Fundamental Principles of Offensive Blocking

by Larry Manfull
excerpt from the book Offensive Line Technique Manual

An effective blocking team is paramount to winning the championship. To be successful, you must be fundamentally sound in both the running and the passing game. To be fundamentally sound, you must realize what is required of the individual, and how that individual will go about mastering these requirements. First, you should acknowledge that blocking can be developed to a greater degree than any other phase of football because it is the most unnatural thing. It requires much more time because many more things are to be learned.

Each player must develop a repertoire of techniques that will enable him to execute his blocks effectively in all situations. Personal goals must be set and a plan of action must be laid out. Repetition must be accepted as a way of life for a blocker, and success will be brought about only when solid confidence prevails. Concentration, self-discipline, willingness to pay the price, and personal pride geared to perfection must be evident at all times. If individual talent is intelligently and resourcefully applied through execution of techniques and coordinated in team offense, then success cannot be denied.

Valuable Hints for Execution of Blocking

Know the Offense

All offensive linemen should:

• Have a good knowledge of every play in the attack and how it fits in the offensive scheme.
• Know blocking assignments and adjustments at point of attack.
• Know the influence action that will affect the reaction of the defense, such as faking of backs or linemen pulling.
• Know the timing of plays, whether delayed or quick-hitting.
• Have a complete picture of the passing game.
  • Know the different types of protection and every man's responsibility in each protection.
  • Know the timing of all passes and depth and position of the quarterback's set, which will enable applying of the proper technique, such as aggressive or dropback maximum protection.
  • Know the direction that the ball is thrown in order to cover after the throw to make a downfield block and to prevent the interception return.
• Pay particular attention to game plans when particular plays are set up to take advantage of an individual, a defense, or a situation.
• Most of all: Know the job thoroughly. Know what, why, and how. It would also be wise to know how much flexibility is allowed in straying away from the prescribed methods.

Know Basic Defenses Used by the Opponents
It is very important for offensive linemen to know the basic defenses used by every team in the schedule and the responsibilities of each position in that defense. They must know the opponent's team tendencies, as well as the individual tendencies, as determined by the following questions:

• Is this team a containing or pressure team?
• Do they give a constantly changing picture?
• What are their tendencies for field position, in relation to sidelines or goal line?
• What are their down, distance, and blitz tendencies?
• Do they play formations by using certain defenses or make adjustments from any defensive set?

Know the Opponent
Anticipating what the opponent is going to do and the application of the proper technique is certainly the most important essential to the success of a properly executed block. Offensive linemen should analyze each player and know his tendencies well. Make a checklist for your players to help them in preparing to block a particular player, using the following questions:

• Does he play on or off the line of scrimmage?
• Is he a reader, reacting to your move ... or a charger, using pressure tactics?
• Is he a change-of-pace player, mixing up his play?
• Does he have pre-determined moves set by a particular defensive set?
• What effect will the down and distance, field position (in relation to sideline or near the goal line), and various formations have upon his play? How does he react to influences by other linemen and backs?
• What are his tendencies on pass rush? Does he set you and have an outside or inside pattern? Does his escape move on pass rush? Is he susceptible to cut blocks? Does he get his hands up to block passes,etc.?

In order that a player may anticipate what his opponent will do, he should look through the opponent's eyes and scout himself. He should take a good look in the mirror at himself.

Execution of Technique:
The Four Areas of a Successful Block

Execution is the key to success. It is one thing to have talent, but another to apply it correctly and get results. A thousand players with talent are sitting on the bench every Saturday.The execution of any block goes through four phases:

• Aiming Point: After taking a stance, with proper splits, having made the line calls, and being sure who to block and what type of block to execute, the player is ready for the first phase. The "aiming point" is the area of the defender he wants to strike. For example, chin, knee, hip, lower number, or thigh.
• Approach: The second phase is the release on the snap count, leading with the proper foot from the line of scrimmage at the proper angle. The takeoff position, regardless of the type of block being used, is most important. This phase is where the smart football player excels. Anticipation, movement, adjustment, judgment, and position are vital to successfully carry out the assignment. Concentration on the job will exceed or parallel any other mental or physical trait; therefore, the player should concentrate on bringing all of his skills into play.
• Contact: Striking the defender with the proper weapon (shoulder or face). The coil and control in the legs, exploding into the opponent with quick acceleration of the feet to drive the opponent from the path of the ballcarrier,or working for position to shut him off from pursuit is the essence of good balance and follow-through.
• Finish: Although the start is very important, the effort to complete the job is vital. Finish requires the following:
  • Driving the opponent from the path of the ballcarrier using explosion and leg drive.
  • Retainingthe opponent and shutting him off from pursuit by getting position and maintaining it through good footwork.
  • Doing whatever it takes to maintain contact.

Secondary Assignment

The most desirable trait in a football player is the desire to excel, plus a willingness to do more than is prescribed for him. A good competitor will strive to get that second block after completing his initial assignment. This type of player will not only supply his part of team leadership, he will also inspire team morale and command respect from the team and the opponents. His second effort will more than likely do one of three things:

• Make a block that will facilitate a long run, a long pass, or a touchdown.
• Recover a fumble.
• Prevent the opponent from capitalizing on a mistake.

Line Fundamentals Stance
Fundamental to all good blocking is a perfect stance, regardless of the various types of blocks used. A good execution begins with a well-balanced stance. Without a good, balanced stance it is difficult to start with speed, drive with power, or maintain a consistent effort after the initial movements have been made. If a blocker does not start from a good position, then his advantage is being sacrificed. The stance marks the high point in form. The poorer the initial stance, the less chance a lineman has to do a good job of blocking. Therefore, a lineman's cardinal principle is: "Always start every play by first taking a perfect stance, since this is the secret of a good block."

