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AFM Magazine


Linebacker Movement Drill Progressions

by: Trey Haverty
Outside Linebackers Coach • Texas Tech University
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When developing drill progressions for your position group, it is important to break down the points of emphasis that you want to develop on a daily basis. Since individual period time is so valuable at all positions, it is crucial to stay organized to maximize the efficiency of the drill work you accomplish with your position group. By breaking down a position through film study we are able to create drill progressions that fit our scheme, personnel, and practice scripts to accomplish proper fundamental development.

At linebacker, there are multiple fundamentals that must be covered in order to become a great unit. At the core of good linebacker play is the ability to minimize wasted movement in order to play fast. We strive to include some sort of movement drill into our individual period that simulates fundamental linebacker play each day.

Stance

Everything starts with your stance. It is important for each linebacker to develop a proper stance in order to eliminate wasted movement. Every player has a slightly different stance that they feel the most comfortable with; however, we use a few key coaching points to tailor stances for the best movements possible. 
•      Feet shoulder width apart, toes forward.
•      Shoulders over feet.
•      Sink your hips, don’t bend at the waste.
•      Distribute your weight – 60% on the balls of your feet – don’t be back on your heels.

Steps (Diagrams 1A / 1B)




1 Step - After teaching stance, we move into the basics of footwork. We focus on the first step being a 6 inch power step at a 45 degree angle based off the coach as an indicator.

2 Step – After teaching 1 step, we progress to 2 step. Again, the coach is the indicator, and the linebacker takes his proper first step followed by a second step that keeps his shoulders square while maintaining a good base and pad level.        

3-Step Shuffle Burst (Diagram 2)


The next drill in our movement progression is our shuffle drills. The first drill is used to focus on improving our ability to shuffle while maintaining a good base and pad level while finishing with a burst. Emphasis is put on not allowing your heels to come together while shuffling. If your heels come together, you lose your base. When you lose your base, you lose all power. The coach serves as the indicator to point which way he wants the linebackers to shuffle. On this command the linebackers take 3 shuffle steps and then burst for 3 steps accelerating to simulate running through on run flow.

3 Shuffle Redirect Burst (Diagram 3)


The next phase of 3 Shuffle Burst is to redirect and shuffle back while finishing with a burst to simulate counter flow or a cut back run. Again, we want to focus on staying square, maintaining pad level and a good base while shuffling.


3 Shuffle Crossover Burst (Diagram 4)

The final drill in this progression is 3 shuffle steps, crossover run, and burst which simulates perimeter run plays such as Toss and Stretch. All the same coaching points apply to this drill. In addition we want to focus on keeping our shoulders square once we crossover run. This develops good muscle memory so that in a game situation we are still in position to make the play if a perimeter play cuts back.
Chutes (Diagrams  5A / 5B / 5C)

The next phase of our movement progression involves chutes to emphasize pad level and hip flexibility. We also incorporate cut balls and hand shields to work block protection fundamentals in conjunction with our movements.


Chutes Cut - 5A:  Linebackers start outside the chute. On the indicator the LB shuffles laterally. The coach rolls the cut ball at the LB to simulate a cut block. The linebacker plays the cut by firmly punching the ball with thumbs up pushing outward to stop its momentum while kicking back with the outside leg to clear the block and then continues on a shuffle path through the chute. Once the LB clears the chute he will burst vertically to simulate running through it. You can switch up the finish by throwing a ball for a scoop and score.


Chutes Punch - 5B:  Linebackers start outside the chute. On the indicator the LB shuffles laterally. The coach uses a hand shield and engages the LB. The linebacker will shoot his hands while taking a power step with his lead foot to simulate taking on the block and then continues on a sideways run through the chute over the top of bags. The linebacker should focus on keeping hand placement tight, elbows in, and thumbs up on the punch. Once the LB clears the chute he will burst at a 45-degree angle to catch an interception which can also be a scoop and score.


Chutes QB Read - 5C: The linebacker starts in front of the chute. On the indicator the linebacker will backpedal under the chute. As the linebacker enters the chute, the coach will give him a QB shoulder read to one side or the other. On this indicator the linebacker will throw his elbow and break at a 90-degree angle to catch an interception.

