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[FAQ du football américain] Pass rusher techniques

November 16, 2024

A pass rusher is one of the most important players in the defensive squad. It is up to him to have the difficult task of chasing down the star of the opposing team, the quarterback. But to achieve his ends pass rusher must defeat a terrible enemy, the offensive lineman. A first fight that the pass rusher leads with very specific weapons.

A range of movements exist to get rid of your counterpart. THE pass rushers can then combine them to obtain the lethal combination. Before that, it is essential to master each movement one by one and to understand in which situations to use them.

The essentials

Before delving into the techniques themselves, it is important to recall the boxes that a player must validate to be a pass rusher efficient. These are often the ones that help differentiate good players from excellent players at the position.

Explosiveness

Plus one pass rusher is explosive, the easier his job is. The first lively step upon engaging the ball is often a criterion evaluated in all these players. This explosiveness makes it possible to put opposing tackles in difficulty. Momentum is often recovered by a pass rusher fast which is in action and not in reaction.

For the defender, the goal is simple, to bypass and close the protective pocket. The tackle must therefore cover a lot of ground in a minimum of time. Often in an uncomfortable position, the lever is recovered by the pass rusher.

Power

Power is also mandatory to become the best pass rusher. We are talking here about power and not force. Even so, strength remains the best way to have power. Inherently, a strong man will move mountains, or offensive linemen.

If a pass rusher doesn't have innate strength, he can still generate power. The best way is to transform your speed into power. To do this, you have to go through the technique and reflection box, to take the best angles at the best times and knock down your opponent.

The basics

THE bull rush

Simple and effective, the bull rush is about gaining power. The goal is to push the lineman to his quarterback. THE pass rushers powerful people will naturally have more ease in this movement, it is nevertheless necessary to respect a few rules to optimize the movement.

  • The lever: lowering your center of gravity to explode when going up allows you to generate a significant imbalance.
  • Hands: the placement of both hands must be on the inside of the opponent's chest for greater effectiveness.
  • Timing: knowing how to launch your frontal assault at the right time is the mark of the greats. An OL in full lateral movement or too straight will not be able to absorb the shock.

A player more focused on speed may also have a bull rush effective. However, he needs a precise plan before executing it.

THE bull rush is particularly effective against blockers who do not frequently initiate contact with their hands.

THE speed rush

As its name suggests speed rush is a “movement” full of speed. The goal is simple, go faster than your opponent and go around to meet the quarterback. The best “ speed rushers » are those who manage to combine certain assets.

  • The first step: the reaction time must be minimal, the flight sudden. There is no point in running, you have to start on time, and especially before the others.
  • THE ” bend »: this barbaric word defines the capacity of a pass rusher to go around the outside of the line. It requires lowering your center of gravity and good ankle flexibility without losing your balance.

THE speed rush is effective against heavy offensive tackles with lateral movement difficulties.

THE speed rush is often combined with hand and shoulder movements to increase its effectiveness.

The implementations

Certain movements are important to set up the rest of the pass rush. They allow you to position yourself adequately or set traps for opponents.

THE long arm/stab

Behind these two barbaric names hides nothing other than a single-armed variant of bull rush. However, with only one well-extended arm (long arm) which keeps the opponent in check, the power is less. Generally, the pass rusher aims at the inside shoulder of his opponent.

THE stable is a long arm explosive. The defender will hit the opposing chest before withdrawing his arm. Often, these movements are coupled with others to finish the hunt for the quarterback.

THE pass rushers with above average measurements have every interest in using these set-ups to gain maximum distance and prevent blockers from placing their hands.

THE stutter step

This foot movement resembles hesitation. THE pass rusher will perform inside and outside hooks. Movements can be accentuated by nodding of the shoulders and head.

The objective is to make the opposing blocker doubt, to move his hand guard aside and to leave his chest open. This implementation often results in a bull rush if the stutter step is well done. Interior counterattacks are also possible.

This hesitation is effective against linemen with reduced lateral mobility and who have difficulty redirecting themselves.

THE cross

THE cross is a lateral displacement movement on the part of the pass rusher. It occurs just before or during initial contact with the opponent. A little sideways jump is enough. It allows the pass rusher to return to the free interval.

This side step is carried out when the attack is frontal. This is a move intended more for quarterback hunters who start from interior positions. It is necessarily coupled with hand techniques before, during and after.

It is important for the pass rusher to make it appear that he wants to initiate the collision before moving out of the way. THE pass rusher grabs the blocker's back after his jump to lock the situation. This move is effective against aggressive linemen.

Cons

Counters are used after adapting the blocker. The pass rusher has a solution to this adaptation in his arsenal.

THE dip/ghost move

THE dip is a shoulder movement. The goal is simply to lower your shoulder as much as possible to leave as little contact surface for the blocker.

This technique is used on the movements of speed rushcombined with finishing arm techniques. THE dip is particularly effective against aggressive opponents with naturally high hand placement.

THE dip can be combined with a fake stable to create a counter. Initially, the extension of the arm will threaten the blocker who will react by seeking to counter a powerful movement. At the last moment the pass rusher removes his arm and dives under the unbalanced lineman before. Before the astonished eyes of the blocker, the hunter disappears… Like a ghost (ghost move)

The spin move

As the name suggests, it is a rotational movement. THE spin move will serve in parallel with a speed rush. A blocker in difficulty facing a pass rusher explosive on the outside will take more risk to cover more ground. He will thus open his hips and leave a space inside him.

It is therefore important for the pass rusher to continue to “sell” the outside attack. Open the interior space, lower your center of gravity and finish with a rotation. The outside hand comes to finish by pressing on the back of the blocker.

Be careful, it is also possible to use a spin move feint. A move made famous by DeMarcus Ware. THE spin moves external ones also exist, but are much rarer.

Arm techniques

The pass rushers' arms must be active. Several movements are taught to allow you to reach the opposing quarterback. They can follow one another during an action in well-considered orders to provide perfect plans.

  • THE chop : is an up and down movement of the arm over the wrist. It allows you to unbalance your opponent forward and break his hand position. He is effective against blockers with a low guard.
  • THE rip : is a movement of the arm from bottom to top. It raises the guard of the blocker and allows the pass rusher to pass under it. It is often used as a speed rush finish after a dip.
  • THE double swipe : is a lateral movement of the two arms of the pass rusher which come to hit those of the blocker. It is effective in turning the hips of the blocker and getting around him.
  • THE club : is a violent lateral movement of the arm. Simply, the club is a big slap in the shoulder from its counterpart. He seeks to finish off-balancing the blocker and lock down the pass rusher's preferred position. It is often used with cross country.
  • THE swim : is a finishing movement. THE pass rusher passes his arm over the shoulder of his counterpart in the manner of a crawl. So it goes behind the blocker's back.
  • THE push & pull : is as its translation indicates a first pushing movement then a pulling. The blocker is completely out of balance before, but close to the pass rusher. It is often coupled with swim.

Exercise: find the techniques in these 3 sequences by Arik Armstead

SEE ALSO:  Vikings – Colts (21-13): Minnesota wins on defense
November 16, 2024
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