Serra Linebacker Manual Technique and Drills

Organized Thought Process = Stance Alignment Keys

Responsibility
1. Stance (not too picky about stance want kids to be
comfortable but here are some basics)
a. Knees bent & position over feet
b. Shoulders over knees
c. Head and eyes up
d. Arms relaxed and off knees
e.
A. Stance & Movement Drills
a. Read Step (6 inch step mirroring key)
b. Read Step & Shuffle downhill to both
directions
c. Read Step, Shuffle downhill, & Crossover Run
d. Read Step, Shuffle, Crossover Run & Press
Linebackers will try and maintain shuffle as much as possible in the box.
Shuffle will help them maintain their body square ready to take on a block
and/or make a tackle.
Read Step Movement Progression: Purpose of is to that mimic each
movement that they will use on game night as it pertains to the run game.
The more comfortable linebackers are with the movements the faster they
will play!
Red indicates downhill shuffle Blue is sprint
1. Slow scrape (shuffle) downhill

2. Fast Scrape downhill

3. Scrape and run

A. Downhill

B. Wide (shuffle and sprint as in toss

play)

4. Off-tackle

5. Angle
A. Fill

6. Fire (as in a down block Iso play)

7. Backside cutback (fill backside A

gap open window)

2. Alignment Our basic alignment is head up in front of the guard 5

yards from the line of scrimmage. Depending on situation we will line up with
heels at 5 yards or toes at 5 yards.

3. Keys As linebackers we will use guards as our primary keys and backs
as our secondary keys
Linebackers will learn that the backfield can and will lie to us with counters,
but that the offensive guard will not lie to us. He is true. I want my ILBs to
learn how to use their eyes. I want them to put their high beams, or most
focus and initial concentration, on the offensive guard (helmet and
shoulders), and low beams, or secondary focus, on the backfield flow or
action. They must see and read the guard first, then react to
backfield flow.
Basic Blocks and Reaction
A. Zone Block the ILB must mirror the step of the guard and attack
him. As the guard gets width, the ILB must also get width, staying in
the outside of his gap and keeping his outside arm free. The key with
zone plays, especially outside zone, is getting ILBs to understand that
gaps move, and they must maintain their gaps. I always tell my ILBs to
run with the gaps
B. Down Block When the guard doubles down on the DT, also known as
an isolation (Iso) read, the ILB must attack the LOS (right off the guards
hips). He must attack it as soon as possible and hit it downhill. He
should get his head inside and take on the fullback square and low with
his inside shoulder maintaining his gap arm free. The ILB must make
contact with the fullback on the offenses side of the LOS.

C. Pull Inside (toward center) - If the guard pulls across the center, the
ILB must yell pull as loud as possible to alert his teammates. There
are two purposes. First, you need to alert the DE who is going to be
trapped. Secondly, you need to alert the playside ILB who will be
reading a down block, thinking iso, and must now attack the C or D gap
(depending on strength). As he attacks his C or D gap, he should do it
tightly and be ready for the down block of the offensive tackle (dip and
rip). After he calls pull, the backside ILB should flow over the top of
the center, making sure it is not a FB trap. If it is a fullback trap, the
ILB should attack the fullback downhill. If it is a regular counter trap, he
should pursue over the top, ready for the combo block off of the DT.
D. Pull to the outside (away from center) When guards pull to the
outside, the ILB must pursue him to the outside and stay on his inside
hip. He should be ready to strike and pursue over the top, as the
offensive linemen will be looking to seal him inside. This outside pull
usually takes place on a sweep play.
E. Pass Block (High Hat) Yell Pass as loud as possible, to alert
teammates. The ILB should get to his pass responsibility depending on
the defensive call.
These are the basic blocks/keys linebackers will learn. Film and game
planning will determine keys for linebacker for the week.

4. Responsibility
Run: linebackers will be responsible for their designated gap if a run comes
to them. If run goes away from them they will be responsible for their
partners playside gap (cutback) or finding the open window to make the play.

Linebacker Run Progression

1. READ - Recognition of the key and reaction to it.
2. MOVEMENT - Proper footwork needed to get to your area of
responsibility.
3. STRIKE - Utilization of the upper body and lower Body to defeat a
Blocker.
4. HOLD or AVOID - Staying in control of the Blocker until the ball has
declared or avoiding Blocker to get to ball carrier.
5. SHED - The quick acceleration off the Blocker to the ball carrier. The
utilization of the hands and feet are critical.
6. PURSUE - Relentless desire to get to the ball.
7. TACKLE - A collision and take down between the linebacker and ball
carrier.

