_Building a_
CHAMPIONSHIP
_Football Team_
PAUL W. “BEAR” BRYANT
_Athletic Director and
Head Football Coach,
University of Alabama_
Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
PRENTICE-HALL, INC.
© 1960, BY
PRENTICE-HALL, INC.
Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
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Dedication
To a few close associates who were genuinely dedicated to the game of
football. These men were not only great assets to the game; they also
exemplified the true American way of life. Had it not been for men like
these, many of us would have fallen by the wayside. To them, I am forever
grateful.
ROBERT A. COWAN
FORDYCE, ARKANSAS
FRANK W. THOMAS
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
W. A. ALEXANDER
GEORGIA TECH
H. R. “RED” SANDERS
U. C. L. A.
CHARLES CALDWELL
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
HERMAN HICKMAN
YALE UNIVERSITY—_Sports Illustrated_
JIM TATUM
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
G. A. HUGUELETT
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
HERMAN L. HEEP
TEXAS A & M
REX ENRIGHT
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Acknowledgment
This book would not have been possible had it not been for the untiring
efforts of Eugene Stallings, co-captain Texas A & M 1956, All Conference
SWC End, and assistant football coach, University of Alabama. “Bebes”
Stallings exemplifies the true meaning of football, both as a player and
as a coach.
A Real Competitor
“Fight on, my men,” Sir Andrew says,
“A little I’me hurt, but yett not slaine;
“I’le but lye downe and bleede awhile,
“And then I’le rise and fight againe.”
“Sir Andrew Barton,” Part 2, St. 16
(PERCY’S RELIQUES, Series II, Book II)
If Sir Andrew were coaching football today, he would be accused of
teaching “hard-nosed football,” for his battlecry “I’ll rise and
fight again” is that of Paul “Bear” Bryant, author of this book and
self-acknowledged teacher of hard-nosed or all-out football.
Paul Bryant is one of the ablest, most colorful, most controversial
mentors. Fans either love Bear Bryant or despise him—which makes him
excellent box office.
Competitive fires flame high in Coach Bryant. Legend has it he once
played an entire game with a broken leg, believable when one considers
the all-out effort he demands of himself and his players. Deep down, he
is a sentimentalist who leaves a heavy imprint on his players. John David
Crow, All-American back and Heisman Trophy winner under Bryant at Texas A
& M, and now a National Football League star, says, “Coach Paul Bryant is
the greatest coach in America. He made a man out of me.”
Paul Bryant is a builder. When he came to Texas A & M in 1954, Aggie
fortunes were at a low ebb. In four years, Bryant’s Aggies won 25, lost
14, tied 2, and nine of those losses were in his first year.
As a sports writer and television commentator, this observer has watched
Southwest Conference football since 1915, the first year a grid champion
was crowned. The conference’s best job of coaching was Bryant’s,
beginning in 1954. His outstanding player walked out of the Junction,
Texas training camp, and Bryant would _not_ let him return. In their
first game, the Aggies lost to Texas Tech 9 to 41. The Aggies dropped all
six conference games, but only Baylor was able to achieve a two-touchdown
margin. In 1956, Bryant built an unbeaten team, with “my Junction boys”
the nucleus.
There was something almost mystical about Bryant’s story of why he was
leaving Texas A & M for his alma mater, the University of Alabama: “As a
small boy, I sometimes would play until after dark, and then, from afar
off, I’d hear my beloved mother calling, ‘Paul, come home.’ I’d run as
fast as my legs would carry me.”
Some cynics sneer at Paul Bryant’s explanation. But the many sportsmen
who hold for him lasting respect and affection know this warm-hearted man
is telling the truth.
LLOYD GREGORY
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Table of Contents
_Chapter_ _Page_
1. WHY FOOTBALL? 1
2. THE THEORY OF WINNING FOOTBALL 8
3. MAKING THE MOST OF THE COACHING STAFF 18
4. DEFENSE—OUR KIND OF FOOTBALL 24
5. PASS DEFENSE—OBJECTIVES AND TACTICS 62
6. OUR KICKING GAME TECHNIQUES 111
7. OUR OFFENSIVE RUNNING GAME 140
8. OUR OFFENSIVE PASSING GAME TECHNIQUES 176
9. TRAINING THE QUARTERBACK 186
10. PLANNING FOR A GAME 203
11. OUR DRILLS 215
12. THOSE WHO STAY WILL BE CHAMPIONS 231
INDEX 235
Building a CHAMPIONSHIP Football Team
CHAPTER 1
Why Football?
Have you ever wondered about football? Why it’s only a game which is as
fundamental as a ball and a helmet. But the sport is a game of great
importance. If you take all of the ingredients that go into making up the
game of football and put them into a jar, shake well and pour out, you’ve
got a well-proportioned phase of the American way of life.
FOOTBALL IS MORE THAN A GAME
Football is the All-American and the scrub. It’s the Rose Bowl with
102,000 cheering fans, and it’s the ragged kids in a vacant lot using a
dime-store ball. It’s a field in Colorado ankle-deep in snow, and one in
Florida sun-baked and shimmering.
Leaping cheerleaders, a brassy band, and the Dixie Darlings are a part of
the wonderful game of football. It’s a rich guy being chauffeured to the
stadium gate, and a frightened boy shinnying the fence and darting for
the end zone seats. It’s a crowd which has gone crazy as it rips down the
goal posts. And it’s a nation stunned and wet-eyed at the news of Knute
Rockne’s death.
Football is drama, music, dignity, sorrow. It’s exhilaration and shock.
It is also humor and, at times, comedy. It’s a referee sternly running
the game. It’s an inebriated character staggering onto the field and
trying to get into the action.
Football is the memory of Red Grange, the Four Horsemen, and the Seven
Blocks of Granite. It’s a team’s traditional battle cry, such as, “War
Eagle,” in the middle of the summer. It’s a crisp fall day, traffic
jams, portable radios and hip flasks. It’s train trips, plane flights
and victory celebrations. It’s the losers moaning, “You were lucky, just
wait’ll next year!”
Names are football, such as Bronco, Dixie, Night Train, The Horse,
Hopalong, Bad News, The Toe, and Mr. Outside.
FOOTBALL IS THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL
For four quarters, football is the Great American Novel, with chapters
from Frank Merriwell, the Bible, Horatio Alger, the life of Lincoln and
Jack the Giant-Killer.
Newspaper photos, arguments, Mr. Touchdown USA, yellowed clippings, the
Hall of Fame, The Star-Spangled Banner—they’re all football.
It’s a game of young men with big shoulders and hard muscles. It’s also a
game of old pros, such as, 38-year-old Charlie Conerly quarterbacking the
New York Giants to a football championship.
Football is popcorn, cokes, banners and cigaret smoke. It’s people
standing for the kick-off, lap blankets, pacing coaches, penalties and
melodious alma maters.
Football is a game of surprises. The big guy everybody picks in
pre-season as All-American fizzles out. But a kid nobody ever heard of
scores the winning touchdown and a star is born. It’s Tennessee going
17 games without being scored on. It’s also tiny Chattanooga upsetting
mighty Tennessee, making a coach’s dream come true.
It’s the pro halfback who is a movie star. And the water boy who got into
a game at Yale. It’s Bronco Nagurski butting down a sandbag abutment,
and dwarfish Davey O’Brien disappearing from sight behind an array of
250 pound linemen. It’s Harry Gilmer jumping high to pass, and Coach Jim
Owens proving that nice guys finish first.
Football is Bud Wilkinson, whose Sooners are 40 points ahead, walking up
and down the sideline like a caged lion. It’s 35-year-old Paul Dietzel
and 90-year-old Amos Alonzo Stagg. It’s 6′8″ Gene “Big Daddy” Lipscomb
and 5′6″ Eddie LeBaron.
Women who don’t know a quick kick from a winged-T cheer every move on the
field, waving pennants, purses and even mink stoles. That’s football.
So is the pressbox with its battery of clattering typewriters. And the
oldtimer who claims they played a better game in his day is a part of
football, too.
It’s Ray Berry, who wears contact lenses, making unbelievable catches for
the Baltimore Colts. And after the game, when he dons his thick glasses,
he looks the part of a studious school teacher—which he is after football
season terminates.
It’s a scramble for tickets, playing parlays, wide-eyed youngsters
getting autographs, a fist fight in the stands, second guessing,
banquets, icy rains, color guards, fumbles, goal line stands, homecoming
queens, and the typical mutt running onto the field attracting everyone’s
attention.
Football is Tommy Lewis jumping off the bench in the Cotton Bowl game and
tackling a touchdown-bound Rice runner simply because, “I’ve got too much
Alabama in me, I guess.” It’s the quivering voice of a dying George Gipp
telling his Notre Dame teammates, “Win one for the Gipper.”
It’s New Year’s, Christmas and the Fourth of July rolled into one. It’s
VJ Day, the Declaration of Independence, Haley’s comet and Bunker Hill.
It’s tears and laughter, pathos and exuberance.
Football is a game that separates the men from the boys, but also it’s a
game that makes kids of us all.
Most of all it’s a capsule of this great country itself.[1]
[1] The author extends sincerest thanks to Clettus Atkinson,
Assistant Sports Editor, Birmingham Post-Herald, for
contributing his fine depiction to the meaning of football.
FOOTBALL IS THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE
Football, in its rightful place, can be one of the most wholesome,
exciting and valuable activities in which our youth can possibly
participate. It is the only sport I know of that teaches boys to have
complete control of themselves, to gain self-respect, give forth a
tremendous effort, and at the same time learn to observe the rules of
the game, regard the rights of others and stay within bounds dictated by
decency and sportsmanship.
Football in reality is very much the American way of life. As in life,
the players are faced with challenges and they have an opportunity to
match skills, strength, poise and determination against each other. The
participants learn to cooperate, associate, depend upon, and work with
other people. They have a great opportunity to learn that if they are
willing to work, strive harder when tired, look people in the eye, and
rise to the occasion when opportunity presents itself, they can leave
the game with strong self-assurance, which is so vitally important in
all phases of life. At the same time they are developing these priceless
characteristics, they get to play and enjoy fellowship with the finest
grade and quality of present day American youth.
_The Game’s Intrinsic Values_
Not only is football a great and worthwhile sport because it teaches fair
play and discipline, but it also teaches the number one way of American
life—to win. We are living in an era where all our sympathy and interest
goes to the person who is the winner. In order to stay abreast with the
best, we must also win. The most advantageous and serviceable lesson that
we can derive from football is the intrinsic value of winning. It is not
the mere winning of the game, but it is teaching the boys to win the
hectic battle over themselves that is important. Sure, winning the game
is important, and I would be the last to say that it wasn’t, but helping
the boy to develop his poise and confidence, pride in himself and his
undertakings, teaching him to give that little extra effort are the real
objectives of teaching winning football.
If I had my choice of either winning the game or winning the faith of a
boy, I would choose the latter. There is no greater reward for a coach
than to see his players achieve their goals in life and to know he had
some small part in the success of the boys’ endeavors.
Boys who participate in football, whether in high school or college, are
in their formative years. It is every coach’s responsibility to see that
each boy receives the necessary guidance and attention he so rightly
deserves. I would be deeply hurt and embarrassed if I learned a boy
wasn’t just a little better person after having played under my guidance.
