Dip and Rip Technique

Mar 08, 2024

How many types of block destruction are you teaching?

There are many different ways to get it done, and a lot of variables go into it:

It’s too much to process all at once.

Defensive players need to drill these different block destruction techniques until they become second nature. On game day, they need to be automatic.

The Dip and Rip is a good addition to any toolbox.

Defining the Technique

This is a “win with speed” type of block destruction.

You’re not taking on the entire blocker here.

Instead you want to “slip” the block to the appropriate leverage.

You would typically use this technique when you are far away from the ball carrier and you have time to get back on your path.

A key coaching point is to stack the blocker once you have defeated them.

Here is an example of a Dip and Rip:

There are two key steps to this technique.

You must first step with your outside foot to create room for the move.

It’s important that you gain ground with this step to put yourself in a good position to clear the blocker.

As you take that step you also want to dip the near shoulder so that the blocker doesn’t have any surface area to work with.

The second step involves bringing the back foot past the blocker.

As you do this you want to rip with your back arm to clear the block.

I’ve developed a drill that breaks down each aspect of this technique.

It follows a progression that starts slow so that each coaching point can be drilled home.

It’s one of the 23 different drills in the Linebacker Drills Super Clinic, which you can find inside the Canadian Football Chalk Talk Community.

All the best,

Jon Svec
Defensive Coordinator
St. Francis Xavier University
X-Men Football
Email: jsvec@stfx.ca
Twitter: @jonsvecx

To read more check out the Canadian Football Chalk Talk e-book and video series, which can be found by clicking here.