Implementation Calendar

S M T W R F S
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 MARCH Spring Refresh #1

12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 1 2 APRIL

3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 1 2 3 4 5 6 MAY

7 8 9 10 11 12 13
1 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
1 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
2 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 JUNE

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
4 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
5 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
6 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 JULY

7 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
9 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
10 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
11 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 AUGUST

12 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
14 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
15 28 29 30 31 32 1 2
 WINNING EDGE WINNING EDGE
M ACHIN E GUN DOWN HILL SHUFFLE
POWER TACKLE EYE OPEN ER

FUNDAMENTALS

STANCE Brennan - Whitford

MOVEMENT Maher - Early

TACKLING Ferguson - Dotterer

PASS DROPS Terry - Robinson

PRE PRACTICE
 9 TECH STEPS (reach / pass / power)

LB FORM FIT PUNCH

300-330 M TG
340 - 355 PREPRACTICE
405 - 425 WINNING EDGE
430 - 435 40 SEC
435 - 455 PUN T
455 - 515 PUN T RET
515 - 550 INDY
555 - 610 GROUP 1
610 - 655 TEAM
PASS RUSH

ILB GETTING 'SKINNY' THROUGH GAPS

ILB TAKING ON FB

OLB EDGE RUSH TO POINT

AGILITY

KEYS

PURSUIT

BLOCK DESTRUCTION

TACKLING

PASS COVERAGE

BLITZING
2004 LB IMPLEMENTATION
Spring Refresh #1 tues 5-Apr
PERIOD TIME INSTRUCTION COMMENTS

