Sometimes I forget just how much better (and cheaper!) books are than DVDs. Although it helps to see live video of drills, Complete Linebacking by Lou Tepper is the most in-depth look at a position I've ever seen compiled in one place.
Tepper, who was most recently the Head Coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and was recently canned despite a 36-18 record was also the Head Coach previously at Illinois and the defensive coordinator during a disastrous time at LSU.
This proves again that there are more good coaches than good teams. Tepper knows what he is talking about and it shows in this book. He is general enough that coaches can apply what they learn to any defense, but he does dive into the specifics of linebacker technique in certain defenses.
The book begins with Tepper describing the physical and mental qualities he looks for in a linebacker. He goes a step further by comparing those with actual players he has coached.
Tepper does an excellent job breaking down the fundamentals for linebackers, starting with what he calls the "Hit and Shed" base. He follows his explanations up with numerous drills that reinforce each idea. The diagrams are well done and pretty easy to follow.
He also discusses what his linebackers do during the time between plays. This is something I would have skipped out on in a position manual.
The worst part about the book is when Tepper refers to Jerry Sandusky when discussing a drill he learned from him. Just hearing his name gives me the creeps.
This is a must read for any defensive coordinator or linebackers coach. It has helped me craft and organize my linebacker position manual a little better and opened my eyes to teaching some fundamentals in a new way.
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