Linebacker
Hybrid defensive position in gridiron football, often called the quarterback of the defense.
Linebacker (LB) is a playing position in gridiron football for members of the defensive team who line up three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, backing up the defensive linemen. They play a hybrid role, often considered the most versatile defensive players, as they may be asked to perform tasks similar to either a defensive lineman or a defensive back depending on the defensive alignment, coaching philosophy, and offensive play. Linebackers are divided into middle (or inside) linebackers and outside linebackers, with the middle linebacker frequently serving as the "quarterback of the defense."
Quick Facts
- Position
- Linebacker (LB)
- Sport
- Gridiron football
- Role
- Defensive team member lining up behind defensive linemen
- Subdivisions
- Middle linebacker (MLB)
- outside linebacker (OLB)
- strongside linebacker (SLB)
- weakside linebacker (WLB)
Facts from the source article.
Formations
The number of linebackers on the field depends on the defensive formation, ranging from none to as many as seven, though most schemes call for three or four. Formations are generally named for the number of linemen followed by the number of linebackers, with the 46 defense being an exception. In the 4–3 defense, four down linemen are joined by three linebackers; on pass plays, their responsibilities vary based on whether man or zone coverage is called.
In zone coverage, linebackers typically drop into the middle of the field, though some zones send outside linebackers into the flats. In man-to-man coverage, the "Sam" often covers the tight end with safety help, while the "Sam" and "Will" cover the first man out of the backfield on their side, with the "Mike" covering if a second man exits. In the Tampa 2 zone defense, the middle linebacker must drop quickly into a deep middle zone, requiring a quick player.
The 3–4 defense uses three linemen and four linebackers, typically two outside and two inside, designed to disguise where the fourth rusher comes from. The defensive line focuses on occupying offensive linemen, freeing linebackers to tackle, rush the passer, or drop into coverage. Outside linebackers in a 3–4 line up like defensive ends and must be skilled at rushing the quarterback, while inside linebackers often include one run-stuffer and one smaller, faster player for pass coverage.
Types
The middle linebacker (MLB), also called the "Mike" or "Mac," is often referred to as the quarterback of the defense, receiving play calls from the sideline and relaying them to the team; in the NFL, this player usually has the electronic sideline communicator. Middle linebackers commonly lead the team in tackles and can be asked to blitz, cover, spy the quarterback, or drop into deep middle coverage in the Tampa 2 defense. The outside linebacker (OLB) is responsible for outside containment, including strongside and weakside designations, and also blitzes the quarterback and performs pass coverage in the flats.
The strongside linebacker (SLB), nicknamed the "Sam," lines up across from the tight end on the strong side of the offense and is often called upon to tackle the running back following the tight end's block. This linebacker is typically the strongest, able to shed blocks from tight ends or fullbacks, and should have strong safety abilities for man coverage on the tight end and quickness for zone coverage. The weakside linebacker (WLB), or "Will" in the 4–3 defense, must be the fastest linebacker, often called into pass coverage and chasing plays from the backside, requiring maneuverability through traffic.
The Will aligns off the line of scrimmage at the same depth as the Mike and does not often face large interior linemen unless one is pulling; in coverage, the Will covers the back attacking his side first in man coverage or the weak flat or hooks/curl areas in zone coverage.
History
Before the two-platoon system with separate offensive and defensive units, the team's center on offense was often the linebacker on defense. Most sources credit coach Fielding H. Yost and center Germany Schulz of the Michigan Wolverines with inventing the position in 1904 when Schulz stood up from his usual line position, though Yost was initially horrified. William Dunn of Penn State was another early Western Conference linebacker. However, various historical claims exist, including Percy Given of Georgetown, who supposedly stood up behind the line in a game against Navy in 1902, before Schulz.
The first linebacker in the South was Frank Juhan, who played at Sewanee during 1908–1910. In the East, Ernest Cozens of Penn was one of the first "roving centers," a term supposedly coined by Hank Ketcham of Yale, and Walter E. Bachman of Lafayette was said to have developed the roving center concept. Edgar Garbisch of Army was credited with developing the "roving center method" in 1921. In professional football, Cal Hubbard is credited with pioneering the linebacker position, playing off the line in a style similar to a modern linebacker.
John Alexander of the New York Giants is considered the first to play outside linebacker in the NFL. The Chuck Bednarik Award is given annually to the best defensive player in college football; Bednarik, selected first overall in the 1949 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, is remembered for a tackle on November 20, 1960, that knocked New York Giants halfback Frank Gifford unconscious, called "professional football's most notorious concussion."
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