ROY HIGH SCHOOL

Defensive Playbook
Royal Football 2013
“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines
how well you do it.”
-Lou Holtz

This playbook is entrusted to Roy High Football players only. Please do not copy, redistribute, or lose
this book. You will be held responsible for this book and must return it when our season is over.

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 Table of Contents:
1. Terminology Pg. 5
2. Huddle Pg. 9
3. Gaps Pg. 13
4. Alignments Pg. 17
5. Calling Strength Pg. 21
6. Player Labeling Pg. 25
7. Fronts Pg. 29
8. Coverages Pg. 33
9. Stunts and Defensive Line Adjustments Pg. 49
10. Blitzes (Man Blitzes) Pg. 55
11. Dogs (Zone Blitzes) Pg. 65
12. Flops and Motions Pg. 71

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TERMINOLOGY

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 Terminology
 Alley: the running lane that exists between the force defender and the C or D gap player
 Apex: is a walked position where Sam and/or Will splits the difference between the
offensive tackle and the nearest receiver
 Baker: is a stunt for the Strong DE who’s on the Nose Tackle’s side; Baker tells that DE to
slant from his C-gap into the B-gap
 Banjo: is a 2-on-1 concept in man coverage that results in one LB covering the RB man
to man while the other LB becomes the Rat in the Hole (a low zone defender)
 Bear: a front that covers both Guards and the Center. We will substitute and extra DT for
our FS when we play Bear.
 Bench: tells us to call the formations strength to the SHORT side of the field
 Blitz: when we send 6 or 7 players on a rush and we play man-to-man coverage
 BoS: means back out strong
 BoW: means back out weak
 Box: area between and including the offensive tackles and 5 yards from the LOS
 Bracket: is a 2-on-2 concept in man coverage that allows the outside defender to take
the outside release and the inside defender to take the inside release, regardless of
which receiver that ends up being.
 Bump: when motion forces our Linebackers (and possibly Safeties) to slide over
 Cloud: a concept that puts the Corner in the flat while the Safety covers the deep portion
of the field behind the Corner; Cloud is used in Cover 2 and Cover 6
 Divider Rule: Corners use the top of the numbers as their divider, we play inside the WR
if he’s outside the divider or we play outside the WR if he’s inside the divider; Sam/Will
and SS/FS use the same principles with the hash marks as their divider; judge splits
wisely based on down & distance, ball position, tendencies, and game situation
 Dog: when we send 5 players on a rush and play a 3-under, 3-deep zone behind it
 Force: the Curl/Flat or Flat player in coverage will be responsible for Forcing any
running play back to the inside if it attacks the Alley
 Front: refers to our defensive line and linebackers and how they line up; safeties can be
affected by some fronts too
 G: a G call tells our Nose Tackle to move to a 1-technique on his nearest Guard
 Goal Line: a short-yardage front that puts Sam and Will in 9’s, both Tackles in 1’s, and
both Ends in 5’s
 Green Dog: in any cover 0 blitz, if the man you’re covering blocks, you may add yourself
to the blitz once you’re certain you’re man isn’t releasing on a screen or check down
 Gut: is a call our #3 dropper in a Dog blitz can make to the Rush End if we get a #2
receiver that is aligned too wide for the lineman to cover affectively
 Hole: is the name of the zone our LB covers if he doesn’t have a man to cover in Cover 1
 Indian: a call that tells both Tackles to get into 1-techniques
 Lake/River: a call our Safeties make in Cover 6 to indicate which side we will roll our
coverage to; Lake = Left and River = Right
 Leverage: describes whether you have inside or outside positioning on an opponent
 LOS: means line of scrimmage

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 Loose: Sam calls “loose” when he leaves his 9-tech; Strong End slides to a 6, Nose to a 1
 MOF: means middle of the field
 Near-hand Reach: a technique used to swat the ball down with the hand closest to the
QB; the other hand should be used to secure the tackle
 Okie: this is a 3-man front where the Rush End stands up and plays like a linebacker; the
Strong End and 3-Tech will play head up on the OT’s while the Nose plays a 0-Tech
 Palms: a Cover 2 concept that requires the Safety and Corner to read the release of the
#2 receiver on their side; if #2 runs a quick out, then the Corner picks him up and the
Safety covers #1; any other release by #2 means the Corner stays on #1 and the Safety
covers #2 if #2 comes deeper than the linebackers
 Peel: is a concept for any edge blitzer that tells him to stop his blitz and cover any
runningback that crosses his face to the outside
 Pinch: a call that tells our line to pinch into the A and B gaps for short yardage
protection
 Pirate: a stunt that tells the 3-Tech and Rush End to slant into the A and B gaps
 Press: is a coverage technique that puts the defender close to the LOS/WR
 Ram/Lion: a post-huddle call that slants our entire defensive line; i.e. Ram = Right
 Rat: is the name of the linebacker covering the Hole in Cover 1
 Ray/Lou: a call our Safeties make in Cover 3 to tell our Linebackers which side they are
rolling up on
 Rip/Liz: a post-huddle call for our Nose Tackle that tells the NT which direction to slant
 SCIF: means seam, curl, flat; in some coverages, players will cover any route that attacks
the SCIF as though they were in man coverage; inside routes will be released; this
technique can be crucial in our Cover 3 and Dog Blitzes especially
 Seam: any route that attacks our Safeties down the hash marks
 Sky: a concept that puts the Safety in the flat while the Corner covers the deep portion of
the field behind the Safety
 Slant: a huddle call that tells the entire defensive line to slant strong or weak; the
direction of the slant will be indicated by a Ram or Lion (right or left) call from the LBs
 Solo: our Safety can make a Solo call to let the Corner know that the Corner has the #1
receiver man-to-man; this should only be done on the backside of 3x1 formations
 Spill: the act of bouncing the runningback to the outside is called spilling; defensive
linemen should wrong-arm any pullers or kick-out blocks to force the ball to spill
 Split: tells us to call the formation strength AWAY from the Tight End
 Stem: stemming is moving from one alignment to another prior to the snap
 Strong Right/Left: this is how our linebackers and secondary will call strength
 Stunt: a stunt is any defensive line movement that occurs after the snap
 Tight: tells us to call the formation strength TO the Tight End
 Trade: a call that tells our 3-Tech to slant into the A-gap and the Nose to slant into the B-
gap after the snap of the ball
 Walk: when linebackers have to leave the box for their proper alignment
 Wheel: a passing route that goes out and then up; typically covered by the Flat defender
 Wide: tells us to call formation strength to the WIDE side of the field

