Skills & Drills | Winston DeLattibourde III, Arizona Cardinals | Pass Rush Drills

Winston DeLattibourde III, current defensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals, has coaching stints in Minnesota, Oregon, Akron, and Charlotte. Coach DeLattibourde is a former defensive lineman at Minnesota and a 2024 AFCA 35 Under 35 honoree. In this article, he shares his insights into effective pass rush drills focusing on footwork, movement efficiency, and active hand technique—essential skills for any defensive lineman looking to dominate the trenches.

Capturing the Rush: The Focus of the Drill The primary objective of these drills is to help defensive linemen “capture the rush,” a term that encapsulates explosive movement, controlled bending, and tactical hand usage to disrupt offensive linemen. Using cones to guide movement, Coach DeLattibourde has athletes work through progressive phases of the rush:

1. Stick the Movement
   • Athletes begin by sticking their initial movement.
   • Emphasis is placed on loading and shifting body weight correctly for an explosive first step.
2. Bend and Finish
   • After the initial move, players focus on bending the edge and finishing the rep with controlled aggression.
   • This phase mimics game-like scenarios where the defensive lineman needs to flatten and close on the quarterback.

Key Coaching Points from Coach DeLattibourde

• Efficient Body Weight Transfer: Players must learn to move their body weight from the outside of the left foot to the inside ball of the right foot. This creates explosive yet controlled movement.
• Avoid Unnecessary Weight Shifts: Excessive weight shifts waste movement and slow the player down. Efficiency is key in maintaining momentum and surprise.
• Quick, Intentional Planting: Offensive linemen are trained to read body language. If a plant is telegraphed or slow, it gives away the move. Quick and intentional footwork helps disguise intentions.
• Active Hands: “Beat the Drum” or “Make Dough”: Hand technique is just as important as footwork. Using active, deliberate hand movements helps disrupt the offensive lineman’s focus and control the rep.
• Command Attention with Hand Movement: Active hands draw the offensive lineman’s eyes, allowing the defender to gain leverage or force a mistake.

Drill Benefits These drills are designed to refine multiple aspects of defensive line play:

• Improved body control and core balance
• Increased explosiveness off the line
• Enhanced hand combat skills
• Real-time reaction to offensive line cues

Who Should Use These Drills? These drills are ideal for:

• High school and college defensive line coaches
• Individual athletes looking to enhance pass rush skills
• Professional trainers working with linemen
• Anyone focused on developing elite defensive fundamentals

Watch the video below to see Coach DeLattibourde’s Pass Rush Drills