Linebackers. Linebackers. Linebackers.

When asked about our philosophy of developing our youth football defensive players, the first thing that comes to mind is linebackers. All high school teams need great linebacker play, our program included, so what better way to develop those players than getting as many on the field as possible?

But we do not want to stop there. We need to have guys in front of them and behind them able to be playmakers. That is the main reason we run—and fought to make the defense our youth league run—the 4-4.

We believe that running our 4-4 defense gives us the best chance to develop the most kids for later on down the road for their football careers. It is a proven defense at our high school and every level across the country. 

We are able to teach good, sound, fundamental football at every position and know that at every level our kids move up to, they will have been exposed to a system that will allow players to transition easily. 

Something you hear all the time is that it all starts up front. The statement is true for us as we begin with our defensive line.

With a 4-4, we have four down linemen, with two defensive tackles aligning head up on the guards, or 2 techniques. Their responsibility is to take on the block of the guard and read through the quarterback to the backfield. Once they determine the path of the ball they will shed the blocker and rip through to the play side. 

We stress to them not to just take an easy way out. The defensive tackles need to stay sound in the area they are in and not freelance side to side. But once they have read the play, we want them to have some fun and create havoc. 

Our defensive ends line up as 5 techniques—on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle. Our defensive ends do not have outside responsibility. If one of our ends has a tight end to his side, he still lines up the same, but he gets a shot on the tight end so he cannot release clean. If the tight end is blocking down on him, he is already fighting back with pressure.

The defensive end’s other main task is to squeeze the play down and not get washed outside. Our defensive end will not let the offensive tackle drive him outside and make a huge hole in the B gap.  Again, we don’t want a renegade; this player must maintain leverage in the C gap. Once he knows a pass is coming, we want him to pin his ears back use his best pass rush move to get the sack.

As we move back to the next level, we come to the main reason we run the 4-4. Linebacker play is where we have seen the most progression in development the last several years.

Many youth coaches run what they were taught, leading a five front defense and boxing the defensive ends out for contain. This may work in the youth level but they are not learning how modern day football is played. We play our best football players at the two outside linebacker positions. They need to be both talented and smart, because this is our player with outside containment responsibility. 

At the youth football level, the sweep or some version of an outside play is the killer and must be stopped. Our league rules dictate that all backers must be 3 yards off the ball at the snap. So at the snap, our OLBs need to establish outside leverage at the line of scrimmage and be the contain player.  They also will have a flat zone in our cover 3 pass responsibility. 

We feel if these players can learn and do this, they will be well prepped for the higher levels of football. 

Next are our sledgehammers: our inside linebackers.  These are our toughest players and best tacklers.  They read through the line and pursue flow. While our outsider backers play with outside leverage, our inside backers play with an inside out leverage, which keeps them in a great position on a cut back from the ball carrier.

If it all starts up front, the buck stops with our defensive backs. We play two different coverages for our defensive backs, so they can distinguish between two different approaches. 

Our safety functions as another linebacker, except he cannot let anyone past him. Once the safety reads the run, he becomes an inside out leverage player, not letting a runner cut back on him if the back gets to that level. 

Our corners take a couple steps backward to read the play and determine if it’s a run or pass. 

If a pass is determined, they drop back and cover the deep thirds of the field on the side they are on. In man, they cover the farthest outside receiver to their side.  If they detect a run play, they fight off the block of the receiver or lead player and maintain outside leverage and help turn any play back to the inside.

A big part of our philosophy is that all our players, regardless of position, are going to be able to tackle.  We adhere to the USA Football shoulder tackling progression. 

RELATED: USA Football’s free video course on Shoulder Tackling

Spend the time to teach your defensive players not only what they are doing but why, and you will prepare them for a great football experience.

Terry Donovan is a Master Trainer for USA Football’s Heads Up Football program. He is the Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach for Kasson-Mantorville High School in Kasson MN. He has coached with the US National Team Program.  He is also a Youth coach and Director of Youth Development in the Kasson-Mantorville Youth Football Association.