How to Block in Football

Protect the quarterback and ball carrier from certain doom by keeping defenders at bay.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Footballs
• Footballs

1. Assume a proper three-point stance. Your feet should be a little more than shoulder width apart, one hand should be on the ground with the other resting across your thigh, and your body should be low to the ground to maintain balance.

2. Burst forward when the ball is snapped pushing your defender from below. Your arms should follow an upward motion as you raise your body. Pushing the defender's body up will upset his stance and balance, making him easier to control.

3. Pump your legs furiously to push back the defender and clear a hole for your team's ball carrier.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your hands in front of you and push on the defender's chest to avoid a holding call.

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on 8/28/2006 On a running play, get up out of your stance, let out a yell to startle the opponent, give him a quick shove, and start driving him back by ramming into him and churning your legs as quickly as possible. Lift each foot about ankle high.

on 8/8/2006 I have been playing football for years, playing on both lines, and fullback. I have found it increasingly helpful with each game I play to follow these steps.

1. Football is a dirty, painful, aggressive sport. Get mad! Treat the defender like he slapped your mother across her face right in front of you.
2. Look for the spot where his shoulder pads end on his chest, this is where you want your hands to go. Don't grab him, because you'll get called for holding. Do not go for his shoulders. If trained properly, he will just swing his arm under yours and go right under you.
3. Remember to always "finish" your block. "Finishing" your block is what the upward motion is referred to after you explode and show him whose boss.
4. Always keep your feet in motion, you don't want to just jump at him and put all your weight on him to keep him away. Drive into him like a truck.
5. Finally, don't stop pushing until the quarterback has thrown the ball or if you've driven him back a good amount of yards and you're sure he's not doing anything this play.

When playing football, there will be people that are bigger, faster, and stronger then you. During the season, dedicate yourself fully to strengthening your body and doing drills to improve your skill. During the season, football comes first.

Don't sweat it too much if a defender gets past you, its going to happen. When it does, analyze what the both of you did and come up with a solution to never let it happen again. If you want to be a lineman, your going to have to be a big guy. If your 5'6" and 130 pounds, the position is not for you. Some people just need to accept that certain people are made for certain positions and some people are not. You want to be heavy, but you want to have strength as well. Stuff you're face, and when your not stuffing you're face - lift weights. Work out your biceps, forearms, and legs mainly. Practice you're explosion with drills because the quicker you get your hands on him, the less time he has to react to the snap.

Always listen closely to your quarterback. He may squeeze a "HUH" in there a few times in an attempt to get the defense to commit an offsides - don't let this fool yourself and get a false start called on your line.

Summed up in a few words:
Season: Stuff your face, do drills, practice with friends, analyze your mistakes and remember them.
Off-season: LIFT LIFT LIFT!

on 11/22/2005 Run Blocking - Stay Lower than your opponent. If you have to block a line backer and he's faster then you, break down and be ready for him to move in any direction. Always stay low, lock up on the guy and make sure you step with the right foot.

Pass Blocking - For pass blocking, you can either do an aggressive pass block (which can fake a run even better) or a laid back pass block.

For aggressive pass blocking - Take 1 to 2 steps forward and hit the guy hard, then start fast choppy steps backward. Most high school referee's will not call you down field if you're a step or 2 over the line of scrimmage.

For laid back pass blocking - Take a step back with whichever foot the ball is going to (here it is if the ball is going to a hole on your left), step with your left foot backward first. Stay low, and make sure you're aggressive and punch hard. Keep your hands inside and keep your feet moving.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure you use an aseptic technique when treating your athlete's foot, or it will quickly become a case of jock itch as well.

on 11/22/2005 1. Your feet should be shoulder width apart.
2. Put the tip of your inside foot exactly in line with the heel of your other.
3. Put a lot of weight on your hand if it's a run block, and take pressure off if it's a pass block.
4. Drive low and hard into your mans stomach.
5. It helps if you barely put your head down to make that really big hit.
6. Don't hit and let off, keep driving until you know he's not going anywhere.