Feet before hands

“Feet before hands” is the rule that your feet have to win first. If you throw your hands before your feet have covered the defender — especially on an inside move — you punch across your body, lose your base, and he beats you inside. So you drop the inside hand, move the feet to get in front of him, and only then come underneath and lift. It's the partner of strike distance and independent hands, and it comes straight out of the Paul Alexander pass-pro school Coach Jay's method descends from.

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

Related trench terms

Independent handsBoth sides

Each hand is a separate weapon with its own job — not a single two-hand punch. Coach Jay’s signature hand doctrine.

Strike distanceBoth sides

Don't throw your hands and don't reach. Wait until the rusher is close enough — strike distance — then strike.

45° setO-Line

Coach Jay's default pass set — kick on a 45° angle to close the rusher's path and meet him square at your spot, instead of dropping straight back (the vertical set).

Play Long / Play CondensedBoth sides

Play with your hands out in front and long (a long strike radius means your feet move less); keep your body condensed and knees bent (little steps, never straighten up).

FrameBoth sides

The space between the defender’s shoulders. You want your hands inside the frame.

Go deeper

• Coach Jay’s lineman training library — the technique behind the term →
• Back to the full Trench Dictionary →
• Get the free 6-week trench training program →