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</div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Types-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Types subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Types-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Middle_linebacker" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Middle_linebacker"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1</span> <span>Middle linebacker</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Middle_linebacker-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Outside_linebacker" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Outside_linebacker"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.2</span> <span>Outside linebacker</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Outside_linebacker-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Strongside_linebacker" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Strongside_linebacker"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.2.1</span> <span>Strongside linebacker</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Strongside_linebacker-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Weakside_linebacker" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Weakside_linebacker"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.2.2</span> <span>Weakside linebacker</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Weakside_linebacker-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Formations" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Formations"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3</span> <span>Formations</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Formations-sublist" class="cdx-button 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href="https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker – Danish" lang="da" hreflang="da" data-title="Linebacker" data-language-autonym="Dansk" data-language-local-name="Danish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Dansk</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-de mw-list-item"><a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker – German" lang="de" hreflang="de" data-title="Linebacker" data-language-autonym="Deutsch" data-language-local-name="German" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Deutsch</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-es mw-list-item"><a href="https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker – Spanish" lang="es" hreflang="es" data-title="Linebacker" data-language-autonym="Español" data-language-local-name="Spanish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Español</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fr mw-list-item"><a href="https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker – French" lang="fr" hreflang="fr" data-title="Linebacker" data-language-autonym="Français" data-language-local-name="French" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Français</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-it mw-list-item"><a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker – Italian" lang="it" hreflang="it" data-title="Linebacker" data-language-autonym="Italiano" data-language-local-name="Italian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Italiano</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-hu mw-list-item"><a href="https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker – Hungarian" lang="hu" hreflang="hu" data-title="Linebacker" data-language-autonym="Magyar" data-language-local-name="Hungarian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Magyar</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-nl mw-list-item"><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker – Dutch" lang="nl" hreflang="nl" 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lang="pl" hreflang="pl" data-title="Linebacker" data-language-autonym="Polski" data-language-local-name="Polish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Polski</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-pt mw-list-item"><a href="https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker – Portuguese" lang="pt" hreflang="pt" data-title="Linebacker" data-language-autonym="Português" data-language-local-name="Portuguese" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Português</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ru mw-list-item"><a href="https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9B%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BD%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%80" title="Лайнбекер – Russian" lang="ru" hreflang="ru" data-title="Лайнбекер" data-language-autonym="Русский" data-language-local-name="Russian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Русский</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-simple mw-list-item"><a href="https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker – Simple 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</div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </div> <div class="vector-column-end"> <div class="vector-sticky-pinned-container"> <nav class="vector-page-tools-landmark" aria-label="Page tools"> <div id="vector-page-tools-pinned-container" class="vector-pinned-container"> </div> </nav> <nav class="vector-appearance-landmark" aria-label="Appearance"> <div id="vector-appearance-pinned-container" class="vector-pinned-container"> <div id="vector-appearance" class="vector-appearance vector-pinnable-element"> <div class="vector-pinnable-header vector-appearance-pinnable-header vector-pinnable-header-pinned" data-feature-name="appearance-pinned" data-pinnable-element-id="vector-appearance" data-pinned-container-id="vector-appearance-pinned-container" data-unpinned-container-id="vector-appearance-unpinned-container" > <div class="vector-pinnable-header-label">Appearance</div> <button class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-pin-button" 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div.hatnote{padding-left:1.6em;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .hatnote i{font-style:normal}.mw-parser-output .hatnote+link+.hatnote{margin-top:-0.5em}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .hatnote{display:none!important}}</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">This article is about the position in American and Canadian football. For other uses, see <a href="/wiki/Linebacker_(disambiguation)" class="mw-disambig" title="Linebacker (disambiguation)">Linebacker (disambiguation)</a>.</div> <p class="mw-empty-elt"> </p> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Chicago_Bears_vs_Green_Bay_Packers_4.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Chicago_Bears_vs_Green_Bay_Packers_4.jpg/220px-Chicago_Bears_vs_Green_Bay_Packers_4.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="151" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Chicago_Bears_vs_Green_Bay_Packers_4.jpg/330px-Chicago_Bears_vs_Green_Bay_Packers_4.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Chicago_Bears_vs_Green_Bay_Packers_4.jpg/440px-Chicago_Bears_vs_Green_Bay_Packers_4.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1075" data-file-height="739" /></a><figcaption>In white jerseys, <a href="/wiki/Lance_Briggs" title="Lance Briggs">Lance Briggs</a> (#55) and <a href="/wiki/Brian_Urlacher" title="Brian Urlacher">Brian Urlacher</a> (#54) of the <a href="/wiki/Chicago_Bears" title="Chicago Bears">Chicago Bears</a>, are positioned as linebackers on <a href="/wiki/Lambeau_Field" title="Lambeau Field">Lambeau Field</a> in 2011.