Coaching Linebackers isn’t about collecting random coaching points. It’s about using an organized SYSTEM of development. Find that system inside THE LB LIBRARY. skool.com/thelblibrary/about

Linebackers: Your SPEED is an asset. Use it.

Linebackers: If you “bite” on Play Action/RPO, recover by gaining DEPTH.

Here’s a 1 minute and 22 second masterclass on Linebacker play from Luke Kuechly:

Linebackers: You don’t need to take on every block.

Linebackers: Here are 5 ways to defeat a block:

Linebackers: Learn how to MOVE. Learn how to STRIKE.

Technique leads to Tackles: -Step with the Near Foot -Wrap and Squeeze -Finish

Linebackers: You’re never alone on the football field. Learn how to use your help. Master the art of the Vice Tackle.

Linebackers: -Move Low -Move Square -Move Downhill Master your movement skills. You’ll make more plays.

Elite Linebackers are tackling machines.

Linebacker 101: Shed Blocks. Make Tackles. The FUNDAMENTALS never go out of style.

Linebackers: When you’re tracking a Run Play. If you see an “open window”. Shoot it.

Zach Thomas was 5’11’’. (7× Pro Bowl, 5× First-Team All-Pro, Hall of Famer) London Fletcher was 5'10". (4x Pro Bowl, 2x Second-Team All-Pro) Sam Mills was 5'9". (5x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, Hall of Famer.) Elite Linebackers come in all shapes and sizes.

Underrated skill for Linebackers: COMING TO BALANCE.

Linebackers: -Move LOW -Move SQUARE -Move DOWNHILL

Linebackers are the heartbeat of the defensive unit. Listen to Hall-of-Fame Linebacker Patrick Willis talk about the importance of knowing the ENTIRE defensive system. “To be the Middle Linebacker . . . you have to know what’s going on across the board.”

Linebackers: When GAPS MOVE. Move with them.

Linebackers: Some blocks need to be defeated. Some blocks need to be avoided.

Sometimes a Linebacker must choose to either: -SCRAPE over the mess -SHOOT the Gap The biggest factor? The position of the Ball Carrier.

Elite Linebackers are tackling machines. Here’s a simple drill: -Drive off the near leg. -Wrap, Squeeze, and Finish.

Linebackers: Fundamentals matter. -Movement skills -Shedding blocks -Making tackles Dominate the details.

Linebackers: -Move Low -Move Square -Move Downhill Elite Linebackers are efficient movers.

Linebackers: Leverage is key. Fight to maintain it.

Linebackers: Preparation leads to big plays.

Elite Linebackers can BLITZ the Quarterback. It's all about TIMING and TECHNIQUE.

Elite Linebackers are efficient movers.

Linebackers: VISION is key. See through the mess. Make the play.

Linebackers: The blockers are not magnets. If they’re in your way, take them on. If they’re out of position, avoid with SPEED.

Elite Linebackers are great tacklers. Here’s a “read and react” tackling drill.

Linebackers: Move square. Move downhill.

Linebackers: You don’t need to take on every block. Sometimes you can win with SPEED. Dip and “Lose the Shoulder”. Don’t give the blocker anything to work with.

Linebacker Drill: -Flip the Hips -Execute PASS DROP -Drive the underneath throw

This is how legendary NFL Linebacker Chris Spielman watched film. “By the time the game came around, I’d played the game three times already.”

Linebackers: Invest 3 minutes and watch how PREPARATION led to big plays for All-Pro Linebacker Luke Kuechly. "If you can find a couple plays during the game that you've either seen on tape or seen at practice...that's the part of the game that's fun."

Same foot. Same shoulder.

Elite Linebackers are efficient movers. Here are a few Linebacker Movement drills from @TexasTechFB:

Confident tacklers are good tacklers. Build that confidence through low-impact drills. Here’s a simple drill to work on stepping with the near foot, keeping the head out of contact, wrapping and finishing.

The classic Vice Drill. Keep your LEVERAGE.

