Jon Svec

@JonSvecX • 29,928 subscribers

DC and LB Coach at STFX University. On a mission to SIMPLIFY the LB position. Join 4,405 LBs and LB Coaches reading the FREE Linebacker Chalk Talk Newsletter.

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Jon Svec

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Linebacker Block Destruction: Use your HANDS. Keep yourself CLEAN. Disengage and make the play.

Linebackers: If you “bite” on Play Action/RPO, recover by gaining DEPTH.

Linebackers: Keep your LEVERAGE... Make the play.

Linebackers: Master the FUNDAMENTALS.

Sometimes a Linebacker must decide: UNDER the mess? Or OVER the mess?

Linebackers: Angles are everything.

Linebackers: See the Puller.

Linebackers: When you’re tracking a Run Play. If you see an “open window”. Shoot it.

Linebackers: You’re never alone on the football field. Learn how to use your help. Master the art of the Vice Tackle.

Elite Linebackers are efficient movers. Every step counts.

Sometimes a Linebacker must choose to either: -SCRAPE over the mess -SHOOT the Gap The biggest factor? The position of the Ball Carrier.

Linebacker play is still about shedding blocks and making tackles.

Linebackers: You can SEE the Ball Carrier. The Blocker cannot. Use this to your advantage.

Linebackers: See the PULLERS.

A Linebacker must sometimes decide: SHOOT the Gap or SCRAPE over the mess?

Elite Linebackers are tackling machines.

I talk about “Square Movements” all the time. But watch how this Linebacker is able to change directions and he’s still ready to take on a blocker right away. The ONLY way to do that is by moving square.

Elite Linebackers master the FUNDAMENTALS.

The Linebacker SCRAPE: -Hips turned for SPEED -Shoulders square for CHANGE OF DIRECTION

Linebacker ANGLES are all about LEVERAGE and SPACE.

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Linebackers: Track the Back HIP. SHUFFLE when possible. SCRAPE for more speed. Don't OVERRUN the ball carrier.

Linebackers: Step with your NEAR FOOT when striking. (And steal extra reps during pre-practice.)

Linebackers: Your SPEED is an asset. Use it.

Linebackers: Learn how to MOVE. Learn how to STRIKE.

Elite Linebackers can CHANGE DIRECTIONS.

Linebackers: Here are 5 ways to defeat a block:

There are 3 types of Linebacker movement in the box. Shuffle. Scrape. Shoot. You can see all 3 in this clip:

Linebackers: Move SQUARE. SHUFFLE = Square shoulders, square hips. SCRAPE = Square shoulders, turned hips. Elite Linebackers stay as square as possible for as long as possible.

Linebackers: At all levels of play… Focus on the fundamentals.

Linebackers: Sometimes you need to win OVER the block. Sometimes you need to win UNDER the block. It depends on your position, the position of the ball carrier, and your assignment on the play.

Linebackers: Everything starts with stance and first step.

This is how legendary NFL Linebacker Chris Spielman watched film. “By the time the game came around, I’d played the game three times already.”

Linebackers: The SIMPLEST things lead to the biggest plays. It all starts with the SHUFFLE.

Linebackers: See the PULLER.

Linebackers are the heartbeat of the defensive unit. Listen to Hall-of-Fame Linebacker Patrick Willis talk about the importance of knowing the ENTIRE defensive system. “To be the Middle Linebacker . . . you have to know what’s going on across the board.”

The most important Linebacker movement of all: The SHUFFLE. Followed by some Block Destruction and Tackling work.

Most Linebackers are good against the RUN. Elite Linebackers also dominate against the PASS.

Linebackers: Shed blocks. Make tackles.

Linebackers: Become obsessed with the fundamentals.

Elite Linebackers are able to TRANSITION between a Shuffle and a Scrape. Shuffle = Shoulders Square, Hips Square Scrape = Shoulders Square, Hips Turned