NEMAN

ture of the ‘3’ Technique defensive tackle. Mobility and impressive upper body strength is a mark of a prospective de
ing separation and holding his ground, is what is looked for in a defensive tackle.
of a Nose Tackle is the ability to play with a low center of gravity. Quickness is a characteristic may be evaluated in
quickest defensive lineman, regardless of his physical stature, will make the best nose. He possesses excellent spee
eep on his feet when in contact with large bodied offensive players.

defense is either a fast tackle or a slower linebacker. He is the T-Rex of the defense. His role is to knock the tight end
. His primary function is to turn back the offensive edge and allow the linebackers a downhill run at plays off tackle an
portant factors in locating a defensive end. The faster defensive end is usually placed at the RUSH end position.
nd pass-rush responsibilities will hinge on the exceptional play of the defensive ends. The extremely physical and agg
defensive end.

linebacker-defensive back hybrid. Agility is important for this position. The crux of this defense is based off the abilit
ultiple roles and make pre-snap adjustments consistently.
h an outside linebacker is selected includes the following abilities: the ability to defeat blockers both from the backfiel
ks in a man-to-man scheme, the ability to disrupt the pass routes of wide receivers, the ability to play a defensive en
attacking and funneling the weep and other plays. Big hitter who can run and loves to play the game.
e, headhunting people at the outside linebacker position, this defensive will be immeasurably undermined.

ooted high tackler with excellent hip flexibility. He must be able to backpedal and must enjoy the pressure of man-to-
ornerback has the best speed on the defense and loves to hawk the ball. Cornerbacks go up for the ball and are cou
d-hitting, tackles. They are expected to grab cloth when they tackle. A cornerback does not need to have blazing spe
o correctly gauge his one-on-one assignment (to determine his cushion / route read) are what are most important.

um of the secondary, as he be the vocal leader and relaying needed situational adjustments is valuable. It is upon his
if not the entire scheme, hinges in this defense. If the defensive end is the T-Rex of the defense, then the free safety
ected for his speed, aggressive nature, and tackling ability. A candidate lacking any of those three qualities would be
d of this position. He may not be the fastest defensive back – the cornerbacks may be faster – he must be the sures
hat he is able to cover sideline to sideline versus the run. Ideally, the free safety candidate is a linebacker type of hit

ebacker should demonstrate average to above average speed, a higher lever of upper-body strength, agility, and an
ay be the most significant. Athletes with exceptional speed usually make excellent linebackers, regardless of the stren
linebacker will demonstrate an aggressive style of play and a love for contact, so this characteristic is usually not a d
rage linebacker and great one. Speed, concentration, and agility are the principal skills that the linebacker must dem

usually the more physical of the two players. He should also be the faster linebacker if the major offensive style of the
-deep coverage, the Will linebacker is responsible for covering the inside receiver aligned to the weak side. The stron
more of a scat back type of linebacker – an excellent scraping linebacker. The Will is the plugging linebacker to the "A
he Sam is usually stacked or shaded on a defensive lineman and thus somewhat protected from the lead blocker fro

Archtypes Page 1
ALIGNMENT
7 6 6i 5 4 4i 3 2 2i 1 0 1 2i 2 3 4i 4 5 6i 6 7
O O O X O O O
OE OT OG OC OG OT OE
We use an odd, even, and 'inside' terms to define alignment on the field. Starting from the center of the field,
at '0', we count outward. Odd numbers are outside 'shade' of the offensive player, while inside shades are denoted by an 'I' (for 'inside').
All even numbers represent a head-up position on the offensive player. (ie; 2'I' would put the defender INSIDE the offensive guard).

GAP DESIGNATION

outside C B A A B C outside
O O O X O O O

We label each gap on defense with a letter that defines the seam between offensive personnel.
A the gap between the center & guard
B the gap between the guard & tackle
C the gap between the tackle & end
outside the void outside the end

by defining these gaps with alpha characters we can designate a coordinated blitz with our defenders by simply
calling their position with an 'able', 'baker', or 'charlie'.
(ie; "Sam Baker", "Will Charlie", "Free Able")

DEFENSIVE HUDDLE

W S
E N T R
WC RV FS D SC

NOSE Set the huddle by yelling ''RACK 'EM"

(The front four linemen will have their hands on their knees with the defensive secondary behind them standing upright.)
WILL Give the down and distance
SAM Make the front / stunt/ coverage call

