Using video UNCONVENTIONALLY!

Don Green

Defensive Coordinator - Holt High School, Michigan

Use this off-season LB drill to increase your inside linebacker's ability to make "at the snap reads."

At our school our middle linebackers read the flow of the fullback to the play side guard.

There are only a few combinations of this read. FB goes left and the guard pulls outside. The FB goes left and the guard blocks base. The FB goes left and the guard runs a combo with the tackle. The FB goes left and the guard blocks down. The FB goes left and the guard pulls back inside. The same actions to the opposite side.

We filmed all of these from the "eyes" of a middle linebackers. Using our video editor we made several copies of each movement and then strung them randomly together in about a thirty play loop.

Using our ceiling mounted projector we project the practice loop on the wall mounted screen. Our middle linebackers stand in front of the wall, read their keys and take their first few steps. As a coach I can stand behind him and check his reactions.

Aftewards we always try to have a little "real" game film of plays that require the same reactions. This has been a great reinforcer for us. We are always working toward improving reaction time and muscle memory.