Defense 2016

Philosophy
We will stop the run, taking away what the opponent is comfortable doing and force them to turn
to their Plan B. We will add defenders into the box on early downs to outnumber the opponent at
the point of attack and force them into long situations. On those long situations we will attack
protections with pressures and stunts. We will destroy the decision maker. The key to making
this work is constant strain to learn the defense, and execute assignments relentlessly.

Standards
1. There is no room for tourists on defense. Nobody is along for a free ride. You are either
in or out. We need men with ambitious pursuits.

2. Physical and mental discipline are essential to our success. We must play aggressively
within the scheme and exhibit great character.

3. Conditioning gives us a chance to play hard for four quarters. We will not sacrifice
speed and condition.

4. We have simplicity built into the package because it gives us a chance to play fast,
however you will be challenged to learn scheme.

5. We need you to think with us conceptually. Know more than your job, know how the
defense fits together and works. Dont be a robot. Understand what we are trying to do
so we can make in game adjustments. Mental learning is critical. Help us build the
scheme, be a student of the game.

6. Defensively we will not give up the big play. We will run to the football and be an
excellent pursuit team. Good things happen when we get to the ball and opportunities
multiply as they are seized. Be in a position to seize the opportunity to make a big play.

7. Intensity with integrity in everything that we do. We will dominate from whistle to whistle.
Putting the individual before the team will not be tolerated.

THREE ELEMENTS OF EFFORT

- BURST Noticeable change of momentum at the point of recognition.
Burst comes with lean.

- SPEED Maximum Rate of movement

- FINISH Satisfactory manner of completion

 Terms

General
BACKSIDE- Side of the offensive formation away from the strength

BASE-71 Blue

CUTBACK- When a backside defender slows pursuit to look for a back cutting back against the
grain on a cutback or a designed counter.

DETACHED- When a Linebacker needs to leave the box to align to split receivers.

FLOW- Term used to describe the offenses point of attack, typically read through the Running
backs and the QB

FORCE - Technique used to keep the ball carrier on the inside of the defender. The FORCE
player must set the edge of the defense.

HARD JOINT- Technique/Responsibility of keeping the ball in front and inside of the defender.
DEFENDER CANNOT LET THE BALL OUTSIDE!

LEVERAGE- Keeping your outside arm and leg free when attacking and shedding blockers

PROWL/MOVE- Defensive linemen will align away from their gap as the offense breaks the
huddle and gets to the ball. They will move to their assigned gap on a move call from the LB
before the snap.
RUSH LANES- Lanes that the defenders take in rushing the QB on pass plays. The lanes will
adjust depending on the QBs drops and the defenders Responsibilities.

OUTSIDE LANES= SPEED TO PPOWER

TRANSITION AT THE BREAK LINE

QB
BREAK LINE

INSIDE LANES= DO NOT CROSS, COLLAPSE POCKET, DO NOT PASS QB

SPILL- Technique used by DL and LBs attacking the inside shoulder of a blocker making the
ball bounce.

SWARM- Term for pursuit, all defenders must relentlessly pursue the ball, taking proper angle to
ensure that they are not chasing another defender.

SLOW PLAY- Technique used by edge defenders to force the QB to come to them shuffling out
slightly down the line of scrimmage, delaying his decision on option plays.

STAY CALL- Signaled in showing that there will be no checks and the defense called should be
run.

STRENGTH- Describes the overbalance of strength of the offensive formation.

 TACKLING

COIL- A good athletic position. The ankles, knees and hips are flexed ready to explode.
Elbows are bent and close to the body with the hands in the holsters by the hips. Body is
SQUARE TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.

SHIMMY- A series of small steps moving laterally and gaining ground. They allow the tackler to
close the distance to the ball carrier while maintaining leverage.

CLUB AND WRAP- Will happen at the same time as extend. Hands will shoot up on both sides
of the ball carrier. Tackler will then squeeze and grab high cloth.

EXTEND- Will happen at the same time as Club and Wrap. The flexed ankles, knees and hips
should extend into the tackle.

DRIVE- After the tackle is secure the tackler should drive the ball carrier backwards by taking
small steps buzzing the feet.

The next defender in should be able to rely on you to have control of the ball carrier.
This will allow him to focus on stripping the ball.
It is important to keep your leverage on the ball carrier and drive him to where you have
help in the defense.
 Defensive Line

DOWN WITH THE DOWN DONT GET REACHED- When shaded to the outside of an offensive
lineman defenders must strike and play off the hip of a down block, pressing the offensive
lineman down the line of scrimmage. (Linebacker will adjust over the top) If the offensive
lineman blocks to the defensive lineman the defensive lineman must maintain outside leverage
and squeeze the offensive lineman down.
- DOWN WITH THE DOWN

-DONT GET REACHED

ATTACK- All out pass rush technique used by the DL. Key is to get off on the ball and
penetrate.

CHECK 26-Tells the N to line up in a 2 and the End in a 6 vs double tight formations.

FEATHER= Technique used in option defense by QB players. The defender makes the QB
come to them, not attacking, and then shuffling out and slightly off the LOS in order to delay the
QBs Decision.

HEAVY- Alignment is almost head up, DL should get a larger piece of the OL on contact.

PRESSURE READ/FIGHT PRESSURE WITH PRESSURE- Defenders reaction to the pressure

felt when an OL is blocking him.
RIVERSIDE= A call swapping the Nose and Tackles Assignment. Example: 71 Riverside
White= A/7 T/1 N/3 E/5 with white coverage.

