Mike Dawson Linebacker Play

THE PHILOSOPHYThis is the hardest working unit on the football team and the heart and soul of the defense. We play from snap to whistle on every play and with a relentless pursuit to the football. Our linebackers play with “Bring it to ME” attitude. No one on the field can stop this unit. We must be playmakers and make big plays when the team needs them most.

Great linebackers play with great awareness that comes from focused intensity.

THE PLAN1. Do the Right Thing2.Togetherness3. Sound Techniques and Fundamentals4. Toughness5. Make Plays

Linebackers

How To Get On The Field:1. Eligibility

A. AcademicallyB. Physically (your condition)

2. DurabilityThe ability to prepare, practice, and

play. Your conditioning affects your ability to come back from bumps and bruises. Knowing what to do and how to do it lessens you chance of injury.

3. ProductionAthletic ability and potential may give

you several chances to play but your production will keep you on the field. We must produce.

10 Factors for WinningStop the RunGreat ConcentrationCommunicationCreate TurnoversPlay SmartBe Great TacklersHit the QBPursuit to the FootballDominate the Special TeamsPlay Harder than our Opponent on every Play

Keys to a successful play

Know and understand the callRecognize the formationAlign properlyKeysExecute and Strain

What is a loaf?

A change of speed and/or pad level.Not turning and running to the ball.Getting past by another player.Lying on the ground (hot stove).Turning down a hit.

LINEBACKER DAILY PRACTICE SHELL

MEETING:

1.Administrative and Academic Issues

2. Game/Practice Corrections

3. Opponent and self scouting reports

4. New Installationsa. Frontb. Coveragec. Blitzd. Adjustments

5. Practice Plana. Individual drillsb. Group/Team drills (Tempo)c. Special Teams (Depth)

6. Motivation

PRE PRACTICE:

1.Corrections

2. New Installation

3. VS CansAlignments, Adjustments, Calls,

and Blitz

4. Ball Drills

PERIOD:I Movement and Run Ability

1. Agility Bags1 Foot2 Feet4 FeetShuffleUp & Back2 and 1

2. Star Drill

3. “M” Drill

4. Hoops1 manFigure 8'sChase ( 2 man)

5 yds

LB

Agility Bag Drill Set Up

5 yds

DL

Agility Bag Drill Set Up

FILM

TACKLING BASICS1. CLOSE THE DISTANCE

4 FEET IN THE BAG

2. EYES TO THE SKY

3. STRIKE WITH YOUR CHEST ON THE RISE

NEAR FOOT WITH THE NEAR SHOULDER

4.STABHIPS AND HANDS SIMULTANEOUSLY6 INCH RISING BLOW

5. GRAB CLOTH

6. FEETRUN ON CONTACT

THOSE WHO WANT TO TACKLE WILL TACKLE!!!

Period:II Tackling

1. Smile

2. 2 Command

3. 1 Command

5. Angle Tackle

6. Agility Bag

7. Cone Tackle

1. Smile B. Smile A. Close

5 ydsDrive on Contact

2. 2 Command /1 Command

X

O

X

O

3. Angle Tackle

RB

LB

4. Agility Bag

RB

LB

5. Cone Tackle

Period:III Block Pro

1. 2 Hand Punch & Separate (Blocked Position)a. 2 Point Punchb. 6 Point Punchc. Gunfighter

2. SledSeparate and Tackle

3. EscapesPush Pull RipPower Hand (Fit Position)Patch (Defeated Position)

4. Open Field (Not Blocked)Speed Rip

5. Low Blocksa. Stationaryb. Shuffle to Blockc. Dive at Legs

6. Hi/Low DrillCombinations of High and Low Blocks

X

O

X

O

X

O

X

OO

O

O5 x5 yds

X

Coach

Block Protection

1. Defeated Position

2. Speed Rip 3. Hi/Low Combo

Period: IV Run Reads

1. 2 Back

2. 1 Back**Read Surface to Flow

V Pass Drops

1. Short DropRelease of #3

2. Deep DropRelease of #2

3. VS TripsRelease of #3

4. BOB DrillQB Intentions

5. 4 Lane Response6. Man to Man Technique

Break on the Ball Drill (BOB)

12 YDS 12 YDS

14 YDS

B BCOACH

Read the QB’s intentions and break on the thrown ball. LB’s should be going to the receiver when the ball

is half way to it’s target.