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HUDDLE

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 Huddle

M
S W
E N T R
C SS FS C

 Linemen: the Nose Tackle will set the huddle by calling “HUDDLE” 3
yards from where the ball is spotted; all lineman should have hands on
knees and eyes up

 Sam/Will: Sam should be checking the offensive huddle for personnel

while Will tells the defense what the down, distance, and situation are

 Mike is in charge of the huddle. He is responsible for receiving the

signals from the Defensive Coordinator. Mike must repeat the defensive
call to his teammates twice and then give a “Ready, Break!” Mike is also
responsible for keeping the huddle under control, focused, eager, and
positive at all times.

 Sam should be looking at the opponent’s formation or the ball’s position

on the field to determine strength. We will use “Strong Right” and
“Strong Left” calls to indicate whether the defensive strength is to the
right or left.

 SS/FS: The SS should follow the Sam, Mike, Strong End, and the Nose
Tackle to the strong side. The FS follows the Will, Rush End, and 3-Tech
to the weak side of the defense. The safeties must be vocal and must be
in charge of coverage checks by communicating with Corners and LBs
using both words and hand signals.

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GAPS

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 Gaps

GAPS

Alley D C B A A B C D Alley

 Gaps will be labeled A through C if no Tight End is present, A through D

with a Tight End attached, A through E with a Tight End and Wing on the
same side, and the Alley will cover from the last gap to the sideline

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ALIGNMENTS

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 Alignments

96 54 3 1 0 1 3 45 69
S S
h h
a a
d d
e e

 Defensive Line
 0: head up on the center

 Shade (Weak or Strong): outside shade on the center

 1: inside shade on the guard

 3: outside shade on the guard

 4: inside shade on the tackle

 5: outside shade on the tackle

 6: inside shade on the tight end

 9: outside shade on the tight end

 Linebackers
 00: head up on center from 5 yards deep

 Stack (Weak or Strong): outside shade on the center from 5 yards deep

 10: inside shade on guard from 5 yards deep

 30: outside shade on guard from 5 yards deep

 40: inside shade on tackle from 5 yards deep

 50: outside shade on tackle from 5 yards deep

 60: inside shade on tight end from 5 yards deep

 90: outside shade on tight end from 5 yards deep

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CALLING STRENGTH

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 Calling Strength
 The first word in our huddle call will tell us where we should call
strength. We have several ways to call strength: Tight, Split, Wide, and
Bench
 Tight = call strength TO the Tight End

 Split = call strength AWAY from the Tight End, in other words, we’re calling
strength to the Split End

 Wide = call strength to the wide side of the field

 Bench = call strength to the short side of the field, closest to the Bench

 Strength Issues for Tight and Split Calls

 If there are 2 tight ends

 Against balanced (i.e. 2x2 formations) we will call strength to the better (or more
typical) tight end if we’re in the middle of the field. If the ball is on a hash, we’ll
call strength to the field

 Against 3x1 formations we will call strength to the 3 receiver surface

 Against 2x1 formations we will call strength to the 2 receiver surface

 If there are 0 tight ends

 In the middle of the field we’ll call strength to the side with the most receivers. If
the formation is balanced, then we’ll call strength to the quarterbacks arm
(usually Left to the defense)

 On a hash mark we’ll call strength to the wide side of the field

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PLAYER LABELING

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 Players
 Offensive
 #1: is the widest receiver on each side of the formation

 #2: is the second receiver from the outside-in on each side

 #3: is the third receiver from the outside-in on each side (if he exists)

 Sets: refers to the number of running backs (i.e. 1-back, 2-back, or 3-back sets)

 F: is the fullback in 2-back sets or slot (#2) receiver in 1-back sets

 Q: is the quarterback

 T: is the tailback in 1- or 2-back sets

 U: is the second Tight End in 2-TE formations

 X: is the widest receiver to the weak side; X is usually the Split End

 Y: is the tight end

 Z: is the widest receiver to the strength of the offensive formation or the second
receiver to the weak side if the tight end is the only receiver on the strong side

 Defensive
 E: is the Strong Defensive End who always lines up to the strong side

 N: is our Shade-technique tackle, usually lined up in a Shade or 1-Tech on the

strong side

 T: is our 3-technique tackle, lined up outside the guard on the weak side

 R: is the Rush End who lines up to the weak side of the defense

 S: is our Sam linebacker who lines up to the strong side 9-tech or apexed

 M: is our Mike linebacker who lines up on the strong side B-gap or in the middle at
times

 W: is our Will linebacker who lines up to the weak side A-gap or apexed

 C: is either cornerback

 SS: is our strong safety who lines up to the strong side

 FS: is our free safety who lines up to the weak side

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FRONTS

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 Fronts
 Tight (5-2)

R T N E S

W M

 Sam calls strength TO the Tight End side

 The defensive line is shaded in a 5, Shade, 3, and 5 from strong to weak

 The Sam will line up in a 9 against any tight end formations while Mike aligns in a
30 and Will lines up in a 10; Sam and Will may have to apex certain formations

