Conant Cougars Football
Title:
Linebacker Run Reads in Multiple Fronts vs Multiple Formations
By Bill Modelski
Outline:
1. How and Why We Developed Our System of Run Reads
2. History- Many Different Defensive Systems Through the Years
3. General Principles of Any Defense We Play
a. Box and Spill DL’s
b. Plug and Scrape LB’s
4. Multiple Fronts and Coverages - Plug, Scrape, and Force
5. Basic Linebacker Run Reads – Plug and Scrape Frontside and Backside
6. Specific Run Reads
a. I Formation
b. Offset I Formation
c. Shotgun Ace
d. Pistol Shotgun
e. Split Back Shotgun
f. I Shotgun (Fullback and Tailback Type Players)
1. How and Why We Developed Our System of Run Reads.
a. We used to read the OG on the Plug LB Side. We had difficulty making a
distinction between zone block and a down block. Our reactions to each read
was significantly different and we struggled with this. I consulted U of I and
NU LB coaches about it but I did not like the answers I got. I was not
comfortable with our ability to execute the reads they used. I looked for a
different way.
Note – Although many teams read the Guard, many of them will “box” run
plays up front and not scrape the LB for the spill.
Guard Read
Down block by OG – LB should scrape to outside as spill End closes and spills ball.
E
SS
T
T
S
E
M
W
C
C
FS
Zone block by the OG – LB should work to the play side.
E
SS
T
T
S
E
M
C
W
C
FS
2. Multiple Fronts and Coverages - Plug, Scrape, and Force
40 Strong
E
C
S
Force
T
N
M
Scrape
E
C
W
Plug
SS
SE – Strong 6i technique alignment, box technique.
T – Strong 3 technique alignment, spill technique.
N – Weak 1 technique alignment.
WE – 5 technique alignment, spill technique
Will – 50 alignment, plug technique
Mike – 00 alignment, scrape technique
Stud – 70 alignment, force technique
FS
3-4 Slant Strong
OB
C
T
B
Scrape LB
N
T
OB
C
B
Plug LB
FS
SOB – 7 or 70 alignment, box technique.
ST – Strong 5 technique alignment, spill technique.
N – 0 technique alignment, slant strong.
WT – 4 technique alignment, inside slant, box technique.
WOB – 70 alignment, fire edge, box technique.
SB – 20 alignment, plug technique
WB – 20 alignment, scrape technique
SS
3-4 Slant Weak
OB
C
T
B
Scrape LB
FS
N
T
OB
B
C
Plug LB
SS
SOB – 7 or 70 alignment, edge fire, box technique.
ST – 4 technique alignment, inside slant, box technique.
N – 0 technique alignment, box technique.
WT – 5 technique alignment, spill technique.
WOB – 70 alignment, fire edge, box technique.
SB – 20 alignment, scrape technique.
WB – 20 alignment, plug technique
Eagle Weak
S
E
T
M
C
SS
Plug LB
T E
W
Scrape LB
FS
SE – Strong 5 technique alignment, spill technique.
T – Weak 3 technique alignment, spill technique.
N – Strong 1 technique alignment.
WE – 5 technique alignment, box technique.
Will – 20 alignment, scrape technique.
Mike – 20 alignment, plug technique.
Stud – 7 technique.
C
3-3 Stack
OB
E
B
C
N
M
E
B
OB
FS
Strong OLB – Drop
Strong End - 5 technique alignment, spill technique.
Nose – Slant to strong “A” gap.
Weak End – 4 technique alignment, box technique.
Weak OLB – 70 alignment, fire edge, box technique.
Strong LB – 50 technique alignment, plug teachnique.
Mike LB – 00 technique alignment, scrape technique.
Weak LB – 50 technique alignment, free to ball. Read as a scrape but no fill necessary.
C
Base Linebacker Run Reads
Linebacker Run Reads
Read = Fullback to “action side” Guard. If Guard is blocking playside then the read is “Clear”.
If the “action side” Guard is pulling across the center, then the read is “Counter”.
The Linebacker uses this read to determine whether they are playside (action at them) or backside
(action away from them).
“Clear” Read Example: RB attacks to defensive left. “Action Side Guard” is blocking to that side
confirming the playside to the LB’s.
Clear Read
OB
T
N
B
T
OB
C
B
C
Playside
FS
SS
Playside
“Counter” Read Example: RB is attacking to the defensive left but the “Action Side Guard” is
pulling across the center. This tells the LB that the playside is opposite the action.
Counter Read
OB
T
N
B
T
OB
C
B
C
FS
Playside
SS
Key Step Drill:
Purpose: To teach LB’s their stance and post snap footwork.
Execution: LB’s get in stance, and on ball movement of coach get their feet live. LBs execute a wave drill as coach
moves ball.
