Christ the King Royals

Mike/Will Linebacker Techniques

I. STANCE
A. Feet are slightly wider than shoulder width apart, toes turned slightly in, weight
is on the balls of the feet
B. Knees are bent so that they are aligned over the feet
C. Hips are bent, keeping a flat back so that shoulders are aligned over the knees
D. Arms are loose
E. Head is up, eyes are on the first read

II. START
A. Take a 6-8 inch directional step with the playside foot, close with the backside
foot. Read the play.
B. Stay low - There should be no need to rise up or sink down from the original
stance.
C. Shuffle by pushing off the backside foot, stepping with the lead foot, and sliding
the backside foot laterally.
D. Keep shoulders square to the line of scrimmage.
E. Keep elbows close to the body.
F. Head is up, eyes are reading the play

III. BREAK
A. INSIDE RUN
1. Secure gap responsibility.
2. Shuffle and keep leverage arm free.
3. Take a short step towards the blocker, attack while keeping a low pad
level with the inside foot. Strike with the hands keeping the elbows in
and thumbs up.
4. Get the hands under the blockers pads and lockout elbows. Unload, do
not catch.
5. Press defender, lock out elbows, roll hips.
6. Keep shoulders square to the line of scrimmage.
7. Feet must NEVER stop moving.
8. Head is up, eyes are in the backfield.
 9. Shed the blocker and pursue the ball. Do not dance.

B. OUTSIDE RUN
1. Secure gap responsibility.
2. Shuffle and keep leverage arm free. Keep shoulders square to the line
of scrimmage.
3. When the shuffle is not fast enough to maintain leverage on the ball
carrier it is necessary to run laterally. Open feet first, hips second,
backside hand whips last.
4. Gather momentum (come to balance), square shoulders to the line of
scrimmage, fill the open seam by attacking with a low pad level.
5. Attack blocker with the inside foot, strike with the hands keeping the
elbows in and thumbs up.
6. Get hands under the blockers pads and lockout elbows. Unload, do not
catch.
7. Press defender, lock out elbows, roll hips.
8. Feet must NEVER stop moving.
9. Head is up, eyes are in the backfield.
10. Shed the blocker and pursue the ball. Do not dance.

C. PASS
1. Once a "high hat" read has been made, open with the outside foot first,
followed by the hips, then whip the inside hand.
2. Widen to the hook zone while getting to an 8 yard depth, keeping eyes
on the quarterback.
3. If a receiver crosses the facemask put him down.
4. Once in the hook zone, read keys.
5. If hook zone is clear widen to the curl zone.
6. Head is on a swivel.
7. Feet are always moving, body is always in a tackling position.