Furuset Amerikansk

Football

DEFENSIVE
PLAYBOOK

2001 SEASON
 DEFINING THE DEFENSE

INTRODUCTION

Before we explain our defensive system, how it works and how we will call the
defensive plays, there are some fundamentals that need to be understood about
defensive football. This will allow you to better understand what is contained inside
this playbook, what we are trying to do and why we are doing it.

OFFENSIVE GAPS

The areas between the offensive players are called gaps. Offensive teams usually call them
holes and give them numbers to help them coordinate their offensive running plays.
Defenses aim to defend/attack each of these offensive gaps. This allows the defense to
defend all the areas along the L.O.S. (Line of Scrimmage – an imaginary line across the
width of the field where the ball is positioned) where the offense attacks on running plays.
Like the offense, the defense also uses a numbering system, shown below in the diagram.

RB RB

Strong side Weak side

WR QB
TE TE WR
’D’ ’C’ ’B’ G ’A’ ’A’ G ’B’ ’C’ ’D’
T C T
9 87 654 321 123 456 78 9
Offensive gaps
given letters from
A to D Football

As you can see the way we use the numbers in the defensive systems is different to the offensive systems.

We use the number system to show each player who he aligns on and how, if he lines up in ‘on’ position
or ‘inside’ or ‘outside’ of the offensive player.

If a defender is told to line up in ‘2’ technique he knows that he is suppose to line up in an ‘on’ position on the
guard, wich guard is decided by what position you are playing, if you are playing a defensive line man, in most
cases you are lined up at the line of scrimmage in a 3 point stance left or right of the offensive center.

We can use the same numbering system on our linebackers .

If you as a linebacker are told that you are lining up in a ‘6’ technique you know that you are lining up on the
outside shoulder of the offensive tackle, Our linebacker’s will line up from 4.5 to 6 yards deep of the L.O.S.
depending on the offensive situation.

The only defenders that doesn’t line up according to the number system is our defensive backs.
(Cornerbacks and safety) they have specific duties to perform and are lined up accordingly
the cornerbacks lines up 5 yards deep of the L.O.S. and the safety lines up 12 yards deep in the middle
of the field, over the offensive center.
 Defining the defense ‘continued’

FORMATIONS

The base of any defensive system as offensive is it’s formations.

We will line up in what we call a 4 - 4 formation using 4 defensive linemen, and 4 linebacker’s.
The name of the defensive system 4-4 tells us that we have an 8 man front against the offensive formation.
(diagram)

E T T E
S B
M W

Playing with 4 –4 front and 3 defensive backs means that we are well protected against the run, but we can
and will be beaten in our pass coverage. But i believe that if we are disciplined and stay loyal to our
coverage assignments and duties we will have a successful defensive program

PLAYER ALIGNMENT

Defensive Tackle’s:
In 3 point stance on L.O.S. in #3 technique
Defensive Ends:
In 3 point stance on L.O.S. in #6 technique weak side and #9 technique on strong side
Outside linebacker’s Sam and Buck:
Sam:
In 2 point stance in an #8 technique on Strong side, 2 yards deep.
Buck :
In 2 point stance in weak side ‘D’ gap, 2 yards deep.
Inside linebacker’s Mike and Will:
Mike:
In 2 point stance in Strong side ‘A’ Gap 4 to 6 yards deep depending on offensive situation and play
called.
Will:
In 2 point stance in Weak side ‘A’ Gap 4 to 6 yards deep depending on the offensive situation and
play called.

Cornebacks
In 2 point stance in an ‘on’ position on the wide receivers 5 yards deep of the L.O.S.
Safety
In 2 point stance 10 yards deep, in the ‘middle’ of the field straight over the offensive center
Note: this is our basic formation, of course depending on a situation, players
can and will line up differently from this formation.
 Defining the defense ‘continued’

Our defensive play calling system

How we call our plays in the huddle

The defensive play call will consist of four parts. Each section, represents
different aspects of the defense.

First we call the formation 4 – 4 or 5 – 3 then we call “Base” “Show” or “Trick”.

“Base” we play our defensive plays as they are decided in the playbook. We blitz from our
pre-snap position.

“Show” We “show” the opponent that we are blitzing thru the gaps we are blitzing thru in
our blitzing plays

“Trick” we “Show” the opponent that we are blitzing, but we are pulling back into our normal
defensive coverage after the snap.

