Description

AJ Howard, O-LB Coach, USC

Full video on Glazier Drive:  LB EDDs & Indy Organization

OVERVIEW

This video is a defensive fundamentals breakdown focused on run defense — specifically teaching players gap responsibility, the shimmy technique, block shedding, and tackling. It's structured as a drill progression moving from controlled reps to game-day film.

THE SHIMMY FIT CONCEPT

The core teaching point is gap stacking and the shimmy. The linebacker to the running back side can shoot his gap aggressively, while the backside player "shimmies" — laterally sliding his gap toward the ball. The drill also incorporates motion, shifts, and snap-on-the-run scenarios to ensure players maintain gap discipline against today's dynamic offenses.

SHIMMY DRILL PROGRESSION

The drill begins with cans (stand-up dummies) and progresses to open-field cone work. Coaches use variations including pistol/dot alignments and motion to challenge gap assignments. Key coaching points throughout: near foot up, working downhill, and finishing tackles by driving out of the hips.

BLOCK SHEDDING — THE DOWN AND AWAY DRILL

The second major drill teaches block shedding. Players strike a blocker in the chest with thumbs up, then violently pull them down and away from the body. The drill can be run with a sled, hand shield, pop-up dummy, or a live player. Variations add a moving ball carrier to simulate a running back cutting upfield after the shed, and a punch-the-ball finish to emphasize turnover creation.

GAME FILM APPLICATION

The coach connects every drill to game-day clips, showing players (#18, #31) executing shimmy fits, gap changes triggered by tight end adjustments, block shedding on draw plays, and tackle finishes — directly tying practice reps to live game performance.

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