loe Roman

THE GOMPTETE GUIDE TO I]USTAIIIIUG THE 44SPLIT DEFETUSE

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printed Ol999Coaches Books. rights Chojce All reserved. intheLjnited States. part No ofthis may reproduced, inaretrie!l book be stored system,transmitted, or n any 0rby means, torm any photocoDyina, or electronic, medtanical, recordino. publishing,lnc. otherw;se, rhe without priorpermission ofSagamore ISBN: 1-57167-370-g LibraryCongress Card of Catalog Number: 99-60472 Co!r Design: Johnson Britt DevelopmentalDaviC Editor Hambur0 Production Michelle Manager A.Sunimers publishing,lnc. Coaches Books divisionof: Sagamore Choice isa P0.8ox 647 Champaign, lt61824-0647 Web http//wwwsagamorepub.com Site:

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lothe nenory nyfuotlea of Robert Bonan. Shann sister Jacobson, fathet, Ronaa tony living Eeve and Joe Sr.; sister y Bunal nother, and Peggy Bonan. allthe lo nen played Wung who football the at CollegequPage. of

for flEndship' with tha* thm their lhave coaches worked and to Iam orateful themanv

both m tor Bob hed i,liitiriiirrll*.rri r*.ir ttt*foor coach. Msc0ougall' giving the
hw and to opportuniticoach teadngme tocoadr

Dedication

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larrived theC0lege DuPage asthe at of in1975 defensive coordinator held and this position 23years. thebeginning, for Fr0m our deiense the"44Split." ring base was Du (182-61). thattime, those years,Our won perceft theirgames 23 teams 75 of During we j0 suffered one only losing season. alsoplayed bowlgameswon ofthem.In We in14 and addition,won statejuncol championships the we 12 or ege and set NationalJunior College Ath Ass0ciat rec0rd consecutive letic ion fof vict0ries 36. with From to 1996, Colege DuPagewas22. won 1986 the of 107 We eight consecuttve state championships fankedthetop10 thenation tirnes, and were in in seven finishino second rwiLe fourI'1'ee"1es ard t D-'ing same per'0d. tean the ttne oL. delersewlsrated among top10 thecountry times 1995, best forteamdefense, the if eight h our year we were ranked 1inthe 0ninteam No. nat defense season. That weqave atotalof u0 5l oo|r's 12 In ga'les. ave ot 4.25p0rts qa 0u. l0'a" age oer r,e. op"poner'ts ed132 aver ag yardstotalofiensegame-35 rushing gTyards in per yards passing. and Forthree seasons, inthemidst our of 36'gamew streak, r 0pponents nning per 0! averaged points game 5.9 and yards total 179 per in offense game. Great footbaprograms measured are byrnorethan theirw0n-l0st record.0n averag,92 prcert our 0f sophom0res scho received arships!n versities c0lleges. of to and Some those etes ath went toplay theNFL, others of in whlle finished ool entered sch and the professiona workforce w despectrumprofessions. lso na 0f Wea enjoyed a number of "wins," manyyoung learned intangible as a man something thevalue hard about of work anddiscipline ouf through program. Champi0nship'caliber rnemorable staiistics, "wins" our achlevements. persora and the of players indicate overa all our lsuccess a as pfogram. wlnnlng footbalj This particular f0rsuccess,an bo0kdescribes 0ur f0rrnula with emphasis defensive onthe side the 0f football. good willtell that success footba you the Afy coach 0fa lprogram is profess s. based several on factors, lleginning agr0up c0mrnitted, with 0f talented ona program, kstothededicated Undoubtedly, theC0llegeDuPage agreat of had footbal thaf work our 0f head coach, N,4acDougaCol ofDuPage Bob . The ege employed 0f agroup put own que talented committed who theif un stamp technlque and coaches of and leadership the on both offense the and defefse. l learned dealfrom agreat them.lam a bettercoachandpersonbecauseofpeopllikeBobMacDougall,Bil Duchon, Persons, John Ken ls,Tim l\,4i Helnrich, l,y'c0ue, ler, Randy Ed N,4i Darryl Bichards0n, Urban, Tom John [,4irnick, Benhart, Ke and Gefe Scott lar, l\,4att Foster,just to namefew a Walso some play great had outstanding athletes forus. Havlng athletes y0ur 0n tearn doesn t always fora great make team. must theability puttheatheteinthe You have t0 posit primarily best ontomake p ay.lf were the we successfulas adefensive t was team, because players the ofour and dfenseused, "44 " We we the Splt faced type very 0f offensefromthewshbonetotherun-and-shoot.afdwewereabletostoothoseoffenses byp aying base o!r defense.

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Making Choice the

Inemost lmp0rtant you dowhen thing can selecting a defenseto make is a comn rlneflIo oredefenstve a'.qrme,rt Ihecoain. rnust Ar you nake,t .lea,to .s ( vou'prayers your ard fellowodLr tnat deierse nave es the yor chosenlhe yoJ going hdlg hat01 \oual.d Drayprs 0elerse are your lo yo,t rnust corfioerr be tt"" *nut' noe offense face. oase elle w I oedb oi yo, your def e ro ilif f,o tnorder properly your defense, must to install base jt you teach to your athletes on each.of different three levels:individual, team. unit, and Horever,leforernouinn nn " to other dlignmenls, a1d stunrs, cove,ages Urrc of th. Ort.nrr, nri, rnriJ vo.l y0Jr sure players unde'sta1d Individuat tfeir responsjotlir:es,:ncrj0tn0 their a|qnnenr-s LEs. rhprr their aro ass,grnerts.0n fooror,firu",,'i*jVO"fan.,ua ani, 0raver know rpspo.]srbiltties deipns:ve musI tfe ofedch ,n I {rne froqrtrp I T e D a c ke n d th e .se co n d .l d h ow ts. a y)d a Ihoseuntlscometogelher asawnole 0erenstvp Wtth ap0.oacrdefer!e. can team. lhts Io yo, overcome snorrcomings ary your players have. may D",ing 23years rrre ny al Col.egpDuDage, oi lreqularly explaineddefensrve mv byusirg {ot,owtns rhe n titary anat0gy \ea.rhe ot end ljl:,:r,?lvl:ly:]"^yr",r u vvd_.,,.u J.Arrny Force respofsiblemdktnq uc Alr was ior bombira orer :vu runs ue-marv. ratds lnese occuled nglreddytight wh.ch dur rou,s. naoe rhe-ooloers easy ra'gets t0r-Ue.man prdres a wh,le. U.S. ftgl ter for the oomoe.s sui,preo (::ll:l rishre' Lru. u.s. red rsa.rew Drd.,ps the sta, us a,rpta.re. if::1,::.:t:l: F0 .ess I hts ure o-tr | /ytrg plane Ih,ee had t:mes .tLnber machrne t.tp of 0uns asrne ptanes, tralso gurroJ.lls trs,nderca,riage. :n 0t0 and had When 8"29s rhe flewina.formation, from their thefire ;ll machine ,"o.li gr", i;; German fighters getto theB,Zgs to withoLrt themselves ^p;.riii;jor gettino down. siot flowever, whenever 0f those bombers from formation, one U.S. broke the it was ieft dJ]a^cl Gernan bi, fighters a,ro and *..rl.ro tr,.e;g torrr,ion. )/^llrgr:bt: l0 lhe vvfal(epltTe 5.b0nbprs U inthe e'lecttve thdt was evetyoody bonber a iob fao

dpler"srve the Lnits- frott_ linebac^ers, seconoary_ conltol rhe a1d the lhe.r "n,st p0s'uons ove'ali Inlre format.on successtheoveratJ defersrve The ol delense dependstheability eleven on of players actasone. to

d^:f ,l , forrna tr p.oposir,ii-" :1, I n e cT"*r Fl.dmb e roir lhe r:o.r*as, ,;r!,.O"utr Je w l e ila^ce .e d ch oe.ens,vepaycr hasajobtodo.The f Lr(e a B -2 9

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you your defense defense lsthe you your for When prepare team an0pponent, base t0 game wedid prep players n0t 0ur prep. whef recall, instance, e a sing I cannot for presented stunts, adlustments, We a by our defense. always beat team using base weakness. advantage opponent's ofan of coverages,frofts a means taking and as covelages, a stunts, onwhich I ofyour Your defense base should thefoundation be game are plan, built. base defense s This fronts, adj!stments, asyour aswell and " sland a storm" your reason your f are badly in when things going foryou. fors0me your your p to and need restart is0n opponnt a rol and gameanlsa bust you yo!r point, is yoir goback thestarting whlch thedefense players to attack, must know best-your defnse. base that nstill svstern, mp0rtant Y0u t is to his Asa coach iscornmitted defnsive who your you players' before begin expand dfensive minds to in thatsystem your Too mirrors package. dfense become a smoke'and defnse Your sho!ld never or every change defense wek their I who often,have 0bserved coaches either think will adjustment they that can an abandon base thelr defensethey make so a ever their defense stop opponent partlc! situation-without giving base an ina ar t0 are sendingyour kind chance show to what can What of message you it d0. p ayers yo! y0!'ve taching slnce beginning thern the when desert defense been the plan yoLlr do turn of theseas0n, whre Vou when alternatlve fails? and y0ur know r0Les you isthat What asa coach should undrstand when players theLr you have make ng dur may t0 scheme, adjustmefts any w thifVour dfenslve base and to You be transiti0n. must ready able adjust thecourse a game of involve simple you'0elenseI g o gane order rne!l c_d1ge noreltLno{vou' i_ d-lo L.e t0 0L ln adjustments we had 0f opponent's At theCollegeDuPag,0ften t0 rnake attack. p aybook. abi 0i your p The ity certain situatl0ns were ino!rgamean0rour that not have p ayers adapt specia isposs only to to circumstances ble if they a tota defensive is 0f That understanding defense. f exibilitythemark a great 0f the 0ackaoe.

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The44SplitDefense
you When building a championship program, should withyor.rr football start defense. 0ffense games; wins defense championships. it isyour wins Clearly, defense that rise must to theoccasion week stop opposing every to the oflense;it fails get if to jobdone, your the then team willnot able beat opposition. be to the norderto properly, defensive your work scheme beeffective, must versatile, easy and to you teach. a coach, must inmind it isyour As keep that athletes are ones who the play wh0 actually thegame; consequently, absolutelydifference it makes n0 what you y0!rdefense players understand yo!r kn0w about if don't it. The subiect this of book, 44Spit detense, allthecriteria a defense the meets of your thatwi I make team champion. CollegeDuPage,found 44 a At the of we the Split bea balanced to defense lends to easy that itself alignments and adjustments. important, a defense iseffective Most it is that against offensive all scnemes. The most asked coaches were bv who c!rious 0uestio0 often abo!t defense our "What your was are reasons using defense?"answer always for this My was the personnelreadily same:The airgnment issimple, defensive the are availableany on football and iseasy teach. team, it to players cautioned, however, defensive that need know to three components ofdefensive footbal before can they be p accomplished at playing 44Split:alignments, the assignments, and keys.lfayers can getthealignment then may wel forget t right, they as about other At the two. a I levels iootball, high of from school professional, to defensive mlstakes in you a ignmenl tirrned offensive are into to!chdowns.lf don't believe geto!t rne, your game and a look. go0d of your iilm have A deai opponent's offensive scheme game ar plan devotedgetting defensemisalignkeeping your and t0 to by it off guard anassortment with of formations, ploys, theshift forrnations. motion and of you your ems 0nce choose 44Split your the as defensive alignment, prob willbecut inhalf. 44Solit a balanced The is defense uses defenders side five that onone of thebaI and ontheother withthesafety themiddle thefofrnatlon. five side, in of A good safety range, can with who bring to either gives defense it side. your the you players a side. 44Split f avor Canadian l,where have of footba twelve 0n The defense isstrong against run, inthemiddle to theoutside.lt the both and covers the passing with linebackers and three-deep 2ones four under a secondary. the Neither run thepass nor strength this of defense iscompromised theoffense byhow !ses

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Ihat lolrnations stletcl" deproys lhe whelher orlerse 10l ,t theiield. does natler to 0ur alignment adjustment the to rnotion change offensive or thedefenseuses a involves and of receivefs backs' the including movement formations, offensive oI of intne o'sl'orten,ng alignmertone twoplavers wioenrrg simple on are defense usually hand to a you in kind The of personnel need order run 44Split a to seem find always overachiever The ieams. undersized ail onalmost football aT lo leam and on sD0l Ilis 0efense, asit tL|lso'I everv seems l^ave abJn0arce or ve de'ens backs fJ lback b'gget linebackets. slower uroersi/ed ot tnose "nd by filled are positions 44Split best n the six In reiects.fact, of theeleven iaihack types linebacker ot Players. can Since was qualitY looked of course, speed' speed for, we imoortant The most look alhleres cal runlf they wl'o nust coaches lirst fo' oes Ihe;00osition, trov ln isuselesstt'e44Sp"tlhetwo tne\/have s.ue r,,n. can't wniteuer advantage are stance therefore players line ina four-point and who up are tackles theonly size considerable who playersthis in system have aeiensive tne usuatty onty as are playersfillwhat known "tweener to does defnse notrequire The Split 44 t\e rJsnilg may bilities include Iesoons e ,,r('n tn"drop ld.whose oo, the ',onr, 00sition:s of Another exdmplea lweenel" passe'ot lto dropprrg coverage oass or sup0orl deep p'ovide ot,rnarv lpor 'un wl^o strono sa'etv. isca.led to a 1o a of ihcse inornercirrarions. types oositiolse dilficult coachld lo cou"'iqe pass breakdown during and scheduling run play. cause problems inpractice T[eV rush linebackers on isworking pass and front if the For iim;. exampLe, defensive group to drops, which on are the and the while linebackers secondaryworking pass pass'coverage allgnmenl' on isworking end? the send drop lf thesecondary doyou Lhe serd whe'e coverage doyoJ on rur suoDorl s are workirg opllon ano the olaye that on'y the player) Jpqelting half coacl'lng erld ilesF lweene strono safelv? get players theother a ol bythe s simplified o eaKdowl units ld 1. the lhe Wrtn 44Sp' teacnrlg defense tTIee Llv0u posltlons nave and the es thes milaril oetween weaksroe slrongside delelsrve l is unit sla'f.tnedeal breakdowasfo lows: deJpns:ve on coachesvour {''lalIbacks and and'nsidel secondarY {outside linebackers ard iront {ends tackles), should coordinator be the scenario, defensive Also, safety). ina three-coach and the c0ached successtully lhave At times thelinebackers who theone coaches the coaches' only lf you coaches have twodefensive with Jeiense twodefensive sh0uld coach the and other front, and should the coordinator coach linebackers thesecondarY. oversee the and keys assignments, between weakside,and lnalignments, The sirnilarities end, A weakside forexample' them stronqside Dositions;ake interchangeable the also playino slrongside The end. similarities make the would"haveno oroblem

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r.rfits e,which flexib increases0pp0rtunities the forteachtng. breaking When the you not defense forgroup forinstance, are confinedthestandard down work, t0 brakdown ofdefensive linebacker, line, and secondary. unt w0rk, During the balancethedeferse 0i makespossiblemix it to positions variety ways, ina of such p ays;the asthenslde linebackers tackles and the working trap on outside plays;the linebackerstheends and working opti0n on secondary w0rking three' 0n deep c0verage;ends, tack and lnside the the es, the linebackers onrun working and stunts; the0utside and inebackerssecondary and working lwo-deep on coverage and ignmentadditiona better In provides a to teaching envkofment,unit the work anopponunitytheplayerswork smallqroups for to in consrsting wider ofa range of positions their This defensive than owf. 0pportunity fora better makes understanding and know edge thet0tal of defense. t supp0rts transitions the of p ayers one ti0n another pos to from linebacker 0rhalfback t0 efd, to {0utsid outside linebacker). The mannerwhich plaversthe44Split ifstructedhome oneither in in the are to in pfovides wrth clear progression ther!n0rthepass thern a to f0ll0w:The defensive plays first, front run thenooks rush contain passef. inebackers to The and the a s0 play.un and react pass. !nder pattern thatis first thn t0 The coverage isa read slmple als0 and makeseasy f ndreceivers under-cove.age The it to inthe zones. p ays secondary pass lt has primary first no support either opti0n thefun. on the or 0ther advaftaqes 44Spit defense 0f the include f0llow the ng: your It gives defense ab rtyto r!na variety stunts, the of defenslve and fronts, personne covefages without changing . It confuses 0pponent disrupts offensive the and its blocking schemes. Itsstrengthstopping run containingpass. is the and the playergreat It requifes a balanced a ignment, int!rngives which every a angle to theball.

Thanks 44Split winning at College of t0the defense, 0ur durlfg 36'game strak the p ayformore a z()-yard DuPage, a rarity our0pponents Lt was for t0 break a than galn.