1 5 positions - versatility to play ALL spots - key fundamental

flexibility

2 10 shuffle agility drill nautral movement

3 20 IN / AT drill getting back in the

45s & break rhythm

4 30 MAN TO MAN COVERAGE work aiming points

be a DB

8 TEAM

Walk Thru # 1 tues 5-Jun 2hr

PERIOD TIME INSTRUCTION COMMENTS

1 5 positions reviewing concept

varsity assignments

2 15 stance reviewing tech

shuffle

varsity lateral pursuit

3 10 45s pass drops

varsity 45s & break breaking to ball

4 5 positions reviewing concept

freshmen assignments

5 15 stance reviewing tech

shuffle

freshmen lateral pursuit

6 10 45s pass drops

 freshmen 45s & break breaking to ball

7 20 7 on 7 skelly

C3 landmark drops

8 40 TEAM 3

Walk Thru # 4 mon 11-Jun 2hr

PERIOD TIME INSTRUCTION COMMENTS

1 10 shuffle reviewing tech

IN / AT drill vs ball carrier

varsity

2 10 hit & shed fundamentals

varsity 45s pass drops

3 10 skate drill lateral pursuit

varsity

4 10 shuffle reviewing tech

IN / AT drill vs ball carrier

freshmen

5 10 hit & shed fundamentals

freshmen 45s pass drops

6 10 skate drill lateral pursuit

freshmen

7 20 7 on 7 skelly

C3 + C6

8 40 TEAM 3+6

1 SHORTS

time 8-Aug time

PRE PRACTICE

5 KICK SLIDES 5

10 KICK SLIDE WITH SPLIT 10

15 KICK SLIDE WITH PUNCH 15

positions - assignments - weak/strong -
5 stance 5
run
 RUNNING!
run 10 10

15 LB SHUFFLE THRU - EXIT OUTSIDE 15

pass tackle

20 LB SHUFFLE THRU - EXIT INSIDE 20

25 ZONE BREAK WITH JUGS 25

30 one step tackle 30

35 Review gap assign TO / AWAY 35

pursuit

40 IN - AT - OUT (3) 40

45 IN - AT - OUT (3) 45

6 PADS

time 16-Aug time

5 LONG BURMA 5
run

10 Bull In A Ring 10

15 TACKLE ONTO BIG BAG 15

pass tackle

SPIDER 1-ON-1
20 20

25 sideline tackle w/bag 25

30 IN - AT - OUT (3) Half Line 30

35 IN - AT - OUT (6) Half Line 35

pursuit

40 IN - AT - OUT (2) Half Line 40

45 Drop review 3 - 6 -2 45

11 PADS

time 23-Aug time

5 Stance + Shuffle review 5

run

10 45's 10

15 45's + tip 15
Hit & Shed Review WHY it
pass

20 works 20
Lineman key pull, down, pass, reach
tackle

25 25

30 30

35 one man sled wrap up 35

pursuit

NS "FB dive" play

40 40
 pursuit
NS "FB dive" play

45 45

2005 LB IMPLEMENTATION
1 SHORTS

time 8-Aug time

RUNNING!
PURSUIT 5 5
LB AGILITY W/ BAGS
AGILITY 10 10
PURSUIT 15 1) LB STANCE 2) LB STANCE FIRE OUT 15
1) LB SHUFFLE 2) LB SHUFFLE FIRE OUT 3)
PURSUIT 20 LB SHUFFLE CHANGE OF DIRECTION 20
PASS 25 LB DROPS 45 25
PASS 30 LB DROPS 45 WITH JUGS MACHINE 30
PURSUIT 35 PURSUIT DRILL 35
3 IN - AT - OUT (RUN THRU) PURSUIT
PURSUIT 40 DRILL 40
TACKLING 45 ONE STEP FORM TACKLE 45

