1. Mike Dawson Linebacker Play Linebacker Play

2. THE PHILOSOPHY This is the hardest working unit on the football team and the heart and soul of the defense. We play from snap to whistle on every play and with a relentless pursuit to the football. Our linebackers play with “Bring it to ME” attitude. No one on the field can stop this unit. We must be playmakers and make big plays when the team needs them most. Great linebackers play with great awareness that comes from focused intensity. THE PLAN 1. Do the Right Thing 2.Togetherness 3. Sound Techniques and Fundamentals 4. Toughness 5. Make Plays Linebackers

3. How To Get On The Field: 1. Eligibility A. Academically B. Physically (your condition) 2. Durability The ability to prepare, practice, and play. Your conditioning affects your ability to come back from bumps and bruises. Knowing what to do and how to do it lessens you chance of injury. 3. Production Athletic ability and potential may give you several chances to play but your production will keep you on the field. We must produce.

4. 10 Factors for Winning Stop the Run Great Concentration Communication Create Turnovers Play Smart Be Great Tacklers Hit the QB Pursuit to the Football Dominate the Special Teams Play Harder than our Opponent on every Play

5. Keys to a successful play Know and understand the call Recognize the formation Align properly Keys Execute and Strain

6. What is a loaf? A change of speed and/or pad level. Not turning and running to the ball. Getting past by another player. Lying on the ground (hot stove). Turning down a hit.

7. LINEBACKER DAILY PRACTICE SHELL MEETING: 1.Administrative and Academic Issues 2. Game/Practice Corrections 3. Opponent and self scouting reports 4. New Installations a. Front b. Coverage c. Blitz d. Adjustments 5. Practice Plan a. Individual drills b. Group/Team drills (Tempo) c. Special Teams (Depth) 6. Motivation

8. PRE PRACTICE : 1.Corrections 2. New Installation 3. VS Cans Alignments, Adjustments, Calls, and Blitz 4. Ball Drills

9. PERIOD: I Movement and Run Ability 1. Agility Bags 1 Foot 2 Feet 4 Feet Shuffle Up & Back 2 and 1 2. Star Drill 3. “M” Drill 4. Hoops 1 man Figure 8's Chase ( 2 man)

10. 5 yds LB Agility Bag Drill Set Up

11. 5 yds DL Agility Bag Drill Set Up FILM

12. TACKLING BASICS 1. CLOSE THE DISTANCE 4 FEET IN THE BAG 2. EYES TO THE SKY 3. STRIKE WITH YOUR CHEST ON THE RISE NEAR FOOT WITH THE NEAR SHOULDER 4.STAB HIPS AND HANDS SIMULTANEOUSLY 6 INCH RISING BLOW 5. GRAB CLOTH 6. FEET RUN ON CONTACT THOSE WHO WANT TO TACKLE WILL TACKLE!!!

13. Period: II Tackling 1. Smile 2. 2 Command 3. 1 Command 5. Angle Tackle 6. Agility Bag 7. Cone Tackle

14. 1. Smile B. SmileA. Close 5 yds Drive on Contact 2. 2 Command /1 Command X O X O 3. Angle Tackle RB LB 4. Agility Bag RB LB 5. Cone Tackle

15. Period: III Block Pro 1. 2 Hand Punch & Separate (Blocked Position) a. 2 Point Punch b. 6 Point Punch c. Gunfighter 2. Sled Separate and Tackle 3. Escapes Push Pull Rip Power Hand (Fit Position) Patch (Defeated Position) 4. Open Field (Not Blocked) Speed Rip 5. Low Blocks a. Stationary b. Shuffle to Block c. Dive at Legs 6. Hi/Low Drill Combinations of High and Low Blocks

16. X O X O X O X O O O O 5 x5 yds X Coach Block Protection 1. Defeated Position 2. Speed Rip3. Hi/Low Combo

17. Period: IV Run Reads 1. 2 Back 2. 1 Back **Read Surface to Flow V Pass Drops 1. Short Drop Release of #3 2. Deep Drop Release of #2 3. VS Trips Release of #3 4. BOB Drill QB Intentions 5. 4 Lane Response 6. Man to Man Technique

18. Break on the Ball Drill (BOB) 12 YDS 14 YDS BB COACH

19. Read the QB’s intentions and break on the thrown ball. LB’s should be going to the receiver when the ball is half way to it’s target. 12 YDS 14 YDS BB COACH

20. Period: X Blitz and Rush Skills 1. 1 Man Moves 2. OLine to Back Moves Speed series Power series Doubles Counters 3. Plugs, Scrapes, and, Crashes

21. 3 Step / 5 Step Drill LB’s break on the ball based on the quarterback’s intentions. Use the QB’s facemask to determine whether it is a 3 or 5 step drop. Use the QB’s front shoulder to read whether it is a deep or short pass. Break when the front hand comes off of the ball. 12 YDS 5 YDS BB COACH 5 YDS

22. Group 1 on 1's Tackle vs RB's 1 on1 's Pass vs RB's/TE's Combo's vs OLine Team drills Unit Inside Run vs Offense Understanding schemes and fits of the run game Be physical and win the drill Strip the ball out Pass Game vs Offense Know route combinations QB intentions Break on the thrown ball Ball skills-catch the football Unit Review Run Review Pass Review Blitz Review Go's Dog's Plug's

23. Team 5 Keys Elements of every play Know and understand the call Alignment Keys Execute Strain Communication Tempo Turnovers Pursuit

24. Mike Dawson mdawson@nmiddlesex.mec.edudawson@nmiddlesex.mec.edu

25. Akron Linebacker Summer 2008 Menu Day 1 1. Agility Bag Progression 5 Min 2. Shuffle, Rip, Tackle 5 min 3. Block Pro Hat & Hands 3 min 4. Speed Rip 2 min 5. Fit & Escapes 5 Min 6. Drops #2 Drops (Cloud Cov 2/3) 5 Min #3 Drops (Box) 5 Min Day 2 1. M Drill 5 Min 2. Box 45 Drill 5 Min 2. Smile Drill 5 Min 3. 3 Step/ 5 Step Drill 5 Min or Blitz Drill 4. Drops #2 Drops (Check O/S) 5 Min #3 Drops (Cov 7) 5 Min OT/TE Keys E E E E $E LB $ $ $ 1. Fan/Fan 2. Double 3. Cut Off 4. Pass 1. Zone (Both ways) N N N LB 2. Pull 3. Pass 10 Tech Keys 2 Drops LB 2 out: get width to the curl 2 blocks: get depth to the dig 2 vert: 2 yds I/S Seam (@10) 3 Drops (3 WR or RB) 3 vert: stay inside of him 3 out: get to curl of #1 3 blocks: get depth to the dig (stay over 3) Check Outside Drops LB Good is the Enemy of Great: Practice Being Great “A winner is someone who recognizes his God given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses those skills to accomplish his goals”

26. OT/TE Keys E E E E $E LB $ $ $ 1. Fan/Fan 2. Double 3. Cut Off 4. Pass E LB 5. Zone Read (Away) $ Akron Linebacker Summer Menu 1. Keys LB 2. Fit Escapes Start in the fit position. Work the extension of the push and pull. Finish with the rip and clear the blocker. Make sure the offensive guy is giving a good look. 3. Blitz Drill RB LB Start with a good stance. No false steps. OLine slide to, slide away. If OLine opens RB blocks. Have a move in mind. Use good hips & hands. 8 Min5 Min 7 Min