</figcaption></figure> <p><b>Linebacker</b> (<b>LB</b>) is a playing position in <a href="/wiki/Gridiron_football" title="Gridiron football">gridiron football</a>. Linebackers are members of the <a href="/wiki/Defensive_team" class="mw-redirect" title="Defensive team">defensive team</a>, and typically line up three to five yards behind the <a href="/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage" title="Line of scrimmage">line of scrimmage</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Defensive_linemen" class="mw-redirect" title="Defensive linemen">defensive linemen</a>, playing closer to the line of scrimmage than the <a href="/wiki/Defensive_backs" class="mw-redirect" title="Defensive backs">defensive backs</a> (secondary). </p><p>As such, linebackers play a hybrid role and are often the most versatile players on the defensive side of the ball; they can be asked to play roles similar to either a defensive lineman (such as stopping the runner on a running play) or a defensive back (such as dropping back into pass coverage). How linebackers play their positions depends on the defensive alignment, the philosophy of the coaching staff, and the particular play the offense may call. </p><p>Linebackers are divided into middle linebackers, sometimes called inside linebackers, and outside linebackers. The middle linebacker, often called "Mike", is frequently the "<a href="/wiki/Quarterback" title="Quarterback">quarterback</a> of the defense". His central role on the field means he is in the best position to call defensive plays and direct shifts and changes based on what the offense is doing. Outside linebackers are often in a position to <a href="/wiki/Blitz_(gridiron_football)" title="Blitz (gridiron football)">blitz</a>, a defensive maneuver where the player rushes into the offensive backfield to disrupt a running play or <a href="/wiki/Quarterback_sack" title="Quarterback sack">sack</a> the quarterback on passing plays. Besides "Mike", other nicknames such as "Sam", "Will", or "Jack", are commonly used to refer to various linebacking roles. </p><p>Historically, some of the most impactful defensive players, such as <a href="/wiki/Pro_Football_Hall_of_Fame" title="Pro Football Hall of Fame">Pro Football Hall of Fame</a> members <a href="/wiki/Chuck_Bednarik" title="Chuck Bednarik">Chuck Bednarik</a>, <a href="/wiki/Dick_Butkus" title="Dick Butkus">Dick Butkus</a>, <a href="/wiki/Jack_Lambert_(American_football)" title="Jack Lambert (American football)">Jack Lambert</a>, <a href="/wiki/Ray_Lewis" title="Ray Lewis">Ray Lewis</a>, <a href="/wiki/Ray_Nitschke" title="Ray Nitschke">Ray Nitschke</a>, <a href="/wiki/Mike_Singletary" title="Mike Singletary">Mike Singletary</a>, <a href="/wiki/Brian_Urlacher" title="Brian Urlacher">Brian Urlacher</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Lawrence_Taylor" title="Lawrence Taylor">Lawrence Taylor</a>, were linebackers. </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="History">History</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: History"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Germany_Schulz.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/Germany_Schulz.JPG/220px-Germany_Schulz.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="330" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Germany_Schulz.JPG 1.5x" data-file-width="256" data-file-height="384" /></a><figcaption>The <a href="/wiki/Michigan_Wolverines_football" title="Michigan Wolverines football">University of Michigan</a> is credited with creating the linebacker position, which was first played by <a href="/wiki/Germany_Schulz" title="Germany Schulz">Germany Schulz</a></figcaption></figure> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:ChuckBednarik1952Bowman.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/ChuckBednarik1952Bowman.jpg/220px-ChuckBednarik1952Bowman.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="328" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/ChuckBednarik1952Bowman.jpg 1.5x" data-file-width="259" data-file-height="386" /></a><figcaption><a href="/wiki/Chuck_Bednarik" title="Chuck Bednarik">Chuck Bednarik</a> of the <a href="/wiki/Philadelphia_Eagles" title="Philadelphia Eagles">Philadelphia Eagles</a>, a first round draft selection in the <a href="/wiki/1949_NFL_draft" title="1949 NFL draft">1949 NFL draft</a> and member of the <a href="/wiki/Pro_Football_Hall_of_Fame" title="Pro Football Hall of Fame">Pro Football Hall of Fame</a>, is considered one of the hardest hitting and best linebackers in <a href="/wiki/National_Football_League" title="National Football League">NFL</a> history; his November 20, 1960 tackle of <a href="/wiki/Frank_Gifford" title="Frank Gifford">Frank Gifford</a>, a <a href="/wiki/New_York_Giants" title="New York Giants">New York Giants</a> <a href="/wiki/Running_back" title="Running back">running back</a>, is known simply as "<a href="/wiki/The_Hit_(Chuck_Bednarik)" title="The Hit (Chuck Bednarik)">The Hit</a>" and is considered one of the hardest hits in the league's history.<sup id="cite_ref-BednarikHitSportscasting_1-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-BednarikHitSportscasting-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></figcaption></figure> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Football-Formation-LB.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Football-Formation-LB.svg/220px-Football-Formation-LB.svg.png" decoding="async" width="220" height="110" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Football-Formation-LB.svg/330px-Football-Formation-LB.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Football-Formation-LB.svg/440px-Football-Formation-LB.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1200" data-file-height="600" /></a><figcaption>A base <a href="/wiki/4%E2%80%933_defense" title="4–3 defense">4–3 defense</a> with the middle linebacker in blue</figcaption></figure> <p>Before the advent of the <a href="/wiki/Two-platoon_system" title="Two-platoon system">two-platoon system</a> with separate units for offense and defense, the player who was the team's <a href="/wiki/Center_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Center (American football)">center</a> on offense was often, though not always, the team's linebacker on defense. Hence, in contemporary football, one usually sees four defensive linemen to the offense's five or more. Most sources claim coach <a href="/wiki/Fielding_H._Yost" title="Fielding H. Yost">Fielding H. Yost</a> and center <a href="/wiki/Germany_Schulz#Innovations" title="Germany Schulz">Germany Schulz</a> of the <a href="/wiki/Michigan_Wolverines_football" title="Michigan Wolverines football">Michigan</a> invented the position.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Schulz was Yost's first linebacker in 1904 when he stood up from his usual position on the line. Yost was horrified at first, but came to see the wisdom in Schulz's innovation.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/William_Thomas_Dunn" title="William Thomas Dunn">William Dunn</a> of <a href="/wiki/Penn_State_Nittany_Lions_football" title="Penn State Nittany Lions football">Penn State</a> was another <a href="/wiki/Big_Ten_Conference" title="Big Ten Conference">Western Conference</a> linebacker soon after Schulz. </p><p>However, there are various historical claims tied to the linebacker position, including some before 1904. For example, <a href="/wiki/Percy_Given" title="Percy Given">Percy Given</a> of <a href="/wiki/Georgetown_Hoyas_football" title="Georgetown Hoyas football">Georgetown</a> is another center with a claim to the title "first linebacker," supposedly standing up behind the line well before Schulz in a game against <a href="/wiki/Navy_Midshipmen_football" title="Navy Midshipmen football">Navy</a> in 1902.<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Other sources have the first linebacker in the <a href="/wiki/American_South" class="mw-redirect" title="American South">South</a> as <a href="/wiki/Frank_Juhan" title="Frank Juhan">Frank Juhan</a>, who played at <a href="/wiki/Sewanee_Tigers_football" title="Sewanee Tigers football">Sewanee</a> during 1908–1910.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In the East, <a href="/wiki/Ernest_Cozens" title="Ernest Cozens">Ernest Cozens</a> of <a href="/wiki/Penn_Quakers_football" title="Penn Quakers football">Penn</a> was "one of the first of the roving centers,"<sup id="cite_ref-Obit_10-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Obit-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> another archaic term for the position, supposedly coined by <a href="/wiki/Hank_Ketcham_(American_football)" title="Hank Ketcham (American football)">Hank Ketcham</a> of <a href="/wiki/Yale_Bulldogs_football" title="Yale Bulldogs football">Yale</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/Walter_E._Bachman" title="Walter E. Bachman">Walter E. Bachman</a> of <a href="/wiki/Lafayette_Leopards_football" title="Lafayette Leopards football">Lafayette</a> was said to be "the developer of the 'roving center' concept".