Mike Dawson
Linebacker Play
THE PHILOSOPHYThis is the hardest working unit on the football team and the heart and soul of the defense. We play from snap to whistle on every play and with a relentless pursuit to the football. Our linebackers play with “Bring it to ME” attitude. No one on the field can stop this unit. We must be playmakers and make big plays when the team needs them most.
Great linebackers play with great awareness that comes from focused intensity.
THE PLAN1. Do the Right Thing2.Togetherness3. Sound Techniques and Fundamentals4. Toughness5. Make Plays
Linebackers
How To Get On The Field:1. Eligibility
A. AcademicallyB. Physically (your condition)
2. DurabilityThe ability to prepare, practice, and
play. Your conditioning affects your ability to come back from bumps and bruises. Knowing what to do and how to do it lessens you chance of injury.
3. ProductionAthletic ability and potential may give
you several chances to play but your production will keep you on the field. We must produce.
10 Factors for Winning
Stop the RunGreat ConcentrationCommunicationCreate TurnoversPlay SmartBe Great TacklersHit the QBPursuit to the FootballDominate the Special TeamsPlay Harder than our Opponent on every Play
Keys to a successful play
Know and understand the callRecognize the formationAlign properlyKeysExecute and Strain
What is a loaf?
A change of speed and/or pad level.
Not turning and running to the ball.
Getting past by another player.
Lying on the ground (hot stove).
Turning down a hit.
LINEBACKER DAILY PRACTICE SHELL
MEETING:
1.Administrative and Academic Issues
2. Game/Practice Corrections
3. Opponent and self scouting reports
4. New Installationsa. Frontb. Coveragec. Blitzd. Adjustments
5. Practice Plana. Individual drillsb. Group/Team drills (Tempo)c. Special Teams (Depth)
6. Motivation
PRE PRACTICE:
1.Corrections
2. New Installation
3. VS CansAlignments, Adjustments, Calls,
and Blitz
4. Ball Drills
PERIOD:I Movement and Run Ability
1. Agility Bags1 Foot2 Feet4 FeetShuffleUp & Back2 and 1
2. Star Drill
3. “M” Drill
4. Hoops1 manFigure 8'sChase ( 2 man)
5 yds
LB
Agility Bag Drill Set Up
5 yds
DL
Agility Bag Drill Set Up
FILM
TACKLING BASICS1. CLOSE THE DISTANCE
4 FEET IN THE BAG
2. EYES TO THE SKY
3. STRIKE WITH YOUR CHEST ON THE RISE
NEAR FOOT WITH THE NEAR SHOULDER
4.STABHIPS AND HANDS SIMULTANEOUSLY6 INCH RISING BLOW
5. GRAB CLOTH
6. FEETRUN ON CONTACT
THOSE WHO WANT TO TACKLE WILL TACKLE!!!
Period:II Tackling
1. Smile
2. 2 Command
3. 1 Command
5. Angle Tackle
6. Agility Bag
7. Cone Tackle
1. Smile B. Smile A. Close
5 ydsDrive on Contact
2. 2 Command /1 Command
X
O
X
O
3. Angle Tackle
RB
LB
4. Agility Bag
RB
LB
5. Cone Tackle
Period:III Block Pro
1. 2 Hand Punch & Separate (Blocked Position)a. 2 Point Punchb. 6 Point Punchc. Gunfighter
2. SledSeparate and Tackle
3. EscapesPush Pull RipPower Hand (Fit Position)Patch (Defeated Position)
4. Open Field (Not Blocked)Speed Rip
5. Low Blocksa. Stationaryb. Shuffle to Blockc. Dive at Legs
6. Hi/Low DrillCombinations of High and Low Blocks
X
O
X
O
X
O
X
O
O
O
O5 x5 yds
X
Coach
Block Protection
1. Defeated Position
2. Speed Rip 3. Hi/Low Combo
Period: IV Run Reads
1. 2 Back
2. 1 Back**Read Surface to Flow
V Pass Drops
1. Short DropRelease of #3
2. Deep DropRelease of #2
3. VS TripsRelease of #3
4. BOB DrillQB Intentions
5. 4 Lane Response6. Man to Man Technique
Break on the Ball Drill (BOB)
12 YDS 12 YDS
14 YDS
B B
COACH
Read the QB’s intentions and break on the thrown ball. LB’s should be going to the receiver when the ball
is half way to it’s target.
