Though they don’t usually receive a whole lot of credit, offensive and defensive linemen are usually the reason why football games are won or lost. If a team can control the line of scrimmage then that team will probably win the football game. And it’s the linemen on both sides of the ball who are responsible for controlling the line of scrimmage. That is why football linemen drills are so important.

Football linemen drills teach a lineman how to properly play the position. These drills should be run a lot in the beginning of a football season and a decent amount as the season progresses. The first purpose of these drills should be to teach the lineman how to line-up correctly and how to correctly position and move his body.

For offensive linemen, the first drill that should be taught is simply how to line-up. A lineman wants to make sure he has a solid base under him. He wants to have his feet shoulder-length apart. He wants to be on the balls of his feet so that he can easily move right or left and so that he can’t be pushed over.

There are 2 basic ways offensive linemen will line-up: with one hand on the ground or with no hands on the ground. Occasionally an offensive lineman may place both hands on the ground for certain goal line or short yardage plays. Putting one or both hands on the ground will help an offensive lineman fire into a defensive lineman.

Offensive lineman should practice football linemen drills with all the stances they will use during a game. They should assume the positions and then on a whistle be asked to move. For running plays they will have to go to a spot, usually straightforward unless they’re being asked to pull on the play. On passing plays the linemen usually start back to try to keep the quarterback protected.

The offensive linemen should also have to go through football linemen drills that teach them how to block a rushing defender. Defenders will either try to rush through the offensive lineman (bull rush) or they’ll try to go around the linemen (speed rush). The offensive linemen need to work on keeping his feet moving so that he’s always solidly in front of the defender. He should also perform football linemen drills that help him use his hands to his advantage.

Defensive linemen usually line-up with one or two hands on the ground. They want to be taught to lean forward while in their stance so that they’re ready to explode forward but they don’t want to lean so far forward that they’ll fall over if they move their hand.

Defensive linemen should perform football linemen drills that teach them how to line-up correctly and then that teach them how to explode forward. Staying low is important for a defensive lineman. He wants to get-up underneath the shoulder pads of the offensive lineman so he can push him back. If the defensive lineman allows the offensive lineman to get under his pads then he’ll get pushed right out of the play.

There are many great football linemen drills that both offensive and defensive linemen should practice often. Linemen on both sides of the ball should start off with basic drills – how to line-up and begin the play – and then they should move onto more complex drills.