Coaching Modern Linebackers: Drills, Reads, and Block Destruction

Modern linebacker play lives in the tweener space: guys who can fit the run, play in space, and rush off the edge without being a true safety or a true edge. In this episode, Kyle and Matt sit down with Coach Nick Vagnone, linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at Lenoir-Rhyne University, to break down how he develops modern linebackers inside a 3-3-5.Coach Vagnone gets granular on the Sam, Mike, and Rush roles, the read step versus pop in place debate, how he teaches block destruction and tackling, and the exact Indy drills he uses to build it all. If you coach defense at the high school, youth, or small college level, there is a lot here worth stealing.SIDELINE HQStop running your equipment room out of a spiral notebook. Sideline HQ lets you check gear in and out in seconds, track what every kid has, and knock out end of season inventory in minutes instead of a whole Saturday. The first 30 days are free, no credit card, no catch. Try your free trial at www.sidelinehq.coCHAPTERS00:00 Welcome and tonight's guest, Coach Nick Vagnone06:00 Why Lenoir-Rhyne moved from a 3-4 hybrid to a 3-3-509:41 Building a player-led defensive identity14:21 Defining the modern linebacker: Sam, Mike, and Rush23:40 Read step versus pop in place30:53 The five movements and five core skills of a linebacker36:54 Stance and start: the first drill every linebacker runs42:04 Coaching pass drops, angle pedal, and head on a swivel51:10 Change of direction and linebacker ball skills1:00:10 Walking run fits with the scout line1:03:09 Block destruction: taking on half a man1:10:33 Living on the sled and the dip and rip1:14:38 Tackling with the donuts1:18:58 Circle chase: forced fumbles and ball security1:26:35 The closing question: 828 Day at Lenoir-Rhyne

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