YOUTH FOOTBALL DRILL BOOK - Gregory Double Wing

55. Blow the GapPurpose:• To review the defensivelineman stance andexplosive take-off.• Practice shooting through agap and taking on doubleteams.Coaching Pointers:• Start with a little moreweight forward than usual.• If you make it through thegap, gain control, find theball, and make the tackle.• If stalemated, stay low andkeep fighting.• When getting movedbackwards, get on theground and create a buswreck.Set-up and Instructions:Put your defensive linemen into small groups. You will need twocoaches or players to hold shields or dummies for each group. If you donot have enough shields, you can have some of your other players tryto prevent the defender from penetrating but keep in mind that this is adrill for developing technique and confidence in your defensive players.The offensive linemen should not deliver a devastating block. Like alldrills involving the take-off of defensive linemen, it is a good idea tohave a coach snap a football to instill good habits. On ball movement,the defensive linemen explode out of their stance and attempt topenetrate the gap between the two offensive players. He must use a lowcharge and keep his feet moving. It is ok if the defender falls or if theyare unable to split the blockers as long as he continues to fight. If hecannot get through the gap, neither can the ball carrier. The worst thinghe can do is to attempt to get past the blockers by taking any path otherthan directly through the assigned gap. Remind the defenders that ifthey are getting driven back on a double team, they are to get to theground and create a pile.62