FridayNightPulse: 6A DE Drill for Explosive Production
Lawrence Free State Firebirds defensive end coach, Mark Smith, shares his go-to drill for developing explosive production in his 6A DEs. The 'Power Step' drill targets the DE's ability to quickly transfer their weight and generate power off the line of scrimmage. To set up, have your DEs stand with their feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointed straight ahead. On the coach's signal, they'll take a 3-step approach, keeping their back foot planted and transferring their weight onto their front foot. They'll then explosively drive their back foot into the ground, focusing on quick hip rotation and extension. Coach Smith recommends 3 sets of 10 reps, with a 2-minute rest between sets. This drill translates to game performance by allowing DEs to quickly close the gap on the quarterback and disrupt the offense's timing.