Chip block

A chip is help without staying: the running back or tight end slams a shoulder into the edge rusher — usually just as he bends the corner — then releases into his route. That half-second knocks the rush arc flat and lets the tackle reset his frame. Offenses chip elite rushers to change the math without spending a full blocker on them. For tackles it's a gift; for edge rushers it's a fact of life that says the offense fears you.

Defined by Coach Jay Freeman — 34 years coaching the offensive and defensive line.

Related trench terms

Kick-slideO-Line

A pass-set technique where the outside foot kicks back and the inside foot slides to keep a square base.

Speed rushD-Line

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

Pass proO-Line

Pass protection — the O-line’s job of keeping rushers off the quarterback.

Wide-9D-Line

An edge rusher aligned far outside the tight end, angled at the quarterback — pure speed-rush alignment.

Double teamBoth sides

Two blockers on one defender — four hands, one man, moving him off the spot.

Go deeper

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