<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-12"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/Edgar_Garbisch" title="Edgar Garbisch">Edgar Garbisch</a> of <a href="/wiki/Army_Black_Knights_football" title="Army Black Knights football">Army</a> was credited with developing the "roving center method" of playing defensive football in 1921.<sup id="cite_ref-obit_13-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-obit-13"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In professional football, <a href="/wiki/Cal_Hubbard" title="Cal Hubbard">Cal Hubbard</a> is credited with pioneering the linebacker position. He starred as a <a href="/wiki/Defensive_tackle" title="Defensive tackle">tackle</a> and <a href="/wiki/End_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="End (American football)">end</a>, playing off the line in a style similar to that of a modern linebacker.<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-14"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>14<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Types">Types</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Types"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Middle_linebacker">Middle linebacker</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Middle linebacker"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The <b>middle</b> or <b>inside linebacker</b> (<b>MLB</b> or <b>ILB</b>), sometimes called the "Mike" or "Mac",<sup id="cite_ref-BostonGlobe_15-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-BostonGlobe-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> is often referred to as the "<a href="/wiki/Quarterback" title="Quarterback">quarterback</a> of the defense".<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-16"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Often it is the middle linebacker who receives the defensive play calls from the sideline and relays that play to the rest of the team, and in the NFL he is usually the defensive player with the electronic sideline communicator. A <a href="/wiki/Jack_of_all_trades,_master_of_none" class="mw-redirect" title="Jack of all trades, master of none">jack-of-all-trades</a>, the middle linebacker can be asked to blitz (though they often blitz less than the outside linebacker), cover, spy the <a href="/wiki/Quarterback" title="Quarterback">quarterback</a>, or even have a deep middle-of-the-field responsibility in the <a href="/wiki/Tampa_2" title="Tampa 2">Tampa 2</a> defense. In standard defenses, middle linebackers commonly lead the team in tackles. The terms <i>middle</i> and <i>inside</i> linebacker are often used interchangeably;<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-17"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>17<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> they are also used to distinguish between a single middle linebacker playing in a <a href="/wiki/4%E2%80%933_defense#Linebackers" title="4–3 defense">4–3 defense</a>, and two inside linebackers playing in a <a href="/wiki/3%E2%80%934_defense#Linebackers" title="3–4 defense">3–4 defense</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-18"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>18<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In a 3–4 defense, the larger, more run-stopping-oriented linebacker is usually still called "Mike", while the smaller, more pass protection/route coverage-oriented player is called "Will".<sup id="cite_ref-May2021_19-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-May2021-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> "Mikes" usually line up towards the strong side or on the side the offense is more likely to run on (based on personnel matchups) while "Wills" may line up on the other side or even a little further back between the defensive line and the secondary.<sup id="cite_ref-May2021_19-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-May2021-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Outside_linebacker">Outside linebacker</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Outside linebacker"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The <b>outside linebacker</b> (<b>OLB</b>), sometimes called the "Buck, Sam, and Rebel", is usually responsible for outside containment. This includes the strongside and weakside designations below. They are also responsible for blitzing the quarterback. Not only is the OLB responsible for outside containment and blitzing the QB, but they also have to perform pass coverage in the flats – sometimes called a drop. Outside linebackers pass coverages covers quick slants outside, in curls in the flats. The "flats" are the edge of the field closest to the sideline, from the line of scrimmage down about ten yards. <a href="/wiki/John_Alexander_(American_football)" title="John Alexander (American football)">John Alexander</a> is the first person to have played outside linebacker in the NFL.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (November 2022)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Strongside_linebacker">Strongside linebacker</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Strongside linebacker"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The strongside linebacker (SLB) is often nicknamed the "Sam" for purposes of calling a <a href="/wiki/Blitz_(gridiron_football)" title="Blitz (gridiron football)">blitz</a>. Since the strong side of the <a href="/wiki/Offensive_team" class="mw-redirect" title="Offensive team">offensive team</a> is the side on which the <a href="/wiki/Tight_end" title="Tight end">tight end</a> lines up, or whichever side contains the most personnel, the strongside linebacker usually lines up across from the tight end. Often the strongside linebacker will be called upon to tackle the <a href="/wiki/Running_back" title="Running back">running back</a> on a play because the back will be following the tight end's block. He is most often the strongest linebacker; at the least he possesses the ability to withstand, shed, and fight off blocks from a tight end or fullback blocking the backside of a pass play. The linebacker should also have strong <a href="/wiki/Safety_(American_football_position)" class="mw-redirect" title="Safety (American football position)">safety</a> abilities in pass situation to cover the tight end in man on man situations. He should also have considerable quickness to read and get into coverage in zone situations. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Weakside_linebacker">Weakside linebacker</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Weakside linebacker"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The weakside linebacker (WLB), or the "Will" in 4–3 defense, sometimes called the backside linebacker, or "Buck", as well as other names like Jack or Bandit,<sup id="cite_ref-BostonGlobe_15-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-BostonGlobe-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> must be the fastest of the three, because he is often the one called into pass coverage. He is also usually chasing the play from the backside, so the ability to maneuver through traffic is a necessity for the Will. The Will usually aligns off the <a href="/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage" title="Line of scrimmage">line of scrimmage</a> at the same depth as Mike. Because of his position on the weakside, the Will does not often have to face large interior linemen one on one unless one is pulling. In coverage, the Will often covers the back that attacks his side of the field first in man coverage, while covering the weak flat in Texas Loop or hooks/curl areas in zone coverage. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Formations">Formations</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Formations"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1251242444">.mw-parser-output .ambox{border:1px solid #a2a9b1;border-left:10px solid #36c;background-color:#fbfbfb;box-sizing:border-box}.