Pad level

Pad level is simply how low your shoulder pads are when you make contact, and it's the physical basis of leverage. The lineman with the lower pads gets under the other man, controls his hips, and can move him — “low man wins” is the whole game in three words. You build pad level from the ground up: bend the knees and ankles (not the back), Drag the Gator Tail to keep the hips down, and strike on the rise so you lift the defender rather than catching him high. Standing up is the most common way linemen lose reps — a tall lineman is an easy lever to throw.

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

Related trench terms

LeverageBoth sides

The geometric advantage from lower pads, a better angle, or better hand placement.

Low man winsBoth sides

The phrase that summarizes leverage as the universal lineman language.

Drag the Gator TailBoth sides

Keep your butt down and your hips low all through the rep — like you've got an alligator tail off your tailbone dragging in the grass. Low pad level + a stable base you can move from.

Sink the hipsBoth sides

To drop the hips before contact to gain leverage and a stable base.

AnchorO-Line

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

Go deeper

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