Utica College

Defensive Playbook

2008
 Table of Contents
Section I.
Introduction p. 3
Terminology p. 11
Fronts p. 28
Slants & Twists p. 35
4-4 Defense p. 47
4-3 Defense p. 76
Goal Line & Short Yardage p. 107
3-4 Defense p. 113
Wizard Defense p. 132
3-3 Stack p. 139
Situation Defense p. 146
Red Zone
4 Minute Drill
Empty
Unbalanced
Extra Point
Blitz Package p. 156
Break the Bone p. 177

Section II.
Appendix p. 195
DL Position Manual p. 217
ILB Position Manual p. 257
OLB Position Manual p. 285
DB Position Manual p. 310

2
 Philosophy

We are an attack and key defense

using a 4-2-5 Defense. 4 Defensive
Lineman, 2 Inside Linebackers and
Five Defensive Backs. The 4-2-5 has
both 4-4 and 4-3 alignments in the
base package. We utilize multiple
zone coverages in our defensive
scheme. Zone coverage allows for
turnovers, stronger run support and
limits big plays. Disguising
coverage confuses the offense
especially the QB. We also slant and
blitz to disrupt the offenses timing.
We are an aggressive, attacking,
downhill, defense.

3
Defensive Glossary 4-3
4-3 Defense

Four Defensive Lineman:

Keys same as 4-4.
SE, ST, NG, & WE

Inside Linebackers:
Keys for Rover and Mike are TE to Near Back.
Sam same keys as 4-4.
Note: Linemen can be an effective secondary key.

Two Safeties:
Keys same as 4-4, and will vary based on coverage called.
Free Safety and Will

Two Corners:
Keys same as 4-4 and will vary based on coverage called.
Field Corner and Boundary Corner

4
 Calling Strength
A. We do not have a predetermined strength call. The strength
that we to is derived any of these six ways.

Strength to the wide side of the field - Field.

Strength to the short side of the field - Boundary.
Strength to our opponents tight end - Tight.
Strength to our opponents split end - Split.
Strength to our opponents passing strength - Strong.
Strength to our opponents passing weakness - Weak.

B. When the strength call is made the Rover, Sam End, Sam
Tackle, and the Sam Linebacker go to the strength call. The
Will, Will End, Nose, and Mike Linebacker go away from the
strength call. The Field Corner aligns to the field, and the
Boundary Corner aligns to the boundary. We can also have a left
corner and a right corner. The FS, Rover, Will, and Corners all
have to consider field and formation for their alignment.

No Huddle Defense
We are a no huddle defense at Utica College. Everyone will look to the
sideline to receive the signal from one of our coaches or players.
Strong vs. no huddle offenses.
Permits us to easily change a call or make an adjustment from the
sideline when needed.
Effective vs. the noise factor, particularly when we are at home.

5
 Fronts

TE Trade Adjustments
PIONEER DEFENSIVE FRONTS
We have 3 Base Fronts at Utica College. Over, G, and Eye. If a 9 or 8 is
added to the front the number refers to the alignment of the SE. For Example
in a G9 Front. The 9 tells the SE to aling in a 9 Technique Vs. a TE.

Over Front
QB

SE ST NG WE

SE - 7 Tech., C gap, ST - 3 Tech., B Gap, NG - 1 Tech., A Gap, WE- 5 Tech., C Gap

G Front

QB

SE ST NG WE

SE - 7 Tech., C gap, ST - 3 Tech., B Gap, NG - 2I Tech., A Gap, WE- 5 Tech., C Gap

Eye Front

QB

SE ST NG WE

SE - 8 Tech., C gap, ST- 4I Tech., B Gap, NG - 1 Tech., A Gap, WE - 5 Tech., C Gap