12 YDS 12 YDS
14 YDS
B B
COACH
Period: X Blitz and Rush Skills
1. 1 Man Moves
2. OLine to Back MovesSpeed seriesPower seriesDoublesCounters
3. Plugs, Scrapes, and, Crashes
3 Step / 5 Step DrillLB’s break on the ball based on the quarterback’s intentions. Use the QB’s facemask to determine whether it is a 3 or 5 step drop. Use the QB’s front shoulder to read whether it is a deep or short pass. Break
when the front hand comes off of the ball.12 YDS 12 YDS
5 YDS
B B
COACH
5 YDS
Group1 on 1's Tackle vs RB's1 on1 's Pass vs RB's/TE'sCombo's vs OLineTeam drills
UnitInside Run vs OffenseUnderstanding schemes and fits of the run game
Be physical and win the drillStrip the ball out
Pass Game vs OffenseKnow route combinationsQB intentionsBreak on the thrown ballBall skills-catch the football
Unit ReviewRun ReviewPass ReviewBlitz Review
Go'sDog'sPlug's
Team
5 Keys Elements of every play
Know and understand the call
AlignmentKeysExecuteStrain
Communication
Tempo
Turnovers
Pursuit
Akron Linebacker Summer 2008 Menu
Day 11. Agility Bag Progression 5 Min
2. Shuffle, Rip, Tackle 5 min3. Block Pro Hat & Hands 3 min
4. Speed Rip 2 min5. Fit & Escapes 5 Min6. Drops #2 Drops (Cloud Cov 2/3) 5 Min #3 Drops (Box) 5 Min
Day 2 1. M Drill 5 Min2. Box 45 Drill 5 Min2. Smile Drill 5 Min3. 3 Step/ 5 Step Drill 5 Min or Blitz Drill4. Drops #2 Drops (Check O/S) 5 Min #3 Drops (Cov 7) 5
Min
OT/TE Keys
E
E
E
E
$E
LB
LB
LB
LB
$
$
$
1. Fan/Fan
2. Double
3. Cut Off
4. Pass
1. Zone (Both ways)
N
N
N
LB
LB
LB2. Pull
3. Pass
10 Tech
Keys
2 Drops
LB
LB
LBLB
LBLB
2 out: get width to the curl
2 blocks: get depth to the dig
2 vert: 2 yds I/S Seam (@10)
3 Drops (3 WR or RB)
3 vert: stay
inside of
him
3 out: get to curl of #1
3 blocks: get depth to the dig (stay over 3)
Check Outside Drops
LBLBLB
LBGood is the Enemy of Great:
Practice Being Great
“A winner is someone who recognizes his God given talents, works his tail off to
develop them into skills, and uses those skills toaccomplishhis goals”
OT/TE Keys
E
E
E
E
$E
LB
LB
LB
LB
$
$
$
1. Fan/Fan
2. Double
3. Cut Off
4. Pass
E
LB
5. Zone Read (Away)
$
Akron Linebacker Summer Menu
1. Keys
LB
2. Fit Escapes
Start in the fit position. Work the extension of the push and pull. Finish with the rip and clear the blocker. Make sure the offensive guy is giving a good look.
3. Blitz Drill
RB
LBStart with a good stance. No false steps. OLine slide to, slide away. If OLine opens RB blocks. Have a move in mind. Use good hips & hands.
8 Min 5 Min 7 Min