The new year is coming fast. Faster than you think. So let me ask you this. Defensive linemen. Coaches. What are you committing to before next season? Not hoping. Not talking. Committing. Gym work? Another sport? Club teams? Technique? Film study? Leadership? Because the offseason doesn’t reward intentions. It rewards decisions. Drop your goal below. Say it out loud. Make it real. I’ll be reading every one.

Mikey asked this, and every one should read it: “I know you preach watching the near shoulder of the offensive lineman. But when I’m in a 3-point stance, I can’t see it, even with my head up. Is there a way I can fix this?” Short answer. Yes. And it starts before the snap. If you can’t see the near shoulder, It’s usually not your eyes. It’s your stance. 👉 Two things I fix immediately: Butt too high. You lose leverage and vision at the same time. Down hand not lined with your eyes. Your body is lying to you before the play even starts. 👉 What I coach: Flat back. Strong shin angles. Down hand in line with your eyes and fingernails. Neck cranked to the sky!!!! That’s how you stay powerful AND see what you need to see. 👉 The drill: Hold your stance. 60 seconds per side. Eyes up the entire time. If you can’t hold it for 2 minutes total, You don’t own your stance. And if you don’t own your stance, You’re reacting late. Or staring at the ground. Waiting to get blown up. Your stance isn’t just a start. It's your foundation. Make it your home. Get Your Stance Reviewed HERE 👈

Are you resetting and taking a short break before getting after it in the new year? Already back in the gym? Playing another sport this offseason? 👇 Vote below and tell us why in the comments.

If your D-linemen are getting blown off the ball, It’s not just strength. I learned that the hard way. I played pro ball at 225 lbs. Every tackle was bigger. Every guard was stronger. If strength was the answer, I was cooked. Here’s the truth. You’re losing the first second of the rep. Most guys get stunned because of three things. Slow get-off. High pads. Dead feet on contact. Fix that, everything changes. What I coach & DID 👇 Win the snap. First movement matters more than max lifts. Explode out, not up. Low pads or you’re already losing. Hands first. Feet nonstop. Strike, then run your feet like your life depends on it. Control the block first. Then peek. Then shed. Not the other way around. Shedding means nothing if you never owned the gap. Train the first 1 second of the rep. Over. And over. And over again. That’s how smaller guys stop getting moved.

Whenever there is a reach block or even just when the OL gets his hands on me first, how could I disengage/shed quickly to go make a play? I know that getting MY hands on them first and locking out is the answer, but I want to be ready in case I'm in that position. Sometimes I'll try to go over and punch their hands away, but it doesnt work. In the clip below (im #49 orange and black but I circle my cursor around myself so you'll see.) you'll see that I failed to disengage in time and the running back ended up scoring. Help from anyone would be great. Thanks, DL