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Personnel
F00tba ayers inal shapes sizes, t would f00lish suggest Ip come and s0 be to that playing a p ayer'S ght, he welght,0r might speed prohibit from him a particular posit Granted, ofphvsica 0n. attributes d make diffcult some wou it for a lack players fi crtain positions, t would a mistake sela kid to defensive but be to you see short before can what can underre. of our he do f 0ne best-ever defensive poufds, hewas specia also anifsrde . We had tackls DuPage 6'1",215 at was but inebacker was slow,wou lethim a 40-yard ontest who so run dash day dn't ldidf't Nevertheless, great hehad because want kn0wjust sl0w was. t0 how he antic as as to ball on backs. was He 4.7 0ation. well theabilitv knock carrierstheir ongarne day. STRONG WEAK AND ENOS cal When l00king athletes fil thedefefsive pos thphys attributes iof to end tj0n, weighed to ook are for speed height.0ur and defensive ends,0n average, between from N,4ost forrner schoo oiten, high 210 230 and pounds s100d 6't0 6 4' tall. and iit end t SDeed inside outside or inebackers best at thedefensive 0os on. are the play ther strongsid wakside orthe ardsize determlne wl I wil who e the defensive The end. strongside aligns thetight sid theoffensive end 0n end 0f formatiof. a ignmeft make strong thewidest This wlll end defenderthe 0f th nga strong you end, shou p ace d more str0ng When comes choos side it t0 is importance onspeed onsize. reasonthat strong a gnment than The the efds pass-drop mak speed p0nt, pLrts at a qreater ng him frorn distance thequarterbacks mportant size thatposition. Eecause strong wlde of the end's more than at y,does and, aligfment,israrely he subjected bl0cks consequent f0t feed t0 trap The when on bl0cks. wak willbeb ocked end thesize lsnecessary taking trap that g!ards tackles, makes rnore fof at which slze mportant a p ayer byofiensive and position. s ower thetwoends d play weak because the side, his that The of shou he to is which means thed stance wlllhave travel that a ignmentnearer theball, to polnt pass-dr0p wil beshoner thatof the than inorder reach quarterbacks to the are as end strongside Although end end. these positions taught strongside and pJayers you teach as eftend right as 0rgasboth them and end, weakside end, can are eoua fast lv

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RIGHT TEFT AND TACKIE The of your tackles the Inthe44S0lit, defensive are cornerstone defense. vo!r witl and ql n.!l ) si ve tacl.es havp c\ne)ard s ze( '0l Iobecon' useo !peed 0ele is F0rty quickness, tlme bemisleading yards a 40 can a height). assessln! When the dri anagility I wecaled "Pro we haulforbig At DuPage,lncorporated a kid. long agility qu s The Agility a 20'yard t0 eval!ate ckness. Pro Agility' verticaljump and 10 thats yards of afe course. cons placed a line Three run c0m0 over 1o'yard eted a e at themldd cone The end 0ne ong,0ne each and inthemddle. athetestalts 0n 0n t0 thn 0n and, command, to thec0ne therlght, sprLntsthecone the on sprifts than is Agility' nrore f time to left, then ntsback therniddlehis forth"Pro and spr that n the40, isanindlcati0n the it five'tnthsa second than tlme of faster his athlete Dossesses ess. ouickf ldve lhd we lre ie1ce, 0Ple'r'fe0 I tallatlleles d \ard of ol On basis vears e\De tackle, t0 a playlng can tackle. time defenslve Height bea hindfance defensive helght play that We particu if his ghtkeepsmfrom ngl0w. found thedeal he h arly tends ta and intherange 6'to6'4";any ler, theplayer t0 0f fora defensive s tackle t0 wil 0n weight loseeverage. preferred forthetackle depend h s ability The gettngknocked ofl hlm yet have to body m0v, still en0ugh weight prevent flom ve afd to the Th must theball. tackle beable contr0 offens guard thI neot your play tackie. e sh0uld at leftdefensive When scrimmage. best Your tack positions play theother at th they deiensive tackles good, improve are IINEBACKER SAM s fofwardto a what defense a power The linebacker the44Split isto Sarn He have best must one your athlets. must theathletic be of basketball Sarn team. t0 take plus and to play abiLLty thpass, thephysicalsizequickness onthblocks position from upright ar ve He to of offens linemen.ought beabe to strkea bl0w than a San keys.takes time develop linebacker it does t more to read and mutiple who pos an p ayer any other linebackert 0nWep ayed athlete was a at to develop q!ickness a and of great nation the but undersized positior, hehad cornb at this a l0t wl offenses of problems. good m A Sam football nd. good I nebackerI cause MIKE AND MEG LINEBACKERS lead linebackefs 0ul and inside defense, our 0urllnebackers 0ur 0il0t overa l\'4lke, plays side inebacker onthestrong of thedefense. linebacker The corps. N/ike get lifebackels;he away can of is ard asa rule, thebigger sl0wer thetwolnside playing inebacker thestf0ng and Sam end the with wltha ack speed 0f because, He hep to the0utslde m0fe will theM of 0ntheLine scrimmage, kelifebacker have than should Meg than is of linebacker lvleg The linebacket befaster ismore a plug rnore He the at linebackel a sobetter p aYing pass. w I have open and theMike gro!nd cover Mike . than wil to

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you, For thecoach, first the consideration selecting when a linebacker ability ishis As leadership isconcerned, togetoff01 blocks make tackle. farason-field and the you linebackers. should thedecision leave making theinside to 0ngame they day, your are voice thefield. and on Size speed a bonus, these are but attributes should preference theability thelinebackergetto theball. nottake over of to SABA I-II{EBACKEB The linebacker weakside isthe outside linebacker. looking fillthis When to Sara position, first who the attribute should forisa linebacker iscomfortable look vou playing space. Sara position very in The linebacker is similar a strong to safety position, except theplayer assumes role nothave gointoany that who this will to pass kind deep coverage. Sara of The linebacker beyour should most athletic playing pass, hemust bea good linebacker.must adept He be at the and also open. field tackler. SECOl{DA8Y The defensive halfbacks thesafety to bespecialists and need at playing pass. the Although speed height qualities everyone forindefensive and are that looks backs, you above they all, must good be athletes. athlete should looking inthe The be for secondary have capacitybackpedal,turn, must the to flip break theball, on and tackle theopen The in field. safety usually is a team's athlete. does best He not need beasfast thehalfbacks,hedoes to have to as but need enough sohe range can move break theball. safety to football thecenter and on The is what fielder is you find defensive who like linebacker gets a t0 baseball. can a lf back hits and a great you break theball, should him safety. on make your

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WhatWeDoDifferently
As coach, e 44 .. :i l L P a gd d n o tfl entthe Sp1defense a yor ng that ''.i :tb . a tl h e co g eeve lim lted, ldid r der sland was but !r ', r:lersveiootbathafa good pfeganr When Bob speech . :-.l JP a ga sl h eh e ad e footballcoach, ted e a heinher m as ,,'re ben for Bob been a ,,:aiard hav together 22years has . : ..ffN teacher, anurdefstand nghad coach urork Boll to for and . . ,lime Spl dfense h mfrom chigar University, Tch 44 t with [,4 to everyth cou ab0ut ng d the , ,:fens coord le nator. tried larn - n BoL anyone who d ta k to meabout Tfe -it and else wou
' q l" o50 t ^ o . o r " [ " , . o e p o o o o p io r, 0 . lh Tackleafd the46defefse 6 , -: .f lfe 44 Sp t were Wld p lir teams ayed lol 01 a = ,rs0..ad comebackthe44SpLit, a prob coLr . -- aa!sed thm ems.lt haid find eiesurho d was l0 ath . . .rn,/r'henthe0fi n s b ro k e a p la y ,y weLtra t h e t \ ra y lt ! s f a

ng if we a schemeapproach 0r to iach th s , ' ,..Paile, had uniqLre t to FOr r' .!e to beI theway presentd oufathlets 23 we pLayeI ffom heafd the ol football .r ii5tthifg Colege DuPage a cafe , :-: tt e thirgs and big n!swil belakef of " The right the th m!stunderstafd flrsl the , :: lr !e hom thatthep a]ers !\ras ' .l i before evn about coms Wel0ufd what fext they thifk p ayers n ng deta our Js, became d sciplifed . . . .enrirndw th the p \',/e As :;n rgand aynglhe44Spt defns teachefs, ' rlre:sfforn defens sk to anothr thp 0yers rft one ve . ,'.e re reo rk go nWehavegoneinlogameswithonlyoLlf n , r" w ve bcause that . :0lefa! twostunts a defefs package, and as p a n seas0n i r a :i h a t a rtl c! fp oint the . . . . - - . .: THE ETENSE D
s noLrgh lhe l0r is the J .'! defensemaklfg defensemple to ex : : ,,,'ie a Iowing c0aches oppoftufity m x c0rlrp the the players anunderstafd of Lhe r ha\re ng 0nce :. a iCt0vfages yoLrr yoLr d nOve to .:!, al!nmnls, assignmnts,keys, shoLrthen !nd -

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:;: fo'\rowteoge :fJ;ll:.'f ln J' ::fIcheckingi';'f;iJ';::J,"'illi;: sKlll;,| :ii:J:,";: n?ff andurderstandrngl:3ilT3f lsa bas'c are. dou0le {This i;,TfJ,l'*','Jil',lX:li',i::Xl;;i::;'11 l:X'L'.',ilffi poss,b.irydettl:,J"1
th
and base i"ffin.i"re *tn lt,r,r,h"e defense their ;;il. il;;;;r;;i;;;

adiflffi[|!j|fi be cantawhts"n it*t,,,na.o*'ases i.nt,, :ffiijfiT mac awell-oiled becornes the Thus defense

ii,,^iilillill,il#;,l,llHl' Ti,^1-fi positlon different ;..1:llT:li the defensive

c.an possibilities,since mae^these stiveforunlimited '7o!

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and have orfronts also t coverages, stunts,

lil's';t'",.u!r:i4!!nill'1':.l'il:sp o*r.,
tr. positions iie :;;;;iias ifll. ;::'JilffliH.l'iffJJiil"''iiTil teammates or withhis
at and adept comrnunicating 0lavers, was CATIS STRENGTH

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20

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r.epthedefensebaianced bydeploying eleventh the defendertherun pass t0 or ::fefgth theoffensive of formation. strength also The callis used direct to ihe -ovement thedefense prior orafter snap theballThestrenoth of to the of ILst d qivesrecijon you. d to frorts, srults. coverages ano :1 DuPage, analyztngtwomost after the c0mrnon of strength wesaw types calls, :. opportunity to double opttonsthemovement defense a means o!r in of the and ,.1_preventing frorn offenses restrictingdefensive our package through use the 0f lrfferent formations. defense six 0ur had positions could ioward away that align or 'r0milte strength while other positions cll, the five remained reatively inaffected. make "strength to thetight side theofiensive We the call" end of iormation. inmind theeleventh isthesafetV aliqns themiddle Keep that man who if o l.e offelsrve dtiollwh.( isLsuala fewya.ds o.eort;e orfer o, forn y h to stdp ihebal). The Split.alignment 44 isbalanced to begin with;thus strength the put callwill your players, are strongside who better play run, thetight side suited t0 the to end oi th-e.offensive formation. Ylurweakside who better playing pass, players, are at the you makesecond willgoto thesplit side theoffensive end of formation. then a strength which beto thetwo-receiver a ertin0 defensethe call, will side, the to passing strergtl. rhe ol otlelstve fotmar.o.l. recon lt ;s me.tJeo you a coro. rhat use to identify second the strength . At Dupage, had strongside cal we the inside l,-ebackerle e md th stre n gca, S trongr ghtlStr ongr ightl,Alte,lhestr engtn t\ cd t'lesalery lhehdlfbacks thsqst61 : 'B.own Brown and 1s6s cal leftl lefti,fhe benefit making twostrength iswell of the calls worth time takes putthem the it to ln. conceptquickiy The is picked bytheplayers, increases awareness up which their of both run thepass the and strengthstheoffensive of formatio| your Asa r!le, defensive has problem the,,smali front no seeing world,,' but sometrmes trouble it has bringing "big the world' focus. makinq into By two suengrh lhep,ayers thedefeTstve become aworJof calrs. or Irott more rora offensive deploymenthow affects and it them. addition, game and ln your plans adlust tsbecome men enhanced openingof more bythe up opportunities to take advantage of offensive tendenciesDupage, were to employ At we able different combinati0ns of defensive stunts, coverages.n!mbef defensive fronts, and Any of lronts, stunts, coveragesbecalled attack or can to either run thepass the or strengthanoffensive of formation wanted putpressurethepasser lf you to on by stunting. example, could twostunts then iust of those for you call and run one ironts theralign sIJtts toone :n reLe,ver YoL s 0e. co,td nal. d;,le.ent a'so two dn0 thedefensive thatbest front matches run the strengththeoffensive of formatLn The upshotthatbyidentifyingand strengths, are to bemore is run pass you able c0mplex your with defense, keeping while it simple your for athletes.

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21

COMMUNICATION team nq yoL leans olay good delerse oeat lf YoLI Pnvs,cal wll.neve e rors 0l a qarelv voL a l0otballgame bec"lse-but losl see wil et will mertal ors rit,you the thatmakes lewest s often, mismatch;most thewinnerthetearn 0hvslcal In result a do but or rnaY a drive a score, seldom they stop errors 0ffenslve liltakes. a rnjstake of the does rroi. ioi opp**t. fhedefense nothave luxury making by er '. it expecr Tnese ors.nade lFast Lp ,n.\tus wl'e1yoJ I irir* ", ^iitr. a e most bytf e 0'lelselt s lne louc\downs lu'ned'nto o'len ard coaches olavets are made Mentalmistakes zone out opponent ol theend ori.rr.ii"lir l".pln" errols' mental lnorder and oifocus communication to prevenl ack ;;.;r;; be This skill "'i. game communication must the of una uo,rrrt Oru.too practice sklll you game nustbeable ol l1e y or *o .oiei"o anq ked eve dayDuring coLrse a plav- e r s andanay z e 0[ lhe eva' uate pldv your ro rn d kF adjuslr enlstoVoLr de' ense or' lootoa'' a gareof redcl I hecorsclous is ve Defens o' oflense. tneattack Il_e inbetween the and the on tetore snap after whistle-everythinq ty occuo ifougt',t lsreactLon. wlle'] arp Y0l Du seen5 secords irga qame In s A fooloa' Qonp p'ayeowFaI '(e The sJpplv dre t''ne words ir sl'orl u', ,o -iuno a'o." uO,utt"enl. and flonolaye ( l l e l /l co mri u ntcatir qn.,sioccur qJiLllyandonllr eeleverl0pay s: lines These of communicatr0n to coach coach t**rn, *d (3)from irot oluvrt at any be cannot a breakdown level and be must two-way, there ardnota 0' be you coo Asa defens:ve d nator, shoJ'o a co'lecl0r Infot'nalior \ou oi to ol'ary source irfornation need., o,.iri.j.v., *trro o, i.olhi'oy cr,t wren and fron all I slenIo.eva'uale. cooldinalenfomatior plavers coacres d'10 hdve to ardlistpr wl'atIl'e\/ expect yoL ,ourhes. sl_oul0 'nput uo"aar, *',n yo.r, llp 0r l"ave 'eelrrg 0wne's a must For pal Lhe aboul delense h's t eac'olaye tosav greal had le ons wo'lhwh l have s0ne and inLhe defense \row ll'at\is op'n are of a player' come the game adjustments from input willbe that language they a learnnew must that tell lwouLd mvplaYers they to must ora phlase beable a A tf'orthand word, number, ....f,to i" "t6,ituiff Io use we to say "\ed aTd sentelces oaragrap\s iroorti,nu,*0, o 'a^, 0r lech'liq"e a bl0cllrg a'ig1nenl, Io either Lhat caii\words teya response olay ol (eep exp l1e ardliol r 0 Je.lslve red vle sc'enewl el poss,ole.orefe to we When labels ol unoet word oLe billLv. ot resDons ora lecFn to o1e "n ated t\dI qive we scneme wo-rd il a nane t0ld b ocklng reler dl ofrFnsive to ;anted to the to who going carry balland was *lut gtpth. play goingto was ii . pL1ltt (ice, to be power, tear)was scheme what blockinq the p wrll ayonlle- pre0 pos player nave Ive v 0elons.ve s\oulo anoffersive ri01ne "scoJt leam| le lo beoLr we n0l lea-1iAt DJPaqe. dio elyor t\e oflense

posit ble be :elensive sh0uld respons fortheoffensive onthatwi I most Dlaver and the must linebackers know center thefulback him: inside r'tenbeblocking The and (the the beoomes center, theweakside inside :ositions strongside Jinebacker ve are The becomes fullback). defens tackles theoffensive the is delinebacker inebackers The tackles outside ends the and t!ards. thedefensive are offensive (specifically, 1s outside thestrongside i nebacker the end the 3re tight and tailback The isthe outside linebacker tailbackl two end, the :hetight and weakside Each safety thequarterback player ls and receivers,the ra fbacks thewide are plays. offensive forthe schernes assignment dlfferent and nustknow blocking the sco!t was defense o!roffensive time, second our on we working team When were a team wear squad had scout We the took t!rn but iearn, everyone his onthescout for the who to as number theplayer was play position our ersey thesame with thatcould setof numberedjerseys beputonand had opponent.Wea complete insubstitutions. up us a This iaken 0uicklv. systemlowed to pick tendencies off ln to the of players order run plays,ocking afd b schemes, theroles key specla spl play, I lhecoach to was neededsay "Bueright, t backs, a offensive oD0onent's this to run p ayWefound this know how team and tear weak,' thescout wo!ld ways. usetul many In time of ng rnethodrunn team to bevery your offens plays, ve will you same sYstem, players learn be 0nce subscr tothis players theoffensive see The much quickly and schemes, formations more b ocking understand ngof and a of plays both of from sides theline scrimmagehave good day attack the discussingoffensive ongame t offense. theoDoonent's When important thelast and is Time cornmunication. very for reduces need verbal the play you "lce," of an you explanation offensive When say, is thlng need a long "Tear," ve offens "Power,""Base," p ayers an of willhave image anentire the or of an "Brown theplayers a willhavementalpicture left," p ay. if you Likewise, say, to wide receivers side. end with formation a tight ontheright twosplit offensive to and theleftside, the"strength"theright. you a orrun f0rmation a stunt, willforce yo! the Whenever change defensive gap, pass Aspreviously some theplayers'opiion,and responsibilities of change in gap, pass another option, and their to rn!st the mentioned.players relay one option number their for come lf two fesponslbilities.p ayers upwiththesame and iswrong beabe to know respons thev automatically something bilitv, will I t es. ve thelr correct fespect responsib began setn t0 when fatlgue on to it Wemade a point w0rk communicationbody y "Fatigue cowards usall." Actual of makes saying, probably heard the have You on you reca time la when ol can you back, surely makes stupld.lf think us iatigue error the of players a dependable mademental toward end a youi and best most a body the because athiete's reached game. mental was error made The hard-fought

