Stance and Movement Drills

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Linebacker Drills
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Stance and Movement Drills

• Ball React
• Box Drill
• Run vs. Pass
• Movement Progression
• Pursuit Angles

3
Stance and Movement Drills

• 1. Stance Steps Ball Reaction Drill
• Equipment 4 cones to mark Lines, 1 football
• Objective To teach linebackers how to start in a
  good stance and move while staying in good
  position
• Directions LBs start in a good stance and on
  coaches movement of the ball, LBs will move
  Lateral, Forward/Backward, Up/Down Movement on
  Ball direction
• Coaching Points Butt down, Chest out, Head up,
  On the balls of your feet, dont cross your feet

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Stance Steps Ball Reaction Drill
LB
LB
LB
LB
2nd Group
LB
LB
LB
LB
1st Group
C
5
Stance and Movement Drills

• 2. Box Drill
• Equipment 4 cones to mark a 10 yard x 10 yard
  square, 1 football
• Objective To teach linebackers how to start in a
  good stance and move while staying in good
  position
• Directions Two linebackers start in a good
  stance in box made of cones. LBs will react to
  the cone the coach points to in a good athletic
  position. Will simulate pass drop or pursuit
  attack.
• Coaching Points Butt down, Chest out, Head up,
  On the balls of your feet, dont cross your feet,
  rotate your hips

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Box Drill
LB
LB
C
7
Stance and Movement Drills
3. Box Drill Equipment 6 cones Objective
To teach linebackers how to start in a good
stance and react to the first movement of the man
in front of them. Directions LBs will start in
a good stance. Coach will take a step and LB
will react. LBs focus on Coach while he steps
back (Pass Read) pass drop and Pass, Pass,
Pass or the coach steps forward (run read)
LBs sprint forward and Run, Run, Run Coaching
Points Butt down, Chest out, Head up, On the
balls of your feet, dont cross your feet, rotate
your hips
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Run vs. Pass Reaction Drill
LB
LB
LB
LB
LB
LB
Or
C
C
(Run read)
(Pass read)
9
Stance and Movement Drills
4. Movement Progression Equipment 6 cones or
Stand-up Dummies Objective To teach linebackers
how to start in a good stance and move in
different directions. Directions LBs will
start on one side and progress through the drill
showing the ability to change movement and
maintain proper athletic position. Coaching
Points Butt down, Chest out, Head up, On the
balls of your feet, dont cross your feet, rotate
your hips
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Movement Progression Drill
Run, Run, Run
Shuffle
Shuffle
Run, Run, Run
Sprint
Sprint
BP
Pass Drop
Pass, Pass, Pass
Pass, Pass, Pass
11
Stance and Movement Drills
5. Stance and Angles Equipment 6 cones
Objective To teach linebackers how to start in
a good stance and take the proper pursuit
angle Directions. On Go, LBs Chop their
feet, On Hit, Coach points to a cone, LBs hit
the ground and then get up and attack the proper
angle of pursuit. Coaching Points Butt down,
Chest out, Head up, On the balls of your feet,
dont cross your feet, rotate your hips
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Stance and Angles Drill
C
LB
LB
LB
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LB Flow and Read Drills
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Flow and Read Drills

• Sweep drill
• One Step read
• Two on Two reads
• Flow Drill

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LB Read/Flow Drills
1. Sweep Drill Equipment 5 cones Objective
To get LBs to react aggressively to flow toward
them and stay home vs. flow away from
them Directions Coach stands behind center and
pitches the ball to the RB and he sweeps one way.
LB on play side should attack inside/out and
form tackle the RB, back side LB should slow flow
and look for cut-back. Add cut-back as LBs
show perfect technique Coaching Points Great
Inside/Out attack angle, Head up and tackle
THROUGH the running Back
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LB Sweep Drill
RB
C
LB
LB
17
LB Read/Flow Drills
2. One Step Read Drill (vs. pad or
blocker) Equipment 3 cones (2 pads) Objective
To teach LBs proper reads and to get them to
attach with proper technique Directions Coach
stands behind LBs and directs blocker to step
forward, reach right or left, down block, pull
out or across, drop step (pass). LBs must react
and attack using good technique Coaching Points
Start from a good stance, Eyes focused on the
target in front of you, Attack with same leg,
same shoulder technique, Attack aggressively
18
One Step Read Drill
OL
OL
LB
LB
C
19
LB Read/Flow Drills
3. Two on Two Read Drill (vs. pad or
blocker) Equipment 3 cones (2 Pads) Objective
To teach LBs proper reads and to get them to
attach with proper technique. Also, to get LBs
used to working in pairs. Directions Two
blockers vs. Two LBs. LBs React to Blockers
movement based on coaches direction. Iso Block,
reach right or left, down block, pull out or
across, drop step (pass). LBs must react and
attack using proper technique Coaching Points
Start from a good stance, Eyes focused on the
target in front of you, Attack with same leg,
same shoulder technique, make your read and
Attack aggressively
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Two on Two Read Drill
Down Block
Reach Block
OL
OL
LB
LB
C
21
LB Read/Flow Drills

