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All linebackers must demonstrate six basics in order to be effective in playing good zone pass defense: (1) play recognition (is it a run or a pass?); (2) a knowledge of their individual zone responsibility; (3) an understanding of the proper techniques that the linebacker should use in getting to his zone, (4) an ability to recognize offensive pass patterns; (5) the capacity to know when to focus on the quarterback; and (6) the talent to react properly to the ball once it is thrown. A deficiency in any of these can render the linebacker ineffective and can contribute to a poor performance by the defense. Linebackers also must realize that the number of underneath zones will vary from four, five, or six, depending on the type of zone coverage that has been called in the defensive huddle. Note: On teams that use only three linebackers, the middle linebacker will take the place of the inside linebacker in the drills that follow. Drill: Learning the Zones of the Field
In this drill, the linebackers learn zone location and what the different zone names refer to in relation to the field. There will be no offensive team to complicate the drill, and the coach will not throw a ball. Instead, he will point to one linebacker at a time and call out the zone to which he wants him to go. On command, the linebacker will run to that zone as quickly as he can. Because this is a mental drill, little if any time should be spent on teaching the technique that the linebacker will use in moving to his assigned zone. Once the players individually become comfortable with the designated zones, the coach then should tell each of them where he wants them to go and have them drop as a four-man unit. Later, as the players learn their designated areas on a particular zone defense, the coach will merely have to call out the defense, and the linebackers should drop to their respective areas on the field. Drill: Zone Drop Technique Once the players know where the different zones are on the field, they must learn the proper techniques to use when going to their assigned zones. The farther a linebacker must go, the shallower an angle he should take and the faster he should sprint to get to the area. Great distances cannot be covered on the football field by casually jogging. Linebackers must realize that they have to reach their designated area while the quarterback is dropping back. Once a linebacker has reached his necessary area, he then can swing his body around and start to backpedal to get depth. The minute a linebacker begins his backpedal, he should focus on the quarterback When he sees the quarterback preparing to throw, the linebacker should stop getting depth, move his feet in place, bring his shoulders slightly in front of his feet, and prepare to move to his right or left, depending on where the pass is thrown. In this drill, we are working only on linebacker drop technique, the coach should raise the ball when he wants the players to stop getting depth. Drills: Pass Pattern Recognition
Click here for five drills on pass pattern recognition. ************** Play Football The NFL Way is the ultimate football manual for coaches and beginning players who want to learn the basics of football correctly. Author Tom Bass is a former NFL coach with more than 20 years of experience with the Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaners. For a personalized autographed copy of Play Football the NFL Way, plus information on the new Coach Bass Sport Maps - football guides that aid in watching and enjoying college and professional football, please visit http://www.CoachBass.com. For information on Coach Bass' In-Depth Coaching Clinics go to http://www.Takeaknee.com.
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