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Brian Belles, Head Coach, Cactus HS, AZ

Full video on Glazier Drive: LB Play: Drills, Techniques, & Fundamentals for Linebackers in a 4-3 Defense

LINEBACKER READ PROGRESSION AND KEYS

This defensive coaching session focuses on teaching linebackers their read progression and assignment rules, with an emphasis on physicality and proper technique.

PRIMARY READ: UNCOVERED LINEMEN

The first priority for linebackers is identifying uncovered offensive linemen. If there's an uncovered lineman in front of them, that becomes their primary key for reading the play.

SECONDARY READ: NEAR BACK

When all offensive linemen are covered, linebackers shift to keying the near back. The fundamental rule is simple: mirror whatever the near back does. This creates four main scenarios:

NEAR BACK COMES AT YOU (ISO)

Attack the lead blocker aggressively and blow him up. Keep your outside shoulder free to force the ball carrier inside. This requires physicality regardless of size mismatch - the example shows a 165-pound linebacker taking on a 210-pound fullback. The key is being the more physical player and sprinting downhill to the line of scrimmage with no hesitation.

NEAR BACK GOES AWAY

Take an away step and check for BCR (Boot, Counter, Reverse). This means looking for any misdirection plays coming back toward you. After confirming nothing is returning, pursue the ball carrier. This applies whether it's a one-back or two-back set.

NEAR BACK GOES WIDE (OUTSIDE ZONE/TOSS)

Mirror the back's width and get outside to set the edge. Take on the lead blocker downhill and force everything back inside. Proper angle and positioning are crucial to not getting reached.

NEAR BACK STEPS UP (PASS PROTECTION)

Take your run read forward first, then transition to your 45-degree angle drop once you identify pass. Locate receivers and execute your pass coverage responsibility.

COACHING EMPHASIS

All linebackers cross-train to read both covered/uncovered linemen and near back keys. The system stresses aggression, physicality, and being in a full sprint to the line of scrimmage on run fits.

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