Ron Vanderlinden LB Coach

8/14/2019 Ron Vanderlinden LB Coach

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Ron VanderlindenLB Coach @ Penn State University

Session #1: LB fundamentals and tackling

SESSION #1:

LB Stance Feet Shoulder width Knees over the toes Shoulders over knees

Warm Up Drills : Wave Drill

o 4 LBs at a timeo Working on shuffling and change of direction

PSU uses a reach slide technique for their LBso Drill ends when coach drops the football and the LB scoop and score

Pass Dropso Same concept as wave drill but now we are working on pass dropso

Work at least 2 changes of directiono Drill ends on coaches command

All LBs close on the ball Apex players should be hip to hip in front of the ball Wings inside foot should be on the outside foot of the ball

carrier Downhill Shuffle

o Same concept again but now we are working downhillo Drill can end with fumble or closing on the ball

Defeating the Blocker progression:

Coaching Points: LB strike all blockers with elbows in and thumbs up

o Stun technique This period is 10 minutes long in total


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Kneel drill: Used to teach explosiveness, punch and lockout

o LB is on his knees and a partner is right in front of him with a bag

Bag is held tight to his bodyo On command the LB will lunge and strike

Punch and lock outNO FLOPPING

Perfect fit drill: Works the lockout, shed and finish

o LB is on his feet along with a partner with a bagBag is held tight to the bodyBag man will lean heavily on the LB

o LB will be in the Perfect FitElbows inThumbs upJust like we would be on the punch

o On the coachs command the LB will lockout and then reloadEarly on we should check their lockouts first

o On the next command the LB will lockout shed the block and be in aposition to make a play

This drill also should end in a tackle or a turnover Form or full go tackle

Be sure the LB is shedding to both sides as we progress Once this has been mastered back the player up 1 yard apart and incorporate

the puncho This time the drill will be full speed with no resetso Otherwise it proceeds just like the above.

Stun Drill and Variations: Works our backers against the looks they are likely to see in a game All these drills should last 8 seconds All these drills end with a tackle or a turnover

Downhill Stun Drill:Coach


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LB

Here we are working downhill versus an outside play. The LB shuffles then attacksthe block with the stun technique. This time the drill finishes with the coach droppingthe ball and the LB scooping and scoring.

Lateral Change of Direction Stun Drill:5

2, 1,3 4

LB

This drill works out and back the players are numbered in the progression. This timethe drill finishes with a form tackle or a mat tackle.

PSU often uses hand shields in their tackling for 2 purposeso Saving hits on their playerso Forcing long arms on the tackle

PSU is a new school/old school hybrid with their tackling They tackle chest to chest and eyes to the sky And wrap the legs/butt area


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Short Change of Direction Drill:3 1 2

Coach/DLLB

Like before we are working our shuffle and stun techniques. Players are ordered in aprogression. Coach or DL or extra LB are their to make the drill more realistic as far asnegotiating the traffic at the LOS

5-Man sled Drills: Works the punch, fit, lockout, and shed

o Can be done several ways2 at a time w/ 1 dummy in between

hit dummies 1 and 3 retreat and shuffle hit dummies 2 and 4 retreat shuffle hit dummy 5 and recover a fumble or tackle

Chop Blocks:1. Give ground to gain ground2. Push the blockers head into the ground3. Play over the top4. Drills can be worked laterally or downhill

o Defeat the cut and finish with tackle or turnover

Tackling Fundamentals: Bend @ the knees

o Not the waist Eyes to the sky Tackle with the chest Arms double uppercut or grab hammy Brokeback LB


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o Elbows inside on the hit, this helps keep the head up.

Tackling Drills: Form Tackle on Partner w/bag

o

1 yard aparto bag held tight to body

saves hits on the armsforces defender to long arm the tackle

Mat TacklingPSU uses the mats to help tackler finish the hit but also preservetheir partners bodyHand shields are also used for this purpose in these drills

o Dive and Finish straight on tackleTry and drive through him and put him all the way off the mat

1 yardBC

1 yardLB

Angle Tackle

BC

LB

MAT

MAT


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Drill can be done in a shorter or longer area.o LB needs to regain leverage on the RB (Back Hip)

Longer drill may need to run to regain leverageo Once leverage is regained resume your shuffleo Decrease the Angle (Close) on the RBo Finish

Eye openers:

RB

LB

The old pick a hole or picket fence drill This drill ends in a form tackle LB needs to maintain leverage and close

o Do not let them step over the bags

Shuffle Alley Press:

RB

LB

The LB starts with leverage on the RB, so he will be in his shuffle. At some pointbetween the sideline and hash the RB will turn up and the LB must form tackle him.


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Shuffle Alley Pursue:

RB

LB

Now we start the LB out of phase and he has to alley pursue (Shoulders square to LOSbut hips turned to run), once leverage is established regain your shuffle, close and finish.

Team Pursuit: PSU uses the double whistle. First one protects the ball carrier, and alldefensive players need to be on the way if not to the ball by the second whistle.


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Ron Vanderlinden LB Coach

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