Building a Stronger Line: The Lakeville North Panthers' OL Block-Shed Drill
At 6A programs like Lakeville North Panthers, the battle for dominance on the line is fierce. To gain a competitive edge, Panther OL coach, Mike Johnson, has developed a block-shed drill that targets the key areas of strength and agility. The drill consists of three sets of 10 reps, with a 30-second rest in between. Players start in a three-point stance, then explode off the line, aiming to block a defender. Upon contact, they immediately shed the defender, focusing on quick footwork and powerful arm drives. Coaching cues include 'explosive pop off the line' and 'shed with your feet, not your hands.' This drill translates to game performance by improving OL's ability to quickly secure blocks and create space for their running backs. By incorporating this drill into their pre-season training, Panther OL players will be better equipped to take on the toughest opponents in the state.