YOUTH FOOTBALL DRILL BOOK - Gregory Double Wing

36. Crab BlockingPurpose:• Teach the crab blockCoaching Pointers:• Have the defender back upas he is being crab blocked.He may also place his handsout if he is uncomfortablewith the blocked crabbinginto his legs.CSet-up and Instructions:Crab blocking is a safe alternative to cut blocking. It will allow a playerto neutralize a much stronger opponent or to make a block at a difficultangle without the potential for injury that comes with driving throughthe opponent’s lower extremities. Place your offensive linemen in tworows, facing each other about one yard apart. One side will representthe offensive linemen and the other side the defensive. Players arepartnered up with the child directly across from them. Have all of thedefenders take a big side step to the right so that they are to the left oftheir partner. Defensive players assume a comfortable hit position. Onthe cadence, the offensive linemen shoot their right (far) arm acrosstheir body and across the front of their partner’s legs. They do not hitthe defender’s legs but brush the arm across as if shining his shoeswith the blocker’s arm. The offensive lineman should land on his handsand feet with his rib cage making contact with the defender’s legs. Theblocker has his butt high in the air. The next progression is to have theblocker keep his arms and legs moving and “crab” into the defender. Dotwo reps then switch which partner is the blocker and which is thedefensive lineman. Make sure to rep this skill to both sides.41