with Rick Kelm, Ripon HS (WI) Head Football Coach; 2005 & 2003 Wisconsin Class 4 State Champions, 2003 Wisconsin High School Coach of the Year
Special teams play has been a key to Ripon High Schools 38-2 record over the past three seasons. Coach Kelm believes that special teams must receive as much emphasis in practice and planning as offense and defense. Being aggressive and calculated make this special teams' package effective. Ten unique situations make up this special teams package. These areas include kick off, onside kick, kick off return, hands team, punt, punt fake, punt block, punt return, extra point/field goal and fake extra point/field goal. The punt game, onside package, punt block systems make it difficult for the opponent to prepare for Ripon. In all, 20% of all plays in a high school game are special team situations. This DVD is a complete presentation on special teams at the high school level and has been a crucial part of the consistent success at Ripon High School.
with Vernon Hargreaves, East Carolina Assistant Coach; former University of Miami Linebacker Coach
Coach Hargreaves explains the drills used by the University of Miami coaches to reinforce the proper techniques and fundamentals for linebackers: stance, footwork, agility, reading the play, taking good angles, shedding blockers and tackling. The drills focus on improving the linebacker by eliminating mistakes. These drills improve footwork using bags, shedding blocks using medicine balls and sleds, reading the play using garbage cans, and taking good angles using the lines of the field. Hargreaves stresses the main objectives of the linebacker - getting in position, being in control, and making the tackle. This video includes game clips to exhibit the drills' results in game situations.
with Frank Chimienti, C.W. Post Defensive Coordinator
Cover 8 is defined as an eight-man front with a 7, 3, 1 and 5 technique backed by four linebackers, two corners and a safety. The beauty of the Cover 8 is you have eight to nine men in the box, which covers all situations that may be presented. In this DVD, Coach Chimienti details all facets of defensive back and outside linebacker play in the Cover 8. The first area covered deals with corner play techniques. Chimienti details pre-snap planning, including the offenses' formation, down and distance, field landmarks and communication; stance progression, including the backpedal and transition; and the speed turn technique, hip flips, vertical turns, bail & catch and inside and outside release. He also shows how to properly read receivers. Next, Chimienti discusses the play of outside linebackers. These players are the "force players" defending the pitch. Linebackers "force" when the backfield comes at you outside the box and "Vice" everything else. Chimienti does an excellent job of breaking down reads for outside linebackers. The free safety must also make reads and work with both corners. Chimienti introduces the Cover 2 against 10 and 11 personnel. The look is more of a spread mentality coverage. Alignments, reads and coverage against the run and the pass are discussed. Within Cover 2 are alternative coverage such as Cover 2 Man, Patriot, Sing and Bang. This coverage supports the blitz, offers solid run support and gives many looks from a sound package. Excellent usage of game videotape allows defensive technique to come alive. All of the reads, alignments and position specifics are addressed in the game tape. Use these techniques, coaching tips, alignments and reads to develop a flexible, strong defensive unit.
with George Ricumstrict, Indiana University Assistant Coach / Linebacker Coach
Coach Ricumstrict presents over 15 drills to improve the overall play of your linebackers. These drills work on such topics as the punch, lock out and separation sequence (fundamental to gap control in the 4-3 defense); to keep the ball inside while blitzing; spill, chase and pry skills teach; visual respect and focus on the blocker not the ball; keeps players from being cut (helps to enhance the zone blitz); block destruction and tackling technique; the counter rush and more. Detailed use of practice and game footage helps you understand each of these drills much better. These drills used by Coach Ricumstrict has produced All-American and all-conference performers at linebacker - and will produced excellent results for you.
with Bryan Collins, C.W. Post College Head Coach; 4X Northeast-10 Conference Champions, 3X NCAA Division II playoff qualifier
Coach Collins is committed to the 8 man front, "G" defense. A big part of this defense's success is the play of inside linebackers. In this DVD, Collins breaks down technique and coaching emphasis for developing solid inside linebackers. He begins by highlighting the proper stance. Collins believes that good players prepare before every snap to afford them a chance to make the play. To that extent he covers the pre-snap reads that should be made. A key concept for reads that Collins teaches is to "fill open windows" and "scrape closed doors" in a fast flow. The scrape is a linebacker technique that requires hands on the guard and use of the press technique. Other reads discussed include the full flow read and the rock flow. Linebackers are taught to play only with eyes, feet and hands and are drilled accordingly. Technique drills include the force, scrape and press technique, and are illustrated by practice players. Additional drills are used to demonstrate backfield flow and gaps, leverage and play against receiver routes. From the marker board to the drill footage, Collins examines the play of inside linebackers within his defensive scheme. Improved linebacker play will help your defense and make it difficult for opponents to score on you!
with Reggie Johnson, University of Louisville Assistant Coach/Linebackers
Coach Johnson's defensive philosophy is to win with great technique, discipline and pure hustle. Here he describes his eight key principles of linebacker play. These areas include stance, alignment, keying, responsibility, blow delivery, tackling, play coverage and pressuring the quarterback. He begins with general thoughts regarding technique, which is described as the specific details of the linebacker position. Stance is the first major fundamental of great linebacker play. Feet apart, toes ahead, balanced weight and hands ready are keys. Keying is a skill taught by Johnson and alerts the player to read eyes and movement on the snap of the ball. In great detail, blow delivery is taught using eight skill components. Defending the pass for linebackers is broken down into zone, fire zone and man coverage. Lastly, Johnson covers the art of pressuring the quarterback and blitzing, which is what makes linebackers valuable to the team's defensive attack. Using practice footage, Johnson illustrates how his teaching techniques are carried out on the field.
