Linebacker Techniques In Football

A linebacker has many responsibilities while playing defense, and the main thing any solid football player who mans that position must be able to do is tackle well. The linebacker has to play with a fervor, fight through blockers, and find the running back or receiver and prevent that player from turning a short gain into a big one. A dependable tackler must be an expert at hitting and punishing the ball carrier.

Fight Through Blocking

It's not simply a matter of chasing down a running back or getting your hands on a wide receiver and making the tackle. A great linebacker must fight off the block of the offensive lineman or running back before making the tackle. He must use strength, speed, quickness and intelligence to figure out what a much bigger offensive lineman is going to do to knock him down. Then he must find the ball carrier, wrap him up and drive him to the ground.

Force Fumbles

Linebackers do not simply have to find the ball carrier and drag him to the ground. There will be times when you can deliver a forceful hit and punish the ball carrier. This requires you to drive your shoulder into the ball and force a fumble. Whenever another teammate has the ball carrier in his grasp, you must drive your shoulder or punch the ball from his grasp to force a fumble and give your team a chance to recover the ball.

Pass Coverage

Linebackers are often involved in pass coverage. You will have to cover running backs coming out of the backfield or tight ends. To learn the best coverage technique, you should study your opponents on videotape so you know the type of passing routes they normally run. You will need speed, quickness, agility and anticipation when covering a receiver.

Sacking the Quarterback

Most teams want the bulk of their pass rush pressure to come from the defensive line. However, even the best teams need to send linebackers and defensive backs to provide additional pressure in attempts to sack the quarterback. When a linebacker rushes the quarterback, he must have an array of pass rush moves that will allow him to beat the blocker, then have the closing speed to get to the quarterback and the strength to bring him down. If you can strip the ball from the quarterback while you sack him, you have a chance to become a dominant player.