How to Block in Pop Warner Football

One of the most important skills to learn in Pop Warner Football is blocking. Most children playing in Pop Warner will block at some point in their football careers, whether they play at the high school or college level. By teaching kids to block in Pop Warner football, you teach them a skill that can ensure success in the sport for years to come.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Whistle
• Football dummy
• Orange cones

Develop Fundamentals of Blocking in Pop Warner

1. Peruse available literature and websites on successful blocking techniques. You can find a number of blocking drills with illustrations by reading through "Youth Footballs Skills and Drills" by Tom Bass.

2. Line up blockers in a three point stance that allows them to move off the ball quickly. A three point stance involves a player placing a hand on the ground while their legs are square with their shoulders. This stance lets your blocker get off the snap with their lead hand in a position to make contact.

3. Teach your players to square their shoulders to the defender's shoulders and keep their heads up. By keeping shoulders on the same line as the opposing player, a blocker's arms are in position to stop a defender's progress.

4. Reinforce proper hand position in blocking by using blocking sleds and dummies. The proper hand positioning is a flat palm pressed firmly against a defender's shoulder pads. Blocking sleds require proper technique and provide a good simulation of the resistance offered by defending players.

5. Tell players to stay on the balls of their toes for the duration of a play. Offensive linemen, running backs and receivers need to keep their feet moving in order to gain leverage on defenders. Proper footwork can help blockers use the full power of their body instead of isolating their upper body during a block.

6. Sustain blocks from the snap of the ball through the referee's whistle. A common mistake in youth football is stopping a block after a player thinks the ball is past their position. A sustained block wears out the opposing player and ensures a draw, play fake or other trick play to work effectively.

Tips & Warnings

• Instruct your players to avoid grabbing defenders outside their jersey numbers. A legal block requires a player to avoid grappling or pulling on a uniform at any point. A good way to reinforce good blocking habits is to make habitual offenders run laps for each penalty.

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