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Linebacker Block Protection & Shed Drills

by: Ron Roberts
Defensive Coordinator, Delta State Unive
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We are an odd man front defense but no matter what scheme you are running, defense is the ability to get off of blocks successfully. To be a great linebacker and to have a defense that is successful against the run, you must know how to defeat and avoid blocks. The progression of how this is taught is as important as teaching it. The players must understand how to deliver a physical blow and to stop the run.

6 Point Explosion Progression

We begin by teaching the 6 point progression. We begin with the linebacker on both knees hiding his numbers and with his hands in a holstered position. The blocker will have a hand shield 6” from his face (See Diagram 1A). On the command the linebacker will shoot both hands to the numbers of the blocker with his thumbs up and elbows in. The linebacker’s hands should be above his eyes and should hold the lockout position (See Diagram 1B). This will start to teach vertical leverage position.

Diagram 1A and 1B

Step two of this drill is for the blocker to back up three yards and come at the linebacker on a walk. The linebacker will stay in the holster hiding his numbers until he can time the punch. Step three has the blocker come at a jog at the LB and the final step is for the blocker to sprint at the linebacker from a depth of three yards. It is here where we teach the importance of being able to time your punch. The illustration we use is a rubber band being popped on your arm. If it is shot too early it loses its explosive power; however, if it stays ready until the target is close, it can explode with a pop.

Sled Progression

The sled has been around football for a long time and is still one of the best ways to teach blow delivery and leverage. This drill teaches the linebacker to time his blow delivery with the same shoulder and leg, keeping his gap side arm and leg free. For the linebacker we begin with a one step progression. The linebacker will get an arm’s length away from the sled with his contact arm with a heel toe stagger (See Diagram 2A). He will then crouch down and explode into the sled with the same shoulder and knee (See Diagram 2B). We want the knee and shoulder to make contact at the same time and hear one thud. We want to hit on the rise and finish with our head up and neck hugging the pad.

Diagram 2A and 2B

Step 2 is to back the linebacker up three steps and have him walk to the sled; dip his back knee at the appropriate distance; and rip into the sled with the same shoulder and knee. This teaches the linebackers to time their explosion into a blocker.

Cage Drill

The Cage Drill is on a live blocker where we are using a hands technique for blow delivery. We line up three blockers across from three linebackers to get more repetitions during the drill (See Diagram 3A). The blocker will come off at a 45-degree angle to block the linebacker. The linebacker will work at an angle downhill at the blocker, attack the blocker underneath his pads and explode his hips up and through the blocker. His hands are inside on the breast plates with his thumbs up and elbows locked out. We will work crossing the face of the blocker or rocking back inside to the ball carrier (See Diagram 3B). We want to keep our shoulders square throughout the drill to the LOS. This is the execution of a look through the tackle.

Diagram 3A and 3B

Slip Drill

This drill is great for teaching the linebacker to feel the blocker while seeing the ball carrier. We begin with two blockers in OT spacing with a RB and linebacker at 5-yards depth with each splitting the two blockers. The coach will give the direction of the ball carrier and which blocker is to go. We will execute two types of blocks here: 1. Good angle by the blocker (See Diagram 4A); 2. Up field angle by the blocker leaving room to go back door (See Diagram 4B).

Diagram 4A and 4B

Diagram 4A represents a good angle by the OT where the linebacker must ‘Dip and Rip’ over the top of the blocker. We want him to reduce his play side shoulder and give nothing but plastic to the blocker; hug him with his neck to help him square up; and insure you do not over run the ball carrier. Finish the drill by butting up the RB. Diagram 4B illustrates a poor angle by the OT. We want to give him a head fake and swim back door of the blocker. We want to scrape the backside of the blocker as we butt the ball carrier up.

Cut Drill

We begin the Cut Drill with the blocker at a 45-degree angle in a 4-point stance. The linebacker is one yard off the blocker with his play side foot already back. The blocker will come off on a bear crawl at the linebacker. We want to jam the cut with our inside hand on the shoulder and the play side hand on the ear hole of the blocker while kicking our play side foot back. Step 2 is to put the blocker in a 3-point stance and have him take two steps to the linebacker and throw at his outside leg. Step 3 would be to simulate a live cut from 3-yards or the location of the cut blocker you will see (See Diagrams 5A and 5B).

Diagram 5A & 5B

1 on 1

This is one of the best drills in defensive football. It teaches one to get on and off a block in a game situation. The defensive player is on the LOS with a blocker in his face and a ball carrier six yards behind him. There are two bags approximately three yards apart (See Diagram 6). The linebacker must deliver a blow and shed the blocker. This drill teaches the ability to overlap gap control in your defense with his peers watching.

Diagram 6

The ability to deliver a blow with leverage and good hand placement is the key to playing great run defense. I hope these drills will help you stop them in their tracks!






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