Play calling the Base plays

Example calling “4- 4 Base 00” Example calling “ 4- 4 Base 01”

This is how we call our basic play. This is how we call the blitzing play Base 01

Play calling the Show plays

Example calling “4- 4 Show 01”

We show our opponent that we will blitz.

Play calling the Trick plays

Example calling “ 4- 4 Trick 01”

We show that we are blitzing thru the holes in the play we call “Show 01” but we pull back into the
defensive coverage of the defensive play “Base 00”
When we are calling the trick plays we always pull back into the defensive coverage of
“BASE 00”

Pass coverages

These plays are pure pass coverages we do not blitz these are they plays where we expect
the opponent to pass.

Example calling “4 – 4 Base 32” Example calling “ 4 –4 Base 33”

Our 2 deep zone coverage play. Our 3 deep zone coverage play.

Remember e ven tho we only use the 4- 4 formation in our examples we also run our defense
out of the 5 – 3 formation, LEARN YOUR PLAYBOOK!!!
 Defining the defense ‘continued’

Pass coverage zone’s

The Pass coverage zones (or areas of the field ) are broken down into underneath zones (hook, curl and flat)
and deep zones (deep left and right).

E T T E
S B
M W CB
CB

Flat Curl Hook Hook Curl Flat

FS

Left Deep Right deep

What you see here is the playing field divided into 8 zones, 6 underneath zone’s and 2 deep zone’s there can
also be 1 deep or 3 deep zone’s.

In cover 2 and 3 we will give each of the linebackers and defensive backs the responsibility of one zone,
in our cover 1, our strong side backer (Sam) will play man to man pass cover on the opponent tight end.
.

Underneath and deep zones

Hook - From the Offensive Center to the Tight End (TE), 12 yards deep.

Curl - From the Tight End (TE) to 5 yards outside the Tight Ends pre-snap alignment position, 12
yards deep.

Flat - From 5 yards outside of the Tight Ends pre-snap alignment position to 5 yards from the
sideline, 12 yards deep.

Deep - 12 yards deep, and can in different covers be divided into 1 deep, 2 deep
or 3 deep coverage zone’s. (Diagram show’s 2 deep zone’s)
Alignment and responsibilities 4 - 4 ”BASE” Play Name ”Base 00”

LE LT RT RE
S B
C M W
C

FS

Player Alignment Pass Run to Run away

Responsibilities Responsibilities Responsibilities
Strong side
Defensive end ‘9’ Technique Contain, pass rush Contain the outside and Contain, Check reverse
(LE) on L..O.S. push run inside and trail

Weak side ‘6’ Technique Contain, pass rush Contain the outside and Contain, Check reverse
Defensive end on L..O.S. push run inside and trail
(RE)
Strong side
Defensive tackle ‘3’ Technique Pass rush Attack ‘B’ gap Attack ‘B’ gap check near
(LT) /Weak Side on L..O.S. And play near back back, if near back plays
Defensive tackle away, move lateral and
(LT) trail.

Strong side outside ‘8’ Technique Play man to man pass Attack ‘C’ gap Attack ‘C’ gap check near
Linebacker 2 yards deep off L.O.S. cover on TE And play near back back, if near back plays
(Sam) S away, move lateral and
trail.
Key on near back, if he
Strong side middle ‘A’ Gap runs a pass route into Attack ‘A’ gap Attack ‘A’ gap check near
linebacker 4 yards deep off L.O.S. flat, cover man to man. And play near back back, if near back plays
(Mike) M Key QB, drop back into away move lateral and
pass coverage trail.

Weak side middle line ‘A ’ Gap Key on double tight or Attack ‘A’ gap Attack ‘A’ gap check near
backer 4 yards deep off L.O.S. wing. Pass rush And play near back back, if near back plays
(Will) W away move lateral and
trail.
Key on near back, if he
Weak side outside ‘D’ Gap runs a pass route into Attack ‘D’ gap Attack ‘D’ gap check near
linebacker 2 yards deep off L.O.S. flat, cover man to man And play near back back, if near back plays
(Buck) B Trips alignment Pass rush away move lateral and
5 yards deep off L.O.S. If trips, man to man trail. CHECK REVERSE
cover on trips receiver

Cornebacks Receiver Man to man pass cover Run support Trail, check reverse
(LCB/RCB) 5 yards deep off L.O.S. If twins, call twins and Contain sweep
make sure other CB
covers twin.

