| My name is Cecil "Martin" Chase and I played as a | | | | hesitate, you'll get burned. |
| Defensive Tackle in the NFL for eight years. In | | | | 4. Most important of all, you absolutely must have |
| this article I am going to provide you with | | | | a fiercely competitive mindset. You must believe |
| techniques you can use to master your skills as a | | | | you are the best and no other player can stop |
| defensive lineman. | | | | you. A defensive lineman has to be a fighter and |
| There are four core qualities that a defense | | | | he needs to love competing against the man in |
| linemen needs to posses. These qualities are | | | | front of him. He must take pride in physically |
| strength, speed, intelligence, and a fiercely | | | | defeating his opponents. He must understand that |
| competitive nature. If you do not have these | | | | winning these battles is vital to helping his team |
| qualities, you need to practice them over and | | | | win games. |
| over until you master them. By mastering them, | | | | A good defensive lineman must also be |
| you will be attractive to college football scouts as | | | | completely unselfish and willing to sacrifice his own |
| well as NFL scouts. | | | | body to help his teammates make plays. The |
| Here are the reasons why you need to master | | | | defensive lineman also needs to be highly |
| the qualities of strength, speed, intelligence and a | | | | self-motivated. Defensive lineman rarely receive |
| highly competitive nature: | | | | recognition for the key job they perform. |
| 1. You need strength to move past the | | | | Therefore, they must be able to motivate |
| opponents that are in front of you and who are | | | | themselves to compete as the highest level |
| trying to keep you from tackle the quarterback | | | | possible. A truly great defensive lineman |
| or running back. | | | | understands the importance of his role on the field |
| 2. You need speed to pursue and rush the | | | | and he must always play with pride and dedication. |
| quarterback and running back. | | | | By making these qualities your own, you will be |
| 3. You need intelligence to react to different | | | | well on your way to becoming an elite defensive |
| events that are happening all around you and you | | | | lineman. |
| need to respond to them in a split second. If you | | | | |
