How to Read and React - Linebacker Drills

Set up a sled on the "line of scrimmage". Set up a cone 5 yards in front of the sled. Place a cone on the line of scrimmage 10 yards from each side of the sled. Strait out from those cones, set up cones 15 yards from the line of scrimmage. Also, set up one cone 15 yards from the line of scrimmage directly in front of the sled. Place the linebacker at the cone 5 yards ahead of the sled and a "quarterback" behind the sled.

The quarterback should snap the ball and drop back. During his drop back the linebacker should take a step in the direction called and read the quarterback. The quarterback has 6 options. He can pitch left, pitch right, hand off, throw left, throw right or throw over the middle. He can also fake the pitches and run and then throw. If he decides on a pitch or hand off, he needs to follow through the motion and drop the ball. If he decided to throw, he needs to set up and look in the direction he is throwing. The linebacker needs to move quickly to the "ball carrier" and touch the cone. A pitch would go to the cones on the line of scrimmage. Throws would go to the cones behind the linebacker and a hand off would go strait up the middle. If it is a hand off, the linebacker would move quickly to meet the "ball carrier" at the line of scrimmage and drive the sled back.

This drill teaches the linebacker the most important part of his job, which is to read and react. The sled teaches the linebacker to always meet the running back at the line of scrimmage. A great linebacker will be in contact with the sled at almost the same time as the ball hits the ground.