Linebacker Leverage Drill

May 21, 2025

Great Linebackers use great leverage.

Here’s a drill to work Back Hip leverage.

Let’s get right into it.

The Setup

It’s pretty simple.

All you need is a patch of turf and at least two players.

Have a Linebacker set up in their stance.

Then have another player line up across from them, simulating the Running Back.

You can vary the distance.

I usually start with them about 5 yards apart.

And this is key:

The Linebacker is set up on the BACK HIP of the Running Back.

It looks something like this:

You need a great look from the “show player” acting as the Running Back.

When the drill starts, the Running Back must continuously transition between a SLOW jog and a FAST sprint.

The Linebacker’s job is to stay on the BACK HIP for the entire rep.

When the Running Back is moving slowly, the Linebacker should SHUFFLE.

When the Running Back speeds up, the Linebacker should SCRAPE.

Throughout both of these movements, the Linebacker should maintain SQUARE SHOULDERS.

Here’s an example:

Video Credit: @BruinReport

Set up a cone or use a line to indicate the FINISH.

The Linebacker must work downhill throughout the drill and meet the Running Back at the finish.

There they will execute a “double uppercut”, or a touch off on the Back Hip.

Obviously you could add a thud tackle or a full tackle here if you wish.

Just don’t lose the focus of the drill, which is angles and leverage.

The most common mistake with this drill is the Linebacker OVERRUNNING the ball carrier.

When the Running Back slows down, the Linebacker must transition back to a SHUFFLE and stay on the BACK HIP.

If the Linebacker overruns the ball carrier, they lose their leverage.

This is the entire point of the drill.

LEVERAGE is one of the most important concepts for a Linebacker to master.

This drill is one way to work it.

If you’d like to take a deeper dive into LEVERAGE — along with other Linebacker fundamentals — check out THE LB LAB.

It’s a complete course on Linebacker play, and it contains everything you need to master the position.

Click here to learn more.

All the best,

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

Find more Linebacker resources here.