How to Finish a Run Block as an Offensive Lineman

Playing offensive line is one of the most important jobs on a football field. While individual linemen rarely get recognized for their outstanding play, the cohesive play of five offensive linemen may be the single-biggest ingredient on any outstanding football team. The first responsibility is blocking well for the running game. That means getting a great initial push on a defensive lineman or linebacker and then driving him to the ground. That is known as finishing your block.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Never stop until the whistle. Playing offensive line is all about your mindset. Of course, the offensive lineman has to be big, strong, physical and precise. However, the determining factor is attitude. Playing offensive line is tough, painful and physical, especially when blocking for the run. The offensive lineman can never let down if he wants his team to have an effective running game.

2. When blocking on a straight-ahead play like an off-tackle run, the offensive lineman needs to get his hands on the defensive lineman, pull him close and drive him backwards. Once the runner has gotten through the hole and into open space, finish the block by putting the defensive lineman on his back. At that point the offensive lineman needs to look for someone else to block. The job is never finished until the whistle has blown.

3. Fire off the line aggressively on a trap block. On this block, the offensive tackle will block the defensive tackle and the offensive guard will block the defensive end. The offensive tackle should move quickly and hit the defensive tackle hard in the side and then grab hold and finish the job. The guard's block is not as tough. He is only required to push the defensive end out to the side. Once the back has gotten through the hole, the guard must look for a linebacker to punish.

4. Try to help out your fellow offensive linemen with difficult assignments. If you have shown you can handle your opposite number, make sure you help your teammate once you have finished your block. If you are playing right guard, get the left defensive tackle on the ground and then help the right tackle if he's is struggling with the left defensive end. You are coming from the inside, so you need to push the defensive lineman to the far outside in order to get him out of the play.

5. Watch as much videotape as possible of your opponent to learn his tendencies when playing the run. It's the subtle things--such as hand position or body angle--that will help you get in the ideal position to deliver a finishing block.

Tips & Warnings

• Through the whistle. You must play through the whistle in order to do your job correctly. Finishing the block means driving your opponent into the ground

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