Bags (Diagram 6A and 6B)


Plant and Drive – 6A:  In this bag drill we work on being able to stick our foot in the ground, change direction, and accelerate at a 45-degree angle. We finish the drill with a scoop and score normally. However, you can mix in other ball drills or force them to shimmy down and come to balance on the finish. Four bags will be set up one yard apart. The linebacker will accelerate over the bags in a straight line putting one foot in each space between the bags. Once he clears the final bag he will plant on his inside or back foot and break at a 45-degree angle toward the starting point sinking his hips to scoop the ball that is rolled out to simulate a fumble.


Lateral Shuffle Redirect – 6B:  This bag drill forces the linebackers to improve their ability to shuffle laterally while finishing with a plant and drive on the finish. The drill will start by shuffling laterally over the bags. Once the linebacker clears the third bag, he will plant on his outside foot/lead foot and shuffle back toward the first bag. After clearing the first bag the linebacker should plant with his inside foot/back foot and break at a 45-degree angle, accelerating to top speed on the finish.

Drops (Diagrams 7A / 7B / 7C / 7D)


Curl / Flat – 7A:   This is a movement drill used to simulate the functional movements of a Curl / Flat Drop. The linebacker will align in front of the coach at 10 yards depth simulating a shotgun snap. The coach running the drill simulates the quarterback. On the snap, the LB will bounce his feet to clear run or quick game. He then opens his hips to a 45-degree angle and crossover run to get depth toward his landmark while keeping vision on the quarterback. Once the QB sets up, the LB should settle while keeping his feet active and break on the throw.


Curl / Flat Rock Back – 7B:  This drill simulates the same angle as the previous drill. However, now the quarterback will force the Curl / Flat dropper to open his hips back to the inside to take away a sail or corner route by the #2 receiver in 4 under / 3 deep coverages.

The linebacker will align at 10 yards depth, simulating a shotgun snap. On the snap, he will bounce his feet to clear run and quick game. He then opens his hips to a 45-degree angle and crossover run to get depth toward his landmark while keeping his vision on the quarterback. Once the quarterback’s vision goes back inside, the linebacker will flip his hips back inside and shuffle back toward the middle of the field. He should maintain good pad level and anticipate the throw and break on it once the hand comes off.


Tampa Head Whip – 7C: The linebacker will align at 10 yards depth from the coach simulating a shotgun snap. On the snap, he will bounce his feet while opening his hips, to clear run and quick game. He will then open to the quarterback’s vision and crossover run for depth toward his landmark. The quarterback will then move his vision to the opposite hash forcing the linebacker to “head whip” toward the quarterbacks vision. As the linebacker “head whips’ he should throw his elbow into the ground to maintain proper pad level while getting his eyes around quickly. He will then break on the throw to finish the drill.


Curl Drop – 7D:  The linebacker will align at 10 yards depth from the coach. On the snap he will bounce his feet to clear run and quick game. He will then backpedal for depth toward his landmark with vision on the quarterback. The quarterback will move his vision laterally to the right or the left and the linebacker will shuffle that way, maintaining proper pad level and a good base and not allowing his heels to come together. Feet should stay active and finish with a hard break on the throw.

As a coach it is easy to get caught up teaching scheme and reads. However, it is important to incorporate movement drill progressions into your daily individual drills. These progressions will allow you to teach proper body mechanics that allow your players to play more efficiently within the given scheme. Furthermore, other fundamentals such as ball skills, block protection principles, and coverage reads can be included in these movement drills so that you are accomplishing multiple improvements each day. No matter what position you coach or what scheme you are utilizing, everyone agrees it’s about becoming efficient with your time so that your players can improve consistently.


About the Author: Trey Haverty is in his third season on the staff of Texas Tech, serving as outside linebackers coach. He coached safeties in 2013 and 2014. Haverty previously coached safeties and wide receivers over five seasons at TCU. He also served for one season as a graduate assistant for the Horned Frogs and was also the defensive coordinator for Millsaps College for one year. Haverty was an All-American wide receiver for Texas Tech, playing from 2001-2004.






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