Coaching Points: LB’s must maintain their base. The steps should be short and choppy (we call this “creep
stepping”). It is crucial that the LB’s keep their feet wide throughout the drill or they lose the ability to redirect.
Base Read Drill:
Set Up: Spacers (use bags or barrels as spacers), live bodies for fullback and guards.
Purpose: For LB’s to diagnose play side by reading fullback to guard for “clear” or “counter” reads.
LB’s Align in 20 techniques.
Execution: Coach designates the fullback direction and action side guard movement. On a cadence the offensive
players carry out the assigned action. LB’s must see Fullback to Guard for the correct playside read.
Coaching Points: LB’s must maintain their base. Many blown reads happen because of bad footwork. “Keep your
Base in the Box”.
Example:
“Clear” read – LB should key step in direction of the Fullback first then see Guard for play direction.
The Guard confirms the direction of the Fullback.
Clear Read
T
N
B
T
B
C C
OB
FS
OB
SS
“Counter” Read – LB should Key Step in the direction of the Fullback but redirect back because of the “action side
guard” pulling.
OB
C
T
B
Scrape LB
FS
N
T
OB
C
B
Plug LB
SS
Plug Linebacker Run Reads
Playside Reads:
If the Plug LB is playside LB he must read whether the window is open or closed.
Open Window: An open window is when the playside offensive tackle is blocking out on the defensive end. Plug
LB must fill the “B” gap and attack all lead blockers with his inside shoulder and flow to the football.
“Fill the open window”
Closed Window: A closed window is when the playside offensive tackle is blocking down inside on a LB. Plug LB
must scrape outside the offensive tackle and sit in the hip pocket of the defensive end.
“Scrape the closed window”
Example: ISO = Open window for Plug LB.
OB
T
C
N
B
T
OB
C
B
Scrape LB
Plug LB
FS
SS
Example: Inside Veer = Closed window for Plug LB.
OB
C
T
B
Scrape LB
FS
N
T
OB
B
C
Plug LB
SS
Backside Plug Run Reads:
Plug LB is “slow to go” when he is the backside LB. He is responsible for the cutback first and foremost. Do not
allow the ball to cut back to your “B” gap.
E
T
SS
T
S
E
M
Scrape LB
W
Plug LB
C
C
FS
Note – If the guard on the Plug side comes off the LOS, the Plug LB is now free to fast flow. The single blocked
Nose will have the cutback.
OB
C
T
B
Scrape LB
FS
N
T
OB
C
B
Plug LB
SS
Note – When a “Counter” read comes back to the Plug LB, he should anticipate a closed window.
Scrape Linebacker Run Reads
Scrape LB is a fast flowing player. After getting a “Clear” or “Counter” read, the scrape LB is to press the football
inside out. Read the “A” gap window if it is threatened. This will depend on the front you play to some extent. A
shade front may require the scrape LB to read the “A” gap window at times.
Example: Closed window on Midline Option. Scrape LB should scrape the offensive guard
E T
T
W
E
S
M
C
C
FS
SS
Example: Open window on Inside Zone. Scrape LB should fill the open window.
E T
W
T
E
S
M
C
C
FS
SS
LB “Window” Read Drill:
Set Up: Spacers (use bags or barrels as spacers), live bodies for Fullback, Guards, and a Tackle for window read.
Purpose: For LB’s to determine if the “window” is open or closed and react accordingly.
Execution: Coach designates the action of the Fullback, Guard, and Tackle. On a cadence the offensive players
carry out the assigned action. LB’s must see Fullback to Guard for the correct playside read and Tackle for window
read. “Fullback, Guard, Window” progression.
Coaching Points: Make sure the LB’s maintain their base. Many times LB’s lose their base as you progress through
the different reads.
Progression: Execute window reads first, then progress to counter reads in both directions as well as action away
from their window. MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT CHEAT THE DRILL.
Specific Run Reads:
A. I formation:
a. Plays to Defend: Power, Iso, Counter,
b. Key: Fullback to Action Side Guard. This is our Base read and the starting
point for all of our run reads.
Examples:
Power Strong - Both LB’s get a “Clear” read to the strong side.
OB
T
C
N
B
T
OB
C
B
Scrape LB
Plug LB
FS
SS
Inside Veer – Both LB’s get a “Clear” read. Plug LB should see the window close outside and play the QB.
OB
T
C
N
T
OB
B
B
Scrape LB
C
Plug LB
FS
SS
B.) Offset I formation:
A. Plays to Defend: Power, ISO, Counter (Same as I formation)
B. Key: The LB on the side of the Fullback keys the Fullback to the action side guard.
The LB away from the Fullback keys the Tailback to the action side guard.