 Blitz Package

Man Blitz
Zone Blitz
 Zone Blitz

Objectives
Attack Pass Protections.
Minimize Risk.
Realization
May not get blitzers clean to QB.
Less Defenders in Coverage.
Coverage Will get Distorted Later in Down.
Keys Points of Emphasis
Understand which throws we are willing to
give up.
Reroute Vertical Routes in Seams of Coverage.
Stay Out of the No Cover Zone.
Vision and Break (No Yards After Catch).
Types of Coverage
3 Under / 3 Deep Raider
4 Under / 2 Deep Monster
2 Under / 3 Deep - Zorro

9
 Zone Blitz

A. Pressure Tags
Rag opposite LB blitzing
shows blitz, and returns to
normal alignment pre-snap.
Up LB blitzing goes from on
the LOS.
Black All LBs Show blitz but
get back to their normal
alignment pre-snap.
No Tag Called - LB or LBs
should blitz from depth.
B. Zone Blitz Coverages:
Raider, Monster, and Zorro.
10
 Philosophy
Raider Coverage

Zone blitzing is a safe and effective form of pressure. There

is always a deep 1/3 player to stop any big play if the blitz
is picked up. The zone blitz also forces hot throws. OH
Shit principal for QB. We must make the QB throw the
ball sooner than he had originally planned.
Run Support - Seam player is Primary Force to the defense.
Outside Blitzers aim head up to inside, blow up blocker
in the backfield. Aim 1 yards deep, become a
defensive lineman. Outside Blitzer has contain pass rush.

Cover Raider is a 3 Under 3 Deep Coverage. The strengths

of Raider are it provides quick blitz pressure, allows easy
adjustments to all formations, additional run support, and
Match coverage on all underneath routes. The
Weaknesses of Raider are the flat areas and 4 Verticals.

Raider Coverage Final 2-3-2 CONCEPT

3 Under 3 Deep Coverage used for a
4 TB 2 five man pressure.
1 FB
3 QB
2 1
7
X
X
X X Blitzer
Seam 7
Hook Seam
X
1/3 X 12yds. X
Match on Final #3 Match on Final #2
Match on Final #2 1/3 1/3

11
 Raider Coverage
Outside 1/3 Defender:
Corners or Safety replacing corner on blitz
Alignment 8-9yards inside or outside of #1. Take 3 slow read
steps. Attack 3 step.
Skinny Post when can Safety help? Be aware of how far you are
away from the safety.
Take the shallow to the next upfield route.

Middle 1/3 Defender:

FS or could be Will on a Fall Call
Lean to #3 WR Has final #3 vertical over 12 yards. Not really a
post player.

Inside Three Players:

(Can be a FS or a Will on a Fall or Winter Call)

Use Match Concept from Cover 4.

Two Curl players

Match on Final 2 Seam player is Primary Force to the
defense.
One Hook player
Match on Final 3, Passes #3 Vertical after 12 yards to the
FS.
Notes:
Weak side seam player vs. pro provides body help to the Corner eye
balls #2
Underneath Defenders need to make the decision on who to match
ASAP.

12
 4-4 (3 Deep Shell)
5 Man Pressure
ILB blitz is always on! We can call Raider Cloud.
Vs. Twins and Dog FS call 5 or 4 Cloud with
ILB blitz. Vs. TE trade slant and blitz off check
switch the front. If blitz is from inside creep up
1 yard pre-snap and try not to show. If ILB blitz
is from the outside start to creep to the outside
on the cadence and blitz from LOS on snap.

STAB
Sam LB Blitzes Stab goes A Gap. Ex. Strong Over
Smash Raider or Raider Cloud.
Vs. TE Trade run Stab, Vs. TE trade Sam blitzes B
gap.
combos: Whip Stab, Spike Stab, Nut Stab.
MISSILE
Mike LB Blitzes. Mike blitzes B Gap. Ex. Field G
Missile Raider Cloud
Vs. TE slant and blitz stay on no check switch. SE
bumps to a 7 Tech. On TE.
DEs do not spill when ILB to your side is blitzing.
combos: Rock Missile, Whip Missile, Pinch
Missile, Nail Missile, Nut Missile, Ten Pinch
Missile, New Missile, Tank Missile.

