How to Pass Block on a Five-Step QB Drop Back

A common myth among high school football players--and many coaches--is that there are only two pass blocking techniques: the one-step drop-back pass plays, and everything else. In reality, blocking for a three-step and a five-step drop back (and, further, the seven-step) are different methods. Attempting to block for the former, when the play is set up as the latter, can get an offensive lineman in trouble, and potentially make for an unhappy quarterback.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Quick feet
• Strong arms
• Lateral mobility
• Good leverage

1. At the line of scrimmage, set up in a two-point stance. This means squat slightly, with your knees bent at a bit wider than 90 degrees. Your back should be straight, while your hands gently rest at your thighs. Your body weight should be evenly distributed, and your head should be up. The defense will know that this is a pass play, but you should be fine. (See tips for three-point stance setup).

2. Place your outside foot about a step behind your inside foot. The toe of the outside foot should be nearly even with the heel of your inside foot.

3. Kick back twice. When the ball is snapped, kick back twice with your outside foot. You'll thrust it back about 3 feet, and then shuffle your inside foot back with it. You'll then kick your outside foot back about another 3 feet. Your inside foot should remain close to the ground, almost sliding across the turf. Your outside foot, on the other hand, will be a more dramatic movement as it carries your body out and back. Your body will open up, facing out as you do this.

4. Keep your body facing out, and protect the inside with a firm inside leg. The quickest route to the quarterback is through the inside, so the defender will be trying to go that way. You want to force him the longer way around you, creating a pocket for the quarterback.

5. Punch the defender's breastplate and shoulder pad with your arms. Your inside palm should make contact at the defender's inside armpit, while your outside palm should hit at about his sternum. This motion will manipulate the defender's body outside, further protecting the inside.

6. If you have to, plant your face mask where his inside shoulder pad meets his helmet. Avoiding helmet contact is preferable as to maintain separation, but the additional leverage may be needed. When you do this, you should keep your center of gravity above your legs rather than putting your weight forward.

7. Give ground while moving laterally toward the sideline. This allows you to use his momentum to your advantage, while essentially riding him away from the quarterback. It's alright to give ground. This creates the pocket. Letting the lineman run up field allows the quarterback to step up into the pocket, increasing his visibility. The five-step drop takes a bit longer to develop, but the play should still be off in 3 to 4 seconds. Aim to hold your block for 5 seconds.

Tips & Warnings

• If no one is lined up across from you, be prepared to pick up leaks from the lineman on either side of you. Well intentioned as they may be, not all lineman hold their blocks. You should be ready to pick up the rush if they get past the other lineman.
• Depending on your offense, a three-point stance might be preferable. This is far more difficult for beginning pass blockers, though. If you do opt for the three-point stance, keep your weight over your legs while your hand is on the ground.
• Don't give up the inside. If everything else goes wrong, but you protect the inside, you can oftentimes still effectively block the play.
• Don't put your weight forward at any point, unless it's used to defend the bull rush. This is when a defender will try to use your momentum to knock you back into the quarterback. You have to fend it off by releasing into the defender. Wait until contact has been made before you do.
• Look out for stunts. This means that defensive lineman switch their path, or rush. In which case, you could be blocking your teammate's man, while he blocks yours. Your concern is more your lane--the space in front of you--rather than a man.