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+style+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+style+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+link+.ambox{margin-top:-1px}html body.mediawiki .mw-parser-output .ambox.mbox-small-left{margin:4px 1em 4px 0;overflow:hidden;width:238px;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em}.mw-parser-output .ambox-speedy{border-left:10px solid #b32424;background-color:#fee7e6}.mw-parser-output .ambox-delete{border-left:10px solid #b32424}.mw-parser-output .ambox-content{border-left:10px solid #f28500}.mw-parser-output .ambox-style{border-left:10px solid #fc3}.mw-parser-output .ambox-move{border-left:10px solid #9932cc}.mw-parser-output .ambox-protection{border-left:10px solid #a2a9b1}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-text{border:none;padding:0.25em 0.5em;width:100%}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-image{border:none;padding:2px 0 2px 0.5em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-imageright{border:none;padding:2px 0.5em 2px 0;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-empty-cell{border:none;padding:0;width:1px}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-image-div{width:52px}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .ambox{margin:0 10%}}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .ambox{display:none!important}}</style><table class="box-Unreferenced_section plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-content ambox-Unreferenced" role="presentation"><tbody><tr><td class="mbox-image"><div class="mbox-image-div"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="39" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/75px-Question_book-new.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/100px-Question_book-new.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="512" data-file-height="399" /></a></span></div></td><td class="mbox-text"><div class="mbox-text-span">This section <b>does not <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources" title="Wikipedia:Citing sources">cite</a> any <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability" title="Wikipedia:Verifiability">sources</a></b>.<span class="hide-when-compact"> Please help <a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Linebacker" title="Special:EditPage/Linebacker">improve this section</a> by <a href="/wiki/Help:Referencing_for_beginners" title="Help:Referencing for beginners">adding citations to reliable sources</a>. Unsourced material may be challenged and <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Burden_of_evidence" title="Wikipedia:Verifiability">removed</a>.</span> <span class="date-container"><i>(<span class="date">November 2022</span>)</i></span><span class="hide-when-compact"><i> (<small><a href="/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal" title="Help:Maintenance template removal">Learn how and when to remove this message</a></small>)</i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>The number of linebackers is dependent upon the <a href="/wiki/Formation_(American_football)#List_of_Defensive_formations" title="Formation (American football)">formation</a> called for in the play; formations can call for as few as none, or as many as seven. Most defensive schemes call for three or four, which are generally named for the number of linemen, followed by the number of linebackers (with the 46 defense being an exception). For example, the 4–3 defense has four defensive linemen and three linebackers; conversely, the 3–4 defense has three linemen and four linebackers. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="4–3_defense"><span id="4.E2.80.933_defense"></span>4–3 defense</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: 4–3 defense"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/4%E2%80%933_defense" title="4–3 defense">4–3 defense</a></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1251242444"><table class="box-Unreferenced_section plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-content ambox-Unreferenced" role="presentation"><tbody><tr><td class="mbox-image"><div class="mbox-image-div"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="39" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/75px-Question_book-new.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/100px-Question_book-new.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="512" data-file-height="399" /></a></span></div></td><td class="mbox-text"><div class="mbox-text-span">This section <b>does not <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources" title="Wikipedia:Citing sources">cite</a> any <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability" title="Wikipedia:Verifiability">sources</a></b>.<span class="hide-when-compact"> Please help <a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Linebacker" title="Special:EditPage/Linebacker">improve this section</a> by <a href="/wiki/Help:Referencing_for_beginners" title="Help:Referencing for beginners">adding citations to reliable sources</a>. Unsourced material may be challenged and <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Burden_of_evidence" title="Wikipedia:Verifiability">removed</a>.</span> <span class="date-container"><i>(<span class="date">November 2022</span>)</i></span><span class="hide-when-compact"><i> (<small><a href="/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal" title="Help:Maintenance template removal">Learn how and when to remove this message</a></small>)</i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>In the 4–3 defense there are four down linemen and three linebackers. The middle linebacker is designated "Mike" (or "Mac") and two outside linebackers are designated "Sam" and "Will" according to how they line up against the offensive formation. If there is a strong call, the linebacker on the strongside is called "Sam", while the linebacker on the weakside is called "Will". The outside linebacker's job is to cover the end to make sure a run does not escape and to watch the pass and protect from it. The middle linebacker's job is to stop runs between the <a href="/wiki/Tackle_(American_football_position)" class="mw-redirect" title="Tackle (American football position)">tackles</a> and watch the entire field to see the play develop. On pass plays, the linebackers' responsibilities vary based upon whether a man or zone coverage is called. In zone coverage, the linebackers will generally drop into <span class="cleanup-needed-content" style="padding-left:0.1em; padding-right:0.1em; color:var(--color-subtle, #54595d); border:1px solid var(--border-color-subtle, #c8ccd1);">hook zones</span><sup class="noprint Inline-Template" style="margin-left:0.1em; white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify" title="Wikipedia:Please clarify"><span title="The text near this tag may need clarification or removal of jargon. (November 2022)">clarification needed</span></a></i>]</sup> across the middle of the field. However, some zones will send the outside linebackers into the flats (area directly to the left and right of the hash marks, extending 4–5 yards downfield). In a man-to-man call, the "Sam" will often cover the tight end with help from a safety over the top, while at other times, the "Sam" and "Will" will be responsible for the first man out of the backfield on their side of the center, with the "Mike" covering if a second man exits on that side of the field. </p><p>In the "<a href="/wiki/Tampa_2" title="Tampa 2">Tampa 2</a>" zone defense, the middle linebacker is required to drop quickly into a deep middle zone pass coverage thus requiring a quick player at this position. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="3–4_defense"><span id="3.E2.80.934_defense"></span>3–4 defense</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: 3–4 defense"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/3%E2%80%934_defense" title="3–4 defense">3–4 defense</a></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1251242444"><table class="box-Unreferenced_section plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-content ambox-Unreferenced" role="presentation"><tbody><tr><td class="mbox-image"><div class="mbox-image-div"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="39" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/75px-Question_book-new.