If we, as coaches, lose the true sense of the value of football and get
to a point where we cannot contribute to a boy progressing spiritually,
mentally, and physically, we will be doing this wonderful game of
football a great injustice by remaining in coaching.
The coaching profession is honorable and dignified and we football
coaches are in a position to contribute to the mental development and
desirable attitudes which will remain with the boys throughout their
lives. We have the opportunities to teach intangible lessons to our
players that will be priceless to them in future years. We are in a
position to teach these boys intrinsic values that cannot be learned at
home, church, school or any place outside of the athletic field. Briefly,
these intangible attributes are as follows: (1) Discipline, sacrifice,
work, fight, and teamwork; (2) to learn how to take your “licks,” and
yet fight back; (3) to be so tired you think you are going to die, but
instead of quitting you somehow learn to fight a little harder; (4) when
your team is behind, you learn to “suck up your guts” and do whatever
it takes to catch up and win the game; and (5) you learn to believe in
yourself because you know how to rise to the occasion, and you know you
will do it! The last trait is the most important one.
_The Greatest Display of Courage_
One personal reference will illustrate the intangible attributes that
football teaches. We have all seen or heard someone tell about the
greatest display of courage a team has ever shown. When a team you coach
has had such an experience, it makes you exceedingly happy and proud of
your position and the team. While I have never been ashamed of any of
my football clubs, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for one
of my teams in particular. I think my 1955 Texas A & M team displayed
the greatest courage, rose to the occasion better, and did more of what
I call “sucking up their guts and doing what was required of them” in a
particular game than any other team with which I’ve ever been associated.
We were playing Rice Institute in Houston on a hot, humid afternoon. Our
play was very sluggish and before we fully realized it, the game was
almost over, and we were behind 12-0. We were leading the Conference race
up to this point, but it was beginning to look as if we were going to be
humiliated before 68,000 people. Having become disgusted with my starting
unit’s ineffective play, I withdrew the regulars from the game early
in the fourth quarter. With approximately four minutes left to play, I
decided to send the regulars back in. I told them they still had time to
win the game if it meant enough to them to do so.
The first unit went on to the field and immediately called time out. I
later found out they vowed to each other they were going to do whatever
it took to win the game. We eventually got possession of the football
on our own 42-yard line, and the clock showed 2:56 remaining to play.
Again the boys called time out, giving each man a few seconds to make up
his mind just exactly what he was going to do. On the first play from
scrimmage, Lloyd Taylor, a little halfback from Roswell, New Mexico ran
58 yards around left end for a touchdown. He kicked the extra point and
the score was 12-7, with 2:08 remaining in the game. We tried an on-side
(short) kick, and Gene Stallings recovered the ball on Rice’s 49-yard
line. Our quarterback, Jimmy Wright, then threw a 49-yard pass to Lloyd
Taylor who made a beautiful catch as he crossed the goal line. Taylor
scored his fourteenth point as he kicked his second point-after-touchdown
placement. With the score 14-12, we lined up and kicked the ball deep to
Rice. Forcing Rice to gamble since they were behind, they attempted a
deep pass which our great fullback, Jack Pardee, intercepted and returned
40 yards to the 3-yard line. On the next play Don Watson carried the ball
across for a touchdown, making the final score 20-12 in our favor.
After the game in our dressing room when everyone was congratulating each
other, and everything was in a state of confusion, Lloyd Taylor suggested
we thank the Master for giving us the courage to make the great comeback.
From that game on we have always said a prayer of gratitude after the
game, win, lose, or draw.
The particular incident cited was the greatest display I have ever seen
of boys reaching back and getting that little extra, showing their true
colors, and rising to the occasion and putting into practice the thing
that we preach and believe in.
What do we get out of coaching? There is nothing in the world I would
swap for the associations with those boys, and the other fine men I have
coached, and the self satisfaction of knowing I’ve helped many boys to
find themselves. In my estimation, football is truly a way of life.
CHAPTER 2
The Theory of Winning Football
Every football team has a slogan, and each coach has his own theory as to
what makes a winning team. We are no exception. Our slogan is, “Winning
is not everything, but it sure beats anything that comes in second.”
Our theory on how to develop a winning team is very simple—WORK! If the
coaches and players will work hard, then winning will be the result.
We want to win. We play to win. We are going to encourage, insist and
demand that our players give a 100% effort in trying to win. Otherwise we
would be doing them a great injustice. It is very important for the boys
to have a complete understanding of what they must do in order to win.
When a boy has completed his eligibility or has played four years under
our guidance, I like to believe he will graduate knowing how to suck up
his guts and rise to the occasion, and do whatever is required of him to
get his job done. If our boys are willing to work hard, and we give them
the proper leadership and guidance, then they will graduate winners and
our athletic program will be a success.
HOW TO START BUILDING A WINNER
Building a winning football team is something that cannot be accomplished
overnight, or even in a year or two, if the program is starting from
scratch. I believe, irrespective of the time element involved, a football
program has little chance of succeeding unless the following “musts” are
adhered to:
1. The coach _must_ have a definite plan in which he believes,
and there _must_ be no compromise on his part.
2. The football coach _must_ have the complete cooperation
and support of the administrators and the administration, who
_must_ believe in the head coach, his staff, and his plan.
3. The coach _must_ have a long term contract.
4. The coach _must_ not only be dedicated to football, but he
_must_ be tough mentally.
5. The head coach _must_ have the sole responsibility and
authority of selecting his staff of dedicated men, who _must_
believe in the head coach and his plan.
_The Administration Must Believe in Your Plan_
It is vitally important that a coach build a solid foundation for his
program. In order to do this he must have complete cooperation from
every member of the school’s administration. In many cases the school
officials will not have a complete and thorough understanding of your
athletic program. It is important that you explain to them just what you
are trying to accomplish, how long it will take, and why you are doing
it in your particular manner. The administrators and the administration
must understand the value the program has for each boy who participates,
and the ways the program can benefit the entire school system. Therefore,
before a coach accepts a particular position he should give considerable
thought to the administration’s philosophy, attitude or point-of-view
toward the football program. If the school president or principal
is skeptical, consider the position seriously before accepting it.
Building a championship team is difficult enough with full cooperation
from everyone, but it is an impossible coaching situation without the
administration’s full support and confidence.
_The Coach Must Have a Long Term Contract_
If a college coach is going to build a team, it is an absolute must
that he have a long term contract. There is little use in believing or
thinking any other way. It is very possible, and highly probable, it will
take at least four or five years to shape a ball club into winning form.
Without the security of a long term contract, a coach can be forced to
concentrate on winning a certain number of games each year, and it is
possible this can completely disrupt or disorganize a rebuilding program.
I am not saying that a coach should not try to win every game, because
he obviously should strive to win ’em all. I merely want to point out
the fact that without the security of a job for a period of years, he
might be forced to revert to certain practices which he knows are not
sound principles on which to build a winning program. As an illustration,
he might have to revert to such a practice as playing individuals of
questionable character because of their immediate ability, rather than
weeding them out and concentrating on the solid citizens. The latter
group will stay with you and will eventually be winners, if you are given
job security and adequate time to work with them.
_The Coach Must Be Dedicated and Tough Mentally_
Unless a person is dedicated to his chosen trade or profession,
regardless of his field of endeavor, he is never going to be highly
successful. Building a winning football team is no exception. The head
coach, as well as his assistants, must be dedicated to football. All of
them must be tough mentally, too.
Many times a coach’s job is unpopular and unrewarding. From time to time
a coach must make decisions that are unpleasant. He cannot compromise,
however, if he expects to build a winner. He must be tough mentally in
order to survive.
In addition, a coach must be tough mentally in another sense. He
must be able to spend numerous hours studying football all ways and
always. A coach who hopes to be successful must drive himself and be so
dedicated to his job that he puts it ahead of everything else in his
life, with the exception of his religion and his family. One can have a
tremendous knowledge of the game, but he cannot possibly make the grade
unless he can stand up to the long hours and the trying times. It is
not an absolute necessity for a coach to be exceptionally smart or a
brilliant strategist, but he must be a hard worker, mentally tough, and
dedicated to the game of football. One can only be honest with himself in
determining whether or not he has these qualifications.
_You Must Have a Definite Plan_
As head football coach, you must give leadership and direction to your
program if you expect it to be successful. Therefore, you must have a
definite plan in which you and your assistants believe. In order to
build winners you cannot deviate from your plan, and there cannot be any
compromises.
Many factors go into the plan, such as organizing the program and the
type of boys whom you have on your squad, both of which will have a great
deal to do with your ultimate success or failure. These and other phases
of the plan will be discussed in detail shortly, and in later chapters in
this book.
_You Must Have a Good Staff_
In order to build winners, the head coach must surround himself with a
dedicated staff of hard working coaches. While I have touched on this
point briefly already, this particular _must_ will be discussed in
greater detail in Chapter 3, “Making the Most of Your Coaching Staff.”
THE TYPE OF BOY = SUCCESS OR FAILURE
The team with the best athletes will usually win the tough ball games,
other things being equal. It is a well recognized fact that a coach is
no better than his material. Therefore we must have the best material
available in order to be a winner. I tell my coaches if they can recruit
the best athletes to our school, then I can coach them. If they recruit
mediocre athletes, then the assistants will have to coach them.
There are a number of qualifications that we look for in our athletes,
and some of these are _musts_ if the boys are to become champions.
Football is nothing more than movement and contact. If a player has
excellent movement but won’t make contact, he will never be a winner.
Conversely, if a boy is mean, loves body contact, and likes to hit
people, but is so slow he never gets to the ball carrier, then he will
never make a winner either. There are ways to improve an individual’s
quickness, but if a boy refuses to make contact, there is nothing that I
know of to correct it.
The type of boy you select to play on your football team has a great deal
to do with your ultimate success or failure. In order for our program to
be successful, we try to select the boy with the following traits:
1. He must be dedicated to the game of football.
2. He must have the desire to excel and to win.
3. He must be tough mentally and physically.
4. He must be willing to make personal sacrifices.
5. He must put team glory first in place of personal
glorification.
6. He must be a leader of men both on and off the field.
7. He should be a good student.
_The Players Must Be Dedicated_
A player must be dedicated to the game to the extent he is willing to
work, sacrifice, cooperate and do what he possibly can to aid the team
in victory. It is our duty as coaches to explain and show our boys the
advantages of being winners, and to impress upon them the absolute
necessity of it so they will put forth the much needed effort to
accomplish the objective. It is important for the players to understand
that football is not an easy game; nor is achieving fame an easy task.
However, anything worth doing, is worth doing right. Therefore let’s do
it right and be winners.
We refer to “the little extras” a boy must give in order to be a winner.
These little extras really make the difference between good and great,
whether it be on an individual or a team basis. When a boy puts into
practice what you have been preaching about giving that extra effort when
he is dog tired, going harder, rising to the occasion and doing what is
necessary to win, then you are making progress and he is on the way to
becoming a winner both individually and for his team.
There is nothing else I would rather see than when our boys are in their
goal line defense, and they have supreme confidence they will keep the
opposition from scoring. Every boy is taking it upon himself personally
to do what is necessary to stop the ball carrier from scoring. When a
coach has a team thinking like this, he will have a winner, and the boys
will be winners when they get out of school.
