Drills Report: Advanced Linebacker Drills

In today’s game, players need to be more athletic than ever, especially at the linebacker position. The game has evolved quickly over the past 10 years. Offensive schemes have become more advanced and complicated. To combat this offensive growth, defenses have also advanced. In order to be a great linebacker, you need to be a well-rounded player – and today’s linebackers have to be strong against the run, while having the athleticism to cover the passing game.  
   

Throughout my time as a coach, I’ve observed that the hardest transition from high school football to college football comes from the mental ability of a young player – both understanding the defense and where he, as a player, fits into the game. The next biggest adjustment for a young player is the speed of the game. A lot of young players fail to realize how fast and strong college players are. Finally, it’s a tough adjustment for a young player to learn how to play under control. The majority of young players may be able to run fast in a straight line, but it becomes a whole different scenario when they’re running out in open space or to avoid blockers. Body control is key. 
   

That being said, it should come as no surprise that as coaches on the collegiate level, one of the most significant qualities that we look for in a linebacker is his ability to run. We need a guy who can play sideline to sideline, and that player must be athletic with very good hips. Most of our successful linebackers started out for us at the safety position. We have no problem moving a player from the safety position to linebacker.  
  

  There are three major things that I preach to my guys on a daily basis. The first is pursuit to the ball. I want my guys to be the best pursuit guys in the nation – and we all know that there is no stat out there that is going to indicate whether we’re the best pursuit guys. That’s why when we grade our film, we always grade our technique as well as our pursuit. There is a certain goal that our players must meet each week when it comes down to our pursuit. Nothing but good can come when we all run to the ball.  

    The second thing I preach to my linebackers is that they need to be great tacklers and again, we have a certain goal that needs to be met each week. At the college level, you have to be great at tackling. Playing against a spread team means you’re going to be out in much more space and you have to be able to tackle well.  
 

   Finally, the last thing that I preach is to never give up the big play. Make a team earn everything that they get. Don’t give the offense any easy yards.  
Here are three drills that we practice regularly to be prepared for game day:

Boxer Bounce – This drill is intended for the linebacker to see the play develop at the snap of the ball. He also needs to get a good run/pass read and then needs to work to the ball (See Diagram 1).

•  Align one bag horizontally with the linebacker in a good stance behind the bag.
•  Have an offensive lineman five yards in front of the linebacker.
•  The lineman will either run step to the right or left or he will pass set.
•  The linebacker will softly bounce on his toes on the snap of the ball.
•  If the lineman steps to the right or left, the linebacker will take a lateral step that way across the bag and then work downhill to the ball.
•  By the linebacker bouncing on his toes and working across the bag, it doesn’t allow for the linebacker to work directly into the line of scrimmage on the snap of the ball.
•  The linebacker needs to be patient for a second or two after the snap to see the play develop.
•  If the lineman pass sets, the linebacker will open up to whichever way he is supposed to and get a five yard drop. He keeps his head on a swivel and squares up at five yards looking for routes.
Shed Drill – The purpose of this drill is to get the linebacker to go down the line of scrimmage square with his hands out in front of him so he is able to shed off of blockers (See Diagram 2).

•  Align three bags vertically on the ground.
•  Linebacker will start at one end.
•  Have an offensive lineman waiting at the opposite end of the last bag. That lineman needs to be tilted at a 45-degree angle.
•  Having the lineman tilted is going to make the linebacker work to his upfield shoulder to get over the top of the block.
•  The linebacker will need to go over the bags low and square with his hands out ready to get off a block.
•  I want the linebacker to engage the lineman while fighting the upfield shoulder.
•  The linebacker needs to create separation to control the lineman and to be able to see where the ball carrier is going.
•  While doing this drill, the linebacker must keep his shoulders square.
•  If the linebacker doesn’t create separation or gets sealed inside by the lineman, then the drill worked.

Downhill Tackling – The purpose of this drill is to get the linebacker running full speed downhill. We want him to keep his hips underneath him and make an open field tackle with his feet moving at all times. He should keep his head in front of the ball carrier to stop his forward momentum (See Diagram 3).

•  Have two lines 15 yards apart.
•  One line is defense and the other is offense.
•  On set-go, the defensive player will sprint 10 yards downhill. At 10 yards he will sink his hips and keep his feet moving. The offensive player will then make his move either to the right or to the left.
•  Once the offensive player makes his move, the defensive player must accelerate through the ball carrier, making sure he keeps his head in front of the ball carrier to stop his forward momentum.
•  On contact, the defensive player must keep his feet moving and drive the ball carrier back.

Sean Ross has been linebackers coach at Wittenberg since 2007. He previously coached for two seasons at Westminster College. A three-year starting linebacker at Waynesburg College, Ross began coaching at his alma mater in 2004. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Waynesburg and a Master’s Degree from Westminster.