Coach -

As we head into the weekend, Coach Kaufmann shares another article in his series on technique. This one is focused on the gallop technique by offensive line. It’s an effective technique being utilized across college football and the NFL and has made it’s way to the high school level as well.

-Coach Grabowski

The Gallop: Footwork to Win You Plays and Games

As we all know the offensive line is often our key to success. The top 3 teams in FBS football based on rushing YPG accumulated a combined 31 wins this past season. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out they must've been pretty darn good up front. 

Getting things started with two ACC foes are Gabe Fertitta and Alex Mirabal of the Florida State Seminoles and Miami Hurricanes respectively.  

Nothing cancels out a gap scheme like a split combo or a lineman lacking the ability to climb to a linebacker. Majority of the time this happens is realistically due to poor or displaced footwork and not a superhuman play from the defensive line. 

Shoring up the footwork and having a menu or drills to continually build that footwork in various situations and ensuring you continually reinforce that proper technique and movement is vital. Take the coaching points from Coach Fertitta below and expand on them if you dive into the rest of his clinic. 

Video: Gallop

The Gallop offers a variety of advantages and really is becoming the leading technique that is being utilized at the college level for most of the leading gap scheme teams. Coach Fertitta presents a variety of reasons why it is the preferred method of their program but none more glaring to me than the idea of helping their athletes to stay square. 

Nothing breaks down these run schemes than lineman having the inability to stay square and opening a lane for the DL to split the combo or not being square and in a position to climb.

We reiterate many of these points with Coach Mirabal and now combine it with game tape to really see the action and application.

Video: The Gallop Technique

Spreading another look on the same techniques pay attention to how the verbage may differ. Different words work for different people and finding the explanation that makes sense to you and your athletes is the most effective. And we see a slightly different take on the same action with the forearm placement on the hip.

The most important takeaway for me with the gallop is its efficiency and ability to consistently gain ground for the lineman and effectively get them to accomplish their task. 

Continuing growing and working toward your goals. Take that next step today.

As Always,

Compete!

Coach Kauffman

PS. Save on these two presentations bundled together here!