LB 101 (Part 6): Pass Coverage

Apr 15, 2025

A Linebacker’s first job is stopping the RUN.

But elite Linebackers are also great against the PASS.

Here are a few starting points.

Movements

Movement skills are key.

Regardless of what type of Coverage you’re using, you need to GET to your assignment.

There are two types of movements used in pass coverage:

Each has pros and cons.

And there’s a time and place for each one.

Great Linebackers must perfect both.

(Read more about these two Pass Coverage Movements by clicking here.)

It really comes down to this.

For a Linebacker, Pass Coverage is all about the EYES.

In Man-to-Man Coverage, for instance, a Linebacker must lock their eyes on the player they are covering.

In Zone and Match Coverages, it gets a little more complicated.

Some systems ask the Linebacker to read the Quarterback.

Other’s ask the Linebacker to Pattern Read.

This means getting their eyes to a certain Receiver.

Then, based on the routes, they must progress their eyes to different Receivers throughout the play.

This takes reps.

But a Linebacker who masters their Eye Discipline is tough to pass against.

Since Linebackers are RUN FIRST players, they sometimes fall for Play Action.

It happens.

But it’s all about how the Linebacker recovers.

The key is to GET DEPTH.

You’re already late to the play because you bit on the run.

Flip the Hips and get under the routes.

You can still make the play.

Click here for Part 7 of the LB 101 Series, which is all about Blitzing.

Take care,

Jon Svec
Defensive Coordinator
St. Francis Xavier University
X-Men Football
Email: jsvec@stfx.ca
Twitter: @jonsvecx