Taking the Bull By The Horns.....

                  Throughout this season, we have watched two local universities with immense talent (South Carolina & Clemson) struggle to defend the option; not just against Navy and Ga Tech, but against Wofford and the Citadel as well. In discussing the struggles with some other coaches on the high school level and the college level, two things have stood out to me: a lack of imagination in defending the offense and a lack of enthusiasm among defenders facing cut blocks for four quarters. A friend on the college level told me that he has several players who circle the game against GT as the game in which they are most likely to be injured. They go in thinking that this game could cost them a pro career. To which I argue, Don't they cut in the NFL also? Wouldn't a player be better off learning to play the cut block properly? The other issue is one of strategy or alignment and the risk of thinking outside the box.

           In an earlier post, I mentioned a certain front that we used called BULL. We started off using BULL vs Double Wing Power teams but, over time, we have adjusted the defense to combat various run-oriented offenses. After watching GA Tech / Clemson and USC / Navy, the other assistants on my staff wanted to speculate as to whether BULL would be effective vs these attacks. So I thought that I would address this question in this blog post. Please respond if you have thoughts; any feedback is welcome.

         I will start off describing BULL vs a Double TE / Double WB set because that is how we first designed it. We are a 3-3 BASE defense, but often we can get into our BULL front without changing personnel. Other times, I will substitute an extra LB and pull a CB. For the sake of this article, we will treat this as playing with 3 DL, 4 LBs, 2 SS/ OLBs, and 2 DBs.

Up front we will play with a 0 tech NG and two 3 tech:

• The NG has a 3 way go depending on the skill set of the Center. The best case is for the NG to drive the Center straight back.
• The 3 techniques are told to penetrate B gap. Against tight split teams, they must put their hat in the crack between the OG and OT. They will get into the hip pocket if the OG pulls.

The key to the entire front is what we call our Bull LBers. They play in a ghost 6 or a 7 tech if they have a TE. The way we coach these positions is what makes the BULL front so effective:

• Against a TE, the Bull LB will line up in a 7 tech tilted toward the TE, 3 point stance with his inside foot back and his eyes on the TE. (His butt will point at the inside LB). At the first movement by the TE, the Bull LB will fire out into the v of the neck of the TE; think of this an an anti-down block. After a hard collision with the TE, the Bull LBer will almost bounce back inside and find the ball. We call this a Ricochet technique.
• Against formations with no TE, the Bull LB will align in a ghost 6 technique, usuallly in a 2 point stance with his inside foot up. Depending on the opponent's offense, we may alter his aiming point, but usually it will be the hip of the nearest back. On flow away, he gets flat down the line of scrimmage and chases. (Note: Do not be afraid to use a smaller, quicker player at BULL LB. He will make a ton of plays running this down from the backside.)
• An important key here is that in most of our BULL calls, the Bull LBers secure C gap and then are free to the ball, with no contain or force responsibilities.
• I cannot stress enough the importance of coaching the Bull LB to attack out into the TE. This technique is hard for opponents to see on film and TEs are simply not prepared for this.
• Vs Option, the Bull LBers are QB players.

The Inside LBs are the positions that make the whole thing fit together. Their key may change according to the type of offense, but their technique does not.

• The LBs align in a loose 30 tech over the opponent's B gap at a depth of no closer than 4 to 5 yds (very important). Their key is usually the back furthest away. For instance, vs Double Wing, the LBs key the opposite WB.
• If the key comes to the LB, he is blitzing from depth, at the snap, not before. If he comes from depth, the OT will often block down on the 3 tech and the ILB should fit right off the OT's butt. If he cheats too soon, he could get washed down as well.
• If the key goes away, he has eyes on the FB right now, looking for Dive, Trap, or Counter coming back at him.

The 7 positions described so far are playing the run all of the way. We tell them that if it turns into pass, your keys will turn your technique into a great pass rush. The 4 remaining players will play a few different ways.


