Linebacker Drills - Read and React

Elite linebackers have some of the fastest reactions on the field. This is because they have such versatility, be they stuffing the run, coming on the blitz, dropping into zone pass coverage, playing man to man or coming across the field to make the tackle. The most important weapon in a linebacker's arsenal is his ability to read and react. This drill will help you perfect that skill and take you to the next level.

The Set Up

Set up a sled on the "line of scrimmage". Set up a cone 5 yards in front of the sled. Place a cone on the line of scrimmage 10 yards from each side of the sled. Strait out from those cones, set up cones 15 yards from the line of scrimmage. Also, set up one cone 15 yards from the line of scrimmage directly in front of the sled. Place the linebacker at the cone 5 yards ahead of the sled and a "quarterback" behind the sled.

The Drill

The quarterback should snap the ball and drop back. During his drop back the linebacker should take a step in the direction called and read the quarterback. The quarterback has 6 options. He can pitch left, pitch right, hand off, throw left, throw right or throw over the middle. He can also fake the pitches and run and then throw. If he decides on a pitch or hand off, he needs to follow through the motion and drop the ball. If he decided to throw, he needs to set up and look in the direction he is throwing. The linebacker needs to move quickly to the "ball carrier" and touch the cone. A pitch would go to the cones on the line of scrimmage. Throws would go to the cones behind the linebacker and a hand off would go strait up the middle. If it is a hand off, the linebacker would move quickly to meet the "ball carrier" at the line of scrimmage and drive the sled back.

The Benefit

This drill teaches the linebacker the most important part of his job, which is to read and react. The sled teaches the linebacker to always meet the running back at the line of scrimmage. A great linebacker will be in contact with the sled at almost the same time as the ball hits the ground.

Modifications

The sled is a bonus, if you don't have one, just place a cone there instead and move to it. This drill can also be done as a team, with an entire defense moving toward the "ball carrier". Cones can be set up in different patterns as well. Another spin on the drill is to have a "receiver". The receiver is the linebacker's responsibility on the play, so he must decide if the hand off or pitch is a fake, locate the receiver and drop into coverage.