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Winston DeLattiboudere, Arizona Cardinals, D-Line Coach

Full video on Glazier Drive: Overall Teaching of D-Line Block Destruction, Part 3: Clear

BLOCK DESTRUCTION TECHNIQUES FOR DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - PART 3: THE CLEAR

This coaching video covers the third and final component of block destruction technique for defensive linemen. The instructor builds on previously taught concepts of separation and the wiper to introduce "the clear" - the explosive disengagement that allows defensive players to make tackles.

THE THREE COMPONENTS OF BLOCK DESTRUCTION

The complete block destruction progression consists of three parts:

Separation - Creating space from the offensive lineman to establish clarity and extend yourself to play on the proper side of the ball.

The Wiper - Like windshield wipers, taking the offensive lineman's body and putting it in the opposite gap while keeping your eyes in your assigned gap, snapping your chin to your bicep to show gap responsibility to linebackers.

The Clear - The violent step away from the block to create distance and make the play, whether that's attacking the running back, quarterback, or ball carrier.

WHAT IS "THE CLEAR"?

The clear is the separation step away from the offensive lineman using a violent arm disengage. This 6-8 inch step is critical because without it, defensive linemen remain stationary while offensive linemen continue running their feet, leading to the defender getting knocked over or pancaked. The fundamental principle emphasized is that defensive linemen should never end a play blocked, whether they make the tackle or not.

FILM BREAKDOWN - EXAMPLE 1: PLAYER #13

The first example shows excellent execution of all three phases. The player explodes into the pad for separation, sees down and around through his gap (the wiper), then executes the clear by taking a 6-inch step and using a rip technique to disengage. This allows him to explode into the pad, run his feet, and make the play. Without the clear step and arm disengage, the offensive lineman would grab him and potentially finish him with a pancake block.

FILM BREAKDOWN - EXAMPLE 2: PLAYER #17 ON POWER/COUNTER

On this power look with a hinge block, player #17 demonstrates the complete progression against a tackle attempting to seal him off. After creating separation and using the wiper to see through his gap, he executes a violent clear by stepping away and working the offensive lineman into the opposite gap while propelling his body into his own gap. The violence of the disengage puts the offensive lineman on his knees. This violent hand usage and disengagement allows #17 to lay out for the play and get the ball on the ground, making a huge defensive play despite potentially being schematically outnumbered.

FILM BREAKDOWN - EXAMPLE 3: PLAYER #17 SETTING THE EDGE

On a wide zone or stretch play, #17 sets the edge properly and demonstrates primary-to-secondary gap responsibility. After setting the edge as deep as the ball (never deeper) at an acute angle and seeing the ball about to cut up, he uses an arm-over technique with a drop step to work back over the top. This aggressive clear technique allows him to finish through and get the ball on the ground for minimal or zero yards gained.

KEY COACHING POINTS

The drop step technique when setting the edge is crucial for working back on your side of the line of scrimmage to make plays for one-yard gains instead of allowing cutbacks to undefended gaps. Defensive linemen must be able to take both primary and secondary gaps, which reduces stress on safeties and linebackers. When defensive linemen "wad things up," it makes everyone else in the defensive fit happy.

Players must avoid simply dropping their arms after the wiper phase, as this leads to getting run by or slammed into the dirt by the offensive lineman.

THE VIOLENCE REQUIREMENT

The instructor emphasizes throughout that violence must be present in all three phases - separation, wiper, and clear. Without violent execution in each portion of the block destruction progression, the techniques won't work effectively. When all three components are combined with violent hand usage and aggressive footwork, defensive linemen put themselves in the best position possible for success.

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