How To Coach Linebackers: Techniques, Reads & Tackling
Inside, you'll find coaching resources to help you coach the fundamentals, reads, and tackling resources needed to build elite group of linebackers.
These resources were built for youth and high school coaches who coach linebackers and want a progression system for teaching the following: footwork, reads, block destruction, dropping into pass coverage and tackling.
If you want to accelerate your learning with video instructions and guided help. Check out vIQtory Pro below.
Core Linebacker Skills
Below, we're going to explain 5 core linebacker skills that every coach should know how to teach. Linebackers are most effective when both their eyes and their footwork is right.
Footwork
Staying square is the name of the game when playing linebacker. Square is strong, especially when the linebacker is playing within the box. Linebackers need to be able to fit open gaps, take on offensive linemen and also scrape to the football that hits off-tackle. Footwork is the foundation to all of these techniques, because poor footwork could be getting displaced by an offensive linemen or getting knocked over.
When playing in the box, the rule we like to teach is to shuffle and stay square. Anything outside of the tackle box, needs to turn into a crossover run to get to the hip of the running back. Here are some drills that can help with that footwork.
Eyes & Reads
Along with the footwork, the linebacker's eyes must be on their keys before they start to transition downhill. The most common type of read for a linebacker is the triangle read. This means the linebacker is looking at the offensive line to the running back. Here is a guide we put together for triangle reads.
Block Destruction
If you're afraid to get on blocks, you'll never get off of them. This is something I tell my linebackers consistently. To build confidence in your linebackers, ensure their feet are staggared on contact, their arms are locked out, and they know exactly how to rip or arm-over.
Do this against offensive linemen in practice so your linebackers can get a sense of the force needed to disengage an offensive linemen who is running toward them. Here's a block destruction coaching guide to get you started.
Pass Coverage
Similar to defending the run, the footwork for defending the pass is just as important. If you're a match coverage team or a true spot drop to an area defense, the linebacker's feet need to be perfect for them to make a play on the football. The most important part is clearing the run, before getting to their zone.
Here's how to teach your players how to drop into zone coverage.
Tackling
Playing linebacker is different from other positions. They must be able to tackle from the inside-out and also the outside-in. Their angles are going to change pretty much every single play. Staying square and running their feet on contact are the most important attributes when tackling as a linebacker. They must also learn how to tackle safely down low and as well as up high.
Coaching Install Progression
Below is the order of coaching progression that we recommend to teach your linebackers so every skill is covered as you get into the season. The progression below can be used in the preseason or when the season starts.
Steps To Install | Coaching Points | Player Progression |
|---|---|---|
Step 1: Stance & Start | Stance, start and first step. Learn how to introduce the first step which is so crucial to linebacker development. | Linebackers should be in an athletic position, on the balls of their feet ready to go forward and track down the running backs. |
Step 2: Eyes & Reads | Learning how to read the center, guards through the running back. This is known as the triangle read. | When the guards pull, the linebackers should flow to the football. This is how you know if your linebacker's eyes are on the right key. |
Step 3: Zone Coverage | Linebackers should flip their hips, drop into their zone, and square their hips back to the quarterback. | When the player can successfully drop into a zone, see the crossers and make a play on the ball, then you'll know the player is successfully zone dropping. |
Step 4: Tackling | Linebackers should learn how to tackle high, tackle low, and tackle while getting off blocks. | When linebackers can successfully get off a block and make a tackle, then you'll know the linebackers are playing with confidence. |
Common Mistakes Linebacker Coaches Make
Teaching Contact Before Footwork
The most important part of playing linebacker is footwork. If your linebackers can hit in drills, there is a whole another element to playing linebacker and that's owning leverage. If your linebackers are missing tackles, look at their footwork and their approach to the football.
Staring At Just The Running Back
If your linebacker are just staring at the running back, they won't be able to see guard pulls when the offense does misdirection in the backfield. It's important the linebacker sees guard pulls through the running back.
Chasing Crossers
Linebackers will naturally glue to receivers in their zones. However, when receivers are running out of their zone into the next linebacker's zone, they should yell "cross" and pass them off. Chasing crossing receivers will open holes in the defense.
Get More Drills & Video Instruction Inside vIQtory Pro
The Full Linebackers Install: Get drills and video instruction on how to coach linebackers. Inside you'll find a library of drills, progression on how to coach your position and game plan tools to put it all together on game day. Built for youth and high school coaches.
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