Linebacker Play

Coach Montjoy is correct. Once you figure out what type of LBers you are using, then you can start to coach them up. I coach my LBers in our defense as being aggressive down hill attackers. What I have found to be helpful was to not over coach them with hundreds of drills. During the week, we will do the following: slide/lateral run drill, form tackling on a 7-man sled, rip through a blocker and tackle, shed drill, and a pass drop drill. I will only use maybe 5 drills a day. I really focus on them understanding where they fit in in our defense. I think this has helped us be successful. A great book that I have read on this is "Coaching by the Experts: Coaching LBers" by Paul Browning, I think. Anything else, feel free to e-mail me: MATTHEW.EVANCHO@svpanthers.org

I appreciate it guys. We will be a 4-3 defense. I still have to visit witht he D-Coord. to find out his expectations for our LB corps.

The 4-3 is what I use. I spend most of the time teaching my LBers where they fit in. Once we have that down, then I will start working with them on how we atack through blockers. I am not a believer in taking on a blocker on an iso one on one. I will always try to get a LBer on each side of the lead blocker or a DL and LBer on each side. We have been very successful doing this. Again, this is just what has worked for me.

Also, I learned when I was with Jerry Sandusky at PSU, you do not always have to be physical in practice to have physical LBer. Most of the driulls I use in practice are low impact with almost no chance of injury. During my individual time, I spend my time dealing with attacking blockers, tackling, and being in perfect position. I will then have a combo time with the DL where we are 3/4 to full speed fitting into our gaps and again working toward perfect position on every play. During our team period, I work the front seven the same way but then also have the SS and FS work into their responsibilities vs. the run.

I have felt that if my guys know in split seconds where they need to be and how to be there in perfect position, then we will be successful.

Jerry Sandusky has a great tape he made of many drills. They don't call it linebacker U for nothing. One of the best to learn from. Get with the D coordinator and see how he wants to run his overall scheme. Will you be using cover 2, man etc. Getting them to know their reads and positioning is key. Pursuit drills, scrape drills, shed drills. Cut back drills by the offense to prevent over pursuit. Lateral drills and footwork drills. Quick feet and a solid base are always a good thing to have.