Teaching Linebacker to Read Offensive Line Keys
The linebacker is the captain of the defense. It's often known as 1 of the most critical positions on defense. Linebackers must stop the run, play the pass, and communicate finer to the other ten players on the field.
This commodity volition evidence yous everything you need to know about playing the linebacker position.
By the end of this commodity, you'll accept a complete insight into what a linebacker does and how yous can play it finer.
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The first thing you should know about playing linebacker is why it's called linebacker and how it got its proper noun.
Linebackers get their name from where they are positioned on the field.
They are positioned in the back of the defensive line, thence the name linebacker.
If yous desire to larn more about the origin of linebackers, we have a great commodity here that can help yous acquire more about what a linebacker is in football.
Linebacker Positions
Linebackers in football are often labeled past position. Coaches name the linebackers based on the position of where they are playing.
Teams will often have the linebacker who plays to the strength be called the "sam" linebacker. The weak side linebacker is frequently called the Will. Last, the middle linebacker is often called the "Mike" linebacker.
To read more about how these positions are named, exist sure to cheque out our guide on the linebacker names found hither.
Guide To Playing Linebacker
Now that you know what a linebacker is, it's time to learn how to play linebacker. Several components go into playing linebacker.
From mentality to approach the ball, the difference between an outstanding linebacker and an average linebacker is often their technique.
This commodity will encompass everything a new and experienced linebacker should know almost playing the linebacker position.
Mentality
Before we get to technique, a linebacker'southward mentality and willingness to chase afterwards ball carriers and requite contact must be part of their makeup.
Linebackers who are scared of contact should seek to play some other position. Almost every play, the linebacker will contact either a ball carrier or an offensive lineman.
It's important to shape the linebacker's mindset to encompass the contact rather than attempt to avoid it.
Teaching them proper technique will help shape the mindset to shed offensive lineman rather than run abroad from them.
We recommend training the brain early through drills and repetition to familiarize information technology with the contact it will blot.
Stance & Start
Stance and start play a fundamental function in playing linebacker.
Stance and start are crucial because false steps and poor posture will often put the linebacker out leveraged seconds before the snap.
For a proper posture, the linebacker should:
- Have their legs shoulder width apart
- Their shoulders should be over their toes
- The hands are ready to appoint and punch through offensive lineman
- The eyes should exist on the offensive line keys or running back
When the brawl is snapped, the linebacker should motility toward the target, taking a 45-caste pace toward the line of scrimmage.
Coaches may choose to have linebackers always come up forward or have them bounce their feet in place to get a read. This entirely depends on the coach'south philosophy.
The nigh significant coaching point is to make sure the linebacker's anxiety don't cantankerous over.
If the linebacker's feet cross over, they are often off-balanced and tin can be pushed over easily.
This brings the states to the linebacker techniques once the ball is snapped.
See our free linebacker course here for more information on opinion and start.
Linebacker Techniques
Eyes
Once the ball is snapped, the linebacker must flash their eyes to their "key." The fundamental is whatsoever the motorbus wants them to read to take them to the football.
There are several different keys that the linebacker tin can read. These keys are:
- The running back
- The offensive line
- Triangle read
The triangle read is one of the nigh mutual reads for linebackers.
The reason it's called the triangle read is because the linebacker is reading both the offensive line and the running back.
This means the linebackers must be able to read guard pulls, down blocks, etc., and then transition their eyes to the running back's path.
Triangle reads assistance your linebacker be more efficient in where the running back is going and where the overall direction of the play is going.
Scrape
Scaping to the running dorsum is a term that linebacker coaches often say – but what does information technology mean?
The term scrape ways moving at a 45-degree angle downhill while maintaining linebacker posture.
Scraping to the tackle with proper posture allows the linebacker to contact an offensive lineman or run dorsum with maximum ability.
In dissimilarity, if the linebacker is running to the football equally fast as possible, information technology's common for the linebacker to knock them off balance and the linebacker to miss the tackle.
When scaping downhill, it'due south essential to proceed a wide base, likewise known as a power position. A broad base will permit the linebacker to change direction from left to correct. Quickly switching direction is a direct attribute of a adept linebacker.
Shock & Shed
The next linebacker technique is to shock and shed an offensive lineman or pb blocker. Allow's intermission downwardly these terms.
