The 10 Biggest Mistakes Offensive Linemen Make
If you control the line of scrimmage, you will control the game. Developing great offensive linemen at the youth level starts with correcting bad habits early. Too many young players stand up too high at the snap, take false steps, or rely on strength instead of technique. These mistakes kill leverage, timing, and consistency — and they’re all fixable with good coaching. Here are the 10 biggest mistakes offensive linemen make.
10 Biggest Mistakes Offensive Linemen Make- Youth Football
(1) Standing Up Too High at the Snap
Mistake: Linemen pop straight up instead of firing out, losing leverage and power. Many
Solution:
-Emphasize power stepping / leverage stepping first. Stepping, then sinking hips, sky eyes, and run feet (drive feet).
-Use chute drills or have them fire out under a rope to train staying low, while stepping first.
Dominate the LOS: The Ultimate Offensive Line Manual
(2) Poor First Step
Mistake: Stepping too big or stepping backward instead of forward with the correct foot. This is a very common mistake
Solution:
-Practice first-step drills daily.
-Keep steps 6 inches and violent- quick and controlled.
-Powerful step, gain ground!!!!
(3) Not Using Hands Correctly / Hand Placement
Mistake: Grabbing, swatting, or not striking with hands at all. Hands aren’t inside.
Solution:
-Teach proper hand placement: thumbs up, elbows in, strike to the breastplate.
-Do hand-strike drills on shields and sleds.
(4) Not Knowing Assignments
Mistake: Linemen block the wrong man or hesitate because they don’t know their rules / blocking scheme.
Solution (mostly on the coaches):
-Keep your blocking rules simple and consistent.
-Quiz linemen often in walk-throughs and film sessions.
-Rep your schemes against various fronts (pre-season). In season, rep against the defensive front you’re facing that week.
(5) Stopping Feet After Initial Contact
Mistake: They make contact but don’t finish the block. So many kids will make contact, then stop their feet entirely.
Solution:
-Emphasize drive and finish every play- get the kids on the sled!
-Use whistle drills- block until the whistle, not until you think the play is over.
-Do one vs. one drive blocking drills.
(6) Lazy Stance
Mistake: Inconsistent or sloppy stances cause slow get-offs.
Solution:
-Drill stance and start every day.
-Feet shoulder-width, weight balanced, hands light, eyes up.
See Also: Proper 3-piont Stance for Offensive Linemen
(7) Looking Down or Not Seeing the Defense
Mistake: Heads down or no awareness of alignment shifts or blitzes. It all starts with a good stance.
Solution:
-Train “eyes up” out of the stance.
-Use recognition drills… line up, ID fronts, point out threats.
(8) Not Communicating
Mistake: No talking on the line leads to confusion with double teams or blitz pickup. Communication isn’t always needed with your offensive linemen, but sometimes it is. More so in pass protection.
Solution:
-Teach linemen to call out defenders and communicate rules (“I got inside).
-Encourage loud, confident talk at the line.
(9) Weak Core and Footwork
Mistake: They rely on upper body strength and get off balance easily. A very common issue is that offensive linemen will reach for the defender, rather than step and get their with their feet.
Solution:
-Include footwork ladders, mirror drills, and balance work in practice. Football is a game of movement- your linemen should be always working on movement / becoming a better athlete.
-Teach proper posture and base width.
(10) Pass Protection Breakdown
Mistake: Linemen don’t understand or they aren’t given any pass blocking rules or they’re pass blocking technique isn’t good.
Solution:
-Practice pass protection every individual practice session and during team.
-Make sure you practice not just the technique, but you pass blocking rules.
See Also: Pass Protection Fundamentals
Emphasize a strong stance, a quick and controlled first step, and proper hand placement on every rep. Linemen should keep their eyes up, communicate at the line, and finish every block through the whistle. When players understand their assignments and build confidence through repetition, they transform from just “blockers” into dominant, disciplined linemen who control the line of scrimmage. Remember — great offenses are built from the ground up, and it all starts with the fundamentals up front.
