Line Blocking Rules

[lupounds]

Coach, I am using the Wing T this year and we did not do so good. I determined that we just did not teach the correct techniques to our line (9-11 yr olds).

I would like to know if you use a general rule for line blocking based on defensive line locations or does it change with each type of running play?

In single wing we used "gap, on, backer": in wing T we tried to use "gap, down, backer" as our general rules.

If we don't have a double team gong on and we are about 6" to 12" splits is there a general rule we can be successful with?

I have not seen where you describe this in your information.

We used "down", sweep, power, and a few passes. We just could not get going.

I am a backfield guy but this really proved how important the line is to every play.

Also we changed the "down" play a little so that the fullback took a slide step toward the play-side, then move directly forward to receive the ball. The QB opened away from the play-side and handed off as the FB moved forward. This seem to set up the onside Guard kick out(more like a trap).

We experience mostly a 6 man line with lots of blitz in the center/guard gaps. With the blitzes, we left the play-side gap open as the guard pulled. We finally had to restrict the pulling linemen on certain plays which just slowed our successes.

Could use some recommended tapes or reading!

Thank,

Rhinos Football
Pop Warner- California-We never give up!
Larry Pounds

[Coach Metz]

Coach,
As far as line splits go, I was always comfortable with 2 foot splits. However, we would reduce our splits with teams that were much faster than us and shot the gaps. We would go foot to foot if we had to.
Every play has its set of blocking rules. We would block Gap - down - backer as the basis to most of our front side blocking. Foot work is instrumental. They need to gap step with their inside foot. I know it may seem obvious to us, but to kids, (especially at that age) it's not. We had an incident with a varsity TE who gap stepped with his outside foot and didn't realize it until our first scrimmage. It explained why buck sweep and down didn't work that night.
Some recommended videos would be anything by Denny Creehan, and Paul Connor. If you get a chance to go the National Wing-t Clinic, it's a great weekend of football and comraderie.
Good luck,
Metz

[rocket]

If a team runs a 6-2 against you and has two tackles in A gaps, how do you block the play side A gap nose/tackle if you're running the buck sweep? The center has to block back on the weak side A gap, and the play side tackle would have a hard time getting there.

[jsanny]

On bucksweep, the center would block the front side A gap along with the play side tackle with his gap, down, backer progression. The play side guard should reduce his split to 1 ft., which brings the play side tackle closer to the gap. The back side A gap is the responsibility of the fullback