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/100px-Question_book-new.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="512" data-file-height="399" /></a></span></div></td><td class="mbox-text"><div class="mbox-text-span">This section <b>does not <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources" title="Wikipedia:Citing sources">cite</a> any <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability" title="Wikipedia:Verifiability">sources</a></b>.<span class="hide-when-compact"> Please help <a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Linebacker" title="Special:EditPage/Linebacker">improve this section</a> by <a href="/wiki/Help:Referencing_for_beginners" title="Help:Referencing for beginners">adding citations to reliable sources</a>. Unsourced material may be challenged and <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Burden_of_evidence" title="Wikipedia:Verifiability">removed</a>.</span> <span class="date-container"><i>(<span class="date">November 2022</span>)</i></span><span class="hide-when-compact"><i> (<small><a href="/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal" title="Help:Maintenance template removal">Learn how and when to remove this message</a></small>)</i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Linebacker34.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Linebacker34.svg/220px-Linebacker34.svg.png" decoding="async" width="220" height="147" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Linebacker34.svg/330px-Linebacker34.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Linebacker34.svg/440px-Linebacker34.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="750" data-file-height="500" /></a><figcaption>A base <a href="/wiki/3%E2%80%934_defense" title="3–4 defense">3–4 defense</a></figcaption></figure> <p>In the 3–4 defense three linemen play the line of scrimmage and four linebackers back them up, typically two outside linebackers and two inside linebackers. The weakside inside linebacker is typically called the "Will", while the strong side or middle inside linebacker is called the "Mike". "Sam" is a common designation for strong outside linebacker, while the other position is usually called "Jack" and is often a hybrid DE/LB. <span class="citation-needed-content" style="padding-left:0.1em; padding-right:0.1em; color:var(--color-subtle, #54595d); border:1px solid var(--border-color-subtle, #c8ccd1);">Usually, teams that run a 3–4 defense look for college defensive ends that are too small to play the position in the pros and not quite fluid enough to play outside linebacker in a 4–3 defense as their "Jack" linebacker.</span><sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="margin-left:0.1em; white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (November 2022)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>The idea behind the 3–4 defense is to disguise where the fourth rusher will come from. Instead of the standard four down-linemen in the 4–3, only three players are clearly attacking nearly every play. A key for running this defense successfully is having a defensive front of three large defensive linemen who command constant double teams. In particular, the nose tackle, who plays over the offensive center, must be able to hold ground and to occupy several offensive blockers to allow the linebackers to make plays. The focus of the 3–4 defensive line is to occupy offensive linemen thus freeing the linebackers to tackle the running back or to rush the passer or otherwise drop into pass coverage. </p><p>The primary responsibilities for both outside linebackers are typically to stop the run and rush the quarterback in passing situations, where they line in front of the tackles like true defensive ends. The outside linebackers in a 3–4 defense must be very skilled at rushing the quarterback, and would be playing defensive end in a 4–3 defense. Among inside linebackers, one is generally a run-stuffer who is better able to handle offensive linemen and stop running backs, while the other is often a smaller, faster player who excels in pass coverage. However, the smaller or cover LB should also be able to scrape and plug running lanes decently. </p><p>The design concept of the 3–4 defense is to confuse the offensive line in their blocking assignments, particularly in pass blocking, and to create a more complex read for the quarterback. Many 3–4 defenses have the ability to quickly morph into a 4–3 on the field. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="46_defense">46 defense</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: 46 defense"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/46_defense" title="46 defense">46 defense</a></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1251242444"><table class="box-Unreferenced_section plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-content ambox-Unreferenced" role="presentation"><tbody><tr><td class="mbox-image"><div class="mbox-image-div"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="39" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/75px-Question_book-new.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/100px-Question_book-new.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="512" data-file-height="399" /></a></span></div></td><td class="mbox-text"><div class="mbox-text-span">This section <b>does not <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources" title="Wikipedia:Citing sources">cite</a> any <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability" title="Wikipedia:Verifiability">sources</a></b>.<span class="hide-when-compact"> Please help <a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Linebacker" title="Special:EditPage/Linebacker">improve this section</a> by <a href="/wiki/Help:Referencing_for_beginners" title="Help:Referencing for beginners">adding citations to reliable sources</a>. Unsourced material may be challenged and <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Burden_of_evidence" title="Wikipedia:Verifiability">removed</a>.</span> <span class="date-container"><i>(<span class="date">November 2022</span>)</i></span><span class="hide-when-compact"><i> (<small><a href="/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal" title="Help:Maintenance template removal">Learn how and when to remove this message</a></small>)</i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>In the 46 defense, there are four linemen, three linebackers and a safety who is moved up behind the line of scrimmage. Thus, it appears as if there are four linebackers, but it is really three linebackers with one safety playing up with the other linebackers. </p><p>Three of the defensive linemen are over both of the offensive guards and the center, thereby making it difficult to double-team any one of the three interior defensive linemen. This can also take away the ability of the offense to pull the guards on a running play, because this would leave one of the defenders unblocked, or, at best, give another lineman a very difficult block to make on one of the defenders. The safety, like the linebacker, can blitz, play man-on-man, play zone, or drop back into deep coverage like a normal safety would do. The 46 is used in heavy run situations to stop the run, when a team wants to apply much pressure, or merely to confuse the <a href="/wiki/Quarterback" title="Quarterback">quarterback</a> and offensive line. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="4–4_defense"><span id="4.E2.80.934_defense"></span>4–4 defense</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: 4–4 defense"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/4-4_defense" class="mw-redirect" title="4-4 defense">4-4 defense</a></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1251242444"><table class="box-Unreferenced_section plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-content ambox-Unreferenced" role="presentation"><tbody><tr><td class="mbox-image"><div class="mbox-image-div"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="39" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/75px-Question_book-new.