Youth Offensive Line Blocking Drills Test | 10 Blocking Pods
In this youth offensive line blocking drills test article and video, we will review a youth football offensive line blocking test drill that I use when my youth football tackle team’s O-line isn’t performing well. I use these 10 O-line blocking drill pods to address any blocking issues we have in our youth offensive line.
Football blocking is one of the two main football fundamentals along with tackling. Blocking in youth football by youth football linemen is not an easy task. Coaching youth football o-line and linemen is very hard especially for Rookie youth football coaches. In this article I will try to give you youth offensive line blocking drills to help you coach your O-Line.
I decided to write this article and produce this youth offensive line blocking drills video, since over the last few weeks I received so many questions in my youth football coaching forum regarding blocking performance. I want to address how to fix blocking problems in this video / blog post on youth football offensive line blocking.
Youth Offensive Line Blocking Drills Test
If you would like a copy of this presentation you can join my private Facebook group and search the files section where it is free or download now for $1.
Now, let’s talk about the goal for the youth offensive line blocking drills for a youth offensive line.
The primary objective of the blocking drill is to scrutinize your offensive line’s performance and identify any weaknesses. We start with a simple JAW down block to assess where the defensive penetration is coming from. I believe in beginning with a basic blocking call because if your offensive linemen can’t execute a simple down block, they may struggle with more complex blocking calls. We will start with this first simple youth offensive line blocking drills pod in a 3 vs 2 and progress to 5 vs 5 half-line drill.
Goal of Blocking Test Drills
- Put a microscope on the offensive line to find the small issues
- Test OLM with the Simple Down Block to stop Penetration
- Find out who can really block using a simple call
- If your OLM can’t block down, then the OLM maybe can’t block; replace them with better blocker
- Coach the O-line groupings in a controlled setting
- Create Teamwork and cohesiveness by the O-line
- OLM start understanding the Defensive fronts in a controlled setting
- Expand into other blocking calls
- Add in Blocking Backs to Coordinate Blocking
In this youth offensive line blocking drills test pod progression, I want to coach the offensive line within a controlled setting, focusing on the small 3-man to 5-man O-line groupings within your current offensive line. These small grouping test pods help build communication, teamwork, and cohesiveness. It also allows the offensive linemen to understand defensive fronts in a controlled environment. Once we establish the down blocks in this first blocking test progression, we can progress to other blocking calls. Of course, you can start out with any simple blocking call if you wish. I prefer to severe angle down (SAB) / JAW block.
In this blocking test video / article, we’re using the “JAW” block, which is a SAB inside track block. The youth offensive linemen are blocking down on their inside gap. You can find more blocking calls and details in my Jaws Blocking eBook. It’s essential to use a base blocking call that suits your system. Starting simple is crucial.
Blocking Drills Test Pods
Now, let’s break down the youth offensive line blocking drills test pods.
There are about ten youth offensive line blocking drills test / pods in the blocking test drill progression. The initial setup includes two bags on either side of a 3×2 offensive line and defensive line alignment. It consists of three offensive linemen and two defensive linemen. About five or six yards deep, there’s a bag with a coach holding a football on top simulating a running back or QB. The defenders attempt to penetrate the inside gaps and tackle the bag, and when the ball goes down after the tackle, everyone on Offense and Defense needs to react in the fumble drill.
For the defenders, you should use some of your best and quickest players, like linebackers or defensive ends, to provide a genuine test to the offensive line. Avoid using subs or minimum-play players for this exercise. The goal is to assess the offensive line’s ability to block and prevent penetration by top defensive linemen. We’re looking for no penetration across the offensive line and the defenders should never touch the bag within a 5 thousand count starting after the snap count.
Blocking Drill Test Pod 1
The first blocking test involves the center and two offensive guards. The Center must communicate with the two guards to determine which defender he will help block. The key is to prevent penetration and maintain their blocks for a five-second count.
Blocking Drill Test Pod 2
The second youth offensive line blocking drills test pod includes the center, guard, and tackle on Offense and two quick Defenders on Defense aligned in the gaps. The Offensive tackle may have slightly wider split than the Center and Guard. The blocking objective remains the same: no penetration. The Defenders are still trying to penetrate the O-line, tackle the bag, and recover the football.
