Bomber Defense – Defending the Spread

Steve Specht – Head Coach – St. Xavier High Schoolsspecht@stxavier.org

Cindy Thomas – Football Administrative Assistantcthomas@stxavier.org

513/761-7600 Ext. 109

I. Outline / OverviewI. Outline / Overview

II. Matching Zone PhilosophyII. Matching Zone Philosophy•Multiple Looks: Fronts & CoveragesMultiple Looks: Fronts & Coverages•Front and Secondary adjustmentsFront and Secondary adjustments

Fire CoverageFire Coverage•Storm CoverageStorm Coverage

St. Xavier H.S. Bomber DefenseSteve Specht – Head Coach - St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati

I. Defensive PhilosophyA. What do you “hang your hat on?”

1. Even vs. Odd Fronts – Multiple Fronts?2. Attacking vs. Reading?3. Coverage Schemes?4. How does it fit your personnel?

B. The St. Xavier Philosophy1. We had been an Odd Front 50 Defense for 35 years.

a. Smaller defensive linemen are better suited for it.

b. The Balanced Front forces the offense to make a

decision as to where they want to run the ball.

1. There is no bubble for the QB check.

c. Disguise the reduction by angling/slanting at the

snap.2. Base coverage scheme is a 3 Deep “Matching Zone.”

a. Additional man/men in the box for run support

b. The “Matching Zone” concept restricts players

from covering “air”.

St. Xavier H.S. Bomber DefenseSteve Specht – Head Coach - St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati

II. Why switch to the 3-3-5.A. The advent of the Spread Offense (2000) necessitated a change.

1. More speed on the field to cover better athletes.2. The OLB in the 50 was always a bigger player that struggled to

cover a slot receiver.3. As a result, slower LB’s became Defensive Ends and the bigger safeties became Stack Backers.

B. Ability to adjust to all formations and motion.1. Because of our “Matching Zone” philosophy offenses were able to dictate where we could pressure by formation.2. The 50 required the OLB to think more which forced them to play slower.3. In the Odd Stack, only 3 players will ever change responsibility, and the changes are simple staples from day 1 which enables us to play faster.

a. Once the call is made, we run it!4. Only 1 player ever thinks and makes the check for all adjustments.

a. In our scheme he is called the Adjuster (FS in most systems.)

C. Front has not changed. Everything we wanted to accomplish with the 50 Front is

still applicable.1. Balanced Front forces offense to decide where they want to run the ball.2. Disguise the reduction by angling at the snap.

D. Ability to disguise coverage has given us another advantage.1. QB cannot pre-snap read cover 2 or cover 3. The illusion is both.2. Multiple options for rolling coverage.

a. Falconb. Sparrowc. Ninja

E EN

J WS

$ WSAC CEnds 4 alignment on OTNose 0 alignment on OT

Stack Backers Stack behind Ends & Nose – 3 to 4 ½ yards

Safeties 7 yards deep, outside shade of TE or imaginary TE***Versus Slot receiver – inside shade, 7 yards deep***Hash rules – 3 yards inside/outside hashCan vary according to game plan (SPARROW/NINJA)

Corners Outside shade #1 – anywhere from 4 to 7 yards deep depending on call***6 yard sideline rule

Adjuster Varied according to Game Plan and/or defense called (FALCON)

Base Defensive Alignment

Maintain Box Integrity

Stack Front versus Pro Set

Stack Front vs Double Set

Stack Front vs 3 *1 Set

E EN

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$ WS

C CA

BLUFF

E EN

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WSC CA

SPARROW

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WS

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NINJA

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S

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SPREAD

Alignment Adjustments

Stack with Strong Falcon Tag

Bluff Tag

Spread Front with Bluff Tag

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WJ

A

CC

$ WS

#1

#2

#2

#3

#1

W.hat’sW.hat’sI.mportanI.mportanttN.ow?N.ow?

Stack DefenseStack DefenseStrong Strong EdgeEdge

StormStormSS END:SS END: Penetrate strong “B” gap! Establish line Penetrate strong “B” gap! Establish line of scrimmage 1 yard deep.of scrimmage 1 yard deep.

NOSE:NOSE: Penetrate weak “A” gap! Establish line of Penetrate weak “A” gap! Establish line of scrimmage 1 yard deep.scrimmage 1 yard deep.

