Each week, Coach Tom Bass answers questions from football players of all ages and abilities. Submit your questions by emailing him at NFLaskthecoach@aol.com. Be sure to include you NAME and HOMETOWN in the email.
Joshua from N. Ft. Myers, Fl sent the following question:
My coach has switched my defensive position from FS to DE and I am trying to get info on the position so I know what I am doing. What exactly does the DE do?
Hi Joshua,
Your responsibility will depend a great deal on the front [is there an outside linebacker on your side] and the style of defense that your team will be playing.
When you are the end man on the line of scrimmage, [a 6-2, 5-3, 4-4, or 7-1 defense your primary job will be to turn any wide running play to your side of the ball back into the center of the field.
This will require that you take on any blocker coming from the inside [between you and the ball] with your inside forearm and shoulder while you keep your outside arm and leg free so that you can sprint to the sideline if the ball carrier runs outside of you.
As you come across the line, your eyes should go immediately back to the inside so that you can quickly identify the offensive player that is coming to block you out of the play. If it is a drop-back pass, you want to rush from the outside and keep the quarterback in the pocket.
When you have another defensive player to your outside, you will usually be lined up on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle on your side of the ball. Now you must focus on the OT for a drive block and if there is a tight end you must be alert for a down or angle block from the TE or a double team block by the OT and TE. You pass rush responsibility will be the same.
In both instances if the ball is run to the other side of the formation, you need to come up the field, be as deep as the ball carrier and be alert for a reverse or QB bootleg to your side of the field.
Once you have time to practice the position in the fall, I really believe that it will be a position that you will enjoy playing and that you will find that you are in on a great number of defensive plays, Coach Tom Bass.
Sammy from Phoenix sent the following question:
I would like to know if 5'9 132 pounds the right size for a punter.
Hi Sammy,
You are in luck. Punter is one position where there is no right size. There are small, big and average size punters that are successful
Instead of size, speed and strength [that are required for many positions on the football team] the only requirement is that you can punt the ball and that you have a good understanding of the proper technique needed to make a tackle [as you will usually serve as a safety on one side of the field].
Work hard on your punting skills, try to take as many snaps from the center as you can [have him snap some bad ones - low - high - right and left] and always focus on getting your body in front of the ball and making the catch before you make the kick.
You have a very important job on the team and you should be in good condition and work on your catch, drop and kicking motion every day, Coach Tom Bass.
Nikko from Norwalk sent the following question:
Hello Coach, I'm starting as a fullback and I need your help on it. What are some drills I can do? What are some lead blocking tips I can catch up on? Thanks.
Hi Nikko,
Your stance and first step are always two techniques that are most important for a fullback. You want to step with the foot on the side of your block, staying low. Most problems start when a fullback takes a false step [steps back with either foot] raises up and consequently is slow in attacking the defensive player.
The quicker you can get to the defensive player and the lower your pad level as you attack, the greater chance you have to successfully make the block.
On all blocks for running plays, try to take a path directly at the center of the defensive player. Try not to give the defensive player an idea of how you are going to block him by arching your path to get into better position. Keep him guessing as you make your approach.
If you are leading the tailback or halfback on an inside play, let the linebacker take a side, then you should block him in that direction and let the ball carrier cut to the other side. Use your shoulder on the side of the linebacker movement to make the block.
When you are assigned to block a defensive player on the end of the line of scrimmage, you should start directly at him. If you are assigned to kick him out [block him to the sideline with the ball carrier cutting up to the inside] you should drive your outside forearm and shoulder into his inside hip.
If your assignment is to block him to the inside, you now should drive your inside forearm and shoulder pad into his outside hip and turn him back to the inside of the field [allowing the ball carrier to run wide to the outside].
On most pass plays, your first responsibility will be to protect the quarterback by blocking any blitzing linebacker. To do this, you need to step inside with your inside foot, check the inside backer on your side of the ball. If he is not coming, you want to swing your outside leg and foot around and back so that your body is facing the sideline. In his position you can ride any outside rushing linebacker to the outside and past the quarterback.
