FLEX

LINEBACKER

MANUAL
 Developing an
Attitude
BE MORE PHYSICAL THAN OUR
OPPONENT (You must practice
being physical)

BE MENTALLY TOUGHER THAN

OUR OPPONENT (you must
practice being tough)

OUTWORK OUR OPPONENT (on

the field/off the field - film,
weight room, playbook )

Linebacker Creed: We will be

physically & mentally
tougher and in better shape
than our opponents. We will
out-work our opposition and
make them play every minute
of every quarter.
 Basic
Fundamentals
10 Commandments of LB Play

1. Preparation/Film
2. Alignment/Assignment
3. Stance/OTP/FBI
4. Eyes
5. Start/Footwork
6. Read and React
7. Escape
8. Effort/Pursuit
9. Tackling
10. Finish
 Basic Fundamentals
1. Preparation
We must study the defensive game plan that is given
weekly.
We must be great at studying film; this is vital in
knowing our oppositions tendencies, strengths, and
weaknesses.

THIS SEPERATES GREAT PLAYERS FROM GOOD PLAYERS

2. Alignment/Assignment
Know all four LB position alignments and assignments
Since we are a gap control defense we must be
precise with our alignments
We will cheat our alignments according to backfield sets
and formations
We will recognize who the potential free release
blockers are.
We must know where our safeties run fits are

3. Stance OTP/FBI
Each individual linebacker has a unique stance
If the individual can move efficiently dont change
their stance

**** Heels slightly outside shoulders, weight on balls

of feet
 Basic Fundamentals
4. Eye Progression OTP/FBI

Organized Thought Process

Personnel
Backfield Formation
Formation Adjustment (OL Stance) (WR Alignment)
Down and Distance
Football Intelligence
Gameplan scouting report
Film study
Practice reps
Coaches feedback
Post-Snap: We must be able to transfer our eyes
from key to key (O-lineman to backs to pass
responsibility)

5. Start/Footwork
Everything starts with our footwork; we must get
our momentum and base going with our key and
backfield flow
We will mirror our key with a six inch shuffle
replace step
Our second step depends on our key and backfield
flow (shuffle-shuffle-shuffle-gain ground or shuffle-
run)

6. Read And React

We must know all the different types of blocks
that we will see and what our reaction will be to
those specific blocks
Base, Reach, Down, Pull, Pass
Basic Fundamentals
7. Escape

Escapes are a byproduct of staying active

with feet and hands
Punch (strike) and separation is the key
element to escape blocks

8. Effort/Pursuit

We must play each play as if it will be the difference in

the game! Ability has nothing to do with effort.

RUN TO: We will stay in our gap and force

or point the football
RUN AWAY: We will take pursuit angles to
the ball which will put you in good position
for the cutback, identify 1-2-3.

9. Tackling
We must be fundamentally sound in our
angle and straight on tackle opportunities
We will incorporate tackle opportunities in
a majority of our individual periods.
Basic Fundamentals
10. Finish SWARM!

Every great defense FINISHES! We must

finish to the ball and have want to get to
the ball attitude every snap!
LINEBACKERS

KEYS & READS

 KEYS & READS
Our Initial pre-snap keys should give us an indicator of
run/pass

Primary Key and Reads--Mike and Rover (30 tech)

Read the head and shoulders of the Offensive Guard

There are 5 different blocks a guard can give you

Base Block with a base block the guard will keep

his shoulders square and up-field; his eyes (head)
will be on his target and possibly on the second level
(Scoop/Combo)
LB Reaction: Keeping head and shoulders
square, shuffle in the direction of the base block
while gaining ground (no more than 6 inches)

Reach Block with a reach block the guard will keep

his shoulders square and up-field; his eyes (head)
will be on his target and possibly on the second level
(Scoop/Combo)
LB Reaction: Keeping head and shoulders
square, shuffle in the direction of the reach while
gaining ground (no more than 6 inches)

Down Block when a guard down blocks his 2nd

step will be with his outside foot and turn his
shoulders away from the ball.
LB Reaction: Keeping head and shoulders
 KEYS & READS
Primary Key and Initial Reaction Cont.