_Our Boys Must Have the Desire to Excel_
We talk about the importance of particular aspects of coaching, such
as full cooperation, long contracts, and other phases connected with
coaching, but in the final analysis the success or failure of your
program depends on the performance of the boys on the playing field.
The game is generally won by the boys with the greatest desire. The
difference in winning and losing is a very slight margin in a tough ball
game. The same applies to two players of equal ability, except that one
is great and the other is average. What is this slight margin? It’s the
second and third effort, both individually and as a team. The boy who
intercepts a pass or blocks a punt, or who gets his block then goes and
knocks down another opponent is the individual who wants to excel. He
will make the “big play” when it counts the most. He and others will give
us “the winning edge.” These are the deciding factors in a tough ball
game.
_You Must Beat Your Opponent Physically_
The teams that win consistently are the ones in the best physical
condition. As a result they can play better football than their
opposition in the fourth quarter. We also believe and teach our boys they
must be more aggressive and “out-mean” our opponents if they expect to
win consistently.
We may not be as smart and as tricky as our opposition, so we have to
out-work ’em. If our boys are in top physical condition, if we “out-mean”
and physically whip our opponents by hard blocking and tackling, and we
are consistent in doing it, we’ll win a lot of football games. Football
is a contact sport, and we must make the initial contact. In order to be
a winner a boy must whip his man individually, and the team must beat the
opponent physically.
_Genuine All-Out Desire for Team Victory_
Unity is the sound basis for any successful organization, and a football
team is no exception. Without team unity you cannot have winners. We
believe and coach team victory. Our goal is to win every game we play. We
go into every game believing we will win it. Obviously we don’t win all
of them, but we never go into a game believing we cannot come out of it
the winner.
In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every
player must put the team first ahead of personal glory. The boy who plays
for us must be willing to make sacrifices. Victory means team glory for
everyone. Individual personal glory means little if the team loses.
_Must Be a Leader and a Good Student_
In order to have winners your boys must be leaders both on and off the
field. They should be good students, too. As was indicated previously,
if your contract will give you sufficient time to work with the “solid
citizens,” they will stay with you even if the going gets tough, and
eventually they will be winners.
_You Can’t See Into the Heart of a Boy_
Most coaches take pride in their ability to pick out boys with athletic
ability. I am no exception. However, you can never be absolutely certain
about a boy because you cannot see what is inside of his heart. If we
could do this, we would never make a mistake on a football player. We
have seen it occur frequently where a player was pitiful in his freshman
year, and the coaches almost give up on his ever improving. However,
through determination, hard work, pride and desire the boy would finally
develop and would play a lot of football before he graduated.
My assistant coaches have a favorite story they like to tell about a
player we had at the University of Kentucky. We had started our first
practice session in the fall of 1948 when a youngster walked out on the
field. His appearance literally stopped practice. He had on a zoot suit
with the trouser legs pegged so tightly I am certain he had difficulty
squeezing his bare feet through the narrow openings. His suspenders drew
up his trousers about six inches above his normal waist line. His long
zoot coat extended almost to his knees. His “duck tail” hair style
looked quite unusual. He was standing in a semi-slump, and twirling a
long chain around his finger when one of my assistants walked over and
asked him if he wanted someone. His answer, “Yeah. Where’s the Bear?”
He found me in a hurry. Our first impression was that he would never
be a football player, but he was issued a uniform anyway. I figured he
wouldn’t have the heart for our type of football and would eliminate
himself quickly from the squad. To help him make up his mind in a hurry I
instructed one of the coaches assisting me to see that he got plenty of
extra work after practice. The boy’s name was difficult to pronounce, so
we started calling him “Smitty.”
Despite “Smitty’s” outward appearance, he had the heart of a competitor
and the desire to show everyone he was a good football player. He
worked hard and proved his point. In his senior year he was selected
the outstanding player in the 1951 Sugar Bowl game when we defeated the
University of Oklahoma. After graduation he played for several years with
the New York Giants as a fine defensive end. I shall always have the
greatest respect for him.
Other coaches probably have had similar experiences where a boy with
questionable ability has made good. If a boy has a great desire to play
football, regardless of his ability, and you work with him, he is likely
to make tremendous progress toward fulfilling his objective.
GOOD ORGANIZATION—A BIG FACTOR IN BUILDING WINNERS
Without good organization our thoughts or plans of any kind would be
absolutely useless. Good organization is a must if a team is to operate
at maximum efficiency. There are many plans of organization that are
good, and I am not saying mine is the best, but I believe my plan is
sound and this is what really counts.
It always has been my practice to observe people who are successful in
a particular field, and try to determine what makes their operation
successful. There is little originality remaining in the field of
coaching. Consequently we have gotten many of our ideas from other
people. As Frank Howard of Clemson College put it, “If we get something
from one team, it’s called stealing; but if we get ideas from several
different teams, it’s called research.”
_Use the Ant Plan_
I borrowed my plan of organization from some ants in Africa. I realize
this sounds ridiculous and far fetched; nevertheless, it’s the truth. It
is interesting how it all came about.
While I was in the Navy in Africa, one hot, humid afternoon I was sitting
under a tree feeling sorry for myself. I started to watch some ants
building an ant hill. At first I was amused, but as I watched I became
very interested. What at first appeared to be confusion was actually a
carefully organized plan as the ants all worked toward their objective of
building a home. The longer I watched the more obvious it became that all
of the ants were working, many in small groups here and there. There was
no inactivity, no wasted motion. There was unity and there was a plan. It
appeared the ants had planned their work and they worked their plan.
With the ant plan in mind, we try to organize our practice sessions so
that we have everyone working and no one standing around idle. We work
in small groups and this eliminates inactivity. As a result we feel that
we can get more work done in a shorter period of time. Consequently we
believe the less time a player spends on the practice field, the higher
will be his morale.
I did not have to watch the ants to learn the value of teamwork and
cooperation, although this was evident in their activity. The main lesson
I learned from them was the value of small group work in order to keep
everyone busy.
There are many other factors that must be taken into consideration when
organizing the program, and I shall discuss the subject more fully in
Chapters 3 and 10. Planning and organization are the backbone of a
successful team. Planning a practice so that you get maximum results from
the players and the assistant coaches requires a great deal of time. The
importance of this cannot be emphasized too greatly.
CONCLUSION
Winning theories vary from coach to coach, but our philosophy toward
building a winner consists of the following factors: (1) a hard working
staff that is dedicated to football; (2) players with a genuine desire
to excel, to “out-mean” the opponent, and be in top physical condition;
(3) a strong organization and a sound plan; (4) mental toughness in
both staff and players; and (5) the full confidence of the school
administration. In addition, you must teach sound football. Your boys and
your staff must have confidence in your type of football. I shall discuss
our methods fully in later chapters.
CHAPTER 3
Making the Most of the Coaching Staff
I am a firm believer in the old saying, “A head coach is no stronger
than his assistant coaches.” In order for any head coach to have a good
program he must surround himself with a staff of good assistant coaches.
This does not mean that every coach must have six or eight assistants. In
some cases the head coach may not have more than two or three assistants.
The principles are the same, however, regardless of the number of
assistant coaches. I have been fortunate in having an excellent group of
assistants every place I have coached, and I want to give credit to them
for any measure of coaching success I may have had in the past.
ASSISTANT COACH: TYPE OF MAN
There are many characteristics I am seeking in an assistant coach. I
shall not attempt to list them in the order of importance because I think
they all belong at the _top_ of the list. Briefly, the desirable traits
and characteristics I am seeking in an assistant are as follows:
1. He should be dedicated to the game of football.
2. He should be willing to work hard and to make personal
sacrifices.
3. He should be an honest person.
4. He should have a sound knowledge of football.
5. He should have a great deal of initiative.
6. He should be a sound thinker.
7. He should be tough mentally.
_A Dedicated Person, Hard Worker, Loyal_
The first trait, “Be dedicated to the game of football,” is a _must_ for
_all_ coaches, assistants as well as head coaches. Don’t ever try to fool
yourself or anyone else. If you are not truly dedicated to your work, and
you dread spending many hours every day working and planning on building
a good football team, then you are in the wrong business. I’ll guarantee
there is no easy way to develop a winning team. If it were an easy task,
all of us would be undefeated and “Coach of the Year.” Unfortunately
one team generally wins and the other loses, and if it is the latter it
doesn’t make a coach’s job any easier. If you will look at the consistent
winners, you will find behind them a group of coaches who are dedicated
100% to their work.
Regardless of whether it’s the college or high school level of
competition, there are coaches and teams that win year after year. The
real reason for this success, other than good material, is the coaches of
these particular teams are dedicated to the extent that they “want” to
do what is necessary to win. There is a big difference between “wanting
to” and “willing to” do something to be a winner. Frankly, I don’t like
the word “willing” in connection with an assistant coach. First, if the
coaches are _not_ willing, they should _not_ be coaching. Coaching is not
an 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. job. The assistant who is “willing” to work a little
extra is not the one I want on my staff. The assistant who “wants” to do
what is necessary in order to get the team ready to play, regardless of
the time element involved, is the man whom I want to assist me.
A head coach cannot expect his assistants to be dedicated to their work,
unless he leads by example. The head coach must work harder, longer, and
be more dedicated to his work than any of his assistants, if he expects
to have a good, hard-working staff and winners.
Another qualification I consider a must for all assistant coaches is
their 100% loyalty to the head coach’s plan. It is very important for a
coach and his staff to know they have mutual trust and loyalty to each
other. These characteristics are obvious, and an assistant coach who does
not possess them commits professional suicide.
_Initiative and Ambition_
An assistant coach should have a great deal of initiative and ambition.
I prefer to have my assistants study the game all ways and always. They
should constantly try to improve themselves. There is no corner on the
brain market and a person advances in his field through hard work and his
own initiative.
It is a must that all coaches be good “mixers.” They must be able to get
along with each other, the head coach, the players, and the people in the
community. On the college level a coach must know how to recruit, and
most of the time the successful recruiter is a good mixer. He must sell
your product—the school, the team, the coaching staff, etc.—to athletes
and their parents, and his job will be easier if he has this type of
personality.
_Honesty and Integrity_
It is an absolute must that all coaches be honest with themselves, the
people for whom they work, and the others with whom they come in contact.
If I cannot trust a person, I do not want him around. Along this same
line, we like our coaches to be active in their church work. We emphasize
to our players the value of attending church, and we like our coaches to
set a good example for everyone.
_A Sound Thinker With a Good Understanding of the Game_
In order for a coach to be competent, he must be a sound thinker and
possess a good knowledge of the game of football. I have mentioned this
previously. I expect my assistants to study, plan, discuss and try to
come up with ideas that might aid us in winning a football game. We are
going to toss around all ideas in our staff meetings before we adopt any
of them, but your brand of football can become stale and unprogressive if
the coaches do not study the game.
DIVISION OF COACHING DUTIES
Morale on a squad is very important. The morale of a coaching staff is
very important, too. I feel the latter group will influence the former
group, consequently I am vitally concerned about my assistants having
good morale. With this thought in mind, I try to delegate duties and
responsibilities so the assistants enjoy their work. Each man is really a
specialist, or he can do some phase a little better than another coach.
