DB's vs. Open Field Blockers

There are two ways to deal with downfield blockers…

Engaged 


(Press corner vs. stalk block). Take an athletic stance (good hip bend) punch the breast plate. Pop your hips/be violent. If he engages you, grab cloth, pull down and use your hips to throw him away. You want to throw him wherever he declares, IE if he attacks your inside shoulder, throw him away inside by pulling down and to the inside, while throwing your hips outside.

Open Field


Don't screw around with blockers. Attack the outside shoulder, punch the blocker in the numbers/get your extension and keep running. Never slow down to engage the blocker. As long as you are keeping the proper leverage there is no reason to engage.

Or...

There are three ways...

Speed Rip (if WR is bigger & stronger than DB) Set up WR with jab step opposite of your leverage responsibility then dip and rip with inside shoulder with a lot of speed, ending up stacked behind WR. You must get "skinny" with shoulders as close to perpendicular as possible.

Press Rip 


(DB & WR even size/strength) Attack 1/2 man on side of your leverage with both hands, extend your arms (thumbs up) VIOLENTLY--rip to side of leverage responsibility and stack.

Press Chuck 


(DB bigger than WR) Attack 1/2 man on side of leverage with both hands, VIOLENTLY grab cloth and shuck WR down and away from leverage responsibility then stack.

During my playing days I incorporated all of the above. The most effective method I have found is the “dip and rip”. It is similar to the rip technique used by d-line. But the db on his break will come down hill, straight at the WR. At the last second he will dip and rip to the outside shoulder. His aiming point is one yard behind the WR. Once you clear the WR, square and step behind the blocker to prevent a wash block. If we are in some sort of press (man, hard shell 2, cloud) use a press and club/swim technique. Take your inside arm and open hand punch the edge of the shoulder pad and then throw a cross type punch across the face of the WR, to clear quickly. I also found grabbing the WR by the facemask and yanking to the ground quickly is an excellent way to get rid of a pesky receiver. After all, his head goes where the helmet is! Finally, a well placed jab to the throat reminds the WR you mean business and it will be a Bad Day All Day for him.


I also enjoy the good Ol' Fashioned Head butt. That gets their attention.