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11

At the ol onhis to unable concentrate assignment end he level fatioue where was units down o!r break into individual The we .0rints, would niu.iil". *h"n *. ,un those check would stance, the pla\/ers align their defensive and coach would in glven tne l0 ttap-was draw ball, screen of five stances.one commands-pass, yell and outthe movement react they that olavers.0n c0mmand, would to ball playefs t0 start is line end they thestafting The of practicewhen left as ;ommand 0n time that was Wefound that thebest to practice thelr their lose concentration. a game' durrng upon to beable call would that a discipline they bV tocus installing THE TRAPPING EATL they pursuit thefootball' to great need playels they that tell coaches their When I' of neaning pLrsu lhewod pufsuit's, elay a e nolactually ngll'ecorect 0rcnase to as n drctroraryandlte"10l ' [olow n a1e'l0 t t0 overtaKP de'i1edt1e ano ls they t0 want playersdowhen p!rsue t0 trap conlaln What act!ally your You can players to beta!ghtYo-u need pursuita skilthatyour is True thebaiLcarrier. ol tackllng p!rsu byusingprogression a t your how teach defense to learn best tackling with and techniquesending team tackling with starting individua drills, how how the purposethese s isto teach players to tackle, to cLose dril of The and to to carlier redlrect, how w0rk the quicilv ananq thatfolces ball e on c 0ac ayer ' lr attnebdl ier .Asap lcalr emenber hear il gou hs av car to o e L h er t0 " 'h nkaboLl I color forlow same .ersey tl'e pu teach'rq sJit.Never re wlier was I angle take a on thai How thouqh. does instruct help player a proper to the-ba of when willbetirnes anathlete lesser thatthere You face carriir? must thefact ability lesser of e to to is ability going beasked tack anathlete superior That jersey the never plan a a concrete than reminder to foLlow same needJmote athleie and carrier to angle theball a your t0 fLrst is The step to teach playerstake direct oi at be should aimed one three The at on to then close thatangle f!llspeed. angle angle approach to theball:outside on which 0oints. willdependthetackler's carrier' on close should quickly theball and hip. tackler head-up, back The shoulder, you it,a ball about When think or rect. run the him forcing to eiiher into tackler red idea it is or right, lelt Therefore,nota good options:stfalght. only cariieihas three Tle on to worx tneI acller' opportunitv the Uo'l.a''ie,Lher t ie ot tr" io g,* tne " lacler lo taleanangle willtake ball tw0 dway 0l the that lo roe;app'oach;sthe at sho! the from When carriertoptrons. closing theoutside, tackler ldrun the lf the to therunner choose inside the forcing 0f outside shoulderthefunnel, will the carrier betrapped angle lsat proper of attack, ball tearnmate his tackler's unit individual, group' ison levels: ol teaching fout The contained. progfession and 0f within 0f tackling thecontext a team yo; the When te;ch impoftance and team. car iel!optiolsbv l hear gl es ba' a Lo away Io' Ihe d w toqethe'Ia( e 0 l a n n d or K ng guY s one. eve'yolelraop tne withlhebal aqainsl and its e-.euer if approach.

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BEAD COVEBAGE PATTERN AND PASS At philosophy defensethe44Split simple: getbeat is Never deep. ln Your onpass As up a deep defense.a change or oi we theCollegeDuPage.p ayed three zone undel consisted ol zone.0ur coverage we some and two- four'deep adiuslment,ran "pattern inthese some underneath Weran zones. wewould read' six zones, and coverage never than was ess two coverages. 0ur deep five under zones "man" and "man" ol coverage, because types those fan "man free'0rtotal deep. never any We produce to it 0ur touchdown Weiried keep simple. drives. can one-play coverages all routes would and break and 0n contain defensive stayed t0pof alldeep backs 0n played the other routes.0ur coverage,linebackers, under deepest under the receiver intheir and t0ne broke 0nshort up routes. ta king our When to players pass about coverage,stressed importaft we points: three Panicyour is biqgest enemy. confidence Have inyourself, defense, Vour the and teammates. pass not A completed does spell end. odds onyo!f the The are side. if theopponent a great Even passer, willoniy has he complete a little more than his half passes. pay Break theballand on contain Trap bal.Nilake receiver theprice it. the the going and it at fullspeed. you're fullspeed a good e to theball, do When on ang you pass make things broken bya defender, ba up happen. Inmost plays the you was thereceiver's A good in hands. break theballwillget there time 0n in cough to make receiver uptheball. the Keep mind concept "small in the of world, world." big Focus your geta on key. run pass quickly, then your or read and open vision see fullpicture. and the Wealways numberedreceivers theinside The the from out. No.lreceiver the was (Since who nearest ball. the first receiveroroffthe ine scrimmage was on of we did number not across formation. were 1receiversboth the there No. on sides the of offensive tormatlon No. receiver thefextreceivertheoutside. was to ll ) The 2 was one to No d in or there only receivera side, 2 wou bea back thebackfielda p ayer from funning a pass route, was who coming theopposite of the side offensive formation. No. receivereither would one two The 3 on side be of possibilities-thereceivertheoutside or0fftheline scrirnrnage, third to on of orthe out on route ona pass route the from back c0ming of thebackfielda pass lor oooosite of theformation). side read matchup defense zone We 0urunder coverage a pattern system-a was played coveragethedeepest inthezone would and uponthe man on route break pass routes the2one. in When showed, linebacker thedeepest the found short inthe who his ity locked him thereceiver on until receiver zone was responsiband

W
25

on his he located the When linebacker theIeceiver,kept eyes the the cleared zone. made cut thereceiver hls 0r untiL look at and receiver didnt back thequarterback was would for the in rn" tr,,tont. order whilh linebacker look receivers ori run ol side' {31 (2) routes his running from opposite and irrtiu." to i it tiOe, those irltf',r routes running outof thebackfield backs of players The learr' mentiond inhel0i'lg are ds analogiesuselulto0ls Catcnwo and 'n paragraph t succeeo c0Jldn thal ca woo ora 0l'rase l leya Iesporse anenti'e 0r practicetellajoke a to time that for i iound, example, if I took outof evokinq. 'l how that wo p ayet, oT hang every 0 keep mind n0rnatter wold ine sto'v, Iney In00rlaTt lt-more pldyerslrremenber w nay tne or sl-0.d ioke story be your the willremember message ro' analogy coverage Il"e ' useo forlowing teao nq patlern unde' leacn our Wnen l0lrgrt who by'ive are sone'edson, and fr;end approaLhed individuals want iou a all0llnenw'l' b|,t see There a lotoi talkinq vou tl'atnol is vou voLr dnd friend. ihen Lw0 to d'vide Int0 advantage be ir would to You' figure at cone 'iqht vo . You and y0J a'ound ium0 wh0 those willsneak q ouos:'t\ose willattack and fist wl'o the guYsdo 'ngal l tne ;esa' e ThebLl i h rl e vo rer otloo<,ng{ bulliesandIatsl u g'Ys musl lhe fhe Vou {receiversl rdls are ta.k and tne n0 are mo;Iconspicuous re at wh guys w l corne You levou lot looking. wno .rrl ,'"i'|" ; ,l.v *if, rc the Ilr0 pass When sn0ws IUnn ard le (receivers Lne f om oppos sioe bdcks ngroutes) nln you move toward ll while outside to and for burlies look tneiirstone you' rhe t*:-1":,el::'_'^t0^.^ rd {'l fortheseco bL"v the" are look i^,i t',to. outot '/or'tone. vo Jrsi oe) .r fIheb' l,es0onotr unar outeinyour zoleth el pul l upl 00k l 0r slde secon0' routes the on tnose crosslng irom opoosite a'ld' aL bacx tsr. vour (l not eyes eld) rinebac[eri sno'ild be r|,n, UuJlr nq..,ttt ort orlhebaLif The nakes c"t tne 0lay the throughoutentire Wnen Ieceiver his Lileo or rtre'rec"iue, r!ns ll ttle qLarterback Iecelver ball the slou tne,inebaclel d loo\bacll0rthe and forralsthe thebarl"10 l look shoLld up tne,rne0ache' pull and zone, out0' Lhe but isnot simple' if yo! pass q!arterback lnactuality, coverage this to finaLlv,the players respond will analogy' a .unrut. u orit of lt ,i.plebyusingcorny nave nevel go'le and cover for years would unoer age 15 read Weuseo Datlern asour isthe coverage conventlonal drop Straight drop Dac( a srraiqht coverage lo 0l shoulderthe, lhe and lo of rea-ns d'oppinganarea keylng front ,neoac'<er tne b'eak-10 Dal I lls a while release, gettirg good along ouarrerback. witnnls Ine ol becausethedlst?nce notonly well wol(s metnod 0Lite lorthesecondarY odcK 0J delensrve bei1hont the will lhe'eceiver because b"t ltavei. also ba,l musl looking and atea of into of t lr liilirrii. irc tn. point dropping themiddle a large on what vou io determine isgoing behind when t irontof vou ;;;;;;;;;tg p'0lecl on of Iheessenceoass and i., ir'" o;ru out, ,rr..rureof iootballrules n0lwanl qJal the terbackdoes l By quane'back sma area design lo a conilrerhe 0'lne resp0lrlbrlltv it pociet) if heooes, is the and alea tron {tne tomove that

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ffiffi
The the f[om the ::fefsive and esto keep quafterback Iunning ball. ends tack guys are who rnoving, if and isnot to The are :-arterback hard find. receivers the get to they the .oLI defenders close them, willfind ball. the of read.lhe first At theCollegeDuPage, weevaluated merit pattern of when movement inthe ihing noticed looking our was linebacker's we up0n at film the reacted receiver's and much ouicklv linebackers to thereceiver zone how more the routes. could thelinebackers We see cutd0wn widen zone theV their as 0r reacted to thereceiver moving through zones. the 0ffensive alignment receiver's willchange configurati0n pass and routes the 0f your zones; thesize under thus of coverage willdepend thepositionthebaI 2ones on of and offensive the formatj0n. tight isthewidest lf the end receiverofeside an on of offensive formation, ball lhetight are thehash, twowide the and end into with receivers open of thefield. "flat'2one thetight side not to the side The on end will side by formation. bevery wide. the"flat'to theopposite willbestreiched this and concept. found sarne We the What been has described isa basic coverage here zone pass routes of underneath zones. out to betrue when receivers pass ran pass side a he receivertheoneJeceiver runs deep route, on Specifically, wide if the "f at."Therefore, shou the why d n effect eliminates outside the threat the t0 the to a of if does defense to anarea thefield theoffense nothave ability run drop getting pass he to As makes drop, depth width, and route a zone? thelinebacker his and free back inside. coined We sees receiver thezone, heisthen to work the leave "pulling shade," inpulling a window down shade. wou tello!r We d a term, the as a to linebackerswhen outside that the receiver longerthreat the"f at,"they isno down think thesidelinethetopof a window then theshade' of as and "pull should pattern willmake your The read to thenext receivertheinside to for {looking rats). fasier on and the m0re linebacker active thepass give defense help-and more play. help from back of thepass the side FUNDAMENTALS getting tackling, olf worked fundamentals day:f0otwork, on every Wealways Before starting a drill, always sLrre player we made each blocks, ball and skills. fundamentalwe working thepace expected were on, we knew following:what the help the were on. it run and thedrill at, how w0!ld improve skillwe working Wea so point a point. that drill a kept mind every has starting and finishing in players performingdri not the and thatthose Wemade drills the competitivesaw their We the were making a mental whie watching teammates.made rep 15 of and athletes thatthefirst mlnutes knew fundarnental a Drioritv. our skills practice bedevotedfundamentaI work. day, practiced we to drl Every every would

ffi 27

gOals-and for and blocks field returns 0ur our game. thekicklng Wepracticed punt

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care will the things take ofthernseLves then blg PLAN GAME

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your what oPPonent

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ill:lyil:i?:l',llixi{:r.,',i', :liil*,',.',:',,li:w;T,','-le opponefirli:liil:::tlil on havevour into"rmatio"nyouupcomins the

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28

WKffiffiBfEwreHgE
lineup, backups, goal the the lhepersonnelyou including starting the willface, your personnel,theplayers opponent's garne. kicking involved in ine and on which come the of personnel, especlally piayers into game The substitution punts, field goals, special or quick and r!n punts, kicks, goals, fake fake field p of pass plays;plus formation theinsertionany ayer and changes inoffensive yo!need key order tellyou type play willberun. of that to the to in personnel, positl0n, and down distance, and field Any tendencies information, receiver line and splits. 0f their players, theplays best and the The matchupkey 0f personnel,positions athletes. these standout used showcase t0 run pass Their effective most offensive and plays. you away you, you stop, what want take and to How willattack who must they Tr0m Inern. you you fol compile inforrnati0nneed allthe down Aiter breaking thefilm, sh0uld players. scouting The report willgive your to thescouting thatyou report need only things playels the to and information besimple read contain those sh0uld (see made of on to know scouting The report sarnple pp.167)is upmostly diagrams. plays, kicking sets, formations, backfield offensive theopponents game, t contains formatlon backfield and and sets The page contains and goaline its offense. first backs. team's and the numbers opposing receivers running At the of the iersey for motion.addition, isprovided In space of is for bottorn thepage a space covering your The has special needs bementioned personnelpage that to anything are by starting and backups. players listed position, lineup its The opponent's iersey is for onthe and Below lineupa space information the number, height, weight name, or q!arterbacks, and whether are they right-handed including theirjerseynumber best back, number the0pponent's rLinning best are left-handed. Als0listed byjersey player.Informationopponent's onthe and offensive receiver, lineman, best best game which the and as including foot kicker kicking islisted this on page well, punter with; names theholder, long the snapper. theupback and kick the of protecting punter;and foreveryone Diagrams punt, of the the thejersey numbers at the of are displayed bottorn thepage kickoff, field and goalforrnations diagrams opponent'sand of the run report The fewpages thescouting show next of "gaps," each isnamed ice, (e.9., play plays listed pass plays. running are by and The plays whetherbethree-step it by or The base, powed. passing areisted theaction, play-action, pass. pass orboot The routes given are drop, drop, seven-step rolout, cover those only or These and p ays run pass curl, searn,hitch) names {anow, dig,

