In order to train our linebackers to aggressively respond to the movements of the offense, we have developed a progression of high-beam and low-beam reads. We drill these reads as part of our daily routine and have found great success in seeing quicker, more instinctive movements from our linebacker corps. We refer to this process as a ‘stimulus response.’
The initial ‘stimulus response’ for our second-level defenders will come from the fullback. We call this our ‘High Beams.’ The interior three linebackers must key the FB and mirror the path of the FB every down. The ‘High Beams’ are categorized in the following manner:
1. Dive = Fill (See Diagram 1).
Dive is an immediate threat to the guard box by a FB with no TB. Fill cues the defenders to close the point of attack with proper leverage.
Diagram 1. Mirror the FB: Dive = Fill
2. Iso = Attack (See Diagram 2).
Iso is an immediate threat to the guard box by a FB with a TB. Attack cues the defenders to neutralize the lead back with dominant lean.
Diagram 2. Mirror the FB: Iso = Attack
3. Lead = Scrape (See Diagram 3).
Lead is an attempt to attack the off-tackle gaps by a FB with a tailback. Scrape cues the defenders to fight over the top of blocks to the ball.
Diagram 3. Mirror the FB: Lead = Scrape
4. Wide = Speed (See Diagram 4).
Wide is a fast flow to the edge by the FB with a TB. Speed cues the defenders to fly past blocks and get to the football.
Diagram 4. Mirror the FB: Wide = Speed
5. Split = Bounce (See Diagram 5).
Split identifies a FB to one side of the ball with a TB going the opposite way. Bounce cues the defenders to mirror the FB and bounce back to the ball.
Diagram 5. Mirror the FB: Split = Bounce
Once the high-beam Stimulus Response has been shown, the interior linebackers must redirect their focus on the movement of the OL. We call this our ‘Low Beams.’ The interior linebackers, when involved in pressure combinations, will forgo the high beam stimuli and move directly to the low beam reads. The ‘Low Beams’ will reinforce the high beam reads and should be dealt with in the following manner:
1. Base = Rip (See Diagram 6). Base refers to a drive or cover and press block. Attack by ripping through half the blocker en route to the football.
Diagram 6: Base = Rip
2. Down = Fill (See Diagram 7). Down refers to first level angle block toward the football. Defender should fill the void (‘Cloud the Window’).
Diagram 7: Down = Fill
3. Reach = Scrape (See Diagram 8). Reach is a blocking attempt to seal the defender inside. Fight over the face of the block. Don’t get sealed inside the block!
Diagram 8: Reach = Scrape
4. Pass = Bull or Drop (See Diagram 9). Pass refers to any pass set by the OL. Defender needs to bull the QB or get to their appropriate drops.
Diagram 9: Pass = Bull or Drop
5. Pull = Scrape/pull away or Collision/pull to (See Diagram 10). Pull refers to an OL leading toward the point of attack. Follow the OL. He’ll take you to the football. Spill the lead pull.
Diagram 10: Pull = Scrape or Collision
Putting these reads into practice is a relatively simple process. At times we run half line drills with the DL and OL. Other days, we will run this as a low-impact fit drill. But the bottom line is that we run some variation of the drill every day. By doing this, our linebackers become so comfortable with their responses to the offensive stimulus that by game time their reactions are instinctive and aggressive. And that’s the whole point of the 30 Stack: have your front six reacting so quickly that your opponents can’t distinguish between a designed blitz or fast reads and reactions by the interior linebackers.
John Wren is the Head Coach at South Bakersfield High School (CA). He can be reached at wrenagade@bak.rr.com.