 Split (4-3)

R T N E

W M S

 Sam calls strength AWAY from the Tight End side

 The defensive lines is shaded in a 5, Shade, 3, and 9 from strong to weak

 Sam is in a 30, Mike in a weak Stack, and Will in a 50

 If Sam needs to apex, then Mike slides over to a strong 30 and Will scoots down to
a weak 10

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 Bear (6-2)

S E T N T R

M W

 The defensive line is shaded in a 5, 3, 0, 3 and 5 from strong to weak

 The Sam lines up in a 9 on the tight end

 Mike and Will should be head up on the offensive Tackle to their side

 Goal Line (6-3)

W R T N E S

FS M SS

 The defensive line will squeeze down into a 5, 1, 1, and 5

 Sam and Will should be in a 9, ready to blitz off the edge

 Mike should be in a 00 while SS/FS align off #2 to their side

 Okie (3-4)

S E N T R

M W

 We will stand the Rush End up and play him as an outside linebacker like Sam

 The Strong End and 3-Tech will align head-up on the OT’s; Nose in a 0-Tech

 Sam plays normal alignment rules; Mike and Will align at 5 yards on the Guards

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COVERAGES

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 Coverages
 Zones
Line of Scrimmage Line of Scrimmage

NO COVER ZONE
(Situational)

Flat Flat
Curl Hook Hook Curl

Middle 1/3 Outside 1/3

Outside 1/3

Deep 1/2 Deep 1/2

 Cover 0 (Vegas): is a man-to-man concept with NO deep help

WIDE BULLETS 0 vs Bombers

E N T R
S
C M W C

FS

SS

 Cover 0 is used in our man-blitzes and sometimes in our Bear front

 The corners will cover the #1 receiver on their side

 The SS and FS will cover the #2 receiver on their side or #3 on the other side

 The linebacker who is NOT blitzing will cover the RB or #3 in Empty sets

 The SS or FS will cover the #2 receiver on their side while the other one covers the
tailback in any 2-back sets

 The linebacker who is NOT blitzing will cover the fullback in all 2-back formations

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 Cover 0 Responsibilities
Position Coverage Call Alignment Run To You Run From You Pass
SAM BULLETS 0 Line up near Blitz your gap Blitz your gap Blitz your gap
SMACK 0 your blitz gap or on “S” blitzes; on “S” blitzes; on “S” blitzes;
SAW 0 coverage track the RB in track the RB in cover RB or #3
SWORD 0 responsibility all BULLETS all BULLETS in Empty on
(Vegas) BULLETS
MIKE BULLETS 0 Line up near Blitz your gap Blitz your gap Blitz your gap
SMACK 0 your blitz gap or on BULLETS; on BULLETS; on BULLETS;
SAW 0 coverage track the RB in track the RB in cover RB or #3
SWORD 0 responsibility SAW and SAW and in Empty on
(Vegas) SWORD SWORD SAW/SWORD
WILL BULLETS 0 Line up near Blitz your gap Blitz your gap Blitz your gap
SMACK 0 your blitz gap or on Bullets; on Bullets; on BULLETS;
SAW 0 coverage track the RB in track the RB in cover RB or #3
SWORD 0 responsibility SMACK SMACK in Empty on
(Vegas) SMACK
LEFT and RIGHT BULLETS 0 Line up pressed Cover #1 but Cover #1 but Cover #1 to
CORNER SMACK 0 and inside of #1 get off his get off his your side with
SAW 0 block; attack block; take inside leverage
SWORD 0 the ball great pursuit from a pressed
(Vegas) outside-in angles alignment
STRONG BULLETS 0 Line up about 5 Cover #2 but Cover #2 but Cover #2
SAFETY SMACK 0 yards off and get off his get off his strong or #3
SAW 0 inside of #2 block; attack block; take weak; take the
SWORD 0 the ball great pursuit TB in 2-back
(Vegas) outside-in angles Twins sets
FREE SAFETY BULLETS 0 Line up about 5 Cover #2 but Cover #2 but Cover #2 weak
SMACK 0 yards off and get off his get off his or #3 strong;
SAW 0 inside of #2 block; attack block; take take the TB in
SWORD 0 the ball great pursuit 2-back Pro sets
(Vegas) outside-in angles

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 Cover 1 (White): is man-to-man with one shallow and one deep zone

TIGHT 1 vs Flank Left

C S E N T R FS C

Bracket
M W

SS

Free

 Sam should cover the tight end in all tight end formations with Tight strength calls,
otherwise, Sam covers the #2 receiver to his side

 The corners will cover the #1 receiver on their side but NOT the tight end when Sam
already has him

 The FS will cover the #2 receiver weak or #3 strong

 Mike and Will should “Banjo” the lone runningback (2-on-1 concept)

 Banjo means one player will cover the back if he releases to his side while the other
player plays the “Rat in the Hole” looking to guard the low hole zone

 Against 2-back sets we will have a Corner or the FS in the box with Mike and Will;
this gives us a 3-on-2 scenario where 1 defender will become the “Rat”

 In “Nub” formations (the TE is the only receiver to one side), motion out of the
backfield can be handled by the Corner to that Nub side

 All other motions should be chased by the player assigned to that man

 If Mike and Will are in a “Banjo” on the tailback, Will is responsible for motion to
Empty formations

 Versus 2-back Pro sets, motion out of the backfield will be taken by the FS

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 Cover 1 Responsibilities
Position Coverage Call Alignment Run To You Run From You Pass
SAM Tight 1 9-tech if TE is If your Same as Run Cover TE if
Split 1 there, inside #2 receiver To You there is one,
Wide 1 versus spread blocks, shed cover #2
Bench 1 sets, 50-tech if his block and otherwise
Bear 1 2-back and no find the ball
(White) TE to cover

