Help with reading an offensive line in football.?

Question

I'm trying to get an edge over the other linebackers (especially the middle linebackers) and I need some tips for reading both an offensive line and plays in general. I know about if their knuckles are white it's a run while if they are normal it is a pass (or should be). Any former/current football players would be a great help.

Answer 1

played O-line in college. the knuckle thing is right is you are going up against linemen who are not very good. Linemen are coached to have the same stance every time run or pass. So against any decent linemen you will have no advantage. Best advice i can give is know what is coming. Most D-fense coaches ask there middle linebacker to read the Half back. and Key off of him. Know what your coaches want out of there middle linebacker. Perform well in Drills. Coaches love players who practice hard and make few mistakes. Don;t back down from a challenge if you have a chance to go up against the best player on the team in a drill do it. Even is you don't win don't shy away or be intimidated by him. Football it probably 65% mental i don't care how fast and strong you are if you are not in postion to make the tackle what good are ya? Good Luck Football is the greatest team sport ever invented.. :-)

Answer 2

This is where film study can really help. Different offenses use varying blocking schemes(man,zone) and reading the movements of the OL is a matter of training your eyes to key on their feet and hands. Zone blocking requires that the OL move laterally to the point of attack so if the centre doesn't come out to the linebacker level and the rest of the line is shifting laterally on the snap its an outside run, If he doubles a guard and then leaves after about a second it's a middle run.Obviously if he drops back its a pass. With man blocking try to read which shoulder is the "high" shoulder because that will tell you where they are trying to make a hole(opposite high shoulders = running lane)In man blocking schemes the centre usually picks up the MLB in a 4-3 and the WILB in a 3-4 so key on him in those cases. Also, be aware that good coaches will make use of fakes(playaction,draws,screens,reverses,option passes etc) so be alert at all times but remember your assignment in relation to the defense called for the play. Regardless of what type of offense you are going up against you only have a split second to read these keys so don't go standing around watching instead of playing! If you are blitzing over the centre attack his snapping arm and remember that defense, especially linebacking is based on quick reactions and aggressiveness so try to get the heads up by watching film of your opponents and emphasising the OL/QB/RB initial movements not the track of the ball.GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

Sorry but it's not that easy. Teams won't give away their play pre-snap, at least not purposely. I have heard of defensive players watching film of linemen to look for tendencies such as lining up a certain way if it's a pass play. Defenses don't usually adjust based on olinemen though. They play the formation. The offense in turn tries to set-up mismatches by making it look like they will do one thing but end up doing something else. It's a chess match.

Answer 4

i played MLB for my high school team. Started my sophmore year on Varsity. This is what i looked for: (A) I looked for the new guy on the line, usually he will be the one to tell you where the play is going. (B) what the ball carrier as he comes out of the huddle, whe he's getting the ball he will have a little more pep in his step, if he's a non factor then he may just walk to his position. Seen this many times. The main thing is watch for lineman pointing a certain way in their stance. That is a dead give away. In high school, unless they are disciplined atleast one lineman will point.

Answer 5

also look at they way they lean on stances that is a habit oline players tend to have is lead u to the play. also there first step is the most critical when reading there blocks remember always follow gaurds and tackles there the only ones who do pull and which way there blocking is where the ball is goinin g

Answer 6

Leaning forward on toes: BLITZ!
Leaning back on heels: falling back into man on, man.

Answer 7

If there is a fullback in the formation (I formation) then check th run. Also look at the running back if there eyes are glued to one side then its going there.

Answer 8

i look at how many recievers are on the line and watch the halfback