Jordan from Columbia SC sent the following question:
I'm a 6'3 252 senior playing on the defensive line. I am looking to switch to middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. I've never had the opportunity to play LB in high school. What kind of things do you think I should do to get me ready for the college level?
Hi Jordan,
As a defensive lineman your initial movement is usually straight ahead. At linebacker, and especially at middle backer, your movement may be lateral to your right or left on the snap, and then up into the area under attack. To do this properly you need to practice shuffling, not crossing your feet, while maintaining a good hitting position with your shoulders square to the line of scrimmage.
As you make this movement, it is important to locate the ball carrier and time your movement so that you keep the ball on your outside shoulder as you move up to the line. To meet his movement, you need to keep this inside-out relationship so that you never give him a lane to cut back into.
You can work on this part of playing the position by going out on the field and visualizing the movement of the ball carrier, moving to your right and left and coming up in a different gap each time to make the tackle.
The other area you will need to practice is taking your pass drops to the different zones you will be asked to cover and your back pedal techniques to cover a back on any man-to-man pass defense.
To move to a zone you should turn and sprint to get your needed width, then swing your inside leg around, square up to the line and back pedal back to 12 yards. At 12 yards [when the QB is ready to throw] you should chop step in place, focus directly at the QB and get ready to lean and go in the direction of the toss.
For man-to-man, your focus is directly on the player you have in coverage. You have to determine what route he is running as you back pedal off the line. Once you determine the route, you want to lean in that direction with your upper body, roll over your foot on that side and break to the receiver. It is important that you not look for the ball until you can physically touch the receiver and you always want to be in a position between the receiver and your goal line.
These pass defense movements can be practiced every day if you think through each movement and then see the pass route and coverage in your mind as you make the appropriate movement.
It will be very important, as a MLB, that you totally understand the entire defensive scheme and assignments for all of the players. Make sure you get out on the field each day this summer and work on training your muscles to react so that your movement becomes natural, requires no thought and puts you in position to make the plays that are in association with the MLB position, Coach Tom bass.
Nick from Ellicott City, Maryland sent the following question:
Hey Coach, I'm a freshman now but want to play JV football next year. I have never played organized football before but I have been going to speed practices and weight lifting at my school 2 times a week. I'm going to try out for cornerback and am still struggling with an offensive position. I'm thinking wide receiver, running back, or maybe tight end. I'm not sure but I would like to know your opinion on what kind of a player you think I am and what position(s) you think I should play. I am 5'10 and 1/2, 155 pounds with an average body type. I have endurance and my speed is about average, but I will work on it during summer. My strength is about average. I'd say I bench 125 5 times. My agility could be a little better and play decision isn't that great. What things would you suggest I improve on and what position(s) do you think I should play?
Hi Nick,
Because this is going to be your first year of organized foot, it is very good idea if you approach the season with an open mind and allow the coaches to evaluate your potential and guide you to the best position for you to play.
You are certainly doing all the right things to prepare this summer. You might want to get some distance running in on the days you do not have speed camp.
As far as an offensive position goes, my suggestion would be wide receiver. All that you learn as a corner will help you be a better wide receiver and at the same time all the techniques that you learn as a wide receiver will greatly aid you at corner. Learning to run all the different pass routes this summer will help you at both positions this fall.
These are what coaches call compatible positions, learning one helps you get better at the other. I hope you have a great year, Coach Tom Bass.
Sac from Sydney City sent the following question:
Hi Coach, I'm 16 yrs old and I am from Australia. I currently play for an under 18's university team. I'm a reserve running back and our season is coming to an end. What are some ways I can improve on my running back skills so I can become a strong starting running back? I only weigh 50 kg, and I'm only 1 meter 70 cm, tall, and sprint 100m, in 10.034 seconds. PS sorry about the units in height and weight, Australia is different to yours over there. Hope my info is good enough.
Hi Sac,
It is good to hear from another player from Down Under. The great Walter Payton used to prepare for the season by running a hill that he had constructed to strengthen his legs as he went up and quicken his stride as he came down.
This is an activity that I recommend to every running back. If hills are not available you can substitute stadium stairs.
You can also practice getting into your stance and starting in every direction with out taking a false step. Then spend time running straight ahead, and at a point marked on the ground, practice planting on one foot and quickly stepping in the other direction.
Next, using the same set up, lean your upper body and swing your leg opposite the direction of your break across your body and then sprint up the field.
Then I would spend time on running your pass routes and if possible have someone throw to you so that you can perfect your receiving ability.
The key is develop a weekly practice schedule that you can work on that allows you to strengthen your legs and work on your running back skills, Coach Tom Bass.
Octavious from Fort Lauderdale asks:
Dear coach I'm a high school soon to be junior defensive end, I'm talented at the position and would like to continue playing it. My coaches and teammates say I'm built like a linebacker and fullback. My height 5'10 weight 193lb.last year my team defense was ranked number 1. I'm starting, but my coach tells me in college the majority of the defensive ends are 6-3 an up. If I don't grow to at least 6-1, I was thinking about playing outside line backer. My question is, do all college coaches, when it comes to defensive end, want a person with height?
Hi Octavious,
Congratulations on your success. Obviously college coaches would like to have tall defensive ends, but more important than height is how they play the game. Since your height is one thing you have no control over, I would certainly not worry about it and concentrate on the things you have control over mainly becoming the very best football player that you can be.
You will be evaluated first as a football player and then the good college coaches will be able to project you to the position where you have the most success in college. This may well be as a linebacker, but you need to let them make that decision.
Don't give up on growing, it happens to many players every year when they least expect it, so go out have fun and really enjoy the game, Coach Tom Bass.
Jordan want to know:
Hi, I'm 15 years old right now going into my junior year. Sophomore year was my first year playing football and I did well by starting a couple games but I played d-end and at 6'0 and 170lbs. I'm not sure if I should play it on varsity. I'd like to just ask what positions would be good for me to play? I can catch pretty well and I have good speed but I'm just unsure of what position to go out for this summer.
Hi Jordan,
You must assume you are going to get bigger as you naturally grow each year and stronger if you are part of a supervised weight lifting program. I would hate to see you throw away the experience and all the learning that you had at defensive end last season, so you might keep that position on defense.
With your receiving ability and speed, you might want to consider trying out at tight end on offense. Both of these attributes will help you at that position during pass offense and your knowledge to how the defensive line plays will help as you learn blocking assignments and techniques or run offense.
As always, visit with your coaches as soon as you can and discuss what they feel will be the best options for you to pursue. Have a great upcoming season, Coach Tom Bass.