Blocking with a purpose. (Football).

COACHES WHO SUBSCRIBE to a wide-open style of offense tend to define production in terms of receptions and yardage, often to the neglect of the blocking at the wide receiver position.

These same coaches apparently ignore or forget how important this blocking is to the running game. Just think of all the times you have seen a runner break into the open field only to be stopped by the defender whom the wide receiver failed to block.

You must drum this responsibility into the wide receiver's psyche. It will give him a purpose and a better attitude toward blocking.

At Tennessee Tech, we stress the importance of being a well-rounded receiver-being able to execute on both pass and run.

Blocking is 50 percent technique and 50 percent attitude. Within the first five minutes of our initial preseason position meeting, the wide receivers are told: "If you don't block, you won't play."

Wide receivers will be expected to support the run with aggressive downfield blocking just as effectively as they run good routes and catch passes.

We, as coaches, approach blocking and the play-to-play battles vs defensive backs with a relentless and physical attitude. We want our guys to wear down the defensive backs--let them know that they (wide receivers) are going to come at them (backs) on every play.

Our receivers are instructed to "get a hat on somebody"--make some form of contact on every play.

How do we get this done? As we have said: 50 percent is technique and the rest is attitude. The technique begins with the stance and starts on everything we do.

Stance: The wide receiver must set up in a balanced stance and never anticipate by leaning in. He must place his inside foot up on the line of scrimmage, with a 45-degree bend in the knee. The rear leg is locked out or slightly bent at the knee; whichever will ensure a clean push-off and a true (not false) step.

Once set in his stance, the receiver must scan the defense and then look inside at the ball for the snap.

The hands are kept up to fend off any press defender.

Check Photos 1 and 2 for front and back views of the proper stance.

Start: The stance must eliminate the possibility of a false step and the loss of time at the snap. It must also enable the wide receiver to get a strong up field push and accelerate vertically.

Whether the play is a run or a pass, the wide receiver must make his first three or four steps look identical to the defensive back.

Breakdown: If it is going to be a running play, the wide receiver-having achieved a good stance and started with a strong up field push-will now break down into position to block.

He must shorten his steps and lower his weight with his shoulders over his knees. The forward thrust of his weight will help him avoid sitting back and having his feet slide out from under him.

As shown in Photo 3, the receiver must now create a good football position with a bend in the knees, arched back, head up, and weight forward.

The hands are kept up and ready for contact, with the elbows tucked inside so that the blocker can generate power when delivering his blow.

Photo 4 illustrates the proper position with the back arched, hands up, elbows tucked in, and head back.

Once the wide receiver has achieved this position, most of the technique has been accomplished. Many receivers will now sit and wait for the closing defender to create contact.

That type of approach can be a mistake. You cannot ask a waiting receiver to take on a defensive back who has gained a five to seven yard running start. It will be extremely hard to stop his rush and control him until the running back can make a cut.

This is where the final phase of the technique begins. The receiver must step toward the defender with his near foot, keep his upper body square, head up, and elbows and hands inside the defender, ready to deliver a blow to the opponent's chest plate (number area of the jersey). See Photo 5.

As we have said, we do not want our guys to sit and wait for the contact initiated by the defensive back. We want to "meet force with force," as it is very difficult to stop a charge from an idle position. Meeting force with force is the best way to neutralize the opponent's charge and make a good block.

Once the technique portion is complete, the other 50 percent involved in blocking-attitude-kicks in. A wide receiver must have the desire to block and bury the defender. It becomes a one-on-one match-up and the guy with the most desire and effort will win.

We challenge our guys to win. We again emphasize staying square, but if the defender forces us to one side or the other, we will take him that way.

The running back should read the play and make the correct cut.

In teaching these techniques, we assure that the wide receiver will be on the front side of the play--that the play is coming to him. But we do not forget about the backside.

Many plays will get to the open field and be stopped by a backside corner or safety. The wide receivers must always assume that the play will break into the open field and that it will be up to them to cut off the defenders on the backside (photo 6). That is what is meant by attitude and effort.

The wide receiver position involves more than simply catching passes. It also includes supporting the running game with downfield blocking. The techniques should put receivers into the proper position to make great blocks. Once there, it is up to them to make the play.

Having a purpose, a little technique, and the right attitude will help wide receivers get the job done.