You are playing an exciting offensive position and I hope you have a great deal success and really enjoy playing to spot, Coach Tom Bass.
Stephen from Ireland sent the following question:
Hi Coach, I wrote to you already asking about playing safety or running back and you asked to find out how things got on. Well, there is a slight change in plan. Because of my hands I have been asked to play TE. My question is am I suited to play that position 5"9 200lbs and if so can you give me blocking tips? Thank you.
Hi Stephen,
It is nice to hear from you again. Obviously you are being asked to play TE because it is position that is vital if the offensive team is to have any success passing the ball.
As a tight end you will usually be asked to execute three main blocks. The first is a drive block [blocking a defensive player lined directly in front of you and driving him off the line of scrimmage.
For a drive block you want to take a short step forward with your inside foot, keeping your pad level below his. On your second step [your power step], you want to drive your outside shoulder pad and forearm into his midsection, roll your hips forward and using power steps drive him off the line. As you make the block your helmet should be up and slide to his inside hip. Use your neck muscles to cement your helmet to his body.
The second block is a hook block [again used against a player in front of you]. This block is used when you want to keep the defender from moving to the outside of the field. Now you need to take a quick short lateral step with your outside foot, moving your helmet to the outside of the defensive player. Your second step, with your inside foot, should be directly at the center of the defensive player's body. Using your inside forearm and shoulder pad, you now use a drive block to move him off the line. As you make your second step, drive the palm of your outside hand up and under the outside of the defensive man's outside shoulder pad and use this hand to turn him and force him back to the inside as you swing your body to his outside. Keep driving him with power steps back to the center of the field.
The third block is an angle or down block. You would use this block against a defender who is lined up to your inside near the offensive tackle. Your first responsibility is to stop him from penetrating across the line of scrimmage. Your first step must be an angle step to the inside with your inside foot. Your helmet should slide in front of the defensive player. On your second step [your power step] you want to drive your outside shoulder pad into the side of the defender. As your shoulder pad makes contact, drive the palm of your outside hand hard into the hip of the defensive player and using power steps drive him down the line, back to the center of the field.
All three blocks require very quick first steps [using the correct foot] that put you into position to make a successful block. It is important that you listen to the snap count and move the instant the ball is being snapped. Your knowledge of when the play will begin can be a great advantage over the defensive player if you move with speed and quickness and stay low on all three blocks. Always try to keep your pad level below his.
If your team uses a double team block [You and the OT blocking one defensive player], the OT will use an outside shoulder drive block while you use an angle block. This is the most powerful block that an offense can use versus a defensive lineman.
Try to get some work blocking a dummy, move it into the proper position, think through your step and see how fast you can make the first and second short step and then take four or five power steps driving your foot hard into the ground as you finish each block.
If you use your speed and quickness and work on your footwork, you should have as much success as a blocker as you are going to have as a receiving tight end, Coach Tom Bass.
Freddy sent the following question:
Should you be discouraged if you think you are the weakest in the weight room?
Hi Freddy,
There is no reason for you to be discouraged. The most important thing is you are in the weight room and you need to understand that you will be gaining strength with every workout.
All players have to start somewhere. Where you start will not be nearly as important as where you finish. So do the very best you can every day and do not worry about how you compare with the other players.
Remember you are working to only improve yourself. Your goal should be to see a consistent gain in all your lifts as you continue your weight room program. Don't ever let your present lack of strength keep you from your workouts.
Three years from now you will be one the players who understands the challenge of starting a lifting program. I am sure, because of your experience, you will be one of the veteran players that helps and encourages young players just starting their football career.
Strength can help you be a better player but it is only one area of your football development and is not nearly important as the desire and determination you bring to the practice field in the fall. Stay positive, work hard and enjoy your football experience, Coach Tom Bass.