Learn how to build defensive line drills around the reads and reactions your players will actually use on game day. This episode explains how to improve alignment, stance, strike point, leverage, block destruction, gap control, pass rush, and screen recognition while eliminating drills that do not transfer to the field. Coaches will also learn how to progress from simple key read work into group and team periods based on the offensive schemes they expect to face.

7:05 - Building Defensive Line Drills on Key Reads
8:46 -Why Rope Chute and Sled Drills Waste Practice Time
13:55 - Old School Defensive Line Drills Are Outdated
15:30 - Why Chutes Don't Fix Playing Too High
18:39 - ASCA Principle for Defensive Line Development
22:29 - Five Key Reads for Defensive Linemen
24:49 - Strike Point and Big Surface Technique
40:16 - Defensive Line Drills That Transfer to the Field
55:58 - Progressing Drills From Indies to Group to Team
1:03:52 - Handling Secondary Blocks and Pulling Linemen

Defensive Line Drills

Step 1: Build Drills Around the Skills That Actually Matter

Stop collecting drills just because other coaches use them. Start with the specific one-on-one game your defensive linemen must win, then build drills that solve the problems showing up on game film. This is the foundation for replacing ropes, chutes, sleds and other activities that do not transfer to game day.

READ: Complete Guide to Coaching Football Drills that Win Games

Step 2: Fix the Five Problems That Kill Defensive Line Play

Use Alignment, Stance, Key Read and Assignment to diagnose why your defensive linemen are struggling. Focus your drill work on correcting high pad level, poor eye discipline, getting trapped, staying blocked and losing pass rush contain.

READ: How to Use Defensive Line Drills to Eliminate the 5 Mistakes Killing Your Front

Step 3: Learn to Create Better Drills From Your Game Film

Instead of searching for the next great drill, learn to identify the problem on film, break it down to the smallest skill that needs improvement and create practice reps that directly address it.

LISTEN: Better Football Drills That Get Faster Results | FBCP S20E20

Step 4: Connect Defensive Line Technique to the Entire Defensive System

Defensive line technique cannot exist in isolation. Understand how your front, run fits, key reads and assignments work together so every drill reinforces the job your defensive linemen actually have on game day.

DOWNLOAD: What You Need To Know To Build The Ultimate Defensive Football Coaching System

Step 5: Get More Reps From Your Individual Drill Periods

Structure individual periods around focused, high-repetition work where every player is involved. Use the defensive line key read drill to reinforce alignment, stance and reactions while eliminating unnecessary standing around and wasted practice time.

LISTEN: Individual Drill Periods for Skill Development | FBCP S21E01

Step 6: Progress Individual Skills Into Game-Like Situations

Take the reactions developed during individual periods and progress them into pods, half-line and group work. Keep the same one-on-one focus while gradually adding the movement and distractions your defensive linemen will see against actual offensive schemes.

LISTEN: Practice Planning: Group Run Drills for Skill Progression | FBCP S21E05

Step 7: Make the Skill Show Up on Game Day

Carry the same weekly focus from individual drills into group periods and team sessions. Build practices so defensive linemen repeatedly see the blocks and situations they need to defeat that week, then evaluate whether those skills actually transfer to Friday night.

LISTEN: Our Players Don't Execute on Game Day | FBCP S18E21