Pull Away from Center with a pull the

guard will drop step or open his hips along
with getting his shoulders parallel to the
sideline in the direction he is pulling
LB Reaction: Keeping head and shoulders
square, shuffle in the direction of the pull
while gaining ground (no more than 6
inches); Pull call and point. Progression
is Blast, Sweep, to Play Action (fire)
Pull to Center
LB Reaction: Progression is Trap,
Counter, Sweep, to Play Action (fire)
5. Pass (High Hat) with a pass set the guard
will pop up out of his stance; his shoulders will
stay square and he will either quick set or kick
step for depth; his eyes will be on his target
LB Reaction: Drop step and open to pass
responsibility while taking a peak back
towards box for draw (No false steps
forward)
 KEYS & READS
Primary Key and Initial Reaction

REACH/CUT-OFF REACH/CUT-OFF

Reach Cut-Off Cut-Off Reach

B W B W

M R M R

DOWN PULL

Down Down

B N W B W

M R M
Pull Call
R
Trap Call

PASS

B W

M R
 KEYS & READS
Primary Key and Initial Reaction Flex Buck and Will (30 tech)

Read the head and shoulders of the Guards

There are 5 different blocks a Guard can give you

Base Block with a base block the guard will keep his
shoulders square and up-field; his eyes (head) will be
on his target and possibly on the second level
(Scoop/Combo)
LB Reaction: Keeping head and shoulders square,
strike the Guard and restrict gap; eyes to backfield
flow.

Reach Block with a reach block the guard will keep

his shoulders square and up-field; his eyes (head) will
be on his target and possibly on the second level
(Scoop/Combo)
LB Reaction: Keeping head and shoulders square,
punch Guard, leverage back into Tackle, hold gap
open

Down Block when a guard down blocks his 2nd step

will be with his outside foot and turn his shoulders away
from the ball.
LB Reaction: Keeping head and shoulders square,
punch Guard, leverage back into Tackle, keep eyes
inside for Trap Block.
 KEYS & READS
Primary Key and Initial Reaction Flex Buck
and Will (30 tech)
Pull Away from Center with a pull the guard
will drop step or open his hips along with
getting his shoulders parallel to the sideline in
the direction he is pulling
LB Reaction: Keeping head and shoulders
square, leverage into Tackle, hold open B-
gap, progression is Blast, Counter, Sweep,
to Play Action (fire)
Pull to Center
LB Reaction: Keeping head and shoulders
square, leverage into Center restrict
backside A-gap, progression is Trap,
Counter, Sweep, to Play Action (fire)
5. Pass (High Hat) with a pass set the guard
will pop up out of his stance; his shoulders will
stay square and he will either quick set or kick
step for depth; his eyes will be on his target
LB Reaction: Drop step and open to pass
responsibility while taking a peak back
towards box for draw (No false steps
forward)
 KEYS & READS
Primary Key and Initial Reaction Buck and Will

REACH/CUT-OFF REACH/CUT-OFF

Reach Cut-Off Cut-Off Reach

B W B W

M R M R

DOWN PULL

Down Down

B N W B W

M R M
Pull Call
R
Trap Call

PASS

B W
M R
 KEYS & READS
Primary Key and Initial Reaction vs. Under or Switch Front
REACH vs Under/Switch REACH vs Split

Reach Reach

B W
R W

CUT-OFF vs Under/Switch CUT-OFF vs Split

Cut-Off Cut-Off

B W
R W
DOWN vs Under/Switch DOWN vs Split

Down Down

B W
R W
PASS vs Under/Switch PASS vs Split

Pass Pass

B W

R W
BASE BLOCK
DOWN BLOCK
PULL TO CENTER
PULL AWAY CENTER
PASS READ
 KEYS & READS
FLOW RULES
Secondary Key and Initial Reaction

The flow is based on the angle of departure from the

back(s). There are three types of flow; slow, fast, and
sprint. Our initial key takes us to the direction the ball
is going and our second key (Flow), dictates the
footwork or reaction we must take to match the play
type.

Slow Flow
Includes: Inside Zone, Lead/ISO, Power, Trap
LB Response: Shuffle while gaining ground Stay
Square

Fast Flow
Includes: Stretch (Outside Zone), Sweep
LB Response: Run Shuffle and run (Shoot Gaps)

Sprint Flow
Includes: Fly Sweep, Toss, and hitch screen
LB Response: Run Open hips and run (Shoot
Gaps)
 KEYS & READS
Secondary Key and Initial Reaction

2 BACK SLOW FLOW 1 BACK SLOW FLOW

2 BACK FAST FLOW 1 BACK FAST FLOW

SLOW FLOW FAST FLOW

Reach
Reach

S B N E S B N W E
W
Shuffle Run
Shuffle Run
ShuffleM R Shuffle
M R
Shuffle Shuffle
 GAPS & DEFENSIVE
ALIGNMENTS
GAPS

D C B A A B C D

ALIGNMENTS

7 6 6i 5 4 4i 3 2 2i 2i 2 3 4i 4 5 6i 6 7

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
RECEIVER NUMBERING SYSTEM
*** In our WR numbering system we split the count down the
middle of the formation and begin our count from the outside
and work our way in. This allows us to recognize who we are
dropping off in certain coverages.