4 HELMETS

time 11-Aug time

5 4 pt push / pull w/ each 5

10 2 pt rip vs 1 man 10

15 45s - pass tip 15

20 45s - pass tip 20

25 HIT & SHED FOOTWORK 25

30 HIT & SHED WITH BAG 30

35 FORM TACKLING WITH DUMMY 35

40 IN - AT - OUT (6) 40
45 IN - AT - OUT (6) 45

6 PADS

16-Aug time

5 LB FORM FIT 5

10 ONE STEP TACKLE 10

15 BLOCK DESTRUCTION DRILL 15

20 BLOCK DESTRUCTION DRILL 20

25 CHOP DRILL 25

30 CHOP DRILL 30

35 JUMP TACKLE 35

40 EYE OPENER 40

45 GOAL LINE TACKLE 45

MENTATION
Spring Refresh #2 wed 19-Apr
PERIOD TIME INSTRUCTION COMMENTS

1 5 shuffle agility drill

2 10 IN / AT drill

3 15 Coverage Review / Chalk talk

4 20 Strenght Recognition

5 30 Formation Adjustments / Checks

Walk Thru # 2 wed 6-Jun 2hr

PERIOD TIME INSTRUCTION COMMENTS

1 10 stance reviewing tech

shuffle

varsity lateral pursuit vs ball carrier

2 10 45s pass drops

varsity 45s & break breaking to ball

3 10 hit & shed fundamentals

varsity

4 10 stance reviewing tech

shuffle

freshmen lateral pursuit

5 10 45s pass drops

freshmen 45s & break breaking to ball

6 10 hit & shed fundamentals

 freshmen

7 20 7 on 7 skelly

C3 landmark drops

8 40 TEAM 3

Walk Thru # 5 tues 12-Jun 1hr

PERIOD TIME INSTRUCTION COMMENTS

1 15 3 walk thru landmark drops

vs ball carrier reads / help

2 15 6 walk thru landmark drops

fundamentals reads / help

3 10 cover ground drill fundamentals

lateral pursuit

4 TEAM REVIEW

7 ON 7 PASSING

2 SHORTS 3 SHORTS

9-Aug time 10-Aug time

9 TECH FIRST STEP 5 KICK SLIDES

9 TECH BLOCK REACT 10 KICK SLIDE WITH SPLIT

15 KICK SLIDE WITH PUNCH

LB AGILITY THRU BAGS 5 LB AGILITY THRU BAGS 5

4pt strikes vs sled 10 4pt push / pull w/ each 10

2pt strike vs 1man sled 15 2pt escapes vs 1man 15

cover ground 20 hit & shed feet review 20

Hook route drop 25 Base Route Drill (man) 25

sideline tackle w/bag 30 tackle w/ dummy 30

MIKE POS - ISO 35 downhill vs lineman key 35

CONE DRILL 40 SAM POS - POWER / DIVE 40

IN - AT - OUT (6) 45 IN - AT - OUT (6) 45

7 PADS 8 PADS

17-Aug time 18-Aug time

hit & shed vs shield 5 2pt rip vs 1man 5

Bull In A Ring 10 Pass Rush / Blitz w/ ring 10

TRAIN WRECK 15 Pass Rush / Blitz w/ ring 15

21 - 61 20 21 - 61 - 30mike line/20 20

21 - 61 25 21 - 61 - 30mike line/20 25

LB FLOW VS GUARDS 30 LB FLOW VS EMOL 30

LB FLOW VS GUARDS 35 LB FLOW VS EMOL 35

IN - AT - OUT (3) 40 IN - AT - OUT (3) 40

IN - AT - OUT (6) 45 IN - AT - OUT (6) 45

12 PADS 13 PADS

24-Aug time 25-Aug time

45's 5 45's 5

one man sled wrap up 10 one man sled wrap up 10

Hit & Shed 15 Hit & Shed 15

20 20
STRIP DRILL Tomahawk STRIP DRILL Punch
25 25
NS "TOSS" play NS "ISO" (weak)play
30 30

35 35

40 40
LINE READS down / reach LINE READS pull / pass
 LINE READS down / reach LINE READS pull / pass
45 45

MENTATION
1 SHORTS 1 SHORTS

9-Aug time 10-Aug

* 20 YARD TIME LB AGILITY W/ BAGS
5
* ALL RACE(FASTEST / SLOWEST) DOWNHILL W/ KEY
10
LB AGILITY W/ BAGS
15 * PRO AGILITY TIME

