| I am a retired NFL player and I was a lineman. In | | | | be a successful lineman: |
| this article I am going to explain what you need | | | | 1. Work on and perfect your stance. You need to |
| to do to become a lineman in the NFL. | | | | have a stance that gives you the most power |
| First of all, to be an NFL a lineman you must have | | | | and gives you the most speed at the point of |
| heart and passion as this is the most important | | | | attack. |
| part of being a NFL lineman. Heart and passion for | | | | 2. Work on the speed of your take-off. Take-off |
| the game and winning is more important than size | | | | speed for a lineman is extremely important |
| and strength. Good looks will not help you but | | | | because it is almost always the lineman that |
| looking mean will help (that's a joke). | | | | strikes first that has the advantage. |
| The average lineman is 6'0" to 6'8" tall and weighs | | | | 3. Work on staying low to the ground in your |
| 290 to 350 lbs and all NFL lineman fall into this | | | | stance and take-off because the lower you are |
| range. If you are 5'8" and 165 lbs, being an NFL | | | | the more power and leverage you will generate. |
| lineman is not in your genes or your future. I | | | | Also, when your center of gravity is low, it |
| have always felt that linemen are football's blue | | | | makes it easier for you to keep your balance and |
| collar workers. We perform the hard dirty work | | | | not be knocked over. Remember, the lowest |
| that must be done for the team to be successful | | | | player always wins. |
| but we almost never receive any glory. While | | | | 4. Hand placement is extremely important and |
| quarterbacks and wide receivers get all the | | | | you should always focus on getting your hands on |
| attention, we do all the hard hitting and our bodies | | | | the breast plate of your opponent as this gives |
| take the most physical stress and damage. | | | | you more control and power over your opponent. |
| To be an NFL lineman, you absolutely must work | | | | You will find that the best linemen are the ones |
| on your strength. While you are in high school and | | | | that have the best hand placement on their |
| college, it is essential that you work continuously | | | | opponent. |
| with strength coaches. There are three cores | | | | 5. You must work on your first step as a lineman. |
| areas of the body that you must work on. These | | | | Your first step should always be only 6 inches |
| are your upper body, your midsection and your | | | | because if your first step is too long, the |
| lower body. You should work very hard on these | | | | advantage goes to your opponent and you don't |
| three core areas if you want to make it to the | | | | want that. So remember, keep the first step of |
| NFL. You also must work harder than everybody | | | | your take-off short. |
| else. Getting into the NFL is extremely | | | | 6. Learn to finish every play and never give up on |
| competitive. To make it to the NFL, you must | | | | a play until you hear the whistle blow. The best |
| work harder than everyone else. While natural | | | | NFL players NEVER stop playing until the whistle |
| talent is helpful, I have found that the players | | | | blows. |
| who make it to the NFL are almost always the | | | | And remember, it does not matter if you play |
| players that work the hardest on and off the field | | | | defense or offense, lineman are all a part of the |
| to be the absolute best at their position. | | | | same family. Work hard and I hope to see you |
| Here are the field techniques you must master to | | | | playing in the NFL. |
