Inside Linebackers: Drills and Assets

by: Lew Acquarulo
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At Trinity we run a 3-4 defense with a 4-3 mentality. Our defensive line attacks offenses as opposed to staying on the line of scrimmage and keeping blockers off of our inside linebackers. With this philosophy come some obstacles for our inside linebackers. We begin our first inside linebacker meeting each year stressing the use of our ASSETS. If we are aware of and we master our ASSETS, then we will develop and improve our game dramatically. Our ASSETS help us to diagnose situations and gain advantages over our counterparts. They also help us to complete our assignment.

Ours ASSETS are :
Eyes – See what is happening in front of you.
Hands – Keep offensive personnel away from you.
Feet – Stay on your feet; be an athlete.
Ears – Listen and hear all calls and checks.
Voice – Communicate with calls. Checks and expectations.

    We train our ASSETS in every drill during our individual and team periods. The one drill that I do each week is a conglomeration of drills that have come together to train the Inside Linebackers in using their ASSETS.

    Use the width of the field for easy alignment landmarks for offensive personnel  (See Diagram 1). Use 2 trash cans if you do not want to use all of your LB’s as offensive personnel. The Coach (C) stands in the back to give any calls or checks (EARS) and to direct the offensive personnel l. Two extra blockers (B) are used to simulate the proper angles of oncoming blocks. Two Guards (OG) and a RB are used to simulate flow and  blocking scheme. The trash cans are the ball carrier. Note: the extra blockers are used to simulate the proper timing  and angles of different blocking schemes. Using the actual OG’s tends to disrupt the timing and distort the angles of the blocks.
                         
Drill 1:

Diagram 1.

This drill simulates a zone play to the LB’s left. The RB starts left, the flowside OG simulates a reach block and the B executes the block at the proper angle. LB – We first train the eyes by reading the flow of the RB to the Flow Side OG. On the snap the LB must Lead Step (6-inch directional step) in the direction of the flow. He will use his hands to defeat the blocker by hooking the blocker with the LB’s inside hand and stepping around him or by ripping across the blockers face. The LB will then continue on to simulate a  tackle by breaking down in front of the trash can with the proper leverage on the ball (See Diagram 2).

Diagram 2.


Drill 2: This drill  simulates a counter play. The near back (RB) goes one way and the flowside OG pulls inside. The B’s block is at a much more difficult angle (an OT blocking down on the backside LB). LB – Again the LB reads the Near Back to the Flowside OG (Eyes). The Lead Step is in the direction of the flow (Feet), but the pulling OG creates what we call “Conflict” for the LB. He immediately gives a “pull” call (voice) to the frontside LB and pivots back in the direction of the pull expecting a blocker on him immediately. He will then utilize a “Jugular” technique (Hands) to defeat the block and once again finishes on the trash can with the proper angle. Note : Jugular technique is our way of defeating down blocks by an Offensive Lineman (OL). The LB remains square to the LOS and simultaneously puts the crown of his helmet into the chest of the OL while shivering both hands into the OL’s breast plate. The hips are very important (See Diagram 3).

Diagram 3.


    These are only two examples of how we train our ASSETS to diagnose and defeat run schemes and run blocks in this one drill. I will incorporate cut-blocks, Iso blocks, and taking on pullers as this drill progresses. Of course, each week the drill is tailored to the run schemes of our opponent.
                             
Drill 3:  We will now incorporate some base pass drop techniques into the drill. We will continue to finish the drill by breaking down on and leveraging the trash can. The LB will read the RB to the Flowside OG. When he reads pass he will spot drop at a 45 degree angle until he reaches the yard line. He will then plant, pivot and open to drop at 45 degrees to the middle yard line. He will then read the QB and break on the long arm action and leverage the trash can in that direction. Again, we will complete this drill to both sides (See Diagram 4).

Diagram 4.

                          
Drill 4: The next phase of the drill incorporates the draw play. Again, we will read the RB to the Flowside OG. The LB will read pass and begin his drop, his eyes should get back to the QB (EYES)  and the Coach will yell “DRAW” (EARS). He will take the T-step, and defeat the OG’s block and (HANDS) break down and leverage the RB. Note: you can hold the RB a second and have the LB form tackle him (See Diagram 5).

Diagram 5.


    As you can see, this drill is very versatile without being unrealistic. Too often we utilize drills that don’t properly demonstrate the timing of plays, blocks, or routes. I certainly hope that you can take something from this article as all great coaches learn from one another.

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