o-line run block technique

[cb]

i was wondering how many coaches teach their o-linemen to "cut and crab" opposing players and, if so, how do they teach the players this technique? i see navy and g tech plaers doing it at times and it looks to be very effective...any thoughts would be greatly appreciated...

[mikelalor]

I think the crab part is the key and what has to be drilled and drilled. kids get lazy and just cut, DL get hands on you and pop up and make the play, we have crabbed and cut with some success.

[coacht]

I feel that cut ´n´ crab is an ESSENTIAL skill for option linemen. There is no better way to do the backside blocks.

We teach our guys to aim their shoulder opposite to the block at DL's opposite leg. Example, left G is trying to get a 1-tech DT. He should drive from his left leg and swing his left arm so that his left shoulder is aimed at DT's right (from offensive point of view) leg. He should end up making his contact with his right arm between DT's legs and his head around DT´s right leg. Now, when he starts crabbing, he is actually putting all his momentum against opponent's one leg, making him really unstable and possibly cutting him down.

Teaching the linemen to keep their legs moving is vital. Basic bearcrawling is good. We also do a drill where we place them in the crab position with their necks pulled back, put a bag in front of them and tell them to push the bag while bearcrawling. You can practice the entire block against a live dummy too, for example the situation described earlier. This is where you really focus on hand and shoulder placement because lineme have a real target in front of them. For safety, you tell the dummies to put their hands at blockers' shoulder when they start coming at them. This is to guard their knees. Linemen still get their target practice although they don't make actual contact with opponent's legs.