Bull rush

The bull rush is the most honest pass-rush move: instead of going around the blocker, the rusher runs straight through him — hands inside, pads low, hips driving — to walk him back into the quarterback's lap. It's a leverage and power play, and it sets up everything else (once a blocker is scared of the bull, the rusher's swim, rip, and counter all open up). For the offensive lineman, the answer is to anchor: hop your feet back, build a better triangle, and get your inside hand lower than his — because on a straight bull, the man whose hands are lower wins.

Defined by Coach Jay Freeman — 32 years coaching the offensive and defensive line.

Related trench terms

AnchorO-Line

To stop a bull rush by sinking the hips and widening the base.

Long-armD-Line

A pass-rush move where the rusher fully extends one arm into the blocker's chest to control distance and keep his hands off.

Get-offD-Line

The first step from the stance. The single biggest defensive-line weapon.

Speed rushD-Line

An edge-based pass rush — outside leverage and acceleration to run the arc around the tackle.

ReadD-Line

To diagnose the offensive lineman's intent — run vs. pass, direction, and scheme — as the play unfolds.

Go deeper

• Coach Jay’s lineman training library — the technique behind the term →
• Back to the full Trench Dictionary →
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