Elite Linebackers are able to TRANSITION between a Shuffle and a Scrape. Shuffle = Shoulders Square, Hips Square Scrape = Shoulders Square, Hips Turned

Linebackers: Take great angles. Make great plays.

Linebackers: Master the art of block destruction. The ARM OVER is a great tool for the toolbox.

I love coaching Linebackers. Here are 3 reasons why Linebacker is the greatest position in all of sports. Versatility Linebackers are asked to do everything. One play they’re taking on a 300-pound Lineman. The next play they’re covering a speedy Running Back. Linebackers must run, tackle, cover, blitz, shed blocks, you name it. All in a day’s work. Mental Preparation Linebackers need to be dialed-in to the entire playbook. They are key to both defending the run and covering the pass. Linebackers must take great pride in scouting opponents and reading plays. They can never watch enough film. Teamwork The Linebackers are the connectors of the Defence. They must have great relationships with both the Defensive Linemen and Defensive Backs. The Linebackers are often the vocal leaders of the unit. They set the tone. — Football is the ultimate team sport, and every position is important. But there’s definitely something unique about that Linebacker spot.

Linebackers: Play SQUARE.

Elite Linebackers are efficient movers.

Linebackers: Master your movement skills. -Sprint -Come to Balance -Redirect

Linebackers: When moving in the BOX. Keep your shoulders SQUARE. It’s the key to changing directions.

Linebackers: Everything starts with stance and first step.

The key to Linebacker movement? Staying SQUARE.

The Linebacker SHUFFLE. A key movement every Linebacker must master.

Linebackers: Master the fundamentals. -Strike -Arm Over -Make the Tackle

Elite Linebackers are tackling machines. -Drive off the near foot -Wrap, Squeeze -Finish

Linebackers: Tackling is about TECHNIQUE. Tackling is about MINDSET. Tackling is about EFFORT. Become a tackling machine.

I always stop scrolling when I see that @DonnieBaggs_ has posted another video of Linebacker movement drills.

Linebackers: ANGLES are everything. Track the ball. Play downhill. Take the air out of the play.

Linebackers: -Stay Square -Track the Hip -Work Downhill Great leverage leads to great tackles.

Linebackers: Track the hip. Prevent the cutback.

Linebackers: A SCRAPE turns into a SHOOT if the Running Back continues outside. A SCRAPE turns into a SHUFFLE if the Running Back presses vertical.

Linebackers: When avoiding a block, Dip the shoulder to remove all surface area. Don’t give the blocker anything to work with.

Two key Linebacker movement skills: The Shuffle and the Scrape. Perfect both. Elite Linebackers are efficient movers.

Linebackers: Technique leads to tackles. Same foot, same shoulder. Wrap arms. Run feet.

Elite Linebackers master the Shuffle/Scrape/Shoot. Shuffle = Square Shoulders, Square Hips Scrape = Square Shoulders, Turned Hips Shoot = Full Sprint Master your movement skills. Make more plays.

Linebackers: Master your movement skills. Every step counts.

3 things I like about this rep: -Violent hands on the strike -Deliberate RIP to disengage -Runs the feet through the tackle Elite Linebackers dominate the details.

The 25 Rules of Linebacker Play: Linebacker Rule #1: Trust your keys. They’ll take you to the play. Linebacker Rule #2: Play SQUARE. Linebacker Rule #3: Some blocks need to be destroyed. Some blocks need to be avoided. Linebacker Rule #4: Eyes before feet. Feet before hands. Linebacker Rule #5: Move with a low pad level. It’ll help you change directions. Linebacker Rule #6: The key to a great Blitz is TIMING. Linebacker Rule #7: Run your feet through contact. Linebacker Rule #8: Don’t just watch film. Study the game. Linebacker Rule #9: Own your Run Fit. Linebacker Rule #10: Pursue to the whistle. Linebacker Rule #11: Win the rep before the snap. Know your alignment. Know your assignment. Linebackers Rule #12: Same foot, same shoulder. Linebacker Rule #13: Tackles are great. But takeaways are better. Attack the football. Linebacker Rule #14: If you have LEVERAGE, fight to keep it. If you lose LEVERAGE, fight to get it back. Linebacker Rule #15: When GAPS move… Move with them. Linebacker Rule #16: If you bite on Play Action, get extra DEPTH. You need to make up the yards you lost. Linebacker Rule #17: Dominate on Special Teams. Linebacker Rule #18: Angles are more important than speed. Linebacker Rule #19: Be patient. But never hesitate. Linebacker Rule #20: Master your Stance and First Step. Start the play right. Linebacker Rule #21: Always play downhill. Linebacker Rule #22: Pass Coverage is all about eye placement. Know where to look. Linebacker Rule #23: Read the Puller. Linebacker Rule #24: Use efficient movements. Never waste a step. Linebacker Rule #25: FINISH every play.

