As a new Coach to Midget Football this year I was placed with the responsibility of working on our Offensive & Defensive lines. I created the following training aid to help develop our speed and penetration across the line of scrimage. Items needed: 1- 10' piece of Schedule 40 PVC pipe (Home Depot - Lowes etc...) 2 Caps for the end of the pipe 25 feet of Nylon rope 1 eye screw - long enough to go all the way through the diameter of the pipe 1 Rope Clip to attach to eye screw Find the center of the Pipe(5 feet) and drill a small hole through the diameter of the pipe. Place the eye screw through the drilled hole and secure with a nut and washer on the outside of the pipe. Drill the same size hole in each of the caps. Put one end of the rope through the hole and tie a knot on the inside side of the cap. With cap hanging on rope - measure 6" away form the cap. cut and tie another knot. Repeat for the other cap. Place both caps on the end's of the pipe. You now have successfully install the end pull ropes. Now cut appox. 10' of rope and attach one end to the loop on the rope clip. Once attached to the rope clip, snap this onto the eye screw opening. Then tie another knot on the end of the rope. You now have completed the Speed pull rope Using of the Device: MAIN DRILL: EXPLOSION......... Lay the pipe down on the ground as your line of scrimage, behind the back tip of the football. Have your offensive or defensive players line-up on the pole. This really helps to get the correct alignment to the ball. ( so that they don't get in the habit of lining up off-sides) Have the players go through "Down, Set," and check for proper 3 Point Stance. Once all players are in a good 3-Point stance...have them grasp the pole with their set hand. The Coach then picks up the end of the 10' Speed rope which is in front of the pole (Connected to the eye screw and laying in defensive territory) Once the snap count is given... the coach runs backward...pulling the rope (and players) across the line of scrimage...thus building uniform speed across the entire line. Repeat the process until all players are exploding across the line...without the assistance of the pole. OTHER DRILLS: NO ONE LEFT BEHIND........ Have two coaches grap the ropes on the end of the pole. Place the pole behind the players... AFTER they have achieved a good three point stance. Once the snap count is given, the two coaches run forward pulling the pole against the players rear-ends. Repeat the drill until all of the players are exploding off of the line. Continue to have the coaches pull the pole behind the players...but give the players a couple of seconds before moving forward. This will help you determine the player's that are waiting on the pole to move them forward...and those that are exploding off of the line. HOW LOW CAN YOU GO...... Have two coaches hold the pole appox. 3 feet in front of the line...and appox 3 feet high from the ground. As the players explode off of the line...they must maintain speed as well as go underneath the pole. This will reinforce the "Low Man Always Wins" blocking technnics. We have done these drills for the last several practices...and the kids are really enjoying them...and having alot of fun learning the skills needed to play the game effectively. Sincerely, Coach Chris Qunicy Panthers JV Team