Linebacker depth?

jwcoop
Junior Member

Posts: 19

Linebacker depth? Sept 22, 2009 6:35:20 GMT

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Post by jwcoop on Sept 22, 2009 6:35:20 GMT

I have had to go solely to the 3-5 in the last few weeks for a number of reasons. The first game we shut the offense down. But this last week vs a double slot team that run alot of FB Belly they really hurt us. I felt like our Ilb's were to tight. They kept getting closer and closer to the LOS as the night went on. I want them prowling and moving a little bit, but when the ball is snapped they are not going anywhere. And then they are blocked or walled off.

Need some help here guys. First of all, what depth do ya'll have them? Should I try to move them around and mess with offense or set them at say 4-5 yards?

What basic drills do I need to do to get them attacking and going to the football? I have my front 3 slanting, or pinching, or stepping out.

Please help!!!!

jwcoop

jrkelly Senior Member Posts: 820	Linebacker depth? Sept 22, 2009 6:57:51 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by jrkelly on Sept 22, 2009 6:57:51 GMT I would keep them at 4-5 yds. As far as drills, work the heck out of your stunts, fits, and zone drops. The one weakness of this defense is vs those teams that line up and can just hammer away at you.
	Ryan Kelly Offensive Coordinator Austin High School Austin, MN There is nothing that will show a man's true character like the 2 yard line.

greenough
Senior Member

Posts: 314

Linebacker depth? Sept 22, 2009 9:14:00 GMT

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Post by greenough on Sept 22, 2009 9:14:00 GMT

We had enough problems with getting blocked while prowling that we pretty much just went away from it. Instead we run a lot of cross blitzes and stunts with the d-line, we still bring pressure from all over the place, we just don't show it pre-snap much. Our biggest problem was the ball getting snapped while the LB were backing away from the LOS and getting caught on their heels. We want our D running to the LOS on the snap and getting through their gap ASAP. One thing I saw a team do that I thought was interesting was they had an old 6 man sled that they buried the bottom of in the ground so there was nothing sticking out of the ground except the pads, they ran all of their blitzes etc. against it and stress ripping through the OL and getting to the run fit. The pads are nice and low because it's buried so the LB really had to work on good athletic positions etc to get a good rip. Unfortunately, not everyone has an old 6 man laying around, but you might be able to find one if you look.

JFLCOACH
Member

Posts: 151

Linebacker depth? Sept 22, 2009 18:39:48 GMT

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Post by JFLCOACH on Sept 22, 2009 18:39:48 GMT

The detriment of the 3-3 and 3-5 is that your asking LB's to fill in for at least one Linemen. Against big lines and smash mouth teams most LB's are going to get eaten up. The advantage to the D is speed and agility so rather than matching up, as JR suggests, you have to move the LB's so that they arent trying to do the same things time and time again. R & P have to get involved inside as well as outside. Show them CRAZY and back out. Move your D Line around so that they aren't always in the same gaps. Stack, Flex, Slant, Zone Blitz. Against Spread formations overload the box and force them to pass. Putting 6 there and playing the pass will get you to guessing. I know a lot of teams use the Spread simply for that reason to spread you out, not to pass.

Also imho a 30 front is not something I would play if I want my LB's to read and roam. They have set objectives and be where they are supposed to be or you will get out manned every time.

That being said, regardless of the formation and defense, a GOOD Full Back is hard to stop.

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Post by jwcoop on Sept 22, 2009 6:35:20 GMT

Post by jrkelly on Sept 22, 2009 6:57:51 GMT

Post by greenough on Sept 22, 2009 9:14:00 GMT

Post by JFLCOACH on Sept 22, 2009 18:39:48 GMT

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