MIKE Tight 1 Strong 30 Play the RB’s Watch for Banjo with Will
Split 1 path by cutback and if 1-back, take
Wide 1 staying on his trail the RB the RB every
Bench 1 back hip otherwise time in Trips,
Bear 1 play Rat if
(White) Empty, play
Banjo if 2-back
WILL Tight 1 Weak 10 Play the RB’s Watch for Banjo with
Split 1 path by cutback and Mike if 1-back
Wide 1 staying on his trail the RB in 2x2 sets,
Bench 1 back hip otherwise cover #3 in
Bear 1 Trips and
(White) Empty, play
Banjo if 2-back
LEFT and RIGHT Tight 1 0-5 yards off, Expect pass Expect pass Cover #1
CORNER Split 1 inside #1 if he’s first, react to first, react to unless you’re
Wide 1 split out, 5x3 runs late, get runs late, take on a Nub side,
Bench 1 outside of Wing outside the a deep pursuit then you help
Bear 1 sets, 7-8 yards ball carrier angle to save on RB out your
(White) deep stacked on and force him touchdowns way or look
TE in Nub Sides inside backside
STRONG Tight 1 Line up in the Rally to the Rally to the Read the QB’s
SAFETY Split 1 center of the Alley Alley eyes and don’t
Wide 1 formation at 12- get beat deep
Bench 1 15 yards deep
Bear 1
(White)
FREE SAFETY Tight 1 Inside #2 weak Play your man Play your man Cover #2 with
Split 1 or #3 strong; first, defeat first, defeat good
Wide 1 formation blocks, and get blocks, and get technique;
Bench 1 determines this to the football to the football know where
Bear 1 your help is
(White)

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 Cover 2 (Blue): is a zone concept with 5 underneath and 2 deep zones
 Regular Cover 2

TIGHT 2 vs I Left

S E N T R
C C
Flat
Flat M W

Curl Curl
SS Hooks
FS

Deep 1/2 Deep 1/2

 Cloud: safeties should give the corners a “Cloud” call by holding up their fist

 Corners have the flats and should funnel #1 inside and sink with #1 until
someone threatens his flat zone

 If #2 runs any kind of Out route, the Corner should jam #1 and break on the out
route into his flat area

 If #2 does anything else, the Corner should man-up #1 and look to help out on
run support if #1 is blocking him

 Sam and Will have the curls and should funnel #2 outside; both backers should
get to 10-12 yards deep on their drops after funneling

 Mike has both hooks and should play the hole with 12-15 yards of depth

 SS and FS have the 2 deep halves; play on the hash marks at 12-15 yards deep
and never let any routes get deeper than you

 If #2 runs anything vertical passed linebacker depth, the safeties should man-up
on #2

 If #2 does anything else, safeties should immediately get over top of #1 and be
paranoid about #1 running a vertical route

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 Inverted Cover 2

TIGHT 2 Invert vs I Left

S E N T R

C Flat Flat C
M W

Curl Curl
Hooks
SS FS

Deep 1/2 Deep 1/2

 Corners and Safeties switch responsibilities from Regular Cover 2

 Sky: safeties should give the corners a “Sky” call by circling their finger

 Safeties have flats and Corners have deep halves

 All other drops are the same as Regular Cover 2

 Cover 2 Man

TIGHT 2 Man vs Detroit

S E N T R
C C

M W

SS FS

Deep 1/2 Deep 1/2

 The Safeties play Regular Cover 2

 Corners and Linebackers play man-to-man on the 5 eligible receivers

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 Cover 2 Roll

TIGHT 2 Roll vs I Lucky

S E N T R
C
"Sky" W Flat
Flat SS M
Curl
Curl
C Hooks
FS Deep 1/2
"Cloud"
Deep 1/2

 One Safety will roll up and take the flat while the Corner takes a deep half

 The other Safety and Corner will play Regular Cover 2 using a “Cloud” call

 The Roll Safety will give his corner a “Sky” call to indicate the Roll side

 We will typically “Cloud” the weak-side of the formation and “Sky” the strong-
side

 If we’re in the Bear front, 2 Roll works the same way with one exception: the SS is
the only safety in the game and he must Cloud the weak side while giving the
strong side corner a Sky call. The SS will play deep half on the weak side.

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 Cover 2 Responsibilities
Position Coverage Call Alignment Run To You Run From You Pass
SAM Tight 2 9-tech if TE is D-gap if TE is Be alert for Jam #2, play
Split 2 there with no there, C-gap Boot, Hook/Curl
Wide 2 slot receiver to Alley Cutbacks, using Sink
Bench 2 outside you; otherwise and/or technique;
otherwise you Reverses don’t jump
(Blue) Apex #2 (BCR); watch out routes
“Cloud” strong B-gap
MIKE Tight 2 00 when Will Strong B-gap Weak A-gap Both Hooks,
Split 2 leaves the box, play off #3
Wide 2 strong 30 if Will and QB’s
Bench 2 is in the Box eyes, drop 12
“Cloud” to 15 yards
WILL Tight 2 Apex #2 if you Weak A-gap if Be alert for Jam #2, play
Split 2 have multiple run is inside, Boot, Hook/Curl
Wide 2 receivers to weak C-gap to Cutbacks, using Sink
Bench 2 your side, weak Alley and/or technique;
10 otherwise otherwise Reverses don’t jump
(Blue) (BCR); watch out routes
“Cloud” weak A-gap to
strong B-gap
LEFT and RIGHT Tight 2 Outside #1, Aggressively Take deep Jam #1 while
CORNER Split 2 pressed force the Alley pursuit angle reading #2,
Wide 2 alignment from outside- to save you have any
Bench 2 in touchdowns out routes by
#2, otherwise
(Blue) you stay on
“Cloud” #1 in trail
position
STRONG Tight 2 12-15 yards You will not You will not be Key the #2
SAFETY Split 2 deep on the be primary primary run receiver, if
Wide 2 hash marks run support; support; you he’s vertical
Bench 2 you can help can watch for past 8 yards
late in the cutbacks and he’s yours,
(Blue) Alley to your take good otherwise
“Cloud” side pursuit angles get to #1
FREE SAFETY Tight 2 12-15 yards You will not You will not be Key the #2
Split 2 deep on the be primary primary run receiver, if
Wide 2 hash marks run support; support; you he’s vertical
Bench 2 you can help can watch for past 8 yards
late in the cutbacks and he’s yours,
(Blue) Alley to your take good otherwise
“Cloud” side pursuit angles get to #1
now