The OLB/SS will usually align at LB depth

• 3 x 3 outside against a closed set (No WRs)
• 4 x 4 inside #1 against an open set (1 WR)

Two or more WRs usually causes us to check the coverage. The DBs align as follows:

• On the Hash 12 yards deep vs a closed set
• Splitting the EMOL and the WR 12 yds deep vs an open set

We start off teaching against a closed set with WB motion. The OLBS and the DBs are both looking at the opposite WB and reading overall motion or flow. The 4 spoke secondary will roll towards motion or flow. We call this 3 Roll coverage.
OLBs:

• If flow/motion comes toward, the OLB is attacking the line of scrimmage now, keeping his outside arm & leg free for contain, but still squeezing the running lane.
• If flow/motion goes away, the OLB checks for reverse then bails out to deep 1/3.

DBs:

• If flow/motion comes toward, the DB is rolling over to cover the outside deep 1/3
• If flow/motion goes away, the DB is rolling into the middle deep 1/3

If we are presented with an open set to one side, the defense simply treats that alignment as its key and disregards motion or flow. They are automatically rolling toward the split receiver.

This works especially well against teams that use the unbalanced principlie with the TE & SE on the same side.

           We will also run a coverage which we call 2 Safe. In this coverage, the 4 spoke secondary plays a predetermined responsibility without regard for motion or flow.
The OLBs are Flat / Contain / Pitch players and the DBs are Deep 1/2 safeties. In this coverage, the deep safeties are told to simply be safe and prevent the long pass.

      The next question we face is what to do vs a spread formation (split receivers to each side). Against a 2 RB set, we will simply check to 2 SAFE coverage.

When faced with a 1 RB look, we will usually just check to what we call Dallas .  In Dallas coverage, the DBs lock up man on the widest WRs and the OLBs will man up the inside receivers. I will then bump one of my LBs to FS depth and tell him to play "playground" ball. ("Playground" means look at the QB and try to intercept the pass. Don't overthink it.) While this means we are in some dangerous man coverage, keep in mind that we are not playing this against a true spread passing team. Also remember that I still have a 5 man rush coming very hard against an OL and a QB that play in a predominantly-running offense.

I realize that he who has the chalk last wins and I realize that there are some weak points in this front. When we play this, we are careful to emphasize that the opponent will get us sometimes; we just cannot let them get for big play touchdowns. This front may give up some first downs and some moderate gains, but it also will put huge amounts of pressure on the line of scrimmage and it will create negative plays. As long as we don't give up the quick big-play score, we will eventually catch that TFL or QB sack and we will be able to stop the drives.

            Would this work against some of the DI run-oriented attacks? I would like to think so, especially with creative placement of your talent. For instance, for those of you that follow the SEC, imagine Melvin Ingram and Jadaveon Clowney playing the BULL LB techniques and tell me that wouldn't have given Navy some headaches....Tackling and Pursuit ultimately win games but the BULL front has been good to us. I would be interested in heaing your take on this , as well as some things other coaches do against these types of run-oriented offenses.

Venting about the lack of imagination defending the flexbone in college football.....

