Coach_Schell

Linebackers: Don’t OVERRUN the ball carrier. Stay on the BACK HIP. Make the play.

Linebackers love stopping the RUN. But they must also be great against the PASS. A key type of movement? Flipping the hips.

Linebackers: Add the RICOCHET technique to your toolbox. -SHOULDER CHARGE the blocker -ACCELERATE to ball carrier -Avoid getting WASHED Use this when you are IN BETWEEN the blocker and the football.

Linebackers: Here are the 5 fundamental building blocks of elite Linebacker play. 1. Stance and Movement It all starts with a great stance. Once the play starts, there are three types of movement you must master: Shuffle (Hips and shoulders square) - The SHUFFLE is great for power and change of direction, but it’s a slow movement. Scrape (Hips turned, shoulders square) - This is faster than a SHUFFLE, but it’s tougher to change directions. Shoot (Full turn and run) - This is the fastest type of movement, and the worst for change of direction. Elite Linebackers perfect these movements, and easily transition between all three. 2. Reading the Play It doesn’t matter how fast you can move if you’re going in the wrong direction. Knowing how to read a play is critical. I prefer the Triangle Read method. This involves an initial read of certain Offensive Linemen followed by a secondary read of the Backfield. Master the Triangle Read if you want to play fast. 3. Defeating Blocks There are many different ways to defeat a block. Sometimes you must take on the block with POWER. Other times you can avoid the block with SPEED. Elite Linebackers develop multiple different techniques for block destruction. Then they become experts at knowing when to use each one. 4. Tackling Elite Linebackers are great tacklers. But it’s not just about the finish. You must also master the APPROACH to the tackle. This includes footwork, leverage, and angles. Drill these things until they become second nature. Confidence is the key to great tackling. 5. Pass Coverage Covering the Pass is a key element to great Linebacker play. This includes understanding Coverage Concepts, using great Eye Discipline, and mastering Pass Coverage Techniques. Whether you’re playing Man, Zone, or Match, make a commitment to being dominant against the Pass. Final Thoughts These are just the basics. Elite Linebackers round out their game by developing skills for Blitzing, Ball Disruption, Run Fits, Special Teams Techniques, and more. But it all starts with the fundamentals. Master these 5 skills and start making plays all over the football field.