Elite Linebackers use EFFICIENT footwork. Never waste a step.

Linebackers: Block Destruction requires violent hands. Strike with intent.

Linebackers: Step with the NEAR FOOT when striking a blocker. Dominate the details.

Linebackers: Play SQUARE.

Life is short. Blitz your Linebackers.

Linebackers: Track the ball carrier. Avoid the “mess”. Make the play.

Elite Linebackers use EFFICIENT movements. Every step matters.  

Most Linebackers are good against the RUN. Elite Linebackers also dominate against the PASS.

Linebackers: You’re never alone on the football field. Fight to keep your LEVERAGE. VICE the ball carrier.

Elite Linebackers are tackling machines.

I played Linebacker back in the day. If you’re still playing, hear this: It goes by fast. And football isn’t like other sports. There are no casual pickup games of tackle football. Once it’s over, it’s OVER. Enjoy every minute.

Linebackers: You can SEE the Ball Carrier. The Blocker cannot. Use this to your advantage.

Linebackers: Keep your LEVERAGE. If you’re a BACK HIP player, don’t over run the Ball Carrier.

Linebackers: The SHOCK technique is a great option for defeating blocks. -STRIKE with hands -EXTEND arms to separate -PULL to disengage and defeat blocker

Keys to Linebacker Movement: -Stay Square -Work Downhill -Maintain Leverage

Elite Linebackers master the Back Hip Track. -Stay Square -Use the Shuffle/Scrape -Work Downhill and Finish

Linebackers: It all starts with STANCE, FIRST STEP, and MOVEMENT. Master the basics.

Linebackers: You don’t need to take on every block.

Linebacker 101: -READ the play -CONTROL your Gap -PURSUE when the ball bounces

Linebacker play is about eyes, feet, and hands. In that order.

Linebackers: You can’t MAKE the play if you can’t READ the play. I prefer the Triangle Read. Offensive Line first, through to the Backfield. It’s quick. It’s accurate. It’s like getting a head start on the play.

Linebackers: When moving inside the BOX: -Stay SQUARE -Work DOWNHILL -Get EYES to your keys

Linebackers: See the PULLER.

Linebackers: Why use SQUARE movements? -Vision -Power -Change of Direction Work downhill and make the play.

The Linebacker SCRAPE: -Hips turned for SPEED -Shoulders square for CHANGE OF DIRECTION

Linebackers: Every step matters. Gain ground and make the play.

As a young coach I cared about: -Xs and Os -Cool blitzes -Instant results -Flashy new drills -Complicated schemes Now, after 15 years of coaching, I care about: -Fundamentals -Connecting -Teaching -Learning -Coffee

Linebacker Movement: -SHUFFLE -SCRAPE Perfect your craft.

Linebackers: Some blocks need to be destroyed. And some blocks need to be avoided. Add the Dip and Rip to your toolbox.

Linebackers: When it looks like a RUN but ends up being a PASS: Flip your hips and get DEPTH.

Linebackers: Stay SQUARE when moving in the box.

A Linebacker must sometimes decide: SHOOT the Gap or SCRAPE over the mess?

Movement skills are the FOUNDATION of great Linebacker play. Linebackers must be able to: -Flip the Hips -Shuffle -Break

Linebackers: When tracking the BACK HIP: -Work DOWNHILL -Keep your LEVERAGE -Avoid blocks with SPEED