Skills Needed by an Inside Linebacker

If as coaches say, "defense wins championships," then in football, the linebacker is the heart and soul of the defense. The inside linebacker, or middle linebacker, is often the brain of the defensive scheme. The inside linebacker often calls the plays and breaks the huddle on the defensive side of the ball, but his team likely needs his skill set throughout the entire play.

  1. Key Reads

    • The inside linebacker is one of the main players expected to make key reads before the offense snaps the ball and the play begins. Making key reads means the inside linebacker must recognize the type of play the offense is about to run based on its formation and team tendencies. The player must then relay any adjustments to the rest of the defense before the play begins. This type of knowledge takes time to develop.

    Pursuit and Containment

    • While the inside linebacker must try to read the intentions of the entire offense prior to the offense putting the ball in play, he must continue to do so after the play begins and while it develops. When the offense runs the ball to the outside, an inside linebacker must pursue the ball and contain the runner before the runner can break out and gain positive yardage. An inside linebacker must have the skill to recognize the intended path of the runner and get to him as quickly as possible.

    Speed and Lateral Movement

    • Inside linebackers may have to stop the run up the middle, pursue a fast running back around the corner or even drop back into pass coverage against a receiver on some plays. He may also be called upon to keep an eye on the quarterback and make sure he doesn't try to run the ball himself. Defending against so many potential skilled players, the inside linebacker must be fast and have lateral movement skills to keep up with the offensive player.

    Tackling Technique

    • Inside linebackers must have the skills to take down faster, and sometimes bigger or stronger, offensive players once they reach them. This requires being skilled in tackling techniques. Often the linebackers on a football team are some of the hardest hitting players on the field. They possess the skills to make hard contact and drive the offensive players back and to the ground to prevent forward progression.

    Get Through Blocks

    • When an inside linebacker blitzes, meaning he hurries toward the quarterback or ball carrier instead of dropping into a particular coverage, he is definitely going to run into some resistance from the offensive line. An offensive lineman will also pick him up on nearly every running play. For this reason, it is essential that the inside linebacker have the skills necessary to break through blocks during the game.