Playing Linebacker vs. The Run Game

Jeff McDonald gives a complete look at playing linebacker against the run game, starting before the snap and finishing with the tackle. He covers stance, keys and block protection, the movement fundamentals that get a linebacker to the ball, and then the technique for defending the big five run plays every defense sees - zone, lead, power, counter and fast flow.

What you'll learn

• How to win the battle pre-snap and what a linebacker must know before the ball moves
• Linebacker stance, keys and block protection fundamentals
• Movement fundamentals: shuffling laterally, downhill, the alley run and press coverage
• Movement drills and the coaching points that go with them
• The proper elements of tackling and drills you can use all season
• Identifying the five flows an offense can give you
• Block protection skills including the shiver technique and the rip technique
• Teaching linebacker technique for the big five run plays - zone, lead to the tight end or split end, power, counter and fast flow
• Examples of fitting those run plays with a 4-3 defense

Who it's for

Linebacker coaches and defensive coordinators at the high school and college levels. The fits are shown in a 4-3, but the keys, block protection and tackling technique apply behind any front.

About the coach

Jeff McDonald coached the Towson University defense to a No. 2 national ranking in red-zone defense and coached linebackers at Wesleyan University.

Technique and drill demonstration throughout. Part 1 of Coach McDonald's three-part series on linebacker play. Runtime: about 84 minutes.