Linebackers – Soul of the “D”

Five “Musts” of the Linebackers

Must Attack the Line of

Scrimmage & Stop the Run

Must Be Great Tacklers

Must Play Mean, Clean, & Nasty

Must Be Relentless in
Pursuing the Ball

Must Provide
Toughness & Leadership
Splitter Linebacker Technique
Pre-Snap Alignment & Two Point Stance
Feet Shoulder width apart. Inside foot slightly
forward – Heel/Toe Relationship. Weight on the
inside half of the foot.
Depth “Base” alignment – Toes at 4 ½ yards.
“Up” alignment – Toes at the Heels of the DL.
Eyes Identify receiving threats Pre-Snap.
Eyes on run keys at the snap.
Body LB’s should have deep knee bend, flat back,
Position relaxed shoulders, & arms hanging. (Grab Grass)

Gaps D C B A A B C D

Force Linebacker Scrape Linebacker

The Mike Linebacker technique is called
“Force”, which is also known as “Fast
Flow”. The Force LB must attack the line
of scrimmage on run action to him, and take
on all blocks with his outside arm free –
forcing the ball back to the SLB. The Mike
is the more physical of the two linebackers.
The Sam Linebacker technique is called
“Scrape”, which is also known as “Slow Flow”.
The Scrape LB must “Step & Stack” on run
action to him, reading the open window of the
defensive line in front of him. The Scrape LB
must take on all blocks with his inside arm free
– forcing the ball deeper and wider.
Two Gap Techniques
A Stack Technique
Mike Linebacker
Two Gap Responsibility
(Force LB – Fast Flow)
Alignment: I/S Foot in the A Gap
Visual Key: Guard
Run Action To: B Gap
Run Action Away: A Gap Away

C Stack Technique
Sam Linebacker
Two Gap Responsibility
(Scrape LB – Slow Flow)
Alignment: Tracks of the OT
Visual Key: Guard
Run Action To: D Gap
Run Action Away: A Gap

One Gap Techniques

A Flow Technique
Mike Linebacker
One Gap Responsibility
(Force LB – Fast Flow)
Alignment: I/S Foot in the Center
Visual Key: Guard
Run Action To: A Gap
Run Action Away: Flow I/S Out to Ball

C Flow Technique
Sam Linebacker
One Gap Responsibility
(Scrape LB – Fast Flow)
Alignment: I/S Foot in the Center
Visual Key: Guard
Outside Linebacker Techniques On Technique
(WLB – 9 Technique)
Alignment: Outside Eye of TE
Visual Key: Tight End
Pressure Key: Near Back/Guard
Run Action To: D Gap
Run Action Away: Fold Technique

Off Technique (Will LB – Defensive Back)

Alignment: Split #1 & Ball (Always I/S #2)
Key: Near Back/Ball
Run Action To: D Gap/Easy (Play Coverage Called)
Run Action Away: Fold Technique
Window Closed Concept
Any time a linebacker is attacking his assigned gap, he must be able to “See Windows”. This means that when his
assigned gap is filled or cluttered, he must scrape over the top to the next gap. This technique will allow our
linebackers to account for the necessary gap when defensive linemen have closed and spilled the ball on any down
blocks.

Ex. Veer Block to “A Stack” LB

Block Protection
Technique When… Description
Forearm …the ball is directly behind the blocker.  Take on square
(OL Base Block/RB Isolation Block)  Deliver from good football
Shiver
position – Helmet under helmet
 Stay slightly O/S blocker
 Step with same foot as strike arm
 Keep feet moving
 Don’t get turned – Stay square
Hand …the ball is not directly behind the blocker.  Shoulder square to blocker
…the blocker attempts to block low.  Keep O/S leg free
Shiver
 Straight arm – drive helmet &
shoulder pads to the ground
 Give ground if needed
 Keep feet moving
Rip …the defender is pursuing to the ball.  Lower I/S shoulder
…the defender is at a physical disadvantage.  Rip I/S arm across face of
Technique
blocker – Stay low!
 Keep feet moving
Zone Defense – Linebacker Principles
 Know the alignment of any receivers that can affect the zone
 Attack and cover any routes that sit in the zone
 Work to a depth of 8-12 yards
 Hammer & knock down any routes running through the zone
 Break on the ball when it’s thrown – Cover ground while the ball is in the air
 Intercept any ball in the air at its highest point

Linebacker Zone Pass Drops

Drop Position Coverages Description
Hook/Curl Mike/Sam All Three Deep  Identify all threats pre-snap
Coverages  Eyes to Hook threat
Solid/Ram  Leverage hook route I/S – Knock down all
Hawk/Cobra crossers & communicate “DRAG!”
 Expand to Curl route vs. no Hook threat
 “Flow” call – Immediate to Curl
Curl/Flat Ram/Will All Three Deep  Identify all threats pre-snap
Coverages  Eyes to #1 on snap
Solid/Ram  Hang under #1 route until route threatens
Hawk/Cobra the flat – “Hang Curl-Break Flat”
 Drive on O/S shoulder of flat route
 “Flow” call – Immediate to Flat
Flat/Wheel Ram/Will Robber  Open with eyes to #1
“Buzz the Flat” Hammer  Drive on angle of release of his route
 Carry any flat route to the wheel
Apex Drop Mike Cloud  Deep hole drop to help protect the middle
(High Hole) Rain of two deep zone
 Drop in direction of nearest threat/QB
drop
 Get 15 – 18 yards depth
Hook to Hook Mike Sky  Shallow drop in four deep zone
(D.D.D.)  Work Dinks/Draws/Delays
 Knock down any crossers
Robber Mike/Sam Robber  Linebackers rob #3 strong/#2 weak
Principle  Sam takes most dangerous – “Flip It” call
 “Stress” call vs. any quick receiver
 Rob in direction of receiver’s release
 Carry any route going vertical at 10 yards