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/100px-Question_book-new.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="512" data-file-height="399" /></a></span></div></td><td class="mbox-text"><div class="mbox-text-span">This section <b>does not <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources" title="Wikipedia:Citing sources">cite</a> any <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability" title="Wikipedia:Verifiability">sources</a></b>.<span class="hide-when-compact"> Please help <a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Linebacker" title="Special:EditPage/Linebacker">improve this section</a> by <a href="/wiki/Help:Referencing_for_beginners" title="Help:Referencing for beginners">adding citations to reliable sources</a>. Unsourced material may be challenged and <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Burden_of_evidence" title="Wikipedia:Verifiability">removed</a>.</span> <span class="date-container"><i>(<span class="date">November 2022</span>)</i></span><span class="hide-when-compact"><i> (<small><a href="/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal" title="Help:Maintenance template removal">Learn how and when to remove this message</a></small>)</i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>This defense is effective at run-stopping but is weaker than a 4–3 defense at pass coverage because it uses only three defensive backs. This defensive scheme is often played with two inside line backers and two outside line backers. The names of the two inside line backers are often called Sam and Mike and these two are lined up about four yards from the line of scrimmage and are lined up with the offensive guard. The inside line backers are often more of a run player so they will defend the run before they will the pass. These line backers will be reading the offensive guard so they know what to do, so if the guard sets up to pass block the line backers know to get into their zone in order to cover the pass. If the guard come out for a run play they know that they need to fill the gap that they are supposed to so that they can make a play if it comes to them. Also, these inside line backers are often called on a blitz which is when no matter what the offense does, as soon as that ball is snapped they are shooting their gap and trying to get into the back field to make a play as fast as possible. Outside line backers sometimes are considered to be pass players before they are run players. But that depends on where they are lined up, if they are outside of the box of the defense then they will be pass first players, but if they play inside the box lined up behind the defensive end then they are typically a run player. One of the outside linebackers is usually called into either blitz or pass coverage to make up for the missing defensive back. In the NFL and college football, this alignment is used mainly in short yardage situations or near the goal line. It is commonly used in high school football. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Notes">Notes</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: Notes"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist reflist-columns references-column-width" style="column-width: 30em;"> <ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-BednarikHitSportscasting-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-BednarikHitSportscasting_1-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite id="CITEREFBurke2020" class="citation web cs1">Burke, Garrett (June 8, 2020). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.sportscasting.com/the-facts-and-fiction-behind-chuck-bednariks-hit-on-wide-receiver-frank-gifford/">"The Facts and Fiction Behind Chuck Bednarik's Hit on Wide Receiver Frank Gifford"</a>. <i>Sportscasting.com</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">September 27,</span> 2022</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Sportscasting.com&rft.atitle=The+Facts+and+Fiction+Behind+Chuck+Bednarik%27s+Hit+on+Wide+Receiver+Frank+Gifford&rft.date=2020-06-08&rft.aulast=Burke&rft.aufirst=Garrett&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportscasting.com%2Fthe-facts-and-fiction-behind-chuck-bednariks-hit-on-wide-receiver-frank-gifford%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><i>Big Ten Football, Its Life and Times, Great Coaches, Players, and Games</i>, page 193, Mervin D. Hyman, Gordon S. White, Macmillan, 1977, <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-02-558070-1" title="Special:BookSources/0-02-558070-1">0-02-558070-1</a>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2548264/the_newark_advocate/">"First linebacker found"</a>. <i>The Newark Advocate</i>. October 30, 1974. p. 27<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">June 4,</span> 2015</span> – via <a href="/wiki/Newspapers.com" class="mw-redirect" title="Newspapers.com">Newspapers.com</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Newark+Advocate&rft.atitle=First+linebacker+found&rft.pages=27&rft.date=1974-10-30&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newspapers.com%2Fclip%2F2548264%2Fthe_newark_advocate%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span> <span style="position:relative; top: -2px;"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Open_access" title="open access publication – free to read"><img alt="Open access icon" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg/9px-Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg.png" decoding="async" width="9" height="14" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg/14px-Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg/18px-Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="640" data-file-height="1000" /></a></span></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-4">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2548263/the_pantagraph/">"More Trivia"</a>. <i>The Pantagraph</i>. September 10, 1967. p. 28<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">June 4,</span> 2015</span> – via <a href="/wiki/Newspapers.com" class="mw-redirect" title="Newspapers.com">Newspapers.com</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Pantagraph&rft.atitle=More+Trivia&rft.pages=28&rft.date=1967-09-10&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newspapers.com%2Fclip%2F2548263%2Fthe_pantagraph%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span> <span style="position:relative; top: -2px;"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Open_access" title="open access publication – free to read"><img alt="Open access icon" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg/9px-Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg.png" decoding="async" width="9" height="14" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg/14px-Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg/18px-Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="640" data-file-height="1000" /></a></span></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-5">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Dave Lewis, "Once Over Lightly," <i>The Long Beach Independent</i>, July 29, 1954.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-6">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1242">"Germany Schulz"</a>. <i>footballfoundation.org</i>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=footballfoundation.org&rft.atitle=Germany+Schulz&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Ffootballfoundation.org%2Fhof_search.aspx%3Fhof%3D1242&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-7"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-7">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Malcolm Bingay, "A Little About This and That: How Schulz Entered Michigan Still A Mystery," <i>The Morning Herald</i>, May 1, 1951; "Frankly Speaking: Schulz' Great Grid Exploits Reviewed," <i>The Long Beach Press-Telegram,</i> April 17, 1951.