re: film hack

There’s this technique I love to use when I’m watching film with a Linebacker.

It goes like this:

I let the play start.

Then I pause the film just after the snap.

I have the Linebacker look at their keys.

And I have them they try to anticipate what the play is going to be.

Then…

I let the play run to see if they were right.

It’s a powerful tool.

Once a Linebacker learns this technique, they can do it on their own time.

It’s one of the best ways for a Linebacker to practice their read.

For instance, if you’re using a Guard Read:

In that pause they’ll see the Guard turning their shoulders to PULL…

Or stepping for the Down Block…

Or getting into a Pass Set…

If they do this enough, the game will start to slow down for them.

They’ll start to identify plays quickly…

And they’ll start to play fast.

(Isn’t that the goal?)

All the best,

PS — This technique will help your Linebackers read the play, but they still need to know how to react. To take a deep dive into how Linebackers should start the play, check out my new clinic called THE LB FIRST STEP. It breaks it all down in 23 minutes. You can find it inside THE LB LIBRARY.

Jon Svec
Defensive Coordinator
St. Francis Xavier University
X-Men Football
Email: jsvec@stfx.ca
Twitter: @jonsvecx