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TRAINING
Building a Beast: DE Drill for 6A Programs
📍 St. Joseph's Prep Hawks·Sunday, July 12, 2026·FridayNightPulse Insider
At St. Joseph's Prep Hawks summer camp, defensive end coach Mike Smith emphasizes a crucial drill to develop speed, agility, and power. The 'DE Dash' involves three 20-yard sprints, with a 10-yard change of direction at the 10-yard mark. Players start in a three-point stance, explode off the line, and accelerate to the 10-yard mark. They then quickly change direction, using a 'shuffle-step' technique to maintain speed. After a brief rest, they repeat the drill for three sets, with 2-3 minutes of rest between sets. Coaching cues include 'explosive off the line' and 'keep your eyes up.' This drill translates to game performance by improving DEs' ability to quickly close gaps and pursue ballcarriers.