TRENCH RUN- Technique used by lineman (or blitzers) who have penetrated on flow away.
They want to pull up as quick as possible and close towards the ball as close to the LOS as
possible.

DL Movements
LONG-SCOOP- Technique used by a lineman when he works across the face to the adjacent
inside gap

AXE- Whole line slant towards the Anchor. Defensive lineman will read one man over from their
shade. Block to you, cross face. Block away, shoot off the hips of the lineman.

SLASH- Whole line slant towards the End. Defensive lineman will read one man over from their
shade. Block to you, cross face. Block away, shoot off the hips of the lineman.

TIN- Tackle and Nose shoot through A-Gap.

TANGO- Tackle aligns in a 3 and crosses face to play the A-Gap.

EGO- End crosses the face of the tackle to play B-Gap

ED- End lines up in a wide 9 and knives off of the tackles hip on any block away, and crosses
face on any block to. Ed is dead vs 1 back.

JET- Anchor and End align in a wide 9 and rush the passer.

TWIST- Anchor attacks the gap inside his alignment. Tackle Strikes the OG and loops to
contain.

SCREW- End attacks the gap inside his alignment. Nose Strikes the OG and loops to contain.

TAN-Tackle Spikes to the Center, Nose Strikes and loops to strong side A-Gap.
 Linebackers
BALANCE- Call made by the Mike to balance the remaining two linebackers with a detach call.
(Sam may have to Tango the T)

CLOUDY/CLEAR- If the gap the LB is responsible for is clear, shoot through it. If the gap is
cloudy (i.e., unclear or plugged up), go outside of it to the next available gap

CRACK BACK- A block to the inside by a wide receiver, usually on a linebacker or safety, LB
should get a crack warning

CUTBACK- When a backside defender slows pursuit to look for a back cutting back against the
grain on a cutback or a designed counter.

DETACH- A call made by the Sam/Will because they are leaving the Box to cover a #2 WR.
Will must check EGO. IM OUT, IM OUT! CHECK EGO! CHECK EGO!

EGO-Call made when the Will detaches, End will take B-Gap giving the Will C-Gap

FLOW- Call for the Mike Linebacker to go immediately to his key.

LAG- Technique where the LB is trailing the ball horizontally looking for a cutback

OVERLAP- When getting a cloudy read the LB will pursue the ball outside.

PLUG- On hard flow to the playside linebacker will attack the lead blockers inside shoulder.

TANGO- Call made by the Sam to move the Tackle into A-gap allowing him to widen when the
will is detached, and the LBs are balanced. *Call could also be made by the Mike vs trips to
bring him closer to matching #3

TRENCH RUN- Technique used by lineman (or blitzers) who have penetrated on flow away.
They want to pull up as quick as possible and close towards the ball as close to the LOS as
possible.
 Defensive backs
BANANNA SUPPORT- Inside out support from the safeties.

CRACK BLOCK- A block to the inside by a wide receiver, usually on a linebacker or safety

HAMMER- Exchange alignment of the QC/FS, SC/R vs. a TE or WING alignment. The F/R will
take the place of the CB playing outside leverage on the wing while the CB will take deep half.
This may change based on game plan and personnel.

FUNNEL= Technique used by defensive backs, primarily corners in cover two coverage forcing
the number # 1 receivers to release inside ONLY.

INVERT- Free/Rover and the CB exchange roles, CB takes deep half, and the F/R takes
Flat/Force.

LEVERAGE- Alignment of the defender on the receiver. This will change based on coverage
and the alignment of the receiver.

NUB- A formation where there is only a TE without any quick receivers or wings split outside.

QUICK RECEIVER- A receiver that is detached from the offensive line

STAR- Special coverage for formations with a nub TE or an unbalanced formation. SC plays
Blue, Rover Rails down inside #2, allowing the SAM to stay in the box, FS takes deep half
strong, QC rolls to deep half weak.

COVER 2
Blue/Vanilla
CORNER Blue 1 quick technique-
VS PASS keep outside alignment, physically redirect WR inside to the safety,
skate out playing high to low.
VS RUN Contain the run playing outside in. Be athletic, set the edge as close to
the ball as possible, keeping outside arm and leg free to pursue
CORNER Blue 2 quick technique
VS PASS slide inside on the snap of the ball reading the EMOLOS, gain depth
playing high to low.
FREE/ROVER Blue field technique-
 VS PASS F/R align 10 yards deep two yards outside the EMOLOS, will open at a
45 and drive to two yards outside the hash on Pass, gaining depth and keeping
everything in front of them.
VS RUN= Bannana Support, Inside out

White
White CB technique: The cornerback to the tight end side is going to line up at 6 yards off of
the #1 receiver, get inside of #1 at the snap and trap #2 on any out cut. If #2 releases vertical,
then the trap cornerback will sink and read high to low. Allows for a very hard edge of the
defense.

R/F Technique: R/F must widen from 1 to 2. This requires them to get wider faster.

Man Coverage
OFF MAN- Defender aligns off the receiver and will take a quick read of the OL before getting
vision to the receiver and matching his release with lateral steps, a double hop and an off hand
jam.

PRESS MAN- Technique where the CB covers receivers giving them no room at the line of
scrimmage. This will start with a double hop a quarter eagle and an off hand jam.

LEVELS- Defenders in man coverage must have different vertical spacing. The receiver on the
line should be pressed. LBs in coverage will be at 5, safeties at 8 as a general rule.

Need a term for when the LB must buzz SCF. See base 7-2 Blue vs. double tight.
Check Tango to a 4 man surface, move mike to B-Gap