From the Coach’s Bookshelf: Linebacker Lessons

Coach Lou Tepper brings more than 45 years of experience as a college football coach to Complete Linebacking. In this excerpt, Coach Tepper details the many intangibles a linebacker must possess to maximize his success.Linebackers are the glue of a defensive unit, physically and emotionally. Physically, they fill the open seams between defensive linemen inside and patrol the perimeter in conjunction with the secondary. In zone coverage linebackers provide a cohesive pass defense underneath the deep zones. In man coverage linebackers take away the early throws.The intangible qualities are more difficult to assess but are just as important, because every player in the defensive huddle is affected by the linebackers’ demeanors and personalities.Psychological tests are available to evaluate a player’s personality. I have not used these instruments but would not be opposed to exploring