DEFENSE

Defensive Philosophy• Our defense is an attack defense with the following attributes:

1. It is highly adaptable to any offense.

2. We can use multiple defensive fronts.

3. It is easy to learn.

4. It has built-in replacements for the people we blitz thereby reducing risk.

Defense Basics• Our base defense is the 34 defense with a Cover 2 look.

• Each defensive call from the sidelines will be composed of three numbers.

• We will utilize a “body clock” method for sending in defensive plays from the sideline.

• Depending on knowledge acquisition, we may also use the 46 defense.

Defense Basics(2)

• Our base defense is the 34 with a Cover 2 look.

- This means we have three defensive linemen (Big, Tough, and Ugly).

- We have four linebackers each of whom are known by numbers: 5 & 6 (Inside Linebackers) and 8 & 9 (Outside LB’s).

- The Cover 2 look is composed of two safeties, known by numbers 3 & 4.

Defense Basics(3)

• Defensive plays will be composed of three numbers:

- The first number is the number of defensive linemen.

- The second number is the number of the pass coverage.

- The third and final number is the number of the defensive player who is to blitz.

Defense Basics(4)

• All defensive plays will be signaled into the defensive huddle via the “body clock” method.

- All signals will be from a coach’s right hand.

- A simple signal or signals will precede and follow the actual play in order to make it difficult for the opponents to “break our code.”

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9Body Clock Signals

1. Right Ear

2. Right Shoulder

3. Right Waist

4. Right Knee

5. Left Knee

6. Left Waist

7. Left Shoulder

8. Left Ear

9. Chin

0. Top of Head

NOTE: All signals aredone with the Right hand.

Signals done with the left hand are DUMMY SIGNALS.

Body Clock Signals

Base Defense = 34, Cover 2• As mentioned previously, the front three defensive linemen in the 34 defense are known as Big, Tough, and Ugly.

- Big is the strong side Defensive Tackle.

- Tough is the Nose Guard.

- Ugly is the weak side Defensive Tackle.

• Big and Ugly and all other defensive players will flip sides depending on which side is called the strong side.

Base Defense = 34, Cover 2(2)

• The 34 has four linebackers. They are:

- 5, the Strong Inside Linebacker (SILB)

- 6, the Weak Inside Linebacker. (WILB)

- 8, the Weak Outside Linebacker (WOLB)

- 9, the Strong Outside Linebacker (SOLB)

• These linebackers will flip sides depend- ing on which side is called the strong side of the defensive formation.

Base Defense = 34, Cover 2(3)

• The cornerbacks are known as letters.

- The left corner is simply called L.

- The right corner is called R.

• Our cornerbacks usually align themselves on their respective sides, HOWEVER, at times they WILL align on the opposite side (along with the other cornerback – THIS IS KNOWN AS COWBOY).

Base Defense = 34, Cover 2(4)

• The two safeties are called 3 and 4.

- 3 aligns himself on the strong side of the formation.

- 4 aligns himself on the weak side of the formation.

•Note: The safeties replace blitzing linebackers and assume the LB’s previous responsibilities. The other safety replaces the first safety and assumes his job.

Diagram of 34, Cover 2(Basic Alignment)

B T U

5 6 8

L R

3 4

9

Diagram of 34, Cover 2(Basic Alignment)

(2)• You have probably noticed that this looks like an even, or 40 front.

• This is because the SOLB, 9, ALWAYS moves up to the LOS whenever there is a tight end.

• It is 9’s primary responsibility to prevent the TE from gaining a free release.

• 9 also has outside contain responsibilities.

Understanding Plays• In order to know where to go when a play is called, each player must know his own responsibilities and the responsibilities of the other players in his family.

• There are two families on the defense, the odd numbers (the strong side players) and the even numbers (the weak side players).

• Big is always the strong DT while Ugly is always the weak DT. Tough is neutral.

Understanding Plays(2)

B T U

5 6 8

L R

3 4

9

Strong Side Weak Side

Big’s Responsibilities

- Big lines up on the OT to the “Reno” or “Lucky” (strength call).

- Rip to outside unless #9 is called.

- Stunt through C gap on “Buffalo” when #9 is called.

- “Tex” sends you to outside regardless of the # called.

Big’s Responsibilities(2)

-“Crash” call sends you inside, B gap.

-“Go” call sends you inside, B gap.

-“Axe” w/#5 sends you inside, B gap.

Big’s Responsibilities(3)

- “Purple” tells you to swim and get a pass rush going.

- “Silver” tells you to penetrate 1 yard and to watch for a screen.

- “Orange” tells you to think option play. Execute the defense called.

Tough’s Responsibilities

- Line head up (Zero) on Center.

- Tear away from the # called.

- Tear to the number when “Cross” is called.

Ugly’s Responsibilities(1)

- Line up on OT opposite the “Reno” or “Lucky” call.

- Rip to outside unless #8 is called.

- Stunt B gap on 8

- Stunt through C gap on “Buffalo,” when #8 is called.

- “Tex” call sends you to the outside regardless of the # called.

- “Crash” calls sends you inside, stunt B gap.

Ugly’s Responsibilities(2)

-“Go” call sends you inside, stunt B gap.

- “Axe” with #6 sends you inside, stunt B gap.

- “Purple” tells you to swim and get pass rush going.

- “Silver” tells you to get one yard penetration & read screen.

-“Orange” tells you to think option play. Execute the defense called.

9’s Responsibilities

-When #9 is called, key the ball and GET TO IT!

- If # is NOT called, play coverage called.

