It\u2019s not easy playing offensive line in the NFL, moving backwards while blocking some of the NFL\u2019s best athletes and pass rushers whose salary is directly tied to their ability to get after the quarterback. Stopping them has been Dylan Cook\u2019s mission since switching from quarterback to offensive tackle in college, logging and impressing in his first NFL snaps last season.<\/p>\n
In a recent conversation with former Steelers defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko, Cook described his technique and when to use one hand versus a two-handed punch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d say power versus speed,\u201d Cook told Fehoko on his The Fehoko Show podcast.<\/a> \u201cIf you got a speed rusher who\u2019s a hand swiper? If you throw two hands and he swipes both of \u2019em, you\u2019re screwed. But if he swipes one, you can get the second one on or you can reload because you\u2019re not throwing all you got into it.\u201d<\/p>\n But if you got a power rusher, one hand ain\u2019t gonna stop him.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s an idea common among offensive line coaches, but one especially held true by Pat Meyer, who was Cook\u2019s offensive line coach his entire Steelers\u2019 tenure until James Campen was hired this offseason. In our article breaking down Meyer\u2019s philosophy,<\/a> we had a near-identical quote.<\/p>\n \u201cMeyer is also a big proponent of playing with independent hands. Meaning, not two-hand striking very often. He prefers the independent hand method because it eliminates the chance of the defender swiping\/wiping away both of the linemen\u2019s hands and getting beat. If one gets knocked down, the lineman still has the other. He prefers the idea of a low\/high punch and flashing a \u201cdead hand\u201d to get the rusher to declare his pass rush move, knock one hand down, and allow the lineman to punch and control the block with the other. There are times where Meyer is ok with a two-hand punch and he says it\u2019s fine to use as a change-up but expect independent hands to be the main teach point in Pittsburgh from now on.\u201d<\/p>\n What does it look like? Though not Cook, here\u2019s OT Dan Moore Jr. using independent hands, a one-hand punch, in a 2022 game. Moore throws his inside\/right hand first before bringing his left.<\/p>\n Written and talked about it some this year but Dan Moore’s independent hand use has really improved his play. Took time adjusting to new OL coach Pat Meyer but arrow pointing up. <\/p>\n Snatch & trap to win these two reps Sunday. #Steelers<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/RnliDpceUH<\/a><\/p>\n