Safety Middle of field Play safe, Run support roll towards Run support roll towards
(FS) over center 12 Do not get beaten play play
yds deep.
Alignment and responsebilities 4 - 4 ” BASE BLITZ” Play Name ”Base 02”

”Show 02”

”Trick 02”

LE LT RT RE
S B
C M W
C

FS

Player Alignment Pass Run to Run away

Responsibilities Responsibilities Responsibilities
Strong side
Defensive end ‘9’ Technique Contain the outside and Contain, Check reverse
(LE) on L..O.S. Contain, pass rush push run inside and trail

Weak side
Defensive end ‘6’ Technique Contain the outside and Contain, Check reverse
(RE) on L..O.S. Contain, pass rush push run inside and trail

Strong side
Defensive tackle ‘3’ Technique Attack ‘B’ gap Attack ‘B’ gap check near
(LT) / Weak Side on L..O.S. Pass rush and play near back back, if near back plays
Defensive tackle away, move lateral and
(RT) trail.
Strong side outside
Linebacker ‘8’ Technique Attack ‘C’ gap Attack ‘C’ gap check near
(Sam) S 2 yards deep off L.O.S. Play man to man and play near back back, if near back plays
cover on TE away, move lateral and
trail.
Strong side middle
linebacker ‘A’ Gap Attack ‘A’ gap Attack ‘A’ gap check near
(Mike) M 4 yards deep off L.O.S. Key QB and drop and play near back back, if near back plays
back into pass coverage away move lateral and
trail.
Weak side middle line
backer ‘A’ Gap Attack ‘A’ gap Attack ‘A’ gap check near
(Will) W 4 yards deep off L.O.S. Blitz thru ‘A’ gap and play near back back, if near back plays
away move lateral and
trail.
Weak side outside
linebacker ‘D’ Gap Attack ‘D’ gap Attack ‘D’ gap check near
(Buck) B 2 yards deep off L.O.S. Blitz ‘D’ gap and play near back back, if near back plays
Trips alignment If trips, man to man away move lateral and
5 yards deep off L.O.S. cover on trips receiver trail. CHECK REVERSE

Cornebacks Rec eiver Run support Trail, check reverse

(CB) 5 yards deep off L.O.S. Man to man cover Contain sweep

Safety Middle of field, over Play safe, Run support roll towards Run support roll towards
(FS) center 10 yards deep Do not get beaten play play
Alignment and responsebilities 4 - 4 ” MIKE BLITZ” Play Name ”Base 03”

”Show 03”

”Trick 03”

LE LT RT RE
S B
C M W
C

FS

Player Alignment Pass Run to Run away

Responsibilities Responsibilities Responsibilities
Strong side
Defensive end ‘9’ Technique Contain the outside and Contain, Check reverse
(LE) on L..O.S. Contain, pass rush push run inside and trail

Weak side
Defensive end ‘6’ Technique Contain the outside and Contain, Check reverse
(RE) on L..O.S. Contain, pass rush push run inside and trail

Strong side
Defensive tackle ‘3’ Technique Attack ‘B’ gap Attack ‘B’ gap check near
(LT) / Weak Side on L..O.S. Pass rush and play near back back, if near back plays
Defensive tackle away, move lateral and
(RT) trail.
Strong side outside
Linebacker ‘8’ Technique Attack ‘C’ gap Attack ‘C’ gap check near
(Sam) S 2 yards deep off L.O.S. Play man to man and play near back back, if near back plays
cover on TE away, move lateral and
trail.
Strong side middle
linebacker ‘A’ Gap Attack ‘A’ gap Attack ‘A’ gap check near
(Mike) M 4 yards deep off L.O.S. Blitz thru ‘A’ gap and play near back back, if near back plays
away move lateral and
trail.
Weak side middle line
backer ‘A’ Gap Attack ‘A’ gap Attack ‘A’ gap check near
(Will) W 4 yards deep off L.O.S. Blitz thru ‘A’ gap and play near back back, if near back plays
away move lateral and
trail.
Weak side outside
linebacker ‘D’ Gap Attack ‘D’ gap Attack ‘D’ gap check near
(Buck) B 2 yards deep off L.O.S. Blitz ‘D’ gap and play near back back, if near back plays
Trips alignment If trips, man to man away move lateral and
5 yards deep off L.O.S. cover on trips receiver trail. CHECK REVERSE

