Dum Coach: Would like your opinion

DC:
In the 70s there was a form of the crab block known as the "scramble block" that was popular for a time. The o-linemen used a 4 point stance and fired out in a lunge-like technique at the upper legs of the defenders and quickly followed their upper bodies with their legs. They maintained a 4 point posture "scrambling" on all 4s off the LOS taking the opponent with them. If done correctly, this resulted in a "cut" type block, where the defenders legs were driven n straight back. The defender lost his balance and usually ended up on the back of the blocker. It was an agressive style block that worked well with run oriented offenses.

This was effective, but required a reasonably good athlete to execute the skills required. Scrambling on all 4s (bear crawling) can be very difficult fro some kids. We use this as an agility drill in our evaluations all the time. Anyonewho can bear crawl at speed for a 10-12 yard stretch and do so with hands and feet maintaining coordination andbalance, is a decent athlete.

Try it some time withyour kids. You will immediately identify the athletes. They may not be hitters, but the ones who can do this will be the athletes.

The "reach" block in the scramble mode and the scramble are very close. The initial steps are the same and you would want the blocker to try to get his head across the playside knee of the defender. If he were able to do this he then continues working his hands and feet together, maintaining positionon the defender. It doesn't have to be a long block, but enough of a delay to allow the play to get going and clear the area.