Therefore it’s just common sense to permit him to work at the specialty
in which he is going to excel. He will not only have more enthusiasm
for his work, but his enthusiasm will be reflected in the players’
work. There is no substitute for enthusiasm. Under such conditions the
players learn more quickly and the coaches are able to do a better job of
coaching.
_Assistant Coaches Direct Group Work_
I do not think it advisable for a head coach to do group work with one
of his assistants. If an assistant is directing a group and the head
man comes over to help out, he takes the lead away from the assistant.
As a result the assistant coach is likely to lose his initiative—the
very trait you want him to develop. Secondly, the players are likely
to give the head coach all of their attention, and this isn’t fair to
the assistant working with the same group of boys. Thirdly, I do not
think it is desirable to suggest changes, make corrections or reprimand
an assistant on the field. I feel the proper time to get the matter
straightened out is after practice, and not while the players are around.
I always try to avoid situations which are not conducive to good team and
staff morale because you’ve got to have good morale in order to build a
winner.
_The Coaching Specialist_
I think it is important for my assistants to specialize in either
offensive or defensive football. I feel they can do a better job of
coaching if they devote most of their time and effort toward one aspect
or the other. We still want them to be cognizant of the opposite phase,
however, as the defensive coaches must understand offensive football,
and vice versa for the offensive coaches. In fact, from time to time I
will put an offensive coach with the defense so he can learn more about
this particular phase of the game. I believe it would be advisable for a
high school coach, with possibly only a staff of two, to follow the same
plan—one offensive coach and the other on defense.
Immediately after practice every day during the season I meet with my
staff. I have little patience with the assistant who wants to hurry away
from practice immediately. I want my staff members to meet in the staff
room so we can discuss all phases of the day’s practice schedule while
it is still fresh in our minds. Evaluation of personnel goes on all the
time. Therefore, I want my assistants to list on the blackboard the work
schedule for the next day for their particular group of boys. In addition
I want their suggestions and comments as to the type of teamwork needed.
Now I am in a better position to do a more intelligent job of setting up
the practice schedule for the next day since I have been made aware of
our individual and team needs, strengths and weaknesses. We have found
this procedure very helpful, and I encourage my assistants to express
themselves. I shall explain our procedures more fully in Chapter 10.
_Delegating Responsibility_
The head coach must delegate responsibility to his assistants in order
to have a more effective plan of operation. The head coach must let each
assistant know what he expects from him. An explanation of duties and
responsibilities in the beginning is likely to eliminate misunderstanding
later on. Secondly, a person with some responsibility is likely to do
a better job than the individual who doesn’t have any. I have found it
gives the assistant more confidence in himself and more pride in his work
if he has been given a certain amount of responsibility.
As I mentioned previously in Chapter 2, in order to get the most from
your staff, they must be completely sold on your plan for building a
winner. Of course, the head coach must believe in his own plan 100%,
along with the assistants, and he cannot make any compromises if he
expects to be successful.
_A Good Coach Is a Good Teacher_
We stress the point frequently that coaching is teaching of the highest
degree, and a good coach is a good teacher. It is not what you and your
assistants know about football that is going to win the games, but rather
what you are able to teach your players. In order to give our coaches an
opportunity to improve their coaching techniques, we have them get up
at staff meetings and explain and demonstrate various points. The other
coaches will pretend they do not understand the coach who has the floor,
and he must explain and answer the questions to our satisfaction. We have
found this method gives the coaches a lot of confidence and they do a
better job of coaching on the field.
CONCLUSION
In order for the head coach to get the maximum from his assistants, he
must set a good example. Since others will follow a leader who actually
leads, rather than one who merely tells what to do, I believe a head
coach must work longer, harder, and stay a jump ahead of his assistants
and the other coaches in the profession. He must be dedicated to the game
of football, well organized, sound in his thinking, and have the ability
to delegate authority and responsibility to his assistants if he expects
to build a successful program.
CHAPTER 4
Defense: Our Kind of Football
We believe _defense_ is one of the most important phases of football.
As a matter of fact, we work on defense more than we do on offense. We
feel if we do not permit the opposition to score, we will not lose the
football game. While in reality most teams actually score on us, we still
try to sell our players on the idea that if the opposition does not score
we will not lose.
If you expect to have a good defensive team, you must sell your players
on the importance of defensive football. Our players are enthusiastic
about defensive football. I believe we do a good job of teaching
defensive football because the staff and players are sold on what we are
trying to do. Defense is our kind of football.
DEFENSIVE OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of defensive football is to keep the opposition
from scoring. We want our players to feel their ultimate objective is to
keep the opposition from crossing our goal line.
A more functional facet of the primary object is to keep the opposition
from scoring the “easy” touchdown, which is the cheap one, the long pass
or the long run for six points. While a singular long run or a long
completed pass may not actually defeat us, it is very likely if either
play breaks for the “easy” touchdown we _will_ be defeated.
Secondly, our kicking game must be sound, which I shall discuss fully
in Chapter 6. We must be able to kick the ball safely out of dangerous
territory. Providing we do this, and eliminate the “easy” touchdown, we
believe our opposition’s own offense will stop itself 65% of the time
through a broken signal, a penalty, or some other offensive mistake.
Therefore, if my boys are aggressive while on defense, we’ll probably
keep our opposition from scoring about 25% of the time they have the
ball. The remaining 10% will be a dog fight. Therefore, we must instill
in our defensive men a fierce competitive pride that each player is
personally responsible for keeping the opposition from scoring.
_The Offensive-Minded Defense_
Our next objective is to sell the players on the idea our defensive unit
can and will score for us. There are more ways to score while on defense
than on offense; consequently, the odds favor the defense. If statistics
are kept on the defensive team’s performance, and the defensive team is
given credit for all scores made by running back a punt, recovering a
fumble or any other defensive maneuver where they either score or get
the ball for their offense inside of the opposition’s 25-yard line,
which results in a score, the players can be sold on the idea of the
offensive-minded defense.
Previously I mentioned the importance of good morale in building a
winner. In order to sell a boy on defense you must create good morale.
Therefore, we sell our boys on the idea that playing defense is the
toughest assignment in football. We try to see that our defensive players
get most of the recognition and favorable publicity. If our defense makes
a goal line stand, and we win the game, we try to give most of the credit
to our defensive players.
_Sell Them On Defensive Football_
We want to make our defensive players believe that when the opposing
team has the ball inside our 3-yard line they aren’t going to score—they
can’t score—they must not score! If a team believes this, it’s almost
impossible for the offense to score. In 1950 our defensive unit prevented
opposing teams from scoring on 19 occasions from the 3-yard line. The
morale of the defensive players was outstanding. They thought it was
impossible for another team to score on them even though they had only
three yards to defend. I recall in our game with Oklahoma University in
the Sugar Bowl, the Sooners got down to our 3-yard line. We were caught
with three or four of our best players on the bench, and I was trying
to get them back into the game quickly. As Jim McKenzie, who had been
replaced, came off the field, he said, “Don’t worry, Coach, they will
never score on us.” And they did not score! When I see such evidence
as this, I know our players believe what we tell them, and “we are in
business!”
I do not believe you can teach defensive football successfully unless
you are able to present a clear picture to your players of what you are
trying to accomplish. Our objective is to limit the offense to as small
an area as possible. By limiting their attack, we can hem them in and
catch them. We attempt to build a fence around the ball, and around the
offensive operation. I want my players to have a good picture of exactly
how we are going to build this fence, and what we hope to accomplish,
both of which will be explained later.
_Defense Is a Personal Challenge_
Defense is a phase of football I have always considered very interesting
because every play is a personal challenge. When a team is on defense,
the players are challenging the offensive players in relating to an area
of ground or field. Every man on defense should believe, “I am not going
to let the offense score.” If you expect to be a winner, either as a
player or a coach, you must believe in this philosophy 100%. Your play
must be sound, and you must believe in it.
Offensive football is assignment football, while defense is reaction
football. One mistake on defense can cost a team a football game.
Consequently there cannot be errors on defense. By being sound, and in
order to eliminate errors, I mean you must always have the strength of
your defense against the strength of the offense. The defensive players
must be positioned in such a way that the team as a whole can handle any
situation that might arise.
DEFENSIVE AXIOMS
There are numerous defensive alignments, just as there are different
points-of-view or theories toward how defense should be played.
Regardless of the differences and a coach’s particular plan, the
following “musts” are considered basic axioms if a defense is to be sound:
1. The defense _must not_ allow the opponent to complete a long
pass for an “easy” touchdown.
2. The defense _must not_ allow the opponent to make a long run
for an “easy” touchdown.
3. The defense _must not_ allow the opposition to score by
running from within your 5-yard line.
4. The defense _must not_ allow the opposition to return a
kick-off for a touchdown.
5. The defense _must not_ allow the opposition to average more
than 20 yards per kick-off return.
6. The defense _must_ intercept two passes out of every 13
passes attempted.
7. The defense _must_ average 20 yards per return on each
interception.
8. The defense _must_ return three interceptions for touchdowns
per season.
9. The defense _must_ force the opposition to fumble the ball
on an average of three and one-half times per game.
10. The defense _must_ recover an average of two and one-half
fumbles per game.
These 10 basic axioms are extremely important, and must be applied if a
team is to be sound defensively.
_Defense—A Team Proposition_
A good sound defense is one that has every player on defense carrying
out his assignment. Then it is impossible for the offense to score. Note
that I said _every_ player, which makes defense a team proposition and
eliminates the individual defensive play. By this I mean every defense is
coordinated and a player just doesn’t do what he wants to do. I do not
mean suppressing an individual’s initiative or desire to excel while on
defense, as long as the entire defense is a coordinated unit. We try to
instill in every boy that he is personally responsible to see that our
opposition does not score. When individual players and a team accept this
responsibility, I feel we are making progress and beginning to build a
winner.
_Gang Tackling—A Defensive Must_
During all phases of our defensive work we elaborate frequently on the
importance of gang tackling. We like to see six or seven of our boys in
on every tackle. Such tactics are not only demoralizing to ball carriers
and wear them down physically, but represent sound football. It is
difficult for the ball carrier to break loose and score when half a dozen
men are fighting to get a piece of him.
We want the first tackler to get a good shot at the ball carrier, making
certain he does not miss him. We want the other defenders to “tackle the
ball,” and make the ball carrier fumble it so we can get possession of
the football. We are trying to get possession of the football any way we
can. Frankly we want the first man to the ball carrier merely to hold him
up, and not let him get away, so we can unload on him. You can punish a
ball carrier when one man has him “dangling,” and the others gang tackle
him hard. I am not implying we want our boys to pile on and play dirty
football merely to get a ball carrier out of the game. First, we do not
teach this type of football as it is a violation of the rules and spirit
of the game. Second, piling on brings a 15-yard penalty. We cannot win
when we get penalized in clutch situations.
OUR DEFENSIVE NUMBERING SYSTEM AND TERMINOLOGY
After coaching for a number of years, and always trying to find something
that would make football easier to understand for the average player, I
came upon a system of defensive numbering that has proven very valuable
to me since then. In the past I have used many different defenses. I
always employed the technique of giving each defense a name. Most of the
time the name had little in common with the defense, and this confused,
rather than helped, the players. After discussing the possibility of the
numbering system with my own and other college and high school coaches,
while at Texas A & M in 1956 I finally come across a feasible plan
for numbering defensive alignments. I must give credit to O. A. “Bum”
Phillips, a Texas high school coach, for helping work out the solution as
he experimented with the numbering system with his high school football
team.
