Mastering Leverage: The Linebacker Mirror Drill
The Linebacker Mirror Drill is a cornerstone exercise for developing linebackers adept at maintaining inside leverage on running backs during outside runs (toss sweeps, pitch plays, zone runs, option plays, etc.). This drill hones their ability to mirror the running back’s movements while prioritizing inside leverage, ensuring they stay in optimal position to shut down the play and prevent cutbacks. By incorporating shuffles, crossover runs, and proper tackling technique, the Mirror Drill equips linebackers with the essential skills to dominate run defense on the outside.
Purpose
- Maintaining Inside Leverage: This drill emphasizes the importance of inside leverage for linebackers. Linebackers learn to constantly keep their outside shoulder on the backside hip of the running back, ensuring they remain between the running back and the sideline. This optimal positioning allows them to react effectively to cutback attempts and minimize gains.
- Shuffle Technique: The drill focuses on proper shuffling technique, a crucial movement for linebackers when mirroring a running back’s lateral movement. Linebackers learn to shuffle laterally while maintaining square shoulders to the line of scrimmage and avoiding crossing their feet. This allows for efficient footwork and smooth transitions to explosive movements.
- Crossover Run Execution: Linebackers develop proficiency in the crossover run, a technique used to maintain inside leverage when the running back accelerates. The drill emphasizes staying square to the line of scrimmage and kicking the heel out in the direction of movement. This ensures proper hip and shoulder rotation for a powerful and controlled crossover run.
- Tackling Integration: The drill incorporates a tackling element, allowing linebackers to practice mirroring the running back and finishing the play with a secure form tackle. This integrates technique with reaction, preparing linebackers for game-like situations.
Description
Drill Setup
- Cone Placement: Arrange five cones in a straight line spaced ten yards apart. These cones will serve as reference points for the drill.
- Player Positioning: Divide participants into two lines facing each other across the cones. One line will consist of running backs, while the other line will be comprised of linebackers. Position the linebacker five yards away from the first cone, facing the running back who will be positioned directly opposite them at the first cone.
Drill Execution
- Mirroring the Back: The drill begins with the running back starting in a slow jog. The linebacker mirrors the running back’s movement laterally, maintaining a five-yard distance and shuffling while keeping their outside shoulder on the backside hip of the running back. Emphasis should be placed on proper footwork and staying square to the line of scrimmage.
- Maintaining Leverage: Throughout the mirroring process, the linebacker must prioritize inside leverage. This means keeping the running back on their outside shoulder at all times, ensuring they are positioned between the running back and the sideline.
- Speed Change and Crossover Run: When the running back reaches the second cone, they transition into a three-quarter sprint. This sudden change in speed cues the linebacker to initiate a crossover run. They should explosively accelerate while kicking their heel out in the direction of movement and maintaining square hips and shoulders. This allows them to maintain inside leverage while matching the running back’s increased speed.
- Adapting to Changes: As the running back reaches the third cone, they slow down to a jog again. The linebacker must adjust their movement accordingly, transitioning back to a slow shuffle while mirroring the running back and maintaining inside leverage.
- Final Burst and Tackle: At the fourth cone, the running back initiates another three-quarter sprint. The linebacker mirrors this movement with another crossover run, prioritizing inside leverage. The drill culminates with both players passing the fifth cone at a 45-degree angle, where the linebacker executes a proper form tackle to bring the running back down.
Progression
- Deception and Cutback Drills: To elevate the drill’s difficulty and introduce game-like situations, incorporate a coach positioned out of the linebacker’s view. The coach can signal the running back to either continue forward at a 45-degree angle or abruptly cut back inside. This challenges the linebacker to react decisively, maintain leverage, and adjust their tackling approach based on the running back’s decision.
Coaching points
- Shuffle Technique: Continuously emphasize proper shuffling technique during the mirroring phase. Stress the importance of staying square to the line of scrimmage, avoiding crossed feet, and maintaining a smooth, lateral movement.
- Crossover Run Mechanics: Focus on proper mechanics during the crossover run. Remind linebackers to stay square to the line of scrimmage, kick their heel out in the
- direction of movement. This ensures proper hip and shoulder rotation, allowing for a powerful and controlled crossover run that maintains inside leverage.
- Maintain Leverage Priority: Reiterate the importance of prioritizing inside leverage throughout the drill. Linebackers should constantly be aware of the running back’s position and strive to keep them on their outside shoulder, effectively cutting off the sideline and minimizing cutback opportunities.
- Head Positioning: Encourage linebackers to keep their heads up and focused on the running back’s hips during the drill. This allows them to maintain visual contact, anticipate changes in direction, and react efficiently.
- Explosiveness: Emphasize the importance of explosive movements, particularly during the transition from shuffle to crossover run. Linebackers should react quickly and explosively when the running back accelerates, ensuring they can maintain leverage and stay in position to make a play.
- Tackling Form: During the tackling portion of the drill, ensure linebackers maintain proper tackling form. Focus on proper pad level, wrapping the running back up securely, driving through their legs, and completing the tackle to bring the ball carrier down to the ground.
By incorporating these coaching points and progressions, the Linebacker Mirror Drill offers a comprehensive approach to developing linebackers’ ability to maintain inside leverage, execute proper shuffling and crossover run techniques, and finish plays with secure tackles. As linebackers master this drill, they become a dominant force in run defense, shutting down outside runs and minimizing offensive gains on the edge.
Equipment
- 5 Cones
- Football
The Linebacker Mirror Drill equips linebackers with the essential skills to become a defensive force against outside running plays. This drill hones their ability to mirror running backs while prioritizing inside leverage, ensuring they remain in optimal position to shut down plays and prevent cutbacks. By incorporating shuffles, crossover runs, proper tackling technique, and progressive deception elements, the drill prepares linebackers for various game situations. As linebackers master the Mirror Drill, they develop the footwork, explosiveness, and tackling prowess to excel in run defense, shutting down outside runs and minimizing 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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