Offensive linemen are crucial to a team's success in youth football. Offensive linemen create lanes for the running back to gain yards. Their pass protection allows the quarterback the time and space to successfully pass the ball. The correct stance, footwork and blocking technique are important areas for a football coach to cover during youth football offensive linemen drills.
Drive Block
Practice drive blocking, used in basic one-on-one blocking, by marking out a five-yard box. Have an offensive lineman face a defensive player. On the coach's command, the offensive lineman takes a big step into the defensive player and looks to engage him. After contact, the offensive lineman keeps his legs driving and tries to move the defensive player backwards, creating a lane for his teammates to run through. Progress the drill by awarding a point to the offensive linemen if the defensive player can be driven back outside of the box.
Pass Protection Block
Pass Protection Block develops correct footwork and pass-blocking technique. Have linemen adopt their stance and rise quickly to back up in pass protection. Teach correct footwork and technique unopposed before progressing the drill to go up against a defensive player. Have the quarterback take the snap and a blitzing defender attempt to tag him. Award the offensive linemen a point if the defensive player is held away from the quarterback for five seconds.
Mirror
Mirror teaches correct stance and footwork. Place two sets of cones six yards apart facing each other. Place an offensive lineman between each pair of cones so the linemen are directly facing each other. Player A gets into game stance and fires out, shuffling side to side, changing direction quickly. Player B fires out of his stance and aims to exactly mirror the quick movements of player A. The coach emphasizes keeping body weight over the toes and moving side to side without crossing the feet. Progress the drill by having player B mirror the movements of player A for 10 seconds before blitzing and aiming to get behind player A, who pass blocks for five seconds to end the drill.
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