Letter From the Editor/Publisher: Being an Effective Linebacker

Chris Tormey is the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Washington. Having been a position coach, defensive coordinator and head coach, Tormey has learned from his mentors: Don James, Dennis Erickson, and Tyrone Willingham. With more than a quarter century devoted to coaching and especially linebackers, Tormey has formulated his own thoughts on a linebackers progress for success. He calls it: C.A.S.K.R.E.P.T. 1. “Communicate: It is the linebacker’s responsibility to communicate the defensive call, the strength call for alignment, the offensive formation, alignment of offensive personnel, and any motion or shift adjustments.” 2. “Alignment: The effective linebacker should know what his primary threats are based on formation tendencies and the defense called.” 3. “Stance: The stance should allow the linebacker to move in any direction with