Oklahoma State's Wide Receiver Blocking. Written by and published with the permission of Ron Calcagni - Quarterback Coach, Oklahoma State University Blocking is a want-to attitude. We want to be physical and we want to harass the defense with our tenacity. Make your defender conscious of you, never let them relax! Use every opportunity afforded you to legally hit someone. Blocking is an attitude as well as a skill, We must block effectively on the perimeter in order to be successful. A good block on the perimeter is the difference between an average gain and a big play. You are an integral part of our successful running game. We must control and eliminate defensive backfield support with our effort on the flank. Stalk This block will be implemented by you to the side of the point of attack. Explode off the line of scrimmage using your streak (seam) route stem. As you progress into the controlled run phase, work back into the inside shoulder of the defender. At a distance of 1-2 yards from the defender, break down in a head up position focusing on the belt buckle. Using a good base, stay square and do not get turned. As you stay square, this will cause the defender to commit inside or outside. Most often he will choose the outside because of his responsibility to turn the play in. Maintaining a good base, keep your head up with a “pulled” neck. Prepare for the defender to fake one way or another. Shuffle in the manner of man-to-man defense in basketball, maintaining the good head up position you have established. As the collision occurs, Keep your thumbs up with your elbows in tight. Drive your hands from the base of the numbers up through the chest plate of his shoulder=pads. You should deliver a solid hand shiver locking your arms out. Uncoil into the defender. Bring your hips and drive your legs in a good football position striking in an upward manner. Recoil and strike a blow again maintaining contact and control. Do not over-extend; stay tight enough to step on the defender’s feet. Keep your feet moving quickly to stay in position between the defender and the ball. If the defender attempts to grab your jersey or slap at your helmet, knock his arms away by throwing your hands and arms up and out. Do not stop executing until the whistle has blown the play dead. Crack - (Push Crack) The crack block can be used as an alternate scheme in our toss and option game. We use it primarily on safeties or linebackers. It is nothing more than a running drive block. Explode off the line of scrimmage using your stem for four steps. Using the bent knee technique, plant your outside foot and come flat inside giving ground slightly to a collision point. Do not run directly at your targeted defender. Stay at the hip and drive through the man under control, with a good base making sure your head is in front. Drive him down the line and pin him inside. Cut-Off ‘You will be used as an escort to the end zone with this block. Use your post stem off the line of scrimmage arid run for a point in front of the attack hole. In essence, you then become an isolation blocker for the ball carrier. You will primarily use your stalk blocking technique, but be prepared to execute a shoulder block on an aggressive deep defender. Receiver Development A receiver’s top performance is a result of natural ability, and the quality of the work done to improve skills. You cannot change natural ability, so improvement must come from skill development. It is critical to understand that skills are habits, and that consistent performance comes by grooming is through quality repetition.Ball Security Drills ‘Tuming the ball over to the opponent with a fumble is perhaps the most devastating thing that can happen to a football team. Before we stand any chance of winning, we must leam how not to beat ourselves. By doing ball security drills, we learn how to protect the ball and Never Fumble. Each drill starts with the football properly secured. Squeeze on the front and rear of the football tightly (Eagle Claw). Spread the fingers over the front of the ball with its’ tip locked between the index and middle fingers. Pull the ball up and back to the rib cage to secure as much of it as possible. The elbow and forearm should press inward to lock in the rear of the football. Fit Drill - Pair up Off/Def 3 yards apart. Explode off the line, break down and move your feet keeping a good base. Stay square with head up and do not get turned. (Diagram y cece Coach | Push Crack Drill - Explode off the line of scrimmage using your stem for 4 steps. Once the comerback back pedals out, look to the inside, plant outside foot and come flat inside giving ground slightly to a collision point. Stay at the hip and drive through the defender, under control, with a good base and head up. (Diagram 2) c Pow. 1 ooo Coach ' | | | | | { { | | | OKLAHOMA STATE FOOTBALL Consistency - Requires concentration, Determination and Repetition. To be at your best all the time, you must: 1. Take nothing for granted; detailed preparation is key. 2. Take pride in what you do. The things that you do well are the things that you will enjoy doing. Take setbacks in stride. Don’t dwell on the mistakes learn from them. 4, Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t. You can do what you believe you can do. Confidence builds self esteem. Be positive.