Complete Linebacking Second Edition Complete Linebacking Complete Linebacking Second Edition Lou Tepper Human Kinetics Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Tepper, Lou, 1945- Complete linebacking / Lou Tepper. -- Second edition. pages cm Includes index. 1. Line play (Football) 2. Football--Defense. 3. Football--Coaching. I. Title. GV951.2.T46 2014 796.33223--dc23 2014006406 ISBN: 978-1-4504-6645-5 (print) Copyright © 2014, 1998 by Louis A. Tepper All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photo- copying, and recording, and in any information storage and retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version. Copyright 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers. Notice: Permission to reproduce the following material is granted to instructors and agencies who have pur- chased Complete Linebacking, Second Edition: p. 253. The reproduction of other parts of this book is expressly forbidden by the above copyright notice. Persons or agencies who have not purchased Complete Linebacking, Second Edition, may not reproduce any material. 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Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 The paper in this book is certified under a sustainable forestry program. Human Kinetics Website: www.HumanKinetics.com United States: Human Kinetics, Australia: Human Kinetics P.O. Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076 57A Price Avenue, Lower Mitcham, South Australia 800-747-4457 5062, 08 8372 0999 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Canada: Human Kinetics New Zealand: Human Kinetics 475 Devonshire Road Unit 100, Windsor, ON N8Y P.O. Box 80, Torrens Park, South Australia 5062, 2L5, 800-465-7301 (in Canada only) 0800 222 062 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Europe: Human Kinetics 107 Bradford Road, Stanningley, Leeds LS28 6AT, United Kingdom +44 (0) 113 255 5665 E6103 e-mail: [email protected] This book is dedicated to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and my precious wife, Karen Ann Tepper. It was June of 1965, before my junior year at Rutgers University, that I committed my life to Christ. Through all the pressures, joys, and pains of a college coaching career, God has given me the unusual peace he promises each of us in Philippians 4:6–7. “Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer”—this wonderful three-part verse from Romans 12:12 has been so meaningful to me. We can each enjoy hope, despite our trials. We gain joy and patience when we enter a consistent personal relationship with our caring God. On December 23, 1967, I made a second major commitment, this time to Karen Ann Oleszewski, my high school sweetheart. We promised to be faithful partners for life. I have never cherished Karen more than now. She is my loving and loyal best friend. She is an amazing servant for God’s gifts to us, our children Matthew and Stacy, plus four wonderful grandchildren: Olivia, Breana, Taylor, and Cooper. We pray for their faith in this tough world. God, thank you for being so trustworthy. Thank you for the rich blessing of Karen and our family in my life. CONTENTS Foreword by Khalil Mack ix Acknowledgments xi Introduction xiii Key to Diagrams xiv Part I Linebacker Profile 1 1 Physical Qualities 3 2 Linebacker Intangibles 11 Part II Fundamentals 21 3 Hit and Shed 23 4 Pursuit 37 5 Tackling 55 6 Zone Coverage Skills 71 7 Man Coverage Skills 95 Part III Presnap Activity 107 8 Signaling the Defense 109 9 Presnap Information 113 vi Part IV Techniques 123 10 Linebacker Technique Terminology 125 11 32 Technique 129 12 31 Technique 141 13 51 and 52 Techniques 147 14 Hawk Technique 157 15 13 Technique 165 16 5 Techniques 173 17 7 and 9 Techniques 189 18 3-3 Gold Medal Defense 205 19 3-3 Techniques 209 Part V Teaching and Learning 217 20 Teaching Style 219 21 Practice Organization 235 22 Linebacker Grading 251 Index 259 About the Author 265 vii FOREWORD The opportunity to play linebacker at the Division I level at the University at Buffalo was a dream come true. I played just one year of varsity football in high school, and my 140 tackles only showed I had the potential to grow into a complete linebacker with time. In the spring of my junior season, I met Lou Tepper, or Coach Tep, and it was one of the most fortunate events in my life. From that day forward not only did I learn the fundamentals of the linebacker position, but I also learned life lessons from Coach Tep. He has been such a positive influence in my life and has helped me tremendously on and off the field. The training I received from him has helped me become the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. In this book, Coach shares what has helped him develop so many of the game’s best linebackers. He explains in detail everything it takes to be a com- plete linebacker. For example, he describes how he taught me to engage block- ers, pursue correctly, and make more consistent tackles. He also presents the many techniques used in nearly every defense for both players and coaches at all levels. Coach Tep is one of the most special people I have ever known, and it just so happens that he is the best linebacker and defensive coach ever! I was blessed by God to have the chance to know him, learn from him, and play for him. You will enjoy this book and learn so much! —Khalil Mack ix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS To acknowledge all those who have passed on to me the knowledge presented in Complete Linebacking and helped present those ideas in book form would take a separate chapter. Let me recognize a few specifically and others generally. Seven head coaches hired me over a very long career, and each influenced me significantly. I thank Jim Root (New Hampshire, William & Mary), Bill Dooley (Virginia Tech), Bill McCartney (Colorado), John Mackovic (Illinois), Gerry DiNardo (LSU), Mel Tjeerdsma (Team USA), and Jeff Quinn (Buffalo) for the freedom to learn and thrive professionally. The support staff, secretaries, and coaches at each of those institutions formed an atmosphere conducive to learning. I gained so much from many of you. Finally, the student-athletes are the reason I am in this profession. I hope I’ve served you as well as you have energized my life. Thanks for the volumes you’ve taught me. Always remember that you can be a fierce competitor and a classy man. The staff at Human Kinetics was accessible and professional. We both sought a quality product that would benefit players and coaches for years to come. Special thanks are in order for Ted Miller who encouraged me in 1997 to write Complete Linebacking and then motivated me to do this second edition. Ted has become a dear friend, and his professional skills are obvious to those who know him. Particular thanks go to Holman Copeland and Nick Bach who gave so much time in copying the second edition manuscript to send to Human Kinetics. xi INTRODUCTION It has been over 15 years since Human Kinetics published Complete Lineback- ing. I appreciate so much the kind words about the original manuscript over the years and the dialogue it has generated around the world. High school, college, and NFL coaches and players have made contact, and we have shared so much. I thank God for granting me the health to coach and the passion to continue to teach young men. So many changes have occurred in football since 1997. We no longer have a 25-second clock. VHS and Beta are obsolete terms as the latest video formats have replaced them. Offenses rarely huddle, and up-tempo attacks have stressed defenses’ communication and ability to cover spread schemes. The read option has burst on the scene at all levels. The 3-3 stack defense has grown in popularity, particularly at the high school level. All of these advancements are addressed in this edition. In addition, new drill work has been added, along with answers to today’s fast-paced offensive challenges. I hope you enjoy the second edition of Complete Linebacking. I enjoy so much sharing my 47 years of experience teaching the most exciting position in football! xiii KEY TO DIAGRAMS B Linebacker Inside shoulder Ball carrier Outside shoulder Offensive player Head up Keyed player Blocking TE Tight end Square up QB Quarterback GL Goal line WR Wide receiver LOS Line of scrimmage OG Offensive guard Cone RB Running back Sled FB Fullback Long dummies (flat on ground) TB Tailback Popsicle sled Pulling lineman Footprints C Cornerback Lateral crossover ILB Inside linebacker Plant foot DL Defensive lineman Positions aligned DB Defensive back Player movement Center Shuffle, drift, backpedal SS Strong safety Jog FS Free safety .......