One main difference between a regular drive block and a running drive block is that the defender has a greater opportunity to move to his right or left, reacting to the offensive blocker's path. Because of this fact, the coach must not only tell the blocker the snap count, but also must make certain that the blocker understands where the ball will be going.

In this drill, the players on defense should charge straight ahead and then react to the trap block as they see it coming from one side or the other. Prior to the snap, the pulling offensive lineman must make certain that he does not lean in the direction of his pull and alert the defense as to which direction he is going to move.

When an offensive lineman is pulling and getting in position to execute a trap block, he must by necessity change the direction of his charge from straight ahead to either the right or left. Because of this, the blocker should use his first step with the foot in the direction of his pull to set his path. This should not be a long step, but it is vital that he cover some ground in the direction of the pull.

The offensive lineman then must swing his upper body around so that he is pointing in the direction of his pull. To accomplish this, the blocker should do three things. First, as he comes out of his stance, he should push off and back with the hand on the ground. Second, he must jerk the forearm around, with the arm to the side of the pull; many players describe this as swinging the arm around as if to hit someone standing behind them. Finally, he should push off the foot opposite the direction of his pull.

Once the blocker has redirected his charge, he must immediately pick up his target and focus on the blocking area. The path of the blocker should take him toward the defensive side of the line of scrimmage, allowing him to achieve an "inside-out" angle on the defender he is attempting to block.

If the block is a short trap-blocking a defender only two men away the blocker must understand that the contact will come very quickly. It is essential, then, that he maintain a wide base and anticipate the defender moving into his block.

Once the offensive lineman has started his pull, redirected his body and charge, focused on the target, and moved toward the defender, he is in position to execute a running drive block. Instead of executing the block straight ahead as on a linebacker, the blocker will attack the defender from the side.

At the point of contact with the defender, the basics of the block are the same as on other blocks. Explosion should be generated from both feet on the ground in a wide base, the charge should be low and hard, the palm of the hand should aggressively and forcibly attack the side of the defender, and the blocker must finish the block by hitting up and through the defender, driving the defender out of the hole and toward the sideline, until the whistle blows or the coach calls the play to a stop.

Running Drive Blocking: Pulling Block vs. Linebacker

The offensive men playing as the linebackers should focus on the man in front of them and, as they see the play develop, move forward, attacking the blocker who is moving toward them.

If the offensive player who is lined up in front of the linebacker is blocking beside the pulling lineman, it may become necessary for the pulling blocker's first step to be a short, two to three-inch drop step. At the same time, the pulling lineman should slightly raise his lead shoulder higher than he normally would on a trap block. This technique will allow his teammate to move to his block and, at the same time, gives the blocker a greater clearance when pulling and driving up toward the linebacker. By the second and third step, the pulling lineman should bring his shoulders down into a low blocking position.

With the exception of plays where it becomes necessary to use the drop step, the offensive lineman should use the same pulling technique as in the previous drill. Because of the proximity of the linebacker, great emphasis must be placed on immediately finding and focusing on the target. Failure to instantly locate the linebacker often is the biggest reason for missing this block.

It is essential that the pulling lineman understand where the ball is going in the drill so he can get proper relative position on the defender. At the point of the actual block, the blocker should employ the technique of the running drive block.

Only one offensive lineman pulled each time in the previous drills, but in the next drill, both the guard and tackle from the same side of the ball will pull.

The pulling guard will trap the linebacker at the end of the line of scrimmage and the tackle will pull up through the hole and block the linebacker who is pursuing from the inside.

Both linebackers should focus on the man in front of them and then move into position to take on a pulling lineman.

The guard's technique is the same as the one he used on a long trap play. The tackle also uses a long-pull technique and then turns upfield, locating, focusing on, and blocking the linebacker who is moving from the inside.

Both offensive players must be reminded to move to the defensive side of the ball as soon as possible, to concentrate on having a wide base on contact, and to run through the defender, always completely finishing the block.

Only one offensive lineman pulled each time in the previous drills, but in the next drill, both the guard and tackle from the same side of the ball will pull.