Get your linebackers in position to makes plays. Greg Jackson gives you a thorough breakdown of the fundamentals and responsibilities of the fill linebacker and nickel backers versus the run and pass.

RUN PROGRESSION
Jackson covers the essentials your linebackers need to know to stop the run:

• Alignments
• Keys & reads
• Flow rules by the backs
• Run gap responsibility

Jackson explains each area and then takes you through game footage to illustrate these areas in a cover 3 run fit, cover 4 run fit, and cover 2 run fit.

Jackson provides terminology for his run fit system that will ensure your entire defense is on the same page.

PASS PROGRESSION
Moving to pass progression, Jackson talks about the fill linebacker and nickel back's alignments and the zone philosophy. He stresses protecting windows in the zone coverage and knowing your drop zone. By getting into those zones, your linebackers will get the quarterback to hold the ball longer, giving your defense a big advantage. In addition, he talks of the importance of pattern recognition in regards to a split formation, smash routes, and the trips formations, giving you examples through game footage for cover 3, cover 2, and cover 4.

Jackson finishes by discussing the importance of teaching the linebackers to read the quarterbacks front shoulder to determine the level of the passing attack. Level 1 is the 3-step drop or quick passing attack and level 2 is the 5-step or horizontal passing attack. He takes you through a quarterback shoulder read diagram which helps linebackers determine the front shoulder angle to see what lanes the quarterback is looking to throw the ball. That, in turn, will allow your athletes to break quicker on the ball, which can lead to finding the interception point.

Using these key reads and progressions will help your linebackers learn their responsibilities, break quicker to the play and ultimately be in the best position to support your defense.

58 minutes. 2010.