Colerain High School Linebacker play in the 50 Defense Tom Bolden, Shawn Cutright, Casey Meyers and Brian Heffron

Defensive Averages Since 2005: Colerain High School Since 2005: 5 All Ohio LB's 8 Division I Players Defensive Averages Since 2005: 80 Rush Yds. Per Game 99 Pass Yds. 10 Pts.

Linebacker – Philosophy Toughness Ability to make checks and carry out game plan Great technique Discipline Hustle Swagger and an attitude that resonates through the defense

Linebacker – Principles Alignment of themselves and the front 7 Reading keys and reacting to those reads Knowing their responsibility and the other front 7 Sound tackling and delivering the blow to the opponent Adequate in coverage Ability to pressure the quarterback

Linebacker – Priorities STOP THE RUN Get us in the correct defense Pressure the quarterback Strike fear in wide receivers or tight ends Be relentless Have fun…play with emotion and enthusiasm

Linebacker – Pre-snap Reads Down and distance Know the defense out of the huddle Ball placement Recognize the formation Make checks according to that weeks game plan Check……final adjustments to motion

Inside Linebacker – Angle Defense Run/pass…..reads guards to tackles Acts as quarterback on defense for front 7 Play fast and fill gaps Mesh well with defensive line Bench linebacker plays isolation more effective than sweep Field linebacker runs down plays and defends the pass

Inside Linebackers– Angle Defense (Technique) Bench linebacker Better at blitzing and filling isolation Must be aware of the TE and possible route combinations Align outside shade of guards Eyes on keys Feet Parallel Under arms Weight on balls of feet Hands off knees Field linebacker Better at coverage and running down outside zone/sweeps Same as above

Inside Linebacker – 6 Pack Pass/Run…..reads guards to tackles Disrupt pass routes and collision receivers Has to identify who they are hot on, dictated by coverage and type of blitz Hook to curl player, gives a go call when they get to curl to OLB or SS QB breaks contain ILB to that side goes after him

Outside Linebacker – Angle Defense Run/Pass…reads through tackle to QB Most athletic and versatile athlete Lines up on LOS Lines up on TE almost all the time Tough enough to take on power runs Knowledgeable about alignment and formations

Outside Linebackers– Angle Defense (Technique) Strong side linebacker Lines up over TE Eyes on keys Plays better to power side Alignment (Feet) Splits crouch with inside foot Inside foot forward Weight on balls of feet Hands in a good defensive position Steps Inside foot jab step into TE Do not stand up, stay low Engage TE shoving him inside to close gap and keep outside leverage

Outside Linebackers– Angle Defense (Technique) Weak side linebacker Lines up in space usually apex of #1 and #2 receiver Eyes on keys Plays better in space Alignment (Feet) Parallel stance on LOS Weight on balls of feet Hands in a good defensive position Chase/Tuck Rush linebacker chases down plays away when he has an angle tackle Off linebacker tucks when he has straight tackle on plays away

Outside Linebacker – 6 Pack Pass/Run..…reads through tackle to QB Must cover well in space Alignment varies for most formations 5 yards of ball Coverage curl/flat Hold curl until ILB gives GO call Lines up on TE in single width and sometimes when TE is #2 receiver Is in motion and timing up blitzes to hit LOS full speed

Linebacker – Drills Stance and start Dip and rip Form fit tackle 45 degrees form fit tackle Diamond tackle Lock and shed Stuff and shed Shuffle 5 and explode Hash to boundary back hip 45 back and react Blitz techniques 2 can fill Flip hips straight Flip hips 45 45 degree drop Ball Disruption Bag work shuffle, PA and fire Hoop chase Hoop fight Boot

Questions?? Film – www.hudl.com dcutright@nwlsd.org pjoseph@nwlsd.org cmeyers@nwlsd.org