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Hand Placement
I'm having a problem with dropping my hands right before I make contact on my punch. After watching film I realize I'm in good position with my feet, balance and other things but right before I manke contact I ''reach for my holsters'', exposing my chest, so any drills to help to stop this?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by LeCharles Bentley on -
That's the problem with drills. When you constantly do drills you end up getting good at the drill. There is a transition that must take place and there is no drill that can teach carryover. I am assuming you are proficient in the drill portion but not proficient in the carryover. If you are dropping your hands in the drills then this is why you are doing so in "live" action. If you arent dropping your hands during drills then there is a level of focus that needs to increase during "live" action. The most difficult part of oline play is taking everything youve learned and applying it. During drills youre able to focus on the task at hand but during play there are many other neurological actions taking place. Your body goes through a "fight or flight" response as in will your body allow you to do things right or allow you to do whats comfortable. Apparently you do whats comfortable and in order to break that, constant stimulation in action sequences is needed. The eyes and brain are obviously directly connected and this is why diligent film study is critical. The more you can see things done right this aids in the carryover. Those images eventually get embedded in your nervous system and can come out on the field. The theory is no different than a guy that watches porn all day, eventually he seeks that and tries to replicate it.(message to youth, dont watch porn). With this being said, its important to watch film of linemen doing things the right and wrong way..the wrong way shows up immediately on film as does the right way.
**this doesnt apply to youth athletes as they need all the stimulation they can get. High school and college we did many drills. In the pros we did very few drills and the ones we did were to pass time. Our steps is the only thing we did religiously!! and this was all part of the neurological training.
hope this helps
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Permalink Reply by Cliff Louis on -
I can understand that. I appreciate it. Makes a lot of sense. Maybe my film study habits need to improve in order to kills some of the bad habits I've gathered through my tenure of playing...I appreciate it.
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Permalink Reply by Jimmy Lamour on -
Great advise Lecharles. Also, I feel that having someone watch you that is skilled at whay you are lacking is very important. Creating film when you are practicing is also important to see if you are making improvements. Breaking your steps up into smaller parts that you can breakdown has also helped many athletes I have worked with on the strength and conditioning end.
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Permalink Reply by Matt Sheridan on -
got a trick for ya - try to clap your hands before every punch - forces you to bring the heels of your hands together before throwing them.
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Permalink Reply by matt williams on
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Dont put ur hands too far down , when you do squats and other exercises , try to put your hands at your chest then you will do this naturaly and not put your hands too far down
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Permalink Reply by Dan Drake on -
The hands should only be going to your "holsters" on your first step and than coming up with your second step making contact as your second step touches the ground. I do a drill with my players for this that I call stepping into the punch. Start as if you are already out of your stance with hands in holster and first step made, than take second step as you bring your hands up to punch a shield, bag, sled, partner ect... The drill should condition to you bring hands up atomaticly as you make contact.
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Permalink Reply by LeCharles Bentley on
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Dan Drake said:The hands should only be going to your "holsters" on your first step and than coming up with your second step making contact as your second step touches the ground. I do a drill with my players for this that I call stepping into the punch. Start as if you are already out of your stance with hands in holster and first step made, than take second step as you bring your hands up to punch a shield, bag, sled, partner ect... The drill should condition to you bring hands up atomaticly as you make contact.Dan, I respectfully disagree. I'm not an advocate of wasted motion. In the passing game, the hands are the first line of defense. With this being understood, one should never compromise their defense by strategically placeing their "weapons" in a non useful position. Their is a harmony to feet and hand movement that is critical to good oline play. I did a video on this and will get it posted.
Lastly, I would not coach players to step into their punch. The idea of pass protection is to create space and utilize your angles. Stepping into a punch immediately minimizes space and negates proper angles. Their is a striking distance in every scenario and olinemen should abide by that. I always teach guys that defenders are the "bullies'' and offensive linemen are the "bad asses". Let the bullies bring the fight to you and when they do...you know the rest.
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Permalink Reply by Dan Drake on
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LeCharles, I could not agree more and I actually automatically assumed that the discussion was about run blocking because I only use and have heard the phrase “hands in holsters" for run blocking technique. Pass blocking is a different beast all together, proper steps and drops with hands up are the only weapons a line man has. Especially for my tackles facing smaller quicker opponents. I will look forward to seeing your video once it is posted…
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