Coach ,

Today’s focus is on #20 UCLA. Coach Jeremiah Johnson gives us a preview of the Bruins season and shares pass rush progression and drills from OLB Coach Ikaika Malloe

-Coach Grabowski

UCLA Season Preview

UCLA is coming off its best season (9-4) under coach Chip Kelly. The offense loses some key skill position but has talent that could fill those voids and keep the Bruins' attack performing at a high level. The defense brings back eight starters, but new coordinator D'Anton Lynn has to get this unit on track after it allowed 29 points a game last year.

UCLA is coming off a season that their defense wasn't what they wanted it to be. They ranked 87th in total defense and are looking to increase their defensive output. They way they believe that they will achieve this is through their pass rush defense. 

Being dominant on the edge is one key for the Bruins defensive improvement. OLB Coach Ikaika Malloe will need his edge players to make a huge impact in their defense this year. 

Let’s take a look at how he will do it. It all starts with his progression of teaching the pass rush. He gives an overview here:

Video: Overview of Pass Rush Progression

Get off

Everything starts with the get off. There is no defense in the nation that can be great if their get off is slow. Get off allows you to close the gap between pass rusher and the offensive lineman. The less time the OL has to react the better your pass rush will be. Whether it is a Defensive end or a stand up OLB get off is the most important part of the Pass rush Progression. 

Here is a video of Coach Ikaika Malloe Explaining Get Off! 

Video: Get Off 

Drills

Coach Ikaika Malloe Believes that you do not just have a great pass rush but that you have to work for it. Coach Ikaika Malloe goes into great detail about the drills he does with his guys everyday to make them elite level pass rushers. If you do not drill your guys with pass rush drills then you cannot expect them to be great pass rushers. All good talents are made better with practice. 

Here is a video of Coach Ikaika Malloe going over his Get off drills!  

Video: Get off drills

Clearing it Up

Coach Ikaika Malloe believes in his guys to be better each and every day by understanding the importance of pass rush progression and their part in it. He wants them to understand their importance in the defense as a whole and has a pass rusher. 

This is done through the constant practice of these drills that he has them do everyday. If they can understand that they are important in the defense and the drills will make them a better part then they will buy into being better every day. 

Always Learning!

-Coach Johnson

Here is another course from the UCLA staff:

Jeff Faris - Tight End Run & Pass Fundamentals