              Last Friday, we picked up our 2nd victory of the season with a hard- fought 17-14 win over a Double Wing team. Over the last several years, we have faced this offense at least a half a dozen times. A few years ago, we put together a package that we called BULL to defend this and it has worked very well. Since we began to use this package, we have tweaked it and used it against other run-oriented offenses as well.
                 Saturday night, I watched Navy's offense give South Carolina extreme trouble in a narrow 24-21 victory, despite the Gamecocks having defensive line talent equal to or surpassing anyone else in the country. As I listened to the ESPN announcers constantly praise the option as if it is a magic pill capable of rendering any top level defensive players instantly useless, I shook my head. While I have great respect for the offense, it is simply a scheme; like most schemes, it is dependent upon execution and is vunerable to Jimmys and Joes like all Xs and Os are. Ellis Johnson, South Carolina's highly-regarded DC, seemed content to take a bend but don't break approach that did hold Navy well below it's season rushing average. Still, the attack, coupled with the passive way the Gamecocks defended it, allowed Navy to push a Top 10 SEC team with outstanding DL talent to the brink. Former South carolina player and high school coach Marty Simpson does a great job breaking down the defensive approach in this link  http://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1267364  (should be free).
 I caught myself wondering how our schemes ,coupled with South Carolina's talent, would hold up against the Midshipmen. Two of our other coaches called me during the game wondering the same thing. Whether or not it would is not necesarily the point. (I think it would; I'll come back to this in another post.)
                 The point is that there is an extreme reluctance to think outside the box on defense in big-time college football. It is as if coaches would rather play a scheme that is probably going to struggle instead of taking a chance. If a college coach runs the same stuff that they have seen other teams run and they fail, they can say "Well, we did the same thing everyone else did...nobody else had a better idea." as opposed to a situation where they run something unorthodox (not unsound) and fail, leading critics to criticize the signall caller for not being a good coach.
                The same philosophy is everywhere now in recruiting, where the first question you hear when recommending a player is "Who else has offered?". Recruiters today have no interest in finding that diamond in the rough that nobody knew about;they are interested in the rating from the recruiting services. Because if you sign a 5 star kid that had 20 other offers and he turns out to be terrible, the coach can cover his a## by saying,"Everybody else offered him too." If the diamond - in - the - rough kid doesn't pan out, then the accountability falls squarely on that coach. So the college recruiter is trying to avoid being solely held accountable.
                 While I disagree with this, I do understand it. I understand that coaches are trying to protect their job in a tough,unforgiving environment. I understand that taking chances, whether it is on unheralded kids or on unorthodox schemes, can leave a coach vunerable to criticism that could cost him his job. But the way I see it, this is the job you signed up for. If you are the DC, you are supposed to put the players in a position to win the game (which the Gamecock staff did by the way) ,whether it is by running a 4-3 or a shade 50 or the Facemelter 3000 defense. If you are a recruiter, you are supposed to sign the best players for your team, whether it is Joey Five Star from the State Champs or some kid from a single A school in the sticks. And if you signed up for this job, what is wrong with being held accountable?  (And FYI, I know a lot of high school coaches that could take Jadaveon Clowney and Melvin Ingram and make Navy's head hurt.)

Game Preparation: Breaking Down Our Opponent

As I prepare for my 16th straight season opener as a coach and my 11th as a Defensive Coordinator, I have once again started to think about how I break down opponents. I can honestly say that I have never done it the exact same way in any two seasons. There has always been some new idea from a book, or some nugget from a clinic, or some hard lesson taught to me by a good opposing coach that has caused me to change things from year to year. Over the last few years,the changes have become fewer as I have become more experienced and more comfortable with my own philosophy as a coach. I have developed a framework that works for me and the coaches that I work with. Like most things in any coaching philosophy, this framework is a collection of ideas poached, borrowed, and inspired by other coaches.

Offensive Complexity

We like to determine the complexity of an opponent’s offense. We base this on how much of their attack includes any of the following concepts:

•        TRICK PLAYS or GIMMICKS

•        EMPTY Formations

•        FULL HOUSE Formations

•        OVERLOADED Formations

•        SCREENS

We will then break down the opponent film in the following order:

•        Split RUN Plays & PASS Plays

•        Group plays by FORMATIONS

•        Determine TRUE RUN GAME

•        Determine TRUE PASSING GAME

Running Game

We want to find out the opponent’s TRUE RUNS. To do this, we break down all offensive plays into Run or Pass. We will then evaluate the run plays and throw out the following:

•        Goal – Line Runs

•        QB Scrambles

•        Trick Runs (Wildcat, Reverse, etc)

•        Runs w/ 1 yd to go

•        Runs w/ 3 TD lead (game by game)

•        Runs in the 4th quarter (game by game)

What we are left with is the core of the opponent’s run game.We will then match these with formations and core surfaces to see what we need to stop.

Passing Game

When we analyze the passing game, we will first classify the pass plays by the QB action:

QUICK = 3 step from under / 1 step from gun

DROPBACK = 5 step from under / 3 step from gun

SPRINT = rolling movement of the QB to a side

PLAY ACTION = coordinated QB ball fake & RB action

After we have divided the plays this way, we will attempt to match up protections with the QB action. We try to group Pass Protections into one of three categories: FULL SLIDE, BOB, or HINGE.