Blocking Drill Test Pod 3
In test three, we add the tight end to the mix. You can lose your Center or keep him in if you want him to get more practice. You may have him snapping to a QB to get live reps. It’s three offensive linemen versus three defenders, emphasizing the same principles as the above blocking tests.
Adding More Players / RBs
As we progress, we introduce additional elements in the youth offensive line blocking drills test pods. You can add a quarterback under center to practice snaps under pressure. You may also start adding blocking backs to the mix and different blocking calls and defensive fronts. But remember to keep the progression simple to harder. Progress only when you see improvement.
Adding Competitive Aspect / Point System
If you haven’t already added the competitive element to the youth offensive blocking drills test pods. This might be a good time to do so or go a few rounds before adding in. Here is an example of possible point system for maybe Backs vs O-Line.
- OLM Hold Blocks for 5 Seconds
- OLM Allow Zero Penetration 3 Points
- OLM does not allow bag touch 1 point
- Defense Penetrates 1 Point
- Defense Tackles Bag 2 Points
- Defense Recovers Football 1 Point
Changing Defensive Fronts / D-Box Players
Tests six and seven introduce different defensive fronts, like a 62WT and 5-3 defense, to see how the offensive line adapts. You may also change the blocking call from JAW down blocking to GOLD; inside Gap On Linebacker near Defender. Test 7 also introduces a WB to the blocking scheme.
The next youth offensive line blocking drills tests could be introduced before 6 and 7 blocking test but it is up to you.
Test eight involves blocking against a stacked defensive front, focusing on the center’s block and the transition to linebackers. You can also add a test for a stack on your Offensive Tackles and add a Domino (all down block) call audible to see how your Offensive line handles a random blitz from the Defense.
Test nine is another variation with three offensive linemen against three defenders in a different linebacker setup.
Finally, test ten adds more complexity, involving 3 offensive linemen a Fullback and four defenders. In this test we are looking to see if the FB can block a tough DE/OLB and coordinate blocking with the O-Line.
Make your own Blocking Test POD
You can add to the youth offensive line blocking drills test pods by doing a full half line with your QB, WB and FB and expand to a 7vs7 type set up with D-line and Linebackers. Maybe invent Blocking POD 11 like this?
Why do the Blocking Test Drill Pods?
The goal of the youth football offensive line test drills is to progressively challenge the offensive line, ensuring they can effectively block and maintain their blocks for five seconds. This testing allows you to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments in your youth O-line.
Blocking is a complex aspect of football that involves coordination with various factors, including offensive systems, formations, play series, backfield alignments, motion, snap counts, and blocking calls. It’s crucial to have a well-organized blocking system that aligns with your overall offensive strategy.
Blocking is an Offensive Dance coordinated with
- The Offensive System
- The Offensive Formation
- The Play Series
- The Play
- The Backfield Alignments
- Any Motion or Shifts
- The OL Alignments / Gap Splits
- The Snap Count
- Blocking System / Calls / Tags
- RB Blocks and Fakes
- The Offensive Line Blocks
- The Defensive Alignments and Play
Most Important Coach on Your Staff
The offensive line coach plays a pivotal role in developing the offensive line’s skills and coordinating their efforts with the rest of the offense. It’s essential to find a coach who understands the importance of the offensive line and can effectively teach and coordinate their responsibilities. I hope the youth offensive line blocking drills test pod will help your offensive line coaches.
In summary, testing your offensive line’s blocking capabilities is crucial for success on the field. These tests can help you identify strengths and weaknesses and make necessary adjustments to improve your team’s blocking performance.
Remember that blocking is a complex skill that requires coordination and practice, so invest time and effort into developing your offensive line’s abilities.
Did you like the youth offensive line blocking drills test pods? Do you think these will help your team improve their blocking. Let me know if you use this blocking drills or another like this drill for youth football blocking.
Let me know your favorite youth football blocking drill. I would love to hear from you. Leave me a comment below or find me on Twitter. I am hanging out more and more on Twitter. I just created a new Twitter youth football community. You can also come over to my Facebook group too. Come on over and say hello.
Contact me anytime. I love to talk coaching youth football.
Remember, Play for Fun and Winning is Funner!
Good Luck this Season,
Coach Parker
Keller, Texas, DFW, Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas