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 Cover 3 (Black): is a zone concept with 4 under and 3 deep zones

TIGHT 3 vs Trey

S E N T R

SS
Curl/Flat "Lou"
C M W C

Curl/Flat
Hook/Curl Hook/Curl

FS
Outside 1/3 Outside 1/3
Middle 1/3

 Ray/Lou: SS or FS makes a Ray (right) or Lou (left) call to tell the linebackers to
drop opposite of the call while the safety roll up to the call side

 The FS will roll up on the weak side most of the time; Trey is one formation that
we need to roll strong with the SS

 The SS will roll up on the strong side for Trey and certain gameplans

 Corners have the deep outside thirds

 Sam has the flats if the Ray/Lou call is away from him or hook-to-curl if the
Ray/Lou call is to his side

 Will has the flats if the Ray/Lou call is away from him or hook-to-curl if the
Ray/Lou call is to his side

 Mike has the strong hook-to-curl if the Ray/Lou is to the weak side or the weak
hook-to-curl if the Ray/Lou is to the strong side

 SS or FS has the flats to the side he rolls down to (Ray/Lou)

 SS or FS has the deep middle third if he’s not the rolled down player

 Any formation with 3 receiver to one side will require the safety on that side to
roll down with a Ray/Lou call

 The rolled up Safety will cover any vertical or out-breaking route as if he’s in man-
to-man coverage; he should release any inside/shallow route under 5 yards and
play the Curl-to-Flat zone instead (this is our SCIF technique)

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 Cover 3 Responsibilities
Position Coverage Call Alignment Run To You Run From You Pass
SAM Tight 3 (Black) 9-tech if TE is D-gap if TE is Be alert for Hook/Curl if
Split 3 there, inside #2 there, C-gap Boot, you’re on the
Wide 3 if 2x2, 50-tech if to Alley Cutbacks, Ray/Lou side,
Bench 3 2-back and no otherwise and/or Curl/Flat if
TE Reverses not
“Ray/Lou” (BCR); watch
strong B-gap
MIKE Tight 3 (Black) Strong 30 most Strong B-gap Weak A-gap Strong
Split 3 of the time, 00 Hook/Curl if
Wide 3 whenever Will is Ray/Lou is
Bench 3 out of the Box weak, Weak
Hook/Curl if
“Ray/Lou” R/L is strong
WILL Tight 3 (Black) Weak 10 Weak A-gap if Be alert for Hook/Curl if
Split 3 mostly, inside run is inside, Boot, you’re on the
Wide 3 #3 in Trips weak weak C-gap to Cutbacks, Ray/Lou side,
Bench 3 Alley and/or Curl/Flat if
otherwise Reverses not
“Ray/Lou” (BCR); watch
weak A-gap to
strong B-gap
LEFT and RIGHT Tight 3 (Black) 7 yards off, Expect pass Expect pass Protect your
CORNER Split 3 inside #1 if he’s first, react to first, react to deep 1/3;
Wide 3 split out, 5x7 runs late, get runs late, take play the
Bench 3 outside of Wing outside the a deep pursuit midpoint
sets, 7-8 yards ball carrier angle to save against 2
“Ray/Lou” deep stacked on and force him touchdowns verticals in
TE in Dead Sides inside your zone
STRONG Tight 3 (Black) Inside #2 when If you rolled If you rolled If you’re up,
SAFETY Split 3 you get Trey on up, then you up, then you play #2 out
Wide 3 strong-side, split have the take a good and/or up;
Bench 3 the 1’s in 2x2 at Alley; if you’re pursuit angle; otherwise
10-12 yards not up, rally to if not, rally to take Flat; if
“Ray/Lou” deep when the Alley the Alley back, take
you’re deep 1/3 middle 1/3
FREE SAFETY Tight 3 (Black) Inside #2 slot If you rolled If you rolled If you’re up,
Split 3 when rolled up; up, then you up, then you play #2 out
Wide 3 split the 1’s at have the take a good and/or up;
Bench 3 10-12 yards Alley; if you’re pursuit angle; otherwise
deep when not up, rally to if not, rally to take Flat; if
“Ray/Lou” playing middle the Alley the Alley back take 1/3
1/3

44
 Cover 4 (Green): is a zone concept with 3 under and 4 deep zones

TIGHT 4 vs Bombers

E N T R

S W
Flat M Flat
C C
Hooks

SS FS

Outside 1/4
Inside 1/4 Inside 1/4 Outside 1/4

 Sam and Will have curl-to-flats

 Mike has both hooks

 Corners have the outside, deep quarters (read 1 to 2); man #1 vertical

 Safeties have the inside, deep quarters (read 2 to 1): man #2 vertical

 This is our base coverage which has several checks based on formations:

 “Read It”: we play this check against TE/WR sets, really wide splits between #1
and #2, and against single receivers with 2 backs in the backfield

 “Palms”: we play this check against 2 detached WR with normal or even close
splits. The corner will now read #2 and jump any quick outs by #2 such as a
Bubble, Arrow, or Speed Out

 “Solo”: we play this check on the backside of 3x1 formations. The backside
corner will play man on #1 and the OLB plays man on the RB if he comes out to
his side. The backside safety should read #3 from the other side and cover him
if #3 runs anything vertical passed the LBs. Otherwise, the backside safety can
play centerfield or help on #1 backside. The trips side defenders will be
playing Palms.