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-8">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAlexander_M._Weyand1962" class="citation book cs1">Alexander M. Weyand (1962). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=4ck3AAAAIAAJ&q=percy+given"><i>Football Immortals</i></a>. p. 128.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Football+Immortals&rft.pages=128&rft.date=1962&rft.au=Alexander+M.+Weyand&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D4ck3AAAAIAAJ%26q%3Dpercy%2Bgiven&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-9">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1251">"Frank Juhan"</a>. <i>footballfoundation.org</i>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=footballfoundation.org&rft.atitle=Frank+Juhan&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Ffootballfoundation.org%2Fhof_search.aspx%3Fhof%3D1251&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Obit-10"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Obit_10-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=CO8sAAAAYAAJ">"Ernest B. Cozens"</a>. <i>Pennsylvania Gazette</i>. June 28, 1929. p. 751.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Pennsylvania+Gazette&rft.atitle=Ernest+B.+Cozens&rft.pages=751&rft.date=1929-06-28&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DCO8sAAAAYAAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-11"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-11">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1338">"Henry Ketcham"</a>. <i>footballfoundation.org</i>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=footballfoundation.org&rft.atitle=Henry+Ketcham&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Ffootballfoundation.org%2Fhof_search.aspx%3Fhof%3D1338&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-12"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-12">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150528223910/http://www.goleopards.com/sports/maroonclub/mtt/bachman_walter00.html">"Walter Bachman"</a>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.goleopards.com/sports/maroonclub/mtt/bachman_walter00.html">the original</a> on May 28, 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">May 28,</span> 2015</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Walter+Bachman&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goleopards.com%2Fsports%2Fmaroonclub%2Fmtt%2Fbachman_walter00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-obit-13"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-obit_13-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1961&dat=19791216&id=JXItAAAAIBAJ&pg=1162,762173">"Col. Edward Garbisch and His Wife, Bernice, Die"</a>. <i>Palm Beach Daily News</i>. December 16, 1979. p. A1, A15.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Palm+Beach+Daily+News&rft.atitle=Col.+Edward+Garbisch+and+His+Wife%2C+Bernice%2C+Die&rft.pages=A1%2C+A15&rft.date=1979-12-16&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnewspapers%3Fnid%3D1961%26dat%3D19791216%26id%3DJXItAAAAIBAJ%26pg%3D1162%2C762173&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span><sup class="noprint Inline-Template"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot" title="Wikipedia:Link rot"><span title=" Dead link tagged March 2022">permanent dead link</span></a></i><span style="visibility:hidden; color:transparent; padding-left:2px">‍</span>]</span></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-14"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-14">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRichard_Whittingham2001" class="citation book cs1">Richard Whittingham (January 2001). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=ueY58Dlnn30C&pg=PA62"><i>What a Game They Played: An Inside Look at the Golden Era of Pro Football</i></a>. U of Nebraska Press. p. 62. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0803298196" title="Special:BookSources/0803298196"><bdi>0803298196</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=What+a+Game+They+Played%3A+An+Inside+Look+at+the+Golden+Era+of+Pro+Football&rft.pages=62&rft.pub=U+of+Nebraska+Press&rft.date=2001-01&rft.isbn=0803298196&rft.au=Richard+Whittingham&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DueY58Dlnn30C%26pg%3DPA62&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-BostonGlobe-15"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-BostonGlobe_15-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-BostonGlobe_15-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFZimmer2012" class="citation news cs1">Zimmer, Ben (September 9, 2012). <span class="id-lock-subscription" title="Paid subscription required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2012/09/08/how-sam-mike-and-will-became-football-positions/URHq2XoAdviKJYZLQfbKNK/story.html">"How Sam, Mike and Will Became Football Positions"</a></span>. <i><a href="/wiki/The_Boston_Globe" title="The Boston Globe">The Boston Globe</a></i>. <a href="/wiki/Boston" title="Boston">Boston</a><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">October 5,</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Boston+Globe&rft.atitle=How+Sam%2C+Mike+and+Will+Became+Football+Positions&rft.date=2012-09-09&rft.aulast=Zimmer&rft.aufirst=Ben&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bostonglobe.com%2Fideas%2F2012%2F09%2F08%2Fhow-sam-mike-and-will-became-football-positions%2FURHq2XoAdviKJYZLQfbKNK%2Fstory.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-16"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-16">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFJW_Nix2011" class="citation web cs1">JW Nix (August 30, 2011). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/826932-nfl-defensive-quarterbacks-the-10-best-middle-linebackers-in-football-today">"NFL Defensive Quarterbacks: The 10 Best Middle Linebackers in Football Today"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Bleacher_Report" title="Bleacher Report">Bleacher Report</a><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">October 5,</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=NFL+Defensive+Quarterbacks%3A+The+10+Best+Middle+Linebackers+in+Football+Today&rft.pub=Bleacher+Report&rft.date=2011-08-30&rft.au=JW+Nix&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fbleacherreport.com%2Farticles%2F826932-nfl-defensive-quarterbacks-the-10-best-middle-linebackers-in-football-today&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-17"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-17">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBradley2003" class="citation book cs1">Bradley, Michael (2003). <i>Football All-Stars: The Nfl's Best</i>. The Rosen Publishing Group. p. 55. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0823936902" title="Special:BookSources/0823936902"><bdi>0823936902</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Football+All-Stars%3A+The+Nfl%27s+Best&rft.pages=55&rft.pub=The+Rosen+Publishing+Group&rft.date=2003&rft.isbn=0823936902&rft.aulast=Bradley&rft.aufirst=Michael&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-18"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-18">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFWeisman2008" class="citation news cs1">Weisman, Larry (August 5, 2008). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/patriots/2008-08-05-mayo_N.htm">"Mayo leaning on 'old guys' to pick up Pats system on the fly"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/USA_Today" title="USA Today">USA Today</a></i>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=USA+Today&rft.atitle=Mayo+leaning+on+%27old+guys%27+to+pick+up+Pats+system+on+the+fly&rft.date=2008-08-05&rft.aulast=Weisman&rft.aufirst=Larry&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fsports%2Ffootball%2Fnfl%2Fpatriots%2F2008-08-05-mayo_N.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-May2021-19"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-May2021_19-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-May2021_19-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMay2021" class="citation web cs1">May, Jeffrey (November 18, 2021). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://en.as.com/en/2021/11/18/nfl/1637194760_140628.html">"Why is a linebacker called Mike? What does this mean?"