Pass Routes & Combinations

We want to draw each pass play that we see on film. Then we want to look at the favorite routes broken down by position in the formation (#1 WR, #2 TE, etc).

•        We want to be able to tell the CB what the top three routes he will see from #1 are.

•        We need to tell the Safety & Spurs what the top 3 routes from #2 are.

•        We need to tell the LBs what the favorite RB routes are & what routes attack the low hole.

We will then also look at the combinations between the receivers on a side. We want to identify the favorite 2 man combination & the favorite 3 man combination.

Surfaces

We want to evaluate how offenses are attacking towards certain surfaces in their formations. To do this we will identify the formational surfaces used by an offense & what plays they run to that surface. We classify surfaces by the following eight labels:

•        OPEN = 1 split WR

•        PRO = an attached TE & 1 split WR

•        TWINS = 2 split WRs

•        TRIPS = 3 split WRs

•        TREY = an attached TE & 2 split WRs

•        NUB = an attached TE

•        WING  = an attached TE & a WB

•        WING OPEN = a WB & 1 split WR

All other surfaces, such as QUADS or OVERLOAD, are regarded as Exotics

Field Zone / Down & Distance Breakdowns

      We compile all of the formation & play information so that we can feel secure in knowing our opponent’s “identity” on offense. We then turn our attention to compiling Down & Distance info in search of a clear picture of the opponent’s tactics. We break down the following categories into percentages & favorite plays:

•        1ST PLAY OF A DRIVE

•        1ST & 10 AFTER A RUN

•        1ST & 10 AFTER A PASS

•        2ND & LONG AFTER A RUN

•        2ND & LONG AFTER A PASS

•        2ND & MEDIUM

•        2ND & SHORT

•        3RD & MEDIUM

•        3RD & SHORT

•        3RD & LONG

We will then examine each Down & Distance category both as a whole & divided into Field Zones.

Putting It All Together

Now, the next question is, Do I type all this up & give it to the players? The answer is HECK NO! One of the biggest problems that I faced as a younger coach was PARALYSIS BY ANALYSIS. That means that I would compile so much information that I was unable to put it into a form that it was useful for the players. As I have matured as a coach, the amount of stuff that I give to my players becomes smaller, simpler, and more clearly-defined each year. Now the coaching staff will use all of the information at hand to compile a game plan, and we will use the information to gain a familiarity with our opponent that will enable us to hopefully call a better game. But everything doesn't necessarily need to be shared with the players.

           Case in point: We have broken down 150 snaps of an opponent. Earlier in the year, they ran a tailback pass one time and it was successful for a TD. All of our coaches need to be aware that if the game is tight, we might need to be on the lookout for this. However, we do not need to run it against our defense 10 times that week in practice or give it a whole page in the scouting report. I am more worried about stopping the trap that they have run 38 times.

I will also spend a great deal of time looking at formations & backfield sets. I am looking for some common denominator that can tell me Run or Pass. ( For me to consider something a tendency that I will share with the players, it has to be 70% or more.) I can remember attending a clinic a few years ago and listening to a young college coach talk playing this defense against the run and another defense against the pass. Someone asked him," How do you know if it going to be a run or a pass?" The speaker got a funny look on his face and kind of stuttered and said,"Well, we just know." I almost fell out of my chair. If anyone out there can help me with that special method of just knowing whether it will be a Run or a Pass, please let me know.

In summary, what we usually give to our players consist of the following:

• a one page summary of the opponent's season and their offensive identity
• their top 3 run plays
• their top 3 passes
• any formation tendency (for example: any formation with 2 TEs is 80% bootleg pass)
• The LBs must know the top RB and the top run play most likely to threaten their position
• The DBs must know the top individual pass routes that they will see
• The DL must know the best OL and the best blocking scheme
• a final page outlining 3 key Defensive goals for this game

This framework has worked for us but as I said, it changes every year. I am very interested to hear what other coaches do so feel free to share. Thanks!

