Overall blocking can be improved with a progressions of drills.
During the football season time to prepare and practice is very precious. We tend to spend all of our time on “scheming” the opponent and very little on fundamentals. Because of the importance of fundamentals, we have decided to build them into our practice schedule. We call them the “Fundamental 5” or “Fun 5” for short. The first one is blocking by the entire offensive unit.
Blocking is the one skill that all players have in common; therefore, we train them all the same. Once practice begins, all offensive players gather in a circle around me. I number them 1-5 and send them to coaches that are in a large circle surrounding the hash marks (5 stations). Each station will train the players in the first drill of the blocking progression, “Fit”. After 60 seconds we blow a whistle and the players rotate clockwise for the second drill, “Stance to Fit”. We complete the cycle and move into our practice schedule.
The circuit has been helpful in many ways. It allows all of our coaches to interact with all of our players. Secondly, by teaching the same fundamentals, we have found that the players’ coach the players’. Lastly, it allows us to keep our older players fundamentally sound and, at the same time, develop our younger players.
The Cornell Blocking Circuit consists of five stations, Diagrams 1-5:
#1 Fit
Diagram 1: Fit
Defender: While holding a blocking shield, he fights the pressure of the offensive player. You should stay low and resist him from driving you back.
Blocker: From two feet away, approach and fit the defender head up and then hold.
#2 Stance to Fit
Diagram 2: Stance to Fit
Defender: While holding a blocking shield, fight the pressure of the offensive player. Stay low and resist him from driving you back.
Blocker: Starting in your position stance, you will approach and fit defender head up and drive him back while taking short, choppy steps. Overall blocking can be improved with a progressions of drills.
#3 Angle to Fit
Diagram 3: Angle to Fit
Defender: While holding a blocking shield, fight the pressure of the offensive player. Stay low and resist him from driving you back.
Blocker: Starting in your position stance, approach the defender from a 45-degree angle. As you approach, begin to square up and fit defender head up. Drive block him taking short, choppy steps.
#4 Mirror Drill
Diagram 4: Mirror Drill
Defender: Stand directly across from the offensive player. Run side to side in between cones at 75% speed.
Blocker: Start across from defender. Mirror him as he moves laterally. Maintain athletic position, not crossing feet.
#5 Fit to Finish
Diagram 5: Fit to Finish
Defender: While holding blocking shield, allow blocker to get fit. Hold your ground. Once coach gives you direction, try to escape the block that way.
Blocker: Starting in your position stance, approach the defender head up and get fit, beginning with the short, choppy steps. When defender picks a direction, place your head across and drive him back.
About the Author: Roy Istvan begins his second season as Cornell University’s offensive coordinator this fall. He previously coached at the University of Rhode Island for six seasons, the last three as offensive coordinator. A 1990 graduate of Southern Connecticut State, Istvan coached at his alma mater from 1990-2001 and has also coached at the University of Buffalo and Milford Academy.
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