The Four-four Defense Blue Jay Style

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The Four-Four Defense, Bluejay Style

he Minnesota West football program is honored to contribute to the 2000 AFCA Summer Manual. On behalf of our players and coaching staff, I would like to thank the AFCA for allowing Minnesota West to share a little bit about our defense. After taking over as head coach, I wanted to develop a style of defense that would employ an attacking style. The fourfour has been a very effective and easily learned defense to implement into our program. We have been very successful with the four-four setting a number of school records and being a nationally ranked defense two out of the last four years. All successful programs must be able to adapt and change to the adjustments made by the opposing offenses. Scott Barber, my defensive coordinator, has done an outstanding job adjusting and creating new ways to challenge opposing offenses. Before we start to break down our four-four stack defense, I would first like to share our defensive philosophy. There are three important points in our philosophy.

Jeff Linder

Defend the End Zone The primary objective of our defense is to prevent the opposing team from scoring points. To fulfill this objective, our defensive package will consist of the following: Sound Fundamentals: Regardless of what type of defensive call that is made, basic fundamentals must ultimately be conquered by each player. Sound principles can include: run-force, cutback reads, reverse/boot reads, pursuit, and communication. Consistency: Our defense must be able to show multiple stunts, fronts, and coverage to be able to adjust to any type of offense that we may see. This will allow us to keep a single defense, rather than changing schemes from week to week. Team Concept: When players enter our program, it is imperative that individual players understand that they are part of a bigger picture. The ultimate success of the defensive unit falls upon each player doing their job assigned to them. Therefore, discipline in the execution of that responsibility is essential. Te a m goals hold preference to that of the individual desires, and it is the responsibility of each player to be prepared both mentally and physically in order to perform at the highest level possible.

Head Coach Minnesota West Community and Technical College Worthington, Minn.

• AFCA Summer Manual — 2000 •

Creating Scoring Opportunities Our second objective is to create scoring opportunities by turnovers, scoring, field position and three-and-outs. This objective occurs because of the pressure put on by our defense, which causes the opposition to force mistakes or an inability to get into an offensive rhythm. We have installed the three and outs into our defensive statistics as a type of turnover, so we can track how often we create, as a defense, chances for our offense to score. Attacking Defense: We use an attacking style to create confusion within our opponents offense. In order to put pressure on the offense, our defensive package will contain three components: 1. Area Control Defense: Each zone in the box is responsible for an area that they are to control of during each play. In order to enhance our area control, we use a wide variety of line and linebacker stunts. 2. Read Reaction at Second Level: The area control allows for our linebackers to react and attack the line of scrimmage immediately. The secondary will add support by rerouting receivers and providing run support. 3. Relentless Pursuit: Each and every member of the defensive unit will pursue to the football every play until the whistle blows. Each player is expected to give 100 percent at all times in pursuit of the ball. Stop the Ball: This is an area we strongly emphasize. Run oriented teams will not be allowed to control the tempo of the game. It is important for our defense to take teams that like to run the ball out of their intended game plans and force them into mistakes. Play with Intensity Great defenses play with intensity. Intensity starts with each individual player and stems out over the whole defense. We use the Bluejay Creed to guide our players, and it consists of five components: • Execute to the fullest. • Never underestimate. • Be aggressive. • No excuses. • Leave the field with no doubt. With our defensive philosophy being an attacking pressure defense, we put a lot of pressure on our secondary and rely on their ability to play man coverage. Our secondary players need to be very physical and fast players that have the ability to change types of coverages in split

moments. As we have success putting pressure on offenses, they tend to go to a max protection by keeping their tight ends and backs in for pass protection. This takes a lot of pressure off our secondary and allows for our defense to create turnovers. The four-four stack defense gives our defensive unit more than pressure, it is a defense that our players have fun running. By running this defense, we have a lot more intense practices, and hard work for the players is now fun work. Before we cover our blitz packages, I would like to discuss how we assign and align players so they understand their responsibility and area to cover.

Diagram 1

Diagram 2

Diagram 3

Diagram 6: Raiders Blitz

can depend on how well your team communicates throughout the whole game. How Do We Run Blitzes? We base our blitz package out of the four-four stack defense. We have the ability to gain an extra rusher by bringing one up to cell four linebackers into their assigned blitz areas. Using a wide variety of blitzes causes confusion with in the offensive unit and puts them into a defensive or protective mode. When you can force the offense into a corner with relentless pressure, that’s when turnovers occur. Behind our blitzes, we will primarily play some form of three-deep coverage. We also have the ability to play some man to man coverage.

Diagram 4: Fire

Whenever we look at our defense, we start from left to right when reading our zone areas. Zone 1: Left defensive end and left out side linebacker. Zone 2: Left defensive tackle and left inside linebacker. Zone 3: Right defensive tackle and right inside linebacker. Zone 4: Right defensive end and right outside linebacker. Each zone is responsible for covering two offensive areas, as shown in Diagrams 1 and 2. When we are blitzing, it is important for each zone to protect and cover the area assigned to them. In our four-four cover 1, we use a three zone where the outside linebackers have a curl to flat, working inside out. The two inside linebackers have the short middle or hook zone. It is important whenever you run a defense that your team talks to each other on the field. Success for a defense

ways, it can be a weak side or strong side loop, whichever fits the situation.

In Diagram 6, we have a short yardage stunt, which can be very effective in controlling areas. The raiders blitz is a stunt where all linemen are slanting to their right and are responsible for their right area. All linebackers are blitzing to their left area and are responsible for the left side of the area. This stunt can also be run in the opposite way shown. The secondary are in a man to man coverage situation, this stunt can put a lot of pressure on the secondary if the stunt does not work. Again, on behalf of the Minnesota West players and coaching staff, we would like to thank the AFCA for the opportunity to contribute to this year’s Summer Manual. I would also like to thank all of those coaches who, through the years, have helped us develop and grow in this great profession. I hope this article can be of some benefit to you and your program and wish you and your staff the best of luck in the upcoming season.

Suggestions For Rules Changes In Diagram 4, we show zone No. 2 with a fire blitz. The linemen fire to their outside gaps and the linebackers fire to their inside gaps. We also have a X stunt which we switch the responsibilities of the linemen and linebackers to do the opposite of the fire blitz.

Diagram 5: Double Loop

Members who have suggestions for football rules changes should submit those ideas in writing, stating the present rule, the proposed rule and the reasons why the rule should be changed. Suggestions should be sent to:

Diagram 5 shows the double loop. This can be a confusing stunt for offenses, especially if you start with X and fire. This stunt gives more of a natural delay blitz. The double loop can be run in a variety of

• AFCA Summer Manual — 2000 •

Tubby Raymond Head Football Coach University of Delaware Athletic Department Newark, Delaware 19716