As someone who wants to get into coaching, it is essential that I learn specific techniques of every position in football. The more I understand each position and what they have to do, the better I will be able to coach and put players in the best position to succeed.
While I have covered many different schemes and some players, I have yet to delve into the specific techniques of a particular position in football. Today, I will start a 3 part series on defensive techniques, with linebackers.
Linebacker is a very tough and complex position to play. They have to have the speed to run sideline to sideline to chase down ball carriers, as well as run with receivers down the field in coverage if asked to. They also have to be strong enough to take on offensive lineman and be able to defeat blocks or at least hold their ground. Very few linebackers in the NFL excel at all of that, but they elite ones do.
The first technique we will discuss is the dip and rip. When an offensive lineman is coming at you, you have to be able to defeat his block. The technique you use depends on the leverage of the offensive lineman in relation to you. in the first example, the linebacker will have leverage on the blocker, due to his quick recognition of the play. He is able to beat him to the spot. When the linebacker has leverage, he will dip and rip.
Here, #58 Jamie Collins uses the dip and rip technique to shed the block and make the tackle on the running back. The bengals are running inner zone, with the tight end inserting into the A gap, trying to block Collins. Collins does a great job using his leverage to dip and rip, shedding the block from the tight end to make the tackle for a short gain.
The next example is when a linebacker is out leveraged by the blocker. in this case, he will use a knife technique or a fake dip and rip. The linebacker will step behind the blocker, because he is out leveraged. This will allow him to shed the block and get to the ball carrier.
In the same game above, star linebacker for the Patriots Donta Hightower does a great job using the fake dip and rip to escape the block from the center. He steps behind him and is able to help tackle the running back.
Finally, there is a technique called fill and fold. This technique is used between two linebackers. It is particularly effective against teams that run the wide zone. If the offense is running wide zone right, the center will most likely look to reach the play side linebacker. instead of trying to take on the center’s block, the play side linebacker will fold backside, with the backside linebacker filling that gap hard. The center will be forced to turn back on the backside linebacker. This will force the running back to cutback, where the play side linebacker will be there to tackle.
In this example, the center gets off the ball quickly, and is able to maintain leverage on the backside linebacker, #52. still, the play side linebacker #40, folds into the backside A gap. Unfortunately for the defense, the ball does not cut back because the center is able to effectively reach #52.
The linebacker position is complicated, but these techniques are crucial to playing the position. As you see in the examples, linebackers must be quick to be able to read and react, then shed the block.
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