.
Once you've got the defender moving, it's important to redirect your pattern straight upfield. This will convince the defender you're going deep, hopefully tricking him into turning and running upfield as well.
After another five yards, you can cut into your final pattern. Don't plant and push - keep your momentum and speed by leaning your upper body to the inside and rolling over your inside foot.
Turn your head to the QB and make the catch.
For an "out", you'll first angle to the inside before sprinting upfield and making a cut to the outside. This pattern is essentially run in opposite to the "in".
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Tight End: The "look-in" and "short out" patterns
Once you've learned your stance, start, and release, you're ready to start getting into running pass routes. Today, we're going to get into a couple so-called "short" routes - the "look-in" and the "short out" patterns.
When running these patterns, you won't have time to try to move the defender into the location you'd like to make your final cut. The QB will take a short 3-step drop before delivering the ball. The O-Line will only be aggressively blocking for a short time. Every pass in this area of the field must be executed quickly to achieve success.
As you release upfield on a short route, know the distance you'll be running before you make your break. For a "short out" where you cut to the outside at five yards beyond the line of scrimmage, you'll roll over your foot in that direction - toward the sideline. Do not plant and step as you'll lose momentum.
When coming inside for the "look-in" pass, you should once again make certain you know the distance you need to travel before redirecting your body to the inside. In this case it's only a step or two beyond the line before you angle in.
In both patterns:
1. Burst into your final move
2. Bring your head around quickly
3. Establish good vision of the quarterback
4. Be ready to catch the ball
5. Secure the ball immediately
The ball will reach you VERY fast and you will likely be struck by a defender as soon as you make contact with the ball. MAKE SURE THE BALL IS SECURE!
When running these patterns, you won't have time to try to move the defender into the location you'd like to make your final cut. The QB will take a short 3-step drop before delivering the ball. The O-Line will only be aggressively blocking for a short time. Every pass in this area of the field must be executed quickly to achieve success.
As you release upfield on a short route, know the distance you'll be running before you make your break. For a "short out" where you cut to the outside at five yards beyond the line of scrimmage, you'll roll over your foot in that direction - toward the sideline. Do not plant and step as you'll lose momentum.
When coming inside for the "look-in" pass, you should once again make certain you know the distance you need to travel before redirecting your body to the inside. In this case it's only a step or two beyond the line before you angle in.
In both patterns:
1. Burst into your final move
2. Bring your head around quickly
3. Establish good vision of the quarterback
4. Be ready to catch the ball
5. Secure the ball immediately
The ball will reach you VERY fast and you will likely be struck by a defender as soon as you make contact with the ball. MAKE SURE THE BALL IS SECURE!
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Tight End: Pass Catcher
For a TE to be a successful part of the passing game, he needs to have a good release off the line of scrimmage. Most tight ends use a three-point stance, fewer a two-point, but the latter is much more frequent when the TE is flexed away from the offensive tackle. No matter which stance is utilized, your ability to quickly get off the line is crucial for your capability to be an effective pass catcher.
Your release tends to be more difficult as a defender will nearly always be lined up right in front of you. Whoever you face, you cannot allow yourself to get held up at the line on your way to running your route.
In an instance where a defender is lined up on you, you'll have to take an angle step with your back foot so that it winds up on the side of your release. It's essential that the step moves forward and that it's one that begins taking you up the field.
If you have your right foot back in your stance and are releasing to the right of the defender, you need to step slightly to the right as you bring your back foot up. When releasing to the left in the same stance, you'll want to bring your back foot up and slightly across your body.
You should have a small amount of separation from the defender with your step. From here, bring your arm closest to the defender forward. Swing this arm up hard in front of your shoulder. This rip move if done right should be adequate to pull the defender's hands from your jersey.
Make certain on the snap that you stay low and come off the ball hard. Don't waste time trying to fake the defender at the line.
Your release tends to be more difficult as a defender will nearly always be lined up right in front of you. Whoever you face, you cannot allow yourself to get held up at the line on your way to running your route.
In an instance where a defender is lined up on you, you'll have to take an angle step with your back foot so that it winds up on the side of your release. It's essential that the step moves forward and that it's one that begins taking you up the field.
If you have your right foot back in your stance and are releasing to the right of the defender, you need to step slightly to the right as you bring your back foot up. When releasing to the left in the same stance, you'll want to bring your back foot up and slightly across your body.
