Category Archives for "Football Basics"

What is the “3 Technique” in Football? (Explained)

By Coach Martin | Football Basics

To simplify the game on defense, coaches came up with a number mechanism to describe the various pre-snap alignments on the line of scrimmage.

A different number is assigned (in ascending order) from heads-up on the center on down the line of scrimmage.

Teams call each of these numbers “techniques.”

These techniques not only describe pre-snap alignment, they have also come to signify the type of player you are talking about.

One of these examples is a 3 Technique.

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What is the “5 Technique” in Football? (Explained)

By Coach Martin | Football Basics

A 5 Technique who lines up on the strong side may be a little bigger and a little stronger to take on those extra blocks and extra contact, while the weakside may be a little smaller, a little quicker, and be the pass-rushing specialist.

Either way, all of them will be strong, agile, fast, and quick players who love to run their high motors and cause disruption along the line of scrimmage and in the backfield.

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What is a Pancake Block in Football? (Explained)

By Coach Martin | Football Basics

Every offensive lineman dreams of executing pancake blocks.

It’s the outcome coaches hope for in every block by every offensive lineman on every running play.

While there is no official statistic for pancake blocks in football, it’s one of the most celebrated plays by offensive line coaches and offensive line groups.

It’s a great individual accomplishment and something definitely worth celebrating.

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What is an Ineligible Receiver? (Full Explanation)

By Coach Martin | Football Basics

In a football game, not every player on offense is actually eligible to receive a pass.

There are certain players on the field who may catch a pass, in other words, and others who aren’t.

Those players who aren’t allowed to catch a pass are ineligible receivers.

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How to Throw a Football Farther (Add 12+ Yards of Power)

By Coach Martin | Football Basics

All quarterbacks are taught the basics of throwing a football when they start playing.

There are some intricacies of throwing a football that are slightly different than throwing a baseball, for example.

This is why there are a few more steps when throwing a football.

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What is the Pass Interference Rule in Football? (Explained)

By Coach Martin | Football Basics

The pass interference rule in football is one that is often surrounded by controversy.

It seems that on just about every incomplete pass attempt, a receiver tries to get a ref to call pass interference.

While, of course, the defender would say otherwise.

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The “Roughing the Passer” Penalty in Football (Explained)

By Coach Martin | Football Basics

Defensive players try to pressure the quarterback on passing plays to cause an errant pass, force a fumble, or get a sack.

They run at full speed in pursuit of quarterbacks, which often ends up in a high-impact collision.

Many of these collisions are completely legal, as contact is all part of the game of football.

However, there are instances in which defensive players break the rules of the game and commit what’s called a Roughing the Passer penalty.

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How Many Players Are on a Football Team? (All Levels)

By Coach Martin | Football Basics

No matter what level of football you’re coaching, the basis of your team will be relatively the same — in terms of the players who take the field for each play.

But, just like how the game itself changes dramatically from one level of football to the next, so, too, does the general makeup of a football team.

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What is Intentional Grounding in Football? (Explained)

By Coach Martin | Football Basics

Intentional grounding is often one of the most confusing and misunderstood rules in football.

There are various scenarios that will determine whether a pass is a penalty or not.

While the rules are clearly defined, there is a level of subjectivity given to the referees while the play is going on.

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Why Does the NFL Have a 2 Minute Warning? (Explained)

By Coach Martin | Football Basics

The National Football League has some rules that are unique to the league.

Some of these rules have slight variations at other levels of the game of football, while some aren’t used at all.

One such rule that is only used at the NFL level is the 2 Minute Warning.

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