The Linebacker Path
Happens every play.
I love to simplify.
When you think about it, every Linebacker play follows this path:
See > Move > Avoid/Strike > Finish
Let’s break it down.
See
The play starts with the READ.
Then the Linebacker’s eyes must continue to progress throughout the play.
Before anything else…
The eyes must go first.
Otherwise, the Linebacker is playing blind.
Move
Movement skills come next.
Linebackers must Shuffle/Scrape/Shoot their way across the field.
At times they may need to change directions, flip their hips, shimmy, etc…
The Linebacker position requires a specific set of movement skills.
To PLAY Linebacker you need to MOVE like a Linebacker.
Avoid/Strike
A Linebacker will rarely get a free pass to the point of attack.
When blockers show up, Linebackers must either avoid them or destroy them.
The key is knowing when to avoid and when to strike.
Then pairing that knowledge with great technique and fundamentals.
Finish
On a run play, the finish is the tackle.
On a pass play, the finish is a breakup or a pick.
On a play that goes to the other side of the field, the finish is a relentless pursuit to the whistle.
One way or another, great Linebackers finish every play.
Final Thoughts
It’s a simple path:
See > Move > Avoid/Strike > Finish
The Linebackers who dominate are the ones who learn the details of each phase.
Find those details inside THE LB LIBRARY.
All the best,
Jon Svec
Defensive Coordinator
St. Francis Xavier University
X-Men Football
Email: jsvec@stfx.ca
Twitter: @jonsvecx