You should have a small amount of separation from the defender with your step. From here, bring your arm closest to the defender forward. Swing this arm up hard in front of your shoulder. This rip move if done right should be adequate to pull the defender's hands from your jersey.
Make certain on the snap that you stay low and come off the ball hard. Don't waste time trying to fake the defender at the line.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Tight Ends: Combination Blocking
When we talked about double team blocking, we focused on a tight end paired with a tackle or a wing back to impede a defender. Combination blocking presents a different scenario - the tight end and a tackle working in tandem to block TWO defensive players, usually a lineman and linebacker.
The combination block is used primarily against stunting or slanting defenses where the d-lineman move quickly into a gap on the snap of the ball. The combination block starts with an attack on the defensive player on the line of scrimmage. Both tight end and tackle must understand what each other will be doing and how they'll be handling each situation the defense might present.
The block may be used against the defensive end and an outside linebacker. The end will be lined up directly on the tackle while the outside 'backer is lined up on you. The play might be being run to the OPPOSITE side of the formation and your goal is to keep both defenders from pursuing down the line of scrimmage.
On the snap, you'll both step laterally with your inside foot. It's important on the second step that the tackle strikes the end in the chest with the palm of his outside hand, halting his penetration across the line.
As the tight end, on YOUR first step you should check the linebacker in front of you. If he begins to blitz, abandon the combination block and impede the 'backer as best you can. If he moves laterally in pursuit, you can continue with the combination block - take your second step and strike the END with the palm of your inside hand.
When the end stunts or slants to the outside, the tackle should turn him over to you after making first contact, release to the inside, and move up field to engage the incoming linebacker.
As the tight end, you must:
1. Get in front of the defensive end
2. Cease his forward progress across the line
3. Impede his LATERAL pursuit
If the end instead moves to the INSIDE, you must keep your vision on the 'backer. The end will remain the tackle's responsibility.
Once the linebacker makes his move, you must:
1. Disengage from the defensive end/offensive tackle scrum
2. Perform a running drive block, covered previously, on the linebacker
The combination block is used primarily against stunting or slanting defenses where the d-lineman move quickly into a gap on the snap of the ball. The combination block starts with an attack on the defensive player on the line of scrimmage. Both tight end and tackle must understand what each other will be doing and how they'll be handling each situation the defense might present.
The block may be used against the defensive end and an outside linebacker. The end will be lined up directly on the tackle while the outside 'backer is lined up on you. The play might be being run to the OPPOSITE side of the formation and your goal is to keep both defenders from pursuing down the line of scrimmage.
On the snap, you'll both step laterally with your inside foot. It's important on the second step that the tackle strikes the end in the chest with the palm of his outside hand, halting his penetration across the line.
As the tight end, on YOUR first step you should check the linebacker in front of you. If he begins to blitz, abandon the combination block and impede the 'backer as best you can. If he moves laterally in pursuit, you can continue with the combination block - take your second step and strike the END with the palm of your inside hand.
When the end stunts or slants to the outside, the tackle should turn him over to you after making first contact, release to the inside, and move up field to engage the incoming linebacker.
As the tight end, you must:
1. Get in front of the defensive end
2. Cease his forward progress across the line
3. Impede his LATERAL pursuit
If the end instead moves to the INSIDE, you must keep your vision on the 'backer. The end will remain the tackle's responsibility.
Once the linebacker makes his move, you must:
1. Disengage from the defensive end/offensive tackle scrum
2. Perform a running drive block, covered previously, on the linebacker
Friday, May 31, 2013
Tight Ends: Blocking Well With Others
Up to now, all the blocks you've been learning have been performed by you and you alone. Today we're introducing you to a block that requires the help of a teammate - the double team!
Double team blocks take a lot of practice to perfect, but the results are well worth the effort. You'll want to make sure you and your partner are working in unison and toward the same goal.
The double team is the most powerful block an offense can direct at any single defensive player. When executed correctly, you'll be directing the combined size, weight, and strength of two players against a single defensive athlete.
The defensive player should NEVER win this engagement. You may find a savvy defender will even drop to the ground hoping to simply tie both of you up in a pile to block the ball carrier.
When executing the block, the offensive man directly in front of the targeted defender will use a drive block as covered earlier in these lessons. The other blocker will use a modified angle block. The combination of these two blocks forms the double team.
