Coach ,

Dave Christensen, offensive line coach for Arizona State announced his retirement last night. After 40 years. Christen shared this:

40 years ago I set my sights on becoming a Division I Football Coach. I couldn’t have dreamed that not only would I be able to make a career out of coaching, but that coaching would put so many people in our path…I wanted to have a positive impact on young men...My hope as I walk away from a career that I have loved is that I was able to teach one or two principles or philosophies that may have changed some young men’s lived, helping them become successful, discipline, and loyal young men.

We all aspire to have an impact like Coach Christensen has had on the lives he’s touched.  

Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman Kevin Mawae, a colleague on the ASU staff expressed his gratitude to Christensen on twitter:

Thank you for what you have done for the game of football.  Thank you even more for the knowledge of coaching you have shared with me. Hopefully I’ll be added to your “tree” and will consider it an honor! And thank you most of all for your friendship!

Fortunately, Coach Christensen has shared his knowledge with all of us through his system for developing offensive linemen called “The Upfront Offensive Line System.” In the system, Coach has compiled four decades worth of fundamentals, techniques, drills, and strategies for dominating on the offensive line.

In today’s Coach Excellence installment, the focus is on the detail that goes into a successful 40 year career with a look at how Christensen teaches the foundation of sound offensive line play.

For coach, success on and off the field begins with ATTITUDE. He shares his philosophy in this video:

Coach Christensen presents drill that you can begin implementing with your players right now in the offseason. One of the most important physical attributes for an offensive lineman is to have strong flexible hips. This is a drill that linemen can do everyday in season or out to improve their hip strength and mobility:

Throughout the system coach breaks down and teaches each blocking technique. He teaches the “base block” as a starting point for learning how to block in the run game. This video shares the coaching points:

Christensen covers every type of run block within his system and also teaches pass blocking. He begins with teaching the foundation of being able to get into the correct pass rush postures by starting with a good stance for protecting the passer. He teaches the stance in this video:

Christensen covers every aspect of offensive line play within “The Upfront Offensive Line System.” Offensive line development does not have to wait until the season begins. Many of Coach’s drills are done without equipment and can be incorporated into a lineman’s daily workout.

Thank you and congratulations to Coach Christensen for providing an example that all of us can aspire to as coaches. Cheers to Coach and cheers to an outstanding 2021!

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski