1. Drive Blocking
An offensive lineman uses drive blocking during running plays when the offensive lineman must drive the defender off the line of scrimmage for the play to succeed. When drive blocking an opponent an offensive lineman must explode out of his stance and make contact with the defensive player first. If the defender hits you first, the play is doomed. Use short jerky steps to move your feet during a drive block. Also, spread your feet wide, keep your shoulders square and stay alert with your head up so that you have a proper base.
2. Pass Blocking
When an offensive lineman is blocking on a pass play, the goal is to stay between the defense and your quarterback. In essence, the offensive line creates a human wall around the quarterback to protect him. The techniques are different from drive blocking because the offensive lineman is more passive in pass blocking. In pass blocking you "punch" the oncoming defender. Obviously, you do not literally punch them but the contact must stop their forward movement. To accomplish this, as you come of out of your stance bring both hands up quickly and push the opponent in the chest. When pass blocking on a play a lineman should never allow the defender to get inside his block. Always try to funnel the defender to the outside and away from the quarterback.
3. Scheming to Block
There are two main types of blocking scheme, zone blocking and man-to-man blocking schemes. Zone blocking is when a lineman is responsible for an area on the field and any player that comes into that area. Man-to-man blocking is just as the name suggests in that the lineman is responsible for the players, not an area like in zone blocking. There are millions of plays and variations of these schemes but they are the basis for all offensive blocking play calls.
4. That's a Foul
Offensive linemen have probably the most stringent set of rules regarding game play. A lineman cannot grab and hold another player, he can't block below the waist of another engaged player, and once set he can't move until the ball is snapped. So be sure to get a copy of the volumnous rulebook for football and remember all the potential penalty pitfalls involved in offensive line play.
5. Conditioning for the Position
Almost never will you see an offensive lineman have to make long sprints down the field but they do have to move quickly outside to block for perimeter running plays. Therefore, the physical conditioning of an offensive lineman is all about strength and relatively short cardio work. Weight lifting and light jogging are the proper offensive lineman conditioning regimens.
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