First, to shock an offensive lineman or atomic number 82 blocker means y'all need to punch through their breastplates and stop their forward progress effectively.
Once the offensive lineman or lead blocker is shocked, the following technique is to shed the block violently. By straightening the arms out and creating an extension, the linebacker can rip or swim off of the block.
Rip & Swim
The rip and swim moves are standard techniques for shedding blocks in football game. Here is how to execute both of these moves.
Rip – To execute a rip move, the linebacker must leverage one side of the defender. Using the exterior arm, lift toward the sky, taking abroad the aiming betoken for the offensive lineman. This arm motion should be fast and with a purpose.
Swim – The swim move gets its name from the motion the linebacker will be doing. Their arm will come upwards and over, such as a swimmer swimming in a pool. The motion should be a short "arm over" stroke rather than a long, straight-armed stroke. The purpose of this move is to use speed and quickness to displace the offensive lineman's arm.
The rip and swim moves can be used for the linebackers to get around blocks from the offensive lineman or running backs.
Rush
A blitz is when the defense sends five or more rushers toward the line of scrimmage.
These players are often linebackers whose job is to sack the quarterback in a pass situation and hit the running dorsum in the backfield on a run play.
When the linebacker blitzes, he must use his speed and physicality to get around offensive lineman.
A well-timed blitz not only disrupts the play rules of the offensive lineman but can help get a costless, unblocked linebacker through the line of scrimmage.
Learning the opponent's cadence and timing the blitz up properly is a great way to become an advantage when blitzing.
Tackling
Last merely not to the lowest degree, the linebacker must know how to tackle from all angles. Linebackers volition tackle from head-on, 45 and ninety-degree angles.
Linebackers volition as well exist tasked with tackling up loftier and tackling downward depression. Consistent tackling and having proper body posture upon contact is important for the linebacker to drive the ball carrier backward.
We recommend checking out this YouTube Tackling series we did with Coach Digaetano from Fordham University.
Linebacker Zone Coverages
Linebackers are mainly responsible for stopping the run. Even so, if the offense decides to pass, the linebacker needs to drop into unlike coverages.
It's important to note there are three chief types of coverages. These techniques and schemes depend entirely on the jitney, but all linebackers must know of them.
Man Coverage
Human coverage is a basic technique that is easy to learn merely hard to execute. Man coverage requires extreme discipline and athletism to play.
The assignment is elementary, cover the player wherever they go. However, it's become an increasingly difficult chore with how quick and agile receivers are present.
Zone Drop
A zone drib is when the linebacker drops into a zone. This often means the Hook/Roll zones, flats, or an actual hole dropper.
The linebacker volition motion directly into the surface area of the field they are assigned and hope to disrupt the quarterback'southward timing to his receiver.
Zone drops are standard, as coaches will specify which linebacker should drib the minute they read laissez passer.
Information technology'southward easier on the linebackers because they are responsible for an area of the field rather than a human.
To learn more about coverages and zone drops, read here.
Man Match
The following coverage is a hybrid between man coverage and zone. The concept of man friction match is that the linebacker is roofing a human who goes through his zone.
So, for instance, the linebacker is responsible for the flats; they volition cover the #2 or #3 (depending on the charabanc's rules) until the flats.
The purpose of man friction match coverage is not to have players covering grass but instead covering actual receivers.
Human match is a difficult concept to learn and teach, but one time taught correctly, it is effective confronting passing teams.
Linebacker Communication
The linebackers, often the "Mike," is known equally the captain of the defense. This player will oft dictate the force and make the coverage calls to the defensive backs and make the front adjustments to the defensive line.
Communication across the entire defense is essential, and the linebackers play a big office in this process.
Coaches volition often rely on the middle capitalist ( or the inside linebackers if you have 4 in your scheme) to communicate this effectively.
Keep Learning
Learn more about the linebacker position below.
What Is A Linebacker In Football? Learn Here
What Are The Sam, Mike & Will Linebackers In Football?
Linebackers in football game are the cadre of a defense'due south ability to stop the run and embrace the pass. Effective linebackers are the difference between winning and losing football games.
It's important to shock and shed offensive linemen, also cover receivers. Linebackers must be able to practise it all if they will exist effective in their position on the football game field.
Let's keep learning! Our learning center is packed with data regarding technique, scheme, and more!
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Source: https://www.viqtorysports.com/how-to-play-linebacker-in-football-complete-guide/