STANCE - FIREOUT - SHUFLE STANCE / SHUFFLE / KEYS

20
ALIGNMENT IN '3' - POSITION REVIEW -
FORMATION RECOGNITION 25
PASS DROP 45 - COVER GROUND W BALL

6PT EXPLOSIONS - 4 PT EXPLOSIONS 30

4 PT ESCAPES 35 3 IN - AT - OUT ( DRILL)

ISO / POWER/ OPTION
3 IN - AT - OUT ( RUN THRU) 40
ISO / POWER
45 ** LINE UP CANS QUIZ

5 HELMETS

12-Aug

2pt SWIM vs 1man

5 MAN SLED shiver / extension
circuit

bull in ring vs shield

FUMBLE RECOVERY

cradle / bench tuck / scoop

STRIP DRILL

COVER GROUND DRILL

Drop review 3 - 6 -2
Drop review 3 - 6 -2

7 PADS 8 PADS

17-Aug time 18-Aug time

hit & shed vs shield 5 2pt rip vs 1man 5

Bull In A Ring 10 10
ILB PASS RUSH - VS OG & FB
BASE ROUTE DRILL 15 OLB PASS RUSH - VS OT & TB 15

BASE ROUTE DRILL 20 20

IN - AT - OUT (3) 25 25
Pass Rush / Blitz w/ ring

IN - AT - OUT (3) 30 30

IN - AT - OUT (6) 35 35

IN - AT - OUT (6) 40 PASS RUSH 1-ON-1 W/ OFFENSE 40

IN - AT - OUT (6) 45 45
Walk Thru # 3 10-Jun
PERIOD TIME INSTRUCTION

Walk Thru # 3 sun 10-Jun

PERIOD TIME INSTRUCTION

1 10 stance

IN / AT drill

varsity

2 10 45s

varsity hit & shed

3 10 skate drill

varsity

4 10 stance

shuffle

freshmen lateral pursuit

5 10 45s

freshmen hit & shed

6 10 skate drill
 freshmen

7 20 7 on 7

C3

8 40 TEAM

Walk Thru # 6 wed 13-Jun

PERIOD TIME INSTRUCTION

1 10 3 walk thru

2 10 6 walk thru

3 20 adjustments

specials

4 TEAM REVIEW

EQUIPMENT CHECKOUT

4 HELMETS 5 HELMETS

11-Aug time 12-Aug

KICK SLIDES KICK SLIDES

KICK SLIDE WITH SPLIT KICK SLIDE WITH SPLIT

KICK SLIDE WITH PUNCH KICK SLIDE WITH PUNCH

LB AGILITY THRU BAGS 5 LB AGILITY THRU BAGS

4pt push / pull w/ each 10 2pt SWIM vs 1man

2pt rip vs 1man 15 5 MAN circuit

45s - pass tip 20 bull in ring vs shield

45s - pass tip 25 FUMBLE RECOVERY

DEVIL/ROVER POS - POWER /
SWEEP 30 DEVIL 9 TECH POS - POWER

ILB/OLB OL READ 35 STRIP DRILL

IN - AT - OUT (6) 40 IN - AT - OUT (3) Half Line

IN - AT - OUT (6) 45 IN - AT - OUT (6) Half Line

9 PADS 10 PADS

19-Aug time 20-Aug

hit & shed vs shield 5 hit & shed vs shield

Base Route Drill (man) 10 one step tackle

Base Route Drill (man) 15 45's - 45's & ball

ILB/OLB OL READ 20 ILB/OLB OL READ

ILB/OLB OL READ 25 ILB/OLB OL READ

STRIP DRILL 30 STRIP DRILL

STRIP DRILL 35 FUMBLE RECOVERY

FUMBLE RECOVERY 40 HALF LINE READ

FUMBLE RECOVERY 45 HALF LINE READ

14 PADS 15 PADS

26-Aug time 27-Aug

45's 5 45's

one man sled wrap up 10 one man sled wrap up

Hit & Shed 15 Hit & Shed

20
STRIP DRILL Rip out GATA PASS RUSH
25
NS "POWER" play NS "Option" (weak)play
30

35

40
LINE READS down / pass LINE READS pull / reach
LINE READS down / pass LINE READS pull / reach
45

x maher 381-8850

wn tate 323-3302

x early 324-4150

x riley 381-2335

brennan 324-9950

robinson 32306576

x ferguson 326-2194

x terry 324-7817

x warner 322-7920

band field at school

defense review

big plans for season

12 weeks until camp

4 weeks till team camp

 9 PADS 10 PADS

19-Aug time 20-Aug

hit & shed vs shield 5 hit & shed vs shield

Base Route Drill (man) 10 one step tackle

Base Route Drill (man) 15 45's - 45's & ball

21 / 61 ASSIGNMENT REVIEW 20 3 - 6 - 2- 61 - 62 REVIEW

ILB/OLB OL READ 25 3 - 6 - 2- 61 - 62 REVIEW

ILB/OLB OL READ 30 HALF LINE READ

5 MAN SLED shiver / extension
circuit 35 HALF LINE READ

GOAL LINE TACKLE 40 IN - AT - OUT (3)

GOAL LINE TACKLE 45 IN - AT - OUT (6)

