Pass Pattern Recognition Drills

Drill: Pass Pattern Recognition I (Back to Either Side Running Wide Pattern)

This drill is run without throwing the ball. It teaches the linebackers to watch where the running backs are going in order to know what patterns the wide receivers are running and to adjust their drops accordingly.

If the back to the linebacker's side runs a "wide" pattern, the wide receiver will be running a hook pattern to the inside. The linebacker with the outside zone knows that he must stay as wide as the back. The next linebacker to his inside then must widen his drop, anticipating the wide receiver coming to the inside.

Drill: Pass Pattern Recognition II (Backs to Either Side Running "Stop" Pattern)

When the back to a linebacker's side runs a "stop" pattern, both linebackers on that side should be alerted that the outside receiver is running an "out" pattern. The linebacker in the outside zone now understands that he must get wider in order to be in position to break up the pass.

Drill: Pass Pattern Recognition III (Back to Weakside Running "Angle" Pattern) (Back to Strongside Running Angle Pattern)

When the linebackers see an offensive back to their side run an "angle" pattern, they should realize that the wide receiver will be trying to run a deep "in" pattern.

The outside linebacker no longer needs to get width and should try to slide in with the wide receiver. The inside linebacker must realize that he must get as much depth as possible it he is to stop the pass.

Drill: Pass Pattern Recognition IV (Both Backs Away from Tight End, First Back "Wide")(Both Backs Away from Tight End, First Back "Stop)

Each of the linebackers must read the movement of both running backs when the side of the offensive formation with the three receivers changes. The outside linebacker away from this movement knows that there is only one receiver out wide, so he can stiop thinking about width and drop back on a straigher line. The inside linebacker on the same side now must come back more to the center, directly in front of the quarterback. The two linebackers on the side of the backs movement now must read the first backs pattern for a key to the wide receivers pattern. If the back goes wide, they should expect a hook pattern by the wide receiver.

Should the first back run a stop, they should look for an out pattern, and all the linebackers should adjust their drops for the anticipated pattern. The outside linebacker should widen his drop to be in position to stop the out pass.

Pass Pattern Recognition V (Both Backs Away From Tight End, First Back "Angle")(Both Backs Away from Tight End, First Back Deep)

When the first back runs an "angle," the linebackers automatically must think of an "in" route run by the receiver on the outside. The inside linebacker on the side of the two backs must keep his depth and not succumb to the natural temptation of following the crossing back.

If the first back runs deep up the field, this is an indication that the outside receiver also is running a deep route. The outside linebacker should be alerted to get more depth, expecting the back to try to get behind him near the sideline.

"Play Football The NFL Way" is the first Instructional Manual for Football Players and Coaches ever published by the NFL. It is the ultimate position-by-position guide of techniques and drills for Offense, Defense and Special Teams. Author Tom Bass is a former NFL coach with more than 20 years of experience with the Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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