ffi 29

plavs Vou often that wlllrnost seeTheopponentsgoallineoffenseisdiagramme report of onthe astpage thescoutLng yoJr need adjusl to to il s offense see you aI is I fne1exstep tolook Iheopponerl iewotnochanges w'll de'ense be basP to]oLr Vo.r ot ,netime, oui"Jrfrn.J. y0Lr prepa'e 0ase Io trrst idea a reo. ''l t\atil isalwavsgood re0u Keep mind best opponents run look you piay game. that, should atyour After the to deiense t0 you and pass stunts, coverageswillwant run fronts, to what and nlavs see ve o'al offens wedl'rpss ine;ead;ustnenls eamarked taking advaqlage lo are o rrcl p n qyor ,ir <eysitr - r alr onsAsar aldVoLslouldL' sl r l 'epl dy s Youw of all ora stunts, formations, covefages,combination three' defensive selecith-e play offensive When the stop particular to to in willneed use order ihatvou and 'orn10ll'isrisl, snould rtassinp aspossiole th owoutanv e ieFp Vou -lne yo-r 0n ng ce a nay ients that nave char ol caJs confus among p'ayers aoi.rs lltleJ oi resooTsrb Jnsure h's a to wanl 'ota player gointo game ait tnnqvor, 's dmong bed scussed alltnec0acles' lo w'sh ral'erusl fi'st Tne adtuitmenLs vou the to will that be must lnagreement theplayers beable comprehend evetyone and p an. p tl'e f avp qone ana1o scoLtirg yoo1 Before Qohon'eSLndav sl'0uld Ll'e vou l^d!e qdme-[iln tne sno' s:you d d'so o,rl to ,moiio'eni'.0 t'onoilq Io lle pldye -he0lepdled ol y0ll I lm p lo sl_ow voLr avers to cut oDDolerls ardready o vo-r y s game m atW ner ou l 'ow ' ol s r ol iT o o o o .e niit' ar is+o*n' oyo' r pldyels a plays offensive thepLaye(s the even format, if itsjust opponents in filrns agame I you see a ald 'n r,p oer cauot'i intre qane dor'r ways what wouldLelhenI o see y0' when brea( l'Illemore 't islime spert well ime a it tnouqntakes iner mlEuen pLays. of offensive down into;sequence thefilm plavs we were 0'ays of At t1F Col'egeDuoage.lhe wepreoared or'ythose .. with Westarted "A' to piays weneededstop those a ieeinq loiofand anticioated pass wele oJI wort ,nside Io "D gapThe p'ays dt theeld ol the oao olavs. ir-q r00k long nad players at We rhe 20-lilules wlich;dsapplor'male'y iioFotaDe, lhedi W e' e,t h i s i mbefor eeachpr ictice lhatwnpntheplaye' ssa w f'er enl play noton and onthe concentrate they by progression,would flay,ina gup gap went. how game the l0r ad withlwoor three uslmelts go'ng poss we Wlerever ble. l;^eo irlod gane qdme deoended Dldvers onour olawe p'ay o'lersive Wnatevei \eptn the eac\ el0r can comp AdiLslnents be the stano dd,uslmeTls ano aorlv roqra50 unde 'epl6ye'r''esporse adjuslneTls rhe praclice ol dur'nq ween lo oLr l;,ros dn Ihe ganeplan ewolleoon ga"1ep thr 0J g'l 0Lt W fir a' rodeter "1,r eou' helopd ce. ol week Pract theentire \ey we lhe nao we adiJsl'nentsmdde lo d0w'th wav woJrd iheoflerse Sorce ole 0t on0 65)lna ( ouole gafles 0can systen fouldn Iheolayooo( {0u'reyig

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pass we '-e offensive we players oive a key couldn't up lnfact, 0nce would us runn a with good ngback'1w0900d attack, that a a : ayed team had balanced when 0n get to '.c;lvers, a fine quarterback could theball them Sunday, who and a see we team, could thattheyhadhigh-powered of at ,.,e looked thefilm this in sit line team's offensive would back ts entire this noticed that We :ffense. also their weight over front out their would plays thelinemen have and on stance pass big, we a line really and had fewrnismatches ^and r!nplays. offensive was That on to our game, an For partlcular wemade adjustment keys' that front. r our defenslve rest tellthe ol the that a call would ends play, our 0neach wehad defensive make 0r stances keeplng back linemen sitting intheir were the whether offensive Jefense "birds" , thatmeant the ca a made the their out iher weight over hands.lf ends play for and in stances preparinga pass ll back their were linemen sitting oftensive were ng "pigs" that linemen lean lorward the call. meant offensive a made theends and stunts, of two play. a fora n oreparation running Wecaled cornbination fronts, and for {'b for ("pigs') one pass rds"l huddle-onerun inthe coveraqes defensive and cover like this:"Pigs,60 3,Mike l\'4eg something callsounded The deienslve ng accord lo rLn 'eao o:rds, cover Wewould t\e frolt stunlorcove'age 5.' slac( "pigs." oftense had chance We never a Their or the whatever callwas-"birds" defense. always theco[rect in were call, we such and the uslng "birds" "pigs" and had great players gotinto really The t0 forward implementing welooked something became resuits this ihat iyitem these gotsogood making cals at who We two every against opponent. had ends from block coming was side which thetrap other even they th-at could telleach "birds' theother thetrap block coming was side, (Wth "pigs" one and on on side side.) from "birds" the A]'ID WEEK PRACTICE GAME they on worked thetechniques the of during week practice, players At DuPage, our lorthat adjustments the make necessary could so to needed learn thatthey game during indivld!al, on overall plan They worked our opponett. also Saturday's i1 was qroLo. tean ce. tine. Monday At s pract h"lfthelime sperl ll^e and whilp previous film viewPd the0ldyers, rl e coaches qames was by l6s i16s519qm report the play. scouting and game and both highlighted proper unacceptableThe pract spent passed i0 theplayers. last of Mondayb cewas pl;nwere The half out as offense, we I as0!r our walk we whele would through 0pponent's onthefield, plan. game opponentfllm the watched prepared of our practice Tuesday.players the on Before and and dressed tapd, room already thefilm t0 come to were The DLavers reQuired prework was l5' a tirne field go onto they from there would oLlt thepractice 0ur We exercises blocked forstretching o!t the that0receded time minute oeriod and such as prework to improving skills comrnunication time devoted o!r usually " Flash This called Cards." drill weliked alignment. Consequently. tarunadrill

ffi
31

and linenen ollensive nals 'Looer welcome 'epreserling !e0 Jse iTvo rhe ol five ng card a flash dlsolay nold woulo Lp the of drill. Loacn At |nesolils. ll'eoutsPt tne e'd on backf setto lhesecord forrlal and olle u oi#a., of tn"oooo..nL's lsive In 0layerstnesecond 0laye secondary s Tl'e an0 t;..uackers o,ouJo'o't.nriue on ng ano nJddle align Il"emselves ing byo eal fronLhe *or,oth"n i:ouo 'espono and vetormat'0r o['ens bacls vers of'ensive inthe latr. ut ih. iuoo"' 'ec" Our defense and as selved theallgnment, the card. base on reflected theflash check a calls allthe quickly, making proper After q!ick line team detensive would up got We formation usually offensive for ready thenext we bvthecoaches, were that type on We formations.worked evely 0f folrnation we of 10 tilro!0h sets three be w0uld nosurprises thele that rnighisee; way, we movempnt'would qJe techn o alignmerl any lf o"r0ame ;nvolved redd 0'ar finally lhe al Il^e 'evel:and ll'e1al unit level; fitst 6n wor'r tnose aLtl^ei10ivid'a (as earlier, second"scout mentioned our team" our team level. During time, team When number' thesc0ut op nt's wear unit)would each pone jersey teamdetensive tearn see clearly theother s jerseys, players ldmore cou the those wore team fit into and all pelsonnel, how thatmovement patterns, use iheir 0f substltution their offense. scout the of undrstoodIole this t0 importantusthatalltheplayers very It was p'ayers lhalir knew me0'rr tedm Io we team whal leeded occompls'lotlrl'lgt ano that tean'esemble our have scout we p epdred our for oppone'lt mJsl order be to by helped film' e. as as opponentclosely posslbDuring thecoaches thatcause team from scout ouI to that pointing tendencies weneededsee out to and defense tried get15 in base we team on During tirne Tuesday,stayedour team wlth time unit. the 10 with first Dlavs our unt and with second Running team players a scout lor productive usngoffensive than playersmore s defensive and' are they dolng as in interestwhat tearn a on The olayers thescout have vested they When lunthe0fiensive prepale thegame for to are a result. determlned the Als0, offense when lirst ouropponents learning team thescout jsalso 0lavs. an it team presents unit of the takes place thesecond onthescout unii side theotfensive of theball from tosee 0pportunity theopponent but' as the pract wele same Tuesdays' wlththe Thursday's ices and Wednesday's to the and stunts, coverages team fronts, the time, added w; of team exceotion t'ne ganed"rinqgroup Wewalked ol Dass Also. t.me'sc,ipl weworkeo Il^e 19 0ra coverages-{l pass aga l1eoppone'lt) plays nsto-rdilferelt ar0 lnrouql^ ran we D0g 65 and t'irckelDogPrevent and Dog' deienses, * oiouir.nltoln tourtage Whenevel coverage forthe and allgnment assignment under the used same on coverage' we way, same posslble, keptihe personnel;that when worked one we coverages ) on also wewere working allof theman-to-man

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goalneunit.0n :r WednesdayThursday had and w team forour time ivednesdaycoaches rnake dec onwhat inand the would the sion is what outof is plan. practice short, wehad extended time. :hegame Friday's was afd an team plays lLrring tirne, matched 0ffensive to thedefefsive team we the adjustment we possrb .^/!uld y coufter thlnthegarne. tearn onFriday, came w After time we "sudden :!gether a tam q0through as to change." n suddef change,theplayers al on ine |\ilacDougaLloutto themiddl the called of !ot togethr theside ardCoach i e d,ofebyone, spec tearns, Qffns defense. coaches al a The both and would rake opport!nitycheck see evefything allsetasthedifferent thls t0 to if was ieams onto f e d and came the hrdd ed. n addition, offensive defenslve would intheir the and meet teams classrooms to p :ake shoit, a writtef onthegameanand test scout report. theend ng By 0f practice Friday, coaches p ayers wel prepardour 0n the and were for 0pponent GAME.WEEK PRACTICE (TUESDAY DAY THROUGH THURSDAY} 2 OO_TBEATI\,4ENT NG AND TAP (20 2 45-FLMS rninutes) Come c assroom to goto thepractice to ready lield. 3:15-PBEWOBK minutes) 115 (10 3130-TEAM STRETCHING AND F0Rl/l RUNNING mirutes) (5mifutes) 3140-THUD plays 0ffensive running against defense the20'yafd going Live from line the in. pted. blocking, thebacks nottackled.0ffense and are and defense isscr 3:45-INDIVIDUAL 115 PEB 0D mlnutes) Work fundamenta on s (15 4:00-UNW0RK minutes) T Work as ndrvrdual ng defensive (front, units linebackers, and secondaiy). 4:15-GR0UP (20minLrtes) W0RK Linebackers and secondary vs.0ffensive;tackles I on1; 7-on-7 and ends and pass vs. unit rush offefse. (15 4:35PUNT WoRK minutes) Puft returns blocks offense. and vs. 4:50-TEAN/I 125 T N/lE minutes) plays. Opponefts 5115-KICKING(10 GAIMErninutes) Fe d g0abl0cks kick0if vs.0ffense. afd NTS mlnutes) 5:25-SPR (10 Run offensive defensive Al offensive defensive ln and and linemen.2. units:1. quarterbacks, Lifebackers, ends, f!llbacks.3. Tailbacks, t ght and and secondary. M

33

BOX AND GAME PRESS MANAGEMENT

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opponent front your of 'or isprepa'ed you' ce of wee( pract You'team had When nave a qood vou -s 0[all preparatr0rI0 the nnnnnpnt worst The thin0 can vou do-0q heFls lh's 0l lle and lhe lo oiJ* ii.t' ovnott.ingp ;pared control olav lhemanaqenenL (21 andpe'sonnel sioelire ot ll)YoJr oame a codch. lace areas concern As vou tour

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dnd-altlclpale of ll'e p aYers to fhese s0ec,alteams need lorlow 0ldV thegame Ir0rI is vou' lears You' rhprr noino theqa"lp. special coac\ Lsually delenslve into 0 a step sarne oage nusl and to.rat t.uts coacl" plaYers beor tne .o*r'".it'". to willre'orr tnespecral il", :;;"it; ;;;;;;;;;o,dinu,o' gorng 'ptt "'ttans special before teams) of chart allthedifferent i.ur, ,o"if,t"r,oi,u.. depth onto field. the

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you well there points thegame in where must be :re5o-yard Asyou know, are line. game of these your 35e to send the into one special teams, depending onwhat .0ponent to do. can elects I recallgame a where used different we four specra leams defensesfour and on consecutive downs. ihedepth were charts allspecial for teams defenses posted thedefefsive and on week, practiced we the iearn's bulletin every board Tuesday. thegame During 'sudden change" substitution our with special and tearns defense. drd We this points. dLrr team byp!tting special play thescript different ng time a tearn in at We worked sudden on change our during two-minute which run dfill, is against the cifense simu theactiof would place twominutes inthe and ates that take with left game. kicking periods devotedspecial game 0ur were to teams, sudden and change practice. !,!as last the thing did thefield Fridays we on at player anequipment problemisinjured, theresponsibility f any has or it is of the player his resulting these and backupnotify coaches. substituti0ns to the The frorn problems p ayer equrpment orinjuries bea disaster, backup isnotprepared can rfthe gointo game. soon wefeltwehad game hand, started to the As as the in we to players fact, tried getour In to backups thegarne substit!te back!p our we rnto as player soon possible. thebackLip to beable gointo game a key as For to a in game part, situation perform a starter, willneed and as he experience. For their the p ayers are game t0 keep gear and their on therr who coming of the out are rninds on players have is who replaced 0n thegarne;itnow theirjob help backup to the them made,isimportant the it thefield. inmind when Keep that substitutions are that area coaches most theinput have of regarding isthestarter who t0 be who and is substituted thegame. must these into You give coaches responsibility the t0 make

' ra decision coordinator's, isthe heshould it onSunday, notongarie make and day

ihose declsions,they bewilling take theresponsibility. the and must to on Although

,'t'fen p ayers offthefield the came after opponent's an ofiensive thefirst series, :r'ng wouLd before we do, anything was have Dlaversseated the else, t0 the be on :enchat iarrighto{ tne thedelensiveside\ine Wehada\earingLharr. and the trontfour players ontheground f(ontof thebench, theends the sat in with on outside thetacklesthemiddle. linebackers thebench. the and in The saton and inside linebackers themiddle. secondary behind others, satin The stood the with thesafety themiddle. remaining in playets The defensive gathered those around point coaches talkto them who iust had come thefield. this off At the would about p their ayand adjustmentsgothrough opponent their play and the s series byplay. play evaluated tield 0urln! time, defense's was this the bythe coaches, coach the in thepress and players box. the themselves.inforrnation begathered This must quickly, y,and allavailable clear from sources. players beone your The wil of best provided have you sources, supplied with means communicating them a of thatis fast sirn0le. must decipher this and You then from information needs be what to

ffiffi 35

on what going out is You to opponent. need know of the to done alter successyour t onsadjuslnenls yelling s0lu oJi and coacnes playe's doni tnere:voJ nee0 youshot' ldfindoJ tw hatthdt ther sap' oblen loyou.lf e stu n l ;;o 'cover ages l' tl]e inIhis wi'l fix:l You besu'ccessful endeavor 'nl0rmal'0n s ard Droblem tnen to in ano crear, preserreovou a box iorlrrriu.r'0" rf" ptass isunde'standable, then way' yo! this information lf you not pieuuia.a, orOetryilanner are getting are 0Lame. t0 his dJling ga'ne' boi lne me lrienq A coachin0 olceasled Io work press fornrm l0 heneededhel0 of ll'e p h-e havingoblensgetIng type nl0rmati0n becarse was and press lsawsixcoaches twosets box Lgoi When to the mentsl adiust him make on' what was ali orting enti;garne ldid observe went The tle lii,l.Jpr'onrr. nqlle press worl coaLhes oe'ensive qane. tl"e ano lnIee schoo was oame a htqh | ""w coaLn and f'esnmal a sop\omore WhaL a ,rruiantano io, *.,t u uu:r',y and was thefield ineffective down that going to *u, tt ut it, infoitttion was bad maoe in;t oruvrt k'l'ngus,; Ihe'eleree a rear ca'l Weleedlo ,o"l"tno. down " thetipes ll'ings nealng calred Io tnel.eld, lwas ot ,"nCo*i, rnri, *", l 0l 0 AIter lhegam e'fi 'y l r l e40 b va n yo newnocoulogetthetielocoach' sattenllon press anymore' box inthe coaches to not he me was ooing lettheunder'level for t0 ltold he confusi0n him was blame theconluslon wiereiausing they because heneeded onthe instructi0n intormation given coaches he becausehadn't those box in of thenumberpeoplethepress twice with nothing is-wrong having Aciually, t0d0 a give of lono had-as asyou each them specificjob asmvfiiend Ln sLttlng were to as be box from Your information thepress must asclear you if you what your coaches you You to of a video theplay. need teJl watching room thefilm the are to see play able so need hear thatvou to bor ir tnat of a sel At DuPaqe.lhad order 'nlormatior lhec0acn lheoress woJld l eeded r ne bitofInr or matiron I0 dur ir ar 'e l a vto - m eoefor e g dalter Il^e0lay{ ir sl to Ne^tlwanted lire, the yaro ano hash the the tion neaiwas pos ofineball. followeobVtnespecficsoftheof{ens es stance and oown thed th e ^ n o w ,tsbackfreld and description play t0lhe referring Wl'en oftne formarion, seL a drd B'gnl efl side the *ortd0elrom ollensive o' lnebalr' tL" o,rv, u'r*po,nt The of lrom s'der'ne area Ihe lield at as tO *o'l'otato"" rop ootiom rlooked tne t0 lwanted hear gaps nefi lalth;ng l or by woJld relayed strong weak be the0rav a1 15 comnentary Tne lf corme'lt.necessarv 'ollowing was 0a:n a short the and "Ball lhe25,l'ash at on box in press tlom near d c0ach Il"e whal e^ampteif 'woulo sprrt thetop lear g0l'eacned lhetackle slro'lg lst brLe to tnebottom, alo10, in the to in to Ineededhear order see play myrnind was what This messaqe a play to istrying describe t0 you when someone iJvery tanquage important 0utcKtv.