Cornebacks Receiver Run support Trail, check reverse

(CB) 5 yards deep off L.O.S. Man to man cover Contain sweep

Safety Middle of field, over Play safe, Run support roll towards Run support roll towards
(FS) center 10 yards deep Do not get beaten play play
Alignment and responsibilities 4 - 4 ”SAM BLITZ” Play Name ”Base 01”

”Show 01”

”Trick 01”

LE LT RT RE
S B
C M W
C

FS

Player Alignment Pass Run to Run away

Responsibilities Responsibilities Responsibilities

Strong side
Defensive end ‘9’ Technique Pass rush Contain the outside and Contain, Check reverse
(LE) on L..O.S. Key near back, cover push run inside and trail
man to man.
Weak side
Defensive end ‘6’ Technique Contain, pass rush Contain the outside and Contain, Check reverse
(RE) on L..O.S. push run inside and trail

Strong side
Defensive tackle ‘3’ Technique Pass rush Attack ‘B’ gap Attack ‘B’ gap check near
(LT) / Weak Side on L..O.S. And play near back back, if near back plays
Defensive tackle away, move lateral and
(LT) trail.
Strong side outside
Linebacker ‘8’ Technique Blitz thru ‘C’ gap Attack ‘C’ gap Attack ‘C’ gap check near
(Sam) S 2 yards deep off L.O.S. And play near back back, if near back plays
away, move lateral and
trail.
Strong side middle
linebacker ‘A’ Gap Attack ‘A’ gap Attack ‘A’ gap check near
(Mike) M 4 yards deep off L.O.S. Key TE play man to And play near back back, if near back plays
man away move lateral and
trail.
Weak side middle line
backer ‘A’ Gap Key on double tight or Attack ‘A’ gap Attack ‘A’ gap check near
(Will) W 4 yards deep off L.O.S. wing. Pass rush And play near back back, if near back plays
away move lateral and
trail.
Weak side outside
linebacker ‘D’ Gap Key on near back Attack ‘D’ gap Attack ‘D’ gap check near
(Buck) B 2 yards deep off L.O.S. Pass rush And play near back back, if near back plays
away move lateral and
trail. CHECK REVERSE

Cornebacks Receiver Man to man cover Run support Trail, check reverse
(CB) Contain sweep

Safety Middle of field Play safe, Run support roll towards Run support roll towards
(FS) over center Do not get beaten play play
Alignment and responsebilities 4 - 4 “Cover 1” Play Name ”Base 31”

LE LT RT RE
S B
C
M W C

FS

Player Alignment Pass Run to Run away

Responsibilities Responsibilities Responsibilities
Strong side
Defensive end ‘9’ Technique Contain the outside and Contain, Check reverse
(LE) on L..O.S. Contain, pass rush push run inside and trail

Weak side
Defensive end ‘6’ Technique Contain the outside and Contain, Check reverse
(RE) on L..O.S. Contain, pass rush push run inside and trail

Strong side
Defensive tackle ‘3’ Technique Attack ‘B’ gap Attack ‘B’ gap check near
(LT) / Weak Side on L..O.S. Pass rush And play near back back, if near back plays
Defens ive tackle away, move lateral and
(RT) trail.
Strong side outside
Linebacker ‘8’ Technique Attack ‘C’ gap Attack ‘C’ gap check near
(Sam) S 2 yards deep off L.O.S. Play man to man And play near back back, if near back plays
cover on TE away, move lateral and
trail.
Strong side middle
linebacker ‘A’ Gap Zone pass coverage. Attack ‘A’ gap Attack ‘A’ gap check near
(Mike) M 6 yards deep off L.O.S. Cover strong hook to And play near back back, if near back plays
curl away move lateral and
trail.
Weak side middle line
backer ‘A’ Gap Zone pass coverage Attack ‘A’ gap Attack ‘A’ gap check near
(Will) W 6 yards deep off L.O.S. in hook zones And play near back back, if near back plays
away move lateral and
trail.
Weak side outside
linebacker ‘D’ Gap Zone pass coverage Attack ‘D’ gap Attack ‘D’ gap check near
(Buck) B 3 yards deep off L.O.S. In the weak curl zone And play near back back, if near back plays
Trips alignment away move lateral and
5 yards deep off L.O.S. trail. CHECK REVERSE

Cornebacks Receiver Zone pass coverage in Run support Trail, check reverse
(CB) 5 yards deep off L.O.S. the flat zones Contain sweep

Safety Middle of field, over Open to strong side Run support roll towards Run support roll towards
(FS) center 12 yards deep Play safe, Do not get play play
beaten
Alignment and responsibilities 4 - 4 “Cover 2” Play Name ”Base 32”