 “Empty”: we don’t want to be in Cover 4 versus Empty formations. We should

check out of Cover 4 and into Cover 6 by making an “Empty, Check Red” call.
We should roll Cover 6 to the 2-receiver side with our Lake/River
communication.

45
 Cover 4 Responsibilities
Position Coverage Call Alignment Run To You Run From You Pass
SAM Tight 4 (Green) 9-tech if TE is D-gap if TE is Be alert for Jam #2, play
Split 4 there with no there, C-gap Boot, Curl/Flat
Wide 4 slot receiver to Alley Cutbacks, based on #2’s
Bench 4 outside you; otherwise and/or route; play
otherwise you Reverses Flat on #2
“Buzz” Apex #2 (BCR); watch out, play Curl
strong B-gap on #2 vert./in
MIKE Tight 4 (Green) 00 when Will Strong B-gap Weak A-gap Both Hooks,
Split 4 leaves the box, play off #3
Wide 4 30 if Will is in and QB’s
Bench 4 the Box eyes, drop 10
to 12 yards
“Buzz” deep
WILL Tight 4 (Green) Apex #2 if you Weak A-gap if Be alert for Jam #2, play
Split 4 have multiple run is inside, Boot, Curl/Flat
Wide 4 receivers to weak C-gap to Cutbacks, based on #2’s
Bench 4 your side, weak Alley and/or route; play
10 otherwise otherwise Reverses Flat on #2
“Buzz” (BCR); watch out, play Curl
weak A-gap to on #2 vert./in
strong B-gap
LEFT and RIGHT Tight 4 (Green) Inside #1, 7 Expect pass Expect pass Read #1, you
CORNER Split 4 yards deep first, react to first, react to have
Wide 4 runs late, get runs late, take anything
Bench 4 outside the a deep pursuit vertical by
ball carrier angle to save #1, otherwise
“Buzz” and force him touchdowns help with #2
inside
STRONG Tight 4 (Green) 8-10 yards You will be You will be Key the #2
SAFETY Split 4 deep, 1 yard primary run primary run receiver, if
Wide 4 inside #2 support; if #2 support; if #2 he’s vertical
Bench 4 blocks and RB blocks, you past the LBs,
comes strong, watch for he’s yours,
“Buzz” you must cutbacks, take otherwise
force the Alley good angles get to #1
FREE SAFETY Tight 4 (Green) 8-10 yards You will be You will be Key the #2
Split 4 deep, 1 yard primary run primary run receiver, if
Wide 4 inside slot support; if #2 support; if #2 he’s vertical
Bench 4 receivers; split blocks and RB blocks, you past LBs, he’s
#3 strong and comes weak, watch for yours,
“Buzz” #1 weak in 3x1 you must cutbacks, take otherwise
sets force the Alley good angles get to #1

46
 Cover 6 (Red): is a “rolled” version of Cover 3 using Corners to Roll

TIGHT 6 vs Trey

Apex E N T R
C S
Curl/Flat
M W C

Curl/Flat
Hook/Curl
Hook/Curl

SS FS
"Lake" Outside 1/3
Outside 1/3
Middle 1/3

 Lake/River: is the same idea as Ray/Lou but this call is for the corner who rolls up
instead of the safety

 Corner to the Lake/River side has flats

 Corners should play their funnel technique and reads like in Cover 2

 Corner away from the Lake/River call has the outside, deep third like Cover 3

 Corners should show a deep alignment (7 yards) and then come up late in the
cadence to play a physical, outside shade at the snap of the ball

 Sam, Mike, and Will follow the same rules as Ray/Lou

 The only difference for linebackers in Cover 6 versus Cover 3 is that linebackers
must “walk-out” to the #2 receiver in any formation; safeties don’t adjust in Cover
6 like they do in Cover 3

 Safeties have the outside, deep third if they’re on the Lake/River side or the deep,
middle third if they’re away from the Lake/River call

47
 Cover 6 Responsibilities
Position Coverage Call Alignment Run To You Run From You Pass
SAM Tight 6 (Red) 9-tech if TE is D-gap if TE is Be alert for Hook/Curl if
Split 6 there with no there, C-gap Boot, you’re on the
Wide 6 slot receiver to Alley Cutbacks, Lake/River
Bench 6 outside you; otherwise and/or side,
otherwise you Reverses Curl/Flat if
“Lake/River” Apex #2 (BCR); watch not
strong B-gap
MIKE Tight 6 (Red) 00 when Will Strong B-gap Weak A-gap Strong
Split 6 leaves the box, Hook/Curl if
Wide 6 30 if Will is in Lake/River is
Bench 6 the Box weak, Weak
Hook/Curl if
“Lake/River” Lake/River is
strong
WILL Tight 6 (Red) Apex #2 if you Weak A-gap if Be alert for Hook/Curl if
Split 6 have multiple run is inside, Boot, you’re on the
Wide 6 receivers to weak C-gap to Cutbacks, Lake/River
Bench 6 your side, weak Alley and/or side,
10 otherwise otherwise Reverses Curl/Flat if
“Lake/River” (BCR); watch not
weak A-gap to
strong B-gap
LEFT and RIGHT Tight 6 (Red) 7 yards off, If you’re the Take great If you’re the
CORNER Split 6 inside #1 if he’s Lake/River pursuit angles Lake/River
Wide 6 split out, 5x7 corner, you and save corner, play
Bench 6 outside of Wing force the Alley touchdowns like Cover 2;
sets, 7-8 yards if not
“Lake/River” deep stacked on Lake/River
TE in Dead Sides play Cover 3
STRONG Tight 6 (Red) 10-12 yards You will not You will not be If you’re on
SAFETY Split 6 deep on your be primary primary run the
Wide 6 hash mark run support; support; you Lake/River
Bench 6 you can help can help late side, play
late in the in the Alley or outside 1/3;
“Lake/River” Alley with pursuit if not play
middle 1/3
FREE SAFETY Tight 6 (Red) 10-12 yards You will not You will not be If you’re on
Split 6 deep on your be primary primary run the
Wide 6 hash mark run support; support; you Lake/River
Bench 6 you can help can help late side, play
late in the in the Alley or outside 1/3;
“Lake/River” Alley with pursuit if not play
middle 1/3

