Linebacker Alignment System

Just as defensive linemen have named techniques that enable

them to play specific gap assignments and specify shades on
offensive players, so do linebackers. As a broad rule, the LB
technique is the same as the DL technique but with a ‘0’ added
to the number. This is not always the case however, so you
should take care to learn the various alignments.

Normally, as a LB in the Multiple 40, you can align in the gap

you are defending, but sometimes, depending on the style of
offense you are facing, its is beneficial to shade your gap to
one side or the other. This can produce awkward angles for
offensive linemen and running backs trying to block you.

It is very difficult to play your assignment effectively from an

incorrect alignment. Only exceptional athletes have the ability
to make up for a lack of knowledge or alignment mistake and
still make plays. Be smart, disciplined and dependable. Line up
quickly and correctly and become an athlete when the ball is
snapped.

If you are ever unsure of your technique, align in the gap you
are responsible for.

The following section will illustrate all of the LB techniques by

position:

SAM LB Techniques

In the Base fronts, the Loose 90 technique should be played at

a minimum of 3 yards deep from the LOS, and 3 yards wide
from the TE. DO NOT align closer to the TE than 3 yards, this

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will make the reach block easier to execute, and disrupt the
timing and spacing of the Switch dog with the defensive end.
Sam’s deep and wide alignment from the TE makes it difficult
to reach block him on outside runs, and also allows him to get
to the flats quickly in the passing game. On inside runs, Sam is
often able to scrape inside and make tackles as the play
develops in front of him.

70
40 60
50 90 Loose 90

When Sam is playing in a Tight variation of any front, his

technique is identical to the defensive line technique in shade
and name, but he will align in a 2-point stance. Sam’s hands
should up and ready to engage the TE or tackle. Sam is easier
to reach block in a 9 tech than in a 90 tech, so he must be
aware and work hard to maintain outside leverage.

M
T E S 9 Technique

In a Fist variation of any front, Sam swaps technique and gap

responsibility with the strongside defensive end. This
technique is also played from a 2-point stance.

When playing inside, if the TE attempts to angle block Sam, he

must maintain his head and hips in the C gap, and find the ball.
If the TE’s block is flat to the LOS across Sam’s numbers, it is
often easier to replace himself in the C gap with the TE’s body,

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and squeeze the B gap down, forcing the runner to spill
outside.

M Fist Tech
(5 tech)

T S E

MIKE and WILL LB Techniques

40 20 0 20 40

30 10 10 30

Mike and Will have the greatest range of possible techniques.

This reflects the number of fronts that we will use. The
technique employed changes depending on the techniques of
the defensive tackles. It is vitally important that Mike and Will,
more than any other LB, are aligned correctly.

Remember, the shortest route to the end zone is in a straight

line through the middle of the defense. If Mike or Will is
misaligned causing two men in one interior gap, this is a real
possibility!

The linebackers playing in the Nickel defenses will also align

in these techniques.

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 ROVER Techniques

40

50 Ghost 90

Note that the Rover’s base technique is called a ‘Ghost 90’.

This refers to the fact that if a TE were present, the technique
would be a true 90 technique. In a double TE formation, the
Rover slides out to a Loose 90 technique, identical to the
alignment the Sam LB normally plays from.

Linebacker Reads and Keys

In the Multiple 40 Defense, most fronts we will run are

balanced, i.e. there is the same number of defenders on both

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sides of the center. This allows us to simplify the keys we will
use on any running play, as half the linebackers will read flow
to, and half will read flow away.

WE WILL KEY BACKS IN THIS DEFENSE

Running back keys are clear and unsophisticated, and

therefore perfect for a one-gap attacking defense. There are
two simple ‘flow rules’ to using back keys:

 When my key flows to me, I attack my gap responsibility.

When the near back comes toward you, attack the gap
you are responsible for.

 When my key flows away from me, I double-step and

pursue.

When the near back goes away from you, you take a
second read step and look for the other back coming
back toward you. If he is coming, or you read an
offensive lineman pulling toward you, attack your gap
responsibility. If nothing shows, begin your pursuit.
Always ‘check counter’ before pursuing.

