Outside Linebacker Help

Question
QUESTION: Hello Coach,
My names Jason and i attend St.Thomas Aquinas Highschool in Florida. We are currently ranked #17th in the nation having dropped from the top 10 after this season. I stand about 5'10 and my play weight is in the 175-180 pound range. I have not played football for a good two years and will not be able to condition with the team much this coming summer so i was wondering if you had any good work-out programs and general tips or backyard type of drills to get me back into game shape and thinking on my feet again. Thank you!

ANSWER: Dear Jason,
First of all congratulation on being one of the top teams in the nation. Keep up the good work. Your question is how do I get into football shape?

Try playing some basketball it is a great sport and it will help you get into football shape. It will teach you how to run back, forth, and side to side without thinking about it. Basketball will also help your coordination, quickness, conditioning, and improve your foot work. This type of workout is especially good if you want to play linebacker, defensive end, and or defensive back.

You also might want to add handball to your workout schedule. Just like in basketball, handball teaches you to run back, forth, and side to side without having to think about it.  You just react to the ball much like in football. Handball can be of great help, to a football player, for all the same reasons as basketball.

Try playing these two sports, on regular bases, and you will get into fantastic football shape. You will also improve your coordination and reaction time. If you have time to do some running (on the high school track) let me know and I will send you a great conditioning program.

Your friend, Coach Louis

PS Good luck with your season.


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QUESTION: We do have a highschool track that is generally open for use for both baseball and football players. I fall into both positions with baseball being my stronger sport, hence me missing two seasons of football. I would love to have a conditoning program. Thank you.
ANSWER: Dear Jason,


If you do not want to play basketball or handball try some running.

Start by running a 1/2 lap around the football field everyday. Be sure to sprint the last 100-yards of your run. This way you work on your wind sprints and long distance running at the same time. You want to be fresh in the fourth quarter when everybody else is exhausted.

After a week or so, when you feel up to it, add a half a lap to your workout. Keep adding a half a lap, every week or so, until you reach 3 or four miles per workout. Only workout once a day, you do not want to over do it. You want to build your body up not use it up. Be sure to drink lots of water, you will need it. And do not do all three work (running, basketball, handball) outs together. Just pick one and do it.

By the time you start football camp, you will be in the best shape of your life. TAKE IT SLOW. You want to build your body-up not use it up. Do not push too hard and make sure that you get check by a Doctor first.

REMEMBER ONLY A DOCTOR CAN TELL YOU IF THE PROGRAM YOU ARE STARTING IS TOO MUCH FOR YOU. IT IS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN TO BE SORRY!

Your friend, Coach Louis

PS I would give you some tips on how to play linebacker, however I do not think you need them. Good luck with your season.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: any little miscellaneous tips or techniques would be helpful. I tend to excel  at stuffing the run, though i have some problems covering receivers and tightends who get more then 5-7 yards off the LOS. I shed blockers fairly well though if their 290+ i tend to have trouble. Any tips regarding man-to-man coverage or zone would be great. We use a basic 4-3 as our template usually. Cover-1 and 2 are often used as is the simple man with the safteys dropping back. Playactions give me a tough time because if i see the back taking their first few steps i usually commit.

Answer
Dear Jason,
Do not let the backs fool you, read the linemen's feet. If you work on this technique a little you can get real good at it.

LINEBACKERS

Linebackers are the heart of the defense. They must be run stoppers on run plays and defensive backs on pass plays. They must be able to run side to side, back and forth at a moments notice. They must be tough, aggressive, and ready to take on the world. Here are some tips on how to play linebacker.

READ THE LINEMEN扴 FEET

If the play is a run, the linemen will have most of their body weight on the front of their feet and their heels off the ground.

If the play is a pass, the linemen will have most of their weight on the back of their feet and their heels on the ground. They also might do this if they are going to pull. Some of the linemen point their feet in the direction they are going to pull.


WHEN THE HAT MOVES FORWARD

When the offensive player moves forward, the linebacker must be ready for a cut block. He must stay down low and in a ready position. If the offensive player tries to cut him, the linebacker must extend his arms and force the blocker to the ground. At the same time he must kick out his feet backwards and away from the blocker.


WHEN THE HAT MOVES INSIDE OR OUTSIDE

The linebacker must be able to shuffle laterally keeping a half a man ahead of the blocker while reading the play. Remember the blocker is trying to keep you from the play. So if he is trying to block you from the right side, the play is going to the right side. If he is trying to block you from the left side, the play is going to the left side.

WHEN THE HAT MOVES BACKWARDS

The linebacker must retreat as fast as he can and get to his spot on pass coverage.

Let me know what you think.

Your friend, Coach Louis