How to defeat a double team

The double team is one of the hardest blocks to defeat as a D-Lineman.

There's nothing like having 600 pounds of O-lineman trying to carve you out of your gap.

To defeat this block, precise technique is absolutely needed. So here are a few tips on what to do and not do when taking on a double team.

How to do it...

Step 1: Attack 1 man at a time. No need to take on 600 pounds of O-lineman when you can take on 300.

Step 2: Plant your foot and get skinny when you feel pressure. You also have the option here to go to a knee if you don't feel like you're getting low enough on double teams

Step 3: Throw off when pressure leaves. If the LB fills the way he should one blocker should come off of you. At that point, you need to throw off and show presence in your gap so the RB doesn't escape through it.

Mistakes to avoid...

Mistake #1: Not ready when ball is snapped. If you're taking on a double team you need to have your eyes on the target.

Mistake #2: Take on both blockers. 600 pounds of blocker is a lot for any D-lineman to handle.

Mistake #3: One foot on the ground. You have exponentially less power to fight the double with 1 vs. 2 feet in the ground.

Mistake #4: On the ground. You can't make plays if the blockers is pile driving your face in the ground.

A great drill...

What we want to do with any kind of drill work is replicate the feeling and steps of that situation. So, to replicate a double team situation just use a sled and an extra blocker to create the feeling of a double team and practice attacking 1 man, getting skinny and throwing off.

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That’s it for this week. Craig over and out!

And whenever you are ready, there are 2 ways I can help you:

1. Learn how to develop top tier pass rushers and a lethal pass rush attack here (1,000+ students)

2. Learn how to turn your D-Line into a block destruction machine here (1,100+ students)

-Craig