WS END:WS END: Read Scheme! Read Scheme!

S

Stunt PatternStunt Pattern

JET:JET: Shift to a wide 9 alignment Shift to a wide 9 alignment---Attack Force technique!---Attack Force technique!

SAM:SAM: Hook/Curl Defender! Hook/Curl Defender!

Secondary RotationSecondary Rotation

ADJUSTER:ADJUSTER: Balanced set or 2 Back play deep Balanced set or 2 Back play deep middle 1/3. (Think “SLING”).middle 1/3. (Think “SLING”).

STRONG SAFETY:STRONG SAFETY: Seam defender (Replace Jet) Seam defender (Replace Jet) Read #2 to #3.Read #2 to #3.

WEAK SAFETY:WEAK SAFETY: Drop into Box! Drop into Box!---Seam defender! (Responsible for #2 to #3)---Seam defender! (Responsible for #2 to #3)

H/CSeam

1/3

WILL:WILL: Hook/Curl Defender! Hook/Curl Defender!

Seam

CORNERS:CORNERS: Loose Man! Loose Man!

1 Back Adjustments1 Back Adjustments

2 * 2 Sets:2 * 2 Sets: Strong Side Safety matches all vertical releases by #2 Strong Side Safety matches all vertical releases by #2 receiver. Weak Side Safety still plays deep middle 1/3 but sits heavy receiver. Weak Side Safety still plays deep middle 1/3 but sits heavy on any vertical release from #2 (especially when #2 is a slot receiver) on any vertical release from #2 (especially when #2 is a slot receiver) knowing he will receive help from Strong Side Safety.knowing he will receive help from Strong Side Safety.

3 * 1 Sets:3 * 1 Sets: Strong Side Safety automatically makes “SLING” check to Strong Side Safety automatically makes “SLING” check to Weak Side Safety.Weak Side Safety.

““SLING RULES”SLING RULES”1)1) Strong Safety rolls to Seam DefenderStrong Safety rolls to Seam Defender2)2) Adjuster automatically rolls to Hole DefenderAdjuster automatically rolls to Hole Defender3)3) Weak Safety rolls to Deep Middle 1/3Weak Safety rolls to Deep Middle 1/34)4) Will plays backside Seam DefenderWill plays backside Seam Defender

Coverage OptionsCoverage Options

Falcon:Falcon: $ plays Deep Middle 1/3, A plays Seam $ plays Deep Middle 1/3, A plays Seam

H/C

2/3/Snake/Mouse2/3/Snake/Mouse

BLUFF:BLUFF: $ plays Seam, A plays deep 1/3 $ plays Seam, A plays deep 1/3

WS$

A$

A

#1#1

#1#1

#3#3

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WS $

W

#2#2

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EE N J

A

#2#2

2 * 2 Coverage Adjustments2 * 2 Coverage Adjustments

Stack – Strong Edge StormStack – Strong Edge Storm

#2#2

WS – Seam Defender (#2 - #3) Match any vertical from #2$ – Replaces Jet and plays a Seam defender.(#2 to #3)

Sam – Plays Hook/Curl defender (#3 to #2)

Adjuster – Plays the deep middle 1/3 defender. Emphasis on Matching a vertical release from #2.

Corners – Loose Man on #1

Coverage Coverage Scheme:Scheme:

Middle 1/3

Will –Plays Hook/Curl defender (#3 to #2)

Seam Defender

““3 Match” Rules:3 Match” Rules:1)1) Weak Safety matches any vertical from Weak Safety matches any vertical from

#2 (Seam)#2 (Seam)2)2) Strong Safety matches any vertical from Strong Safety matches any vertical from

#2 (Middle 1/3) #2 (Middle 1/3) 3)3) Everyone else plays their normal Everyone else plays their normal

responsibilitiesresponsibilities

3 Match #2 on VerticalNo vertical play seam!

Deep Middle 1/3 with emphasis on matching #2 on Vertical!

