Linebackers do a little bit of everything for a football defense. They’re typically aligned just behind the defensive line, but outside linebackers are occasionally positioned at the line of scrimmage, particularly in 3-4 defenses. Linebackers are key run defenders, but also drop back into pass coverage regularly, and must be prepared to rush the passer as part of a blitz. Linebackers must combine strength with quickness and should be adept at reading offensive keys to position themselves properly against both runs and passes.
Take a balanced stance for most plays, with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees flexed. Bend forward from the hips and keep your weight forward, on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on top of your knees.
Know your responsibilities before the ball is snapped so you can move quickly to the proper area of the field after you’ve read the play. On a pass play, for example, you should have observed the offensive formation and known which player or which area of the field to cover, prior to the snap.
Read the play as quickly as possible after the snap and move immediately to your area of responsibility. The offensive line’s movements will typically reveal whether the play is a run or pass. If the linemen remain low and fire forward they’re run blocking. If they stand up and take a step back they’re typically pass blocking. If you’re assigned to cover a gap and you read a run, take a step forward toward the gap, while keeping your head up and following the play. If you’re assigned to key on a running back, mirror his moves as the play begins. If he moves right or left, take the same number of lateral steps in the same direction. But don’t take a crossover step. Shuffle your feet right or left while keeping your hips square to the line of scrimmage.
Keep your head up as you pursue running plays and expand your field of vision beyond the ball carrier. Watch out for blockers coming from the side.
Stay low and surge forward when you’re making a tackle. Drive your shoulder into the ball carrier’s chest or midsection while you wrap your arms around his midsection or legs. Keep your head up at all times. As you make contact, aim your head across his chest, striking the ball if possible. Continue driving forward after you’ve made contact, until the whistle blows the play dead.
Assume an unbalanced stance if you’ll be rushing the passer using an outside speed rush technique. Place one foot ahead of the other, with most of your weight on your back foot. Explode off your back foot at the snap. Keep your hands high and swipe at the blocker’s elbows to knock his arms out of your way. Immediately thrust your inside arm past the blocker’s outside hip, then use that arm to push off the blocker’s back and run past him, taking a direct line to the quarterback.
Practice backpedaling, running laterally and adjusting quickly to a receiver in your zone to prepare for defending passes. Perform drills with quick changes of direction backwards, forwards and sideways in both directions.