Linebacker Fundamentals

The next unit I want to talk about is our linebackers. Now, there are tons of ways to play your linebackers, and there are tons of people in the world who will tell you their way is "the way", but im just going to detail what I expect my Linebacker coach to know and teach.

Personnel

We deploy 5 linebackers; three inside, and two outside:

1. Right Spur
2. Right Backer
3. Middle Backer
4. Left Backer
5. Left Spur

This strategy allows us to maximize the amount of talent on the field, and enables us to be multiple in our fronts.

Stance

At our level, we don't coach stance too much. I know a lot of coaches do, and that's fine, but I honestly don't want my units working stance all day - we don't get enough practice time for that. What I want to see is an understanding of pad level and the relationship of pad-level and depth, more then anything else - i'm looking to make smarter players. 

We will work with our kids to understand that, the closer they are to the LOS, the lower their pads need to be. from their we only correct obvious issues (feet too wide, etc)

Depth & Alignment

Our linebacker's initial depth is heels at three yards, we want them tight to the Defensive Line - this helps in concealing intentions and better covers them up from being blocked by guards, Also Offensive Linemen will get nervous when they see 8 defenders that close to the LOS and make mistakes.

Their Alignments are as follows: 

1. Right Spur - 3x3 off of the End Man on the Line (EMOL)
2. Right Backer - 3x0 off the Right Offensive Tackle
3. Middle Backer - 3x0 off the Center
4. Left Backer - 3x0 off the Left Offensive Tackle
5. Left Spur - 3x3 off of the End Man on the Line (EMOL)

Base Linebacker Alignments

We are going to take each set of backers and talk about their roles one-at-a-time to get a better understanding of how we play linebackers

Spurs

We traditionally use our spurs as our contain players - even though most teams have gone to the "hybrid" safety model - we don't see enough spread in our league to worry about it - this is still a downhill running league we are in (we will talk about spread / spread option adjustments in another post) 

our Spurs read the EMOL to know whether it is a  run or pass and the read is very simple: 

• Base / Down / Reach Block - Run
• High-Hat Block - Pass
• Release (by Tight End) Assume Pass

Once they know - they go, and while on the move they need to confirm their read by getting their eyes into the backfield. 

• this is a VERY important step, if it is missed, you will get burned by play action or TE arc blocks on sweeps all night. 

Run Read

Once your Spur gets a run read, he needs to squeeze down on the EMOL hard:

• Run at a 45 degree angle to the near shoulder of the EMOL
• It is critical that he keep his shoulders SQUARE to the LOS
• His eyes need to be down the line of scrimmage checking which direction the ball is going
• Ball coming at you  keep the ball on your inside shoulder
• we call this a "Force" technique
• Ball going away from you - you need to cover the QB on bootleg or protect against counter/reverse (BCR) - 
• we call this a "Chase" technique

its important that your players call our their reads and reactions
this helps you as a coach know what they "saw" and what they "did"

Pass Read

When a spur gets a pass read - he needs to drop at a 45 degree angle to the sideline - getting his eyes on the #2 receiver. he has 3 reactions off of #2:

• Number 2 Vertical: Man Him
• Vertical route is anything over 7 yards
• Number 2 Out: Man Him
• Number 2 In: Continue dropping to the flat - cover first threat
• Flat is defined as the area between the sideline and the hash mark - from the LOS to 10 yards.

We are going to take a deeper look at all of our coverage and adjustments later - but this is the basics

Base Coverage 

Right & Left Backers

Our Right and Left Backers are "run first" defenders, meaning rarely will they have pass responsibilities - unless another call is made, we do this to simplify our reads and ensure we have  a 5 man rush almost all the time. 

Our linebackers Read backfield flow - they will get their run/pass read from the QB himself (very few Quarterbacks in our area give good fakes),

Run Read

The run reads are very simple:

• Full Flow To - all Running backs moving to the linebacker
• Full Flow Away - all Running backs moving away from the linebacker
• Split Flow - Running backs moving in different directions  

Full Flow To

If a linebacker gets full flow coming at him, he will close the nearest open gap and will keep his position on the running back (similar to the Defensive Linemen) 

Full Flow to

Full Flow Away

If a linebacker gets full flow away - he will press his gap locate the ball, and play cutback/counter.

Full Flow away

Split Flow

When we get split flow, we want both our linebackers to play exactly like its flow away. this avoids any confusion and we will just play solid gap control defense.

• Press your gap
• Locate the ball
• Make the play

Split Flow

Middle Backer

unlike our Right & Left backers which can be more aggressive play makers. our middle backer needs to be 'smarter' as he has a dual role (similar to the Spurs) he needs to be involved in pass coverage as our short middle dropper. 

His reads are the same as the Left & Right Backers - QB for run/pass, but the difference is, he does not need to worry about flow - it is always "Flow To" for him. also, unlike the Right & Left Backers he has one gap to cover - the A gap away from the centers snap hand. which allows him to play more conservatively and not so quick to fill. 

His pass Drop is simple, Drop Vertical Cover Running back Out, if Running Back stays in - Cover the first Inside breaking route you find. "look for work".

Thanks!

I will be updating this regularly, now that im on a roll, Hope someone finds this helpful!