48
 STUNTS
and DEFENSIVE LINE ADJUSTMENTS

49
50
 Stunts and Line Adjustments
 Spike: this call tells the 3-tech Tackle to slant into the ‘A’ gap

R T N E
 Spoke: this call tells the Nose Tackle to slant into the ‘B’ gap from a 1-
tech alignment

R T N E
 Trade: this call tells the Tackles to “trade” from ‘A’ gap to ‘B’ gap or vice
versa after the snap

R T N E S

 Indian: tells both Tackles to get into 1-techniques on the Guards

R T N E S

51
 Baker: tells Ends they can slant inside from C gap to B gap

R T N E

 Pirate: tells the DE and 3-tech DT both slant inside one gap

R T N E
 Pinch: tells all 4 DL to slant inside; both ‘A’ gaps and ‘B’ gaps should be
filled after the stunt has been executed

R T N E
 TAR/NEE: this game tells our Tackles and Ends to cross; the Tackle
slants outside for contain and the End will take 2 steps upfield and then
loop behind the Tackle to apply pressure up the middle

R T N E

52
 RAT/EXON: this game is just like TAR/NEE, but now the End slants
inside first while the Tackle loops behind him and works for contain

R T N E
 Slant: this tells the entire defensive line to “slant” weak or “slant” strong
out of our Tight, Split, Wide, Bench, Bear, or Goal Line fronts; our huddle
call will be “Slant Weak” or “Slant Strong”; the LBs can give a “Ram” or
“Lion” call to help the DL know which way to slant

Slant Strong

R T N E S

 Rip/Liz: this will be used in our Bear and Okie fronts to tell the Nose
Tackle which way to go after the snap; our Mike backer will make this
call pre-snap, not in the huddle

RIP

T N E

53
 G: a “G” call in the huddle tells our Shade Nose to move into a 1-
technique on his closest guard; a “Loose” check also forces a “G”
 Tight G

R T N E S
 Split G

E N T R
 LOOSE: a “loose” call is made by Sam anytime he needs to align wider
than the Tight End. This occurs most often against Tight End & Wing
combinations. The “loose” call widens the Strong End to a 6 and the Nose
to a “G” (1-tech)

R T N E S

W M

54
BLITZES

55
56
 Blitzes
 Match: Mike blitzes the ‘B’ gap on the strong side of the defense

WIDE Match 1 vs Bombers

E N T R
S
FS
C M W C

SS

 Wick: Will blitzes the ‘A’ gap on the weak side of the defense

WIDE Wick 1 vs Bombers

E N T R

S
FS
C M W C

SS

57
 Smoke: Sam blitzes off the edge (D gap with TE or C gap with no TE)

TIGHT Smoke 1 vs I Pro

S E N T R

C M W C

SS

FS

 Flame: Free Safety blitzes off the weak edge

TIGHT Flame 1 vs Bombers

E N T R
S
W
C C
M

SS FS

58
 Sizzle: Strong Safety blitzes off the strong edge

WIDE Sizzle 1 vs Bombers

E N T R
S
W
C C
M

SS FS

 Candle: Corner blitzes off the short side edge

BENCH Candle 1 vs I Lucky

S E N T R

"Banjo" FS C
M W
C

SS

 BULLETS: Will and Mike blitz their gap

WIDE BULLETS 0 vs Bombers

E N T R

SS FS
C M W C
S

59
 BULLETS A: Will and Mike blitz the ‘A’ gap on their side; Nose slants ‘B’

SPLIT BULLETS 'A' 0 vs Bombers

E N T R

SS
FS
C M W C
S

 BULLETS B: Will and Mike blitz the ‘B’ gap on their side; 3-tech slants ‘A’

SPLIT BULLETS 'B' 0 vs Bombers

E N T R

SS FS
C M W C
S

60
 BULLETS Cross: Will and Mike blitz opposite ‘A’ gaps, Mike goes first

SPLIT BULLETS Cross 0 vs Bombers

E N T R

SS FS
C M W C
S

 BULLETS Strong: Mike and Will both blitz the strong side; Nose cross-
faces the Center, Mike hits strong ‘A’, and Will hits strong ‘B’

WIDE BULLETS Strong 0 vs Trio

E N T R
S
SS
C M W C

FS

61
 SMACK: Mike blitzes strong ‘B’ and Sam blitzes off the strong edge

TIGHT Smack 0 vs I

S E N T R

C C
SS M W

FS

 SAW: Sam blitzes off the strong edge and Will blitzes weak ‘A’

