Adam Cushing - A&M Pass Pro Fundamentals

Texas A&M offensive line coach Adam Cushing presents a detailed, practical system for developing fundamentally sound and dependable pass protectors. Cushing begins with the mentality behind great offensive line play, emphasizing consistency, daily habits, simplified coaching cues, and the responsibility coaches have to push players toward their highest potential.

From there, he breaks pass protection down from the ground up. Coaches will learn how to evaluate and correct an offensive lineman’s stance, maintain a strong and balanced “power cylinder,” keep the knees inside the ankles, play square for as long as possible, and use the staggered foot to both deliver and absorb force.

Cushing also explains how offensive linemen can become proactive rather than reactive in protection. He details how to identify the defender’s rush angle, understand the quarterback’s launch point, reach the junction point first, alter the rusher’s path, and turn pass protection into a size-and-strength battle instead of allowing defenders to win with speed and space.

The course includes an extensive progression of drills for developing footwork, posture, punch timing, independent-hand technique, twist recognition, wide-rush protection, and recovery after a defender gains leverage. Cushing demonstrates concepts such as feet before hands, jabs instead of haymakers, punch hand versus catch hand, holding your fire until the defender breaks your cushion, firm sets, stab-and-pin technique, and surging a rusher past the quarterback.

This course gives offensive line coaches a complete framework for teaching pass protection with simple, repeatable language and drills that can be adapted to the individual needs and body types of their players. Whether you are developing young linemen or refining experienced starters, Cushing’s system provides actionable tools for reducing negative plays, protecting the quarterback, and consistently getting the best five offensive linemen on the field.