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--e press coaches forf0rmation substitution patterns, they and and also box ook up verify With help. better to pick and able , - arttheoffense. their weare issubstituting the into onthe of the :.fdencies. Furthermore, basis who opponent press can thecoordinator field box tell onthe what the inthe ;.ne,thecoaches the team in r'lensive formation isgoing be-before offensive iseven itshuddle. to :: DuPage.charted offensive running passing during game. and attack the we the -r rufchart really jersey of who is simple easy keep:The numbertheback and to play down :,rried ball written a space breaks therunning by the is in that gaps. pass is simple. referredit as We to and sirongside weakside The chart also "shot shot it was from coaches.0ur :re chart," because borrowed thebasketball provided thechart below to of passing withspace zones, :iartwas diagramour a play !sed. When pass thrown a a was to ,.rrite thetype pass thatwas n of -eceiver, iersey point at the the numberthereceiver recorded approximate in of was jersey numbet circledthereceiver was if caught pass. the ihezone thechart. on The :rom series of these charts, were to geta series-by tendencythe we able gap plays, to ball was strongsideweakside running which carrier runningwhich and gap, where quarterback to throw to which and receiver. and the ikes plays running and our top or Before game, d diagram opponents six seven each lwou pass plays pass playsthen of list, the noted one on I made copies this with two play fumbered. Ied our I ca this the plays theother, each was on and s deand run "qu st,"whichwou ater a whenever neededverily to ck I d refer duringgame, to play our thepress coach. box nstead a of an with ordrscussoffensive by opponent the in box schemea pass or route, c0ach thepress engthy description blocking ofa "quick Thanks this list." to meafs simply me numberthep ay0nour tell the of c0uld points. the What from of communication, now thegame twovantage I could see guessing and game, we a to our was offense doing attack defense nolonger was onour ofall resources everybody staff. and were earningtake to advantage our o!r would off and the Wegotto thepoint where players come thefield give pict!re what the series a clear of went during previous of offensive on coaches plays. players able verify type play was and that run understand were to the 0f The gap play and carried what the hit who how was it beingocked. also b They knew The between or ran type pass of route. communication the theball who what you pictule what willgive a clear 0f sideline coaches, press and p ayers the box, the success inrnoving ball, the the When was ishappening. theoffense having effective. The the and adjustments weused always simplest most were prepared we and adiustments based theinformationreceived were were of schemes, plays. p ayers orpass The to at blocking countersanattack thegap, that were asked about was and honored they realized input important were their play. !nderstood rtisimportantknow theoffense s that to how their They y0u. arracKrng

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31

players more because sawthesameielseynumbers,lin The were confident, they plaYs they practiced during against splits, formati0ns, and sets, ofiensive that had the they stop s00n the week. players coaches believed could anything The and prepared alreadY we we see might at because could it, and were offense ihrow us, for it.

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38

Tackling, Tiapping Ball. the Footwork, Drills and Interception

ike about and things Too often. ascoaches judgments youngsterssay we make "The canltackle," at thesame, have neglected to teach how him to while we kid be from better but tack Your can e. tearn become at tackling, t rnust taught the ground from to up-and start finish. tack 'm reminded 0f this time think teaching ing, always Every I either orta k about particular wehad theCollegeDuPage. kid one those player This was of at of one athlete who but somehow rnanaged overachievers nota great who was undersized great a position calsfor that He a outside linebackef, to beat athletes. playedweak as t, Tim not a a good open-fie d tackler. a freshman, could maketackle; a resu As playing The season, Tim a sophomore, we when was time. next hedid getmuch not the sophornore at position. Becausewas only he found wewere deep his that four group position,was about time started the we runninq thefirst with at his he going bea long practice. telling other to defensive coaches it was that I recall the position. our After fifst year wehad start at theSara to Tim linebacker if his hadn't any unit scrimmage. Tim thefourth because tackling shown I moved t0 Tim if talk He of After signs improvement. practice, askedhecould withrne. wanted job I told the three what had doto gethis he to starting back. Tim other to kn0w p ayers bigger faster hewas. they neededimprove to their and than Although were for to up to them lo0k. Tim inorder him move a I told that tackling, going give I was that a better tackler. next weeks, kid The few chart, had become he to onthedepth in DLrring drills, those we a be drove nuts. me When ran drll,hewould thefirst line. getfour. I would Tim somehow lf wou if everyone d gettworepetitions,would go to of and techniq!e,would back thefront the ine doit he correct onhis Tim practice a certain with and on ski see working him before after again.lwould problems. hard Tim his ing having Through work, improvedtack and which was he intime season opener. our Sara once again became starting linebacker-just forour game. our meeting, I one the I reca of our at coaches The Sunday before fourth "lf gets mid we in When coaches saying, Tim hurt, are trouble.' wereached season, the tack but als0 notonly Tim was making openJield es, hewas knocking ball carrier his on back. playing a team had wide that a of season, were we Inour game theregular last a This was having who an asa receiver was All-Americanfreshman. athlete also

ffiW
great year was in and returns. the s0phornore and leading rati0n kickoff punt our A I'American. int0 game. team Going the hewould repeat an as Undoubtedly, aligned, was Tim responsible his both Because way of the their tearn and were 9-0. tried receiver. qua(erback to getthe Their fortheflatto theside this of stand0!t and with routes, flanker screens. slants. bai into hands this the of feceiver hitch y six game.31-6,thisA l-American managedon Wewound w nning up the and catches 15 for yards. determ to doit ned Tim n0t nor he He N0w, was a great athlete, was fast. wasjust s The of right was to hurnba great and able e athlete. mofal thestory thatany player betaught bea good can t0 tackler. 23years ng, The imp0rtant 've earnedmy years coach including in 30 0f m0st thing isthat team and can 0f asthedefensive co0rdinator CollegeDuPage, your at th frorn ground Tackling betaught the must must taught to tack asa team. be how e your When vidual, and up.lt must taught three also be on levels-ind unit, team. plan t0 t0gether take defenseattacking baI carrier a team afdworking is the with you'r it an of options away 0f theballcarrier's bytheafgles approach, making all game: the eleven one s after guy the with ball. 0n evefybody ab0ut tackling, has wr After reading isteningrn0st what been ttenorsaid and to 0f 'vec0me theconclus thatthere some of conspiracy onin qoing kind on s to defensive lies thatm0st f00tball. origln this The conspiracyinthefact defensive 0f My for offefsive linemen. basis this coaches, included,old, myself are frustrated presumption s milarities to how lnemen taught move are isthe between 0ffenslve about g00d ing weneed think to what considered tack form. coaches, is As and "0roDer" and ale t0 form what athletes able do 0ur what exactlv c0nslder we physical y What sometirnes proper que actually a be is considerd techn can which the dscr mechanics forexample, fo lowing ption, Take. contradlction of bOdy f0r Keep shoulder-width isgenerally considered entadvice tacklersi feet exce put helmet the on the apart, sh0rt take steps, through ballcarrier,your drive you with arms.1f l00k up football, yo!rhead and keep up, wrap theballcarrier Your y do actual must in about a tackler what closely this at statement. then afd think lng flaws this in tack I'm you order take t0 down ball a carrier. sure wi I find make I've a the technique.I've at a lot0f fl m,and 0r y time seen player a oOked has when back the apan" been tackle a posit of "feet from 0n shouldr'width has p ace theback 90. n0 f0r to lJnder was run thetopof thetackler thre no over or and lo to the circurnstancestacklerose fulLspeed balcarrier come a can a c at mak p0sition h s "feet apart"just before n! contact with shoulder'width balanced to a balanced For runningfullspeed assume at withtheball carrier. a tackler stopposltion h s feetthat to first with distanc hemust come a complete apart, carrler, fedirect theball to For to and his with wei!ht h s heels. thetackler then 0n his on heels. and keepingweight hls hemust sowhile do stationary, while

Kffi

40

wffiwwwffiffi!
'::: athetes want dotheright t0 thing, they so cornpromisetackling if their form . r.'to adhre theaccepted to tackling techfique:They to a baanced come yards withfeet shou width der apart, ormore five away theball from -: : cn, :: er sothey haveme react getstarted can t to and moving Have ever again. you players on :..- ofeof your defensive c ose a ball erinanopen and carr area corne ': : baanced positr0n 0rmore yards theball, five from waiting thebaI carfier for t0 -:(e his move? abo!t The Thrnk it. running has back been chosen play to his of ability beat : - i I or becausehis to defenders pos Why theball inthis tion. give :: ' erthe0D0ortunitv thefirst to make move? .rel]olege DuPage,told players if wesee of we our that them breaking down .- ,'afds thebaI carrier, are ffom they comifg of thegame also them oLrt We told -:: as ong they forcing baI carrier redirect, missed as are the to the tackle nota is :-plete loss When tacklercomin! ona good e,themissed e the is hard ai'tg tack :. ngto f0rce bail the carrier s0meone {eleven nto e se agaifst The 0ne) proper .,r to teach tacklersto instruct to alwaysose thebalat ful youl is them c to ::edonone three of angles-the outside shoulder. up, theback p of the head or h : carr Which of these points tack willuse ef. one aim the er dependshis on angle ' approach thepath ball and the carfier takes tackler adjust angle The must his on -. baI carrier therun as devel0ps.aim His point, example, change back for can frorn a tooutside shoulder. hen tack takes aim a er an point, takes he away ballcarr optiofs the er's and -:rces to makedecis usua before runner d like Just him a 0n, ly the wou t0. before -. makes contact theba cafr thetack tdles with er, er down his under with feet s hips then and drOps hips lf heisgoing his as tojump. ana we iked lse The ogy to playersof a wide '. thour is receiver making a pass route who c!t idles down by :r nging ieettogether droppinghips. his and his When receiver the redirects. his is stp, his welght shifted is forward. tackler ' rststep a power and body The :herefore take path, fu I speed, thebalcarrier, willlorce m should a at to which h :o erther ntothetack orchange direction. thetackler Tun er his When feaches the point ile-down (wthin yards thebaI carrier), tackler two of the should his drop n ps, squeeze knees hs point, tacklef togethef, stagger feet. this and his At the shou either d explode theball nto carlier redirecttheballcarrier power 0r to with quickand y powerfully. and speed. this Using tackling thetackler react form, can He has reduced numberoptiofs thebaI carrier. must also the of f0r who either into run thetackler fedirectthedirection tack isforc hirn order avo the or in the er nq tn t0 d tackler Weemphasized this type footwork tackling taking blocks theopen. of for and on if proper 0ur footwork worked teaching athlete drills on the the footwork in used tack idling ing, down. stepping theba carrier. wedriled our and into When on footwork, told players "sq!eeze drop hips, get ittlefeet" we our to knees, the and (i.e., your together use keep feet ard short steps). used We tackling trap-theand

ffiffi
41

angle, carrier, theproper taking t0 to work closing theball on ball driils designed technrque. contact point, and the getting theidle-down redirecting,!sing proper to situation, orcombined skills dav, on Everv wewotked these inanindividual drill depending onwhich weused. up0n good for to what considefed techniquea tackler use is I a sofind fault with helmet theball on you to When tella tackler p!t his with carrier. impact theball . al diving a a arms, brings mind swimmer into poo After , it to and wrap withhis up he blocker,uses carrier takes anoffensive or 0n strikes when defender theball a we on techniq!e, are again. wework 0ne when simi body ar mechanics.once 0n worklng botn. theil a carrier, upper-body that they to Weused tellour 0lavers when tackleball pointing punch, their down with elbows should a two'handed movement resemble the carrier's between ball make shoulder should conlact The front of their oart Dad the and up under should lowto high then and corne numbers. tackler's The helmet through should punch then ball side. tackler The shoulder tothe baI carrier's oad (i.e, wilhhis of andgrab back theopponentsiersey hands grab the with arms his 2 should thebig inhisleft have number thetackler is27, cloth).theball lf carrier's the carrier, should through ball run Next, tackler the and 7 right. hand thebig inhis problems their athletes iskeeping head have 0ne using steps of thebiggest short the pads. want them knock ball to getting theball carrier's Wedon't upwhile under him up drive the carrier and them carrier backwards. need to doispop ball Allwe 0acKWar0s. ot to the be for that Wealwavs 0!rplayers it sho!ld easy them grasp concept t0ld "pop Allthey to doisunderstand it is that have making ball the carrier up." goal. w0uld the use that We accomplishes f0rce leverage-not orstrength-that up: carrier pop lf to lt out simpleisto gettheball following analogypoint how to you plate ying down thefloor, will on you to pick a 45-pound that's face !p try lift getting fingers yo!r Lrnderneath it and lt up it to grip great efcounter difficulty yo! underneath can it !p withony two it,you pop to fingers 0nce managegetyour so can is the the fingers. key lifting plate to getunder surface you take The to advantage of leverage. Therefore, if point thatwithout are leverage, and f0rce stlength notfactors. The is on that going besuccessful, strike ballcarriera line the hernust is to thetackler him. to pads travels and up through In0rder shoulder and r!nsunder ball the carrier's gain advantage,tackier drop hips, a front"foot-to-back'foot using the the must his the ievells below feet.once helmet his squeezeknees, getlittle his and stagger, pads, tackier then his shoulder to "pop pads can use own ball carrier's shoulder the goes between numbers, the strikes ball the carrier u0" ball the carrier. tackler lf the pads, rnoves to high, wi I low he and the shoulder and under upthfough runner's

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all don't low carrier backwards.carriers IUn totheground the Ball r! theball on they r iike tackler. must lower body contact-but dosobY their the they will the Becausebends his and he at hips knees, tackler :.ndrng thewaist. at power theball carrier. scenario. l0wman Inthis the more than :enerate striking .,rns. lf you want make your you to sure tackler always lowman, must him is the drill on theproper technique, teaching through him a progressi0nbegins footwork that with and ends trapping ballas team. with the a FOOTWORK DRIILS n this rstfootwork theplayer f should over topofeach keeping step the bag, drill, his together both down fet feet moving to thenext Keeping on bag. his and before player hips his should down, shouldefs his his over hips, his under hips, and feet the refrain hopping. from

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keeping feet his together. He Inthis theplayer drill, should sidestep shuffle, and He also up and o!t, his should explodet0 midpoint back keepingleettight. should and feet his keep hips his down, sh0ulders his his 0ver hips, his under hips.