13
 4-4 (3 Deep Shell)
5 Man Pressure (con.)
OLB blitz - We will Call Raider Cloud. On vs. Two RBs in
the backfield. Off if you have a slot receivers to your side
and there is just one RB. Vs. motion or TE trade blitz
stays on. With a Raider Cloud call and the warrior
blitzing the Mike has his Cover 2 Shell responsibilities.

WARRIOR Raider Cloud

Examples of calls: Strong Over Warrior Pinch Raider Cloud

Combos: Razor Warrior, Rocket Warrior, Warrior In, Tank
Warrior.
Tight Call
Vs. Pro Call should be Raider Warrior Blitzes Mike
Matches on #2
Vs. Twins FS checks Raider Cloud. Warrior Blitzes Mike
matches on #2, Mike has Curl #3 late to the flat.
Vs. Twins motion to Pro. FS checks from Raider Cloud to 3
Raider.
Vs. Dog Tight call becomes Strong call. FS checks Raider.
If slot motions to the Will. FS checks Raider Cloud.
Motion does not effect the Warrior, the FS just needs to
make the coverage check.
Vs. Cat Tight call becomes Strong call. Will cannot blitz.
Check to Missile. Mike needs to know line movement
called. FS checks 3 Raider
Vs. Tiger Tight becomes a Strong call. Will can go if he is
to the weak side of the formation. FS checks 5 Raider.
Vs. TE Trade Warrior stays on.

14
 4-4 Zone Blitz Raider & Raider Cloud
Warrior Pinch Raider Cloud 3 2

1
2

W 1
SE ST N WE
FC
S M
R
#2 #3 #2
FS 3 Raider BC

*If Z motions to the Will FS check Raider Cloud Mike bump to C gap
alignment
3 2 with a Cloud Call. Mike has
Curl. Mike plays Wall Curl.
1

2
1
SE ST N WE W
FC R
#2 S M Cloud
#3 BC Flat
Curl

FS Check Raider Cloud

Warrior Can Not Blitz vs. a Slot WR and one RB. If slot WR
and one RB Check to a Missile Blitz
pinch
QB

SE ST N WE
R
FC #2 S M W
#3
#2
BC
FS Cover 3 Raider

Warrior Can Blitz vs. Trips away with one RB.

pinch
QB

SE ST N WE
FC R
#2 S M W
#3
#2
BC
FS
Cover 5 Raider
15
1/2
 4-4 (3 Deep Shell)
5 Man Pressure (con.)
RAMBO Raider Cloud

Examples of Call: TGT Over Rambo Raider Cloud

Combos: Wham Rambo, Rambo In, Whip Rambo, Tex Rambo, Nasty Rambo.

With a Raider Cloud call and the Rambo blitzing the Sam has Cover 2 Shell
responsibilities as if he was a Rover or Mike in Cover 2. The Sam has Wall
Curl on Pass. Sam should widen his alignment based on the formation.

Vs. Pro Call should be Raider Cloud Rambo Blitzes Sam has Wall Curl & has
#3 late to the flat.
Vs. Twins FS check Raider Cloud. Rambo Blitzes Sam matches has Wall Curl.
Vs. Twins motion to Pro. FS goes from a Raider Cloud to a Raider Cloud.
Vs. Dog Tight call becomes Strong call. FS checks Raider Cloud. If slot
motions to the Will. FS checks 3 Raider. Motion does not effect Rambo.
Vs. Cat Tight call becomes Strong call. Rover cannot blitz. Check to Stab.
Smash needs to know line movement called. FS checks 3 Raider
Vs. Tiger Tight becomes a Strong call. Rover can only go if he is to the weak
side of trips. Check Smash, FS checks 5 Raider.
Vs. TE Trade if Wham Rambo Called blitz stays on. Slant goes off.

We can also call these 4-4 blitzes based on formation

tendencies. When we do this no DL slant will be
called so we can Check switch the front if we want
to.

Titan TE Blitz from the outside. Rambo or Warrior.