WILL say ''Ready''

EVERYONE 'Hit''

In our defense, the personnel will flip flop to the strength call. This set of personnel will always be together
Strongside
Rush, Tackle, Sam & DEVIL

Weakside
Edge, Nose, Will, & ROVER
DEFENSIVE CALLS
Everything is determined FIRST from the coverage we wish to defend an opponent, then aligment adjustments and / or stunts that will be employed.
Since our fronts are determined by our coverage, we will call our coverage, which automatically sets our front.
Calling "2" sets us in a Cover 2 package, dictating 5 defenders on the LOS, with the three tight in the box behind them (a 5-2 look)
A "3" call sets us in a Cover 3 package, with four under coverage, we now have four down linemen available, hence a 4-4 / 4-2 look.
Our strongside overload, "6", again gives us two-deep, five under coverage, leaving four down linemen, giving us an 4-3 look.

Our call will be based off of one of these looks matched with the coverage we will play behind it. If we need 5 defenders on the LOS, we can simplly
call up our "6" look for our front seven, followed by a corresponding coverage for our secondary players without unnecessary verbage or personnel packages.
Because we have three basic front seven looks, transitions can be called up with ease and less confusion with minor adjustments available (creating less
mental errors for players).
Calls will follow an order of Coverage, front alignment, line stunt, linebacker blitz, secondary dog
(ex; 23 Tight Loop Mike) 2 = 52 (front)
3 = Cover 3 (coverage)
tight = OLB 2x2 (alignment)
loop = Nose twist (line stunt)
Will = Will to 'A' (backer blitz)
This significantly cuts the unnecessary verbage that would traditionally be referred to as, "52 Tight Loop Wreck Cover 3" (try saying that twice)

BASICS Page 2
 '3'
(4-2)

FS

C RV W S D C

E N T R
O O O X O O O
O O

O
O
Position Alignment / Technique Gap Run Responsibility Pass
Edge weakside 5 tech. "C" to:gap to ball / away:chase contain & rush
Nose weakside 1 tech. "A" to:gap to ball / away:squeeze inside rush
Tackle strongside 3 tech. "B" to:gap to ball / away:squeeze inside rush
Rush strongside 6i tech. "C" to:gap to ball / away:squeeze contain & rush

Devil strongside 5x5 EMOLOS "D" may alter alignment based on assignment to: fill gap or flow / away: cutback Curl to flat
Will weakside 30 tech "B" must be fast fill plugger type to: fill gap or flow / away: Opposite A Weak hook
Sam strongside 20 tech "A" must be slow read scrape type to: Fill gap or flow / away: Opposite B Strong hook
Rover weakside 5x5 'loose' - may alter alignment based on assignment to: D gap or alley / away: cutback Curl to flat
Corner 8 x 1 ~ inside leverage presnap cushion premised on athlete to: Outside force / away: pursuit Deep 1/3
Free Safety 12 yds deep middle of field alley player on outside run Alley both ways Middle 1/3

STRENGTH TO NUMBERS

3 Page 3
 '6'
(4-3)
FS

WC
RV WM S D

E N T R SC
O O O X O O O
O O

O
O
Position Alignment / Technique Gap Run Responsibility Pass
Edge weakside 5 tech. "C" to:gap to ball / away:chase contain & rush
Nose weakside 1 tech. "A" to:gap to ball / away:squeeze inside rush
Tackle strongside 3 tech. "B" to:gap to ball / away:squeeze inside rush
Rush strongside 5 or 6i tech. "C" to:gap to ball / away:squeeze contain & rush

Devil 60 tech inside TE "D" fast read on TE / re route to: fill gap or flow / away: cutback Strong curl
Will weakside 40 to 50 tech "B" to: fill gap or flow / away: Opposite A Weaak Hook
Sam strongside 10 tech - 00 "A" must be fast read fill type to: Fill gap or flow / away: Opposite B Strong Hook
Rover weakside 5x5 'loose' alley player on outside run Alley strong side Curl to flat
Strong Corner 1 x 1 ~ outside leverage must force everything inside - float tech. to: Outside force / away: pursuit flat zone
Weak Corner 8 x 2 ~ inside leverage presnap cushion premised on athlete Alley weak side Weak 1/2
Free Safety 12 yds deep middle of field alley player on outside run Alley strong side Strong 1/2

