What's the hardest part about playing offensive line?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Matthew Graham on March 17, 2010 at 3:10pm

Probably the hardest thing I'm finding in my current team is consistent coaching. Last season we were left to our own devices (not great when you got 3 rookies, a guy who's played one season and a former junior)
Then having different coaches come and contradicting each other on how to do things. That was my hardest thing about ny first season on o line (and that's why we came second last)

Permalink Reply by John Hashem on March 17, 2010 at 8:39pm

Off season: Improving flexibility, balance and technique- as apposed to focusing on strength and weight. During training camp/practice, you are almost always executing an entire play or entire movement. It is almost impossible to actually improve these skills at the pace of practice. The only time to improve the natural speed of a 300 lb person is during the off season. Offensive line is NOT natural. You cannot learn these skills going at full speed.

Permalink Reply by LeCharles Bentley on March 17, 2010 at 9:06pm

That's a good point John. The better guys can become at doing "un-natural" movements the better players they will be!

Permalink Reply by LeCharles Bentley on March 17, 2010 at 9:09pm

I've had a lot of coaches throughout my career. I thought it was hampering my development but it actually was great preparation. The best players are coachable but ultimately develop their own game and having many coaches is a good way to learn on the move.

Matthew Graham said:

Probably the hardest thing I'm finding in my current team is consistent coaching. Last season we were left to our own devices (not great when you got 3 rookies, a guy who's played one season and a former junior)
Then having different coaches come and contradicting each other on how to do things. That was my hardest thing about ny first season on o line (and that's why we came second last)

Permalink Reply by Matthew Graham on March 17, 2010 at 9:54pm

I understand having different coaches over time, I'm talking getting told different within the space of a few hours. I've actually learnt more about playing while helping coach.

Permalink Reply by LeCharles Bentley on March 18, 2010 at 9:00pm

This sounds like a case of poor communication. This is an opportunity for you to develop your own style as long as its effective

Matthew Graham said:

I understand having different coaches over time, I'm talking getting told different within the space of a few hours. I've actually learnt more about playing while helping coach.

Permalink Reply by John Ware on June 10, 2010 at 8:01pm

I really had a hard time as OL keep the DE from coming off the edge after not playing for 5 years in high school. Basicly not moving my feet properly at all.

Permalink Reply by Matthew Graham on June 19, 2010 at 6:50am

After spending 6 months coaching but doing very little field work myself, i did my first lot of contact pass pro today and it was awful, My feet felt like that had bags of cement on them. Then we did a follow the blocks drill for our rbs, same thing again, I'm stronger then I was last season but trying to coordinate my feet is just not happening at the moment.

Worse thing is, d line feels a bit more natural in its movements, so needless to say, the d tackle with 5+ years experience was throwing me around like a rag doll. Ahh well, that'll teach me not to practice kick sliding and drive blocking