Drills for Your Front 7️⃣ in All Areas
May 23, 2026 1:31 pm
Coach ,
Fundamentally sound defensive line and skilled linebackers are essential for a team's success. These players are the backbone of the defense, responsible for stopping the run, pressuring the quarterback, and disrupting the opposing team's routes.
To excel in their roles, defensive linemen and linebackers must possess a combination of strength, agility, speed, and football intelligence. Of course those skills are developed through fundamental drills designed to enhance the skills and technique of these crucial defensive positions in both run and pass defense.
Today we share drills from some top college coaches in each key area of run and pass defense for the defensive front seven.
Linebackers
Stop the Run
Footwork and being in great position getting to the point of contact are critical in successfully stopping the run. Matt Hachman teaches the “Creep” in order to get the LC in correct position. Here is the Creep Drill:
Blitz
Mark DeLeone, defensive analyst/assistant coach at Kansas teach the importance of the bath on a blitz whether that ends up being on run or pass. In this video he explains “bang path.”
Linebackers are also called to rush off the edge. Texas Co-Defensive Coordinator Jeff Choate explains how the Longhorns teach and drill linebackers edge rush.
Coverage
Muckle - Jim Knowles
For the Buckeyes, “Muckle” is a made-up word. It means putting a body on a body in pass coverage. It’s a key technique in making linebackers good pass defenders. Coach Knowles teaches it so that the LBs can gain leverage on the route runner and keep it. It gives them a plan and approach to defending the route. It’s an aggressive technique that closes the space and also has in and out-of-phase components. Coach Knowles shares it in drills and game film in this video:
TFL technique - The “Lion” Roll Tackle
Almost every tackle for loss is a roll tackle. The running back almost always stops his feet when he sees a defensive lineman in the backfied. The DL who tackles high will usually bounce off and the running back drives ahead to get yards.
TFL’s put the offense behind the sticks which is critical in helping the defense to get off the field. Manny Diaz implemented this system in 2014.
He illustrates TFL created by the “Lion” Roll Tackle on game film.
Video: Almost All TFL are Lion Rolls
Defensive Line
Rush the Passer
Push the Pocket with Power Moves - Walt Stewart, Defensive Line Coach for the Cincinnati Bearcuts explain how they train power moves to beat the offensive linemen.
DL Coach at UTSA teaches the fine details of rushing the passer. Here he illustrates the Dive Drill, which is a low impact drill teaching the DL to feel the technique and body position to get to the passer.
Old Dominion Coach Kevin Smith uses several techniques within their pass rush toolbox. He explains “side scissors” here including how they should use “praying hands” to defeat the outside arm of the blocker (click on image for video):
Stop the Run - Defensive Line
Dave Cohen at Wake Forest has to face some very tough offensive linemen on his schedule. His years of experience have taught him how to beat those bigger, more physical offensive lines. He teaches two simple movements and techniques that allow his defensive linemen to win the line of scrimmage.
Coach Cohen has two techniques that he likes to cancel gaps and stop the run. He starts with something simple which he calls “Get Reached.” It allows the DT to absorb blocks and free the Linebacker. He explains it here:
In this video from Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic, he shows the technique and drills which prepare his players to win on tackles on the goal line, stopping the ball carrier in his tracks. He then presents on how it shows up in the game. He notes, “When you make contact with a ball carrier that’s the last yard they should get.”:
Engaged Tackle
Fordham assistant Vince DiGaetano covers the ability to win a short area of space on the field. Most defenders in the box face situations when they are at short range and power is not 100%, and they can’t cleanly get off of the block.
How important is coaching the engaged tackle? 70% of a defensive lineman’s tackle is made while engaged with a blocker. A linebacker will have this situation about 30% of the time.
Taking this to the practice field and execution on game day starts with effective and applicable drills. The One Arm Tear Drill is one of Dig’s favorites. He illustrates it here:
What’s this look like in-game? Coach Dig breaks it down here:
That’s a sampling of all the great drills we have seen in our clinics over the last few years. You can do a deep dive into technique, skills, and drills for Linebackers HERE and Defensive Line HERE.
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