Kids
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Learn the fundamentals of football every Tuesday during the 2009 season as we highlight USA Football's tutorial series on key football techniques and tips
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USA Football - Fundamentals of the Game |
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2009 ARCHIVE |
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| Nov. 10, 2009 - Inside linebacker stance It is important that an inside linebacker be in a comfortable stance which allows him to move forward, back, right, and left with ease and quickness. The stance needs to be balanced and one which gives the inside linebacker a good view of the offensive blockers in front of him and a look into the offensive backfield.
The starting point when getting into your inside linebacker stance is the breakdown position. From this starting point, bring both arms up, elbows close to the side of your body. The elbows should be bent so the palms of both hands are up facing forward, palms showing, and fingers spread.
You must bend at your ankles, knees, hips and be on the balls of both feet. It is also important to play with a big chest, shoulders square and head and eyes up. You should be looking over and through the offensive linemen into the offensive backfield.
Inside backers must expect blockers from straight ahead and from either side. You should be shuffling until you are ready to attack any ball carrier, or decide to drop back away from the line for pass coverage.
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| Nov. 4, 2009 - Taking a handoff The easiest way to practice taking a handoff is by going through the motions of a straight-ahead dive play. Line up about four yards off the line of scrimmage and charge straight ahead from a three-point or 2-point stance. At the same time, have a quarterback move down the line, preparing to place the ball into your stomach area. The pocket for the ball is first formed by the arm furthest from the quarterback. The forearm of this arm should be extended straight across the ball carrier's stomach with the palm up and fingers extended toward the quarterback. The top of the pocket is formed by placing the hand of the inside arm on the opposite shoulder and turning your palm out. Lift the elbow of this arm up to make room for the ball. |
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| Oct. 27, 2009 - Defensive line 4-Point Stance It is vital that a defensive lineman assume a stance that allows him to move forward and react to both his right and left. The crucial thing that you want to avoid is standing straight up and making your entire body open to blockers. To achieve a good four-point stance, get into the breakdown position with your body, feet, knees, head and eyes facing straight ahead. From this position, reach straight forward, placing both hands on the ground slightly in front of your shoulder pads. Remain on the balls of your feet. Your hips and shoulders should be even. Your back should be level. Defensive linemen that line up with their hips lower than their shoulders will often have their first move straight up opening them up to the offensive blocker. It is most important to keep your head up and eyes scanning the offensive players in front of you. Seeing the ball, or having an offensive lineman move, should be the trigger for you to start your charge. From a four-point stance, a defensive lineman can be in position to play with his hands above their pads and rush the passer on an offensive pass play. |
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| Oct. 20, 2009 - Run Blocking Defensive linemen learn to react to the movement of the ball and the movement of the offensive player. An offensive player must learn to move on a sound and to anticipate the reaction of the defensive player. Not moving the instant the ball is snapped almost always will result in an offensive lineman losing the battle to the defense. So the first thing offensive lineman must master is firing off the ball to initiate a successful block.
Once the snap count is called out, you should instantly move forward out of your stance and fire out. When coming out of your stance, remain low with your head up. Remember to take quick steps, keeping your feet close to the ground. Both arms should fire out and fit into the defender while keeping your shoulders low and square with your back straight. You should also keep your neck bowed and head up. Each lineman should have his eyes focused straight ahead, looking at an imaginary target. |
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| Oct. 13, 2009 - Reverse Pivot The reverse pivot is a fundamental that every quarterback needs to execute in a game. You must pivot away from the center for this type of handoff. It begins with a cheat step, which is a short step up with the foot in the direction that you desire to go. This ensures that you will not separate too quickly from the center when receiving the handoff.
Once you receive the snap, pivot on the cheat step foot by turning the foot inside, which brings your hips and body around as you take a second step with the far foot. As this occurs, you will be turning your back to the line of scrimmage for a moment as you pivot and take the second step. As you pivot, turn your head around quickly so that you can see the running back. Once completing your second step, extend the football in the motion of the handoff to the running back or execute an underhanded two-hand toss. |
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| Oct. 6, 2009 - Form Tackling Players generate power on a tackle with their big leg muscles, especially from the leg on the side of the shoulder that makes contact with the ball carrier. As you near the ball carrier, shorten your stride, spread your feet a little wider and bend your knees. At this point, your back should be straight and your head up with your eyes wide open. Decide which shoulder you are going to use to make the tackle. Take a short power step at the ball carrier with the foot on that side of your body; explode up and through the mid-section of the ball carrier and make contact with your shoulder pad as your helmet slides to the side of the ball. If you are tackling at an angle, slide your head in front of the ball carrier. From here, pound both arms around the ball carrier, grab his jersey in both hands, lift and drive him back. Never use your helmet to make contact on a tackle. |
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| Sept. 29, 2009 - Pass Blocking Pass blocking is an aggressive block. You must push with your hands and punch out into the defender's chest in three-step pass protection.
For an inside rusher (usually a player head up or on the inside shoulder), it is important to step inside with your inside foot on the snap. As you take this step, both hands should come up to the center of your chest in position to fire out and stop the charge of the defender. Next, shuffle across the formation and follow your man and punch again if necessary. For an outside rusher (usually a player lined up on the outside shoulder or wide outside), the first step should be a kick step back with your outside foot and a slight turn of your body to the outside of the formation. Once again, as you take this step, both hands should come up to the center of your chest in position to fire out. |
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| Sept. 22, 2009 - Wide Receiver Stance Line up in a two-point stance by standing up straight with your feet even and spread shoulder-width apart. Then take a step directly forward with your inside foot. Lean forward with your shoulders so that your head and shoulders are slightly in front of your front foot. Turn your head to the inside so that you can see that you are onside and so that you can see the ball when it is snapped. Your weight should be slightly more on your front foot so that your first step is with your back foot and that you cross the line of scrimmage with this initial step. Try lining up in this manner on every down until you feel that your hips are over your feet and that you have a balanced stance. Remember that the closer your feet are together, the less stable your stance will be. |
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