- Cover 1 – Play TE Man to Man / #2 vs. no TE / #3 in a Trips set.- Cover 3 – Curl flat player / Melt and Conflict when called.- Cover 7 – Zone blitz coverage. Wall and carry #2 vertical.

- #9 play “Tex” call – Blitz the B gap.- #3 call – Blitz the C gap.-“Thunder” or “Lightening” call w/#3 – Blitz the C gap.- “Swarm” call – Blitz the outside leverage/back out.- “Buffalo” call – Blitz the A gap.

8’s Responsibilities

- When #8 is called, key the ball and GET TO IT!

- If # is NOT called, play coverage called.

- Cover 1 – Play TE Man to Man / #2 vs. no TE / #2 in a Trips set.- Cover 3 – Curl flat player / Melt and Conflict when called.- Cover 7 – Zone blitz coverage. Wall and carry #2 vertical.

- #8 play “Tex” call – Blitz the B gap.- #4 call – Blitz the C gap.-“Thunder” or “Lightening” call w/#4 – Blitz the C gap.- “Swarm” call – Blitz the outside leverage/back out.- “Buffalo” call – Blitz the A gap.

5’s Responsibilities (1) - BoA – backer on even called defenses.- CAt – backer on odd called defenses.

- Blitz the B gap when your number is called.

- “Sabre” sends both Inside backers. Blitz the B gap when your # is called and opposite A gap when #6 is called.

- “Ax” sends both Inside backers. Blitz the C gap when your # called and opposite A gap when 6 is called.

-“Buffalo” sends one backer. Blitz the B gap when #9 is called with “Buffalo.”

-“Smoke” sends one backer. Blitz the A gap when #3 is called with “Smoke.”

5’s Responsibilities (2)

BoA – backer on odd called defenses. CAt – backer on even called defenses.

Cover 1: Key FB/Near Back. Flow your way play gap and play man to man.

Cover 3: Key FB/Near Back. On pass play Hook/Curl. Spotdrop unless we tell you to use melt/conflict.

Cover 7: Key FB/Near Back. On pass play, play hook/curl. middle zone and drop off of #3.

“BLACK” is a bluff look.“Purple” is a pass alert, align at 5 yards depth.“Orange” is an option alert, think option & play defense that was called.“Silver” is a screen alert, read back for screen your way.“Red” is a run alert, read key and react to run.

6’s Responsibilities (1) BoA – backer on odd called defenses. CAt – backer on even called defenses.

Blitz the B gap when your # is called.

“Sabre” send both backers. Blitz the B Gap when your # is called and the opposite A Gap when #5 is called.

“Ax” sends both backers. Blitz the C Gap when your # is called and the opposite A Gap when #5 is called.

“Buffalo” sends one backer. Blitz the C Gap when #8 is called with “Buffalo.”

“Smoke” sends on backer. Blitz the B gap when #8 is called with “Smoke.”

6’s Responsibilities (2)

Cover 1 – Key FB/Near Back. Flow your way play gap and play man to man.

Cover 3 – Key FB/Near Back. On pass play Hook/Curl. Spot drop unless we tell you to use melt/conflict.

Cover 7 – Key FB/Near Back. On pass play middle zone and drop off #3.

“Black” is a bluff look.“Purple” is a pass alert, align at 5 yards depth.“Orange” is an option alert, think option and play defense called.“Silver” is a screen alert, read back for screen your way.“Red” is a run alert, read key and react to run.

BoA – backer on odd called defenses. CAt – backer on even called defenses.

3’s Responsibilities (1)Replace odd # when called.

Hash Alignments:

When TE is to the short side, align over the guard 10 yds. deep.When TE is to the wide side, align 6 yds. in width from the TE or ghost TE, 10 yds. deep.

Middle of the Field Alignments:

Align 3 yards in width outside TE or Ghost TE and 10 yds. deep.

“Thunder” call – Blitz off of the TE/force the toss.“Switch” call – You may use switch call on trips or side twins when #6 is called.

3’s Responsibilities (2)Cover 3 – Deep middle when even # called/Replace man onodd # call.

Cover 1 – Key TB/Near back – Force flow your way. Man to man. Deep middle on flow away.

Cover 7 – Deep middle when even # called. Replace man when odd # is called.

“Purple” is a pass alert, cheat alignment and think pass.

“Silver” is a screen alert, be ready to yell “screen.”

“Orange” is an option alert, cheat alignment to 8 yards.

“Red” is a run alert, cheat alignment to 8 yards.

4’s Responsibilities (1)

Replace even # when called.

Hash Alignments:

When X is to the short side align over the guard 10 yds. deep.When X is to the wide side align 6 yards in width from the TE or Ghost TE, 10 yds. deep.

Middle of the Field Alignments:

Align 3 yards in width outside Ghost TE and 10 yds. deep.“Lightening” call – Blitz off of OT/force the toss.“Switch” call – You may use switch call on trips or wide twins when #6 is called.

4’s Responsibilities (2)Cover 3 – Deep middle when odd # called/Replace man oneven # call.

Cover 1 – Key TB/Near back – Force flow your way. Man to man. Deep middle on flow away.

Cover 7 – Deep middle when odd # called. Replace man when even # is called.

“Purple” us a pass alert, cheat alignment and think pass.

“Silver” is a screen alert, be ready to help yell “screen.”

“Orange” is an option alert, cheat alignment to 8 yards.

“Red” is a run alert, cheat alignment to 8 yards.

Remember this formula for success

Practice and concentration, then more practice and concentration!

Those who let things happen usually lose to those who make things happen. If you don’t invest much in the process, then defeat doesn’t hurt and winning isn’t very exciting!