Football is about hitting. No matter how talented skill-position players are, they can't get the job done unless the offensive line blocks. Blocking effectively is about taking the proper angle and hitting your opponent hard. The same holds true for tackling. The harder the hit, the more effective the tackle. Players take part in hard-hitting drills every day in practice.
Hamburger Drill
In this drill, two players lie on their back with their helmets touching. On the coach's whistle, both players get up and run back four yards in opposite directions, where one player takes a handoff from the coach and the other slaps the hands of a waiting coach. At that point, they run at each other. The running back tries to run through the tackler and the tackler tries to bring the ball carrier down. This should result in a thudding collision. Each player moves to the back of the line as all players take part in this drill.
Sumo Drill
All players on your team form a circle. The coach will call out the number of two players who will meet in the middle of the circle. One of the players is designated as the offensive player and tries to block. The other player is designated as the defensive players and tries to toss the blocker aside. On the coach's whistle, they battle until one player wins the battle or 10 seconds go by and it's declared a draw. The player who was the offensive player moves to defense and a new player becomes the blocker. Do this until all players have had a chance to participate in both roles.
Oklahoma Drill
In this drill, an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman square off between two cones five yards apart. A running back has the ball behind the offensive lineman, and a linebacker is stationed behind the defensive lineman. The running back must read the block of his offensive lineman and then try to get by or through the linebacker. This drill is done at game speed and must be played out until the ball carrier has been tackled or broken the tackle for a big play. All players should have a chance to man each role.
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