More details about the stem block

One of the most difficult blocks for receivers to master is the stem block, but with a few simple training points and drills, you can have your players execute it fairly consistently. The stalking block is a block on a defensive back by a receiver or slot with the goal of keeping the defensive back out of the way of the ball carrier. Some coaches like the blocker to protect the defender from the ball carrier, others, like coach Ron Brown, like his sons to push the defender after contact.

In youth soccer, the lock on space is what separates the good teams from the great teams. Stem lock is usually the difference between an 8 yard gain and a 25 yard gain. It is 70% attitude and commitment and 30% technical.

how is it made

The first step is to take the correct angle for the stem block to be sure and gain leverage. If the defender is on the receiver’s outside shoulder, the receiver attacks the defender’s inside shoulder. If the defender is on the receiver’s inside shoulder, attack the defender’s outside shoulder. If the play is from the other side of the field, the receiver should take a shallow angle and attack the inside shoulder of the defenders.

Second, the receiver needs to maintain a 3-yard cushion with the defender while running his “route.” The receiver’s first steps should be full speed so the defender thinks to pass first and the defender moves back. The longer you can keep that defender moving back, the more distance you will put between him and the ball carrier.

the limit of the mattress

Once the margin between the receiver and defender becomes shorter than 3 yards, the receiver must slow down, recover, and position himself to block the defender. He should get his butt down, keep his knees bent, and be ready to move anywhere with his feet moving. Some people call this buzzing the feet, what it does is make sure the receiver has his feet moving to make sure he can attack the defender.

Have the defender walk up to the receiver and commit to one direction. At this point, the receiver can use whatever blocking technique their offense is committed to in space. Some prefer the receiver to make hand contact and release, reposition contact and release, others are just looking for a pick type block, they just want the receiver to get in the way. We like our receivers to maintain contact once they’ve faced the defender. We don’t want him to push the defender downfield, but we expect him to stay engaged with both hands and a bit of the shoulders, making sure he doesn’t get flanked.

The foot

Obviously the feet are the key to this block. We do a lot of mirror drills with defenders versus receivers, often with the receivers putting their hands behind their backs. The goal is to never get flanked by using quick feet to stay in front of the defender. We also do a lot of defensive reading and reaction drills. We put receivers one on one with defensive backs, the receiver gets a cue to block down, block stalking, run a smoke, go, skew or arrow. We’re obviously working both sides of the ball in this drill and we get a lot of blocking reps with our live receivers on defensive backs.

While this is a more difficult screen due to the space issue, if the receiver sells the path of the pass and uses these techniques and drills, it is a feasible screen in youth soccer. Be sure and hold your receivers accountable for making this block. I tell my kids they will never see the ball if they don’t consistently stalk the block well. Remember, with the exception of Texas and Massachusetts, this block must be above the waist.