nose guard

Question
I am 15, 6'0 and 215.  I run a 5.0 40 and am playing center and nose guard. I am usually bigger,stronger, and quicker than my opponents so they double team block me.  I seem to over penetrate sometimes and miss the runner after handoff.  Also sometimes due to double team, what is the best method to play my D position.  What is "the hat"?  How can I use my hands to help?  Thanks for helping me.
Patrick

Answer
Dear Patrick:
The hat is just another way of saying helmet.

Defensive Linemen
To get into a proper defensive linesman stance, stand with your feet parallel, knees flexed, and bend forward, resting forearms on knees. Reach out with both arms, hands on ground. Then raise one hand, open, palm forward.

DOUBLE TEAM
If you are double teamed, turn your body sideways into the gap between the two blockers and if you need too drop down to one knee.


WHEN THE HAT MOVES FORWARD
When the offensive player moves forward, the defensive lineman must step to the blocker, with a forceful blow (by the heels of the hands) strong enough to stop the blocker in his tracks. He must then separate from him and move to the ball. If the offensive lineman tries to cut him, the defensive lineman must extend his arms and force the blocker to the ground. At the same time he must kick out his feet backwards and away from the blocker.


WHEN THE HAT MOVES INSIDE OR OUTSIDE
The defensive lineman must be able to shuffle laterally keeping a half a man ahead of the blocker while reading the play. Remember the blocker is trying to keep you from the play. So if he is trying to block you from the right side, the play is going to the right side. If he is trying to block you from the left side, the play is going to the left side.


WHEN THE HAT MOVES BACKWARDS, BULL RUSH   
The defensive lineman must rush hard and close the distance between himself and the offensive lineman. The defensive lineman now becomes the offensive lineman; so to speak, by driving his opponent back (with the heels of the hands) as hard and fast as he can to get him off balance. The same drive block the offensive lineman uses against you is now used by you to get to the quarterback.

Remember the offensive lineman is dropping back as fast as he can to pass block. If you can make contact and keep driving him backward he is going to lose his balance and fall down on his rear. And you will have a clear shot at the quarterback. There are many other techniques used to rush the quarterback however, I will only go over the bull rush because I do not want to step on anyones toes. Most coach like to pick which techniques are going to be used by their defensive linemen and they do not want another coach butting in to their business. The bull rush is the only one that can be used without anybody being the wiser. From far away it looks just like any other rush technique. Here is a tip that will put a smile on your face. You are probably asking yourself, is there anyway to know when he is going to pass or run block? The answer is, look at his feet.


READ THE LINESMEN FEET
If the play is a run, the linemen will have most of their body weight on the front of their feet and their heels off the ground. If the play is a pass, the linemen will have most of their weight on the back of their feet and their heels on the ground. They also might do this if they are going to pull. Some of the linemen point their feet in the direction they are going to pull.

Please let me know if you have anymore questions. I will be more than happy to help you in anyway I can.

Your friend, Coach Louis