Becoming a tight end

Question
Hi again. Sorry for another question but i do not really know all of the blocks a TE would use. For example the down block you mentioned. What is that?

Thanks again, Alex
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thanks for replying but, what i would also like to know is how to disengage a defender and get open from the line of scrimmage as a TE. These tactics would greatly benefit me if you could suggest any that would be great.

Alex
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Hi, my name is alex and i am currently 14 years old. I know this is kind of young but i want to become a great tight end. I am around 6 Foot tall and 165 pounds. I know that i am pretty skinny but i have great hands. I have played wide receiver on a team. But i need to learn to block. How could i go from 6 foot 165 pounds to 6"3 240 pounds. I need to put on some weight, can you recommend any exercises to build weight? Also how can i block better? Is there a special technique that i could learn?

Thanks,
Alex
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Alexander -

Thanks for the question.  First off, it sounds like you are plenty big for your age to play TE.  Most high school TEs are between 6' and 6'4" and weigh between 160 and 220 lbs.  SO at 14 years old, you are off to a good start.  Unfortunately, I cant help you with getting to 6'3" tall!  That is in Gods hands my friend.  I am unaware of anything that will help you grow taller.  But if you are already 6 feet tall, you will probably still grow some.  For weight gain, you need to eat plenty of food daily, and lift weights.  Plain and simple.  I am sure your high school has a weight conditioning program for football, so get into that ASAP.  You coaches will be glad to get you started and supervise your weight lifting program.  Thats the best way to get going, and will also show the coaches you are there to work!  

Blocking is nothing more than desire and technique.  Again, get with your coaches and have them show you the basics.  From there, it will be up to you.  Anyone can be a good blocker if they want to be.  If you are willing to crack heads with a Defensive End each play, get down and dirty in the trenches, you will be fine.  Bad blocking is usually due to players being lazy.  Simple as that.

As with any other position in football, putting forth the effort is the key to being successful.  Get with your coaches, tell them what you have told me, and let them help you.  The biggest mistake young players make is thinking the varsity coaches dont care about them.  In fact, they do care, becuase you are their future!  They need you as much as you need them. SO they will want you to be doing the correct things now so they do not have to re-teach you later on.

Best wishes

Coach Perl
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Alexander -

Getting good seperation from a defender at the LOS is important.  And it isnt that hard, if you stay consistent.  Here is what to do.  On every play, you will have an assignment right?  Well try and make all of your plays look similar.  Let's say you down block on 50% of the running plays.  Well, the defenders will see you step down and read run.  Now, a play action pass is called.  Try and make your first step look like the same down block, faking a run to the defender.  Once he commits that one step towards the faked hole, break away and start your route.

Now let's say the defender is heads up on you, and has some type of bump and run on.  So he is going to make contact with you at the LOS, trying to prevent you from releasing.  This is where your strength and smarts come in.  You have to develop good arm and hand strength to be able to shed that defender.  Have you ever watched defensive tackles and ends?  When they rush the passer, using moves like the swim, pull and push, etc?  You will have to use similar techniques to get open.  If he contacts you, use your arms to get him off of you. Also, try and use what you know about him to your advantage. If he always hits you the same way, try and figure out something that will make him have to switch up, giving you enough time to get away. Once you seperate, running a good, crisp route is key. If you are good at this, all of your routes will look similar at first, leaving a defender guessing as to what type of cut, if any, you will make.  So if you can do this, you will have a distinct advantage.

One thing you have to remember.. These things are not hard to do, or figure out.  It just takes some work, and thought.  Getting away from a defender is no different from getting away from someone grabbing you who you dont want grabbing you.  What would you do if you were on the street and someone came up to you and grabbed your shirt, but you didnt want to fight him.. What would you do?  Push, pull, side step, anything to get away..  This is what a TE does every play, and you should too!

BEst wishes
Coach Perl

Answer
Alexander -

Dont be sorry for trying to learn.  I am limited to how much I can write per response but I will give you a few of the basics to get you started.  Also, I think at this point, a good move would be for you to get some books on playing TE, and reading those books several times over.  This will really help you answer a lot of questions you dont even realize you have yet.  To go along with that, one more piece of advice.  Dont rush this process of trying to learn everything.  Your coaches will teach you what you need to know as you go along.  All of this will come eventually, so be patient and let it happen for you.  You are only 14.  As you get into high school ball, the coaching will get much better and they will teach you all the terms, techniques, and skills you need.  But here are a few blocking schemes to look out for:

1-  DOWN Blocking:  Blocking a defender toward the center / away from the sideline.  So as a TE you will be blocking the defender to your inside shoulder

2-  KICK OUT - Blocking the defender away from the center, towards the sideline

3-  CHIP blocking - Making contact with a defender on the line of scrimmage, sometimes when you are double teaming a player.  Then you leave the first man you are blocking, and go to a second player, usually a LB or DB on the 2nd level.

4-  DRIVE blocking:  Pushing the man right across from you back as far as possible.  No particular way, just off the line of scrimmage.

FAN blocking:  This is for pass protection.  You will try to create a pocket for the QB by blocking the man to the outside and back.  Your man will in some cases end up outside of the QB and behind the QB in the backfield.

Those are some of the basic blocks you will learn as you get older and at a higher level.  Like I said before, be patient.  You WILL learn these soon as you get into high school ball.  If you are that ready to learn it now, get yourself some books on playing TE, blocking, basic offenses, and basic pass routes.  These will give you all the basics you will need to get a good head start.

I hope this has been helpful to you.  Keep your enthusiasm where it is right now, and you will be fine.  Work hard in the weight room, and even harder in the film room and library.  I would take a smart, consistent player over a talented, ignorant one any day!..

Best wishes

Coach Perl