D-Line Technique/Moves

Question
This past year i recently join my high schools junior football team. I decided to play defensive line since it seemed to fit me the best vs almost any other position. I'm 5'10" and weigh roughly 190 pounds and only 14 years old. What I'm wondering is if you could possibly give me a brief run down of D-Line moves. Ex. Rip, Swim, Etc... Being this was my first season of football i really never got to learn too many moves because of the fact i had to learn most of the rules, placements and what my job as a D-Line was. My coach gave me a brief run down on the Swim and a little on the rip moves. I basically have down the Swim and have a little bit of a understanding about the Rip. I can pick up on most things fairly quick by just reading how so i was wondering if you could give me a run down about the moves and how to perform (Hand placement, body movements, Etc..) and practice them.

Answer
Jesse -

Thanks for writing.  Well, questions like this are VERY hard to answer on this site, because they require a lot of detail, and in most cases, some visuals (like a diagram) to get it straight.  Obviously I cant do that here.  So what I will do is list them for you to start.  Once you get them, get on the net or in the library, and see if you can find a diagram of each move.  Also, once you have the list, I am sure a coach will be glad to show you each move and how to correctly perform them.

KEEP IN MIND that different coaches use different terms. So What I may call one thing, your coach might call another.  Football is filled with that, which makes this even harder to do over the net.

1- Speed rush (outside)
2- Bull rush
3- Swim
4- Rip
5- Shuck
6- Shiver

It seems like you have a good start for age 14, already knowing the swim and rip.  Those are 2 important moves.  The speed rush is simple, and is just what it sounds to be.  Basically, just running around the outside of a slower OL.  Simple.  This is a great move for a quicker defender - defensive ends. Bullrush is the opposite, and better for a bigger, stronger defender.  It is just running over a blocker, forcing him backwards into the backfield to disrupt the play. Shuck is kind of a combo of the two.  You start by engaging the blocker heads up like a bullrush.  Get him going backwards.. Once he is and is a little off balance, grab his jersey and pull him forwards towards you.  As he gets going forwards, just step aside and go around him.  Just like sheding a run block, ok?  A shiver is similar. Get the blocker going one way.  As he gets going full speed, use an arm to basically knock him the same way, then go opposite. Just make sure and stay away from his head.  Its illegal and in my opinion, a cheap move.  Basically, all you are doing is knocking him off balance with a forearm and going around him. Spend some time looking up film of defenders in the NFL, and you will get a great idea of how to do all of this.  Seeing them help out a lot.

The bottom line of the whole thing is this.  You can learn all of the moves, all of the techniques, and all of the terms, but it wont be effective unless you know your strengths and weaknesses.  For example, if you are a bigger, stronger player who isnt quite as fast as the others might be, make sure and work on the power moves more than the speed moves.  Know them all, but be realistic to yourself as to what will work better for you!  If you are quicker, then work on the speed moves.  The reality is that defensive line moves are nothing more than athletic movements given names.  So however you do it, or whatever you call it, use what you have to get it done.

Also, maybe more important than the moves themselves, are WHEN to use each move.  This will be determined by the defensive call, and your responsibility on that call.  For example, if you are lined up directly in front of the left tackle, and on this play you are responsible for the gap between the guard and the tackle, dont do a move that will take you out of position, no matter what. Even if that move is your best move!  SO if you need to crash down in that gap, it does you no good to do a speed rush around the outside of the tackle, right?  If you keep that in mind, you will be fine.  Just know your job.

Practicing them is simple.. PRACTICE THEM!  Set up anything as a blocking dummy, and work on each move.  Spend the time in the weight room, do your footwork drills, stay flexible, and you will be good to go.  

I would HIGHLY recommend going to the library, or buying a book on the net that explains all of the d line moves in detail.  I am very limited to the amount I can write on this site, and also, cant use diagrams that would be of big help.  So make sure and get on that ASAP.  Also, do not underestimate what your coaches can do for you.  I bet if you went in and asked them specifically to show you these moves and help you with them, they would.  

Best wishes and good luck

Coach Perl