Improving Linebacker Angles
Dominate your space
Great Linebackers take great ANGLES.
But what does that mean, exactly?
What are the RIGHT angles and what are the WRONG ones?
Big question.
Here are a couple thoughts.
Spaces
In general, angles change when SPACES change.
A Middle Linebacker living in the A Gap, for example, is navigating a different SPACE compared to a Sam Linebacker who’s out of the Box.
Because of this, they will need to learn different angles.
Linebackers need reps in THEIR space.
This will help them master the angles that go with their position.
System
The correct angle will change based on your system.
Where are you trying to funnel the football?
Where is your help?
This will impact the angle you’re supposed to take on any given play.
Keep this in mind when working your drills.
Nothing happens in a vacuum.
Make sure everything fits within your system.
A pause here for a quick note:
If you’re looking for some new DRILLS, check out Linebacker Drills 2.0.
This brand new resource includes drills for stance, movement, block destruction, tackling, reading the play, taking the ball away, covering the pass, and more.
Click here to check it out!
Now back to today’s article…
Banana Angle
Here’s a concrete example.
This one’s pretty common.
It shows up when a Linebacker is tracking a ball carrier and serving as the BACKSIDE player.
In this situation, you DON’T want to “go where the ball carrier is going”.
If you do that, the ball carrier will just cut back.
Instead, you want to “take the air out” of the play.
Work downhill on a curved (or “Banana”) angle.
This will prevent the cutback, funnel the ball appropriately, and put you in a good position to make the play.
Final Thoughts
It take REPS to learn great angles.
Those reps need to happen in the appropriate SPACE, with the SYSTEM in mind.
Linebackers who master their angles are able to PLAY FAST on game day.
All the best,
Jon Svec
Defensive Coordinator
St. Francis Xavier University
X-Men Football
Email: jsvec@stfx.ca
Twitter: @jonsvecx
Take a DEEP DIVE into Linebacker play with Linebacker Toolbox 2.0 and Linebacker Drills 2.0.