LBs

Linebacker Drills

“The modern linebacker combines the strength of a big defensive back with the hitting and intensity already associated with the position.”

“Good, hard, clean aggressive tackling is a skill possessed by every good linebacker. Nothing can fire up a defensive team quicker than a linebacker’s hard tackle that stops a ball carrier in his tracks.”

Tom Bass

Linebackers

The demands on a linebacker today are nothing short of superheroic: On one play, he must be able to take a block from an offensive lineman, shed him and make the tackle near the line of scrimmage; on the next play, he must be able to cover a running back – often with the speed and agility of a wide receiver – only to rush the passer on another play, defeat the block of an offensive lineman with speed (and strength), and then overpower the running back to chase down and tackle an elusive quarterback. And just as there are a multitude of skills required, there are just as many linebacker drills and techniques to prepare the linebacker for his responsibilities.

Best Linebacker Drills

That’s why it’s so important to teach your linebackers these best linebacker drills and techniques. Each linebacker drill focuses on either one technique or a combination of linebacker techniques that should have been practiced in isolation in the basic linebacker drills.

	Agility Drills Good agility is required for every position in today's modern football, but if there's one position that needs it almost more than any other, it's the linebacker position. Being able to run with tight ends, running backs or even wide receivers, wading through a sea of bodies already on the ground to quickly get to the ball carrier before he can bounce the play out of bounds. Or rushing and chasing the passer, being agile is what he needs.
	Tackling Drills Football is all about blocking and tackling. For the defense, this means tackling, of course. Getting to the ballcarrier or passer is just a prerequisite to making the tackle. But if the linebacker fails to make the tackle, all his efforts to get to the ballcarrier are for naught.
	Run Stopping Drills The success of a linebacker stopping a run play for minimal gain lies in his ability to read the play and react without hesitation. These linebacker drills will prepare him to do his best to stop the run.
	Pass Rush Drills The linebacker's responsibilities are not limited to stopping the run through "his" gap and covering his area or receiver on pass plays. The linebacker is also often involved in pass rush schemes. Either as a blitzing linebacker from his original position as a "line backer" or from a clear pass rush position directly at the line of scrimmage. Therefore, linebacker pass rush drills must be a part of the linebackers' daily practice routine.
	Coverage Drills Especially against today's spread offenses, linebackers are expected to play pass coverage as well as run coverage. Only being prepared with good coverage drills will give him a chance to successfully defend the pass.
	Interception Drills Being in the right spot to defend the pass is an absolute must (see Linebacker Coverage Drills), but making the interception and perhaps returning it for as many yards as possible, maybe even a touchdown, is the icing on the cake.