STRENGTH TO TIGHT END

6 Page 4
 '62'
(4-3) C2
RV FS

W S D

WC E N T R SC
O O O X O O O
O O

O
O
Position Alignment / Technique Gap Run Responsibility Pass
Edge weakside 5 tech. "C" to:gap to ball / away:chase contain & rush
Nose weakside 1 tech. "A" to:gap to ball / away:squeeze inside rush
Tackle strongside 3 tech. "B" to:gap to ball / away:squeeze inside rush
Rush strongside 5 or 6i tech. "C" to:gap to ball / away:squeeze contain & rush

Devil 60 tech inside TE "C" fast read on TE / re route to: fill gap or flow / away: A Strong curl
Will weakside 40 to 50 tech "C" to: fill gap or flow / away: B Weak curl
Sam strongside 10 tech - 00 "A" must be fast read fill type to: Fill gap or flow / away: Opposite B Middle Hook
Rover 12 Yds deep weak 1/2 alley player on outside run Alley strong side Weak 1/2
Strong Corner 1 x 1 ~ outside leverage must force everything inside - float tech. to: Outside force / away: pursuit flat zone
Weak Corner 8 x 2 ~ inside leverage presnap cushion premised on athlete Alley weak side flat zone
Free Safety 12 yds deep strong 1/2 alley player on outside run Alley strong side Strong 1/2

STRENGTH TO TIGHT END

62 Page 5
 '2'
(5-2)

FS RV

S W

C R T N E D C
O O O X O O O
O O

O
O
Position Alignment / Technique Gap Run Responsibility Pass
Edge weakside 5 tech. "C" to:gap to ball / away:chase contain & rush
Nose weakside 1 tech. "A" to:gap to ball / away:squeeze inside rush
Tackle strongside 3 tech. "B" to:gap to ball / away:squeeze inside rush
Rush strongside 5 or 6i tech. "C" to:gap to ball / away:squeeze contain & rush

Devil 7 tech "D" immediate jam / re route on TE to: fill gap or flow / away: cutback Strong curl
Will weakside 30 tech "B" to: fill gap or flow / away: Opposite A Strong Hook
Sam strongside 20 tech "A" must be fast read fill type to: Fill gap or flow / away: Opposite B Weaak Hook
Rover 8 - 12 yds weakside alley player on outside run Alley weak side Weak 1/2
Corner 1 x 1 ~ outside leverage must force everything inside - float tech. to: Outside force / away: pursuit flat zone
Free Safety 10 yds deep from EMOL alley player on outside run Alley strong side Strong 1/2

STRENGTH AWAY FROM TIGHT END

2 Page 6
STUNT E N T R D M S ROV FS WCB SCB
G X
WIDE X X
EAGLE X X X
BULLETS X X X X
ANGLE X
TAG X X
ROCK X X
LOOP X X X
TARE X X
TAR X X
TON X X
RAT X X
EON X X
NOSE X X
DEVIL IN X X
DEVIL X
ROVER IN X X
ROVER X
DOUBLE EXIT X X X X
DOUBLE DOG X X
DOUBLE ABLE X X
MIKE X
MIKE AWAY X
MIKE LINE X
MIKE OUT X
SAM X
SAM AWAY X X
SAM LINE X
SAM OUT X
BLAZE X
SMOKE X
SWITCH X X
EXCHANGE X X
KICK X X X X X X X X X X X

STUNT REVIEW Page 7

 FRONT ALIGNMENTS INSIDE BACKER STUNTS

'G' Nose aligns at 2i 'EAGLE' Nose aligns at 0 'SOFT' Nose aligns 2 yds off LOS 'WILL' Mike blitzes to 'B' 'WILL away' Mike blitzes to opposite 'A' 'MIKE out' Mike blitzes outside 'WILL line' Mike lines on LOS ( 2pt ) '3'

End aligns at 3

S
N S M S W S W

R T N E R T N E R T E R T N E R T N E R T N E R T N W E
O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O

'WIDE' Nose aligns at 0 'LOOSE' Tackle aligns 2 yds off the LOS 'TIGHT' Devil aligns 2x2 EMOL 'SAM' Sam blitzes to 'A' 'SAM away' Sam blitzes to opposite 'B' 'SAM out' Sam blitzes outside 'SAM line' Sam lines on LOS ( 2pt ) '2i'
Tackle aligns at 4i Rover aligns 2x2 EMOL
Rush aligns outside EMOL S M S W S W W
T
D ROV
R T N E R N E R T N E R T N E R T N E R T N E R T S N E
O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O