Pre-Set Stance

• Elbows on the knees and relaxed
• Head up
• Toes pointed in
• Backfoot already staggered

Guards, Tackles, Ends: Three-Point Stance

• The feet should be approximately hip (outside) width or as wide as the player's ability to move in any direction will permit.
• The feet should be parallel, the toes pointing straight ahead, and staggered heel-to-toe (keeping in mind individual difference, i.e., height and length of arms and legs). The heels of the feet are slightly above the ground. The ankles and knees are flexed and on line with the stance.The extended (right) arm should be straight from the shoulder to the ground and slightly inside of the (right) knee. The fingers of the (right) hand are extended with the forward weight balanced on the fingertips. The other (left) arm should be on the (left) thigh near the kneecap, with the hand cupped and the arm bent at the elbow close to a gO-degree angle. The shoulders should be level and square to the line of scrimmage.
  
• The hips, back,and shoulders should be square and parallel, and a little higher than the ground.
  
• The head should be held at a 45-degree angle with the neck relaxed. The player shouldn't try to look anyone in the eye, because it lowers the hips. The weight should be evenly distributed between the feet and the down hand.
  
• The player should mentally shift the weight for the start. The player should be cocked like a gun and think of being "shot out of a cannon," while concentrating on the snap count.
  
• Deviations should be taken into consideration. An attempt should not be made to stereotype one stance for all linemen.
  

Center Stance

• The feet should be spread moderately, as widely apart as the ability to move in any direction will permit-without lowering the tail. The feet are parallel, with the toes and heels even in a boxed stance. Both heels are slightly off the ground and the weight is on the balls of the feet.
• The ankles and knees are flexed in line with the stance to produce power in the forwardrelease.They are pointed straight ahead and in line with the feet.
• The tail and hips are slightly higher than the shoulders, so the quarterback can operate from a high, comfortable relaxed stance. They are squared to the line of scrimmage with the shoulders.
• The head is tilted back straight from the shoulders. The head is up 45 degrees and relaxed, but the tail is not forced down. The eyes look straight downfield, but see the entire area through peripheral vision. Intentions should not be tipped off with the head or eyes.
• The right arm is straight to the football with the right hand on the forward right side. The fingers are spread moderately, grasping the ball, with the right thumb across the forward tip of the lacing. The left arm is straight from the shoulder to the ground and slightly inside the left knee. The fingers of the left hand are extended with the forward weight balanced on the fingertips.

Guards, Tackles, Ends: Four-Point Stance-Goal Line and Short Yardage

• The feet are spread to a width slightly less than the width of the hips:
  • Pointed straight downfield
  • Toe-to-instep relationship
  • Good bend in the ankles
• The knees are over the toes with the hips closed and slightly higher than the shoulders.
• The back should be kept straight; the hands should be as wide as the shoulders. A fingertip bridge should be used.
• The elbows should be slightly bent for spring, and the head should be held in a natural, comfortable position. The blocker should get face-to-face with the defensive player.
• The weight should be balanced, but with a forward emphasis.

Mentally Shift the Weight
When in the stance, it is important for players to shift the weight mentally.

• If going straight ahead and using a (left) lead, the weight should be on the down hand and back foot (right), with little or no weight on the left foot. Players should push off with the fingers of the down hand and the back foot (right).
• If going straight ahead and using a (right) lead, the weight should be on the down hand and up foot (left). Players should put little or no weight on the right foot. They should push off with the fingers of the down hand and the up foot (left).
• When moving to the left, the weight should be on the opposite foot (right) and the down hand (right) with little or no weight on the up foot (left foot). Players should push off with the fingers of the down hand and the back foot (right).
• When moving to the right, the weight should be on the opposite foot (left) and the down hand with little or no weight on the back foot (right). Players should push off with the fingers of the down hand and the back foot (left).

Essentials of Good Execution

• Forming good habits in practice drills through hard work and self-discipline; striving for consistency and perfection.
• Concentration, anticipation, judgment, and adjustment.
• Positioning on the opponent prior to contact-leverage.
• Football position prior to contact, coil, control, head, feet, and back.
• Striking ability-explosion, hitting through the defender, hitting on rise, acceleration of the feet for drive or position, footwork
• Finishing-keeping the pressure into the opponent, regardless of the contact area,with the feet turning in the same direction. Extra effort.
• Making the opponent move around a blocker opposite the play, taking away his angle of pursuit.

Common Faults in Execution

• Lunging, overextension, over striding, and losing balance and control
• Tipping off intentions by leaning, pointing, and committing too soon on running blocks
• Leading with the elbows, thereby losing power and drive
• Getting poor position on the opponent and poor football position prior to contact
• Hitting across, pulling the head away, thereby losing power and control of a defender
• Giving up on a block too soon because of a poor start
• Failing to use the proper technique or make the correct adjustment to situations

About the Author...

In 1967, Manfull began his college coaching career as an offensive line coach at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. A year later, he accepted a position as head football coach at Mayville State University. In 1969, he was hired as offensive line coach at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, where he continued coaching until 1977, when he moved back to California, working as offensive line coach for two more years at the University of Pacific.

In 1980, he was hired as offensive line coach at California State, Fullerton. Sixteen years later, Manfull retired from Cal State. Although "retired," he continued to coach at Wahlert High School in Dubuque, Iowa, and at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. Manfull again returned to California as offensive line coach at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana and at Chapman University in Orange County.

In 2007, Manfull decided that he'd had enough "retirement" coaching and retired for good in Mesquite, Nevada, where-when not writing this manual for his fellow coaches and linemen-he enjoys the slow-paced life of a small town.