In the numbering of our defense now, we give each offensive man a number,
as well as the gaps between the offensive linemen. Figure 1 is an example
of our defensive numbering system.
[Illustration: FIGURE 1]
Accompanying each number is a particular “technique,” which will be
explained shortly. If a defensive player lines up in a 2 position,
he will play what we call a “2 technique”; a 3 position plays a “3
technique,” etc. Therefore, from end to end of the offensive line we can
line-up our defensive men and each position has a particular technique.
Who calls the defense? How is it called and what does it mean? Who
is included in the call? Each linebacker calls the defense for his
particular side of the line. He controls his guard, tackle and himself,
but he does not control the end on his side of the line. The latter is
controlled by the defensive signal caller in the secondary who gives a
call for the 4- or 5-spoke defensive alignment.
Each linebacker calls two numbers. The first number tells his guard where
to line up and his accompanying defensive technique. The second number
gives the same information to the defensive tackle.
As an example, if the linebacker calls, “26,” the guard will play a 2
technique and the tackle a 6 technique. If the caller said, “59,” the
guard would play a 5 technique and the tackle a 9 technique. When the
linebacker tells the guard and tackle which techniques to play through
his oral call, then he lines up in a position to cover the remaining
gaps. As an example, Figure 2 illustrates a 26 call, and the linebacker
must take a position between his guard and tackle so he can fill the
gap(s) not covered by the other front defenders. You can see by this
example the linebacker is in a position to help out over the offensive
tackle position, and also on a wide play to his side of the line.
[Illustration: FIGURE 2]
Figure 3 illustrates the position of the defensive right guard, tackle
and linebacker when the call is 59. The linebacker is now in a position
to help out on a play that is in the middle of the line.
[Illustration: FIGURE 3]
One point I failed to mention, if we are playing a 4-spoke defense, which
will be explained and illustrated shortly, we assign one defender to
play “head on” the offensive center, and he does not figure in any of the
calls. He lines up the same every time, as is illustrated in Figure 4.
[Illustration: FIGURE 4]
When we play a 5-spoke defense, which will also be explained shortly,
the two linebackers assign one player to the area inside the offensive
guards. As an example, if we are playing a 5-spoke defense and the call
on the right side is 59, the call on the left side must be a one as the
first digit, such as, _1_7, _1_6, _1_5. Figure 5 illustrates a 59 call on
the right, and a 17 call on the left, with one man playing a 1 technique
in order to keep from having a large gap between the two guards.
[Illustration: FIGURE 5]
You can quickly observe that by having our players learn only a few
numbers and their accompanying techniques, we can line up in numerous
defensive alignments merely by calling two numbers. Figures 6 and 7 are
examples of 59 and 39 defensive calls, which are 4-spoke defenses with a
man in a 0 technique, and are commonly referred to as the Oklahoma and
Eagle defenses, respectively.
[Illustration: FIGURE 6]
[Illustration: FIGURE 7]
Figure 8 illustrates a 25 call, with a 0 technique, and is a 9-man front
defensive alignment.
[Illustration: FIGURE 8]
Figures 9-11 are 5-spoke defenses representing 26, 37, and 13 calls,
which are commonly referred to as a wide tackle 6, a split 6, and a gap 8
alignment, respectively.
[Illustration: FIGURE 9]
[Illustration: FIGURE 10]
[Illustration: FIGURE 11]
These defenses, Figures 6-11, have the same call to each side. Each side
is actually independent of the other as far as the calls are concerned.
To eliminate any confusion, merely designate which side (left) is to
call first, and the other linebacker (right) can adjust on his call
accordingly so there is not a large gap in the middle of the defensive
line. The linebackers must be especially aware of this if we are
employing a 5-spoke defensive alignment.
The signal caller should never call a defense involving two successive
numbers, such as 2-3, 7-6, as this will leave too much territory for him
to try to cover (see Figure 1). The caller is always responsible for
having a man in, or capable of covering, every gap.
It is very simple for the defensive signal caller to change the guard and
tackle assignments even after he has given them a position to line up
in and its accompanying technique. The caller merely adds a zero (0) or
a one (1) to the end of the number he has called. As an example, if he
gives the call 37 and he wants the players in the 3 technique to charge
one-half a man toward the inside, he will say, “30.” If he wants this
defender to charge one-half a man to the outside, he would say, “31.”
This second call is given to only one player at a time, but he can
change both of their techniques by saying, “31—71,” or “30—70,” etc.
_Advantages of a Defensive Numbering System_
Our present method is the simplest one I know of for getting players into
various defenses quickly with a minimum amount of talking. We feel it
eliminates much confusion. We have found the players take a great deal of
pride in learning only a few techniques, which they are able to execute
well. We know it makes our job easier as coaches, and we can do a better
job of coaching the boys. As a coaching point, when a coach talks to a
tackle, as an example, he talks in terms of a particular technique (6,
7, etc.), and the player understands him immediately. When the coaches
are discussing plays, or in a staff meeting, we identify the particular
technique immediately, and everyone understands each other. We have also
found the method useful when making out the practice schedule as I merely
specify, “Tackle coach work on 6 technique,” etc.
Employing a defensive numbering system requires the defensive signal
callers to be alert. They do not merely call several numbers. They must
be aware of the tactical situation at all times, and call a sound defense
according to a tactical and strategical planning. As an illustration, a
good short yardage call would be 13, and sound passing situation calls
would be 36, 37, 39, 59 (see Figures 1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11). I spend at
least several minutes every day with my defensive signal callers. It
is the linebackers’ responsibility to see that we line up in a sound
alignment every time.
PLAYING OUR DEFENSIVE TECHNIQUES
As illustrated in Figure 1, and mentioned earlier, our techniques and
defensive positions are numbered from 0-9 on both sides of the defensive
line, numbering from inside-out (with certain exceptions noted, Figure
1). I now wish to explain in detail each particular technique, although
there is only a slight difference between several of them. As an example,
when playing the 2 technique, a defender lines up head on the offensive
guard, and when playing a 4 technique he is head up on the offensive
tackle. Consequently these techniques are similar.
_The 0 Technique_
As illustrated in Figure 12, the defender lines up head on the offensive
center. Depending upon the situation, the distance he lines up off the
football will vary. On a short yardage situation, he will line up close
to the center’s head. On a long yardage situation, normally he will be
about one yard off the ball. He will use either a three- or a four-point
stance, with one foot staggered. His technique is to play the center’s
head with a quick hand shiver on the snap of the ball. When he makes
contact with the center, he brings his back foot up so his feet are even
with each other. If the quarterback goes straight back to pass, the 0
technique man is responsible for the draw play, and then he rushes the
passer. If it is a run instead of a pass play, he will keep the center
away from his blocking surface, not permitting himself to be tied up in
the middle of the line, and he will pursue the ball taking his proper
angle depending on the type of running play.
[Illustration: FIGURE 12]
_The 1 Technique_
The main job of the player(s) employing the 1 technique is to control the
offensive splits, forcing the guards to keep their splits to a minimum,
as illustrated in Figure 13. He is also responsible for keeping the
center off of the defensive linebacker. If both guards are playing in
this technique, as illustrated in Figure 13, only one will “slam” the
center, and the other will take a long step toward his guard, playing him
from inside-out. He must always be aware of the trap coming from the
inside, however. If the play is a back-up pass, he is responsible for the
draw first, and rushing the passer second. If it is a running play, he
will slam the center or guard and then pursue the football.
[Illustration: FIGURE 13]
_The 2 Technique_
The 2 technique is similar to the 0 technique, and is illustrated in
Figure 14. One difference is the guard is head on the offensive guard,
instead of on the offensive center. The distance he lines up off the
ball in a staggered stance will be determined by the tactical situation.
On the snap of the ball he plays the guard with a hand shiver, and
immediately locates the football. If it is a back-up pass and there is no
man in a 0 or 1 technique, he will look for the draw play first, and then
rush the passer. If it is a running play, he will look first toward the
inside for a trap, and then pursue the football.
[Illustration: FIGURE 14]
_The 3 Technique_
The 3 technique is similar to the 1 technique, and is illustrated in
Figure 15. The 3 man is responsible for keeping the offensive tackle’s
split cut down, and on occasion to keep the offensive guard or tackle
from blocking the defensive linebacker. He, too, lines up with the feet
slightly staggered, and about one foot off the ball. Depending upon the
defense, when the ball is snapped, he will play either the guard or
tackle with a quick flipper or shiver, preferably with the hands. He is
to watch for the trap at all times. If the play is a straight drop back
pass, he will rush the passer from the inside. If it is a running play,
he will pursue the football.
[Illustration: FIGURE 15]
_The 4 Technique_
The 4 technique man lines up head on the offensive tackle and about one
to one and one-half feet off the ball, and is illustrated in Figure 16.
He will have his feet slightly staggered, and on the snap of the ball he
is to play the offensive tackle with a quick hand or forearm flipper.
If it is a running play toward him, he must whip the offensive tackle,
be ready to stop the hand-off, and help out on the off-tackle play. If
it is a straight back pass, he will rush the passer from the inside. If
the play goes away or to the far-side, he will control the offensive
tackle and pursue the football. On his angle of pursuit he should never
go around the offensive tackle, but pursue the football going through the
tackle’s head.
[Illustration: FIGURE 16]
_The 5 Technique_
The 5 technique man lines up on the outside eye of the offensive tackle,
as illustrated in Figure 17, with the feet staggered (outside foot back
in most cases). On the snap of the ball he employs a forearm flip charge
into the tackle. As he makes contact, his back foot is brought up even
with his front foot. He has 75% off-tackle responsibility, and he should
never be blocked in by only one man. If it is a straight back pass, he
should rush the passer from inside-out. If the play comes toward him,
he should whip the tackle and make the play. He must be certain to keep
the offensive blocker in front of him at all times as the 5 man will
be eliminated from the play very easily if he tries to go around his
blocker. If the play goes away from him, he must pursue the football. He
is instructed not to cross the offensive line of scrimmage when employing
a 5 technique.
[Illustration: FIGURE 17]
_The 6 Technique_
The 6 technique player lines up head on the offensive end, as illustrated
in Figure 18. If the end splits too far, the 6 man is to “shoot the gap.”
He is primarily responsible for keeping the offensive end from releasing
quickly on passes, and he must keep the end from blocking the linebacker.
He is responsible for the off-tackle play. Consequently he must not be
blocked in or out. The game situation will determine how far he lines
up off the ball, but it will usually vary from one to three yards. If
the play is a straight back pass, he is responsible for rushing the
passer from the outside-in. If the passer runs out of the pocket, the 6
man must not permit him to get to the outside. He must either tackle
the passer or force him to throw the football. If the play comes toward
the 6 man, he whips the end with a flip or shiver charge, and helps out
both inside and outside. He never crosses the line of scrimmage unless
it is a back-up pass. If it is an option play toward him, he must make
the quarterback pitch the ball or he must tackle the quarterback. If the
flow goes away from him, he trails the play. He should be as deep as the
deepest man in the offensive backfield so he can contain the reverse play
back to his side, not permitting the ball carrier to get outside of him.