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/Diario_AS" title="Diario AS">Diario AS</a></i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">January 23,</span> 2023</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Diario+AS&rft.atitle=Why+is+a+linebacker+called+Mike%3F+What+does+this+mean%3F&rft.date=2021-11-18&rft.aulast=May&rft.aufirst=Jeffrey&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fen.as.com%2Fen%2F2021%2F11%2F18%2Fnfl%2F1637194760_140628.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ALinebacker" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> </ol></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Bibliography">Bibliography</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&action=edit&section=14" title="Edit section: Bibliography"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><i>Complete Book of Linebacker Play</i>, Joe Giampalmi, Parker Pub. Co., 1984, <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-13-157511-2" title="Special:BookSources/0-13-157511-2">0-13-157511-2</a></li></ul> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1235681985">.mw-parser-output .side-box{margin:4px 0;box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid #aaa;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em;background-color:var(--background-color-interactive-subtle,#f8f9fa);display:flow-root}.mw-parser-output .side-box-abovebelow,.mw-parser-output .side-box-text{padding:0.25em 0.9em}.mw-parser-output .side-box-image{padding:2px 0 2px 0.9em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .side-box-imageright{padding:2px 0.9em 2px 0;text-align:center}@media(min-width:500px){.mw-parser-output .side-box-flex{display:flex;align-items:center}.mw-parser-output .side-box-text{flex:1;min-width:0}}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output 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abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}}@media print{.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:none!important}}</style><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:American_football_positions" title="Template:American football positions"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:American_football_positions" title="Template talk:American football positions"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:American_football_positions" title="Special:EditPage/Template:American football positions"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Positions_in_American_football_and_Canadian_football" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/American_football_positions" title="American football positions">Positions</a> in <a href="/wiki/American_football" title="American football">American football</a> and <a href="/wiki/Canadian_football" title="Canadian football">Canadian football</a></div></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0;border-width:0;"><div style="padding:0"> <div class="wikitable"><div style="display:inline-table;width:33.3333%;"> <table style="margin:0.5%;" class="wikitable wraplinks"> <caption><a href="/wiki/Offense_(sports)" title="Offense (sports)">Offense</a> (<a href="/wiki/Skill_position" title="Skill position">Skill position</a>) </caption> <tbody><tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Lineman_(gridiron_football)" title="Lineman (gridiron football)">Linemen</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Tackle_(gridiron_football_position)" title="Tackle (gridiron football position)">Tackle</a>, <a href="/wiki/Guard_(gridiron_football)" title="Guard (gridiron football)">Guard</a>, <a href="/wiki/Center_(gridiron_football)" title="Center (gridiron football)">Center</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><a href="/wiki/Quarterback" title="Quarterback">Quarterback</a> (<a href="/wiki/Dual-threat_quarterback" title="Dual-threat quarterback">Dual-threat</a>, <a href="/wiki/Game_manager" title="Game manager">Game manager</a>, <a href="/wiki/System_quarterback" title="System quarterback">System</a>) </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Running_back" title="Running back">Running backs</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)" title="Halfback (American football)">Halfback/Tailback</a> (<a href="/wiki/Triple-threat_man" title="Triple-threat man">Triple-threat</a>, <a href="/wiki/Change_of_pace_running_back" title="Change of pace running back">Change of pace</a>), <a href="/wiki/Fullback_(gridiron_football)" title="Fullback (gridiron football)">Fullback</a>, <a href="/wiki/H-back" title="H-back">H-back</a>, <a href="/wiki/Wingback_(American_football)" title="Wingback (American football)">Wingback</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td>Receivers </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Wide_receiver" title="Wide receiver">Wide receiver</a> (<a href="/wiki/Eligible_receiver" title="Eligible receiver">Eligible</a>), <a href="/wiki/Tight_end" title="Tight end">Tight end</a>, <a href="/wiki/Slotback" title="Slotback">Slotback</a>, <a href="/wiki/End_(gridiron_football)" title="End (gridiron football)">End</a> </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="display:inline-table;width:33.3333%;"> <table style="margin:0.5%;display:inline-table;" class="wikitable wraplinks"> <caption><a href="/wiki/Defense_(sports)" title="Defense (sports)">Defense</a> </caption> <tbody><tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Lineman_(gridiron_football)" title="Lineman (gridiron football)">Linemen</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Nose_tackle" class="mw-redirect" title="Nose tackle">Nose tackle</a>, <a href="/wiki/Defensive_tackle" title="Defensive tackle">Tackle</a>, <a href="/wiki/Defensive_end" title="Defensive end">End</a>, <a href="/wiki/Edge_rusher" title="Edge rusher">Edge rusher</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Linebacker</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Defensive_back" title="Defensive back">Backs</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Cornerback" title="Cornerback">Cornerback</a>, <a href="/wiki/Safety_(gridiron_football_position)" title="Safety (gridiron football position)">Safety</a>, <a href="/wiki/Halfback_(Canadian_football)" title="Halfback (Canadian football)">Halfback</a>, <a href="/wiki/Nickelback_(American_football)" title="Nickelback (American football)">Nickelback</a>, <a href="/wiki/Dimeback" title="Dimeback">Dimeback</a> </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="display:inline-table;width:33.3333%;"> <table style="margin:0.5%;display:inline-table;" class="wikitable wraplinks"> <caption><a href="/wiki/American_football_positions#Special_teams" title="American football positions">Special teams</a> </caption> <tbody><tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Kicking_specialist" title="Kicking specialist">Kicking</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Placekicker" title="Placekicker">Placekicker</a>, <a href="/wiki/Punter_(gridiron_football)" title="Punter (gridiron football)">Punter</a>, <a href="/wiki/Kickoff_specialist" title="Kickoff specialist">Kickoff specialist</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td>Snapping </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Long_snapper" title="Long snapper">Long snapper</a>, <a href="/wiki/Holder_(gridiron_football)" title="Holder (gridiron football)">Holder</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td>Returning </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Return_specialist" title="Return specialist">Punt returner</a>, <a href="/wiki/Return_specialist" title="Return specialist">Kick returner</a>, <a href="/wiki/Jammer_(American_football)" title="Jammer (American football)">Jammer</a>, <a href="/wiki/Upman" class="mw-redirect" title="Upman">Upman</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td>Tackling </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Gunner_(American_football)" title="Gunner (American football)">Gunner</a>, <a href="/wiki/Upback" title="Upback">Upback</a>, <a href="/wiki/Utility_player#American_football" title="Utility player">Utility</a> 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