This post was syndicated with permission from the Glazier Clinics Free Coaching Resources at MIC & SAM Linebacker Reads in 3-4/4-2 Defenses

Coach Nate Moore from Massillon Washington HS, (OH) outlines two Outside Linebacker reads for the 3-4/4-2 Fusion defense!

Linebacker Alignment and Blitz Assignment

The “SAM” linebacker should line up in a 50 technique, outside the Offensive Tackle. Coach Nate Moore details the two reads that the “SAM” linebacker has based on the movement of the Offensive Tackle.

When the Offensive Tackle executes a base block on the Defensive End. The “SAM” Linebacker will insert to the hip of the Defensive End. Keeping his outside arm free, he becomes the “Force” player, keeping the ball carrier inside of him.

When the Offensive Tackle does a cut-off block, attempting to reach the Middle Linebacker away from the defensive end. The “SAM” Linebacker becomes the cutback player, working to insert himself into the backside B Gap to replace the “MIC” linebacker.

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Fordham Assistant Vince DiGaetano put together a coaching resource focused more on players in the box and improving your tackling up front.

In the video below Coach DigGaetano explains what an “engaged tackle” is

Fordham assistant Vince DiGaetano covers the ability to win a short area of space on the field. Most defenders in the box face situations when they are at short range and power is not 100%, and they can’t cleanly get off of the block.

How important is coaching the engaged tackle? 70% of a defensive lineman’s tackle is made while engaged with a blocker. A linebacker will have this situation about 30% of the time.

Taking this to the practice field and execution on game day starts with effective and applicable drills. The One Arm Tear Drill is one of Dig’s favorites. He illustrates it here (click on images for video):

What’s this look like in-game? Coach Dig breaks it down here:

As you progress through camp, think about the situation your players find themselves in and be sure to work those often.

While circuits are an efficient way to work several skills, doing those every single day may not be what your team needs.

Certainly, they need to be able to perform in a wide array of situations, but they should be experts in the situations they have to work in the most.

Coach DigGaetano has put together a complete course. Click the link below to learn more.

Winning Gaps with Engaged Tackles

Today’s presenter is Scott Littles, Head Coach at Palm Beach Central High School (Fl)

Coach Littles begins his second year at the helm of the Palm Beach Central Football program. In his first year Coach Littles guided the team to a 9-3 overall record winning the 2019 District Championship as well as the Wellington Cup. The Broncos earned a birth in the FHSAA playoffs before eventually losing in the second round.
Before his time at Palm Beach Central Coach Littles was the Head Football Coach at Kings Fork High School in Suffolk, VA. While at Kings Fork he guided the Bulldogs to a 30-13 overall record while winning the school’s first ever district and regional championships.

The purpose of this post is not to say that you should do the drills exactly as they do, but that they hopefully will give you some ideas for drills to use to teach and rehearse your coaching points for your team.

This video is provided by Glazier Drive

Glazier Drive includes 20+ systems with live Q&A, 900+ videos, hundreds of live events, and a complete social platform. Start your free trial at GlazierDrive.com.

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Today’s presenter is Andy LaRussa, Assistant Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/Safeties at Western Kentucky University.

Andy LaRussa serves as WKU’s special teams coordinator and safeties coach, a position he assumed in December 2018.

As a team, WKU produced a top 25 overall defense, as the Hilltoppers completed one of the best defensive seasons in recent memory. WKU allowed only 20.1 total points per game, which was the lowest mark for the program since 2004 and ranked No. 22 in FBS.

LaRussa came to The Hill following one season as a special teams analyst at the University of Southern California.

As an assistant with the Trojan special teams, LaRussa helped USC to the third-best punt return unit in the Pac-12 (10.5 per return) and a league-high pair of return touchdowns in the punt game from Tyler Vaughns and Devon Williams. The Trojans were equally as dangerous in the kickoff return unit as their 22.6 yards per return tanked No. 4 in the Pac-12. Sophomore Velus Jones continued his climb into USC’s career kick return yardage list and finished the 2018 campaign inside the top 10. The Trojans also led the Pac-12 with four blocked kicks.

The purpose of this post is not to say that you should do the drills exactly as they do, but that they hopefully will give you some ideas for drills to use to teach and rehearse your coaching points for your team.

This video is provided by Glazier Drive

Glazier Drive includes 20+ systems with live Q&A, 900+ videos, hundreds of live events, and a complete social platform. Start your free trial at GlazierDrive.com.

Please make sure that your sound is on and click on the video to play.

The video is a YouTube video, so you will need to be on a network that does not block YouTube.

PUT YOUR CURSOR OVER THE LOWER RIGHT CORNER OF THE VIDEO AND CLICK (IMAGE LOOKS LIKE THIS)TO WATCH THE VIDEO ON FULL SCREEN TO BE ABLE SEE LARGER DIAGRAMS AND VIDEOS