May '25 • 🏃♂️ Drills
Countering Inside Off The Long Arm ⚡️
Alright D-Line family,
Let’s talk about one of the most important skills in your pass rush toolbox:
👉 The inside counter off the long arm.
You’ve hit the long arm. You’ve walked the OL back.
Now what?
That’s where the real magic happens — when you react, read, and finish with the inside move.
Let’s break it down 👇
🔹 The Setup: The Long Arm
Before we even talk counter, let’s get the long arm right.
✅ We’re aiming for the sternum or inside pec
✅ We strike with violence and full extension
✅ And we match our hand with our foot — inside hand + inside foot, at the same time
No slow punches. No lazy placement.
You’re not “putting” your hand on him—you’re punching through his chest.
And if your lower body isn’t coming with it? You’re at 50% power. Don’t be that guy.
Stay low.
Stack him.
Eyes below the chin.
Drive.
Control.
🔹 The Problem: You Won’t Always Get the Sack Right There
Sometimes, you won’t walk him back into the QB’s lap.
He’ll sit or you’ll overpower him past the pocket.
That’s when you’ve got a choice:
❌ Panic and run by
✅ React and COUNTER INSIDE
🔹 Timing Is Everything
This is where a lot of rushers mess up.
You don’t counter inside too early — or you haven’t sold anything.
You don’t counter inside too late — or you’re past the QB and out of the play.
You need to hit QB depth, force the OL into recovery mode, and THEN hit him with the inside counter before he resets.
It’s a split-second read—but when done right, it’s deadly.
🔹 How to Counter Inside: The Mechanics
✅ Push off your outside foot — don’t try to drive inside with your inside foot. It’s weak. You need that outside leg to create power into the B-gap.
✅ Use your outside hand to eliminate his inside hand
That’s your key to clearing the path.
You can go:
🔁 Chop + Rip
🔁 Arm Over
🔁 Swim + Lean
Whatever’s natural for you — but make it violent and tight. You’re not jumping over a hurdle. You’re slipping through a crack.
🔹 The Sweet Spot
Lean into your long arm — but not so far that you’re off-balance.
You want to control with pressure, but still have the balance to counter.
If he chops your long arm, you need to be in a position to recover, redirect, and still win the rep.
🔚 Final Thought
The long arm sets the tone.The inside counter finishes the job.
Learn to feel that moment — when the OL is bracing, panicking, recovering…
And that’s when you hit the gas, turn inside, and break the pocket wide open.
🗣️ Let’s Talk:
🧐 Do you have an inside counter you trust off the long arm?
🧐 Have you ever practiced reacting off depth, not just off timing?
🧐 Want me to demo drills to build this into your game?
⬇️ Drop your clips, thoughts, or questions below — let’s sharpen this move together.
— Coach Nicholas Dheilly
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Countering Inside Off The Long Arm ⚡️
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