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43

?i::1 ,t:n down i#:;J:fl:'H :l:'ji,l:"'J:iiIiJil[f; i,.xill;:liil ro\eep sh'os hisshour'ers ,T:JI;'.j nps ove'nis ard i;: tl;i,;;;:;;;k;;ure
his feet his under hiPs

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CONE

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COACH

ORIttS TACKLIiIG

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Wake-up The carrier thetackler upbyfacing other bal and set each inside five-yard the positiored front one of cone, thetackler and is triangle. ball The carrier is in "hit," ball command between other cones. thecoach's the two 0n of the oositioned edge of in of carrier should toward inside of one thetwocones front him. fun the oi The carrier ball should sure give tacklerl0wtarget. themovement be to the a 0n the carrier, driving his for outside theball carrier, tackler the should attack ball that covered inthis earlier shoulder. tackler should thetechnique was use {The drive off outside and foot square hips his to chapter.) tackler The should hard of his tackler should puttheball not carrier down. theball carrier. The

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#38

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THE TRAPPIl'IG BAtL pursuit thefootball, great to players they need that tell when coaches their 0ften. The to getto thefootball word method them thev teachinq thelast'resort are "followIing] effort oveftake an to part}as n "puisuit"defiriedthedictionary in {in is great pursult ls team a defensive thathas definition, ng chase..." Accord to this and than istrueRather the Actually' opposite rone. inio ballcarriets theend chasing the your to and pursuit, should teaching p ayers trap contain bal you be teach carrier. and carrier angle theball to a be should to take direct for first The step thetackler of three at be should aimed one The at close angle fullspeed. angle that then ba'l angle approach tolheball:the tack,e"s onthe which ooints. willdeoend back I carrier\ hipT\et"c'lershould orthe head-Lp. ba sho,rlde', outside carrie''s or rect run the hirn forcing t0 either lnto tackler red q!ickly theball carrier, on close right straight, 0rleft options: carrier ony three has you it, about a ball When think on to work thetackler' an give ball carrler opportunity should not the The ta;kler Thefefore, to to carrler react thetackler' force should theball the Instead. tackler carrier's away of theball two that take should anangle willtake thetackler should at theo!tside run the from closing theoutside, tackler options. When of lf choice limiting oi the siroulder ballcarrier, therunner's to theinside one the and willbetrapped thebali apprOach. carrier teammates thesame takes tackler's i1n nothalil l\eY lhey wo'l Loqel\el keep should Defelsive c0nlarned. 0lavers

angle the by carrier's options using proper of approach awav of theball all .antake withtheball These isafter one-everyone theguy against it's 0ndefense, eleven However, important it is players to trap ball the carrier. how lrllls teach will playersemploy tackling the to their to for the ihrouohoutdrills coachesremind lear']ed the d'ill: flom tacklilg they techn:que or the a and at run should forward fullspeed makecutto either right The carrier ball an taking outsideat close should ontheballca(ier fullspeed theleft. tackler The should his the carrier makes cut, tackler angle. theball When sho!lder-approach his extend heshould theballcarrier, reaches When adjust hecloses. thetackler as him keeping at armtlength. calrier, of hands int0 oads theball uD the

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drop make should a pass all of the 0nthecommand coach. ofthetacklers points coach the )The row linemen do {Defensive should a hip inthedirection coach 0r to break theoutside g0 then who should either the to willhand ball theback, using angLes together, good work should inside. tacklels The outside cutback and the to trap ball.
oubide shoulder hesd-up out3ide shoulder
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DSItTS TRAP.THE-BAtt inthe that discussed drills the skills techniques were These involve same and At side then other. the section tackling The are onone and the on drills. drills run will a and will the of drills, coach signal snap, everyone makepass the start the outside who bo will the drop. coach hand ballto theballcarrier, should bteaking The should up and back. secondary thelinebackers break ontheball orcutting The and The technique angles. secondary thelinebackers and carrier, theproper using should and hip}. coach shoulder, head-up, back The work must together {outside tunning one also the run drillwith position a stunt.
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works theback-side 0n that This isthesame theprevious , except it also drill as dril The from drill. an0les. defense also stunts this can run

The tackle the and These can run drills be withthetackles theends. front'side and from back The the side. rush to and trap end should pass thecone then theball the The take toward ball. tackle back-side and end tackle the should twosteps end that The should to theball close down line scrimmage.back'side ensures the 0f to a angle theball. crosses line scrimmagethen the of and takescutoff theball

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51

TRAP-THE-BAtL TEAM

= Rubb.rdmr ors for ofidn.

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lhe of Irapoilg ball putpose lhis I isto teach fundanentals the dri ot Trep i.narv pos g ledlo spec player liorss0 l'c should I carrieTa team.necoaches beass as have once carrier' theplayers an to and for they check aljgnment angles theball can into other can the ot the-drill, coach;s incorporate teaching thedrill' und'erstandino and adiustments. stunts, assignment, alignment, lncluding the which doofmats represent offensive five incLudes rubber setup thedrill for The on placed yards theball thenumbers fr0m 12 are Four linemen their and splits. cones and llnebackers up teamwillbemade of thesecond'unit The hashes. "scout and hew'l' where in tean rhe w.l Tne seconda.y.coach bring scout Iogelnera hLqqle , er' of lhe lo l, tl^e matior' directiontheballcarr and se tne te I thepiayers back'rel0 and from tearn breaks thehuddle a Lgns the run they thecone should t0.After scout proper t0 of check thedefenseensure a will the ontheball, coaches makequick off and the is step thedirection ball going hand theball in will The alionment. coach ol to break theoutside the always should The carrier carrier. ball toiheball be sh0uld funnlng cone ball and to defens formation run thea$signed The carrier ve players as his speed then at three-quarters and increasespeed thedefensive and of the thernovement coach theplayers'key to the accustomed drlll.0n bec0me and the iront ends, tackles The react should to theplay. defensive {the thedefense "buzzes ball,'' we When the and side t0 the carriel's seat-rolls thelinebackers) ball 0n hafd to them close to thebalcarrler we players "buiz ball," want the to tellour 1i-1 toucl'irg T\p actLally limwill"out to close thev so a orooeiarqlerl^at cone ll llo tl^e atrac\ lireof scrrnmageseat-ro i,iniio the'back o-tie p avsl^oulo sioe

W
-neend thetackle of collect, then and sh0uld theline scrimrnage. and close cross should the -ard theball a good on angle. twolinebackers attack I neof The to angle. thecoach 0n s then close to theball a good hard on scr mmage, collect, and novement, secondary take three'step and drop react theball to the should lts hard on angle. :arrier. cl0sing to theball a go0d AND KICKS INTERCEPTIOI{S, FUMBtES, BIOCKEO RETURNS, (1) onwhich score: aninterception, to a has opportunities {2) -hedefense four (3) and a return.has lt been thatclose said kick 'umble, a blocked orD!nt, {4) punt garne tield games determined kicking and position. the are bythe Certainly, defense good every to oifense a in on chance score, at least putitsown to 0r wants make to "wall" positlonscore. to score occurs, willseta we return to When opportunity an wall sideline is sideline. reason want $etour to theclosest The we t0 to thec osest p somewhere between hashes. the rnaking after every down, ballis aced the that players. the When ot concentratr0n 0f offensive this thesite thebiggest area it to team a offensive becomes defensive duringplay, has fanoutand team the we to and the 0n wall cover field. our returns, want setthewaI quickly t0 thepoint players. turnovers, es, 0n fumb of offensive farthest from concentration away the a set on nterceptions. and blocked wewiLl thewall thefly.Wewillmake kicks, "bingo" to theclosest "Bingo Everybody getto the should sideline, left." call After making "bingo" the call, call set numberstheside the"bingo" and a wall. of 0f ground doso. getto thewall, if hehas give 0nce the even to to thereturner must staying a yard bounds. about in he turn retufnerat thewall, should it upfield, is they bLock that blockinga return, cannot be0w 0n Players should inmind when keep "no isbetter anattempt than that behind. a thewaist from or Sometimes block" g0es wr0ng. ORIII I1{TERCEPTION

2nd gre.F l@rd.ry B.iE lb'.. fdrt hold rhi.Id!

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rc
and for At the The coach begins drillbysignaling thesnap. thatpoint, secondary the make pass-tush ona a move thelinebackers a 0ass make drop. frontshould The player The will bag holding a shield rush anupright 0ra cone. coach then and to Whoever ora from throw ballto one thelinebackers player thesecondary. the of and sideline then makes interception make "bing0" to thenearest the should the call should the take and the run return thesideline. linebackers secondary the up The (i.e., and upfield. The holding shieldl lead the nearest receiver theball theplayer off The and and the should back'side linebackers secondary getacross upfield. front call nearest to the of should a wall thenumbers side the'bingo" (the form on point check theplayers that understand sideline). primary The coaching isto always alignment assignment. and

Read Drills
During first years theCollegeDuPage, my few at of I emulated coaches most bV !sing isthatwou isolate dri d certatn and skills techniques. weran When drills that were garne-day designed to improve performance, lexpected players display rny to a game-like intensity 0ur read became drills a game, theplayers thecoaches always and and were !oking a winner. drills for Bead became scrimmage, thedrills like and if didn't reach :he desired intensity. coaches d reprimand players. wesoon the wou As discovered, i/ewere working winning and onlearning to win.n other on drills not how words, players respondtheoffense's wewere teaching defensive t0 not our to rnovernent. \"4y mistake confusing was a player's emotional physical and response drill to a with teaching a player to responda game how to situation. Defensive footballa garne reactionanoffensive is of to stim!lus. Beaction be mLst taught through repetition. a time, y After athletes I quickand wi approprlately feact, they as become familiar thestimulus more with through repetition. we When realized mistake, changed approach our we ouf to practice drills. made a and We it pornt never theplayer the to eave in dark what were on we trying accomp by to ish Co thedril. Before drill, coach through purpose, pace, ng each the went the the and theexpected outcorne drillWhen decidedteach certain , we of the we to a skil sought identify isolate particular ortechniq!e. used drill to and that skill We a which ated repeated skill0nce skilwas is0 and that the mastered,exparded we onand developeddrills incorpofate skills. the to other purposeread isto teach The of drills speed reactingmovement, as in to asweil players locate recognition of offensive schemes enab thedefensive that es to the bal. Weare working getting blocks tackling ba carrier. drills not on off or the The start srmple isolating I segrnents total ay. drills lmited out p The by sma of the are plays, these tojust fewoffensive and a plays possib aregiven aname. When e, neither nor quarterback during drills. a ball a isused the Those omissions two player enable defensive to recognizeoffensive bythemovernent play the the of keys, backfieactron, theblocking the players d and schemes. offensive More and plays added thedrill thedefense are progresses. to as The following Isshow d11 how teach 0lavers read react. we our to and

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55

DBltts 3-0N-2 A1{0 TACKTES EI{DS front coach read for eflective drills thedefensive The of drill This isone themost

ltis wavs quicknd:iliLTi ir'. in ,.n,un utirrt*v oifferent time :irl:t"tfl,i;, the the be through drillat same can run
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READ TIl{EBACKEB DiItI.S plactices the and,in two'a-day daY every during need two These drills lo betun

Jli :lH[lf the J:ilili:i:llfi tolocate ballbY lo keys :ill:ti] r^t'o.iitttshouldable li:::tliffireaclingtheir"", be lr .'i"rifi. "iillH]ll3"llil,:li'
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SM = tight etrd MK = center MG = fullbrck SR = t ilbrck

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MK

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BEAD TRONT LINEBACKER DRILLS DEFENSIVE AND coach and front a that both defefsive coach a linebacker a thls For drill, team has i ide li'leb"Ll'p s c"r 'ne ard p s i, totwogroup) rac,res lne ."n 59f;1 -p 'np aye or opriol s ano er ;; k;;i;;de r:r'e.ds I neo-ti rleltrebac"e Ll'e oscar vvorL tojoin linebacker the isfor possibility theoutslde unli* il'd" the oeie "iat.,lnoti,., oeep agewhtetne l'ivelrolI dnd rlont uoue ,*o lri".or' , io *. . o. -".our*rlt he o'1a\l1o al'o rl-e ihe coa(; nas o0t'or *o'i o'ttu', a 'eads The drill which only in on reads together run *otting intuu,rr, unoi-n, onleads' 0n works opt is utillzedthedrillthat ora quarterbackballis INSIDELINEBACKER& TACKLES
FB zone Q-

FB trap Q-

rce

MK

MG

MK

MG

OUTSIDI LTNEBACKER & EI\DS b{3 optiotr

lerd option

i(D------>

<--Oi(F

pe
SE
Wheo running thb drill t|rn one side,theDthe otber. SR

SE SM

power

ww
60

I'TENSIVE AND FRONT I.INEBACKER DRITLS READ ICONTI

I\ISIDE LII\EBACKER & f,RONT

q*r

)Qpg -wE
Lr lRr
FRONT& LINEBACKER blse f----->

srsM LLry'

qq q9

-$13,7

READ RUil/PASS DRlttS SEC0l'IDARY read for the should through linemen a run/pass as in The Dlaversthesecondary read pickup the should plav the Asrhe developi secondarY t";;";;iil;it';;;;;0.. lnrs then t0 plaY and action, the'eceivets react tne backlield and the 0uaiterback. inthe als0ehrly p'acticesand tw0-a-day l"iiir'oulo o"tt *"voavduring seas0n.
I - nbb.. m.i! otlodrc lilcncr a = onciliv. i!cld.! O = b.ck! .ld r...irtr!

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stcot{DABY 0UTSt0E A1{D u1{EBACt(ERS READ RUl{/PASS llRlttS

-" s drill especially to a coach isworking his who on team's two-deep is helpful :nerage reads. drill and The worts alignment, on spacing, technique, funnel and -.n/pass reads. drillcan berun The also using inside the linebacl(ers.
E - Ebh.rD ! ofi.Biv. lir.D.n

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Playbook
Do the litt/e Thingsnight, and the Rt? rhhgs Wnt aake Care of rhemsetyes

TEAM GOALS . . . . . Make playotfs the Win conference the championship Play a bowlgame in WintheBegion championship lV Win nationalchampionship the

DEFEItISIVE GOATS TEAM . Our defense notallow opponent must any to complete pass an"easy" a long for t0uchd0wn.

0urdefense notallow opponentmakerun over yards. must any to a of 20 0urdefense notallow opponentscore wayof therun must the to by from withjn 1o-yard our line. our defense hold opponent 240 must the tounder yards total of offense. our defense hold opponent 60offensive (punts must our plays tounder not included). 0ur defense interceptleastpass every thrown. must at l for 10 0ur yards returns interceptions defense average must 10 punts. on of and per 0urdefense hold opponentless 15 must our to than yards kickoff return. our defense either orturn ball toour must score the over offense the inside opponent's line. 25-yard 0urdefense forcethe must opponent tofumble threetimes. 0urdefense produceplays negative must yardage. six of 0ur defense hold opponent points less. must our to'10 or

ffi 65

P0slTl0l{S DEtEl'lSlvE

STRONG SIDE

"n*"o*.'*"6o"
sE Siih'" Lr
STRONGEND LEFTTACKLE SAM LB

o"^o"'o.'o"" X
WEAKSIDE

Rr
MG
MX,CLB

WE
SR
SARALB HB RIGtrl
IIALFBACK

RIGHT TACKLE WEAKEND

MK HB
LEFT HALFBACK MTKE LB

s
SAFETY

CAtt AltlD STREiIGTH C0t0R are tight call the will CaiirWe make strength t0 theotfensive endlf there Strenofh our scouting on will end, iiorri*oi t to tight ihestrength depend "iih.it*r our planand game report

oo3&3o.
"STRONG RIGITTI'
Thecolorcall callis the callafter strength made a c0lor willmake CallWe Coior side to made thetwo'receiver willbe

'o3R3oo

HUDDTE EfEI{SIVE

BALL

MK SE LT SM RT WE H B SSRM G H B
off two the will The linebacker folm huddle yards theball Sam on hands thelr up their their plavers thefrontrowwillkeep heads and in 2 The hands with straight. their up row in the kneesi playerstheback willstand back. behind their call give the will linebacker make defensive and thebreak' Mike 3. The '

BALL

MK LT SM RT SE SR WE MG HB
After break: the side knee will tackles goto one ontheir of theball t. The area willgo secondary to itsnormal ofthelield 2. The the in ends defensive willmove behind tackles. 3. The huddle at be should looking theoffensive 4. Everyone huddle' break the receivers from offensive and the 5. When tightend theother call. the will and Sam l\,4ike give strength give and linebacker thesecondary as sprints 6. Everyone to hisalignmenttheSara call. color their

HB

COMMUNICATION talk ng not catl0n, of we When speak commun weare relerf to thetfash 0rthe gets irlo qel l'"1sel!es W'e d p avpr caJgll.Jp-i1 5on-e ver conleslS p alFrs oal rlJ dl lneell dr l ' l"poe1- dr do tfe .r ar eD o0 d ve r0 aloaLtewi' oppo- e11. ' ngs t0 the t0 what from player's changes d0ing it taks getthebaI back focus The (2)The spent tl'le by player getting w thsorneone. time even offense, to be l'orn I ne le s'ould spedrrg lLe oel witr uricairq n s oppolprl acts comn r ou\ c omesons pi l o be bal l3l w cat,ni \ "i, tpanl"les ATv' e co lFsl co n -r-r end t the to ca s, any theofficia and close I isgoirg goagainst player'-Thefesu s pe0ple and DoN'T PERF0RIV. lNF0Bl\'4. 0ut s that playef c0mlng of thegam the quicker. much wl I getthpolnt both the durjng game' 0n at anotheralltimes cate Plavers c0mmun withone must irnportant lt other' lsvery each to They be and thelield. must able understand off When language a playet thesame use understand and coaches pLayers and that and formatl0n a picture anoffensive "blue 0f a or ri0ht" "tear,"rnental heafs play, the durlng offenslve thewh0le Belore scheme appear. and should blocking , 0f wlll opponert depend a to 0urabillty wlnover superl0r communlcate. team rn'ust game 0r n whthera every with another.0n down, ab 0uf ltyto c0mmuficate one the inform players "calls" must rnad whlch be that thete c!rrent ina practice, are bilities asslgnmnts. respons and 0l theif before dur b that and isa F0llowing listof calls inforrnati0n must exchanged and ng a play: . . . . . . . the callto make linebackrs thestrength and CALL SAI\.4 M KE STRENGTH The " left lelt, tight end-"strong strong call make llnbacker thecolor t0 the and CAtL: SEC0NDARY SAFA COL0F The " left, 1eft sid-"blLr blu thetwo-feceiver and nebackersthe and theMIKE NIEG necessaty, SET CALL:lf BACKFIELD ace set the wlll SAFETY make backlleld call-'ace' call make and inebacker theSECONDABYa motion M0TION The CALLi SARA mot golnmotion-"motlon 0n feceivefs orbacks e when ther offenslve to the ouI t0 CALL: COVEHAGE lf weneed change covefag current lL lll, check ace, the wl the formation, SAFETYI mak cal-"ace, check tne a stunt to we Those when need getoutof running tims FED CALLi " rd willmake LINEBACKEBS theca -"Ied, he player the CALL; a BUN/PASS When defensive reads play, willletveryOne pass pass call-"pass' eithr krowbymaking a r!nora

