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What does a middle linebacker do?

Updated: 9/27/2023
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15y ago

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Linebackers are players who stand at least three to four yards behind the defensive line. A linebacker must be strong enough to stop runners by performing a perfect tackle. They also must be fast enough to cover a wide receiver. So a linebackers' job is to stop the run and help defend the pass.

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16y ago
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15y ago

A linebackers job in football is to stop anyone with the ball. If it's a running play the linebacker must block the open field in the back of him, to prevent the runner from gaining yards, or he must move him to his side where most of his players are. If it's a passing play, a linebacker can do 3 things. 1) He can swat the football out of the QB hand. 2) He can sack the QB, the make a loss of yards. 3) He can wave his arms in the air to deflect a pass. There are 3 linebackers( starting from left )- WL (Weak Linebacker), ML ( Middle Linebacker ), and SL ( Strong Linebacker).

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14y ago

The linebacker is usually the primary playmaker in a defense. While the defensive linemen occupy blockers, and the secondary covers receivers, the linebacker is expected to diagnose the nature of the play and either tackle the ballcarrier on running plays or, on passing plays, he either attempts to 'blitz' to pressure the quarterback, thereby acting as an extra defensive lineman, or he drops into coverage acting as an extra member of the secondary. If the secondary (particularly the safeties) make to many plays then the linebackers are likely failing in their job and the offense is gaining to much yardage. If the defensive line is making alot, that is usually a good thing, but given that they are engaging offensive linemen directly, it is usually difficult for them to do so. Exact responsbilities fluctuate from defense to defense as well as from play to play.

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13y ago

speed, strength, preferred height above 6'1 and weight between 230 and 270 corrsponding to height, but thas like seinor year ball or college, (at a younger younger level of ball its just whos fast big and knows what their doing) anger, quick reaction time, abiltiy to tackle hard and shoot open gaps on a blitz, ability to get off blocks, and great understanding of the game and its formations

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11y ago

Basically...they're the "QB" of defense. They are the head of defense by calling out all of the plays, scanning over the offense, and such. They are the ones to decide which players blitz the QB as well as "spy" the backfield to watch the half backs and QB to anticipate where the ball is going. Also, they are the ones to call out to the rest of defense if the QB hands the ball off or passes it. Usually, the middle linebacker plays zone--mainly keeping eyes on the half back--but in man to man defense they are in charge of the center (if center runs out for a pass) and half back.

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15y ago

The middle linebacker's main objective is to go where the ball goes in order to tackle the person with the ball.

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15y ago

Defensive player who lines up behind the defensive linemen and in front of the defensive backfield. Linebackers are the team's second line of defense. Each team has two outside linebackers.

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14y ago

Second line of defence in the middle. (Protects the Quarterback).

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10y ago

Welll they

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