Kick-slide

The kick-slide is the base pass-set footwork for an offensive tackle: the outside (kick) foot kicks back to gain depth and width while the inside (post) foot slides to keep a square, balanced base under you. The kick foot gets you to your spot; the post foot sets and holds your angle so you stay square to the rusher. Coach Jay teaches it inside the 45° set — you kick on a 45-degree angle to close the rusher's path and meet him at your spot, not a straight-back (vertical) set that hands a speed rusher time and space. Typically it's about two kick-slides to reach your spot against a wide edge rusher.

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

Related trench terms

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).

2-point stanceO-Line

A standing stance with the knees bent, used by O-linemen in pass-heavy situations.

MirrorBoth sides

Footwork that matches a defender's lateral movement to stay in front of him.

Pass proO-Line

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

First stepBoth sides

The initial 6-inch power step. Most plays are decided by the first step.

Go deeper

• Coach Jay’s lineman training library — the technique behind the term →
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