In the running game the WR role is= often limited to what we call "stalk blocking" which simply put is blo= cking the defensive back lined up opposite him.= If a WR is a particularly dangerous deep threat he may be able to g= et away with not blocking anybody by simply running a deep fade and making the defensive back come with him. Yo= u can reinforce that by occasionally running a play-action pass and throwing that deep fade to the WR. On all of o= ur running plays there is an assistant coach whose job is to watch the second= ary to see if they're committing too aggressively in run support and we can ta= ke advantage of them on play-action pass.
That aside, let's talk about the s= talk block for those times you need it. Many teams just tell the WRs to go block the DB without any particular technique instruction. If the WR is lucky = he gets a little instruction in squaring his shoulders and keeping his hands in front. The result looks somethin= g like this:
![](3D"StalkBlock_files/image001.gif")
![](3D"StalkBlock_files/image002.gif")
![](3D"StalkBlock_files/image003.gif")
![](3D"StalkBlock_files/image005.gif")
![](3D"StalkBlock_files/image006.gif")
![](3D"StalkBlock_files/image007.gif")
![](3D"StalkBlock_files/image008.gif")
The WR runs out, gets in front of = the DB, the DB recognizes run inside and then your WR ends up just chasing the DB inside towards the play. If you'= re lucky the RB bounces back outside and the WR is able to get in the DB's way (wit= hout clipping him). Otherwise the WRs= block is fairly ineffective and the DB is still able to run to the play.<= /p>
I teach the stalk block differentl= y. I teach that we are trying to get the= DB into a specific area of the field where he his harmless to the play. (the yellow area below)
![](3D"StalkBlock_files/image011.gif")
![](3D"StalkBlock_files/image012.gif")
![](3D"StalkBlock_files/image013.gif")
![](3D"StalkBlock_files/image014.gif")
To accomplish this we tell our WRs= to take a very aggressive inside path. Their objective is to try and get an inside position nearly even wi= th the CB.
![](3D"StalkBlock_files/image016.gif")
![](3D"StalkBlock_files/image019.gif")
Blocking this way is a lot like pl= aying defense in basketball or like pass blocking. The WR has to move well laterally, good footwork is important. They need to use their hands to fight= off the CB, and like a good pass blocker they need to keep their hands inside and = their thumbs up.
It may seem like a little thing, b= ut if you can successfully keep the CBs in the yellow area (or at least out of t= he blue area) your RB is going to have a lot more daylight to run to once he = gets through the line, especially if he bounces to the outside.