With all of the attention on the 7-on-7 drill—a non-contact, all-passing exercise playing football skill position players against one another—the Big Dawgs up front who make that high flying passing game possible....can get lost in the shuffle.

Enter the Big Man Brawl challenge. This series of events lets groups of offensive linemen, defensive linemen and tight ends (when these guys are not with the skill players in the passing drills) square off in team and individual drills. The events vary depending on the weekly tournament, but mainstays include:

• Tire Flips for Time: Flip a car/tractor tire. Tire size will depend on age. Both individual and team tire flip.
• Bench Press for Reps: Bench Press  weighted plates. Plate weight will vary.
• Medicine Ball Throw: Without taking a step, throw a medicine ball for distance.
• Pro Agility Drill: Complete the 5-10-5 Pro Agility Drill for time.
  
• Pro Agility Drill: Complete the L Drill for time.
• 200-Yard Shuttle Run: Sprint 20 yards and back five times without stopping, for time.
• Obstacle Course: Complete an obstacle course for time.
• Team Sled Push for Time: 1 Man, 3 Man or 5 Man team pushing blocking sled over a distance, for time.
• Team Tug of War: Exactly what it sounds like. Six guys pulling a rope that another six guys are pulling in the opposite direction.
• Tire Tug: 1 on 1 tug of war with a tire.
• Powerdrive: Push Powerdrive over a distance for time.
• Medicine Ball Push: Push medicine ball around competing lineman.
• Medicine Ball Throw: On both knees, players toss medicine ball for distance.
• Obstacle Course Relay
• QB Sack Obstacle Course
• Farmers Walk: Relay race using kettle bell or dumbbells.
• Bull in the Ring: Using half dummies, players try and push competitor out of circle/rin.

How the Lineman’s Challenge Is Scored

Most competitions award medals to the top three finishers in each event, and the events are scored much like a track meet. Sixth place earns one point, fifth place earns two, fourth earns three, third earns four, second earns five, and first place earns six points. At the end of the meet, each team’s points are added up to determine which squad won the tournament.

Benefits for Linemen

Simply lifting weights day-in and day-out can be drudgery, so the lineman’s challenge offers a much-needed break. It also gives the big guys a team goal to work toward. The tournaments require teamwork, and the camaraderie of competition can help develop chemistry among linemen. The competition also offers the linemen the chance to earn some individual attention—a rare commodity for position players who rarely get noticed during a game unless they commit a penalty.