Pass: Linebackers are responsible for the Hook-Curl Zone (cover 3, and 0),
from the middle of the field extending how to about halfway between the
hash and numbers. As the linebacker takes his read step and gets a pass
read, he opens up his hips and drops at a 45-degree angle back to the hash
mark. His spot is 10-12 yards deep, on the hash mark (spot drop).
Linebackers will also learn to read receivers to adjust their drops based on
routes.
In man coverage, linebackers are responsible for running back out of the
backfield to their side when the running back is the #3 receiver to their side.

5. Defeating Blocks

Linebackers will be taught a few ways to

defeat blocks (it is up to them to use the most effective one for
them).
A. Hit and Shed
1. First, in order to neutralize or stun a blocker, the linebacker must first
attack the blocker successfully.
2. The linebacker should keep his shoulders square, maintain a proper
base, and keep his pad level low
3. On contact, the linebacker must maintain inside-out leverage on the
blocker by attacking with his inside foot up and his outside foot back.
The linebackers base is stronger when his inside foot is up. Attacking
the blocker with the inside foot up will keep a linebacker from getting
his shoulders turned. When a linebackers shoulders get turned, a
vertical seam is created in the defense.
4. The linebacker must stay square, with the inside foot up, to help keep
the defense strong inside out. If the linebacker is bouncing the ball
outside, he should thrust his outside foot up as he makes contact with
a blocker.
Hit and Shed Position

Hit and Shed Drills

1. Hands Progression
a. On knees punching bag
b. On feet punching bag
c. Sled Machine gun to help the reposition their feet.
d. Vs. Player

2. Board Drill to eliminate false step and react to the blocker

3. Down Hill Shuffle and stun blocker finish with tackle or with fumble
4. Change of Direction Stun Drill take on 2 blockers and re-direct to
take on 3rd before making the tackle
B. Dip and Rip
Linebackers will also learn how to dip and rip an oncoming blocker. The
Dip and Rip technique is used during situations in which a blocker
attacks the linebacker at an angle.
a. Linebacker steps with outside foot first and dips his inside hip and
shoulder simulating grabbing grass from the ground.
b. He delivers a cross arm upper cut to the outside shoulder of the
blocker to create leverage and space in order to clear block and
continue pursuing the ball.

Linebacker Agility (These are some of the drills that will help
us with our footwork and agility)
Bag Drills (Helps LBs with agility, C.O.D., picking up feet & running
through trash,
sinking hips, bending knees, and accelerating in and out of breaks)
e. 1 Foot in Each Lbs start on a cone and go through bags
placing one foot in each hole. At last bag LB will plant with
outside foot, change direction and sprint to middle cone.
f. 2 Feet in Each
g. Rapid Fire (4 Feet in each hole simulates coming to
balance/breaking down)

h. Lateral Shuffle and Flip Sprint to bag & turn to lateral

shuffle over first 2 bags, flip the hips on middle bag and
continue shuffling, plant and sprint to the cone.

i. Down Hill Weave (shuffle downhill & rock back simulating

counter)

j. LB W Drill (45 degree angle drop, plant, & sprint)

2. Pass Drop Drills (Helps LBs with 45 degree pass drop, opening
hips, and planting & breaking on the ball Will start with cones
initially)
a. Wave Drill LBs will face coach on command LBs will
open hips and drive at a 45 degree angle. On second
command LBs will plant foot and flip their hips and drive at
45, on last command LBs plant & drive back toward coach.

Can add as many

as 5 cones to get
more reps & 2-3
LBs can go at a
time, specially once
cones are not used.

Coac
h

Coach can point ball or open up in the

direction he wants LBs to drop. Once he
pulls ball or begins to throw, LBs plant
and drive

Reaction Drills
1. Single Hip Toe Linebackers drop into pass coverage on QB drop.
When they read draw, stick foot on the ground and sprint to ball
carrier
2. Double Hip Toe drop into pass coverage, flip the hips and plant
and sprint to ball carrier.