3/4 2/3
1 2 1

1 2
2 1

4 2

1 2
3 1

2 4
3 2
1 1

2 3 2
1 1
 SINGLE/DOUBLE WIDTH
*** Determining single or double width depends on where the wide
receivers align. In double call defenses, this will enable us to be in the
best coverage based on formation. We do not count players lined up in
the TE or RB in determining single or double width
 LINEBACKERS

DEFEATING/ESCAPING
BLOCKS
 DEFEATING BLOCKS
We always want to keep gap control leverage on the man trying to block us
STAY IN OUR GAP; we never want to take a man on head up 1 for 1.
To accomplish this we must position our body in a good leverage
position by moving our feet and clearing our hips.

There are three different ways we take on blocks:

Press - Rip
The Press Rip technique should be used for Slow Flow

Keys and coaching points

Press the Line of Scrimmage
Shuffle staying square and keeping gap control leverage
Inside foot should be down the middle or on the outer half of the man trying
to block you

Technique

The outside hand should strike the outside pad; this arm should be locked
out (POWER HAND)
The inside hand should be on the inside breast plate or to the throat; this
arm should be slightly bent (CONTROL HAND)
Once you are in control you should clear the hips and escape as quick as
possible

Foot Placement Hand Placement

Outside
Hand
Inside
Hand

Outside
Foot Inside
Foot
 DEFEATING BLOCKS
Run - Rip
The Run Rip technique should be used for Fast Flow

Keys and coaching points

Press the Line of Scrimmage
Run at a downhill angle, maintaining leverage on the ball
carrier
We are Running Backs on Defense and must fill air and
attack gaps

Technique

The inside foot should cross the outside foot of the man
trying to block you
Before contact you should dip the inside shoulder and
throw the inside leg and arm at the same time
Once the inside foot and arm clears the man you should
work to get your body/hip behind his (Basketball:Rebound)
Once the entire body clears you should begin to flatten out
towards the ball

Foot Placement Foot Placement

Outside
Foot
Inside
Outside Inside Foot
Foot Foot
 DEFEATING BLOCKS
Attack
The Attack technique should be used for Slow Flow with
OL/FB Lead or Kick Out blocks

Keys and coaching points

Press the Line of Scrimmage and meet the kick or lead in
the offensive backfield
Help is always inside; might have dual help depending on
safety fits

Technique

Inside foot should be down the middle or on the outer half

of the man trying to block you
Pad level should be lower than the man trying to block you
Keep outside arm and leg free
Once contact is made squeeze and constrict the inside gap

Foot Placement Body Position

Outside
Foot Inside
Foot
 ESCAPING BLOCKS
After we take on blocks we must be able to escape or
get off blocks effectively. The main way we get off
blocks is continuously being active with our feet and
our hands
Techniques

Rip
- Dip shoulder and throw inside arm and leg violently through the
outer half of the man trying to block you

Push/Pull
- Once you have control of the outside shoulder and inside breast
plate (Long Arm/Short Arm); pull the outside shoulder towards the
ground and away from the direction you going

Swim
- Throw inside arm and leg violently through the outer half of the
man trying to block you; the swim arm should go right over the top
of the shoulder pad

Skinny Hips
- Once you have control of the outside shoulder and inside breast
plate (Long Arm/Short Arm); drop step with the inside leg and clear
your hips and body

Bob & Weave

- Before contact is made give a head and shoulder fake to get the
offensive line to stop his feet or get him moving in the other
direction
LINEBACKERS

