Introduction: The Battle is Won Before the Snap
Every offensive lineman has heard it shouted from the sidelines, conference rooms, or practice fields: “Low man wins!” It’s one of football’s oldest truths, and it’s been repeated so many times that it’s becoming background noise. But here’s the thing: leverage is more than simply a phrase. It is the basis for winning in the trenches. Before the ball is snapped, hands strike, and pads collide, leverage has already begun to decide the outcome of the play.
The top offensive linemen do not simply react; they position themselves to win. They understand how body angle, pad level, balance, and footwork work together to generate power that appears effortless but is far from accidental. This piece is not about turning football into a physics class. It’s about breaking down leverage into real-world concepts that players and coaches can understand. Because when leverage is right, everything works better: run blocks move defenders, pass protection remains solid, and confidence flows across the line.
Master leverage, and you will not only survive, but also lead the trenches.
1. What Coaches Actually Mean When They Say ‘Leverage’
It’s More Than Just Getting Low
When coaches discuss leverage, they are not simply instructing offensive linemen to bend their knees. True leverage is based on body position relative to the defender. It’s pad level, but it’s also about balance, angles, and control. A lineman can be low but still lose if their weight is forward, their feet are dead, or their hips are separated from their hands.
Leverage means placing yourself in a position where your power transfers cleanly from your body to the defender. This is why good offensive linemen look calm when winning. They aren’t muscling blocks; they’re maximizing position.
2. Body Position Wins Over Body Type Every Time
Why Smaller Offensive Linemen Can Win Big
Football favors size, but the trenches value technique. Leverage is a great equalizer. A shorter lineman with good pad level, tight hips, and active feet can outperform a taller defender who plays upright. Why? Because leverage weakens the defender’s balance.
When a lineman controls leverage, defenders are forced to fight uphill. That is exhausting. That is frustrating. Over four quarters, it defeats even the most athletic opponents. This is why some offensive linemen often win matchups that they “shouldn’t” on paper. They understand how to use their bodies efficiently, and efficiency always beats recklessness.
3. The Low Man Rule and Why It Still Matters
Old-School Truth That Never Gets Old
The low man wins because the low man controls contact first and direction second. Lower pads show upward force. Upward force destroys balance. Once the balance is lost, the game is over.
In the run game, low leverage creates movement. It improves pass protection by providing stability. High pad level results in lunging, reaching, and holding, all of which are quick ways to lose the faith of both coaches and referees.
The low man rule is not obsolete. It’s timeless. Football has changed, but leverage remains unchanged. Gravity still exists. Balance is still important. Defenders still do not like being forced to play low.
4. Feet, Hips, and Hands: The Leverage Trifecta
Power Starts From The Ground Up
Leverage starts with the feet, not the hands. Great offensive linemen win by taking short, controlled steps while keeping their base wide and their weight centered. When the feet stop, leverage is lost.
Next up are the hips. Hips generate power. If the lineman’s hips are behind his feet, he loses momentum. If they’re ahead, balance is lost. Proper hip posture allows force to move easily upward.
Finally, the hands complete the job. Inside hand placement secures the leverage. Bad hands erase good feet. Good hands magnify them. When all three work together, the lineman does more than just block; he also controls.
5. Common Leverage Killers (and How Coaches Can Fix Them)
Small Mistakes That Cost Big Plays
Leverage is fragile. A few common habits destroy it quickly:
- Playing too tall after initial contact
- Overreaching instead of stepping
- Stopping feet on contact
- Bending at the waist instead of the knees
- Trying to win with strength alone
Coaches address these weaknesses through repetition and accountability. Not yelling and repeating. Leverage mistakes are often habitual rather than effort-related. And habits are formed through training rather than lectures.
6. Teaching Leverage Without Overthinking It
Practical Coaching Cues
The most effective leverage coaching is straightforward. Long explanations are unnecessary for players; instead, they require “clear images and repeatable cues.”
- “Win the ground.”
- “Eyes up, pads down.”
- “Step, strike, drive.”
These phrases stick because they mean something. Teaching leverage means giving players many opportunities to feel like they are winning. The more they see leverage work for them, the more they want it.
This is where structured instructional materials really shine. Coaches can learn how to teach leverage by reading books like “Coaching Offensive Linemen,” which cover everything from basic pre-snap skills to one- and two-man blocks. It’s a useful tool for coaches who want leverage to show up consistently, not just sometimes. It has around 300 images and drill concepts.
7. How Leverage Shows Up on Game Day
From Practice Drill to Friday Night Lights
On game day, leverage is what keeps you calm and collected. Offensive linemen who are sure of their technique don’t rush; they respond. They stay square. They get better when pushed. And they hardly ever get embarrassed.
Leverage builds trust. Confidence leads to consistency. And being consistent is what wins football games. When leverage becomes second nature, offensive linemen stop guessing and start telling people what to do. That’s when you stop worrying about the offensive line and start building around it.
Conclusion: Leverage is the Great Equalizer
Leverage is not just striking, but it is the foundation of great offensive line play. It is what transforms effort into execution and technique into consistency. When offensive linemen properly understand leverage, they stop chasing blocks and instead manage defenders. They play with confidence, trust their fundamentals, and recover quickly when things don’t go as planned. Over time, that confidence extends throughout the offense. The truth is that leverage develops through practice, accountability, and effective coaching, not guesswork.
If you want to make these ideas into everyday habits, Dave Christensen’s “101 Winning Offensive Line Drills“ is an excellent resource. With clearly stated objectives, teaching points, equipment lists, and visual representations, it provides coaches with everything they need to reinforce leverage, polish fundamentals, and construct an offensive line that wins the battle before the snap on every play.
