What are some tips for proper pass blocking in football?

The offensive linemen are almost always overlooked when it comes to the success of a football team. But in actuality, no play can be successful if the offensive linemen don’t do their job. For example, do you think Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning would be half as productive throwing the football if he had one second as opposed to three to make a decision? Highly unlikely. But since his offensive line gives him enough time to throw the football whenever a pass play is called, Manning is able to pick apart defenses with no mercy. Former offensive lineman and current offensive line coach at Lehigh University, John Powers understands the importance of pass blocking to any football team. “I could talk about that for hours,” he said. “In general, for someone who doesn’t know anything about football, pass blocking is when the quarterback sets up a pass either right behind the center or somewhere outside the box. So the offensive linemen want to make sure that they keep all defenders in front of him to give him enough time to throw the football.” When you first look at offensive linemen, it’s obvious that their mammoth size and build is what stands out. Most people think that if someone is big and mean, they automatically have what it takes to be a pretty decent offensive lineman. But actually, being big and strong is only half the story. Offensive linemen are probably one of the more technical and technique driven positions on the field. “Being a good pass blocker is all good feet, good balance, good handwork, and toughness,” Powers said. “Plus, having the knowledge of your skills so you know who to block are always good added factors.” The most important step to remember when pass blocking is the first step: getting in a good starting position. Offensive linemen should assume a good three-point stance with the feet shoulder length apart. As Powers said earlier, this allows for good balance, a key for any offensive linemen to be successful. Once the feet are shoulder length apart, the offensive lineman should put his body in a position where he can explode out of his stance in a hurry. The next step is the explosion. When the football is snapped, offensive linemen want to get under the pads of the defensive players. Getting under the pads of a defensive player should ultimately upset his balance slowing down his rush to the quarterback. When attempting to get under the pads of a defensive player, the offensive lineman must remember to use his hands properly. His hands should always be on the inside of a defensive lineman when blocking as to prevent the possibility of a hold. If the defensive player forces the offensive lineman’s hands outside of the body, the offensive lineman has basically put himself in an even more difficult blocking position. “If you're not using your hands and keeping the defenders at bay you're going to give up some sacks,” said Powers. And last but not least, offensive linemen should remember to continue to push and drive with their feet. Just as important as their hands, the way they pump and drive their feet is just as important.