SECONDARY STUNTS
'UP' Mike lines on LOS ( 2pt ) '3' 'KICK' show one front/ coverage 'OVER' Rover aligns same side as DEVIL

Sam lines on LOS ( 2pt ) '2i' presnap - execute a separate ROV 'DEVIL' DEVIL blitzes outside 'ROVER' Rover blitzes outside 'Double DOG' Rover blitzes outside 'BLAZE' WEAK Corner blitzes outside
Devil lines on LOS (2pt) front / coverage DEVIL blitzes outside

D Rov Rov D C
D R T S N M E R T N E D
O O X O O O O X O O R T N E E N T R E N T R E N T R
O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O
LINE STUNTS

'Tag' Tackle to 'A' 'Angle' Tackle to 'A' 'Bullets' Tackle to 'A' 'Devil IN' DEVIL blitzes inside 'Rover IN' Rover blitzes inside 'Double EXIT' Rover blitzes inside 'SMOKE' STRONG Corner blitzes outside
Nose to 'B' Rush to 'C' or 'B' ( 1st inside gap) Rush rushes wide outside Edge rushes wide outside DEVIL blitzes inside
D Rov Rov Rush rushes wide outside D
Edge rushes wide outside C

R T N E R T N E R T N E R T N E E N T R E N T R R T N E
O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O

'Rock' Nose to opposite 'A' 'Stack' Edge to 'B' 'Loop' Nose to opposite outside In naming our stunts, we want to keep the terminology short, relevant to the positions involved, with an aggressive connotation.
Edge to 'B' Tackle to 'A' Because huddle calls can be quick, rushed, or garbled during an intense series, we want each call to be distinct so not to be
Rush to 'C' or 'B' ( 1st inside gap) confused with another call, causing alignment / assignment errors.

R T N E R T N E R T N E
O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O

GAP EXCHANGE STUNTS

'TAR' Tackle first 'TON' Tackle first 'EON' Edge first

Rush last Nose last Nose last

R T N E R T N E R T N E
O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O

'RAT' Rush first 'NUT' Nose first 'NOE' Nose first

Tackle last Tackle last Edge last

R T N E R T N E R T N E
O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O

(read stunt by RUSH)

'SWITCH' Devil & Rush 'TARE'' Tackle first 'COMBO' Tackle to 'B'
exchange responsibility Rush last (lined OFF the LOS) OT blocks down - Rush hard to QB
OT blocks wide - Rush under to 'B'
D
R
R T N E E N T R T N E
O O X O O O O X O O O O X O O

'DROP' Tackle drops to strong hook

(usually with a Devil blitz)

E N T R
O O X O O

Fronts _ Stunts Coach Verdon 210 1057

Coach Brophy 579 0056
 F

R M S D
M S M S M D S R
C E N T R C
E N T R E N T R E N S T R R T N M E O O X O O O O
O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O
O O O O O O O O O O
O
O O O O O
TON MIKE AWAY O EON RAT MIKE AWAY O ROCK SAM LINE ABLE STACK MIKE LINE OUT 30 EAGLE ROVER MIKE CHARLIE

R F R F F F R F
R
S S M R M S D S C S D

R T M N E D R T N E D E N T R C D E M N T R C M E N T R C
O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O

O O O O O
O O O
WIDE MIKE LINE BAKER 6 - DIRECTIONS DEVIL IN 31 - BULLETS MIKE OUT SAM BAKER 60 MIKE LINE LOOP DEVIL IN 2 MIKE LINE

F R F
R F S
S R M S D M D
C C R R
R T N E D E N T R E N S T R C DR T N E M C
O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O

O O O O O
O O O
61 EON ROVER SAM 5 - ROCK BLAZE 3 LOOP SAM LINE ABLE AWAY 20 EAGLE MIKE LINE DEVIL

F F F

C M C C R M D S M
R
R E S N T R D E N S T R C C R T N E D C
O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O O

O O O O O
O O O
31 SAM LINE TITE STACK DOUBLE OUT 3 'G' DIRECTIONS SAM LINE BAKER 61 TARE SAM

F F
F
R S M S R C M S
C R
C D E M N T R C C E N T R D D E N T R C
O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O

