Mastering the Pass Rush: Expert Drills and Progression Tips from UCLA’s Coach Ikaika Malloe

• By Andrew Dohre

As coaches of all levels know, football is a game of strategy, intensity, and constant refinement. On the defensive side of the ball, one of the most critical aspects of controlling a game is the ability to disrupt the opposing quarterback. At UCLA, the defensive side of the ball has been a key area of focus after a season where the team finished 87th in total defense. Looking to bounce back, the Bruins know that improving their pass rush will play a central role in raising their overall defensive output.

The responsibility for turning around the Bruins’ pass rush falls to Outside Linebackers (OLB) Coach Ikaika Malloe. Coach Malloe, a respected figure in football coaching, is taking a step-by-step approach to building an elite pass rush for the team. Let's break down his philosophy, progression, and daily drills that make pass rushers successful, and how other coaches can apply these principles to their own teams.

The Core of Pass Rush Progression: The Get Off Off

The foundation of any good pass rush is the get off. A pass rusher’s ability to explode off the line of scrimmage and close the gap between themselves and the offensive lineman is crucial to putting pressure on the quarterback. Coach Ikaika Malloe is firm in his belief that a great pass rush starts with the get off. In his own words, “No defense can be great if their get off is slow.”

For Coach Malloe, the get off is the first and most important part of pass rush progression. Whether coaching a defensive end or a stand-up outside linebacker, having a fast, explosive get off is essential to success. The faster the pass rusher can close the distance between themselves and the offensive lineman, the less time the offensive lineman has to react and initiate their block. In essence, it’s a race to disrupt the quarterback, and it starts with the get off.

Drills to Perfect the Get Off Off

A great pass rush doesn’t just happen overnight; it’s the result of focused and consistent practice. Coach Malloe is a firm believer that pass rushing skills must be developed through diligent drill work. His emphasis on the get off is evident in the drills he conducts with his players every day. Let’s explore some of the key drills Coach Malloe uses to develop elite-level pass rushers.

1. Get Off Drill

The get off drill is a fundamental practice that Coach Malloe emphasizes to help players improve their explosiveness right at the snap of the ball. During this drill, the focus is on firing off the line of scrimmage with speed and power, as quickly as possible.

Objective: The primary goal of the get off drill is to explode out of the stance, minimizing the time between the snap and the first step.

Key Focus: Players need to keep their bodies low, use their legs to explode forward, and keep their movements sharp and quick.

Coaching Tip: Pay attention to the first step. The quicker and more explosive this initial movement is, the better the chances of closing the gap between the pass rusher and the offensive lineman.

This drill is done repeatedly so players build muscle memory, ensuring that their get off is consistent under game pressure. Coach Malloe stresses that the get off sets the tone for the rest of the pass rush, so it must be perfected before moving on to other techniques.

2. Explosive Start Drill

Another important drill that Coach Malloe uses to develop speed and burst is the explosive start drill. In this drill, players practice firing off the line at full speed from a standing or three-point stance.

Objective: The goal is to simulate the quickness and power required to get a head start before the offensive lineman can engage.

Key Focus: Emphasis is placed on the initial step’s explosiveness. Players should avoid any wasted motion or hesitation.

Coaching Tip: Train your players to avoid "rising" up too early. Players should maintain a low center of gravity to maximize their leverage and keep their acceleration going forward.

3. Reaction Time Drills

Since the get off is not just about raw speed but also about timing, Coach Malloe also focuses on improving the reaction time of his players. Reaction drills simulate the split-second decisions players must make once the ball is snapped. In real-game scenarios, a player must anticipate the snap and be in the correct position to attack the offensive lineman.

Objective: Develop quick reaction times and improve the player’s ability to anticipate the ball being snapped.

Key Focus: Start with a visual or auditory cue to signal the snap and have the player react explosively from the line.

Coaching Tip: Ensure that players react immediately without hesitation. The best pass rushers often get the jump on the offensive line because they have superior anticipation and reflexes.

Additional Drills for Effective Pass RushRush

Once the players have mastered the get off, Coach Malloe works with them on refining their ability to engage offensive linemen and finish their rush. While speed and explosiveness off the ball are crucial, the technique used after the initial burst is equally important.

1. Hand Fighting Drills

Pass rushers often face the challenge of having an offensive lineman engage them quickly after the snap. Therefore, Coach Malloe places a strong emphasis on hand fighting—using a variety of hand techniques to disengage from blockers.

Objective: Teach players how to keep their hands active and use them to shed blockers quickly.

Key Focus: Players should learn how to “swim,” “rip,” and use other techniques to break free from blockers.

Coaching Tip: Focus on making hand movements sharp and intentional. Players should not allow blockers to latch onto them but instead use their hands effectively to disengage.

2. Pass Rush Moves Drills

In order to be effective against offensive linemen, pass rushers need a variety of pass rush moves to keep the offensive player guessing. Whether it’s a speed rush, a bull rush, or a combination of moves, Coach Malloe ensures his players have a well-rounded arsenal.

Objective: Build a versatile pass rusher capable of adapting to different blockers and situations.

Key Focus: Practice multiple moves in combination, working on counters and adjustments as needed.

Coaching Tip: Don’t let your pass rushers become predictable. Encourage them to use different moves in combination, keeping the offensive lineman on their heels.

3. Finishing the Rush

After getting through the offensive line, a pass rusher needs to know how to finish the play by getting to the quarterback. Coach Malloe ensures his players finish their rush by staying relentless even when the quarterback evades them or a blocker engages them.

Objective: Ensure players are finishing their rushes to get a sack or force a hurried throw.

Key Focus: Maintaining the motor and aggression needed to close out the play.

Coaching Tip: Encourage your players to never give up on the play, even if they’re initially blocked. Great pass rushers relentlessly pursue the quarterback until the whistle blows.

The Mental Aspect: Understanding the RoleRole

While drills and physical conditioning are essential, Coach Malloe also emphasizes the mental aspect of pass rush progression. Pass rushers need to understand their importance within the defense and believe in their ability to change the game. Coach Malloe focuses on creating buy-in from his players, ensuring they understand how they fit into the defense as a whole.

Daily Practice and Development: Coach Malloe believes that continuous development through practice is the key to becoming an elite pass rusher. By emphasizing a consistent work ethic and attention to detail, players will develop the confidence and skills they need to contribute to the defense in a meaningful way.

Conclusionsion

For football coaches looking to build a dominant pass rush, the insights from Coach Ikaika Malloe and his progression-focused methodology are invaluable. By starting with the get off, drilling key pass rush techniques every day, and emphasizing mental buy-in, you can develop a powerful edge rush capable of disrupting the quarterback and soon you’ll have a defense that’s capable of dominating on the edge; changing the outcome of games.