Treat Goal-Line Defense as a Special Team

A good friend of mine, Coach Hoover, asked me to expound a little on an axiom I included in my last posting. (By the way, Coach H has a terrific post breaking down Manny Diaz on his website...check it out at www.coachhoover.blogspot.com/ ) I am going to share some info on our Goal-Line philosophy, as well as my thought process considering it a Special Team.

      We consider Goal-Line defense a special team for a few different reasons. First, no one is off-limits to this unit personnel-wise. If I need the starting TB at a corner and I need the starting QB coming off of the edge, then I get them. Most of our normal defensive package is based on speed, quickness, & multiplicity, but we are different in Goal-Line.  By making our Goal-Line unit a completely separate group, I can add the size that we would sometimes like to get in there in short yardage and I can add other athletes whose skill sets fit what we want to accomplish. Second, we can create a separate mindset specifically for that unit. We really push being great on the Goal-Line as being a key to our program. We attach a great deal of pride to getting on this unit, and players on both sides of the ball want to play on this unit. And lastly, if we are in Goal-Line, it usually means that things have not gone so great defensively. By running a separate unit onto the field (even if 7 or 8 of the players are on 1st Defense anyway), it creates a little bit of a "fresh start" mentality and gives us a confidence boost.
    We want to be extremely simple in Goal-Line for two reasons. One, we are subbing in players who may not be on defense fulltime and who may not be expecting to enter the game at that moment. If we have a turnover inside our own 10 and I need to call Goal Line D unexpectedly, our scheme is simple enough that the players know what to do even if they are surprised. The other reason we are simple is to build confidence. If we are simple, then the players always know exactly where to line up. If they know exactly where they should be, then they play faster and more confidently.
        Our scheme is a mix of several things the coaching staff has encountered, but a large base of the scheme comes from Bellevue High School in Washington. They are the team that broke De La Salle's winning streak. These are the positions and what we look for to fill them:

• Two NOSEGUARDS - Quickness is a top priority. Wrestlers, RBs, Strong Safeties.......

• Two ENDs - Preferably our two best DL.....size & strength needs to be a little more of a factor here

• Two EDGEs - The two best athletes on the team. Option QB, point guard on BB team, Change of direction ability is huge. Speed is important, size is not

• Two LBs - the best two LBs, at least one must be able to cover man to man

• Three DBs - must be able to lock up Man for at least 2 seconds

                 We call our Goal-Line package GORILLA (as in 800lb Gorilla). Since we went to this package three seasons ago, we have made 15 successful stands in 28 opportunities. These are our alignments in GORILLA:

• Both NGs align in a 2i technique. They are penetrating A gap at the snap. If the ball is inside the 3 yd line or closer, there is a danger of a QB sneak.So inside the 3, the NGs align in shades on the Center (almost touching each other) and drive the Center backward at the snap. (Diagram 1 & 2)

• Both DEs use the fornation to tell them how to align. If there is a TE to the DE's side, we line up in a 4i alignment and use a Ricochet technique (Ricochet = attack out into the down block then bounce back inside and find work. If there is no down block, then Penetrate!) If there is no TE, then the DE moves to a tilted 5 technique outside the OT. At the snap, the tilted 5 tech attcks off of the hip of the OT. If the OT blocks down, the 5 tech should come right off his butt, almost flat down the line. (Diagram 3)

• The EDGE players align on the line if scrimmage 2 yds outside the OT or the TE. Their aiming point is the hip oif the deepest / nearest back. At the snap, they are coming full speed, setting a hard edge. They will keep outside arm & leg free, and they have a Pitch/Peel Rule. Pitch/Peel says that nothing can cross their face. If the RB flares, the EDGE peels and covers him. If the RB releases underneath the EDGE, the LB has him. (Diagram 4)

• Both LBs align in 40 techniques, head-up on the OT. Vs pass, they have Man to Man on the RB to their side. Against 1 RB formations, one LB must displace & cover a WR. Vs Run, they have no gap and are free to the football. (Diagram 5)

