Football Archaeology

Share this post

Today's Tidbit... 1930s Defensive Line Drills

www.footballarchaeology.com
Tidbits

Today's Tidbit... 1930s Defensive Line Drills

Timothy P. Brown
Jul 20, 2022
Share this post

Today's Tidbit... 1930s Defensive Line Drills

www.footballarchaeology.com

Before offenses spread out and threw the ball all over the field, most defenses used seven-man lines. While the ends aligned wide to negate sweeps, the five interior linemen focused on holding their ground or penetrating the offensive line on passing downs.

Offensive linemen could not extend their arms when blocking so the boys on defense used forearm shivers and punches to ward off blockers. More than anything, they stayed low.

Oates, Football Line Play, 1932, 1948.

While practicing the Blow and Step against air provided hours of fun, there was nothing like drilling with a machine that could take your best and spring right back, ready for the next guy.

What that thing is in the middle is anyone’s guess.


Subscribe for free and never miss a story. You can also support this site with a paid subscription to receive additional content or check out my books here.

Share this post

Today's Tidbit... 1930s Defensive Line Drills

www.footballarchaeology.com
Previous
Next
Comments
TopNewCommunity

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Timothy P. Brown
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing