Mastering the Counter: The Linebacker Counter Drill
The Counter Play is a notoriously difficult run scheme for defenses to contain, often leaving linebackers scrambling to adjust their approach. The Linebacker Counter Drill equips linebackers with the technical skills and decisive reactions necessary to effectively defend against this play. This drill hones their ability to recognize the counter play quickly, change direction explosively, and pursue the ball carrier for a secure tackle.
Purpose
- Counter Recognition: This drill trains linebackers to identify the telltale signs of a counter play, such as the pulling guard or the running back’s initial path.
- Explosive Direction Change: Linebackers develop the ability to efficiently change direction once they recognize the counter. The drill emphasizes proper footwork and body positioning to ensure a smooth and explosive transition.
- Pursuit and Tackling: The drill incorporates elements of pursuit and tackling, allowing linebackers to practice chasing down the ball carrier and executing a proper form tackle after changing direction.
Description
Drill Setup
- Cone Placement: Arrange three cones in a straight line spaced strategically. Place the first two cones two yards apart from each other. Position the third cone four yards away from the second cone, creating a total line of six yards with three cones evenly spaced.
- Linebacker Positioning: The linebacker assumes a proper two-point stance facing the line of cones, with their feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. They should be positioned three yards deep, straddling the middle cone.
Drill Execution
- Short Shuffles: On the coach’s command, the linebacker executes 1-2 short shuffles towards the cone closest to them. Emphasis should be placed on maintaining proper form during the shuffles. Keep the shoulders square, avoid crossing feet, and maintain a level body posture without hopping.
- Counter Recognition: As the linebacker reaches the closest cone, they simulate recognizing the counter play (e.g., pulling guard or running back’s initial movement).
- Explosive Direction Change: Upon recognizing the counter, the linebacker initiates an explosive change of direction. They perform a crossover run, accelerating around the farthest cone. Focus on keeping the body square to the line of scrimmage and kicking the heel out in the direction of movement to ensure proper hip and shoulder rotation.
Variations and Progressions
- Tackling Integration: To elevate the drill’s complexity, incorporate a tackling element. Position a tackle dummy outside and behind the farthest cone. After changing direction and passing the third cone, the linebacker executes a proper (form) tackle on the tackle dummy, simulating tackling the ball carrier on a counter play.
- Live Running Back: For a more realistic scenario, introduce a designated player mimicking a running back executing the counter play. The linebacker form tackles the running back after recognizing the counter and changing direction. Ensure proper tackling technique and safety measures are in place.
- Advanced Difficulty: To challenge advanced linebackers, introduce uncertainty. Signal the running back to either commit to the counter or continue on their original path (not cutting back). This forces the linebacker to rely solely on reading the play’s development before changing direction, eliminating the possibility of “cheating” by pre-determining their movement.
- Dual Linebacker Drill: For a variation focused on communication and role reversal, incorporate two linebackers. Initially, assign them “fill” and “scrape” responsibilities. Upon recognizing the counter, the linebackers must communicate and reverse their roles to effectively contain the play.
By incorporating these variations, the Linebacker Counter Drill offers a comprehensive approach to developing linebackers adept at defending against the counter play. This drill equips them with the skills to swiftly recognize the counter, change direction explosively, and pursue the ball carrier.
Coaching points
- Short Shuffles: Continuously emphasize proper footwork and body positioning during the short shuffles. Maintain square shoulders, avoid crossing feet, and keep the body level throughout the movement.
- Explosive Direction Change: Stress the importance of an explosive and efficient change of direction. Focus on the crossover run technique, keeping the body square to the line of scrimmage and utilizing proper footwork (kicking heel out) to ensure smooth hip and shoulder rotation.
- Maintain Focus: Remind linebackers to maintain focus and stay square to the line of scrimmage while accelerating around the farthest cone. This ensures they are prepared to pursue the ball carrier effectively.
- Communication (Advanced Variation): For the dual linebacker variation, emphasize clear communication between the linebackers upon recognizing the counter. They need to effectively communicate (e.g yell “counter”) and switch roles to maintain proper defensive alignment and contain the play.
Equipment
- 3 Cones
- (Optional) Tackle Dummy
The Linebacker Counter Drill empowers linebackers to become a defensive force against the challenging counter play. This drill hones their ability to identify the counter’s telltale signs, execute an explosive change of direction, and pursue the ball carrier for a secure tackle. By incorporating variations like tackling elements, live running backs, and role-reversal scenarios, coaches can progressively challenge linebackers and prepare them for various counter play situations on game day. As linebackers master the counter drill, they develop the confidence, instincts, and technical skills to shut down counter plays and minimize offensive gains.
Originally contributed in 2007 by Coach Keith F. Migliorino, at the time Linebacker Coach and Specials Teams Coordinator at Kean University – The Kean Cougars are playing in the NCAA III – New Jersey Athletic Conference.
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