Trench Lab · D-Line · Run Defense · Coach Jay Freeman
How to shed blocks as a defensive lineman
To shed a block, strike first with inside hands into the blocker's chest and lock out your arms to create separation (the stack), keep your eyes in the backfield to read where the ball is going, then violently rip or pull to the gap and separate. The key is winning the hands first — if the blocker gets into your chest, you can't shed.
By Coach Jay Freeman · 32 years coaching the line · Updated May 31, 2026
Strike first — win the hands
You cannot shed a block you let happen to you. The defensive lineman who strikes first — landing inside hands into the blocker's chest plate before the blocker fits his hands — controls the rep. Hands inside, thumbs up, arms ready to lock out. If you catch the block instead of delivering a strike, you're already losing.
Stack — create separation, keep your eyes free
Once you've struck, extend (lock out) your arms to stack the blocker and create separation. Stacking keeps the blocker at arm's length so he can't reach your body or your legs, and — critically — it keeps your eyes free to read the backfield and find the ball. You hold the line of scrimmage with leverage, not by guessing.
Read, then separate to the gap
Your eyes tell your hands where to shed. Read the path of the ball, then violently rip or pull the blocker past you and separate toward the gap the ball is attacking. Don't shed early (you'll run yourself out of the play) and don't shed late (you'll get washed). Read first, then separate.
Don't get reached
On a reach/zone block, the blocker is trying to beat you to your outside shoulder and seal you inside. Beat the reach by getting your hands and your outside foot down fast and keeping your outside arm free — never let him get his helmet across your outside number. Hold your gap; the play is trying to bounce around you.
Common questions
- How do you shed a block in football?
- Strike first with inside hands into the blocker's chest, lock out your arms to stack him and create separation, keep your eyes in the backfield to read the ball, then violently rip or pull to the gap and separate. Winning the hands first is the whole key.
- How do you keep from getting reach blocked?
- Get your hands and your outside foot down fast, keep your outside arm free, and never let the blocker get his helmet across your outside number. Hold your gap with leverage — the run is trying to bounce around you.