• 4. Flow Drill
• Equipment 5 cones
• Objective To teach LBs proper run/pass reads
  and to get them to attach with proper angles
• Directions
• LBs React to coach and react based on his
  movement
• On set LBs get in good stance and creep
  forward
• On Go LBs take their forward read step
• Then coach will perform run middle, run
  perimeter, drop-back pass,
• roll-out pass
• LBs will react and communicate read performed by
  the coach
• Coaching Points Start from a good stance, Eyes
  focused on the Coach, React aggressively to
  coaches movements, Stay in good position

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Flow Drill
Perimeter run
C
LB
LB
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LB Attacks
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Attack Drills

• Knee Rips
• One Step Rip
• Two Step Rip
• Full Attacks
• Attack and Hit

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LB Attack Drills
1. Knee Rips Equipment Hand Pads, if Shoulder
pads are not worn yet Objective Teaching the
arm part of a proper Rip Attack. Directions
Both players kneel across from each other on the
same knee. One player takes the opposite hand
from the knee they are on and on command, rip
with appropriate arm, grab opposite wrist and
raise to the sky. Coaching Points Punch to the
sky with the arm doing the rip move
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Knee Rip Drill
LB
LB
LB
LB
LB
LB
C
27
LB Attack Drills
2. One Step Rips Equipment Hand Pads, if
Shoulder pads are not worn yet Objective To
teach players the proper footwork and rip
execution. Directions LBs will stand in
front of a hand pad or man and execute one step
rips right and left. One coaches command players
will take one step and rip (Same Arm, Same Leg)
Coaching Points 6-8 inch power step, same arm,
same leg. Attack half the man or pad. Dont
push the man away, Upper cut punch through half
the man
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One Step Rip Drill
LB
LB
LB
Step and Rip
LB
LB
LB
C
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LB Attack Drills
3. Two Step Rips Equipment Hand Pads, if
Shoulder pads are not worn yet Objective To
teach players the proper footwork and rip
execution. Directions LBs will stand in
front of a hand pad or man and execute Two step
rips right and left. One coaches command players
will take Two steps and rip (Same Arm, Same Leg)
Coaching Points 6-8 inch power step with the
first step, recover with the second, same arm,
same leg. Attack half the man or pad. Dont
push the man away, Upper cut punch through half
the man
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Two Step Rip Drill
LB
LB
LB
2 Steps and Rip
LB
LB
LB
C
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LB Attack Drills
4. Rip Drill Equipment Hand Pads, if Shoulder
pads are not worn yet Objective To teach
players the proper footwork and rip execution
when taking on an offensive lineman.
Directions LBs will stand 5 yards in front of
a hand pad or man and execute full rips right and
left. One coaches command players will attack
and rip (Same Arm, Same Leg) Coaching Points
Moving with low pad level, react and attack, same
arm, same leg. Attack half the man or pad.
Dont push the man away, Upper cut punch through
half the man, Keep your head up.
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Rip Drill
LB
LB
LB
Full Rip
LB
LB
LB
C
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LB Attack Drills
5. Hit and Scrapes Equipment Hand Pads, if
Shoulder pads are not worn yet Objective To
teach players the proper footwork and rip
execution when taking on an offensive lineman and
scraping off to make the tackle. Directions
LBs will stand 5 yards in front of a hand pad or
man and execute full rips right and left. One
coaches command players will attack and rip, then
form tackle to RB Coaching Points Moving with
low pad level, react and attack, same arm, same
leg. Attack half the man or pad. Dont push the
man away, Upper cut punch through half the man,
Keep your head up.
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Hit and Scrape Drill
Form Tackle
RB
OL
Rip and Scrape
LB
C
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LB Tackling
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Tackling Drills

