Football’s inside linebacker position is also known as the middle linebacker or the Mike linebacker. An inside linebacker plays in the middle of the defensive formation.
If a defense is in a four-three formation, they will only have one inside linebacker. This is because there are only three linebackers in this formation.
In a three-four defense, the team will have two inside linebackers on the field. The three-four formation features three defensive linemen and four linebackers.
Linebackers typically line up around five yards from the line of scrimmage to start each play. Their depth may change depending on whether they are covering the pass or blitzing it.
Check out our answers to what does OLB mean or what does DT mean in football for more positional guides.
How Does an ILB Work?
The inside linebacker position in football is known as ILB, which stands for inside linebacker. Below are a few of the key responsibilities of this position.
Making Tackles In The Box
In football, the box refers to a three- to five-yard area meant for inside linebackers to cover from the line of scrimmage.
It is common for receivers to catch short passes looking to move downfield. These players often come through the box giving the ILBs a chance to make a tackle.
In these situations, the defense expects the inside linebacker to make the play. On rushing plays, linebackers will have to identify the ball carrier and bring them down.
Oftentimes, the interior linebackers will be unblocked and will be expected to make the tackle if the run is between the tackles.
Reading plays.
Interior linebackers must be able to identify what the offense is doing, whether it is pass coverage or run defense.
Because inside linebackers are often outmatched athletically, they will have to read their opponents well in order to effectively cover them.
On rushing plays, the ILB must locate the hole that the running back is trying to run through. If they can position themselves in this gap, they can effectively stop the play.
Because of these types of plays, ILBs are among the most effective players on defense.
Running the Defense
Inside linebackers are also responsible for organizing and communicating with the defense.
One of the few players on the defensive side of the ball to have a microphone in their helmet is the middle linebacker. The middle linebacker often communicates with the coaching staff about what play should be run next.
It is imperative for an inside linebacker to be the leader of the defense. Just like a quarterback, teams often look to their middle linebacker to lead their defense.
For more information on other football positions, check out our articles explaining the WR position or the TE position.