O O O O O
O O O O
21 MIKE LINE OVER 31 WIDE ROCK DEVIL 21 WIDE DEVIL SAM AWAY

O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O

O O O O O
O O O O

O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O O O O X O O O
O O O O O O O O O O O

O O O O O
O O O O

BLITZ COMBO EX Page 9

65 GOALINE (GAP 8) MAN 65 GOALINE ZONE

O O
O O
FL FL
O O
TE1 O B O A X A O B O TE2 TE1 O B O A X A O B O TE2
R T T2 N E W R T T2 N E W
C
S M FS C S M SS C
SS

DL In gap - 4 pt gap charge "B" to "B" DL In gap - 4 pt gap charge "B" to "B"
C Man on #1 strongside C 5 yds depth on #1 his side (any receiver threat, wing, flanker, etc)
FS Man on #1 weakside C inside leverage press technique - fall to FLAT zone
M 3 yds depth on nearest back (FB) scrapes C to C M 3 yds deep - B to B run scrape - drop to middle hole
R head up on EMOL - attack QB R head up on EMOL - attack QB
W Man on #2 Strongside W head up on EMOL - attack QB
S outside man on LOS, rush hard - has QB always S strong side 30 4 yds deep - B to Outside run force - fall to CURL
SS Man on #2 backfield / #2 weakside SS weak side 30 4 yds deep - B to Outside run force - fall to CURL

FB TB

O FL
TE O B O A X A O B O TE
R T T2 N E W
FS M SS S C

WB TB
FB

O
TE1 O B O A X A O B O TE2
R T T2 N E W
C S M SS FS

TB
FB

O FL
SE O B O A X A O B O TE
W E N T2 T R FS
M S
FS SS

GOAL_LINE Page 10
6-2 GOAL LINE 6-1 GOAL LINE
FLANKER FLANKER
O O
O O
FL Z
O O
TE1 O B O A X A O B O TE2 Y O B O A X A O B O X
D E N T R ROV D E N T R M C
C C S
FS M S C RV FS

N 2i - A gap N 2i - A gap charge

T 2i - A gap T 2i - A gap charge
E 5 tech - C gap E 5 tech - C gap charge
R 5 tech - C gap R 5 tech - C gap charge
D 6 tech - D gap D 6 tech - D gap charge
RV 6 tech - D gap RV head up on TE - man read
M 20 align - B gap fast read M 7 tech - D gap charge
S 20 align - B gap fast read S 00 align - B to B gap fast read
SCB #1 strong SCB #1 strong
WCB #1 weak WCB #1 weak
FS #2 strong FS #2 weak

6-2 COVER 5 ZONE (BANJO) 6-2 GAP 8

FLANKER FLANKER
O
O O O
Z FL
O O
Y O B O A X A O B O X TE1 O B O A X A O B O TE2
D E N T R M D M E N N T R ROV
C C
RV S FS C S FS

N 2i - A gap charge N A gap charge

T 2i - A gap charge ELE A gap charge
E 5 tech - C gap charge E B gap charge
R 5 tech - C gap charge T B gap charge
D 6 tech - D gap charge D 6 tech - D gap
M 6 tech - D gap charge R C gap charge
RV seam 1/5th (#2) M C gap charge
S 20 align -middle 1/5th (#3) S 20 align #2 strong
SCB outside 1/5th (#1) SCB #1 strong
WCB outside 1/5th (#1) RV #1 weak
FS 20 align -seam 1/5th (#2) FS 20 align
#2 strong
#2 weak

60 GOAL LINE Page 11

GOAL LINE EAGLE '0' (Over)
FLANKER
O
O
FL
O
TE1 O B O A X A O B O TE2
D R T N E M CB
CB
ROV S FS

N O tech - rush strong 'A'

T 3 tech
E 3 tech
R 7 tech
M 7 tech - rush
D 9 tech - rush
WCB 9 tech - rush on #1 weakside
SCB Man on #1 strongside
S 10 tech scrape C - C
FS Man on #2 weakside
ROV Man on #2 strongside

ONE BACK

Z H
O
Y O B O A X A O B O X
D R T N E M
CB CB
ROV S FS

UNBALANCED

O
O

O
TE O O B O A X A O B O SE
D R T T N E M CB

ROV S FS

* Substituted personnel (Tackle for CB)

EAGLE ZERO Page 12