0r on grounoIn:i' a' -E sees the ls lf :.LL CALL:a player that ball either the l , e l , , t l m a ka b a lca l l -" b abla l l " of play-"reverse' the will out who . AnYone reads play yell thetype CALL: 'LAY ':vetse. routes crossing under running receivers see IINEBACKERS . iB0SS CALL:When cr0ss call-"cross' a they rurcoverage, willgive cross to routes theunder calls . i0UTE SECoNDABYouttherecelvelt CALL:The :overage-"Post, Post. the callto closest a we a pass' give "bingo' weintercept . BNG0 CALI:Anytlme left left ,o ,in ttt ,p a return-"bingo bingo .iA"fin, ". the incovering optron involved those every On . oPT10N BESPoNSIBILITY down. should responsibilitv letthe iave piav.iiwho anoption whatit isl know them ;round

optlon tt.ir responsrbilitvtxi;[illit^tiflii::i:l:i,. "l've ',rii.ri..tnotr," got#2 ' anc END, the tells STR0NG '-;;;;ii"it plavers

KEYS

Jff [0 l:; ; :ti o',^ti::lj::ii'#i[;Ji3iJll.'il':iifj'""",TT: ljj:::: att"t,heofrensF taken f rslsleoWeareable;:i'tll has 'ts ,a-Jlt,
of a plays using series leys we use orlri t"r.q.itionof offensive bY the and before during plav "i."rrir-r, krytl;d;termine the where ballissoins ;;ilfi;;;; what to in one need ortwokeys older kn0w we o. totioii.ntii,. pr"1rt, willonly rs. Iheplay with predictable their Offenses be AND F0FMATI0N ALIGNMENT: can very

w9 irr',r''.J.u*'",of*l1rtry,'-9il',ipJ:1,,'.1,1l'oo.'l,i,l?fililiii.,,,"n tendt ateams examples tendencies.Two of bafout thit" The

the and habit iiiiriir"jt ttl tit-pilio..ks their ofrunning

formation u.offensrve can roiuli'rrio'i,i*,ln fJl5il'il::;n llrti,TlX1

:T":i::^:ij:j'"fliil,i,,:X'i#li',lllllJ'," he,s -, wner n,,,rance so,ns,o ne " arigned whelever s isarwavs deepe' bacr ano ot purrlforl. prff, u tunninq who
tip that a yeitosee team didn't somethLng itti it g.itt. b.tt th.ve ot keys; the,foot the pre-snap (1) 0ne isgiven of three KEYS: position PRE-SNAP Each player defensive rs ;niu,luif;lziti'. r'trtet0ftheoffensive whom plaYer the block anY defeat immediate

Atthernovemenr the we dlineman willkey ball.for ijiiri tr,'.ti fir ii".overe the 0r to inthe directionmake plaY moving riqht in* irlp .i ir,riLtrr, "r ktvwillgetus

to we on this while are themove theball ACTIoN: BACKFIEI-D Wewillread key play give a run/oass and Ls and ot Ihe wrl' e Backl d action oeterm.nediteclion type read. ways there only Hun 0r BLOCKING SCHEMES: pass, are a fewdifterent theoffense the key can schemes bea good indetermining blocking a Therefore, can block play. player to a when defensive willable determine ofiensive ihere betimes Dlav. will being how byseeing he-is ldact iust up before picks thebackfie ion he theplay the and must The and bloiked bywhom. defense learn understandoffensive time a to is a cannot this, playergoing have hard playing d0 he blocking schemes;if 0ur 0elense. of what will the of The BAtiLEVEL: depth theballduring play indicate type play is theoffenserunning.

4 to 7 yards deeP= Pass

o o o X d"O*n="0n""
plaYer t0 the and be t0 keys The should used find ball getthedefensive movng t and & AIIGNMENT, PHE FoBMATION intwo groups: should thinkof thekeYs Plaveri and the is a idea These will providegood of where play going also-get keys SNAP ^ SCHEMES, ACTl0N, BL0CKING BACKFIEtD in moving iherightdjrection. thedefense stand cannot around our to the wijl and BAttLEVEL take defensetheball. players ontherlnl must looking theball-they read for

level one

a)

2 to 3 yards deep= run

AItID SETS, RECEIVER COI-OR, AtIGl{MEiIT SETS, BI/CKFIEID

BoNEOO

SE 9f HB

a oo8000
LT [K s

o o

RT {G

IYE SR Ha trcgr

IfE 8R HB

o oa oooaooa
LT flG RT fK a

6I SE

sTRoNcLEFT

oousn

srRoNcntcl{t

sLacx RIGFT

coDr____+a o
AE 9|| HB
STRONGLEFT

aooaooo
LT [K RI fc

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GOLD

wE SR

o o o ooEooo Rl
Lt fG IK

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STRONGRiGE:T

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8B

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BROWlr

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LT RT

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HB
STRONG RICIIT BROl},|{ LEFT

s
STRONG LEFT BLOE LEFT

O rrP
SE ST HB
DOU'LI BLTJE GREEN LEI'T

aooaooa
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[<t

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STRONC LEFT

(GO]{T'} Al{D SETS, RECEIVEB COTOR' ALIGIIMEIIT BAGKFIETDSETS,

AcE O

ACE

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RT 5E 6ll rt(

a
HB

WE LI [c SR

ooEOO

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3E sf

. HB

ooo' 8oo '

rlE sR LT rc

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HB

RT fK

sTRONGllcEl

ItouBl',tBROWN

SIRONG TIGS:T

DOtJBLf, TAN

-o
AR " Es?o3"Ro*t fG XK BB
STRONCLEFT BLUA/BROWN

ta
HB

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sR rlc

*ogB Pro ugf . o rx

HB .TIIPS

lor T'r Tnt' r.. .Igttdt ('dt dd tb.l o! rr! h'r'

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STRONOBIGITI

DROlvN LEFT

'.oo8ooo' wE-Rr lr se si
TK XG HB

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9x tlE
STRONGIIFT

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flG
BLUETRIPS LEFT

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STRONGLEFT DOTJELEWTNG

ACE
LT RI '.oo8oo'

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sR

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STRONC LEfT

HB

srnoNcRrcn 9ll#*

I.l SUPPORT footballvery is simple quite and unlike offensive football. the With -:':rsrve ::':1se, everybody thesame person*and istheguy isafter that with balll the players dojust fewthings stoppingoffensive play: (1) :i'ensive must a when an run : -! thebali quickly onthemove.fact. player better movingthe while In a is off in ,,':rgdirecti0n notmovingalll12) than at Always quickly theball. close to while ,-:ercontrol. should stop PJayer never moving feet, their slow down, waitfor 0r (31 :-: ball come them. Always a force to to take angle theball. defense t0 The :-.Lrld overplay angle theinside theoutside. defensive the frorn or players The i-rLid take away ball the carrier's options force to either and him redirectcome or :,:r thetopof thedefender. irnportantthedefensetrap ball. lt is for to the 14) playing blocks movingtheball, ,'.hen off and players to should their keep shoulders to of -i:rraretheline scrimmaoe.

BACKSIDE

FRONTSIDE

HB

FBOl{T SIDE Halfback: theplay outside looks theplay bounce Forces from in; for to outside. Strong end:F0rcesplay the inside;closes outside from in. Sam linebacker: "C" forces play Closes gap; the from inside the out. "8" Bight tackle: Closes gap; forces play theinside the from out. Mike linebackefl from inside working '4" to "8"to "C gaps. Closes the out, from Safety:Works through upfield the'Alley";closes inside from 0ut.

ffi

13

SIDE BACK of "A"; the across face the "8" down through plays Squeezesgap tackle: Left side from down theback the blocker closes play and from closes "A center; of th PlaVs linebacker: through head theoffensive Meq over-pursue and not looks qa; working theoutsidel forcutback does to or bootleg' broken checks the of end: Weak crosses line sctimmage; forfeverse' the ii to angle stop play it breaks' play. a cutoff Takes t0 angle play a cutoff 0I bootleg'brOken Takes Checks linebacker: forreverse. Sara breaks th theballit PlaY ii the to to angle theball stop play it breaks Takes Halfback: a cutolf PLAY THE AND PASS READS: BLoCKING READING PASS

P I HB

|7h \o ri \-1 -X-) ooEro bq

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IHB

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DROP BACK

J STEPDROP

a,,rD'dgvgoo. RT tul"t )/ IIIE LT

'/l

tst
MG

""1 ts

sR

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SPRINTOUT (TIIR.IIBACK BLOCKING)

:refot difficult spot, you to if know what look to tor.

l:l$:"".,',.i[!fl ill] Ii:litil:i:i*T:i ?#Tj,:tiHHfi J?;i::i:

pass thev sitrlat their block' will in stance, !p,and pop : ::3:J,,Y:i'fJ:Hlto

fl #,i,T?I? rJf Jff if,..'iiyi::Jfi riiii:ll]iiqifl lffi J:fi , ]i" ii:tJ, ".;: ;,ll,nrhll 'li{,{il}fi!'Hlic;11,';JH,":'*ii:''';i,,:[:n
,ewrse, receiver if the isrunning a,,post..r"o

fi ff T'iff ll:#,,,lnl:li,',i"j,,;l' :rij:jrld"l'ijlili :ilSJi,:liffirh; ;,' o'ip soins

= llii,iLYiii,llfll#:iifi;fflt;';'x:.o' ; '' 'ho,[;':

:-arter-batk; thequarterback theball How carries willtellthedefense the

:';r$iJ[,#rffi l,.lnffi ::j LT$,-,[':1iili,[l? 5#iil:: ji?:ff #[[,ff ji?fJil:fr'#ff

jj;ru*;{i:,'.1ffi #l[:f,1ii,i:li$i:11: =, T.'l'd,ffiii:fi jffi i:,HlJit'Iffj.x,,i'J,.il:l:iJ*', ?i;

:.,'i.'n.'",ii"r'iiilil';iii:iX;iJflX1'#,ff1?i;[',',i.j,li,',,,.,.J

SCHEMES BTOCKING t0. We vlaYs ruJl be,able oLr lse can Ineol'pnse 0lock de'e or'ysomanv r0 beaole A Schane S0wenLrl plav b ze recoqn a10lfP1sive 0ytne oc(i1q i'nage JS wilrqivp a visuar 0l how te'nstnat oy .*i.'uniu,r,o orr "norl'e using 0loc\rrq ll'enoslconn0n illLslrale Tnese s a Drav benqbroc\ed. oiaqrans us. to willuse bl0ck that schemes teams

ICE STRONC

ICE $T^K

.g

.o o.$\o ap wEr LrY/I YRr/ 7sr

uo*l-rt
ZONE STRONG

we ii{ \-"nl 'su se ncy' -mlFB TRAP STRONG

qp o-o.,8\o

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TEAR STRONC

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"B"GAP

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'irc

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POWER STROI\G

9',, sfl SE

TB TRAP TT'EAK

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s[ sE

SWXEPSTRONG

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Base Defense, lll FIST

FIST I.ETT III ANDRIGHT TACKTES

BLUE rlGIIT

TAN RICqT

oo aooo
LT
STRONC ruCHT

oo ooEoo
LT

AT
STRONC LEFT

BROWN LEFT

oo

oo o oEo
IT

CR'EENRTCNT

RT

oo

oo ooEoo
LT BT

"

STRONGRICI'I

STRONC LEFT

tackles use stance, their STANCEiBoth should a three-point with outside ioot slightly (hee toe). weight back to Their should forward their be on fingertips, and their should flat. back be Their should shou feet be der-width withtheir apart, heels their ontheballs their of feet. upand weight g!ard, AUGNMENT: The tackles d head-up offensive crowding ball shou the the shouldertheoffensive rnay their to on 0f {We adjust a ignmentnose theoutside guard.i guard, KEY tackles'key hemet theoffensive asweI astheb ocking The isthe oi schemes backfieaction. shou use ball movement to the d They d the for play BESP0NSIBILITY: should therun and pass The tackles first the secondthe lf play a fun. are and sq!eeze play is they responsib "B'gap should e for the down "8" "A'gap.lf play an"option," wil have (the back) is they #1 dive from gapt0 the p ayisa pass, are pass and lf the they responsible inside rush draw. forthe As play two of both they defensive tackles, wi I see types blocks, of which must they or block the block is and defeat every on down: "drive,""reach," and "trap" the lt very importantour to defense thetackles able control offensive that are to the guard defeat and those blocks. ffiffi

19

+F+

DRIVE OR RDACIT BIl)CK

TRAP BI,OCX

z0NE BLOCK

oQEq o
li

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cur orr

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ar

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FOI,DBI,oCX

TEAM DOIJBLE BLOCK

o 9F 9"o
RT' scooP BI,OCK

o tBqSLTRT'

BLOCK

x 'LT l' Rr
TURNBACK BLQPXING.

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DROP BACX BLOCI'ING

O O.E Pt-a
ti Rr

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EltlDS ANDWEAX tlST lllSTBOl'lG

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STRONG LEFI

ffiffiffi
two-point ends be to out STANCE:defensive must able play of twostances-a The stance, inside their foot and stance. using siance a three-point When thetwo-point foot. Their should feet be most their of weight their on fr0nt should back, be with :rside shoulders 6 to10 apart. front foot, their about inches Their footisthedrive tv0e foot. stance nota contact ofstance; is and back isthebalance Their their f00t for The their body should relaxed poised movernent.three-point be and ihus !pper "STACK,"stance wewant tackles use the to for isa that stance, wewillcall which back stance, inside should slightly foot be making contact.thethree-point their In fingertips front and foot. Their should back to toe), their with weight their on lheel to a stance. 0n wewill on beflat. a fewoccasions, call them use "S0tlARED-lJP" "WING and. then, on only this is SET," even The time willuse stanceto a only we set). "squared-up" isa twO-p0int stance thestrong (see "WING/TAN" The side the to of the feet shouldersparallel theline scrimmage. are stancewhich player's and in four of and ends be to ALIGNI\,4ENI The strong weak must able use types "40." willuse to and We these alignments alignment:Flsl SoUABED STACK, Ue from FIST llldefense. willalso We to offensive formations our adiust thedifferent defensive forrnation. ends Both these alignments ina different four to align use Their will four and to need know these alignmentshow !sethem. alignment to only formation. depend thedefense and offensive on called the foot outside the should their have inside a yard FIST:this In two-p0int stance, ends that angle tight or 0n of theoffensive end tackle, a line isat a 45-degree to theline 0f back be through stance theoffensive to the of scrimmage. should running They the their and side crowding ball. be up end stance, should head thetight ortan Inthis STACK: three-point theends call, the FIST back becrowding ball. and the When isthedefensive weuse "STACK" forrnation eithertight has a side-when offensive the alignment to theweak only or end a tanback. parallel stance, head'up the assume two-point this The ends SoUABED'UP: sh0uld this is the The time wingback, becrowding ball. 0nly wewilluse alignment and side. on when see wingbackthestrong we a "40":The should shoulderthe of assume three-point ontheoutside this stance ends on foot foot be offensive Their tackle. inside should aligned theoutside of the in cfowd ball. "40" the The alignment beused will tackle. they and should offensive this asan for other defenses.wewilluse alignment adjustmentthe but two0f our report game formations.scouting and 0ur defensive against offensive ends some plan dictate use this ignment. will our of a

ffi
8l

FIST ATIGNMENT

nearback

X
Get should be on either side of this line at a 45 angle degree

o
SE
fel shotrld b oD either side of this line at a 45 degreeangle

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81

IIiIEBACKERS AGAII{SIII'ISIDE SCHEMES BTOCKING COMMOl,I

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Asimple fofmation on willdepend theoffensive safety SAFETY:The s alignment rs lo positron na(ell-e0lay to be ;Lleol thJnblnatwillpit thesafetvn tl'ebesl slde lle lo the between w destleceiver each deeD ll'e 'midpoint 01 12 vards

a l2-yard-hioh forming receivers and saietv should of himself thewidest think this will pyramid 0f thetime, rule Most *iti ov,unilO tn, ,utttyat thetop0f the are position; there exceptions however' put in irelp safety himielf thepropel the to may side, are split two When otmore receivers putto one thesafety have cheat m"sl the stretch f'ed howlarthesafelY receive's il bevond mdDoinrthe the on or of ln'ddle hash) the on willdepenoIhepositionlneba'l l'is cheat a ignment to cutdown to needs remember The alignment safety receivers' field thJwide and routes the for aviilable running past safety's have the thes0ace receivers not and alignment when to isastollows: to of Anexamplewhen cheat allqnment. s should onthef ield stay the split the Wientworeceiveri into sideline' safety split two When receivers to theopen the will the midpoint; sideline cutdown space The to the his cheat alignment [eceivers should the side thefield, safety of "bracket" receivers They the should and linebacier, thesafety the hafback, Sara play theinside on the to until are cheat alignment they inpositionmake should their if route allgodeep. offensive . uncovered nearest will order secondafys of keys be(1)the KEYS:The and (a) of (Z) U.ritirtO {4) actlon, thelevel theball. thequarterback'(5) iinrrun. tt'" players must'backpedal develops theplay and Asthe is thereceivers. ball snapped the is or u r! l n e ydeler ni' leilplay r un passheyslouldpr aytl"epas s .r i r s tand acll01 the fol d0w1f;e,da block backtield are linemen releaslng second.lf tnerun are lf a "run give seconoarV read linemen pass. lhe will ol and 'evel lheball tne wlll and'ecelvers theouarterback or are or b ocking.if backs blockingreleasrng, thesecondary play a a Dass When pass isrecognized' oive thJsecondarv read. read should They release thequarterback's of theball' and ;hould thereceiv;rs kev toule tell quarterback upthe#l receiver's can Plcking tothe the rl^roLQn#1rece;ver players lhe routes secondary sr0uld recelvers the a lot tne s;co']darv aboJl otner qua'terback nJsIkeep Tnev route one ati,.rii teceiver's orat the notloox time will so field they have to react' inview see everything and the NUN,4BEBING: BECEIVER .) #3 Oflz - r'r \.,t