TIGHT SAW 0 vs I Left

S E N T R

C C
SS M W

FS

 SWORD: Sam and Will blitz off the edges; Pirate, Baker, and Pinch calls
can be used along with SWORD

SPLIT Pinch SWORD 0 vs Bombers

E N T R
S
FS
C M W C

SS

62
 HOUSE: Sam, Mike, and Will all blitz their gaps
 PEEL: we must make a “PEEL” call in this blitz because we’re sending 7 rushers
and only have 4 guys covering man-to-man

 The rusher who ends up closest to the runningback must “PEEL” off their blitz and
cover him man-to-man

TIGHT HOUSE PEEL 0 vs I Left

PEEL

S E N T R

C C
SS M W

FS

63
64
 DOGS
(ZONE BLITZES)

65
66
 Dogs
 FIELD DOG: is a zone blitz that comes from the wide side of the field

WIDE FIELD DOG 3 vs Bombers

E N T R
SS
C W
C
S M "Gut" Call

#2
#3 #2

FS

1/3
1/3
1/3

 Wide Call: we must call strength to the field

 Mike blitzes off the butt of the slanting Strong End

 Sam blitzes off the wide side edge

 The defensive line slants toward the short side

 The Strong End “long sticks” from a 5-tech and works to the Center’s hip

 The Rush End plays C gap for run or drops into the short side flat looking for #2
on pass

 Will drops to the middle (gut) looking for #3

 If we have a wide #2 to the short side, Will should make a “Gut” call which forces
the Rush End to drop to #3 and Will to drop to #2

 SS rolls up to the field side flat looking to SCIF #2

 FS and corners have deep thirds

 We can tag this blitz with a “Switch” call that makes Sam and SS switch jobs; Sam
SCIFs #2 and SS blitzes off the wide side edge

67
 SHORT DOG: is a fire zone that comes from the short side

WIDE SHORT DOG 6 vs Left

S E N T R

C
C SS M W

#2
#3 #2

FS

1/3
1/3
1/3

 Wide Call: we must call strength to the field

 Short-side Corner blitzes off the boundary edge

 Mike blitzes the weak ‘B’ gap off the Tackles butt

 The defensive line slants toward the field side

 The Rush End plays C gap for run or drops into the short side flat looking for #2
on pass

 Will drops to the middle (gut) looking for #3

 If we have a wide #2 to the short side, Will should make a “Gut” call which forces
the Rush End to drop to #3 and Will to drop to #2

 Sam drops to the field side flat looking to SCIF #2

 FS has the short-side third, SS and other Corner have middle and field thirds

 We can tag this blitz with a “Switch” call that makes Weak Corner and FS switch
jobs; Weak Corner has deep third and FS blitzes off the short side edge

68
 PIPE DOG: is a fire zone that comes up the middle

TIGHT PIPE DOG 3 vs King Lucky

S E N T R

W
M C
#3 Gut Call
C
#2 FS #2

SS

1/3 1/3
1/3

 Strength Call: we will use regular strength rules

 Mike blitzes the weak ‘A’ gap

 FS blitzes the strong ‘A’ gap

 The defensive line will all slant out, one gap to the outside

 The Rush End plays C gap for run or drops into the short side flat looking for #2
on pass

 Will drops to the middle (gut) looking for #3

 If we have a wide #2 to the short/weak side, Will should make a “Gut” call which
forces the Rush End to drop to #3 and Will to drop to #2

 Sam drops to the strong flat looking to SCIF #2

 SS and corners have deep thirds

 We can tag this blitz with a “Switch” call that makes SS and FS switch jobs; FS has
deep third and SS blitzes up the middle behind Mike

69
70
FLOPS and MOTIONS

71
72
 Flops and Motions
 Flop: a Flop is when the Tight End changes from strong left to strong
right (or vice versa) after establishing strength originally
 We will call out “Flop, flop!” The only lineman that needs to move is the Rush End;
he should slide out to a 9 if the TE flops to his side or the Rush needs to slide down
to a 5 if the TE flops away from him.

 Mike and Will simply need to slide their alignments in the direction of the flop

 In Tight, Sam will back off the line and get into his Split alignment. Conversely, in
Split, Sam will have to step up into a 9 when the flop comes his way.

 The DBs don’t need to adjust very far at all. They simply need to follow their
coverage rules and alignments based on the number of receiver on their side of
the defense.

 Motion
 Receiver Motion
 Cover 0: since we are in Man-to-Man coverage, you will follow your man if he
motions

 Cover 1: same as Cover 0

 Cover 2: the secondary does not need to adjust much to receiver motion in Cover
2. Instead, the linebackers will bump across the board to account for motion

 Cover 3: the safeties may have to switch the “Ray/Lou” call and swap
responsibilities depending on what formation the motion gets the offense into;
otherwise, the rolled up safety and backers can just bump

 Cover 4: same as Cover 2

 Cover 6: motion may cause us to switch the “Lake/River” call which would make
the safeties bump toward the call side. Linebackers will bump like Cover 2

73
 Runningback Motion
 Cover 0: since we are in Man-to-Man coverage, you will follow your man if he
motions

 Cover 1: if the offense is in a 2-back set, motion will be taken by the Corner, Will,
or FS depending on the formation and our alignment. Runningback motion will
never be taken by Mike in Cover 1. If the offense is in a 1-back set, motion to
Empty will be handled by the Corner, Safeties, or Will depending on formation.

 Cover 2: the linebackers will bump across the board to account for motion

 Cover 3: the safeties may have to switch the “Ray/Lou” call and swap
responsibilities depending on what formation the motion gets the offense into

 Cover 4: the linebackers will bump across the board to account for motion

 Cover 6: motion may cause us to switch the “Lake/River” call which would make
the safeties bump toward the call side. Linebackers will bump like Cover 2

74