D-Line Techniques

Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton wants one word attached to his defensive linemen: disruptive. In this session the Atlanta Falcons defensive line coach illustrates the basic D-line techniques and drills that make a lineman a consistent run stopper, teaching them through on-field demonstrations rather than diagrams. The emphasis falls on footwork and leverage - the two things Hamilton says decide whether a defensive lineman controls his offensive line counterpart or gets moved.

What you'll learn

• The keys to being a successful defensive lineman against the run
• The proper stance and why it sets up everything after it
• The power step and its role in stopping a run at the line of scrimmage
• The response step and when the lineman uses it
• Get off and the footwork that makes a D-lineman consistent
• The Lateral Bags drill for foot quickness and body control
• The Attack drill for playing on the offense's side of the ball
• How to keep your linemen aggressive and applying constant pressure

Who it's for

Defensive line coaches at the high school and college level, and youth coaches installing defensive line play for the first time. The techniques carry across any front.

About the coach

Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton coached in the NFL for 22 years, including as defensive line coach of the Atlanta Falcons, and played nine years on the defensive line for the New England Patriots, primarily at nose guard.

Part 2 of Coach Hamilton's two-part series, with extensive on-field demonstrations. Runtime: about 23 minutes.