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Base Goverage, lll Cover

the into base coverage beC0VEBThis wil ll. coverage separates field two -lJr into deep deep short and zones. deep willbedivided three The area :'eas of "thirds." depth these The of zones willstart right, middle-calied and ::nes left. of two a1 alignment secondary run length thefied.The the of the and the -a fbacks thesafetv res0onsible are forthese zones. short The zones be will and "!nder and linebackers are responsible for :aled coverage,"theinside outside and e and zones to :hs area. under The coverage bedivided one will into midd zone five a top a each of theball. under side The coverage twolevels: and bottom. has "seam," the and t0 the zones "hook,' are Voving theball theoutside. bottom from 'f at"ontheoutside. top0f thetwohook "hole." zones the is L4oving the from 0n to0 are and ro e to theoutside. other zones the"curl" the"crease-and'fade" the is yards from of levelis yards, thetop evel 15 10 and rones. depth thebottom The (1) will depending the on theball. size, The width, depth allzones change and of (2) of formation, numberreceivers side a formation,the the of t0 a ofiensive {3) positiontheball thefield. willadjust of on We our rype pass of routes, (4)the and four We the alignment coverage to these factors. willnottryto cover and zones drops bemade to will only entire when field defending thepass. pass against 0ur to run We and those zones which offense thecapabilities routes. can will in the has particular of routes those in zones. eliminate when zones there n0threat pass is we be to the adjustments coverage,must able forpass n order make necessary t0 formation. forthis lt is reason that recognizepassing the strengthanoffensive of the set, a call the call. co wemakecolor after strength The orwillidentify receiver are Ineach offensive formation,wil we and to which thereceiversaligned. also side inthe by dentify receiver his each and p0sition formationa number. RECEIVEB NUMEERING:

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!a$ o' ' nea'es t i n *2 r LoIheoutsioeo ece' verthe TtsF4exlr ece' vel /JB e( ei\,et thebacklield back The #4Beceiver: nearest inthebackfieLd I inChapter are forthe (The coverage pass responsibilities secondaryexplained inthis will ioveraqe bedescribed chapter') ihe linebackers' TOR COVERAGE TINEBACKERS UNOER THE linebacker with coverage, SAlvl forthe responsible under are linebackers The curl' has strongslde the linebacker l\,4lKE flat forthe res0onsible strongside zone hook' seam' and curl' has MEG ,onis. linebackertheweakside .nOn"f, r.Jr. noot, will covefage be our f lat theweakside zone pass has SABA hole zones. linebacker like pass This sound a lot' defense may zone I rrirf,uotan-to't., pattern-read, ls that determine theplay a pass When verv simole. thellnebackers brt it isr;allv wh0 zone rs intheif find their drop, should thereceiver thev and make pass they a pass isrunning route lf the#l receivel #l to closest theball(the receiver) a l0ned play and rnan hlm the get inii, .n.. tn. fintl*l.r must between and quarterback y'lreceiver parlern to ar area wliL\is rurs s pars ...i. lf Ine . 0l "ar.."rl.ql s coveragp lhe loo^ sl'oLld {orelthe' 12 ecelver Ine area,le Tott1e neoac(e sLde to the lf al the *:-r"rriu"riotrnuput.ro'uteinhiszone receivers linebackr's I r,p lo0( leceivers the {'0m for pu and he or, i"norr, 'ouies i 'istone. sn0u'o read he snows shoLld lhe lf zone nolhing inhis ro'lres onoosrLe runn;nq side vers are there twotece When islhrowr' ball ard ouarterbac^b'eikor tl"e wl'er:l one cover deepest Before the zone, linebacker's heshould rrnnta oti, tlrtr"lrt,f,e s and alignment wh'cl's'dethe Ihe nust tineUacters know reLelver rne eain olav. Il"al imporlant Ihe their dtoo, wr,.nmarrng pass it isvery s.1.. i*oliei" ue, 110!! ver o tworece s de AlsotleymLsl a'e rineDaclets lf t'ley ontheore_ ^row and dest roLte can lrom the ione to lt'e'r lhar be'un pass deepesl w wnals tne thev that prav delerrine tne isa pass' 0 tcethelirebac(ers to,".it. the "1i..*. zone 0f aim They ii"tt tf'ritpttt orop. should forthearea their where rr,"rio t0 adjust theJ0utes should they be Next, pass could r!n. route and deeoest wideit side should of fne linebackers think thetwoJeceiver of the iunivit'e re,.iuers. and receivers the The as offensive formationthe"work'side. numberof The their harder' one-receiver pass wilL ' fordifferent routes make iob 0ossibilities and one against recerver two we side, the"help' because have defenders ;ide is lwo_ ver s ver help to ma!beable o.ve lo thelv1/o_recede l'l tne#l rece or Lhe lle\elpsr oebeco"lesr l 'ew or k s i deI palter n re r ,uer r r n'a c ossing e side s

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PUl{T RETUBl'IS, INTERCEPTIOI{S, TUMBtES. BTOCKED A1{D KICKS (3) Wehave opportunities four to score: onaninterception; a fumble; ona on 11) 12) (4)on punt game, placekick;and a blocked return.has lt been thatina close said the game field good deciding factors bethekicking and position. want make will We to put onevery chance score, at least theoffense position score. to or in to When an opportunity to score occurs, willseta "wall" we return theclosest to sideline. The reason want setour to theclosest we to wall sideline after isthat every down. the ball;splaced somewhere between hashes, the making area siteof the this the players. theotfensive becomes concentration of offensive When team the biggest defensive duringplay, players to fa0outand team a its have cover field. our the 0n quickly to thepoint returns, want setthewall we to and farthest from away wall players. turnovers, fumbles, interceptions, and theconcentration of offensive 0n a call blocked wewillsetthewall thefly. willmake"bingo" to the kicks, on We "Bingo Everybody getto thenumberstheside closest sideline: leftl" should of of After making bingo thereturner getto the call, must thebingo and awal'. call set ground dos0. even to to once returnerat thewall, the is he thewall, if hehas give point An should it upfield, turn staying a yard bounds. important about in coaching need in any of that they thattheplayers to keep mind-on type return-is when block the or behind. a block a return, cannot below waist from on they Sometimes "no in block" better anattempt resultsa penalty. is than that PUIITRETURIIS punt purpose, situations wemay Wehave three returns, witha certain each for that game.0ut tetrrn thereturn use most. wall is we the 0ur see during course a the 0f middle return used is when punter kicking ball and the is the low deep. willalso We our return beused will when teams are use middle our return a change'up.safe as use safe our return whenever there trying kick ball thecorner. willalso to the to We or days, we to sure the might a fake, onbad'weather when need make wecatch be ball. WAIt RETUBN and keep 0urplayers to keep ljne need the straight thewall also thedistance 0n yards. a player between other four five each t0 to When locates ball, the the and ffi

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At of man end ENo The STB0NG (SE): stroflg isthesecond inontheside theblock. lineman the and the of come through hip theoffensive thesnap, should hard he from the or lf he inside of the"wingback." isblocked either inside the0!tside, toot The end and for bounce outside look thefake. strong should thestrong should end and mind be must him. charge his isgoing block His to never assume someone that untouched block. forthe ongetting through focused At man of is tackle thethird inontheside theblock. BLoCK TACKTE The {BT): block lineman theinside and hard though hip theoffensive the of he come thesnap, should or from the lf he to footofthelinemantheoutside. isbl0cked either inside the Like and for should bounce outside look thefake. the the tackle outside. block isgoing block His to him. charge that never strong heshould assume someone end, untouchedtheblock. for on through must and mind befocusedgetting his that from side should alignment beto either of a line runs JUI\,4PEB {JP):Thejumper time The should of to where ball bekicked themiddle thegoalpost. jumper the will to any s0thathewillbeable block lowkick. and his with iumo thekicker theball will Their TACKLE WEAK AND END WEAK {WE/WT): alignment beontheside and for hold ground look a fake. theblock. should theil They opposite (S); safety When the on of align sh0uld in"B'gap theside theblock. SAFETY The third look drop sh0uld to themiddle and call, halfback the"move" thesafety makes or the if of also the The forthefake. safety has option returning kick it isshort blocked.

ffi 161

ffiffiffiffiw
BLoCK (BB): block istheprimary player are BACK The back block we sending the for kick. alignment always ontheoutside,theside theblock. the His will be t0 of At snap, should hard he come through hip thewingback gof0rtheball the of and by laying outjust front thekickpoint. in of BETUBN (BB):The back's BACK return alignment theoutside,theopposite is0n on side theblock. has responsibilities: snap, should at the of He two At he run 11) the (2) holder position and himself stop fake. should tryto block kick. to the He not the When kick blocked it goes theside behind kicker, should the is and to pick or the he uptheball return and it. Weutiize three different goal goal field blocks. #1, and Field block called #2, #3. #1 istheblock wewilluse that most often. goal Field block willbeused #2 when we want puta little t0 pressurethekicker make more on and something happen. Field goal block isanalJ-out where send #3 block, we everyone theblock. will after We always inour align all-out (field block block goal #3)alignmentthen to the and shift block are we actually running. FIELD BLoCK GoAL #1:When ballis themiddle thefield, willrun the in of we the block theright to against a right-footed {totheleftagainst kicker a left-footed kicker). theball onthehash, block When is the should from open-field come the srde. FIELD BLoCK GoAL #2:0n block, wiJl more this we run blockefsthekicker at from theblock The side. safety the and jumper theside theblock to goonthe of should block. halfbacks play coverage. jumper "A" The shouJd 1/2t go The should through gap. the '8 and salety go shorld rhrough gaf.. FELD GoAL BtoCK This #3i block foreverybody thegap his calls to take to inside go and fortheblock. return and block should ffom The back the back come the outside either on side.

't62

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KtcKott
---> 2!d ur. + 3rd nv.

for contain,4's stay and R5 on First waver out the 2bare Flat to ball, responsible line 2b. with come the 3's inside thehash; online of stay and Second wave:13 down numbers, trap ball the the if return breaks first the wave. halfway between hash the the and Third wave: and kicker thesafeties, L5 the are must numbers;if the return breaks. tackle bemade. the

w
163

DEEP OItISIDE KICK

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The deep onside isthesarne Our kick as kickoff, except thekicker theball that kicks t0 theboundarythe35-yard The runs outto theball. 0n line. Lj flat

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164

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SCOUTING REPORT
IEAM. IIARPER DATE: ltDD6

FORM\TION: BLUE

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BLUF,/TRIPS

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SET: ACf,

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NOTES: COA,! LIN& BLACK, PINK BROWN, BLUE/BROWN AN'D MOTION FROM ALL SEI

MOTION: BLUE TO BROWN AltD DROwx TO Bl,uf,' BLAC( MOTION AND BLIIE BROWN MOTION TO TRIPS BLACK SIIORT MOTION' LEAD BLOCXXR

ffiffistr
167

ffi
DEFENSIVE SCRIPT
PERSONNf,L POS. QB RB FB
Sf,

BACK-UPS NO.
FR FR. FR. FR 5 10" 5'10'

NAME & YEAR

J.ANDf,RSEN R, DA}'TDSON SEANBROWN JOITNLOWLOR

HT.

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2n6
210 232 t35 195

zl0 5'9" 210

195

FL TE ST SG C

TYWONrvt{Ni{INc
KWA,\METRTWEAIIIER PAT ITICCE:IS SAMWIIf,ILER CHRISBAZZELL
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CERISCOAI,SON

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170

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t6ffi 174

HrcWrrcW
COLIEGE OF DUPACE DEEEIEIIESCRIPT tteatAIlQr DATE: !5 |

snuallcN: cova!68

PRaCEICE: _

tb,E;

DEFEEIVE FROIIIT t.

MfulI&N

PIA1

14.

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15. 17. t8. 20.

24.

26. 30.

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175

CHART RUN SHOT

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PASS SHOT CHART

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ffiffi 171

at the coordinator career Joe Roman enjoyed and a long illustrious asdefensive beginning F0man's in1975, inGlen ll For CollegeDuPage Ellyn.inois. 23years, of games. DuPage 75percent ts football won 0f was reason coaching a maj0r games and s played14 in bowl the En route a composite 0f182-61, Chaparra to mark and won charnpiofships; 36 won of them; 12 10 won Stat Juni0r College garnes p0int, Athletic a Junior settingNati0nal College consecutive at one racked 0f 0f rcord. 1986 the Association From t0 1996, CollegeDuPage upa rec0fd in and was in state 107-22. eight won consecutive championships, rankedthetop10 finished span, teamdefense if nati0n times. During same DuPages that the seven eni0yed ln the thetop10 thenati0n times. 1995, Chaparrals'defense its in eight (4.2 per giving in games points game). season, up0nly points 12 51 most successful held in defense, Chaparrals the No.1 0ntheway finishing inthecountryteam t0 (35 per yards total0ffense game yards of132 of their opponents average to an passlng). rushing,yafds 97 f00tball f0!r fof high at Boman Prior taking post DuPage, coached sch00l to the graduate at Wayne lJnlvefsity, coached Boman the years. sch00l State During Mlneral in to record a berth theNAIA and inebackershelped team a g-2 and th n graduated Moorhead University inNy'innesota from State Water B0wl. Boman I wrestling. he n 1969, where letteredfo0tbaand I its in1996 droppingfootba announced thatit was After CollegeDuPage the 0f he of 1998, f0otball.thespring In program, spent year coaching school high Roman a linebackers whefe to er, fr0m and retired teaching moved Chand Arizona, hebecame regu the th Col Following 1998 arseason, coach Mesa at C0mmunityege. they t0 where l0st Garden tothe 0f Thunderbirds advanced Valley theS!nBowl, 14. College,lT Cit\/ {KS)Communlty that the I record theteams Roman 0f mark brought overa Mesa sas0n of 7-4 CCs has helped t0227'70. coach

ffiffi 179

THIC0illPltilGUIlft THI T0 ilt$Tflllilrc ltfftllst 44 $PltT

coachin the counlry schooland,college (;(; Every.high - - should Guide havea copyof this book.TheComplete to lnstalling 44 Split Defenseis an invaluable the required .. to teaching fullof drillsandtechniques tool Z7 and this of successfully install execute sLyle defense. DaveHice HeadFootballCoach Mesa ColleaetAZ) of is Jo (;(; Coach Floman oneof the finest Leachers ' Thisbook can in the 44 detense the country. provide instant playbook anyone for coaching the an libraryof .. 44 defense. s a must addilion th-e lt to or coaching 44 defense a 4-manfror't. /7 the anyone Jon Cooper t Head Coach ef ensi ve Coordinator /D A ssistan Aurora University uL)

5(

for that offersthe total package all has JoeFloman put togethera book Guide lnstalling 44 to the coaches. Complete The successful defensive that a Split Defensecoversall formationsandadiustments game plan. such, should in As this book coach should address his defensive aa be readbYallcoaches. ' ' Bob MacDougall HeadFootballCoach Collegeof DuPagetlLl previously I had to the Having coached 44 defense,have the opportunity see practice, hedoesit welll and this defense and install, coach Coach Floman program or college Foranycoach that hastakenon a highschool a iunior bookwill provide him with the Joe usingthe 44 defense, Boman's on the marketpertaining to he lt's information needs. oneof the best books
the 44 defense. Jim Johnson Defensive Coordinator Philadelphia Eagles

((

GOACHES - =GHOIGE.,
Inc A Division Saqamorc of Publishing

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