Playing defensive line can be the most fun position on the team. However, it is sometimes viewed as a thankless position. That is a mistake that novices make when they first look at the game of football. Most coaches will tell you it all begins with the defensive line. If you have a good one, you have a chance to win. Without one, you have very little chance of winning. An outstanding defensive line make linebackers look great. The reverse is not true.

The reason for the "thankless job" idea is because defensive linemen rarely get their names in the paper individually. If there happens to be a picture of them in the paper, it's probably accidental and it's usually a shot with them on the ground with their rear ends in the air. Rarely do they get a chance to make the spectacular game saving play. In most schemes their job is to keep the offensive linemen off the linebackers. This, of course, allows linebackers to run to the football and make the big plays. Many times, if they do their job properly, they cause the offensive lineman's rear end to be the best tackler when the running back runs into it.

Occasionally, the defensive lineman gets a chance to get a good shoulder tackle. However most of the time he's using some other part of his body. Arm, hip, leg, elbow, whatever it takes to get a piece of the ball carrier. Therefore, I have included only two drills that I have found effective and simulate game conditions. I hope you find them effective as well. Please feel free to leave a comment and click an ad if possible........