Even if it's the off-season, you can always get better -- you don't even need pads or a full practice. Thankfully, there are tons of drills that can improve your defensive line play through strength and conditioning sessions.

The following drills are ones that you can use to improve get-off reaction, hand speed, explosiveness, separation, leverage and pass rush without the use of helmets and shoulder pads.

Whether you’re training inside during the winter or outside during the spring, these drills can be applied at any place and time during your football training session.