• The three remaining DBs are in press man coverage with an inside alignment. If the receiver is attached to the formation (TE), then the DB aligns with an inside shade on the line of scrimmage (C gap). Our reason for this is as follows: If it is a run play & the DB is off, then the TE will block the LB and the DB will have a one on one tackle. If the DB is on the line, the TE is forced to block him & the unblocked one on one player becomes our LB, who is usually stronger & a better tackler. (Diagram 6)

• Diagrams 7-10 show how our GORILLA package lines up against various sets. One thing that you may notice is an apparent bubble in B gap when our DE takes a tilted 5 alignment. The key to this is the DE must come flat down the line. If the OT releases on the LB, which he often will, the DE comes screaming untouched into the backfield, staying flat so that nothing hits underneath him. The EDGE must also come hard and set the force without creating a seam betweel the DE & himself. Because of this, when the DE & EDGE line up vs no TE, it will look like they are too close. Their feet should be right next to each other.

Our kids learn all the rules in camp and the set never changes during the season. Because of this our young men play this package with great speed & confidence.

Always Searching for New Tackling Drills....

           As a defensive coordinator for the last 12 years, one of the things that I have consistently revisited each off-season is a way to improve tackling. I remember that an issue of American Football Coach a few years ago had an article about the lost art of tackling. I don't know if I would call it an art but it does seem as though tackling as a whole has gotten poorer on all levels. I don't necessarily believe that this is because defensive coaches have started to blow off fundamentals as much as it has to do with the changes in offensive football and strength & conditioning.
       Offensive football, whether it be Mike Leach Air Raid or Urban Meyer Spread Option or even Paul Johnson Double Wing, has become a game where the best coaches seek to create more one on one match-ups out in space. This requires the defensive players to make more one on one open-field tackles than before. In addition, athletes are becoming stronger & faster at the lower levels of football than they have ever been before. The problem in drilling tackling is that so many of the traditional tackling drills are not necessarily directed at making a player a better open-field tackler. The old Door Drill and the Eye-Opener certainly still have their place, but do they really help a player get ready to tackle Percy Harvin on the bubble screen?
         Now I am a firm believer that Relentless Pursuit is the best tackling method. If 5 lousy tacklers in a bad mood all get to the ball carrier at once, he is probably still going down. That being said, I am always on the lookout for tackling drills that that can improve our ability to tackle in space. I also search for drills that can be done year round, with or without pads and a football. There are two that we have done extensively this summer, one we have had for a while and one that we just started; we are very pleased with both.
      We call the first drill  the Tackle Box Drill. I got it from Tyrone Nix, DC at Ole Miss and previously South Carolina. There are 2 lines, each at opposite corners of a 5 x 5 yd box. One line is made up of the tacklers and one line is made up of the bagmen, or the players holding half-round dummies. At my command, the tackler sprints full speed 5 yds laterally across the box, sticks his foot into the ground outside the box (Diagram #1),  then redirects back into the box and gets square. (Diagram #2) When the tackler sticks his foot in the ground outside the box, the bag man begins to shuffle laterally across the box. (also Diagram #2). When the bag man reaches the middlie of the box, he comes straight downhill hard & fast, holding the half-round pad tight to his chest. At the same time, the tackler has squared himself up and executes an "eyes up, chest up" form tackle on the bagman (Diagram #3). Neither player goes to the ground, but I am looking for a chest to chest collision of some significance. After the hit, the players switch lines. After everyone has tackled the lines move across the box and execute the same drill going the other way. Reasons I like this drill:

• It incorporates full speed movement with a sharp change of direction
• All players, regardless of athleticism, can get into position to execute a perfect form chest to chest hit
• The drill can be done inside or outside, in pads or shorts, all year round
• This drill does not ask the bagman to be a docile target; for the drill to be effective, he must come hard also, just not wrapping up.
The second drill, which we have just started to use this summer, is called the Circle Flag Drill. I got this from a FL high school coach in the new COY manual. We take two PE flag football flags (just the flags, not the belt) and have a runner quickly tuck them into his pants. We create a circle with ropes or paint or hoops and we align the tackler on one side of the circle and the flagman on the other side. At the whistle, the tackler must try to take both flags from the runner. The runner cannot use his hands and he cannot leave the circle, but otherwise he may run & jump & spin as much as he wants. Reasons that I like this drill:                                                                                 
• It forces the tackler to come to balance and not overextend
• It forces the tackler to keep leverage under the runner so he can grab the flags
• It can be done full speed, inside or outside, in pads or shorts, all year round     