DRILLS
 Bag Drills
Run Through Shuffle

Shuffle
Stick Outside Foot
And Drive

Flip Quick & Balance

Lateral Shuffle
Flip Hips
Shuff
Shuffle
Stick Outside Foot
And Drive
le

Backpedal - Drive Cut Drill

Drive Drive Drive

Shuffle

Backpedal Backpedal Backpedal

Combo Drill Downhill Drill

Finish with Shuffle
Tackle

Coach Press
Cut Ball
Shuffle
Shield

C
Shuffle Shuffle
Flip Hips
Come to Balance Rip
Play Cut

Pop-Up
 GUARD READS
REACH CUT OFF
LB LB
LB LB
LB LB

C C

DOWN LB TRAP LB
LB LB
LB LB

C C

PULL LB PASS LB
LB LB
LB LB

C C
 TIGHT END READS
REACH CUT OFF

LB LB
LB LB
LB LB

C C

DOWN PASS SET

LB LB
LB LB
LB LB
C C

PASS RELEASE
LB
LB
LB
C
 1 MAN SLED
Strike Leverage Drill
Come to Balance Come to Balance
Rip

p
Ri
Strike Strike
Lock Out Lock Out
Explode hips Explode hips
LB LB
LB LB
LB LB

1 Shuffle/Press/Rip 2 Shuffle/Press/Rip
(Slow Flow) (Slow Flow)
Come to Balance Come to Balance
Rip

Rip

Press Press
1 Shuffle 2 Shuffles
LB LB
LB LB
LB LB
1 Shuffle/Run/Rip (Fast Flow)
Rip

Run

1 Shuffle LB
LB
LB
 5 MAN SLED
Strike Drill

LB LB LB
Shuffle Strike Lockout - Shuffle

Strike Leverage Drill

LB LB LB
Shuffle Strike Lockout Lift (Leverage) - Shuffle

Screen/Draw Drill

LB LB LB
Rip
R un &
Pas

Attack

Attack
Pa

Pa
s
D ro

ss

ss
Dr

Dr
p

op

op

Come to Come to Come to

Balance Balance Balance
 SHIELD DRILL
Slow Flow

Rip Rip Rip

Press Press Press

Shuffle Shuffle Shuffle
Shuffle
LB Shuffle
LB Shuffle
LB

Fast Flow

Rip Rip Rip

Run Run Run

Shuffle
LB Shuffle
LB Shuffle
LB
 COVERAGE DRILLS
Trash Can Drill (Curl/Flat)
RB/TE C

LB LB LB
Settle
& Break

WR

Vertical Drill
WR WR

LB LB LB LB
Collision
Collision
Undercut Wheel Wheel Undercut
& Run & Run

Carry Carry
Vert Vert

Boot/Waggle Drill

LB LB LB
Push for Width
Push for Width
And Depth Push for
Depth

Play Action Drill

LB LB LB

Push for Push for Push for

Depth Depth Depth
 RB SCREEN DRILL
Over the Top (T Slip Screen)
RB

Over the Top

LB LB LB
op
Dr

Square Up

Split (T Slip Screen)

RB

Split

LB LB LB
op
Dr

Square Up
WR SCREEN DRILL
Over the Top (Bubble Screen)

O D
ve ri LB LB LB
r t ve
op

he
Dr

To
p

Over the Top (Inside Tear/Jailbreak Screen)

Ov Dr LB LB LB
er ive
th &
op

e
To
Dr

Split (Inside Tear/Jailbreak Screen)

Dr
i
Sp ve & LB LB LB
lit
op
Dr
 PASS RUSH DRILLS
Gauntlet (Pop-Ups)

Same Side: Rip or Swim

Finish with Strip or Tackle

LB LB LB

Weave: Rip/Swim (Alternate)

Finish with Strip or Tackle
Rip Rip Rip

LB LB LB
Swim Swim

4 Square: Rip/Swim/Club-Rip
Finish with Strip or Tackle

LB LB LB
 PASS RUSH DRILLS
Edge Pressure Drill
Finish Finish
Strip Pop-Up Pop-Up Strip

Burst Burst

Rip/Swim Rip/Swim
Pop-Up Pop-Up

Ball Movement Ball Movement

LB LB
LB LB
LB Combo Pass Rush Drill LB
Finish Finish
Strip Pop-Up Pop-Up Strip

Burst Burst

Club-Rip
Pop-Up Pop-Up Dip-Rip
Club-Rip
Dip-Rip
Coach w/ Coach w/
Arm Shields Arm Shields
C C
Run Hoop Run Hoop
Hands/Hips Hands/Hips
Chop-Rip/Chop-Swim Chop-Rip/Chop-Swim

LB LB
LB LB
LB LB
LB EVERYDAYS