 PREDICTED MAC FINISH

1
1 Bettendorf 8 1
COMMENTS

1
2 Assumption 8 1

3
3 Pleasant Valley 6 3

3
4 North Scott 6 3

4
5 Central 5 4

4
6 West 5 4

6
7 Muscatine 3 6

7
8 Burlington 2 7

9 Clinton 1 8

10 North 0 9

2hr
COMMENTS

reviewing tech

vs ball carrier

pass drops

fundamentals

lateral pursuit

reviewing tech

vs ball carrier

pass drops

fundamentals

lateral pursuit
 skelly

route reads

1hr
COMMENTS

landmark drops

reads / help

landmark drops

reads / help

chalk talk

RUN FORCE

TACKLING
 TURNOVER

BLOCK PROTECTION

READS

5 STRIP DRILL

5 STRIKE DRILL

5 STRIKE & ESCAPE

5 PUNCH & ESCAPE

5 READ & FILL

DRILLS

STUTTER

2 STEP

CROSSFIELD MIRROR

LONG & SHORT BOX DRILL - CONES

DOTS COD

COMBO CODS

BAGS

RUN * GATHER

PRESS

PRESS / CUT

BREAK * JUMP

PRESS * BURST

BASE/ CUT PRESS

PRESS * TACKLE

COD * TACKLE

JUMP * TACKLE
COD / PRESS BURST

CUT

OPEN FIELD

STRIP

EYE OPENER

POST DROP

FAST REPS

3 STEP

CUTS

M DRILL

POST DROP

POST FLAG

POP UPS

CUSION 1 ON 1

form tackle

open field

3-way

chop block

c-5 technique

alley shuffle

punch out- zone drop

back pedal / junk drop/ break on ball

big m

base form tackling (separated by agile bag)

start/ stop / tackle

chop drill

chop drill w/ 2 linemen

circles bending
olb pass rush

goal line tackling

chop drill #2

3 on 1 block destruction

ladder (3 cone )
 1 SHORTS

time 65r
announcements - off
5 season

10 defense / position review

15 3 alignment

20 3 alignment

25 6 alingment

30 2 alignment
 WINNING EDGE

MACHINE GUN

POWER TACKLE

SHOOTS

EYE OPENER

CUT DRILL

OPTIONAL DRILL

WINNING EDGE A
MACHINE GUN
SHOOTS

WINNING EDGE A
1 MAN STRIKES
ALLEY SHUFFLE
WINNING EDGE
 WINNING EDGE

DOWNHILL SHUFFLE

EYE OPENER

NG EDGE A WINNING EDGE B

EYE OPENER
TRAIN WRECK

NG EDGE A WINNING EDGE B

BIG 'M'
SHUFFLE TIP DRILL SUPPORT
DEPTH CHART

DEVIL SAM WILL ROVER S CORNER W CORNER

FERGUSON MAHER TATE M HOWE DOETTERER MIMS
EARLY TATE BRENNAN TERRY M HOWE LELLIG
LOSASSO WHITFORD EARLY LOSASSO LOSASSO ANDERSON
BRENNAN RILEY EARLY ROBINSON E HOWE
MANNING ROBINSON DOETTERER M DAVIS
HALL LOSASSO HALL MARTINEZ
FREE SAFETY
MITCHELL
LOSASSO
ROBINSON
 2005 DEFENSIVE CHALLENGE
TOTAL MISSED MISSED
TEAM PLAYS ASSIGNMENTS TACKLES
LOAFS PENALTIES

NORTH SCOTT
LANCERS
WEST
FALCONS
NORTH
WILDCATS
ASSUMPTION
KNIGHTS
BURLINGTON
GREYHOUNDS
PLEASANT VALLEY
SPARTANS
BETTENDORF
BULLDOGS
PLAYOFF 1

PLAYOFF 2
HALLENGE SHEET
RED ZONE BIG PLAYS
TAKE AWAYS 3rd DOWNS HURRIES SACKS
W/L R/P
MACHINE GUN
OLB
1 On the snap the TE attempts to reach the LB, who defeats the block w
2 Next the LB defeats a low block from the FB with a hand shiver
3 After defeating the two blockers, the LB executes a form tackle on the
drives him back five yards.

OLB
ILB
1 On the snap the OG attempts to reach the LB, who defeats the block w
2 Next the LB defeats a low block from the FB with a hand shiver
3 After defeating the two blockers, the LB executes a form tackle on the
drives him back five yards.

** another FB can be added to the backfield for an additional block. The

high, all subsequent blocks are low, cut blocks.
** On the LBs approach, stress the importance of planting the inside foot
ILB
DOWNHILL SHUFFLE

1 4 Agility bags at an angle within a 10 yd area

2 3 blockers between the agility bags with a 4th outside the b
3 ball carrier aligns 10 yds away from bag #4 in a backoff po
4 on command, the LB steps with his near foot to shuffle uph
5 within the bag area, each bloker steps forward to expose h
LB's trail foot hits inside the near bag
6 During the shufle, the LB hand shivers each blocker.
7 Blocker #4 will attempt to low block the LB after he has cro
8 after shedding the low block, the LB turns and sprints to ex
tackle on ball carrier.

