The Short Answer: The best offensive line drills focus on developing the proper stance, explosive first steps, hand positioning, and finishing blocks with power. Top drills include the Stance to Start Drill for footwork, Hand Position Drill for technique, and Fit and Finish Drill for combining skills in game-like situations. Additional essential drills include mirror drills for pass protection, double team drills for run blocking, and tennis ball drills for hand-eye coordination.
For offensive linemen, success happens in the trenches, where technique beats raw strength every time. Whether you're a player looking to dominate your position, coaching youth football, or developing collegiate offensive players, the right drills transform average blockers into unstoppable forces on the field. Offensive line drills build muscle memory and proper technique that translate directly to game-day performance.
Remember this: an offensive line is only as strong as its weakest link. Five men must work as one cohesive unit—5 fingers become a fist, and 5 pennies become a nickel. This principle is what separates playing offensive line from every other position on the field. Don't be the weak link that breaks the chain.
Fundamental Offensive Line Drills
Every offensive lineman needs to master the basics before advancing to complex blocks. These fundamental drills focus on stance, first steps, hand placement, and body positioning.
Stance-to-Start Drill
The three-point stance is where it all begins. A proper stance gives offensive linemen the platform they need for explosive movement. Position your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart with weight on the balls of your feet. The right foot should be staggered back for a stable base.
The stance-to-start drill reinforces this foundation:
- Line up at the line of scrimmage in your three-point stance
- On the snap count, explode forward, chopping your feet while maintaining balance
- Keep your head up, back flat, and knees bent
- Take six quick steps, focusing on tempo and foot placement
Common mistakes include standing too tall and using a narrow stance. An offensive line coach should watch for these errors. A wide base creates stability against powerful defensive players.
Hand Position Drill
The hand position drill adds crucial hand skills:
- Maintain your stance while a coach holds a tennis ball
- On command, practice proper hand strikes against the ball
- Coach calls "one up" or "one down" to simulate different blocking levels
- Maintain foot position while adjusting hand placement
- Proper hand placement—inside the defender's frame—gives you leverage and control. Focus on striking the defensive player's chest or shoulder pads, not reaching or grabbing.
The Fit and Finish Drill
The fit and finish drill combines footwork and hand technique:
- A coach holds a blocking pad, simulating a defensive lineman
- From the proper stance, explode forward with the correct first step
- Make contact with proper hand placement and head position
- "Fit" involves getting hands inside, head on proper side
- "Finish" requires driving hips through the block
- This drill teaches offensive linemen how to complete blocks. The power comes from the hips and legs, not the upper body. Drive your second step into the ground for forward momentum.
Drills for Run Blocking
Dominating the run game separates good offensive lines from elite ones. These drills focus on creating movement at the line of scrimmage and clearing paths for your ball carrier. Master these techniques to impose your will on defensive linemen.
Zone Blocking Perfection
The inside zone is the backbone of many running games. Zone blocking requires offensive linemen to work together, moving defenders laterally and creating cutback lanes.
The Inside Zone Step Drill builds this foundation:
- Line up in proper stance along the line of scrimmage
- On the snap, take a six-inch step with your play-side foot
- Follow quickly with your second step, gaining ground
- Keep shoulders square to the line of scrimmage
- Maintain a wide base throughout the movement
Focus on staying low and moving together as a unit. The timing of your first step is crucial—too deep and you'll lose leverage, too shallow and you won't gain ground.
Dominate with Double Teams
Double team blocks create initial movement before one player climbs to the second level. This center-guard combo technique is essential for successful inside runs.
The Double Team to Linebacker Drill:
- Center and guard line up in stance facing a blocking sled
- Behind the sled, position a coach or player with a blocking pad
- On the snap, both linemen fire off into the sled as one unit
- The center establishes control while the guard delivers a punch with their inside hand
- Guard disengages and tracks the "linebacker" holding the pad
- The pad holder moves like a linebacker would - reading and reacting
- The guard must adjust on the fly to make solid contact
Communication is vital during double teams. The center must indicate when he has control, and the guard must quickly transition from power to tracking. This drill forces the guard to move quickly from the double team as he would in a game situation, improving reaction time and second-level blocking skills.
Master the Two Essential Pulls
Pulling offensive linemen adds unpredictability to your run game. Offensive players must master two distinct pulling techniques for different situations. To prepare, set up cones to mark the line of scrimmage and pulling paths.
Flat Pulls (Outside Runs):
- Start in proper stance at the line of scrimmage
- On snap, start the lawnmower with your inside arm and step laterally at 90 degrees
- Keep your shoulders parallel to the line of scrimmage
- Maintain a low pad level as you move down the line
- Target the first defensive player to appear in your path
The Skip Pull (Inside Runs):
- From your stance, perform a karaoke-type step with your back foot crossing behind
- This allows you to get depth and clear the center and opposite guard
- Keep your eyes up to track linebackers or pulling defensive players
- Square your shoulders before contact
- Drive through with your inside shoulder
The key to successful pulls is maintaining speed while staying under control. Linemen should practice both pull types every practice, focusing on explosive movement and proper angles to their blocking assignment.
Mastering Pass Pro
Keeping your quarterback clean requires excellent pass protection skills. These drills develop the footwork, hand technique, and reaction time needed in the passing game.
Mirror Drill Mastery
The mirror drill is the foundation of pass protection. It develops the lateral movement and body control needed to stay in front of the defensive line.
- Two players face each other in a ready position
- One player is the "leader," and the other the "mirror"
- The leader moves laterally in random directions
- The mirror player must match each movement perfectly
- Focus on short, quick steps while maintaining a wide base
- Keep hands ready in a striking position throughout
Start slow and gradually increase speed. The mirror player should never cross his feet and must maintain proper spacing. Add hand combat after footwork is mastered.
Kick-Slide Progression
The kick-slide technique is essential for pass blocking. This drill builds the muscle memory needed for quick, explosive movement.
- Start in a 2-point stance for tackles, and 3-point for interior linemen
- On the snap count, kick your outside foot back at a 45-degree angle
- Slide your inside foot to maintain your base
- Keep your shoulders square to the line of scrimmage
- Perform 5-6 kick-slides in each direction
- Gradually add a pass rusher to simulate game conditions
Your right shoulder or left shoulder positioning depends on which side you're protecting. The key is maintaining balance while moving quickly to cut off the rush angle.
Tennis Ball Hand Drills
Pass protection requires quick hands and excellent reaction time. This tennis ball drill develops both:
- The player starts in pass pro
- Coach stands 5 yards away with two tennis balls
- The coach tosses balls randomly toward the player's chest/shoulders
- The player must catch the balls while maintaining proper footwork
- Progress to catching and throwing back while maintaining position
This drill teaches linemen to keep their hands up and ready while improving hand-eye coordination. It stimulates the quick hand fighting that occurs during pass protection.
Equipping for Success with Grip Boost
You've mastered the drills. You've put in the work. Now it's time to gear up with equipment that matches your commitment to dominating the trenches. Thankfully, Grip Boost Big Skill Lineman Gloves are built specifically for battles in the trenches.
The heavyweight, natural rubber layers deliver the cut protection you need against defensive players' hand-fighting. The durable construction combats hand fatigue during four quarters of battle, while still providing the dexterity needed to execute proper technique.
Whether you're locking onto defenders as an offensive lineman or bull-rushing through blocks on defense, these gloves give you the perfect blend of protection and control without sacrificing hand speed.
Take your game to the next level. The drills build the skills – Grip Boost gives you the edge to apply them on game day. Don't be the weak link in your offensive line – equip yourself like a pro with Grip Boost football gloves.