Middle linebacker is a critical position on the defensive side of a football field. The middle linebacker has to become a dominant tackler with the strength and instincts to fight off any blocker and bring down any ball carrier he gets his hands on. He also has to recognize what the offense is trying to do by its formation and the circumstances of the game.
Play Off the Blocker
The middle linebacker's job is to tackle the man with the ball. Before he gets that opportunity, he has to fight off the blocker. In this drill, the middle linebacker will use his hands and upper body to fight off four blockers. The middle linebacker will line up at the 50 yardline. A blocker will line up in front of him, to both sides of him and behind him. On the coach's whistle, the linebacker will attempt to toss the blocker in front of him with one sudden blow. He will then turn 90 degrees and take on the next linebacker and attempt to do the same thing. He'll confront the other two blockers, too. A good middle linebacker can defeat three of the four blocks.
Run and Hit
Set up four cones about 3 yards apart going across the field. Have the middle linebacker start off to the left of the first cone and shuffle as quickly as he can to the right of the last cone. When he gets to the last cone, he will attempt to tackle the ball carrier, who is moving in the same direction behind four cones of his own. The running back will try to evade or run over the linebacker. A good linebacker will make the tackle three out of five times.
Rope Drill
Set up a rope ladder with two rows of five boxes. Have the linebacker run with high knee action through the rope ladder, knock over a tackling dummy and accelerate toward the quarterback. The idea of this drill is to develop the agility to avoid blockers, the aggressiveness to defeat the blocker and the acceleration to blitz. Do this three times in a row to build these skills.
