The LB Drop Technique That Leads to More Interceptions

Описание: Sammy Lawanson, Former Bowling Green University, O-LB Coach

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*LINEBACKER FOOTWORK DRILL BREAKDOWN*

This coaching session focuses on teaching linebackers proper footwork technique when breaking on the ball. The drill progresses from basic drops to more complex movements with directional breaks.

*CORE DRILL STRUCTURE*

Players drop out at 45-degree angles and react to the coach's hand signals indicating which direction to break - 45-degree angle, straight downhill, or back at 45 degrees toward the coach. The emphasis is on reacting to stimulus since defensive players must respond to what they see rather than knowing where they're going like the offense.

*KEY TECHNICAL POINTS*

The most critical aspect is planting off the downfield foot when breaking. Players must avoid rounding their cuts, as this wastes steps and time - potentially the difference between an interception, pass breakup, or completion. The coach stresses efficiency: linebackers should break in two steps, not three. The first step after the plant should gain ground immediately rather than stepping underneath themselves.

*COMMON MISTAKES OBSERVED*

Many players are rounding their cuts instead of making sharp angles, taking three steps to accelerate instead of two, planting with their foot too wide outside their body framework (causing slips), failing to gain ground with the second step, and maintaining pad levels that are too high.

*PROPER TECHNIQUE EMPHASIZED*

Players should keep their plant foot tight underneath their body within an imaginary cylinder, sink their hips and weight during the break, use their arms to drive out of breaks, wheel their foot completely around when changing direction, and maintain low pad level throughout the movement.

*DRILL PROGRESSIONS*

The session builds complexity by adding turn-and-settle movements before the break, incorporating shuffles with the near foot before dropping at 45 degrees, and varying the movement patterns while keeping the same breaking fundamentals. The coach emphasizes finishing through each rep and constantly coaches up the details of foot placement and body positioning.

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