It's getting down to a few as to who will be state champions and many times it is considered that whoever wins the war in the trenches will win the championship. There is always a lot of talk saying a team's line is big but less often I hear about a fast/quick line. I know that at highlands (in the days of the repeat championships), often their lines wont weigh too much but they were some of the fastest on pulling plays, getting off the ball, or just quick feet at the line of scrimmage. I'm sure there are other schools like this or the opposite. What would you consider the greater advantage?

I'll take quick any day as long as they are tough.

Got to have a little bit of both but ultimately it comes down to flexibility to adjust to your matchup.

 

You aren't playing football right now if you don't have good line play.

I suppose to what type of offense a program runs, right? Johnson Central, Scott County, Belfry type of offense one would think big, bruising, road grater type linemen. Spread, read option offense, one would think smaller, quicker linemen that can get out on screens faster, reach block etc.

technique and smarts are more advantageous than girth over the long haul....JMO

technique and smarts are more advantageous than girth over the long haul....JMO

 

Took the words right out of my mouth. Technique rules the day

I suppose to what type of offense a program runs, right? Johnson Central, Scott County, Belfry type of offense one would think big, bruising, road grater type linemen. Spread, read option offense, one would think smaller, quicker linemen that can get out on screens faster, reach block etc.

 

To an extent. Whatever your scheme, you better have guys that can get off the ball and move. Those guys at Johnson Central and Belfry are a little more fleet of foot than most think on the surface.

If I had to choose, it would be size. Everything can be taught but size and quickness, as we know. I would take my chances with size. That is what the D-1 colleges and pros think.

Proper size (not sloppy) any day. At some point, you have to have enough butt to play in the trenches.

To an extent. Whatever your scheme, you better have guys that can get off the ball and move. Those guys at Johnson Central and Belfry are a little more fleet of foot than most think on the surface.

 

Yep!

 

There is a reason that Linemen in College Football and the Pros are huge...

 

Yes technique and athleticism is the ultimate factor... but a technical big man who has athleticism >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a technical little man that has athleticism.

 

It's just like the whole "Speed Kills" debate. Speed does kill, but speed doesn't kill you if it is getting hit before it even gets to top speed.

 

it's not as cut and dry as Size over Quickness. The majority of teams left playing football have a little of both. The teams with the 300 pound linemen with his belly hanging out that gets winded blocking two yards downfield are sitting at home just like the team with the 5'9 185 DT who couldn't move a road cone out his way.

At the high school level, I'll take quickness every single time, and beat size every time.

I'm will say a quick but strong smaller lineman with good technique in high school. One reason I like them is most of the time the bigger d1 lineman haven't yet learned technique. They usually have fits with smaller guys. I have seen time and time again where big lines get embarrassed by small quick lines because they can't even get one step before the other guy is by them.

Just my thought.

At the high school level, I'll take quickness every single time, and beat size every time.

 

Watch the 1st play in this highlight.

 

Newport Central Catholic High School vs. Shelby Valley - Maleek Lawrence highlights

High-school Success = Quick and fast.

 

College, everyone's fast. Size is a must.

 

Highschool (around here anyway) is speed. Speed wins.

Quick feet are very useful. If you flip this question to the D-line there is no debate at all.

 

Linemen who play hockey are a good thing. Talk about cross-sport skill transfer...