BULL IN THE RING

1 Circle the LBs and have one leader in the midd

2 The LB gets 2 hits & sheds (one with each foot)
3 The LB controls the contest by pointing to a 'blo
him out with a "You!" call.
4 The 'blocker' always comes high and hard.
5 Repeat the drill untill all LBs have had a turn in
POWER TACKLE

1 Align cones in a 5 yd square with a LB facing the RB slight

inside.
2 The RB runs at a 45 degree angle (on a power) towards th
3 The LB shuffles then presses toward the ball carrier
4 The LB executes a form tackle on RB

* Usually, the L will get 3-4 heavy hitting tackles without putt
5 YDS
ground, on the final rep, the LB goes live.
** The drill should take turns from a Left and Right position
*** A stripper (backside LB) can be included, but he doesn't ta
press the first LB makes contact

shuffle

CUTBACK TACKLE

1 Align cones in a 5 yd square with a LB facing the RB slight

inside.
2 The RB runs at a 45 degree angle (on a power) towards th
3 The LB shuffles then presses toward the ball carrier
4 The RB cuts back to the LBs backside shoulder.
5 The LB must not over run the ball carier. This forces him to
5 YDS backside hip

press

shuffle
 EYE OPENER

each the LB, who defeats the block with a rip

om the FB with a hand shiver
he LB executes a form tackle on the RB and

each the LB, who defeats the block with a rip

om the FB with a hand shiver
he LB executes a form tackle on the RB and

BAG 45s

ackfield for an additional block. The first OL block is pull up

w, cut blocks.
mportance of planting the inside foot on contact.
break

gle within a 10 yd area

e agility bags with a 4th outside the bags. roll hips
ds away from bag #4 in a backoff position.
steps with his near foot to shuffle uphill across the bags
ach bloker steps forward to expose his chest when the
e the near bag
LB hand shivers each blocker.
t to low block the LB after he has crossed the last bag COVER GROUND DRILL
block, the LB turns and sprints to execute an angle

17 YDS
LBs and have one leader in the middle of the circle.
s 2 hits & sheds (one with each foot)
ntrols the contest by pointing to a 'blocker' by calling
h a "You!" call.
er' always comes high and hard.
drill untill all LBs have had a turn in the middle.
 BASE ROUTE DRILL (MAN)

square with a LB facing the RB slightly to the runner's

egree angle (on a power) towards the far cone.

presses toward the ball carrier
m tackle on RB

3-4 heavy hitting tackles without putting the RB to the

p, the LB goes live.
urns from a Left and Right position
B) can be included, but he doesn't take action untill

DOWNHILL SHUFFLE W/ LINEMAN READ

square with a LB facing the RB slightly to the runner's

COACH
egree angle (on a power) towards the far cone.
presses toward the ball carrier
he LBs backside shoulder.
run the ball carier. This forces him to stay on the RB's
 1 Place 4 agility bags parallel but staggered to simulate holes for a RB to attack.
2 The LB always aligns behind the RB and stays on his backside hip to
prevent any cutback.
3 The RB can run through any of the gaps.
4 The LB shuffles behind the RB but presses as the RB declares his open gap.
5 Hard, crisp collisions should result, although the LB doesn't take the RB to
the ground.

* The bags are staggered to permit the LB to press upfield.

1 Place 4 agility bags parallel in a space of 20 yds, 5 yds apart

2 Linebackers are to take a series of 45 degree drops on command
3 Facing the coach with their backs to a row of 3-4 agility bags
roll hips the coach directs them through by pointing the ball left or right.
4 The LB respond by crossing over at 45 degree angles and
keeping eyes on the coach (QB)
5 At any point, the coach can set up to throw, so the LB must focus
on him.
6 Once LB pull up, they are glued visually to the QB for their break
on the ball.

