Linebacker Pass Coverage Teaching Progression and Drills

LINEBACKER PASS COVERAGE TEACHING

PROGRESSION & DRILLS

BART BRUNERNELSON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

(502) 905-0114bart.bruner@nelson.kyschools.us

LEADERSHIP

• LBers are “Heart of the Defense”

• Confidence to Lead, Call Huddle, Make Checks, etc.

• Teach Leadership/Examples

• Give them Opportunities

VISION

• Most overlooked Skill

• Have a specific aiming point - “screws”

• Emphasize in every drill – Stand in Front

• Ask what they saw – Mental Challenge

FOOTWORK/AGILITY

• Stance: Grab grass – Coach constantly

• Keep your base – Don’t waste steps

• Bend your knees – Pad under pad

BLOW DELIVERY

• Attack blocker or receivers – What technique?

• Punch & Jam vs. receivers

• Eyes under his – Pads forward

• Work Angles – Get foot in ground before contact

READS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• What is my key?

• Where do I fit/What is my drop?

• What is my technique?

PLANNING PRACTICE

• What skills do I need?

• Drills to develop these skills

• Game reps vs. practice time ratio

RUN/PASS KEYS

• Pre-snap: Situation, tendencies, formation, lineman stance, etc.

• Specific Keys: Linemen/Backs

• Type of Pass: Where is my threat?

• Pressure: what changes?

ZONE COVERAGE

• Spot drop vs. Match up zone

• Define Receivers: 3-2-1 & who are they?

• Disrupt routes vs. get to zone

• Communication – Confidence - Help

DROP TECHNIQUE

• Transition to drop

• Aiming point – intersect your threat

• Collision – jam: Be Violent!

• Stretch zone

EYE PROGRESSION

• Must be drilled!

• ILB: 3-2-qb - OLB: 2-1-qb

• Call out & pass off crossers

• Clock is ticking – Look at the Ball

ALIGNMENT & KEYS

• Scheme, situation, personnel, etc.

• ILB: Depth, width, be careful! Key Guard to 1st threat: #3

• OLB: Base Alignment vs. split #2: 2x1, key tackle to QB

• Pass key – eyes to jam 2 - 1

DRILL PROGRESSION

• Coverage, drops, alignment, etc.

• Intersect & jam drills: Mirror dodge

• Play the ball: attack ball side, strip, intercept

COVERAGE DRILL

BB B

B

QB

C C

FS SS

MIDDLE HOOKCURL CURLFLAT FLAT

COVER DOWN DRILLPURPOSE: Learn and review coverage alignment, formation recognition, communication, & total coverage concept.

PROCEDURE: Align extra players or use cones for offensive formation. Move and change alignments as Coach drills players on details of assignments, keys, and techniques of various coverages. Coach must keep it challenging and ask questions!

JAM & INTERSECT DRILLS

B

B

PROCEDURE: 2 partners face each other between the 2 cones. One is designated the offensive player and one defensive. On "hit" the offensive player begins to run, spin, and fake side to side between the two cones. The LBer stays square with and shuffles side to side mirroring the offensive player. On whistle drill ends with offensive player making a cut and LBer fits up in front of him or finishes with a jam.

COACHING POINTS: LBer must work low, keep good base, keep hands up and in front, and keep vision on the target.

MIRROR DODGE: PURPOSE: Quick feet, vision, & jam technique EQUIPMENT: 2 cones set on yard line - 5 yards apart

X

B

JAM VS. RELEASESPURPOSE: To teach LBs to intersect routes, jam, and continue drop and keys vs split receiversEQUIPMENT NEEDED: Cones placed 5 yards apart even with LB depth.

PROCEDURE: LBers take base alignment vs. a split REC. On coaches' command REC releases and trys to avoid LB. LB reads key and works to jam REC if he releases inside of cones. If not then eyes snap to next key. COACHING POINTS: Vision on target, stay square if you can. 1 hand jam is ok. If he wants to avoid you - he will. BE FAST & VIOLENT WITH THE HANDS!

ROUTE RECOGNITION

C

BB B B

C

2 ON 2 JAM & DROPPURPOSE: To teach LBs to recognize receiver threats, intersect, jam, and pass off to next zone.

Procedure: LBs take alignment vs. part of a formation. Coach shows pass and Recs. run predetermined routes. LBs work to threats, jam, and communicate routes. Coaching Points: No ball is needed. Eye progression, footwork, and physical jams are the focus of the drill. Cones can be used to teach zone lines not to cross.

BALL DRILL

B

R

C

BALL ATTACK: PURPOSE: TEACH PASS DEFENDERS HOW TO RECOGNIZE WHERE THE REC. IS CATCHING THE BALL AND ATTACKING IT

PROCEDURE: LB aligns 3 yards inside and 1 yd. behind REC. Coach is qb and throws ball to point inside or outside REC. LB must attack REC on BALL SIDE with violent rip and secure tackle with other arm. COACHING POINTS: If LB cannot get ball, rip the arm off and away from ball. BE FAST AND VIOLENT WITH THE HANDS!

THANK YOU