Skills & Drills | Dan Mulrooney, Brown | Block Destruction
February 24, 2025
Dan Mulrooney is beginning his first year as Defensive Coordinator at Brown University. Before joining the Bears, Mulrooney was the head coach at Lock Haven, and Anna Maria College.
Linebackers: Block Destruction Keys
Coach Mulrooney emphasizes the importance of mastering block destruction for linebackers. His philosophy is simple: break through the blockers and get to the ball carrier as efficiently as possible. Here’s how he teaches it:
Key Points
- Hit: Engage the blocker with force and purpose.
- Avoid: Use technique to sidestep or outmaneuver the blocker.
- Get to the Ball: Move quickly and decisively toward the ball carrier.
- Make Them Miss or Go Through Them: Avoid the blocker completely or power through with precision.
Block Destruction Techniques
- Dip Move
- Lower your body to avoid being blocked.
- Stripe Them: Keep your helmet positioned low to maintain leverage.
- Get Low: Always dip low enough to eliminate open seams for the ball carrier.
- Dip and Move Around
- While dipping, angle your shoulders away from the blocker.
- Finish with your body back-to-back with the defender, positioning yourself to pursue the ball carrier.
- Chase High, Chute Your Hip
- Keep your hips squared while chasing the play.
- Use a “chute” motion to change direction and stay aligned with the ball carrier.
- “Steal the Watch”
- Incorporate the “steal the watch” technique—using your hands to disengage effectively while staying in position.
- Chute, Square, Gallop
- Execute a fluid combination of chute, squaring your body, and galloping to maintain momentum and control.
- Lost Leverage Recovery
- Use your left hand to regain leverage and dip back into position to stay in the play.
Why These Techniques Matter
Coach Mulrooney’s block destruction drills are designed to:
- Build strong fundamentals for defeating blocks.
- Teach players how to maintain leverage in challenging situations.
- Develop quick, efficient movement to pursue ball carriers.
By focusing on these key techniques, Coach Mulrooney is helping his linebackers become relentless playmakers on the field.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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Dan Mulrooney is beginning his first year as Defensive Coordinator at Brown University. Before joining the Bears, Mulrooney was the head coach at Lock Haven, and Anna Maria College.
Linebackers: Block Destruction Keys
Coach Mulrooney emphasizes the importance of mastering block destruction for linebackers. His philosophy is simple: break through the blockers and get to the ball carrier as efficiently as possible. Here’s how he teaches it:
Key Points
- Hit: Engage the blocker with force and purpose.
- Avoid: Use technique to sidestep or outmaneuver the blocker.
- Get to the Ball: Move quickly and decisively toward the ball carrier.
- Make Them Miss or Go Through Them: Avoid the blocker completely or power through with precision.
Block Destruction Techniques
- Dip Move
- Lower your body to avoid being blocked.
- Stripe Them: Keep your helmet positioned low to maintain leverage.
- Get Low: Always dip low enough to eliminate open seams for the ball carrier.
- Dip and Move Around
- While dipping, angle your shoulders away from the blocker.
- Finish with your body back-to-back with the defender, positioning yourself to pursue the ball carrier.
- Chase High, Chute Your Hip
- Keep your hips squared while chasing the play.
- Use a “chute” motion to change direction and stay aligned with the ball carrier.
- “Steal the Watch”
- Incorporate the “steal the watch” technique—using your hands to disengage effectively while staying in position.
- Chute, Square, Gallop
- Execute a fluid combination of chute, squaring your body, and galloping to maintain momentum and control.
- Lost Leverage Recovery
- Use your left hand to regain leverage and dip back into position to stay in the play.
Why These Techniques Matter
Coach Mulrooney’s block destruction drills are designed to:
- Build strong fundamentals for defeating blocks.
- Teach players how to maintain leverage in challenging situations.
- Develop quick, efficient movement to pursue ball carriers.
By focusing on these key techniques, Coach Mulrooney is helping his linebackers become relentless playmakers on the field.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