Wolf Open side Blitz from the outside. Rambo or Warior
Ambush A gap Blitz
Brave A gap Blitz
Buffalo or Bison - Blitz the Near Back
Choice Too or Away from the RB in the Shotgun

16
4-4 Zone Blitz Raider and Raider Cloud (con.)
Rambo Raider Cloud 3

2
1 QB
2 1
FC
SE ST N WE W
Cloud R
Flat S M #2 BC
#2
#3
Sam should widen to C gap has Wall Curl FS
G Wham Rambo Raider Cloud
3 2

1
QB
2 1

SE ST N WE
R
W BC
FC S M #3 Cloud
#2 #2
Flat

FS
Check Raider Cloud

G Wham Rambo: Rover Can Not Blitz vs. a Slot WR.

Check to a Stab Blitz
Wham
QB
1

SE ST N WE
FC R M W
#2
S #2 BC
#3

FS Check 3 Raider

G Wham Rambo: Rover Can Blitz vs. Trips Away

QB
1

SE ST N WE
FC R
S M W
#2 #3 BC
#2
Check 5 Raider FS
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5 Man Pressures.... (con.)
G/Field TGT Rambo Raider Cloud G Strong Rambo In Field Raider Cloud

WE N ST SE WE N ST SE
BC BC
W M S R Flat W M S R Flat
#2 #2 #2
#3 #3
FC Wall Curl FC Wall Curl
1/2 FS 1/2 FS
1/2 1/2

Vs. any one back sets check from a Rambo to G Strong Wham Rambo Field Raider Cloud Vs.
a Stab Trips Check Stab 5 Raider

R SE ST N WE W
FC WE N ST SE
#2 S M #2 BC BC
1/3 W M
#3 1/3 S R
#2 #3 #2
FS FC
FS
1/3

18
 5 Man Pressure Combinations.... (con.)
Warrior Pinch + Ten Rambo + Nut

WE ST SE WE SE
N BC N ST BC
W M S R W M S R

FC FC
FS FS

Stab + Wax or New Nail Missile +Exit or Tex

SE ST N WE
FC WE N BC
R M W BC ST SE
S W
M S R
FC
FS FS

Rambo + Nasty
Warrior + Snake

WE N ST SE
R W WE N ST SE
W M S R
BC M S

FC FS FC BC
FS

or Missile + Snake
Stab + Nasty

WE N ST SE
W M S R
BC
FC
FS
19
Fire Zone Blitz Combinations...
FIRE - DE Drops into coverage. TORCH - DT Drops into coverage
Missile Torch 35 Warrior Fire 35

SE ST WE R SE ST N WE W
N
R S M W S M

Vs. Pass Vs. Pass

Drop Hook Drop
to Curl Curl to Flat

Rambo Fire 35 Raw Double Fire 35

SE ST N WE SE ST N WE W
R R
M S M
S W
Vs. Pass
Drop
Curl to Flat

Law Double Fire 35 Stab Torch 35

SE ST N WE
SE ST N WE
R M W R S M W
S

Vs. Pass Drop Hook to

FS
Curl

Smoke Double Fire 34 Smoke Torch 3 Seam

SE ST N WE SE ST N WE
R M W
R S M W S #2
#2 #3

FS 20
 4-3 Defense 5 Man Pressure
5 Man Pressure Rules:
Over or G Field /Strong Blue Raider (35)
Blitz is on vs. every formation except Empty.
Fall FS down to the Seam Curl late to Flat,
Winter Will down to the Seam Curl late to
Flat or down to the middle hook.
Vs. a TE the Will or FS dropping down over the
TE has C gap responsibility.

Types of 5 Man Pressures:

Rambo - Fall
Missile Winter to Curl.
Stab Winter to Hook.
Warrior, Warrior In Rover and Mike over #2,
Sam over #3, FS deep 1/3
Falcon, Falcon In - Rover and Mike over #2,
Sam over #3, Will deep 1/3
Crazy Bdry Corner. Will takes Bdry outside
1/3, FS middle 1/3.

