Here is one of the simple football defensive drills we use. We call it the Hip Strike. The purpose is to teach defensive lineman to read the offensive lineman.
The defensive linemen will shoot their hips and hands into the breastplate of the offensive lineman and get leverage underneath the lineman in the direction he releases.
Hip Strike Defensive Drill
1. Both players start with feet parallel, hands on thighs, bent knees.
2. The offensive player steps at a 45 degree angle.
3. When the offensive player steps the defense reacts to his movement and shoots his hips and hands into the framework of the offensive player.
4. Defensive player should read the hips of the offensive player and react quickly. Work both sides and get several reps in.
Leadership
Another thing I stress at practice is leadership. From the time we start to stretch to the end of practice you have to have a player that is willing to push everyone and keep the team focused.
I have taken players aside before and talked to them about what being a leader is and how a team cannot be great without great leaders.
