STALK BLOCK

We start off by doing a mirror drill with our hands behind our backs. Helps keep the chest up and forces the kids to use their feet to get into position instead of reaching or grabbing. We set two cones 5 yds apart and on the whistle the defender just works side to side as quickly as he can. On the 2nd whistle the defender goes vertical somewhere between the cones and cannot juke. The WR moves his feet w/ a base to stay square on the defender. Very important that he understands he can keep working his feet after contact to either keep or obtain leverage on the defender. Also very important that he keeps his eyes on the defenders belt buckle. This seemed to help us more than anything.
After a day or so of this, we go sprint to mirror. The WR sprints about 5-7 yds and executes the mirror drill above. The next day go to a mirror w/ a punch after the defender goes vertical on the 2nd whistle. We teach lock onto the steering wheel...if you don't have the steering wheel, then you better be fighting for the steering wheel. Almost all blocks are won/lost because of bad hand placement or whoever gets there hands fit first. I failed to mention we will pair up and punch and grab defenders steering wheel, getting about 10-20 grabs apiece. Thumbs up and locked on. We go around and hit on the arms and have the defender hit on the arms trying to knock them off.
We now do a one step slant and sprint to leverage (based on play) and mirror from there. Can't break down until you have leverage.
One of the most important teaching tools I have found is just video your drills and make time to show them the video. Explain to them, this is what I am seeing...now do you understand what I am saying? Great for showing them their hips on the sled. Most of them have their butts out and don't know or understand sinking their hips. When they see it on the video, they understand what you are seeing and plus when the tape is rolling they tend to give more effort if they know the whole group is going to see it the next day or next video opportunity. Also a great way of showing them their effort level in practice.