What are the best movements to help them get in shape? Some of my teammates seem to think they need to run harder in practice but I think because it's different motor unit recruitment compared to the blocking and driving people that probably wears them out.

So would driving sleds and squatting be superior to sprints for getting the offensive line in shape?

Are their any other lifts that mimic the driving movement of a lineman better?

Shouldn't the coach/trainers have the knowledge and experience..?

This is more for their own time.

Squats cleans

2 people + 1 thick rubber stretching band. Both people get inside it and wrap it around their waist. Person in front has it across the front of his hips and takes off running. Person behind should have the back of the band across their lower back and act like an anchor to slow down the person running.

We used to do this in highschool and it helped immensely for lineman shit, but it sucks. Really bad lol.

But, just being more powerful than the man across from you goes a very long way also. + technique/getting low etc

This post was edited by PureOwnage2 on Aug 30 2014 08:57am

Thanks I appreciate this.

And is bigger better? Should they bulk?

This post was edited by tommyd323 on Aug 30 2014 10:05am

To be sure, being in shape is not the top priority for a lineman. The NFL cutoff is something like 5.5 on the 40 for linemen.
That being said, if the linemen's performance isn't hurt by a program aimed at helping them run faster in practice, then it may become an athletic advantage.

Pretty much any added fast-twitch stuff can help them out (for speed), but even improvements in agility will help them feel faster and perform better. No matter what they add to their programs, I would not suggest having them stop doing squats. Squats, cleans, bench presses, and deadlifts can be a (literally) huge part of their base development.

As for movements that mimic driving, yeah sledding and band work can help. I like hill sprints. It requires drive, it increases stride length, and of course it improves power. There are several "agility" movements that improve hip drive -- worth checking out. Oh, and hip thrusts can help. They tend to work the butt but because of the way they work, they are a great compliment to squats and they can improve mobility and strength in the hips.

Maximum Football Training (from Jim Kielbaso) costs something like $200; maybe consider checking it out. The designer is an NFL combine specialist.

This post was edited by RewtheBrave on Aug 30 2014 11:29am

This
The #1 thing that helped my explosiveness off of the line in high school was cleans
And for linemen, I would say bigger is better lol

Okay a side question. I know ibuprofen is bad for muscle recovery etc. but is it okay if I take one before I lift just this once because my body is super sore and hurts after last nights football game lol. I don't know if my hands could handle the bar without some ibuprofen.

I don't want to sound like a jerk, but ihmo unless you're injured or would injure yourself by lifting, suck it up. I prefer to workout when I'm sore (to some degree) because then I get a really good connection. The more you can feel what you're working, the better imho. Until it's extreme and you're going to actually injure yourself. Then it becomes stupidity.