Linebacker Drills and Techniques
Written By: Gridiron Elite Training
Linebacker Drills and Techniques
Written By: Gridiron Elite Training
Linebacker Drills and Techniques: Elevate Your Game to the Next Level
Linebacker is a crucial position in football, requiring a unique blend of size, speed, and athleticism. A great linebacker can make game-changing plays and lead the defense to victory. To be successful, linebackers need to constantly improve their skills and develop a deep understanding of the game. This post will explore essential linebacker drills and techniques to help you elevate your game and dominate on the field.
Tackling Technique
Tackling is the most fundamental skill for a linebacker. To become an effective tackler, you need to master the proper technique. Start by practicing the following steps:
- Approach the ball carrier with a balanced stance, keeping your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Bend your knees and lower your center of gravity.
- Keep your eyes on the ball carrier’s hips, as they are the least likely to deceive you during a move.
- Explode into the tackle by driving your shoulder into the ball carrier’s midsection.
- Wrap your arms around the ball carrier’s legs and pull them together, bringing them to the ground.
Shedding Blocks
As a linebacker, you’ll frequently encounter offensive linemen and other blockers trying to prevent you from making a play. To overcome these obstacles, you need to master the art of shedding blocks. Here are some key techniques to practice:
- Use your hands to control the blocker’s shoulders or chest, keeping your arms extended.
- Stay low and maintain a strong base to prevent being pushed back.
- Quickly disengage from the blocker by ripping your arms upward or using a swim move.
Pass Coverage Techniques
As a linebacker, you’ll often be tasked with covering running backs, tight ends, or even wide receivers in pass coverage. To excel in this aspect of the game, you’ll need to develop solid coverage skills. Some key techniques to focus on include:
- Zone Coverage: Understand the responsibilities of your specific zone and keep your eyes on the quarterback. Read the quarterback’s eyes and react accordingly, breaking on the ball or closing in on a receiver.
- Man Coverage: Stay close to your assigned receiver, mirroring their movements and maintaining inside leverage to prevent easy completions.
Pursuit Angles
Pursuit angles are essential for linebackers to track down ball carriers and make plays in the open field. Proper pursuit angles require a balance of speed, anticipation, and understanding of the game. Some tips for improving your pursuit angles include:
- Take a direct path to the ball carrier, minimizing the distance you need to cover.
- Anticipate the ball carrier’s movements and adjust your angle accordingly.
- Use your teammates to your advantage, funneling the ball carrier towards help.
Linebacker Drills to Improve Speed and Agility For Football
Linebackers need to make sure the defensive lineman is lined up in the correct gaps for run support. Linebackers need to communicate with the defensive backs so they know what coverage to play in the backend. Also as a linebacker, you need to make your pre-snap reads to understand what the offense might be trying to do against you.
Linebackers need to have a high football IQ to read and react quickly. Any delay on the snap of the ball or a misread while reading keys can result in a big play for the offense. You need to be able to react to a run or pass play immediately upon the snap of the football.
As a linebacker, you need to work on your explosiveness, speed, and agility in the offseason to prepare you to come game day.
Below are linebacker drills to improve speed and tackling for linebackers.
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Linebacker Drills And Techniques For Football
Tackling Progression Quick Feet Sink
Run Pass Run
Quick Pass Drop To Break 45
Shuffle Shuffle Break Downhill
Reaction Fight Off Block
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Access Gridiron Linebacker Drills
Here are linebacker drills to improve speed and agility for linebackers.
Suppose you’re a linebacker looking to take your skills to the next level. In that case, you can read our latest posts on “Drills For Linebackers – Take Your Skills To The Next Level” and “Plyometric Exercises For Speed And Explosiveness In Football.”
Suppose you’re a serious football player looking to play at the next level. You can access our sports performance training programs, linebacker training programs, linebacker drills, and the Gridiron Recruiting Center inside “The Gridiron Academy” to help you with your football recruiting.
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Gridiron Elite Training was started to help educate and provide football players with a community to receive proper training and guidance.
We created “The Gridiron Elite Academy” which is an online football performance network that provides football players of all levels with sports performance workout programs, football position-specific drills, mindset coaching, mental toughness training, recruiting guidance and help, and nutrition programs.