1 LB takes position squared as if he has already pulled up

QB 2 This simulates a QB drop of 7-9 yds an LB pulled
up to 10-12yds downfield
3 3 Receivers 5 yds away on either side and in front of LB
4 The QB will throw to one of the receivers
5 The LB should break on the indication and easily
cover 5 yds to the intended receiver.
17 YDS

Place the receivers farther apart as LB skill increases

 1 LB take their assignment alignent
2 LB versus TE or RB
3 On commad, the receiver runs the prescribed inside,
outside, or vertical pattern.
4 Coach evaluates each of the LB's responses

* A QB can be added to make for a competitive 1-on-1

drill
** The receiver should also block to incorporate that
reaction as well

1 4 Agility bags at an angle within a 10 yd area

2 3 blockers between the agility bags with a 4th outside the bags.
3 ball carrier aligns 10 yds away from bag #4 in a backoff position.
4 on command, the LB steps with his near foot to shuffle uphill across the bags
5 within the bag area, the coach will give a 'flashing color' lineman read
LB's should read the block and take the appropriate angle of attack
6 Exiting the bags, the LB will attack the upfield shoulder of the 'QB' barrel.

** The drill will simulate bootleg action to the outside, reinforcing proper angles
and staying parallel to the LOS is key.
 45 DROPS (CONES)

oles for a RB to attack.

ackside hip to

eclares his open gap.

esn't take the RB to

CLOSE QUARTERS TACKLING

yds, 5 yds apart
e drops on command
f 3-4 agility bags
he ball left or right.
ee angles and
2 YDS
so the LB must focus

he QB for their break

SHAKE N BAKE (OPEN FIELD TACKLING)

at 5 yds, ball carrier does

an exaggerated juke
move

e has already pulled up 10 YDS

yds an LB pulled

r side and in front of LB

cation and easily IN / AT / OUT

as LB skill increases
 OUTSIDE AT IN

FRONT SIDE / BACK SIDE (INSIDE)

e prescribed inside,

s responses

a competitive 1-on-1

o incorporate that

OUTSIDE AT IN

HIT & SHED

1 PAD LEVEL In order to get an advantage in mo
move it unless you apply force from

2 CORRECT BASE Players should use a compact bas

plants the same-side foot to the gr

3 UPPER BODY The upper body is the contact surf

shoulder, attempt to get forearm li

h outside the bags.

n a backoff position.
t to shuffle uphill across the bags 4 HIP ROLL The LB must launch his pads (con
must point at the target, directed d
shing color' lineman read
ropriate angle of attack
d shoulder of the 'QB' barrel.

* approach under control and just before contact,

utside, reinforcing proper angles * stress the 4 key fundamentals in this d
* can highlight individual phases of this t
* one man, blocker, or 5 man sled can b
 MAT TACKLE

1 Place 5 cones staggered in a space of 20 yds, 5 yds apart

2 Linebackers are to take a series of 45 degree drops on command
3 Facing the coach with their backs to a row of 5 cones
the coach directs them through by pointing the ball left or right.
4 The LB respond by crossing over at 45 degree angles and
keeping eyes on the coach (QB)
5 At any point, the coach can set up to throw, so the LB must focus
on him.
6 Once LB pull up, they are glued visually to the QB for their break
on the ball.

JUMP TACKLE
to train defenders post-approach on tackling fundamentals and
hip roll explosion.

to train linebackers to cut the distance between ball carrier and CHOP DRILL
maintain a solid neutral base prior to delivering a blow.

10 YDS

To train linebackers to quickly diagnose back keys and where they

are to respond with action. BLOCK DESTRUCTION

1 LB & RB take formation alignment

2 On comand, RB takes the prescribed IN, AT, or OUTSIDE path
3 LB shuffles at attacks open seam
4 LB is graded on his key read, diagnosis, and not overrunning the RB
 AT OUTSIDE

* can incorporate linemen for flashing light keys / or pass drop keys
GOAL LINE TACKLE
An advanced variation on In / At, LBs determine
frontside / backside, and fill respective responsible gap.