12 YDS 12 YDS

14 YDS

B BCOACH

Period: X Blitz and Rush Skills

1. 1 Man Moves

2. OLine to Back MovesSpeed seriesPower seriesDoublesCounters

3. Plugs, Scrapes, and, Crashes

3 Step / 5 Step DrillLB’s break on the ball based on the quarterback’s intentions. Use the QB’s facemask to determine whether it is a 3 or 5 step drop. Use the QB’s front shoulder to read whether it is a deep or short pass. Break

when the front hand comes off of the ball.12 YDS 12 YDS

5 YDS

B BCOACH

5 YDS

Group1 on 1's Tackle vs RB's1 on1 's Pass vs RB's/TE'sCombo's vs OLineTeam drills

UnitInside Run vs OffenseUnderstanding schemes and fits of the run game

Be physical and win the drillStrip the ball out

Pass Game vs OffenseKnow route combinationsQB intentionsBreak on the thrown ballBall skills-catch the football

Unit ReviewRun ReviewPass ReviewBlitz Review

Go'sDog'sPlug's

Team

5 Keys Elements of every play

Know and understand the call

AlignmentKeysExecuteStrain

Communication

Tempo

Turnovers

Pursuit

Mike Dawson

mdawson@nmiddlesex.mec.edu

Akron Linebacker Summer 2008 Menu

Day 11. Agility Bag Progression 5 Min2. Shuffle, Rip, Tackle 5 min3. Block Pro Hat & Hands 3 min

4. Speed Rip 2 min5. Fit & Escapes 5 Min6. Drops #2 Drops (Cloud Cov 2/3) 5 Min #3 Drops (Box) 5 Min

Day 2 1. M Drill 5 Min2. Box 45 Drill 5 Min2. Smile Drill 5 Min3. 3 Step/ 5 Step Drill 5 Min or Blitz Drill4. Drops #2 Drops (Check O/S) 5 Min #3 Drops (Cov 7) 5

Min

OT/TE Keys

E

E

E

E

$E

LB

LB

LB

LB

$

$

$

1. Fan/Fan

2. Double

3. Cut Off

4. Pass

1. Zone (Both ways)

N

N

N

LB

LB

LB2. Pull

3. Pass

10 Tech

Keys

2 Drops

LB

LB

LBLB

LBLB

2 out: get width to the curl

2 blocks: get depth to the dig

2 vert: 2 yds I/S Seam (@10)

3 Drops (3 WR or RB)

3 vert: stay

inside of

him

3 out: get to curl of #1 3 blocks: get

depth to the dig (stay over 3)

Check Outside Drops

LB LBLB

LBGood is the Enemy of Great:

Practice Being Great

“A winner is someone who recognizes his God given talents, works his tail off to

develop them into skills, and uses those skills toaccomplishhis goals”

OT/TE Keys

E

E

E

E

$E

LB

LB

LB

LB

$

$

$

1. Fan/Fan

2. Double

3. Cut Off

4. Pass

E

LB

5. Zone Read (Away)

$

Akron Linebacker Summer Menu

1. Keys

LB

2. Fit Escapes

Start in the fit position. Work the extension of the push and pull. Finish with the rip and clear the blocker. Make sure the offensive guy is giving a good look.

3. Blitz Drill

RB

LBStart with a good stance. No false steps. OLine slide to, slide away. If OLine opens RB blocks. Have a move in mind. Use good hips & hands.

8 Min 5 Min 7 Min