• FIT Drill
• 4 cone
• Wrap it up
• Mirror
• Head Across
• Eye Opener

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LB Tackling Drills
1. FIT Drill Equipment Hand Pads, if Shoulder
pads are not worn yet Objective To teach
Players the proper technique for
tackling Directions Athletes partner up and
line up across from one another On Chop
Defenders chop feet On Attack Defenders attack
and wrap, keep feet chopping On Drive Defenders
Drive the RB Backwards Coaching Points Stay low
(Low Pad Level!), head up and to the outside,
never stop your feet (Run the Feet), good wrap
(Club Arms) and drive through!
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FIT Drill
LB
LB
LB
LB
LB
LB
C
39
LB Tackling Drills
2. 4 Cone tackling Equipment 4 cones per
group Objective To teach Players the proper
technique for tackling and getting their head to
the outside Directions RB and LB will mirror
each other on opposite cones, the RB will break
to the side the coach tells him to and the LB
will have to sprint to get his head to the
outside, form tackle and drive. Coaching
Points Stay low (Low Pad Level!), head up and to
the outside, never stop your feet (Run the Feet),
good wrap (Club Arms) and drive through!
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4 Cone Tackling Drill
RB
RB
LB
LB
C
41
LB Tackling Drills
3. Wrap it Up Equipment 4-6 agile
pads Objective To teach Players the proper
technique for tackling and the importance of
Club Arms and wrapping up. Directions LBs
start 2 yds facing a RB. On Go RB trys to get
past LB and LB must wrap up and hang on to drive
the RB backwards. May increase distance as LBs
continue success. Quick Whistle. Coaching
Points Stay low (Low Pad Level!), head up and to
the outside, never stop your feet (Run the Feet),
good wrap (Club Arms) and drive through!
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Wrap it Up Drill
RB
RB
RB
LB
LB
LB
C
43
LB Tackling Drills
4. Mirror Drill Equipment 4-6
Agiles Objective To teach Players the proper
technique for tackling and the proper way to
attack, with out creating a cut-back lane for the
RB Directions RB jogs laterally, then picks a
lane to cut up, the Defender shuffles laterally,
then attacks ball carrier when he cuts and
executes a form tackle and drive Coaching
Points Stay on the RBs back hip, Stay low (Low
Pad Level!), head up and to the outside, never
stop your feet (Run the Feet), good wrap (Club
Arms) and drive through!
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Mirror Drill
RB
LB
C
45
LB Tackling Drills
5. Head Across Equipment 4 Agiles per Group
Objective To teach Players the proper
technique for tackling and getting their head
across and to the outside Directions On Go RB
and LB will mirror each other to the opposite
bags, the RB will cut back to the middle and LB
will have to sprint to get his head across and
form tackle. Coaching Points Stay low (Low Pad
Level!), head up and to the outside, never stop
your feet (Run the Feet), good wrap (Club Arms)
and drive through!
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Head Across Drill
RB
C
LB
47
LB Tackling Drills
6. Eye Opener Equipment 9 cones Objective
To teach Players the proper technique for
tackling and getting their head across and to the
outside Directions RB with ball jogs toward the
middle cone then chooses either the right or left
lane, Defender will keep his feet moving toward
the middle cone then react to the RB and attack
with a good form tackle. Coaching Points Stay
low (Low Pad Level!), head up and to the outside,
never stop your feet (Run the Feet), good wrap
(Club Arms) and drive through!
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Eye Opener Tackling Drill
RB
C
LB
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LB Pass Coverage
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Pass Cover Drills

• Cone Drops
• 2 Cone Pass
• Bag 45s
• TE Communicate

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LB Pass Cover Drills
1. Cone Drops Equipment 2 cones Objective
To teach LBs their proper footwork and drops to
cover hook Zones Directions LBs start at
position and on command take perfect pass drops
to cones with head on a swivel. LBs will learn
to understand their Hook zones. Coach can then
move LBs laterally, Coach can break contain, to
work on front side attack and backside
cover Coaching Points React, Turn the hips and
go. Head up and on a Swivel.
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Cone Drops Drill
C
LB
LB
53
LB Pass Cover drills
2. Two Cone Pass Equipment 2 cones Objective
To teach linebackers how to roll their hips and
get to a pass drop Directions LBs start at a
cone facing the coach. On GO, LB will turn
hips and go to the first cone, roll hips and turn
to the next cone. Coach will throw the ball to
the LB, they will Catch it, yell Oskie and run
it back to the coach. Coaching Points React,
Turn the hips and go. Head up and on a Swivel.
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2 Cone Drill
C
LB
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LB Pass Cover Drills
3. Bag 45s Equipment 4 5 Agiles
bags Objective To teach linebackers how to
roll their hips and get to a pass
drop Directions LBs start at a cone facing
the coach. On GO, LB will turn hips and go to
the first bag, roll hips and turn to the next bag
and so on. After the plaer gets to the last bag,
Coach will throw the ball to the LB, they will
Catch it, yell Oskie and run it back to the
coach. Coaching Points React, Turn the hips and
go. Head up and on a Swivel.
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Bag 45s Drill
C
LB
57
LB Pass Cover Drills

• 4. TE Communicate
• Equipment 4 5 cones
• Objective To provide LBs with TE awareness in
  their zone and to communicate Drag and Out
  calls while keeping an eye on the QB.
• Directions Starting with on TE, LBs call
  strength and which side TE is on. Coach
  designates TE route, must hear LB communication,
  Coach will try to complete a pass to the TE.
• Progress to add double tight ends, TE and slot,
  TE and Split
• TE and RB can be added to attack hook zone to
  flat zone
• Coaching Points React, Turn the hips and go.
  Head up and on a Swivel. Communicate and Make TE
  show his route in front of you.

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TE Communicate Drill
C
TE
TE
LB
LB