Linebackers must understand that filling a gap responsibility is

not the same as attacking a gap responsibility. On flow
towards, you must begin to move toward your gap, and be in
position to fill it should the ball move into it. If you
immediately fill the gap on flow towards, you cannot scrape
and pursue effectively should the ball be heading to another
gap.

True I-Formation teams do not allow you the luxury of a near

and far back, but you can still use this technique by reading

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the first back that shows to your side. You can then apply the
flow rules.

There is a phrase that will help you decipher your back keys,
and complements the flow rules:

“Full Flow – Let’s Go!

Split Flow – Play Slow!”

“Full Flow” refers to both backs flowing (moving) in the same

direction. In this case, the FB is either carrying the ball, lead
blocking, or attempting an Iso block. When both backs are “full
flow” toward the LOS, the risk of counter with the HB is very
small, so the playside LBs can attack their gaps, and the
backside LB’s can begin to pursue (Let’s Go!).

“Split Flow” refers to the running backs flowing in two

different directions after the snap, and usually indicates some
from of counter action. The LB to the side of the FB must
honour the FB as a ball carrier, so he attacks his gap
responsibility, but the backside LB must determine what the
other back is doing. An experienced LB will now double step
(Play Slow!), and search for offensive linemen pulling toward
him.

As you get better and more experienced reading the backs’

movement, the inside linebackers will be able to read the flow
of the backs through the offensive guard in front of you.
Remember, unless the offense has made a mistake:

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN MOVE FOR A REASON!

If you read split flow, and the OG in front of you pulls across
the formation away from you, it is almost certainly a counter
or reverse to that side. It is important that you work on your
reads and your agility, to be able to diagnose plays quickly,
and change direction sharply.

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The flowing diagrams will illustrate the correct and incorrect
way to read the backs on a counter play.

Figure 1

E T T E
M R
W
In Figure 1, Mike, Will and Rover play the counter correctly.
Mike keys the FB flowing to his gap, and so has to honour him
as a potential ball carrier. He attacks his gap. Mike will also
see the OG pulling across the formation and away from his
gap, yet he MUST still attack his gap, as he does not know if
the FB has the ball. It is possible that the OG is attempting to
influence the DT into penetrating too deeply and the Mike into
pulling with him. When he sees the OG pull, Mike should yell
‘PULL!’ to alert Will and Rover.

Will takes his first read step and reads Full Flow away. His
second read step shows the HB flowing back to him, and he
hears Mike yell ‘PULL!’, informing him that the OG is pulling. At
this point Will attacks his gap responsibility. Will determines
that the HB is not threatening his gap, and scrapes to the ball,
mirroring the angle of the HB. If Will fills his gap too quickly,
he will get caught in the traffic at the LOS and not be able to
scrape inside out to the ball.

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Rover is keying the deep back, and reads full flow on his read
step. His second read step shows the HB flowing toward him,
and Rover moves to his contain responsibility. He hears the
‘PULL’ call, and so is expecting the OG. Rover attacks the OG
with his inside shoulder, keeping his outside arm and hips free
in his gap. The HB is turned back inside, and met at the LOS by
Will.

Figure 2

E T T E
M R
W
In Figure 2, Mike attacks his gap as normal, but Will
overpursues to the inside on reading an initial Full Flow
backfield. When Will hears ‘PULL’, realises his mistake and
tries to get back to the play, he fails to mirror the HB’s angle,
and gets caught in his gap and the traffic on the LOS.

Rover also overpursues initially, (forgetting his slow Collapse

responsibility) and is then too tight to the defensive end when
he attempts to contain the play. Rover gets earholed by the
pulling OG, and although he still has his outside arm free,
Rover is too far inside to contain the HB, who turns the corner
into the secondary.

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Experienced linebackers can diagnose the point of attack
(POA) of running plays by reading the angle the RB takes as he
attacks the LOS. This helps them to pursue to the POA much
quicker than if they occupy their gap first, before reading that
the play is not aimed there. Whenever a linebacker pursues a
play outside his alignment, he should always keep the ball
carrier on his outside shoulder, in case the runner cuts back
behind him (pursuing inside out). Staying in your shuffle as
long as possible helps to maintain the inside out relationship.
You should only turn your hips when the ball carrier attacks
the alley of the defense (D gap).

T T
O O
S P I D D I P S
S O S I I S O S
W O V V O W
E E E E
R R

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