Four Man Pass Rush Package

Wittenberg’s Red Swarm: Four Man Pass Rush Package

Jack Giambrone Defensive Line Coach Wittenberg University Springfield, Ohio

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n behalf of Wittenberg University, our coaching staff and players, it is my honor to present this article for The American Football Coaches Association’s 2002 Summer Manual. At times, our defensive game plan changes drastically from week to week. One week we would prepare for the Wing T and turn right around the following week and game plan for shotgun or five wideouts. We believe that it’s important to have the kind of defensive flexibility to handle these different offensive attacks without wholesale changes. Most of the time you will find us in a four-man front regardless of our opponent’s offense. This provides the type of balance that defenses both the run and pass. Over the past several years we have faced many outstanding passing teams and blitzing was considered too risky. Often we would depend on a four-man pass rush to create pressure on the quarterback. We have experienced some success statistically (Diagram 1). From 1998 through 2001 we have aver aged almost 40 sacks a season. In 2001 we concluded our season ranked 18th in rushing defense, eighth in scoring defense, 14th in turnover margin, and 21st in total yards allowed per game. Within this article we’ll discuss and diagram three key areas that make up our pass rush package: The Pass Rush Checklist The Scouting Report The Call The Pass Rush Checklist The Basics The pass rush checklist consists of a set of items we teach our defensive linemen throughout the year. The checklist is constantly reviewed and drilled during the course of the season. The checklist is even monitored during the game as they attack the offensive linemen on their way to the quarterback. The simplicity of the checklist makes it easy for both coach and player to use anytime.

There are five things the defensive linemen must be aware of when rushing the quarterback: Stance Make up step Half man Move The line Stance The base should narrow, from that of the normal run stance, with the legs loaded under the chest. A toe-to-heel relationship with the feet; some players can be several inches behind the heel when building their stance. The body weight should be forward and on the balls of the feet. A typical term we use when describing the weight shift is “air under the heels.” When field conditions are poor we emphasize the weight to be placed on the inside cleats. Visualize a sprinter in the starting blocks before the starting gun and you have the pass rusher’s stance only with a wider base as described above. The player should bring the off hand up so it’s positioned over the thigh. The off hand will be important in a decision to bull rush. Players should be adept at both right and left handed stances but more importantly players should be in a stance that (they feel) will give them the best start off the ball. We practice our stance almost daily with particular attention given during the post season. Make Up Step The charge is low with the first step ahead of the placement of the down hand. The separation between the defensive and offensive linemen must close very quickly. If the initial step does not clear that down hand, the offensive lineman will have time to create the separation he must maintain to protect the quarterback. Coaches should review game tape to insure players are stepping directly up field. The second step is also critical and should be used to make up separation. The toes, knees and hips should be pointed straight ahead and square with the rest of the body.

Diagram 1 Passing yards per game Defensive pass efficiency Total yards per game Interceptions Sacks Team record

1998 127.8 74.7 224.8 26 37 11-1

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1999 191.9 106.6 297.0 17 30 11-1

2000 164.7 95.8 246.8 22 45 12-1

2001 162.9 104.9 284.9 16 44 11-2

Alignment will play a key role in closing the distance between linemen. Crowding the line of scrimmage is to a defensive lineman as knowing the snap count is to an offensive lineman. We take every inch we can. Remember the thought of closing the distance between the offensive and defensive lineman as quickly as possible. Crowding the line of scrimmage assists in getting on the offensive linemen quickly. Coaches can check this visually from the sidelines and make adjustments. Half Man Half Man or Getting on the Edge. Attack the offensive linemen on one side. Several years ago while reviewing game tape we noticed many players attacking offensive linemen right down the center line. That collision, unless it was a good bull rush, resulted in no pressure. Another key thought while attacking half man is the reduction of the defensive man’s target or area an offensive linemen can attack. Today we talk about getting to an edge — powering to an area of an opponent and forcing a shoulder turn. It’s easier to work a pass rush move against half man than it is to attempt to overpower the entire lineman — path of least resistance. Move Most players have what they consider a best move. They should learn to perfect that move so it becomes their go-to move. During the course of the year defensive linemen must strive to learn and master others (swim, rip, push pull, speed or spin). Having multiple pass rush moves gives opponents more to work on when they view you on tape. Except for the speed rush we always coach every move to have two parts. For instance, a rip move is set up with an aggressive outside arm punch. The push pull move is set up with the players hands inside giving a bull rush look. All moves are made while the defensive lineman is attacking up the field or on the run. We also practice each of several pass rush moves daily. We give special attention to those that we have not perfected. The Line The line to the quarterback is determined by the quarterback’s drop. An important detail in gaining the correct line is to have the defensive linemen con-

