Dolphins Cameron Wake Gives Tips for Rushing LBs

Nnamdi Asomugha: Man to Man Coverage

Nnamdi Asomugha, cornerback for the Oakland Raiders, discusses how to play man-to-man coverage, with off coverage technique, in just four steps. Nike Football Pro Moves is a great resource “to be the best, learn from the best”. This football training video offers a valuable perspective from Nnamdi Asomugha.

Start Deep:You want to start 7 yards deep and give yourself a little gap to be ready. That means stay low and loose as the receiver comes toward you. Keep your eyes focused on your hips and watch for the turn where he’s going to try to get past you. You’re not going to let that happen.

Turn On Time:The turn is all about the timing. You want to turn about 3 or 4 yards ahead of him, so you’re not completely sold in case he wants to run by you. Your 3 or 4 yards is your cushion, and you want to turn before the receiver breaks that cushion. If he breaks it, you might lose either way.

Break Underneath:When he’s ready to break, you’ll know it. Watch his hips and watch them turn towards his new destination. Get between the receiver and the ball and beat him to the ball. You have the angle and the speed to get there when he does. If not before.

Upfield Hand:There’s a lot of ways to break up a ball, but here’s the right way. Use the upfield hand to reach and swat it away, and leave your other hand to take him down in case it gets past you. You are securing the tackle, and securing the ball at the same time.

Marcus Trufant:How to Jam The Receiver

Defensive Chair:
Before each play, “sit down” in your defensive chair. Knees bent, a slight lean forward with most of your weight on the balls of your feet. Your feet should be a little wider than shoulder-width. Don’t place them too far apart or let your arms hang loosely. Keep your hands in a ready position, with your head up seeing the field.

Move Your Feet:
When the ball is snapped, most times the receiver is going to fire out off the line. So it’s crucial that you move your feet and match his momentum. Keeping your feet moving will allow you to react quicker to changes in the receiver’s direction, and put you in a better position to turn and run with him if need be.

Off-Hand Jam:
When the receiver is close enough to make contact, use your off-hand to give him a quick jolt to the shoulder. Your off-hand is the one opposite to the direction of his route. So if he breaks outside, give him a pop with your inside hand just enough to throw him a little off balance without giving up your body position.

Ruin the Route:
Once you’ve jammed the receiver at the point of contact, use your hands and body to ride the receiver off his route. But be careful not to grab his jersey or impede his progress directly. That will likely result in an a penalty. The goal is to force the receiver off his desired route, throwing off his timing with the quarterback.

Lofa Tatupu: Tracking the Running Back

Welcome to linebacker 101. Class in session. Lofa Tatupa, middle linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks, tells you about his move Track the Back. The breakdown for Track the Back is broken up into four steps: Linebacker Stance, Shuffle Your Feet, Take the Proper Angle, and Drive the Legs. Nike Football Pro Moves is a great resource “to be the best, learn from the best”. This football training video offers a valuable perspective from Lofa Tatupa.

Linebacker Stance:
As you anticipate the snap, stay in a balanced, ready position. Your feet should be slightly wider than shoulder-width, with your knees bent and your body leaning slightly forward. Your weight should be on the balls of your feet. Keep your head up seeing the whole field, with the butt of your hands resting on your knees without leaning.

Shuffle Your Feet:
When moving laterally, do not cross one foot in front of the other. Doing so will force your body to turn, putting you at a bad angle to the ball carrier. Instead, shuffle your feet and move down the line with your body square to the ball carrier. You’re now in a position to make a move on the carrier at the correct angle.

Take the Proper Angle:
Judge whether the ball carrier is going for the edge or turning it up field. Then make your approach keeping your shoulders square to him. At the point of impact, keep your head up and in front of the carrier. If your head is behind him he can easily shake you off and continue down field. Always wrap your arms.

Drive the Legs:
Once you have the ball carrier wrapped up, drive your legs for at least four or five more steps, or until he goes down. Stay on the balls of your feet and reverse the carrier’s momentum using all the strength of your lower body. Driving the ball carrier back will eliminate the possibility of yards after contact.

James Harrison: Speed Bull Rush

See how they bring the heat in the Steel City. James Harrison, linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, breaks down his Speed Bull Rush. There’s only four simple steps: 3-5 Fast Steps, Hand and Hands, Create Separation, and Chase Down the Quarterback. Nike Football Pro Moves is a great resource “to be the best, learn from the best”. This football training video offers a valuable perspective from James Harrison.

3 – 5 Fast Steps:At the snap, sprint straight downfield 3 – 5 steps, depending on your stride length. Here you’re using your quickness to get a step on your blocker, keeping him from setting his feet. You’re not initiating contact with the blocker yet, you’re simply trying to beat him to the spot that will ultimately be your point of attack.

Hat and Hands:At the end of your initial sprint, make a strong cut inside off your outside foot. As you do this, plant your helmet right into the pads of your blocker’s chest and jolt him backward with your hands. Try to have your head meet his chest and your hands meet his torso at the same time, forcing him back with one concentrated blow.

Create Separation:The force of your impact with the blocker should knock him back, creating some space between you and him. Take advantage of this space, and use it to either continue your progress toward the quarterback or get around your blocker entirely. Do not get tied up with your blocker, this only plays to his advantage.

Chase Down the QB:Once you’ve blown your blocker back and gotten past him, it’s time to finish. Keep the quarterback squarely in your sights and go right for him, careful not to overrun your pursuit or let him sidestep you in the pocket. At the point of contact, wrap him up with both arms, drive your legs and take him down.

Shawne Merriman: The Double Swipe Move

The Buffalo’s sack man on how to get to the quarterback. Shawne Merriman, outside linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, spills all about the Double Swipe. This is one of the biggest keys to rushing the pass. Nike Football Pro Moves is a great resource “to be the best, learn from the best”. This football training video offers a valuable perspective from Shawne Merriman.

Explode Off the Line:
The first step to an effective pass rush is getting a good explosion off the line. You want to start in a balanced position, with most of your weight on your back foot. This way you can roll off your front foot as your take your first step. Remember to watch the ball for the snap, and don’t bite on a hard count.

Double Swipe the Elbows:
Your blocker is going to try to get his hands in on your chest. To prevent this from happening, swipe through with both hands at the blocker’s elbows. This way if he pulls his hands back, you’ll still be able to knock his hands down. Without his hands in position, it’ll be a lot harder for him to execute a good block.

Rip Through and Pin:
After you knock your blocker’s hands down you want to come through with a hard rip using your inside arm. This will open up a path for you to the quarterback. After you rip through, make sure you pin your ripping arm elbow to the blocker’s back to prevent him from turning around and resetting on you.

Square Hips to the QB:
Once you’ve got a step on your blocker, bring your hips around and square them to the quarterback. You want to take the shortest distance possible to the QB – a straight line. If you get to the QB during his throwing motion, take a hard swipe at his arm to try and force a fumble, but go for his body on the tackle.