21
4-3 Zone Blitz
Wham Rambo Blue Raider Razor Missile Blue Raider

QB QB

WE N ST SE WE N ST SE
FC M R BC FC M BC
S S R 1/3
1/3 2 3 1/3 1/3 3
2
W FS
FS W 1/3
2
Fall Winter 2
1/3

Stab Blue Raider Warrior Blue Raider

QB QB

WE N ST SE WE N ST SE
FC M2 S R2 BC FC M S3 R2 BC
1/3 1/3 2
1/3 1/3

W FS
1/3
W
FS3 1/3

Crazy Blue Raider Falcon Blue Raider

QB QB

WE N ST SE WE N ST SE
FC M S R BC FC M S R BC
2 3 2 1/3 2 3 2
1/3 1/3

1/3 W FS W
1/3 1/3 FS

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 4-3 Defense Shark Pressure
Types of Shark Pressure:
Rush (Slice), Rush In, Rush Whip, Rush Tex
Smoke (Slice), Smoke In, Smoke Rock, Smoke New
Over Scar
Attack, Rush Attack, Saw Attack, Flash Attack
Flash, Flash In
Mawl, Mawl In
Saw, Saw In
Shark Rules:
Field or Strong G Call.
Sam will read blitz. Sam goes with flow of backfield on all Sharks.
SHARKS: DL and Sam LB use slice technique. If Shark is
Called with a Front or a DL Slant the Slice Technique is OFF.

Slice Technique. DL slant down inside and read the offensive

linemen when slanting. Sam LB when blitzing reads the OT.

Attack Shark: Mike and Sam both go A Gap, WE drops, NG has B

gap and contain on Pass. ST goes B gap, SE has contain on Pass.
No Slice Technique.
SHARKS When to Fall or Winter:
Rush- Fall
Smoke- Winter.
Attack- Winter
Flash- FS Blitz outside and Sam blitz strong B gap. Will middle 1/3
Mawl- Will Blitz outside and Mike blitz weak B gap. FS middle 1/3
Scar- Boundary Corner and Sam Blitz. Will outside 1/3. FS middle 1/3

23
Shark Package
Rush Whip Shark - 4 Strong Blitz Smoke Rock Shark - 4 Weak Blitz

Contain pass B-run

B gap run Contain pass
QB QB

WE N ST SE WE N ST SE
2 3
FC M S R BC FC M BC
1/3 3 1/3
S R 1/3
1/3
2
W FS W FS
1/3 2 2 1/3
"Otter" "Mustang"

Rush Shark (Slice Technique) Smoke Shark (Slice Technique)

QB QB

WE N ST SE WE N ST SE
2 3
FC M S R BC FC M S R BC
1/3 1/3 2
3 1/3 1/3

W FS
1/3 FS W
2 2 1/3

Attack Shark Flash

QB QB

WE N ST SE WE N ST SE
2 2
FC M S R BC FC M S R BC
1/3 2 1/3 1/3 3 2
1/3

W3 FS W FS
1/3 1/3

We could also have Rush Attack, Saw Attack, and

Flash Attack as different double A gap blitzes.
24
Shark Package (con.)
Shark Saw (Slice Technique)

QB

WE N ST SE
FC 2M
S R BC
1/3 3 2 1/3

W FS
1/3

Shark Over Scar

QB

WE N ST SE
FC M BC
S 3 R 1/3
2 2

W FS
1/3 1/3

25
New Blitz Combinations
New Missile
Nut Stab

QB QB

SE ST N WE SE ST N WE

R M
R S M S

Nasty Stab
Tex Rambo

QB QB
SE ST N WE SE ST N WE
S M
R R S M

Tex Rush Shark

Exit Rambo In

QB QB

SE N WE SE ST N WE
ST

R M R S M
S

Spike Attack X Shark

New Smoke Shark

QB
QB

SE ST N WE
SE ST N WE
R S M
R S
M
Sam First
Mike Cheat over
26