H/C H/C

Seam Defender

#1#1

#1#1

#3#3

C C

WS

$

W

#2#2

S

EE N J

A

#3#3

#2#2

3 * 1 Coverage Adjustments3 * 1 Coverage Adjustments

Stack – Strong Edge StormStack – Strong Edge Storm

#2#2

WS – Slides to Trips and plays middle 1/3$ – Slides to Trips and plays a seam (#2 to #3)

Sam – Extra defender – Can spy back/QB or drop deep hole (G.P.)Adjuster – Replaces stunt to Trips and plays Hole defender strong (#3 to #2)

Corners – Loose Man on #1

Coverage Coverage Scheme:Scheme:

Middle 1/3

Seam Defender

Extra Defender Hole Defender

Will – To a single receiver look up #1 and get Under the slant. Plays Seam defender (#2 to #3)

Seam Defender

““SLING RULES”SLING RULES”1)1) Strong Safety rolls to Seam DefenderStrong Safety rolls to Seam Defender2)2) Adjuster automatically rolls to Hole Adjuster automatically rolls to Hole

DefenderDefender3)3) Weak Safety rolls to Deep Middle 1/3Weak Safety rolls to Deep Middle 1/34)4) Will plays backside Seam DefenderWill plays backside Seam Defender

FIRE/STORM“MATCHING ZONE PHILOSOPHY”

Fire and Storm are two separate coverages that enable us to play tighter, outside leverage man coverage on the widest receivers while playing a tight match up zone underneath. It enables us to get additional pressure on the QB without putting the secondary defenders on “islands” or sacrificing them to “pick routes”

Originally the coverage was designed to enable us to run a 5 man blitz packagewith a zone coverage concept behind the blitz. However, with the advent of spread offenses, we have been able to play tighter coverage by maintaining the coverage philosophy, but rushing only 3 or 4 defenders.

The progression read also enables you to adapt easily to any coverage scheme.although we change our deep coverage schemes, the progression for ourunderneath coverage stays relatively the same. We lose the “flat man”aspectof the read scheme, but everything else stays in tact.KEYS to successful coverage:KEYS to successful coverage:

•2 very good cover corners that can effectively match up with speed receivers.•Athletic safeties/outside linebackers that can run with slot receivers for 15 yards•Route disruption of all inside receivers.•Underneath defenders that understand the progression reads.•Disguise scheme and “mix and match” underneath defenders

CALLS/VARIATIONSCALLS/VARIATIONS•Fire Zone (5 Man pattern) – Fire Zone (5 Man pattern) –

“Fire”“Fire”•Spy with 4 Man pattern: Spy with 4 Man pattern:

“Fire”“Fire”•4 Man pattern: “Storm”4 Man pattern: “Storm”

#1#1

#1#1#2#2

C C

Seam DefendersRead #2 to #3 route progression***No immediate threat, get under #11) #2 Flat – Flat Man!2) #2 Vertical – Collision Outside In***Know where help is (Safety Inside)!***Carry to 16 yards unless #3 threatens the flat then play flat man – Read QB outside In and release late. Give up shallow!!!***If #2 tries to fight to corner – Maintain outside leverage and take away corner route3) #2 Cross – Carry the cross & Deliver to Hole***Look up #3 out of backfield***No #3 think crossing route coming back (Dig)

Fire Coverage – Rules & Fire Coverage – Rules & ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

WS

#2#2

WS

#3#3

A

S

Hole DefendersRead #3 to #2 route progression***Always step with #3 – Sink 10 – 12 yards.1) #3 Flat – Deliver to Seam & look up #2 on quick cross***Carry the cross & deliver to Seam2) #3 Vertical – Collision and sink to 15yards***Keep eyes back on QB expecting underneath threat

#1 receiver is automatically eliminated from scheme (unless he runs a quick crossing route) – Loose Man by CBDesignated Safety plays middle 1/3.

$$$$

Seam SeamHole

WS

Storm Coverage – Rules & Storm Coverage – Rules & ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

$

Seam Defenders – Progression rules

S

#2#2

W

Read #2 to #3 route progression***No immediate threat, get under #11) #2 Flat – Flat Man!2) #2 Vertical – Collision Outside In***Know where help is (Safety Inside)!***Carry vertical outside/in. Rally to anything shallow!!!3) #2 Cross – Squeeze and gain depth. Sit on Dig coming back!

Hook/Curl DefendersRead #3 to #2 route progression***Always step with #31) #3 Flat to your side – Flat Man! #3 Flat away – Look up cross back and lock man!2) #3 Blocks – Expect check release!***Do not gain much depth – 8 – 10 yards.***Follow same rules as #2

$ S

#2#2

#3#3

$

Seam SeamHook/Curl Hook/Curl