[Illustration: FIGURE 18]
_The 7 Technique_
The 7 technique player lines up splitting the inside foot of the
offensive end, as illustrated in Figure 19. He is responsible for forcing
the end to reduce his offensive split. We want him to line up with his
outside foot staggered, and he must never be blocked out by the offensive
end. He has 75% inside responsibility and 25% outside responsibility.
When the ball is snapped, he uses a hand or forearm flipper charge on
the offensive end and brings his back foot up even with his front foot.
His main responsibility is to whip the offensive end, and to close the
off-tackle play. If the play is a straight drop back pass, he is the
outside rusher and he must not permit the quarterback to get outside of
him. If the play goes away from him, he is to trail the ball carrier.
He plays just like the trail or chase man on the 6 technique. He should
be as deep as the deepest offensive backfield man so he can contain any
reverse play coming back to his side of the line. He should not let such
a play get outside of his position.
[Illustration: FIGURE 19]
_The 8 Technique_
When we speak of a man playing an 8 technique, as illustrated in Figure
20, we are speaking of a “true end,” or a defensive end who lines up
outside of the offensive end. The 8 man will be from one and one-half
to three yards outside of the offensive end’s normal position, with
his inside foot forward, and his shoulders parallel with the line of
scrimmage. If it is a straight back pass, the defensive end, without
taking his eyes off the passer, will turn to his outside, and using
a cross-over step will sprint to his outside trying to get width and
depth to play the ball to his side. His depth should be 8-10 yards deep,
similar to a linebacker’s position covering the flat. He stops running
when the quarterback stops to set up. When the ball is thrown, he sprints
for the ball.
If the play comes toward the 8 man, we want him to cross the line of
scrimmage about two yards, getting set with his inside foot forward,
shoulders parallel with the line of scrimmage, and playing the outside
blocker. He is the outside contain man, and he must not permit the ball
to get outside of him. He never makes the quarterback pitch on option
plays. If it is a running pass toward him, he is the outside contain
and rush man. If the flow goes away from him, he must make sure it is
not a reverse play back to his side before he takes his proper angle of
pursuit, which is through the area where the defensive safety man lined
up originally.
[Illustration: FIGURE 20]
_The 9 Technique_
Figure 21 illustrates where the defensive men line up when playing a 9
technique, splitting the outside foot of the offensive end. He should
line up 14 inches off the line of scrimmage, with most of the weight on
his outside foot which is back. When the ball is snapped, the 9 technique
man will take a short step with his inside foot toward the offensive end,
and at the same time he will deliver a hand or forearm shiver to the head
of the offensive end. If the offensive end blocks in and the play comes
toward him, the 9 man immediately looks for the near halfback or the
trapper expecting to be blocked by either offensive man.
If a running play comes toward him and the quarterback is going to
option the football, he must make the quarterback pitch the ball. If the
quarterback is faking the ball to the fullback, the 9 man must “search”
the fullback for the ball first. The 9 technique man never crosses the
line of scrimmage. If the offensive play is a straight back pass, the 9
man delivers a blow to the end, and drops back two or three yards looking
for the screen or short pass. He is in a position to come up and make
the tackle if the quarterback gets outside of your outside rusher and
the quarterback decides to run with the football. If the flow goes away,
he is the trail man and has the same responsibilities as the 6 and 7
technique men, which I explained previously. The most important coaching
point is that the man playing the 9 technique must deliver a good blow to
the offensive end on every play.
[Illustration: FIGURE 21]
OUR DEFENSIVE STANCE
We are not too particular about the stance our defensive players employ,
but on the other hand we are not so indifferent that we ignore how they
line up defensively. We want them to be comfortable, but at the same
time the linemen must be in a position so they can uncoil, make good
contact, and be in a good position so they can move quickly. We never
permit a man to take a stance in which he gets too extended and loses
most of his hitting power. There are a few basic techniques we insist our
defensive players use. These techniques vary to some extent from position
to position. The defensive stance for linemen, linebackers, and the
secondary is as follows:
_Guards_—The defensive stance our guards take is very similar to the
stance we use offensively. We like them to be in a four-point stance with
their feet even and spread about three inches wider than their shoulders.
The weight must be slightly forward, and their tail slightly higher than
their shoulders. Their back is straight, and their shoulders are square.
Their hands are slightly outside of their feet, elbows relaxed, with
thumbs turned in and forward of the shoulders slightly.
_Tackles_—The defensive stance our tackles take is very similar to the
stance we use offensively. We want our tackles to use a four-point
stance, having their inside foot staggered back slightly. Their feet
should be a little wider than their shoulders. The weight must be forward
slightly, and the tail should be slightly higher than the head. Just
like the guards’ stance, we want their back straight and their shoulders
square. Their neck must be relaxed, but their eyes must be focused on the
man opposite or on the ball. The hands are slightly outside of the feet,
elbows relaxed, and the thumbs turned in and forward of the shoulders
slightly.
_Ends_—The defensive ends line up with their inside foot forward and
perpendicular to the line of scrimmage. We want our ends standing up in
a good football position. The knees are slightly bent, as is their body
bent forward slightly at the waist. They must have their eyes on the
quarterback, but still be able to see the offensive halfback and end
closest to them on their side. When the action starts toward an end,
we want him to come across the line and make contact with the outside
blocker. The shoulders should remain parallel with the line of scrimmage
upon contact with an offensive back.
_Linebackers_—We want our linebackers to be standing with their feet
even and parallel with each other. They should be in a good football
position—tail down, back straight, slight bend at the waist, weight on
the balls of the feet, knees bent, and coiled to the extent that when a
guard or tackle fires out on the linebacker the defensive man can whip
him. Our linebacker takes a step forward with the inside foot toward the
blocker who is firing out at him. We want him to drop his tail and hit on
the rise when making contact. He then brings his back foot up even with
his forward foot so that he will be in a position to move laterally.
_Halfbacks_—Our defensive halfbacks line up in their regular position
which is three yards outside of the offensive end in a 3-deep defense,
and on the inside shoulder of the offensive end in a 4-spoke defense. We
want our halfbacks to have their outside foot back with the inside foot
pointing perpendicular to the line of scrimmage. The outside foot is
about 14″ behind the front foot, and pointing out at a 45 degree angle.
The halfback’s knees should be flexed slightly, and he must be in a good
football position. His arms should be in a cocked position. He must face
the quarterback. His first step is backward and outward.
_Corner man_—The corner man lines up in his regular position about four
yards wide and two and one-half yards deep, with his feet parallel and
even about 18″ apart pointing directly toward the offensive quarterback.
He should be in a good football position, weight on the balls of the
feet, arms cocked, etc. He should _not_ rest his hands on his knees. From
a good football position he can rotate quickly and properly, or he can
come forward and meet the play if it comes toward him.
_Safety_—The safety man lines up a little deeper than the other backs. He
should face slightly the wide side of the field or the strong side of the
offensive backfield. He has his outside foot back, and he is permitted
to stand a little straighter than the other deep backs. He, too, is in
a good football position watching the quarterback. His first step is
backward and outward, and he must be able to cover a pass from sideline
to sideline.
OUR SURPRISE DEFENSE
We never send our boys into a football game without trying to prepare
them for every conceivable situation that might arise during the
contest. We must try to anticipate every situation, and counteract with a
sound defense. A situation might be very unusual, and we cannot actually
defense it properly until the coach in the press box tells us exactly
what the opposition is doing. Then we can work out the proper defense on
the sideline and send it in. In the meantime the boys must have something
they can counteract with immediately or the opposition is likely to
score with its surprise offense. Consequently our signal caller will
yell, “_Surprise Defense_,” when he sees an unusual offensive formation,
and the boys will react accordingly. Our rules for covering a spread or
unusual offensive alignment are as follows:
1. If one man flanks, our halfback will cover him.
2. If two men go out, our halfback and end will move out and
cover them.
3. If three men go out, our halfback, tackle and end move out
and cover them.
4. If four offensive men go out, we put out the halfback, end
and tackle, and our linebacker goes out half-way. The alignment
for the linebacker would be a yard deeper and a yard wider than
he usually lines up.
5. If five men go out on the offensive team, we put out our
halfback, end, tackle, linebacker half-way, and the defensive
guard. If they put more than five men out, we do not change our
alignment.
6. If there is any doubt about how to meet strength with
strength, we start with the outside man and put a defender on
every other offensive man.
7. The safety man will always play in the middle of the field
or in the middle of the eligible receivers.
8. A defensive end must never be flanked by one offensive man
unless he can beat the flanker through the gap and into the
offensive backfield.
9. A tackle should never be flanked by two offensive men unless
he can beat the nearest opponent.
10. The initial charge of the players who are left on defense
is to the outside, unless there is a concentration of offensive
backs. Should the latter be the case, then the defensive charge
will be normal.
11. The greater the offensive team splits its line, the farther
off the line of scrimmage the defenders must play.
Figures 22-23 illustrate two examples of spread formations, and the
application of our _surprise defense_ coverage rules.
[Illustration: FIGURE 22]
The first offensive man who flanks to our right (Figure 22), will be
covered by our defensive right halfback. The second to our right will
be covered by our right end. The first man flanked to our left will be
covered by our offensive left halfback; the second man out, by our left
end; the third flanker, by our left tackle; the fourth flanker will be
covered by our left linebacker, who will move out half-way. The fifth
man flanked to our left will be covered by our left guard. The remaining
players will meet strength with strength. Our right guard will play on
the outside shoulder of the offensive right guard, and the defensive
right tackle will play on the outside shoulder of the offensive left
guard, as illustrated in Figure 22.
We instruct our defensive players to force the offensive players to come
to them. We do not want our men off the line of scrimmage to penetrate,
leaving gaps in the defense. We want our men to be in a good football
position so they can pursue the ball quickly.
Figure 23 illustrates another example of the application of our
_surprised defense_ rules in covering a spread offense.
[Illustration: FIGURE 23]
OUR VICTORY DEFENSE
I think it is very important for a team to be able to go into a “_Victory
Defense_” when the occasion warrants its use; for example, when you
have a slim lead with little time remaining before the termination of
the first half or the game. We will go into a 5-man line if we have the
game won and our opponents are not close to our goal line. Under such
circumstances we can afford to permit the opposition to get a first down
or two, but we cannot afford to let them complete the long pass or the
long run for a touchdown. We believe our victory defense is sound, and
we are playing sound defensive football when we employ it. Figure 24
illustrates the victory defense we used eight times in one year, and we
intercepted our opposition’s intended forward pass on seven of the eight
occasions.
[Illustration: FIGURE 24]
The individual and team duties and responsibilities when we employ our
_Victory Defense_ are as follows:
_Middle Lineman_—Sole responsibility is to look for the screen pass
and/or for the draw play.
_Ends and Tackles_—Line up on the outside shoulder of the offensive ends
and tackles. If the offensive end(s) splits, we will adjust on them with
our three deep backs. We want our defensive ends to shove the offensive
ends to the inside, holding them up if possible, and then look to the
inside for a trap block or for a screen pass. Should neither of these
occur, the ends are to contain the passer, not permitting the ball to
get outside either of their respective positions. They should play loose
and proceed with caution, rather than rushing hard into the offensive
backfield.
