Sharks In The Water

Sharks in the Water

Ron Roberts Defensive Coordinator Assistant Head Coach Tusculum College Greeneville, Tenn.

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t is a pleasure and an honor to be asked to write this article. I am proud to represent head coach Frankie DeBusk and Tusculum College. The defensive staff of Lance Royal (linebackers) and Steve McGill (defensive line) makes this defense very enjoyable to coach. It is their ingenuity and commitment level to our kids that has made us successful. We have installed the 3-3 defense to better fit our recruiting pool and to allow us to put more speed on the field. Philosophy This scheme like many others is designed to bounce everything east and west and allow our speed to run plays down on the perimeter. With five defensive backs we can adjust very easily to formations, motions and match up with various personnel to help prevent us from being outflanked. Our scheme is simple enough for our players so we can focus more time on recognizing formations and the plays that come off of them, block protection, pursuit and tackling. Defense has always been about getting off blocks and making tackles. The simplicity of our system and adjustments allows our players to play more aggressive and with 100 percent effort. At the same time we want the illusion of being complicated and confusing to opposing players and coaches. Teaching Progression We believe very strongly in teaching progressions and making sure that we present information in the proper format. Perceptions are very powerful and we want our players to perceive our system as very simple. This progression is carried over from introducing scheme to block protection and teaching tackling. Stop the Run It is important for our players to understand vertical as well as horizontal leverage to stop the run game. One of the most important consistencies in the game of football has been that the low pad will always win. If we can win the leverage battle up front we can stop the run game. We will do whatever it takes to make a team throw the football. Whether it is putting eight or nine in the box, moving the front, creating mismatches, or any form of alignments that disrupt blocking assignments to create a negative play from the offense.

• AFCA Summer Manual — 2002 •

Get After the Quarterback In order to disrupt the offensive passing game we want to: Find a way to attack their pass protections Disguise, prowl and make the offense account for blocking eight on every snap. Do not give the same pre/post snap reads for the offensive line and the quarterback. Make the quarterback make decisions, take the game out of the offensive coordinator’s hands. Keys to Success Championships have been won with all types of defensive schemes. It is not the scheme that will ultimately determine our success. Here are the variables that we sale to our players as the keys to our success. Attitude: Be positive and optimistic and have the proper attitude for every situation. Winners respond the right way every time especially in the face of adversity. Alignment and Assignment: Physical mistakes are something we can correct but mental mistakes are unacceptable. Regardless of their athletic ability players can be aligned right every time and take care of their responsibility. Pursuit: We demand 100 percent effort to the ball on every snap, because of this we play a lot of kids on defense. Tackling: We want to be the best tackling team in our conference. We spend a considerable amount of time teaching and drilling tackling. Find a Way to Win: Someone has to step up and make a great play on defense or on special teams. These are the things that we cover with our defense in our first meeting and discuss before every game.

Diagram 1: Stack

Stack We base everything out of our 3-3 stack defense. In Diagram 1 you will see that we have a nose in a zero technique. Our ends are in a tight five technique. The mike linebacker is stacked behind the nose and is responsible for running the track of the fullback. The Land R are in 50 techniques and

are responsible for B gaps. The nitro and diamond are 3-by-5 off the tight end or a ghost tight end. This is our pressure package and we want the offense to have to account for blocking all five mobile defenders on every snap. We are usually in some form of three-deep zone, man free or robber coverage. The possible blitzes are only limited by what you can execute and your imagination.

the run by keeping his pads low, be prepared to flatten out with the flow of the ball and be relentless. Diagram 3 has our ends in five techniques the nose controls the A gap away from the blitz. The mike linebacker still runs the track of the fullback and the L has B gap his side.

Diagram 5: Blast

Diagram 2: LOB

Diagram 3: Nitro

Blast Diagram 5 is an overload blitz with four off a side. The L will attack the offensive tackle and draw his block. The left end executes his slant technique into the B gap. The nose slants or tilts into the Agap away from the call and the right end is in a five technique.

