Linebacker Keys in Read Progression

by: Michael Parker
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Since the early days of the conference, the WAC has been known as a place where creative coaches experiment and become pioneers in various aspects of offense. And with teams like Boise State, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico State, not much has changed in that regard. Enter Mark Johnson, the Defensive Coordinator for Utah State’s Aggies. Two seasons ago, Johnson brought his unique defense to Logan, and has begun the process of building the Aggies into a defense that can match the offensive firepower of the offensive-minded members of the conference.

Football is a Simple Game

Football is a simple game to Mark Johnson. And he strives to make it simple for his LBs. “At all levels of football as LB coaches we teach our players basic techniques: tackling, block protection, zone drops, man coverage, blitz and pass rush techniques, and alignment and assignment versus all formations and personnel groups. Because we are seeing so many different offenses now from 1-back and no-back spread formations to 2-back double tight formations, you must have a read progression that is easy for your players. It also must be universal in your scheme based on where they are aligned to each formation,” says Johnson. “With a disciplined approach of alignment and key reads pre and post snap they will have an opportunity to be successful.”

The Opponent’s Must-Know Tendencies

“Each week we drill them on the opponent’s tendencies,” says Johnson. The following tendencies are identified during the coach’s film study and then reiterated to the players:

• “What type of offense are they?” (i.e. passing, running, balanced, etc.)

• “One-back or two-back?”

• “What are the opponent’s favorite run plays and what are the play action passes off those run plays?”

• “What are the opponent’s tendencies based on down and distance and the personnel group in the game. Additional tendencies are gained through film study. For instance, the depth of the back in certain formations for specific plays, etc.”

• “When the linemen pull, are they set slightly off the LOS?”

• “Can you see the linemen set heavy or light in their stances? Are they pulling or are they going to set for a drop back pass?”

“Any tip [the players] can pick up to help them on game day is a bonus,” says Johnson. When you teach them this way they become more alert for tips during a game and the tips will either be validated or not or they may come up with something new that they did not see on film.”

Johnson’s Unique Take on the OLB Position

“Our OLBs are interchangeable. They both must know how to play in space and in the box. We do feel that our WLB is a better space player and our SLB is more of a box LB which is why with the ball on the hash the WLB will go to the field. This is also a big reason why you must keep your reads universal for the OLBs. On any given play they could be in the box in the initial formation and bumped out of the box with any motion or shift that changes the strength of the formation or they become outflanked by a #2 WR,” says Johnson.

Four Tell-Tale Signs Your LBs MUST Know

In carrying out the ‘Secret Keys,’ Johnson has four tell-tale signs that he expects his LBs MUST be aware of before they set the defensive front.

The LBs rules are:
1. Is the ball in the middle of the field or on a hash?
2. What is the offensive personnel group?
3. What is the formation?
4. How many backs are in the backfield and how are they aligned?

Determining Offensive Formation’s Strength

At Utah State, there is more to determining the strength than just where the TE is aligned. The three Aggie LBs are taught the following criteria to align themselves properly. It is the MLB’s responsibility to recognize and ensure that the defensive front is lined up correctly. Here is the checklist Mark Johnson has put in place for his LBs to follow.

• “Whether the ball is in the middle of the field or on a hash is important for the SLB and WLB.”

• “If the ball is in the middle the WLB must find the passing strength of the formation.” (The passing strength is determined by the number of WRs to a given side of the formation. This could also vary based on predetermined tendencies that the opponent has shown on film).

• “If the strength changes with a motion or shift after the initial formation the LBs are taught to bump if necessary to align according to the final formation.”

In so many instances, the WLB might be lined up to the side of the TE, depending on the offensive scheme and field position/ball location. But since the LBs are taught to be virtually interchangeable, this is an advantage. The Aggie LBs are able to play in a position on the field where they are most comfortable – and most effective.

LB Alignment and Keys

Like any defensive scheme, it is imperative that the defense is aligned properly. “From day one the first thing our players are taught is to determine how many backs are in the backfield and what formation they are in. Each LB will align to the formation and he will lock in on his keys,” says Johnson.

Here are the various adjustments as well as Johnson’s unique keys/reads for the LBs based on one and two-back formations.

One Back

11 PERSONNEL-(1 RB 1 TE 3 WR) (See Diagram 1)
• “In 11 personnel, and the QB is under center and the RB is in the home position, we will read the track of the RB – IF the formation dictates that our LBs are still box players.”

• “If the LBs are outflanked by a #2 WR they must walk to seal #2 and read the triangle with the OLB being the apex of the triangle between the #2 WR and the OT to that side through to the RB.”

• “If the QB is in shotgun and the RB is off-set to one side of the QB the box LBs still track the RB. The out of the box LB will walk to seal #2 and his read progression will be the same as above.”

• “If the RB crosses the QB then we read the mesh for QB or RB run.”

Diagram 1: One Back-11 Personnel

12 PERSONNEL-(1 RB 2 TE 2 WR) (See Diagram 2)

• “In 12 personnel the LBs will stack and track the flow.”

“In any 1-back set we emphasize hard focus on the back on the snap and we feel the linemen for pullers and flow,” says Johnson. Johnson has found that it is a natural progression for the defensive player’s eyes to progress from the keys in the backfield to the linemen in front of them.

Diagram 2: One Back-12 Personnel

Two Back

“If the offense is in a two-back set – 20 PERSONNEL (2 RB 0 TE 3 WR) or 21 PERSONNEL (2 RB 1 TE 2 WR) we must determine what type of two-back set it is.”

• “If it is an ‘I’ formation we will track the TB.” (See Diagram 3)

Diagram 3: Two Back-I Formation

• “If it is an off-set ‘I’ formation we will track the offset back to the near guard.” (See Diagram 4)

Diagram 4: Two Back-Off-Set I Formation

• “If they are in split backs with the QB under center then the OLBs will track the back offset to their side. The MLB will track the QB first to which side he opens and then track any mesh to the near back.” (See Diagram 5)

Diagram 5: Two Back-Split Backs

• “If they are in shotgun with split backs then the OLBs will track the back to their side and the MLB will track the QB to read any mesh if he opens to one of the RBs.” (See Diagram 6)

Diagram 6: Two Back-Shotgun with Split Backs

“Once again we will focus hard on our initial back field key to read the track and we must feel the linemen for pullers and flow,” says Johnson.

Empty

The rules for empty should be looked at as a combination of the rules of one and two-back keys. The OLBs have triangle reads, like they would in case of a slot WR to their side, and the MLB is keying the QB.

Bump Rules, Formation and Alignment Adjustments

“Because we are a 4-3 defense our OLBs will have an imaginary rope tied to their inside leg or leg closest to the ball. The MLB will have an imaginary rope tied to each of his legs linking him with the OLB on either side of him. When there is a change in the formation the LBs will bump and pull each other to new alignments based on where the motion or change of strength stops. We will bump as a unit.” (See Diagrams 7 and 8). In case of motioning from, or to, the backfield, the keys are dependent upon the formation the opponent ends up in.

Diagram 7: New Alignment

Diagram 8: New Alignment

The challenge with young players has always been to keep them playing under control and disciplined enough to trust the system and follow your scheme. Mark Johnson has found a way to eliminate the worry that your players will be looking in the backfield. And by following this system you can feel that football really is a simple game.

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