OB
C
T
B
Scrape LB
FS
N
T
OB
C
B
Plug LB
SS
C.) Shotgun Ace:
A. Plays to Defend: Inside Zone Read, Counter Read, Q Counter, Dart, Falcon (frontside
read)
B. Keys: Our concept of defending the shotgun run game is that somebody has to be
accountable for the QB on the read option. On the side of the Plug LB, he is the “QB
read” player. On the side of the Scrape LB, the “Box” End/OLB has the QB. This
allows the Scrape LB to play downhill fast on all run plays.
Plug LB – Cross key to Guard. Plug reads cross key to the QB or the RB depending on
who is away from him. He still must see the Guard on the side of the action he gets. If
he keys the RB, he can play downhill and not be concerned about the QB. If Plug keys
the QB, he must be accountable for the QB on the read option.
Scrape LB - The Scrape LB reads the RB to the Guard regardless of the side he is on.
Example 1: RB offset to “Scrape” side.
The Plug LB cross keys to the RB to the Guard. He can play downhill fast because he is not accountable for the QB
since he is on the opposite side. The Scrape LB keys the RB to the Guard. He also can play downhill fast (always)
because the rush OLB has QB on the read option.
T
OB
C
N
T
B
B
Plug LB
SS
OB
C
Scrape LB
FS
Example 2: RB offset to “Plug” LB side.
The Plug LB cross keys to the QB. He is accountable for the QB on the read option because the 5 technique is a spill
player which means he will close hard on zone or release. The Plug will read QB to Guard for most teams but at
times Plug will ignore pullers on the read option side if a team runs the counter read option. This will have to be
coached. We work on this during the summer so that we can always go back to it when necessary. The Scrape LB
keys the RB to the Guard and plays downhill as always.
T
OB
C
N
B
Plug LB
Scrape LB
FS
T
B
SS
OB
C
D.) Pistol Shotgun:
A. Plays to Defend: Inside Zone Read, Counter Read, Q Counter, Dart, Falcon (frontside
read) – Same as Shotgun but with a few wrinkles.
B. Key: With the shotgun, the LB’s know pre snap if they are on the QB read side or not.
With the pistol, we must determine it on the fly. The Plug LB must know that when the
RB comes his way, he must play the QB on the read. If the QB opens away, he can
play downhill. The Scrape LB reads plays downhill regardless of the QB read side so
he just plays downhill.
C. Our concept of defending the shotgun run game is that somebody has to be accountable
for the QB on the read option. On the side of the Plug LB, he is the “read” player. On
the side of the Scrape LB, the “Box” End/OLB has the QB. This allows the Scrape LB
to play downhill fast on all run plays.
Example 1: The Plug LB must recognize he has the QB on the read option because the
QB /RB opens his way. The Scrape LB can play downhill but he must be careful not to
overflow past the cutback.
OB
T
N
T
OB
C
B
B
C
Scrape LB
Plug LB
FS
SS
Example 2: The Plug LB should recognize that the QB / RB open away from him. This
allows him to play downhill. Scrape LB plays downhill as always against the Gun /
Pistol
OB
T
N
T
OB
C
B
Plug LB
FS
B
Scrape LB
SS
C
E.) Split Back Shotgun –
Plug and Scrape LB’s both read cross key to the opposite side RB. The concept of handling
the QB read is the same. The Plug LB must be accountable for the QB on his side when
applicable. The Scrape LB is still a downhill player as always. The Read Option side is the
side that the QB opens to and the opposite side RB goes on a pitch course.
Example: The LB on the left side has a RB key that goes on a pitch course. This tells him
that the option is his side. If he is the Plug LB, he has the QB on the option. If he is the
Scrape LB, he is a downhill player and stays home for cutback etc.
Option Side
Downhill Side
T
C
N
T
OB
B
FS
OB
B
C
SS
F.) I Shotgun (Fullback and Tailback Type Players)
A. Plays to Defend: Power, ISO, and Counter. This formation is very similar to the I
formation and offset I formation. Teams will usually run Power and Counter with some
option game mixed in. We will key this the same as we would the Offset I: The LB on
the side of the Fullback will key Fullback to action side Guard. The LB away from the
Fullback will key the Tailback to the action side Guard.
Plug LB – Key the Fullback to the action side Guard if the Fullback is offset to his side. If
not, the Plug LB will key the Tailback to the Guard. He must be aware that they could run
a Read Option concept with the RB coming his way when the Fullback is away.
Scrape LB - Key the Fullback to Guard if he is offset to Scrape LB side. If Fullback is away,
key the Tailback to Guard and play downhill.
Note – At times we will have both LB’s key the Fullback to the Guard. These teams have a
strong tendency to use the Fullback extensively and usually the Fullback will take you to the
ball. Also, some teams will run a 2 back system with the Fullback as a dive back type of
player. In this case we would key him with both LB’s for our base read.