Ramon Chinyoung Sr. - Asst Coach - Dallas Cowboys
Full video on Glazier Drive: O-Line Post Practice Drills
DALLAS COWBOYS POST-PRACTICE O-LINE RECOVERY DRILLS
This Dallas Cowboys offensive line coach demonstrates progressive recovery drills designed for exhausted players after practice. The emphasis is on skill refinement and muscle memory development when players are too tired for heavy contact work. All drills maintain proper technique focus while allowing players to cool down with helmets off.
PROGRESSION-BASED TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
The Cowboys system revolves around progressive drill implementation. Every drill must have multiple levels of advancement, starting simple and building complexity. The coach emphasizes that progression is non-negotiable in their system - coaches must ensure every drill has a clear developmental pathway that builds upon previous skills.
JELLIES AND MIDS FOUNDATION WORK
Players begin on balance jellies (unstable surfaces) working basic footwork and hand-eye coordination. They practice two-point stance positioning, kicksteps, and post steps while maintaining balance. The coach calls out commands while players like Zack Martin and Terence Steele mirror the coach's movements, working kick-to-power transitions and straining through movements while maintaining proper form.
SHOE SET TECHNIQUE FOR HEAD-UP ALIGNMENT
When defenders align head-up (two technique), players work the "shoe set" - simply clearing cleats by picking them up and putting them down without kicking anywhere. This maintains the inside-out relationship when already square on the defender. Tyler Smith demonstrates this technique, focusing on getting hands on the defender and clearing cleats while maintaining proper body position.
PUNCH INTEGRATION AND VARIATION
The next progression removes jellies but adds punch bags. Players work two-hand punches on bags while maintaining independent hands on jellies, mixing techniques for variety. Tyler Smith demonstrates kick-to-power transitions using two-hand punches, keeping cleats close to ground with knees inside body framework. The drill emphasizes fun and change-ups while reinforcing fundamental concepts.
HIGH-LOW HAND PLACEMENT PHILOSOPHY
The Cowboys teach outside hand high, inside hand low (opposite of some systems that prefer high-low or two-high hands). Players work on mids (balance pads) practicing hand placement while mirroring defenders. This post-practice timing allows players to focus on technique details while cooling down from intense practice sessions.
PLAYER COMMUNICATION AND OWNERSHIP
The system encourages player communication about specific needs. Chuma requests work against bull rush techniques with Terence Steele, demonstrating how players can take ownership of their development. This builds relationships and allows customized work based on individual player needs and upcoming opponent tendencies.
MEDICINE BALL PUNCH REFINEMENT
Players return to jellies with medicine ball work, focusing on punching rather than absorbing. The coach corrects Zach Martin's initial tendency to catch and press, emphasizing a 4-6 inch punch that delivers the ball back to the coach. This develops core stability while working various punch angles for real-game scenarios.
MULTIPLE ANGLE PUNCH TRAINING
The drill addresses realistic game situations where defenders aren't in perfect alignment. Players practice punching at different angles while maintaining core stability on jellies. This prepares linemen for defenders in "weird positions" or those who adjust during plays, ensuring proper technique regardless of defender positioning.
OLD SCHOOL 6-INCH PUNCH DRILL
The final drill uses a swinging bag to develop punch radius awareness and timing. Players maintain pass protection posture while someone swings a bag toward them. They must punch when the bag reaches six inches from their face, working independent hands and feeling objects moving swiftly toward their body framework.
RECOVERY DRILL BENEFITS
These drills serve exhausted players who need skill work without heavy contact. The focus shifts to hand timing, punch technique, and muscle memory development when bodies are too tired for intense physical work. Players can refine fundamentals while recovering from practice demands.
