Coaching Linebacker Keys in the 4-3 Defense

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I have been putting a lot of thought into our Linebacker reads in the 4-3 Defense. Since 2008 I have preferred to read backs because of the speed I thought our linebackers could get the reads.

However, the idea of teaching just a back read leaves a lot to be desired. We make too many mistakes and miss too many pullers. At some point in almost every season since 2009, we have taught Guard reads in some respect to someone on the defense.

It has not always been to everyone, or in every game or every situation. But I have felt a need for reading uncovered linemen. Last season, we ended up with both Outside Linebackers focusing on reading a 2-man surface (Tackle & Tight End for the Sam or Tackle & Guard for the Will), while the Mike continued reading the back.

Now, I’d like to transition completely to reading Offensive Linemen as the primary key, with Back flow as a secondary key. There has been some internal struggle, but I think we are getting closer. [Read more...]

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Filed Under: 4-3 Defense, Linebackers, Members

Coaching Linebacker Run Fits in the 4-2-5 Defense

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You want your Linebackers to play fast. You need them to get downhill on the run, and to get out quickly on the pass. But in order to coach it to your players, you have to understand how to do it yourself.

Having coached in all four major fronts over the last several years, I can say that the easiest place to teach Linebacker reads is in the 4-2-5 Defense. The two Linebacker structure of the 4-2-5 and the 3-4 Defense makes for a much easier, consistent read than in the 4-3 Defense or the 3-3-5 Defense.

The alignment of the backers in the 4-2-5 gives them a clearer picture of the backs in the backfield, without leaving them so vulnerable when facing uncovered linemen in front of them (as in the 3-4 Defense). Clearer vision and better protection means your Linebackers can diagnose the play and get there faster.

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Stop the Screen Pass and Save Your Sanity

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The title to this article is a little misleading. It probably implies that I have managed to save my sanity. Let me clarify, what is on paper does not always happen on the field. Screen passes have had me tearing my hair out for years!

Between defending the run, and stopping the pass, from multiple fronts and coverages, it is easy to run out of time to teach defending the screen pass. But you have to! If you can read it, you can stop it, and get back to defending all the things you designed your defense for.Screen to the ReceiverHere we have a pretty basic screen. The Quarterback is faking a Sprint Pass to the right, with the sprint side receivers running typical flood routes. This gets the Linebackers flowing, and the free safety as well. Of course, your Defensive Line is also pinning their ears back to get to the QB out there.The QB plants his foot, spins back and his the #1 receiver to the left, who’s blocking has been setting up during the sprint action. The slot handles the most dangerous receiver, while the screen side offensive linemen handle the rest of the bodies on the field. And we’re off to the races!Screen passes are becoming a crucial part of defending opponents. The popular Air Raid Offense utilizes screens and draws as their running game. You have to be able to stop the Screen to stop spread offenses who are trying to slow down your pass rush. [Read more...]

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Filed Under: Defensive Line, Linebackers, Members

Linebacker Drills to Stop the Run

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Hi this is Joe Daniel with footballdefense.com. Today I’m going to talk to you about linebacker drills for stopping the run. There are two drills today that I’m going to use to emphasize the most important characteristics of a run-stopping linebackers and the first one would be to defeat blocks. We have to teach our linebackers they’re gonna have to defeat one block to make a tackle. Against a good football team were not gonna run around tackles and guards.

The second drill I’m gonna talk about is getting the linebackers downhill, you know, then fit them well on the ball carrier. Make sure that they’re making tackle or force the ball carrier to bounce outside to where our help is.


Transcript of Video

First is our block destruct. The block destruct will be going to set it up two linebackers we’re gonna have two guys holding shields. Now we do this to keep the wear and tear off of our kids. You have a line of kids ready to take the bag and the bag holder will hold after the linebackers for each reps. Linebackers are going to be three yards off. He is gonna have his inside foot up. He’s gonna attack the outside half on the back so his alignment can be tight. We’re gonna be right shoulder, he’s gonna take his right shoulder, right arm, right forearm, everything and drive up underneath that pad or underneath of that pads of the blocker and take the space away from him. We will work on our way down to control not screaming down there will be no screaming on the other side of the ball on a run play. So we’re coming in control. And when we get there we’re gonna take him outside half of his bag and drive him back with our body. We want to end up taking space and being where his heels where. Move his body and get off the block where his heels were. So we can now redirect to make a play.

The front linebackers on your call coming down here and then the block destruct getting to the heels. Take the space away from the blocker and now curves can redirect is just point to the others for this guys a break and make sure that they are under control. We can add on to this. We could add ball carrier right here so if this guy comes through now it’s gonna go and make a tackle of the ball carrier on the downhill path. So we can just expand on this drill to give you more time, because now we’re getting on block destructing drill and tackle drill at the same time.

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Filed Under: Football Drills, Free Articles, Linebackers, Videos

Coaching Linebacker Stance

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Some coaches are so detail oriented. They can see every little mistake and need everything to be perfect. Others are results guys. They don’t car how the job gets done, as long as the result is good.

Nowhere on the defensive side do these differences become more obvious than linebacker stances. Some teams will have 2 or 3 linebackers standing at exactly 5 yards looking like a picture out of a manual. Others have guys at different levels, different hip height, foot width, and anything else you can think of.

For me, I guess I am a results guy. I don’t care what he looks like pre-snap if he’s making plays. There are only a few guidelines my guys need to follow, and one rule not to be broken.

Coaching the Stance

We start with the feet and work up when teaching stance.

  1. Start with the feet under the armpits and balanced. Squat down with hands on knees like a center fielder would.
  2. Arch the back, pushing the chest out and “showing you numbers”. He chest is big and his head is up. Now drop the hands and let the arms relax.

    3. [Read more...]

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Filed Under: Linebackers, Members