Description

Josh Linam, LB Coach, Liberty

The full video is available on Glazier Drive: Building a Base Down LB Pressure Menu

ZONE STOPPER PRESSURE CONCEPT

This video breaks down a highly effective linebacker pressure call designed to shut down zone running schemes like inside zone, split zone, and down zone. The concept focuses on building a defensive wall while creating free defenders in key gaps.

CORE PRINCIPLE

The defense sets the three technique (defensive tackle) to the backfield side, creating a wall that forces the running back to make difficult decisions. This eliminates the need for complex squeeze-and-scrape techniques while providing natural leverage against zone concepts.

KEY COMPONENTS

The pressure involves setting a "surf player" to the back side who can handle bend-back routes to the quarterback. The nose tackle away from the back crosses the center's down block, helping build the front-side wall. The backside linebacker runs a V-technique through the inside half of the guard's gap.

FORCING THE RUNNING BACK'S HAND

When executed properly, the running back reads the center's positioning and feels the nose tackle crossing. This forces them to either stop their feet and cut back toward the built wall or continue bouncing outside. Either choice plays into the defense's hands.

FREE TACKLES IN THE B GAP

The concept creates "free tackles in the B gap" by having the middle linebacker overlap into that space. Alternatively, when running two-on-two coverage with the safety, the free safety can drop down as an unblocked hitter in the B gap.

COVERAGE FLEXIBILITY

Coaches can run this with either man-to-man coverage (safety locks the tight end, linebacker locks the back) or two-on-two concepts that provide natural leverage on the football. The communication "relay, relay, relay" helps defenders adjust when the tight end crosses the formation.

EXECUTION DETAILS

The blitzing linebacker uses a V-technique through the guard's inside gap, ripping underneath regardless of the guard's block. Whether the guard blocks out, bases, or blocks down, the defender maintains his rush lane and creates disruption.

RESULTS

The film shows multiple tackles for loss where running backs are forced to stop their feet or bounce outside into waiting defenders. The concept consistently creates one-on-one matchups while building natural walls that funnel runners into predetermined kill zones.

---

Reviews

---

Comments