Diagram 6: Bear

LOB Blitzes and slant calls can be determined by strength, field and boundary or right and left. In Diagram 2 our left outside linebacker is blitzing the C gap reading the triangle of the offensive tackle and near runningback. The left end is in a four-technique slanting into the B gap reading the next adjacent offensive lineman. The Nose slants or tilts into the A gap depending on the call made. The right end is in a fivetechnique. The mike linebacker runs the track of the fullback and the R is responsible for the B gap. The outside rusher can be the outside linebacker or it can be a defensive backs as in Diagram 3 with the ability to play man or zone behind it.

Diagram 4: Ram

Diagram 8: Run Force Crack Replace

Three-Deep Secondary Run Force Force The force player has pitch responsibility versus the option and no pass responsibility with run at him. We expect the force player to make the play on any perimeter runs at him. His aiming point is the outside peck of the ball carrier. Secondary Force He is responsible for force if they crack the force player shown in Diagram 8. He is responsible for halfback pass, stalk and go, and should not support the run until there is no longer a threat of a pass. Alley Checks No. 2 on the tight end dump pass as he runs the alley. He has quarterback on option and his aiming point is the inside peck of the ball carrier.

Bear Our Bear package has been great for us vs. 21 personnel. The ends are in three techniques with the nose in a zero. The outside linebacker to the tight end side is in a seven technique. The outside linebacker to the open side is in a ghost seven reading his triangle. The mike linebacker will shade to the strong side. The diamond will move to a C/B gap stack depending on the offensive tendencies and the nitro will align 3-by-3 off the tight end and has him man to man. We can make calls that will change the front to disrupt blocking schemes and put our kids in a better position to make plays.

Fold On flow away he has to check the cut back, quarterback boot and the reverse. Cut Back Safety He is responsible for securing the backside No. 1 wide receiver. Take a pursuit angle to save the touchdwown, do not let the ball carrier to cut back, reverse or cross his face. Do not cross the far hash unless it is to save the touchdown.

Diagram 9: Man Free

Diagram 7: Three-Deep Secondary Run Force

Man Free Coverage Our man free coverage shown in Diagram 9 is very simple for us to cover down receivers. This is a man coverage with one linebacker and five defensive

Ram When blitzing an inside gap the linebacker must first dominate his gap against

• AFCA Summer Manual — 2002 •

Diagram 10: Match Coverage

backs. The corners are responsible for the No. 1 wide receiver to their side. The nitro and diamond are going to cover down the No. 2 receiver to their side, if No. 2 is in the box they may align in a C/B gap stack position. The linebacker are responsible for No. 3 if he is in the box. The free safety is responsible for securing the middle thrid and has force to both sides. We will run various forms of man free, it

could be a match up man coverage as shown in Diagram 10 or involve two linebackers and four defensive backs. We are sold on the flexibility and simplicity of the 3-3 defense. It gives us the weapons to attack an offenseís tendencies and allows us to get the most speed on the field possible. We have reduced the amount of mental errors and it has allowed our kids to play like sharks in the water.

Practice Safety-First Coaching Techniques Excerpted from an article by Dick Schindler for the National Federation News

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

Keep the head up. Discuss risk of injury. Keep the head out of contact. Explain how serious injuries can occur. Involve parents in early season meeting. Have a set plan for coaching safety. Clearly explain and demonstrate safe techniques. Provide best medical care possible. Monitor blocking and tackling techniques every day. Repeat drills which stress proper and safe techniques. Admonish and/or discipline users of unsafe techniques. Receive clearance by doctor for athlete to play following head trauma. Stress safety every day. Don’t glorify head hunters. Support officials who penalize for illegal helmet contact. Don’t praise or condone illegal helmet contact. Provide conditioning to strengthen neck muscles. Entire staff must be “tuned in” to safety program. Check helmet condition regularly.

Coaches’ Checklist 20. Improper technique causes spinal cord injuries. 21. Helmet must fit properly. 22. Be prepared for a catastrophic injury. 23. The game doesn’t need abusive contact. 24. Player safety is your responsibility. 25. It’s a game — not a job — for the players.

Keep The Head Out Of Football Rules changes that eliminated the head as the initial contact point in blocking and tackling have significantly reduced head and neck injuries in the sport. Coaches can do their part to continue that trend by teaching correct techniques and emphasizing proper fundamentals at all times. That way, players can avoid catastrophic injury and coaches can avoid lawsuits. Keep the head out of football.

• AFCA Summer Manual — 2002 •