We are always looking for ways to become better tacklers. The traditional drills still are very effective & have their place. But we need to think outside the box also. Because if WRs & RBs are working on getting faster, quicker, and more agile year round, and Offensive Coordinators are practicing schemes to get them in one on one matchups year round, but we only start practicing tackling in August, then we are going to have a problem.                   

Linebacker Keys in the 3-3 Stack Defense Part 3

Wing-T or Dbl WingbacksThe formation that we see the most of is probably some form of Dbl Wing. We use the following keys out of our Stacked alignment.

OLBs both key the opposite HB or WB:
• If the key comes to (motion or after snap) – Outside Point
• If the key stays away – Hit Inside Point looking for the FB Trap/Dive

The MLB keys both WBs (using peripheral vision):
• Keying the direction of initial flow (motion or after snap) – Base Point Flowside

Linebacker Keys in the 3-3 Stack Defense Part 2

• Vs angle flow
----angle flow to = Outside Point
----angle flow away = Over the Top!

Linebacker Keys in the 3-3 Stack Defense Part 1

I am reposting this with diagrams. I am still trying to get the hang of illustrating this stuff.

LINEBACKER KEYS IN THE ODD STACK DEFENSE
             William Mitchell - Defensive Coordinator - Brunswick HS - Brunswick, GA

              Our staff is currently entering our second season at Brunswick High School in South Georgia. Previously, we were at Chester High School in Chester, SC. We have run the Odd Stack defense for the last 4 years with a great deal of success. (2 Region Championships, 1 State Runner-Up, 7 Shut-Outs in 2007) As we have used this defense as a base, we have had to continually look at what we are doing and see if it matches up with the offenses we face. Each year, we have tweaked different parts of our defense, but one of the best things we have done is to develop a system LB keys that we feel is simple and yet holds up against a variety of different opponents.
          Like most 30 front teams, we do a great deal of blitzing. But we kept facing the question, what do the LBs look at when they are not blitzing? We decided that keying the backfield would be the most effective system for our players. The LBs set their keys according to the backfield set and their own alignment.

LANDMARKSA key feature of our system is that we set landmarks of responsibility as opposed to specific gaps. We believe that our constant defensive line movement and the blocking combinations that we see combine to cause our gaps to “move”. For instance with a down block by the guard, B gap is not exactly where it was pre-snap. So instead of gaps, we label Landmarks:
• From the inside foot of one guard to the inside foot of the other guard is Inside Point (both A gaps)
• From the inside foot of the guard to the crotch of the tackle is Base Point (B gap)
• From the crotch of the tackle to the outside foot of the TE is Outside Point (C gap)

When a key tells the LB to attack a certain Landmark, the LB presses that area looking for an “open window”. When he gets the “open window”, he attacks through it, much like a RB running a zone play. So if his key says Inside Point, the LB may press frontside or backside A gap…it depends on the blocking and where the opening is. If his key says Base Point, the LB may press anywhere from in the crotch of the guard to the inside shoulder of the OT, depending on the “open window”.

Linebacker Keys in the 3-3 Stack Defense

For the last 6 or 7 seasons, we have based our defense out of a 3 man front with 3 LBs stacked. When we first went to this defense, I had to work out a simple system of keys for the LBs to use when they were not blitzing. The following is an article I wrote and posted on the Coach Huey football forum website (a terrific website, should be in everyone's favorites).

