How to Play Linebacker in Football


Football is a contact sport, a sport that requires toughness, strength, and physicality.  Many of the positions in football require these skills and attributes, although linebacker may be the position that requires the most physical toughness.

Linebackers typically line up about 4 yards away from the ball, and their main goal is to tackle the player with the ball.  Although linebackers are required to complete other tasks, the main task of a linebacker is to make tackles and to help stop teams from running the football.

Playing linebacker can be very rewarding

How to Play Linebacker in Football

Playing the position of linebacker requires both mental and physical toughness.  The skills involved and necessary for success include strength, speed, the ability to change directions, and proper tackling technique.

Below we will discuss the necessary skills to play linebacker, and to have success stopping the run.  We will talk about how to develop and improve these skills as well.

What is the Main Role of a Linebacker?

The linebacker position in football requires a player to make tackles, and specifically tackles that occur at the same spot as the contact occurs.  Linebackers are lined up roughly four yards from the ball and involved in stopping the run game of the offense.

Linebackers also make a lot of calls on defense as they are responsible for setting the defense and adjusting for situations such as coverages and a variety of formations that the offense will come out in.

Linebackers need to be great tacklers as they are required to make tackles often.

Skills Required to Play Linebacker: Speed

Some people may not realize that this is one of the most important skills required of linebackers, especially in today’s style of football.  

The game has evolved into the idea of making the defense run sideline to sideline.  The ability to run and tackle is often overlooked, but this is extremely important.  Years ago, most plays were inside the tackle box, so toughness was more important than speed.

Speed for linebackers is crucial because linebackers are now required to run out to where the numbers and make tackles.  Many times, linebackers are pursuing running backs or wide receivers, who are typically very fast players.

Speed also helps with tackling because when a player makes a tackle it is imperative to get to the tackle at top speed.

Skills Required to Play Linebacker: Strength

Strength is a key factor of all positions on the football field, but the linebacker position requires a great deal of strength to be successful.  

Linebackers are involved in a great deal of physicality and contact.  Strength helps linebackers to be successful and to strive on the field.  

Strength is developed in the weight room and with many years of dedication and commitment to improving strength.  Functional strength can be developed for linebackers as the skills to play linebacker can be specific to the position.  

Strength in the lower body is essential for success, as linebackers are involved in tackling on almost every play.  Linebackers must also take on blocks, sometimes defeating blocks from players who are much bigger than them.

Strength also helps linebackers with their confidence to make tackles and make plays during a competition.

For information on the toughest positions in football, read this article.

Skills Required to Play Linebacker: Ability to Change Directions

Linebackers play in space in football, they must be able to change directions and make tackles.  Many times linebackers are pursuing the ball carrier and the ball carrier changes directions.  Linebackers must be able to do the same, to have the ability to reroute and pursue the ball carrier in a different direction.

Athletes must change directions quickly as things change instantly on the football field.  Having strength is definitely helpful for these types of movements.  Having the ability to change directions in order to make a play is extremely crucial for success as a linebacker.

Running backs and receivers are always trying to make plays and to make defenders miss.  This requires linebackers to have the ability to make quick movements in the other direction in order to make tackles.

Skills Required to Play Linebacker:  Proper Tackling Technique

The ability to get to the ball carrier is one thing, but having the ability to make a tackle is the other part of the position.  Proper tackling is important for effectiveness but also for safety.

Proper tackling will make a linebacker successful, but there are other responsibilities required also.  If a linebacker can effectively tackle, this is the most important skill.

How to Improve Your Skills in Order to Become a Linebacker

Speed

Speed training is effective when the goal is to improve speed.  Agility hurdles and bags can help improve speed.  These tools are important for becoming a better linebacker.

Strength

There isn’t much better than using the weight room to improve strength.  In the weight room there are many different lifts and activities available in order to improve strength.

It is important to remember that improving strength doesn’t happen overnight and that it is a culmination of many years of strength training and commitment.

Ability to Change Directions

This skill is also something that happens because of dedication to the weight room.  One-leg lifts can very effectively improve strength in order to change directions quickly.

Core strength also helps to improve this skill for anyone who plays football.  Agility training and quick bursts while training can also help improve the ability to change directions

Proper Tackling Technique

This truly happens on the football field, or by using a one-man sled to tackle.  This is a specialized skill that is usually improved on the field, by performing the specific task.

Core strength and leg strength are also contributors to tackling properly because being in the correct position on impact is extremely crucial.

Tackling is a huge part of playing linebacker

Final Thoughts

Playing linebacker in football can be very rewarding.  The linebacker position is one of the most important positions on the football field as a linebacker is involved in just about every play, many times making tackles at the point of attack.

Developing speed, strength, and agility is crucial for success.  Linebackers need to be strong and physically tough because this position is very demanding.

If you are deciding what position to play, read this article

Other Helpful Resources:

Reasons to Play Football

Defensive Positions in Football

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