T Drill

Purpose

• This Linebacker Drill works on conditioning and several skills that LBs must use at any given point in the game.
• It's to work proper techniques and to put it all together. It
  will also help LBs practice changing direction quickly. This does not
  need to be a full-pads drill, but can be.

Description

1. The linebacker will start at the base of the T of cones. The cones
   should all be spread about five yards apart from each other as shown.
   The linebacker will sprint up to the middle cone and catch a medicine
   ball at knee level. He must sink his hips and have arms out as if
   taking on a cut block. You can also have a coach hold a back out
   towards the LB and have the LB tap the bag down when he reaches the cone simulating the same movement.
2. LB sprints to the next cone. Depending on what you want to teach,
   you can have him sprint directly to the cone with his shoulders
   perpendicular to the line of cones, or keep the shoulders square and
   crossover run as he would chasing a RB down the line. Touch the cone.
3. Sprint toward the far cone. A coach or player should throw a ball to
   him so that he can practice moving forward and catching at the same
   time. Drop the ball when reach the final cone.
4. Sprint toward the middle cone.
5. Run back as the linebacker would in dropping into pass coverage to
   the back cone where he started.
6. Plant at the back cone and burst forward meeting the RB for a nice
   form tackle.

Coaching Points

• Sharp Cuts, keep the feet out of cement!
• Head up and eyes forward at all times.
• Catch the ball with proper technique.
• Stay low when moving through the "T".
  Never stand straight up.
• Make a good form tackle.
  Shoot the arms, grab cloth, keep the feet moving and hips low.

Equipment

• Cones