LINEBACKER KEYS IN THE ODD STACK DEFENSE


William Mitchell - Defensive Coordinator - Brunswick HS - Brunswick, GA


Our staff is currently entering our second season at Brunswick High School in South Georgia. Previously, we were at Chester High School in Chester, SC. We have run the Odd Stack defense for the last 4 years with a great deal of success. (2 Region Championships, 1 State Runner-Up, 7 Shut-Outs in 2007) As we have used this defense as a base, we have had to continually look at what we are doing and see if it matches up with the offenses we face. Each year, we have tweaked different parts of our defense, but one of the best things we have done is to develop a system LB keys that we feel is simple and yet holds up against a variety of different opponents.


Like most 30 front teams, we do a great deal of blitzing. But we kept facing the question, what do the LBs look at when they are not blitzing? We decided that keying the backfield would be the most effective system for our players. The LBs set their keys according to the backfield set and their own alignment.


LANDMARKS
A key feature of our system is that we set landmarks of responsibility as opposed to specific gaps. We believe that our constant defensive line movement and the blocking combinations that we see combine to cause our gaps to “move”. For instance with a down block by the guard, B gap is not exactly where it was pre-snap. So instead of gaps, we label Landmarks:
• From the inside foot of one guard to the inside foot of the other guard is Inside Point (both A gaps)
• From the inside foot of the guard to the crotch of the tackle is Base Point (b gap)
• From the crotch of the tackle to the outside foot of the TE is Outside Point (C gap)


When a key tells the LB to attack a certain Landmark, the LB presses that area looking for an “open window”. When he gets the “open window”, he attacks through it, much like a RB running a zone play. So if his key says Inside Point, the LB may press frontside or backside A gap…it depends on the blocking and where the opening is. If his key says Base Point, the LB may press anywhere from in the crotch of the guard to the inside shoulder of the OT, depending on the “open window”.








I Backs
Against the I formation, the MLB keys the FB and the OLBs and the SPURs key the TB. We use the following keys out of our Stacked alignment.


• Vs hard flow (both backs attacking A or B gap right now)
----MLB mirrors FB and hits Inside Point
----OLB hard flow to = Base Point
----OLB hard flow away = Inside Point
----SPURs see hard flow in the box =Stack on C gap for cutback / reverse


• Vs fast flow (both backs attacking outside right now)
----MLB fast flow = Base Point
----OLB fast flow to = Outside Point
----OLB any flow outside the box = Get Over the Top!
----SPUR fast flow to = Cut It Off!
----SPUR fast flow away = Stack on C gap for cutback / reverse


• Vs angle flow (Fullback kick out , Tailback hit C gap)
----MLB angle flow = Base Point
----OLB angle flow to = Outside Point
----OLB any flow outside the box = Get Over the Top!
----SPUR angle flow to = Blow It Up!
----SPUR angle flow away = Stack on C gap for cutback / reverse


Some of our fronts call for us to go from a 3 LB stacked look to a 2 LB 50 front look. We use the following keys out of our 30 alignment (over guards):


• Vs hard flow
----hard flow to = Inside Point
----hard flow away = Inside Point


• Vs fast flow
----fast flow to = Outside Point
----fast flow away = Base Point Away


• Vs angle flow
----angle flow to = Outside Point
----angle flow away = Base Point








Wing-T or Dbl Wingbacks
The formation that we see the most of is probably some form of Dbl Wing. We use the following keys out of our Stacked alignment.


OLBs both key the opposite HB or WB:
• If the key comes to (motion or after snap) – Outside Point
• If the key stays away – Hit Inside Point looking for the FB Trap/Dive


The MLB keys both WBs (using peripheral vision):
• Keying the direction of initial flow (motion or after snap) –
Base Point Flowside




Shotgun One-Back
Against a shotgun, one back run game, we use the following keys:


OLBs key the opposite back (HB or QB)
• Flow to (Zone Run) – Outside Point
• Flow Away (Option) – Inside Point


The MLB keys and follows the most dangerous runner:
• Base Point Flowside




These are our basic keys which we install over the spring and summer. We will tweak our keys against certain opponents based on what they are emphasizing. But we feel like these keys give us a good starting point.






Read more: http://www.coachhuey.com/index.cgi?board=defarticles&action=display&thread=27378#ixzz1RD6EMYES