Okay, so everyone’s always talking about quarterbacks being the stars, right? But today, I want to talk about the real MVPs, the guys in the trenches – the offensive linemen. These dudes are the unsung heroes of football. I learned this firsthand when I started coaching a high school team last year. I used to play a bit in college, mostly defense, so I thought I knew a thing or two about football. Boy, was I wrong. I took this coaching job, thinking it’s gonna be a breeze, but it was far from easy. Especially when I started working with the offensive line, trying to make them the toughest part of the team.
Getting Down to Basics
First thing I did was trying to understand what makes a good lineman. I mean, these guys are huge, they need to be strong, no doubt. But it’s not just about brute strength. They gotta be quick on their feet, too. I started with some basic drills, just simple stuff like pushing sleds and lifting weights. We’re talking squats, deadlifts, bench presses – the whole nine yards. I wanted them to feel like they could move a mountain. It was tough, I’m not gonna lie. Some of these kids had never even seen a weight room before. But we kept at it, day in and day out. They started to see the results. Their bodies started to change, and so did their attitudes.
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Strength and Bulk:
Like I said, these guys need to be strong. We focused a lot on building up their strength. Lots of weightlifting, lots of conditioning. It was all about making them feel like they’re the strongest guys on the field.
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Footwork:
This was a big one. I didn’t realize how important footwork was for linemen until I started coaching them. They need to be quick, agile, able to move with the defenders. We did a lot of drills to improve their footwork, a lot of ladder drills, cone drills, you name it.
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Hand placement:
I remember when we focused on hand technique. It sounds simple, but it’s all about how they use their hands to control the defenders. We spent hours just working on hand placement, getting it right, making it a reflex. It was a game-changer.
The Mental Game
But it wasn’t just about the physical stuff. Being an offensive lineman is a tough gig, mentally. They’re always going up against guys who are just as big and strong, trying to get to the quarterback. They need to be tough, resilient, able to take a hit and keep going. I started talking to them more, trying to get inside their heads. I wanted them to know that they’re not just out there blocking, they’re protecting their team, their family. We watched some films of some of the greatest linemen of all time. Dick Butkus, Sam Huff, these guys were legends. We studied their technique, their attitude, how they never gave up, no matter what. It was inspiring, for them and for me.
Putting It All Together
We started scrimmaging more, putting everything we learned into practice. It wasn’t pretty at first. There were a lot of mistakes, a lot of missed blocks. But we kept working, kept pushing. I could see them getting better, stronger, tougher. They started to work as a unit, moving together, protecting each other. It was like watching a well-oiled machine. And when the season started, it was a whole different ball game. These guys were ready. They were tough, they were strong, they were a unit. They dominated the line of scrimmage, game after game. It was amazing to watch. We didn’t win every game, but we won a lot more than we lost.
Reflecting on the Toughest Position
Looking back, I learned a lot about what it takes to be an offensive lineman. It’s not just about being big and strong. It’s about being quick, agile, smart, and tough as nails. It’s about being a part of something bigger than yourself, protecting your teammates, your family. And it’s about never giving up, no matter how hard it gets. These guys taught me more than I ever taught them. They showed me what it really means to be tough, to be a team player, to be a football player. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.