Serra Conquistadors Linebacker Creed (For

Players)
Tempo Setters
- We set the standard not only for the defense but for the entire
team. We need to set the tempo for how we play on defense
fast, aggressive, enthusiastic, confident & with an attitude!
- We will be the most physical, toughest, & punishing players on
every play
- Toughness is mental not just physical shut out any distraction
that keeps you from playing at an intense, relentless level on
every play
- Effort is more important than ability
- Approach every game with the attitude that we are as good as
any opponent and not a bit better that will help us play the
game with great concentration, anticipation, and effort!
- We are playmakers!!!
Linebacker Philosophy
- Playing linebacker is the most challenging assignment on a
football team. Linebackers must be able to play the run and the
pass and are involved in every aspect of the game.
- Play the game from sideline to sideline
- Know how every player fits into the defense and where your help
comes from
- Playing linebacker means that we will be the best conditioned,
most observant, most studious, & most disciplined and physically
tough players on the field.

We will not be satisfied with being average. Being average

means:
o 1. Being blocked and staying that way
o 2. Missing a tackle in critical situation
o 3. Slowing the runner up but still allowing him to get extra
yardage
o 4. Not carrying out an assignment
o 5. Getting tired and not hustling
o 6. Allowing the big offensive play
We will NOT play or think on an average manner Strive to be
great!!!
I'm afraid of being average. I have a real fear of being
just another linebacker Junior Seau

Things we should do & know

General
- Be assertive in the huddle: Maintain discipline, make sure
everyone has heard and understood the call correctly
- Be aware if someone is not aligned properly (especially the
lineman)
- Be aware of what is going on in the game so you can
communicate with your coach(es)
Situation
- Down & Distance: Think about what plays an offense might run
based on what down it is and how far they have to go for a first
down
- Field Position: Know what the offense likes to run in certain
parts of the field
- Time Remaining: Be aware of how much time is left in each
quarter, half, the game and how that affects what the team runs.
Tendencies
- Formations: Know what the opponent likes to do based on the
formation the line up in (coaches and film study will help you
with this)
- Personnel: Be alert for personnel changes. A lot of teams run
certain plays based on the players they bring in
Play with your eyes, concentrate, communicate & dominate!
Turnovers
- We will work hard at taking the ball away from opponents. We
will ATTACK the ball!

Each turnover reduces the other teams chances of scoring and

gives our offense great field position.
Turnovers are the result of hustle, desire, and concentration

Missed Assignments
- Missed assignments happen when a linebacker:
o Does not know his specific responsibility in the defense or
coverage
o Lacks concentration and discipline
o Lacks the poise and/or ability to handle pressure
- Missed assignments cannot be tolerated and have a direct
reflection of a linebackers desire to be the best!
- Nothing will get you on the bench quicker than missing
assignments!
Linebackers are the leaders of the defense and should not be
uncertain or unprepared in a meeting, a practice, or a game!

Swarm & Fly to the Ball!

- Gang tackling is the most demoralizing maneuver in football and
is a must for a great defensive team. As linebackers we will
be the leaders in gang tackling!
- Never take for granted that a player is tackled always play to
the whistle!
- Fly to the ball! If you dont fly to the ball it is because of
o Lack of conditioning
o Laziness or not caring
o Lack of commitment to leaving it all on the field for your
teammates
- If you do not hustle and swarm to the ball you are loafing.
Loafing will get you extra conditioning and/or a VIP seat
on the bench.
There is no person in my team in 16 years that has consistently beat me
to the ball every play. That aint got nothing to do with talent, thats just
got everything to do with EFFORT.
Ray Lewis

Goals for Linebackers

- Attack Blockers! dont catch
- Play through blockers (we will dip and rip when appropriate)
- Stay on your feet if you get knocked down, get right back up and
hustle to the ball
- Swarm to the ball!
- Allow no missed tackles gang tackling!
- Display effort - heart above ability & talent!
- Make plays! tackles, force & create turnovers
- Play with passion and enthusiasm be contagious!
Daily Reminders
- Play hard, play fast, & play smart
- Outplay, outhit, outhustle, outsmart, outfight, outheart opposing
teams (this starts with the way you practice)
- Play with heart but also use your head (be smart)
- Band together as linebackers and as a defense one common
goal!
- Respect all but fear none!
- Do not be afraid to fail or make mistakes because that is how you
grow be afraid of not preparing and giving your best to yourself
and your teammates!

Leaders aren't born they are made. And they are

made just like anything else, through hard work. And
that's the price we'll have to pay to achieve that goal,
or any goal. Vince Lombardi