? for dum coach

Youth Coach,

Coaching at this age level is all about giving your kids an advantage. I have worked with the O-line at several levels and can not imagine not pulling guards. This year I am coaching 10-11 year olds and we are pulling guards and tackles. I have learned over the years, as I am sure you have as well since you said you have coached for years that the hardest thing to teach a kid is a one on one drive block. Ok it's not really that hard to teach but unless you have 5 studs on your O-line it is not very effective. I not only teach the kids that they need vertical leverage on their opponents(low man wins) but they also need lateral leverage(playside man wins). I help them get that lateral leverage when I pull them against a suprised unblocked DT or End(we get some great kick-out blocks). But the pulling guard doesn't even have to make a great block, just get in the way of the man he is blocking and it can be an effective block. If they tie the O wins in a pulling block because of the leverage. In a drive block if the kids tie, the D-line wins. Pulling also allows the rest of my playside to block down which also gives them later leverage as their butts are already playside, again if they tie now the O wins. You can help your kids be more successfull, if you take the time to teach them. The kids are eager to learn new techniques especially if it will make them look more successfull on Saturday when mommy and daddy are watching. If they are lined up against a stud it can be a long day to have to block him all day long. Take the time to teach them, and give your kids an advantage, and I think you will be very pleased with the results.