LE LT RT RE
S B
C M W C

FS

Player Alignment Pass Run to Run away

Responsibilities Responsibilities Responsibilities
Strong side
Defensive end ‘9’ Technique Contain the outside and Contain, Check reverse
(LE) on L..O.S. Contain, pass rush push run inside and trail

Weak side
Defensive end ‘6’ Technique Contain the outside and Contain, Check reverse
(RE) on L..O.S. Contain, pass rush push run inside and trail

Strong side
Defensive tackle ‘3’ Technique Attack ‘B’ gap Attack ‘B’ gap check near
(LT) / Weak Side on L..O.S. Pass rush And play near back back, if near back plays
Defensive tackle away, move lateral and
(RT) trail.
Strong side outside
Linebacker ‘8’ Technique Zone pass coverage Attack ‘C’ gap Attack ‘C’ gap check near
(Sam) S 2 yards deep off L.O.S. Cover strong side curl to And play near back back, if near back plays
flat away, move lateral and
trail.
Strong side middle
linebacker ‘A’ Gap Zone pass cover Attack ‘A’ gap Attack ‘A’ gap check near
(Mike) M 6 yards deep off L.O.S. Cover strong hook to And play near back back, if near back plays
curl away move lateral and
trail.
Weak side middle line
backer ‘A’ Gap Zone pass coverage. Attack ‘A’ gap Attack ‘A’ gap check near
(Will) W 6 yards deep off L.O.S. Cover weak hook And play near back back, if near back plays
away move lateral and
trail.
Weak side outside
linebacker ‘D’ Gap Zone pass coverage Attack ‘D’ gap Attack ‘D’ gap check near
(Buck) B 3 yards deep off L.O.S. Cover weak curl to flat And play near back back, if near back plays
Trips alignment away move lateral and
5 yards deep off L.O.S. trail. CHECK REVERSE

Cornebacks Receiver Strong side CB zone Run support Trail, check reverse
(CB) 5 yards deep off L.O.S. pass cover deep left Contain sweep
Weak side CB zone
pass cover stay in flat

Safety Middle of field, over Zone pass cover Run support roll towards Run support roll towards
(FS) center 12 yards deep Deep right play play
Alignment and responsibilities 4 - 4 “Cover 3” Play Name ”Base 33”

LE LT RT RE

C S M W B C

FS

Player Alignment Pass Run to Run away

Responsibilities Responsibilities Responsibilities
Strong side
Defensive end ‘9’ Technique Contain the outside and Contain, Check reverse
(LE) on L..O.S. Contain, pass rush push run inside and trail

Weak side
Defensive end ‘6’ Technique Contain the outside and Contain, Check reverse
(RE) on L..O.S. Contain, pass rush push run inside and trail

Strong side
Defensive tackle ‘3’ Technique Attack ‘B’ gap Attack ‘B’ gap check near
(LT) / Weak Side on L..O.S. Pass rush And play near back back, if near back plays
Defensive tackle away, move lateral and
(RT) trail.
Strong side outside
Linebacker ‘D’ Gap Zone pass coverage Attack ‘C’ gap Attack ‘C’ gap check near
(Sam) S 8 yards deep off L.O.S. Cover Deep left And play near back back, if near back plays
away, move lateral and
trail.
Strong side middle
linebacker ‘A’ Gap Zone pass cover Attack ‘A’ gap Attack ‘A’ gap check near
(Mike) M 6 yards deep off L.O.S. Cover strong hook to And play near back back, if near back plays
curl away move lateral and
trail.
Weak side middle line
backer ‘A’ Gap Zone pass coverage. Attack ‘A’ gap Attack ‘A’ gap check near
(Will) W 6 yards deep off L.O.S. Cover weak hook to curl And play near back back, if near back plays
away move lateral and
trail.
Weak side outside
linebacker ‘D’ Gap Zone pass coverage Attack ‘D’ gap Attack ‘D’ gap check near
(Buck) B 8 yards deep off L.O.S. Cover Deep right And play near back back, if near back plays
. away move lateral and
trail. CHECK REVERSE

Cornebacks Receiver Zone pass cover Run support Trail, check reverse
(CB) 5 yards deep off L.O.S. Stay in Flat Contain sweep

Safety Middle of field, over Zone pass cover Run support roll towards Run support roll towards
(FS) center 12 yards deep Deep middle play play