Coach Norm Parker, one of the most respected defensive coordinators in college football, gives a comprehensive look in this excellent football video at outside linebacker play. He divides his presentation into four segments: tackling, block protection, support rules, and formations and blocking schemes. Within this video, he demonstrates proper tackling technique, techniques to shed blocks, and the keys to reading offenses. Parker includes more than 15 drills in this football video to teach...
Todd Norman's workout for linebackers and defensive backs, done at least six weeks before training camp, will maximize body control, explosive power, reaction, and overall movement precision. Coach Norman begins with 10 power training drills for hand speed, core strength, and vertical explosion utilizing plyometrics and the medicine ball. Next, Norman demonstrates over 30 quick feet agility drills utilizing cones, low hurdles, and bungee cords...
with Bill Doba, Head Coach Washington State University
Coach Bill Doba demonstrates the key techniques and drills he uses in teaching and developing linebackers. Techniques and drills used to teach them include stance, footwork, vision, reading keys and decision-making, shedding blocks, blitzing and tackling. Also included on this tape are the basic runs and pass coverage linebackers must master to successfully employ the 4-3 defense.
with Mike Roark; Eastern Director DSV, founder of www.letstalkdefense.com
Mike Roark taps his 21 years of coaching experience in covering inside linebacker reads in the 4-3 defense. Roark begins this jam-packed instructional DVD by describing reads and techniques for the front seven. When coaching linebackers, Roark stresses a fundamentally sound technique in which linebackers play the block first and then quickly locate the ball. They also must read the fullback and use a technique he describes as "seeing the scheme," reading the movements and "flowing to the scheme." Roark also gives you an in-depth discussion on read techniques for the Mike, Sam and Will linebackers. As a bonus, you'll also learn Roark's game-tested techniques for defeating zone blocking against a 4-3 front, as well as the technique for playing against down and trap blocks.
with Bob Valesente, Green Bay Packers (NFL) Defensive Backs Coach (from '95 - '98, included Super Bowl XXXI win in '96)
Coach Valesente's expertise is developing the complete linebacker against the run and pass. He believes that great technique and angles can make up for talent - good players are always in position to make the play. Pad level and leverage are two main points made by Valesente. Good linebackers recognize the run, identify the blocker and sting him, shed and go to the ball. Drill work for linebackers is a big part of this DVD. He begins with drills that should be run every day in practice. In teaching man-to-man coverage, Valesente stresses speed, aggressively pursuing angles and building a wall. Four keys to coaching linebackers include formation, distribution, responsibility and technique. Distribution comes down to flare, flow and flood. Using an overhead, Valesente diagrams coverage, reads and finer points of successful linebacker play.
Coach Johnson's defensive philosophy is to win with great technique, discipline and pure hustle. Here he describes his eight key principles of linebacker play. These areas include stance, alignment, keying, responsibility, blow delivery, tackling, play coverage and pressuring the quarterback. He begins with general thoughts regarding technique, which is described as the specific details of the linebacker position. Stance is the first major fundamental...
with Steve Tovar, University of Kansas Linebackers Coach; 2X All American player at Ohio State
Building a defensive unit that can stop the run is the primary objective of Coach Tovar's linebackers. Tovar discusses how the linebacker's approach to meetings and practice can set the tone for a good practice. Other goals outlined in this excellent lecture-style presentation include: creating a competitive environment in meeting rooms, earning your way through and having fun in practice. Fundamentals are categorized by stance, feet, hands, alignment, starting point and ending point, movements and drills. Topics also covered in this coaches clinic presentation are practice format, drill preparation and fundamentals. Game footage helps to visually reinforce the value of fundamentals in solid linebacker play.
Position your linebackers to make plays and support your defense using these key reads and progressions
Get an early read on any play by knowing the tendencies of offensive linemen and quarterbacks
Show your players their reads and coverages using Wisconsin game film
with Greg Jackson, University of Wisconsin Linebackers Coach
Get your linebackers in position to makes plays. Greg Jackson gives you a thorough breakdown of the fundamentals and responsibilities of the fill linebacker and nickel backers versus the run and pass.
RUN PROGRESSION Jackson covers the essentials your linebackers need to know to stop the run:
Alignments
Keys & reads
Flow rules by the backs
Run gap responsibility
Jackson explains each area and then takes you through game footage to illustrate these areas in a cover 3 run fit, cover 4 run fit, and cover 2 run fit.
Jackson provides terminology for his run fit system that will ensure your entire defense is on the same page.
PASS PROGRESSION Moving to pass progression, Jackson talks about the fill linebacker and nickel back's alignments and the zone philosophy. He stresses protecting windows in the zone coverage and knowing your drop zone. By getting into those zones, your linebackers will get the quarterback to hold the ball longer, giving your defense a big advantage. In addition, he talks of the importance of pattern recognition in regards to a split formation, smash routes, and the trips formations, giving you examples through game footage for cover 3, cover 2, and cover 4.
Jackson finishes by discussing the importance of teaching the linebackers to read the quarterbacks front shoulder to determine the level of the passing attack. Level 1 is the 3-step drop or quick passing attack and level 2 is the 5-step or horizontal passing attack. He takes you through a quarterback shoulder read diagram which helps linebackers determine the front shoulder angle to see what lanes the quarterback is looking to throw the ball. That, in turn, will allow your athletes to break quicker on the ball, which can lead to finding the interception point.
Using these key reads and progressions will help your linebackers learn their responsibilities, break quicker to the play and ultimately be in the best position to support your defense.