1 LB & RB take formation alignment

2 On comand, RB takes the prescribed IN, AT, or OUTSIDE path
3 LB shuffles at attacks open seam
4 LB is graded on his key read, diagnosis, and not overrunning the RB

AT OUTSIDE

* can incorporate linemen for flashing light keys / or pass drop keys
BENDING (CIRCLES)
In order to get an advantage in moving a blocker, LBs must be the "low man" to win this battle. Imagine moving heavy furniture, you cannot
move it unless you apply force from the base, in the same vein, we want our LBs coming UP and UNDER the blocker. Str

Players should use a compact base from which to uncoil his hips. He should set the front foot with a very small stagger. When a player
plants the same-side foot to the ground just before meeting the blocker, he's in the strongest position to fight pressur

The upper body is the contact surface with the blocker. We will stress shoulders for linemen and fullback isos / loads. When using
shoulder, attempt to get forearm lift over the fron t foot to gain separation from the blocker as out hips explode.Simultane

The LB must launch his pads (contact surface) inot the blocker by uncoiling his hips. The hips follow the path of the front foot. The front foot
must point at the target, directed down the middle of the blocker, not the edge of the opponent. We want the b

der control and just before contact, hop or skip to a correct base, get pad under pad, and explode off a stationary base.
4 key fundamentals in this drill
ght individual phases of this technique one at a time
blocker, or 5 man sled can be utilized for reps
MAT TACKLE

1) One player is the tackler and the other the 'tacklee'

2) The tacklee will stand 1 foot away from the large blue mat.
3) On command, the LB (2.5 yards away) will approach, drop his hips
and execute a proper form tackle THROUGH the mat.

JUMP TACKLE

1) LB & BC align 5 yards apart from each other.

2) On command, LB begins shuffle pursuit and executes a lateral jum
over agile bag pile
3) After jumping, the LB fires out and performs a form tackle
BC on BC.

LB

CHOP DRILL

BC 1) BC & OG align 5 yards apart with BC 5 yards deep.

2) On command, either LG or RG execute a scooping cut block on LB
3) BC will run L or R depending on which guard cuts
OG x OG 4) LB must run downhill on movement, defeat cut block and perform
form tackle on BC.

LB

BLOCK DESTRUCTION

1) This is a rapid fire drill with LB & OL spaced 5 yards apart

2) On command, OL fires out R or L and attempts to wall off LB
3) LB must shoot hands into chest of blocker and maintain separation
OL 4) LB espcapes and returns to line.
 AGILE

LB

GOAL LINE TACKLE

1) LB aligns with heels on goal line 3 yards from agile bag (BC) behin
2) On command, BC attempts to cross the goal line in a 5 yard wide
alley and can choose right, left, or straight angles.
LB 3) LB must shuffle and keep feet and execute a form takle to prevent
a score.

BC

BENDING (CIRCLES)

1) Two LBs race around hoops in a figure-eight pattern

2) 2nd LB chases first LB through hoops
3) Emphasis on staying low and bending hips through turns.

LB

LB
 OPEN FIELD
BC 1) BC & LB align 5 yards behind c
2) On command, BC approaches 5
e large blue mat. or Right to the corresponding cone
ll approach, drop his hips, 3) LB must approach cone aggres
and pursue and tackle BC before h

LB

nd executes a lateral jump

d performs a form tackle

scooping cut block on LB

at cut block and perform

ed 5 yards apart
empts to wall off LB
r and maintain separation
rom agile bag (BC) behind it
oal line in a 5 yard wide

e a form takle to prevent

1) BC & LB align 5 yards behind cones 20 yards apart.
2) On command, BC approaches 5 yard cone, then breaks either Left
or Right to the corresponding cone 5 yards away (5 yards wide).
3) LB must approach cone aggressively and under control, breakdown
and pursue and tackle BC before he reaches the far outside cone.