5-3 Weak Side Outside Linebacker's Responsiblities ??

Question

What are the primary and secondary responsiblities for a Weak Side Outside Linebacker in a 5-3?

Answer 1

Run -

Primary:  Outside shoulder of left tackle to sideline

Secondary:  Pursuit/Support of the rest of the field, once assured it is not a counter or misdirection play that requires you to "stay at home" on your primary assignment. In other words, once the runner commits to movement beyond the line of scrimmage

Pass -

Primary:  Left flat area, which is zone coverage from Left tight end forward 0 - 15 yards, and to the sideline, depending on the depth of drop of the QB, time required for the patterns to develop, and the hot receivers involved.  Fade back on the diagonal as the pass play develops, keeping close distance to the tight end until he releases out of your zone, or until a running back swings into the flat behind or in front of the line of scrimmage, at which time you'll "release" the tight end to the DB and/or safety, and move up in close proximity of the RB to prevent a reception.  If your coach uses blitzing plays (and if you're Weak Side OLB, I certainly hope for you he does), you are responsible for speed rushing off the shoulder of your DE when he engages the left tackle and annihilating the QB.  

Always be alert to signals that you're being "set up" for a swing or screen pass. The signals are a lighter or shorter "block" on the linemen, yourself - so they can set up a screen blocking scheme in the flat.  If so, you're principally responsible for busting up this play.  

Key off the halfback on first down/running plays, with an eye toward the tight end.  If he DOESN"T block, fade into zone coverage. If the TE blocks, here comes the run.  You have two options.  If it's going inside the tackle or tight end, crush the tight end from his outside shoulder, clogging up the running space on the left side of the line, helping to free up your DE to help inside, and play off that block and make the tackle, always being certain to "contain" (not allow the ball to get outside of you.  Try to always force action inside, to benefit from the support you'll get from your teammates, and don't allow people to get outside of you.  

On down and yardage situations where it is likely to be a pass, key primarily off the tight end.  He'll let you know pretty quick whether you're going to see a pass or run.  Again, use the running back as your other key as to swing/screen play, running play, etc.  

The outside linebacker's toughest enemy is the skilled play action team.  The belly play to the RB, to commit the OLB to a run, then throwing it over his head to the tight end or one of the running backs.  

Follow your reads and use your quickness to not get fooled.

Avoid playing too far off the line of scrimmage.

When you get the opportunity to hit the QB, make it a devastating blow. You want him thinking about it every time.  One of your best opportunities is if there is no flanker or wideout on your side. This may be an even better opportunity for a DB blitz, while you stay in pass coverage, particularly if the ball is positioned close to your sideline. Work out codes/colors that you change at intervals throughout the game, to signal your DB and your DE that you are blitzing, or that you use to indicate they (DE) rush wide outside, and allow you a path to sprint inside and attack the QB.  

Finally, watch as much film as you can of the teams you are playing, so you can pick up indicators and tendencies of what they do/and the "tells" they give off before they do it.  I've made some killer plays in my time by reading the body language of opponents.  Sometimes pulling guards don't put their hands down very tight on a pulling play, tipping you it's a run.  Often RBs "lean" one way or another, not even realizing this, or have the habit of "looking your way" before they run that direction.  These are huge advantages if you're looking at people and observing them.  The same goes with huddle formations - watch them and their body language leaving the huddle. Sometimes you can tell which receiver is going to get a pass because (not realizing it) they leave the huddle with a little more "giddyup" in their step when they're the hot receiver on the play called.  Tight ends sometimes line up differently when they're blocking or getting ready to run a pass pattern.  Don't "overread" situations, but observe them consistently throughout a game, looking for 'tells'.  

Remember, the fullback is rarely going to run outside the tackles, He is, by and large, the MLB's target.  He's a tackle-to-tackle threat.  He'll occasionally lead the block on a sweep, but will rarely be the ballcarrier. When he does come outside to block on a sweep, try to neutralize him and play off the block and tackle the RB.  If it's a power sweep, your coach is probably going to want you to "one-pin" the lead blocker, and allow your support to make the tackle (DB).  I think it's more than possible to do both.  I never shied away from a block, but if I could knife through the pack on a sweep or screen, and annihilate the ball carrier, I would.  I had a special ability to do this, and my defensive coach loved it.  Be sure of what your coach wants.  Never just go in head-first and butt heads with the lead blocker.  That makes their job too easy.  Play off the block and neutralize the ball carrier.

Well, this is much longer than I originally intended, but, as you can see, I played the position, loved the position, and found it was "made for me" - a tall, fast, very quick, long-armed hitter.  I played inside as well, but found the Outside position was tailor-made for me.  The weak side LB is the closest thing to a "monster man" you can be, apart from the Free Safety position.  Enjoy the heck out of it.  Especially when a tight end outruns the MLB on a crossing pattern and enters your turf for the catch, and milliseconds later feels the pulverizing crush of your hit when you blow him up .  It's a crowd pleaser!!!