tinue to run/accelerate at full speed. Over the past couple of season’s we have had an increase in the number of offensive holding penalties just by stressing running the line to the quarterback at full speed. A quarterback that quick sets in a threestep drop or throws a check-off fade is hard to sack. The defensive lineman must take a direct line to the quarterback and at best will only have time to make one quick move. The goal here is to pressure the throw, obstruct his vision or knock him down. Today, many statistics are being used to calculate production grades for defensive linemen. Pressuring the passer or knocking him down are points a defensive lineman can earn in our production chart system. We use these production charts to determine who is making plays. In the traditional five-step quarterback drop the entire defensive front will now have more of a potential impact as they work together in pursuing the quarterback. In the four-man pass rush it should be stressed that each defensive lineman has an assigned pass rush line. Each defensive lineman should maintain that pass rush lane or line to the quarterback. In the fourman pass rush there are two inside lanes and two outside pass rush lanes. Coaches must stress that having more than one player in a single pass rush lane leads to a dangerous pass rush break down. Passing windows open allowing the quarterback with an improved view of the field. This also provides the quarterback with another dangerous option — running with the ball! Coaches should keep in mind that younger players most often will not master all of the five in a single season. We teach these items in the above order by importance. As the player matures the coach should expect the player to master and evaluate the checklist continually. The Scouting Report The scouting report consists of several different studies; a player’s video review of his opponent, a coaches’report and position meetings to combine both. It’s critical to understand the type of player you’ll be facing. We ask our defensive linemen to evaluate the offensive linemen in these six areas: Stance: Does the player tip the play? Two point or three point? Wide or narrow base? Footwork: Does he have quick feet? Does he cross over? Post foot position? Shoulders: Does he turn his shoulders too quickly on wide rush?

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Hands: Does he extend his arms to create space? Are his hands low? Head position: Does he drop his head? Does he lock on one man? Opponents: How does he handle bull rush, swim move, rip move, spin move, wide rush? A coach will review many characteristics of an opponent’s offense. One, is the review of the quarterback. Several things that I look at when scouting the quarterback are: • Drop: Three- or five- step? • Delivery: Over the top or sidearm? • Pocket Protection: Will the quarterback roll out, sprint out, boot or sit in the pocket? • Footwork: Does he set his feet and delivery with good follow through? • Breakdown: Is the quarterback a threat to run? • Direction: Does the quarterback have a favorite receiver? Favorite area of the field? • Snap Count: Will he change up the snap count? • Blitz: How does he react? Will he change the play when the pre snap read is a blitz? • Positions: Does he play other positions? Does he hold on field goals/extra points? • Is the back up quarterback a different type of player? Option quarterback? The Call The call refers to the defensive line stunts. The following diagrams detail several line games that we use here at Wittenberg. Two Man Game Diagram 2: Inside/Outside (End and Tackle). Diagram 3: Inside/Inside (Tackle and Tackle).

Diagram 2

Three Man Game Diagram 4: Inside/Inside/Outside (Two Tackles and End).

Diagram 3

Diagram 5: Inside/Outside/Inside (2 Tackles and End). *Each call can be run weak or strong. To the field or boundry. Four Man Game Diagram 6: All Lane Exchange (Both Tackles and Ends).

Diagram 6 Diagram 4

Diagram 7: All Lane Exchange (Both Tackles and Ends).

Diagram 5

Diagram 7

Closing As coaches, we wish we had all the answers. For every move there is a counter move. And for every counter move there’s a counter move to counter that counter move! I guess that’s some of the joy we receive from coaching this great game. The goal of this article is to present several new and different ideas to help in developing a better pass rush. At Wittenberg, we have been open to and have experimented with these different ideas, finding techniques that fit within our overall scheme and developing drills to perfect those techniques. These ideas have come from many different sources; American Football Coaches Association publications, coaches and even players. Our hope is that we have given coaches an idea or two. If you need additional information, please give us a call. Should you find yourself in Springfield, Ohio feel free to stop by and observe practice. In closing, I’d like to thank the American Football Coaches Association for giving us an opportunity to do what we love to do — discuss football. Good luck in your upcoming season.

AFCA Official Corporate Partners The AFCA is proud to recognize and thank its Official Corporate Partners.

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