OSU: Defensive Fundamentals

Two basic defensive fundamentals that we teach at Oklahoma State are 1) How to defeat a block and 2) Pursuit angles to the football. Both fundamentals are key to the success of any defense. In order for a player to be productive, he must first get himself in position to make the play. Defeating a block The first block sequence that we teach is how to defeat a base block. The progressionthat we teach is broken down into three areas: 1) Contact, 2) Leg drive and 3)Release. Every practice, we take a 5 minute period to teach this basic fundamental.We pair up each defensive player and align them on a selective line facing oneanother. The line designated as the defense will start in a fit position (contactphase).Cowboy Drill Diagram 1. Cowboy Drill The coaching points that we stress start in the contact phase. The defender should align with a good base beneath himself – feet approximately