The defensive tackles should play back off the line of scrimmage with
their feet even and parallel. Each tackle must keep his man in front of
him, not permitting the offensive tackles to block them in or out. When a
pass develops, the tackles must rush the passer, making certain to stay
in front of the football.
_Linebackers_—Line up about six yards deep and at a spot opposite where
the defensive end ordinarily would line up. By lining up wide, we hope
to funnel the offense toward the middle of our formation. By this I mean
we want them to direct their attack toward the inside and we don’t want
them to turn the corner, to get outside or to kill the clock by running
out-of-bounds.
_Halfbacks and Safety_—We want our halfbacks to be at least 12 yards deep
and well outside the offensive formation. We want our safety man at least
12 yards deep and in the middle of our defensive alignment. The three
backs will play their regular defense.
_Best Defensive Player_—The next step in setting up our _Victory Defense_
is to station our very best defensive football player 10 yards behind the
middle safety man. His sole responsibility is to keep the offensive team
from scoring. He must always stay between the ball and the goal line. We
do not want him to come forward and break up a pass. Nor do we want him
coming up to make the tackle. We want him to fight off blockers and make
certain the ball carrier does not score should our defense break down and
the opposition move downfield toward the goal line with a long run or a
completed pass. When the ball is thrown, we want every man on the team
to go for the ball _except_ our deepest man, our best defensive football
player. He remains 10 yards behind the ball at all times in case there is
a tip and the opponent might catch it and score. His sole responsibility
is to keep the opposition from scoring when we are using our _Victory
Defense_.
OUR GOAL LINE DEFENSE
Our goal line defense is very simple, and I am certain many other coaches
use the same goal line defense, as illustrated in Figure 25. Perhaps
there are a number of goal line defenses that are better than ours, but
we have faith and believe in our goal line defense, and I believe this
is 50% of the battle. When we go into our goal line defense, we want our
boys to be so sold on what they are doing that they are not going to
let the opposition score. Each man is going to take it upon himself to
see that they do not score over his particular defensive area. Playing
goal line defense is a terrific challenge. There is not much territory
remaining, and the big questions are, “Who is going to come out on top?”
and “Who will end up with the ball when the dust settles?” If we give our
team a sound plan and teach it to them well, and they believe in it and
in us, we will do all right.
[Illustration: FIGURE 25]
Figure 25 illustrates our goal line defense, and the individual and team
duties and responsibilities are as follows:
_Ends_—The defensive ends line up in a four-point stance as close to the
line of scrimmage as they can get, just shading the outside eye of the
offensive ends. On the snap of the ball the defensive ends will charge
low and hard through the tail of their offensive ends, trying to get
approximately one yard deep into the offensive backfield. If the flow
comes toward his side and the quarterback has the football, the defensive
end tries to force the quarterback to pitch back to the off-halfback.
_Tackles_—The defensive tackles line up on the outside eye of the
offensive tackles, and they aim for a spot one yard deep in the offensive
backfield behind the inside foot of the offensive tackles. Each tackle
is responsible for the hand-off play to his side, making the tackle or
forcing the dive play to the inside so our middle linebacker can make the
tackle.
_Guards_—The defensive guards get their spacing by lining up on each
other, but theoretically they will line up on the inside eye of the
offensive guards. They are responsible for sealing-off the middle of
the line, and for keeping the offensive center from blocking the middle
linebacker. They aim for a spot about one yard behind the offensive
center’s position. They must get to this spot using a low, hard submarine
charge.
As illustrated in Figure 26, if our six linemen carry out their defensive
assignments using a low, hard charge and get to their predetermined
spots, we will form a wall.
[Illustration: FIGURE 26]
_Middle Linebacker or Defensive Center_ (see Figure 25)—He is responsible
for making any play that occurs between the offensive tackles. He should
make the tackle on a hand-off, on a play up the middle, and help on the
off-tackle play. On a back-up pass, he will drop off covering a short
zone. If the play starts wide, the middle linebacker will pursue the
football. He should be one of the best defensive football players. Figure
27 illustrates the defensive position and responsibilities of the middle
linebacker on our goal line defense.
[Illustration: FIGURE 27]
_Inside Linebackers or Fullback and Right Halfback_ (see Figure 25)—They
are responsible for the off-tackle play and the quick containing of the
quarterback on the option play (Figure 28a). If the flow goes away, they
check for the counter play before they pursue the football. On a running
pass toward one side or the other, as illustrated in Figure 28b, one
linebacker will cover the flat and the other his hook spot. On a back-up
pass they will cover the short one-quarter zones or areas.
[Illustration: FIGURE 28a]
[Illustration: FIGURE 28b]
_Outside Linebackers or the Left Halfback and the Quarterback_ (see
Figure 25)—They are responsible for the wide play. They must not permit
the play to get outside of them on their particular side of the defensive
alignment. When the offensive play starts, both outside linebackers will
“read” the offensive end closest to them, and the flow of the offensive
backs. It is important they diagnose a running pass correctly, because
the offensive end to the on-side must be covered correctly if his route
is deep. (The outside linebacker must cover the deep man whether it’s an
end or a back.) If the play is away, the backs will revolve toward it.
The two inside and two outside linebackers (Figure 25) play 4-spoke pass
coverage on all passes, which will be explained in greater detail in
Chapter 5, “Pass Defense.” Our automatic “Thunder,” which is very good
versus this particular situation, will also be explained later.
A SPLIT-T DEFENSE
There are a number of good defenses versus a T team with a straight-up
T backfield. I will go over several of the defenses we have used more
frequently than others. Figure 29 illustrates our 59 call or the Oklahoma
5-4 defense versus the T formation. The individual and team duties and
responsibilities are as follows:
[Illustration: FIGURE 29]
_Ends_—The defensive ends play a 9 technique, and on this particular
defense both ends’ assignments and techniques will be identical. They
will not penetrate beyond the line of scrimmage unless the flow is away.
When the flow goes away, the off-side defensive end becomes the trail man.
_Tackles_—The defensive tackles play a 5 technique, which I discussed in
detail earlier in the chapter. They will never cross the line except on
a straight drop back pass, and then both tackles will rush the passer.
Otherwise the tackles whip their respective opponents (tackles) and
pursue the football.
_Middle Guard_—The middle guard plays a 0 technique, always alert for the
screen pass or the draw play. On the snap of the ball, the middle guard
should whip the offensive center and then go to the ball.
_Linebackers_—The inside linebackers will line up on the outside eye
of their respective offensive guards, and “read” through them into the
offensive backfield. If the offensive guards or tackles fire out, the
linebackers whip them and go to the football. If the flow goes away,
the off-side linebacker will check the counter play, and then pursue
the football. On a drop back pass each linebacker will cover his short
one-quarter pass zone or area.
The defensive secondary will play its regular 4-spoke defense, and
revolve on the plays after the offense shows what they are going to do
(or from a predetermined call, which will be explained shortly). The
4-spoke secondary will be discussed and illustrated in Chapter 5, “Pass
Defense.”
Figure 30 illustrates our 27 call or a wide tackle 6 defensive alignment
versus the T formation.
[Illustration: FIGURE 30]
We use a 6-2 alignment frequently because we can stunt easily or we can
play it straight versus a long yardage situation, and we can jump from
it into another defensive alignment without too much difficulty. The
linebackers control their particular units, as I explained earlier. The
individual and team duties and responsibilities are as follows:
_Guards_—The guards will play a tough 2 technique, then pursue the
football. On a drop back pass they are responsible for the screen pass in
the middle, the draw play, and rushing the passer.
_Tackles_—The tackles will play a tough 7 technique. They are responsible
for the off-tackle play to their respective side. If the play goes away,
the tackle is the trail man. On back-up passes, the tackles rush the
passer from the outside.
_Ends_—The defensive ends play an 8 technique, and they are the contain
men if the flow comes their way. If the ball goes away, the off-end
drops back and pursues through the area where the safety lined up
originally. On back-up passes they will cover the short one-quarter pass
areas or zones.
_Linebackers_—The linebackers line up on the inside eye of the offensive
tackles, and play their regular positions. If the play comes toward
them, the linebacker whips the blocker with a flipper and plays the ball
carrier. When flow is away, he checks the counter play and then pursues
the football. On pass plays they will cover their short one-quarter pass
zones.
_Secondary_—The defensive secondary will play their regular 3-deep
coverage, which will be explained in the next chapter. On wide-running
plays the halfback must come up to the outside and turn the play back
inside. The safety man comes up to the inside, playing inside-out, and
the off- or far halfback revolves and becomes the last safety man.
Figures 31-34 illustrate several of our defensive stunts from a 6-2
alignment which we have employed with success in the past.
In Figure 31 the linemen pinch, sealing-off the inside, and the
linebackers cover outside.
[Illustration: FIGURE 31]
In Figure 32 the guards loop to the outside over the offensive tackles,
and the linebackers fill inside the offensive guard splits.
[Illustration: FIGURE 32]
Figure 33 illustrates a simple X-pattern between the defensive ends and
tackles.
[Illustration: FIGURE 33]
Figure 34 illustrates the tackles pinching, and the linebackers replacing
them at the line of scrimmage over the offensive ends.
[Illustration: FIGURE 34]
OUR DEFENSE VERSUS AN UNBALANCED LINE
We do not adjust a great deal to an unbalanced line, and our adjustments
are relatively simple. We merely move our defensive line over one whole
man, and then revolve the secondary toward the weak side, as illustrated
in Figure 35.
[Illustration: FIGURE 35]
When we do this, we carry out our same assignments, which I have
explained already. The only difference is that our middle guard lines
up on the offensive strong side guard, instead of on the center. If we
are playing a 3-deep defense, we would adjust with our linemen. Then
we consider the strong guard as the middle of the offensive line (the
center), and we play our regular defense.
ADJUSTMENTS VERSUS BACKS AND ENDS FLANKED
When we have a defense called and the opposition comes out and lines up
with a back or an end out, we can play it one of two ways. If it is a
floater out or an end split, we will adjust slightly with our secondary,
and we will drop the defensive end off the line a little. The remainder
of the defensive linemen will play the defense that has been called. If a
flanker is put out to one side or the other, we will revolve our 4-spoke
secondary toward him and leave the linemen in their regular positions,
or we will shift our line toward the flanker one whole man. These
adjustments will be explained and illustrated more fully in Chapter 5,
“Pass Defense.”
In making our game plans, which will be discussed in Chapter 10,
“Planning For a Game,” we will always have a definite call that our
signal caller will use in the situations discussed above relating to our
adjustments versus backs and/or ends flanked out. As an example, we may
tell our signal caller to shift our defense _away_ from ends out and
floaters, but shift _toward_ flankers and an unbalanced line. These calls
will depend upon the information we secure from scouting our opponents.
OUR DEFENSES VERSUS THE SINGLE WING OFFENSE
Defensing the single wing offense has always created problems for us
because we feel we must meet strength with strength, and then we get
hurt to the weak side. Figures 36-37 illustrate two defenses which we
believe are sound, and we have used them successfully against the single
wing offense. Of course, personnel makes the defense as we all know, and
a linebacker like Jack Pardee whom I had at Texas A & M made all of our
defenses sound.