As a tight end, you may be part of a double team block with a tackle or a teammate set up in the wing. It all depends on your offensive scheme. When working with the tackle, you'll take on the role of angle blocker. When working with a player on the wing, you'll be the drive blocker.
Go over the relevant previous blocking lessons to refresh your memory and be prepared for whatever role and block you need to implement.
Double team blocks take a lot of practice to perfect, but the results are well worth the effort. You'll want to make sure you and your partner are working in unison and toward the same goal.
The double team is the most powerful block an offense can direct at any single defensive player. When executed correctly, you'll be directing the combined size, weight, and strength of two players against a single defensive athlete.
The defensive player should NEVER win this engagement. You may find a savvy defender will even drop to the ground hoping to simply tie both of you up in a pile to block the ball carrier.
When executing the block, the offensive man directly in front of the targeted defender will use a drive block as covered earlier in these lessons. The other blocker will use a modified angle block. The combination of these two blocks forms the double team.
As a tight end, you may be part of a double team block with a tackle or a teammate set up in the wing. It all depends on your offensive scheme. When working with the tackle, you'll take on the role of angle blocker. When working with a player on the wing, you'll be the drive blocker.
Go over the relevant previous blocking lessons to refresh your memory and be prepared for whatever role and block you need to implement.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Tight Ends: Blocking 'Backers on the Run
With the countless variations in defensive alignment, it's probable that you'll be asked to block a linebacker that isn't lined up on the line of scrimmage. To do this well, you should be successful with the techniques necessary to perform the running drive block.
You'll often be called upon to perform this block when blocking a linebacker playing off the line but directly in front of you or to your inside. Taking the proper path to the defender is essential when you are tasked with blocking someone not on the line.
This is a drive block with the contact occurring after you've taken several steps to get to the defender. The two main differences between this style of drive block and the drive block we covered earlier are that you'll have to run to get to the defender and that defender will have a better opportunity to move to his right or left as you approach.
You need to get off the line quick when the ball is snapped. Know the snap count and make your first step a fast one, moving your back foot directly at the target. Keep a wide base and stay low as you come off the line. If the linebacker is to your INSIDE or in front of the tackle, make certain your first step is with your inside foot. Always anticipate the 'backer charging straight ahead on a blitz upon the snap of the ball.
The closer you get to your quarry, the wider your base should be and the shorter your stride should become. As you prepare to make contact:
1. Bend your knees
2. Lower your hips slightly in preparation for the block
3. Make sure your back is straight
4. Keep your head up
5. Keep your eyes focused on the center of the 'backer's chest
6. Get your body square to the linebacker's
As with all blocks on running plays, initiate the block with the big muscles in your legs, coming up and through the defender in an explosive motion.
The instant your pads make contact, punch out with the palms of both hands into the 'backer's jersey numbers. Keep your momentum and finish the block, legs driving. Move the linebacker off the line and backwards.
You'll often be called upon to perform this block when blocking a linebacker playing off the line but directly in front of you or to your inside. Taking the proper path to the defender is essential when you are tasked with blocking someone not on the line.
This is a drive block with the contact occurring after you've taken several steps to get to the defender. The two main differences between this style of drive block and the drive block we covered earlier are that you'll have to run to get to the defender and that defender will have a better opportunity to move to his right or left as you approach.
You need to get off the line quick when the ball is snapped. Know the snap count and make your first step a fast one, moving your back foot directly at the target. Keep a wide base and stay low as you come off the line. If the linebacker is to your INSIDE or in front of the tackle, make certain your first step is with your inside foot. Always anticipate the 'backer charging straight ahead on a blitz upon the snap of the ball.
The closer you get to your quarry, the wider your base should be and the shorter your stride should become. As you prepare to make contact:
1. Bend your knees
2. Lower your hips slightly in preparation for the block
3. Make sure your back is straight
4. Keep your head up
5. Keep your eyes focused on the center of the 'backer's chest
6. Get your body square to the linebacker's
As with all blocks on running plays, initiate the block with the big muscles in your legs, coming up and through the defender in an explosive motion.
The instant your pads make contact, punch out with the palms of both hands into the 'backer's jersey numbers. Keep your momentum and finish the block, legs driving. Move the linebacker off the line and backwards.
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