The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

JOE BUGEL – INSIDE ZONE BLOCKING (“40/50 GUT”)

NOTE: Uncovered man responsible for inside half of down lineman and covered lineman responsible for outside half of down lineman.

UNCOVERED MAN: Take a lead step and catch up with your covered teammate as you READ the near knee of the down lineman on him. As you work through your playside gap – if the near knee comes towards you block his inside number & fit him up sliding in the direction he is going (eyeball Lber in case he comes inside); if near knee doesn’t come towards you work up on Lber. 3 situations can occur (see COVERED MAN).

COVERED MAN: Take a lead step with your outside foot eyeballing outside number of down lineman on you – second step with inside foot thru crotch of opponent. You must think man block and only go to Lber when wiped off by uncovered teammate. 3 situations usually occur: 1) Down lineman is in an outside shade & stretches – you stay on him and uncovered teammate works up on Lber. 2) Down lineman is head up & anchors on you – use double team technique driving him into Lber & stay on him until wiped off by uncovered teammate then work straight up on Lber. 3) Down lineman head up or inside shade & slants inside – force him to flatten his slant & stay on him until wiped off by uncovered teammate then work straight up on Lber.

LINEMEN NOT ZONING USE “DRIVE” (MAN) BLOCKS. Don’t worry about getting position on defender – worry about blow delivery. When coming off the ball you guide with your eyes (aim with your face), and your eyes take you to the aiming point or landmark which is the playside #. Your first step is a short directional step and you throw your arms out of the socket (“don’t shoot from the holster”). On the second step, your power foot must be on the ground and you arm thrust (100% blow delivery) with your fists into his short ribs (below the pads), tucking your tail and “lifting him out of his socks”. Don’t put your face or shoulder in, because you will be overextended and your head will be down.

NOTE: OUTSIDE ZONE BLOCKING (“60/70 OUTSIDE”): Only difference is that it is a wider reach (almost a pull) – uncovered blocker “piggybacks” covered blocker & covered blocker reaches almost to hip of outside teammate. Uncovered blocker will stay on a down lineman head up on covered teammate, and covered teammate comes off on Lber – “forcing the switch”.

RUNNING BACK (“40/50 GUT” – INSIDE ZONE): 1st. step with playside foot, roll, crossover, and aim nose for Tackle’s inside hip, Key the block on the first down lineman outside the Center, and make your cut on THEIR side of the L.O.S. If there is daylight in the B gap – cram the B gap – otherwise, if DLM goes out you cut inside (& vice versa).

Here are some Joe Bugel Drills that help agility & balance: JOE BUGEL – OFFENSIVE LINE DRILLS (REDSKINS)

“FOUR CORNERS” = Better warm up drill that stretching. For a guy who is stiff – improves feet. Go ¾ speed. Put 4 cones at the corners of a square – 10 yds. apart. Teaches how to run (over exaggerate arm pump) . Go forward-lateral-backward-lateral. RUN to first cone & come under control – SHUFFLE to next cone (with a slight stagger of L foot if going L & R foot if going R) in a bridge position (sit down & bend, with a wide base – bridge neck – keep hands up - be sure to SHUFFLE – not gallop). BACKPEDAL – then SHUFFLE again. NOTE: Your feet can move TOO fast in pass pro).

“SHUFFLE DRILL” (pass pro) = Break down in good “football position” – wide base – don’t worry about speed. Shuffle to lines - 5 yds. – 10 yds. – 5 yds. When changing directions at line - don’t stop & plant to change – keep on balance – keep wide base – don’t gallop or get crossed over.

“STRAIGHT LINE DRILL” (like the Secondary’s “Run the Line” drill) = Straddle line – run backwards – coach waves off & he turns hips keeping eyes on coach. Everything in football is usually below the waist – “you block with your feet”. Teach stiff kid how to turn – break down & stay low, working feet & hips.

“BAG DRILL” = Over the bags – another shuffle drill. Keep hands up – neck in bridge position – back & forth, back & forth, & break. NOTE: How you FINISH any drill is important – put towel 15 yds. downfield & he has to break on ball to towel.

“UP & BACK DRILL” (4 bags in a straight line) = Back-shuffle-forward-shuffle (moving feet) – up & back, up & back. Don’t go 100 MPH – concentrate on moving feet quick - keeping shoulders square – moving in a good “football position”.

“SOFTBALL DRILL” = Used to teach big man to bend at knees – go down & pick up object where you have to use hand & eye coordination to see it (moving target). Use an area with 2 cones 10 yds. apart. Roll softball to farthest point of cone – he runs shuffles laterally & he has to bend knees with both hands down – pick up ball with both hands & throw it to coach. Coach then rolls it to the other farthest point. Direction drill where big guy has to bend & pick it up. GOOD CONDITIONER.

“PUNCH DRILL” = Teaches man how to roll hips, get under target, & deliver blow. Vs. shield, get man in football position – move feet (not a chop) with just bounce movement – step & hit UP – roll hips & hit up thru target. Step & deliver 10 right & 10 left.

“MIRROR DRILL” (pass pro) = Get in perfect fit position with bridge back – service guys grabs rt. arm – blocker sits down & applies pressure (he’s on rt. shoulder). Back & forth a couple of times on a juke – guy tries aggressively to jerk him (doesn’t try to penetrate). Blocker never stops moving feet (doesn’t have to be too fast). “Stack the deck” so offense wins!

“2 MAN BULL SLED DRILL” = Teach how to be explosive. 2 step blow delivery (don’t drive the sled after second step). Parallel stance – frontal position – step – blow delivery. OVER EXAGGERAGE use of fists or heels of hands (with thumbs on top) by taking first directional step & second step is 100% BLOW DELIVERY – throw arms out of sockets on first step (wind up with elbows back for good arm thrust) – second step hit & lift sled up in air.

“TRIANGLE DRILL” = Blocking Lbers (base or cutoff). Use on hand & face on outside number – stay square.

“DRIVE DRILL” = Cutoff drill. Get a perfect fit – drive 10 yds, - stay square.

NOTE: No longer run wind sprints after practice because players will pace themselves. Get the running by: #1 TEAM PERIOD – 40 PLAY SCRIPT – THROWING - line sprints 15 yds. downfield on each pass to cover (like covering punts). #2 “RIGGO DRILL” = 15 plays (40/50 GUT) & RB/Line sprints 30 yds. on each snap. “SELL THE RANCH” during these two drills!!!