Figure 36 is a defense which I feel is especially good versus the single
wing offense. The duties of the defenders are as follows:
[Illustration: FIGURE 36]
_Strong Side End_—The end lines up one to three yards outside of the
wingback, “reading” him and the offensive end. If the flow comes toward
him, the strong side end comes across hard about three yards into the
offensive backfield, and he turns everything in, as he is the contain
man. When he makes contact with the outside blocker, the defensive end’s
shoulders must be parallel to the line of scrimmage. If the flow goes
away from him, he drops back and pursues the ball carrier. On a straight
drop back pass, he will cover the short one-quarter area.
_Strong Side Tackle_—He lines up on the outside eye of the offensive end,
and on the snap of the ball he charges through the head of his man. He is
to penetrate the offense about one yard. If the flow goes away, he trails
the play. On a straight drop back pass he rushes from the outside.
_Strong Side Guard_—He lines up on the outside eye of the offensive guard
and on the snap of the ball he tries to penetrate through the head of
the guard, trying to seal-off the middle. If the flow goes away, he will
pursue the ball. On a straight drop back pass he rushes from the inside.
_Weak Side Guard_—He has the same alignment and assignment as his strong
side guard, only he is on the other side of the defensive line.
_Weak Side Linebacker_—He plays in front of the offensive weak side
end and keeps him from getting out quickly on a pass play. If the flow
comes toward him, the weak side linebacker whips the end and then “plays
football.” If the flow is away, he will pursue the ball. On a straight
drop back pass he will cover the short flat one-quarter pass zone or area.
_Weak Side End_—He lines up about two yards outside of the offensive weak
side end. If the flow comes toward him, he will come across the line
playing his 8 technique, which I have explained before. He cannot permit
the play to get outside of his position. When he makes contact with the
blocker, his shoulders must be parallel with the line of scrimmage. He
will trail the play if the flow goes away from him. He rushes the passer
on a drop back pass action.
_Middle Linebacker_—He lines up in front of the center. He varies his
position as at times he will be close, and other times off the offensive
center’s position. He keys the blocking back, who is the offensive
quarterback, and the middle linebacker goes to the football. He drops
back and covers the short one-quarter area on drop back passes.
_Strong Side Linebacker_—He lines up approximately behind the strong side
tackle, and he reads the wingback, end and quarterback. When the flow
comes toward him, he comes up and plays it tough. When the flow goes away
from him he pursues the football. He covers a short one-quarter area
versus the straight drop back pass.
_3-Deep Secondary_—They play their regular 3-deep coverage, which will be
discussed in detail in the next chapter.
Figure 37 illustrates another of our 6-2 defensive alignments versus the
single wing offense. The individual assignments are the same as those
just described, except that the guards play slowly.
[Illustration: FIGURE 37]
We employ a number of defensive stunts when we play against a single
wing team. We have been quite successful in the past with the stunts
illustrated in Figures 38-41. There are other stunts which may be used,
of course, but we have found the four stunts illustrated (Figures 38-41)
satisfactory and adequate.
[Illustration: FIGURE 38]
[Illustration: FIGURE 39]
[Illustration: FIGURE 40]
[Illustration: FIGURE 41]
CONCLUSION
There are many defenses that are good versus various offensive
formations. The important point is to have a defense you and your players
believe in, and which is sound in all respects. Each player must take
pride in himself and his defensive ability. He must personally feel he
is not going to permit the opposition to score. He must accept it as a
personal challenge to himself. He must eliminate the long run and/or
the long pass for the “easy” touchdown, pursue relentlessly and tackle
viciously in order to be sound both individually and as a team while on
defense.
Other phases of defensive football, such as defending against the on-side
kick and the field goal attempt, will be discussed in detail in Chapter
6, “Our Kicking Game.” The drills which we use for our defensive ends,
interior linemen, linebackers, the secondary, and for the team will be
illustrated in Chapter 11. Pass defense will be discussed in its entirety
in Chapter 5.
CHAPTER 5
Pass Defense: Objectives and Tactics
An intercepted pass will probably get the defensive team out of a tight
spot quicker than any other play in football. An intercepted pass also
can change the complexion of a game very quickly. We recognize the fact
that a team which is difficult to pass against is a difficult team to
defeat. Therefore, in order to be “tough” defensively pass defense is one
phase of football which we _must_ work on every day. If we can either
eliminate a team’s passing game or hold this phase of their offense to a
minimum gain, we will definitely have the edge over our opposition.
Basically, good pass defense is merely being in the proper position and
going for the football when it is in the air. Our most important coaching
point is, “When the football is in the air, _it belongs to us and we must
get it_!” Pass defense requires more individual desire by the players
than any other phase of the game of football. If a boy has tremendous
desire and the ability to play defensive football, you place him in a
spot where it is possible for him to intercept the pass if it comes near
his area, and you will have a winner.
PASS DEFENSE OBJECTIVES
Pass defense is so vital that one simple defensive mistake can cost your
team a football game. In order to have a good football team, the play in
the defensive secondary must be sound.
The primary objective of pass defense is to keep the opponent from
scoring, and secondly, to get the football. We stress these points all
the time. On every play we want each player trying to get possession of
the football for our team.
Pass defense consists of the following phases:
1. Rushing the passer.
2. Holding up the receivers.
3. Covering the areas or zones.
We have found it difficult to do a good job of _all_ three of these
phases at the same time.
_Rushing the Passer_
Rushing the passer is a good element of surprise, especially with an 8-
or 9-man line. Overloading one side of the line is a sound tactic, too,
because you have more men rushing than the offense has blocking, and the
quarterback must get rid of the ball quickly. If the quarterback has
sufficient time to spot his receivers, then throw to one of them when he
breaks to get open, it is difficult for the defense to cover the pass
properly.
The men rushing the passer must have their hands up high, forcing the
passer to release the ball higher than he does normally. Such tactics
keep the passer from throwing the fast, straight, bullet-like pass, which
is the hardest for the defenders to break up. Secondly, the rushers with
their hands high cause the pass to remain in the air longer because of
its upward trajectory as it is released. Consequently this gives the
defensive secondary time to release from their areas and sprint to the
spot where the ball is descending.
The man who has the outside rush, and whose responsibility it is to
contain, must get his hands high. He should _not_ leap off the ground in
an effort to tackle the passer, as he must be in a position to contain
him in the event the passer tries to get out of the pocket and/or runs
with the football.
When we are rushing the passer, we want our _players_ to know they _must
not_ permit the passer to throw the football. In a definite passing
situation when we decide to overload a zone and rush more men than the
opposition has blockers, we acknowledge the fact we are sacrificing
coverage in our secondary. Therefore, we must put on a strong rush, and
we cannot permit the ball to be thrown.
Figure 42 illustrates an overload on the right side of the offensive
line. Analyzing the illustration and assuming it is a passing situation
when we overload, if the opposition does throw a drop back pass, we are
in good shape because we have more rushers than they have blockers. If
the opposition runs to their right, which would be our left, again we
are sound defensively because they are running into our strength. In
other words, we are 66⅔% correct before the play even starts. If the
opposition goes to their left (our right), we are not strong, but by our
right side hitting and sliding to the outside, as illustrated in Figure
42, we will not be hurt.
[Illustration: FIGURE 42]
There are many ways of rushing a passer, but we do not expect to do a
really good job of rushing unless we out-number the blockers. Then, when
we have a pass rush called, our boys know they cannot permit the passer
to throw the ball, as I cited previously.
_Holding Up Receivers_
We work on detaining the receivers at the line of scrimmage, but we
probably do not devote enough time to this phase of pass defense. The
purpose of this defensive tactic is to give your linebackers time to get
to their defensive areas before the receivers get to them. It also gives
your defensive halfbacks time to get their width and depth and get set
up in their respective pass coverage zones. We hold up receivers several
different ways as illustrated in Figures 43-45.
Figure 43 illustrates the tackle playing head up on the offensive end in
order to detain him.
[Illustration: FIGURE 43]
Figure 44 illustrates the defensive end and linebacker pinching-off the
offensive end, making it difficult for him to release for a pass.
[Illustration: FIGURE 44]
Figure 45 illustrates a third method of holding up an eligible receiver,
merely by placing the linebacker in front of the offensive end so he can
“whack” him as he releases from the line of scrimmage.
[Illustration: FIGURE 45]
_Covering the Areas_
We cover the areas on pass defense and not the eligible receivers. We
want our players to be in the middle of their areas in a good football
position, and as soon as the ball leaves the passer’s hand, we want our
boys to forget about everything else _except intercepting the pass_.
We want our defenders to play _through_ the receiver _for_ the ball.
They should never go around the receiver, unless it is a short pass.
They should go for the ball at the highest point they can reach, and
never catch the ball low if they could have intercepted the pass at a
greater height. Our logic is that if a defender is waiting for the ball
to come down so he can handle it at his chest or waist, the intended
receiver has time to come in front of our defender and catch the pass
for a completion. Whereas if our defender will go back when the ball is
thrown, plant, and come toward the opponent’s goal line intercepting the
ball with arms and fingers extended upward, the intended receiver can’t
possibly take the ball away from him. This, of course, would depend upon
the type of pass that was thrown.
OUR FIVE-SPOKE PASS DEFENSE
The 5-spoke or 3-deep, as it is commonly referred to at times, is a very
sound defense in the secondary. Let me explain exactly what I mean by a
5-spoke defense. We compare the perimeter of our defensive secondary to
one-half of a wheel, which may have 5 spokes or 4 spokes. The principles
are basically the same, as you will see shortly. I shall discuss the
5-spoke defense first, however.
Figure 46 illustrates our 5-spoke defense. At the end of each of the
imaginary spokes is a defender. The distance between the defenders
depends on their individual ability. The spokes can be lengthened or
shortened, but they should not be brought closer together or there will
be a vulnerable area in the defensive secondary, as will be illustrated
shortly. When the spokes of the wheel are lengthened, the players
automatically become farther apart, depending upon the distance of the
defenders from the football.
[Illustration: FIGURE 46]
As illustrated in Figure 46, there are defensive men stationed at the
ends of the spokes at points 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The defensive end located
at 1 is able to cover the area from point F to A; the halfback at point
2 can cover the area from A to B; the safety at point 3 can cover the
area from B to C; the halfback at point 4 covers C to D; and the end at
point 5 can cover the area from D to E. If the length of the spokes is
decreased, the area to be covered will not be as great. Conversely, the
longer the spokes, the greater the area to be covered by the defensive
secondary. If we stretch a wire from F to A to B to C to D to E, the area
enclosed will represent the space in which we should be able to contain
our opponents, as illustrated in Figure 46.
We want our players to assume that the half-wheel will revolve clockwise
and counter-clockwise, but the defenders must always remain at their
points at the end of the spokes keeping the same relative distance
from each other in order for the defense to be sound. If the offensive
team runs to their left, the wheel should revolve to our right,
counter-clockwise, as illustrated in Figure 47. It would be just the
opposite if the play were run to our left—revolve clockwise. If it were a
running play up-the-middle, the spokes of the wheel would be shortened as
the defensive men would converge on the ball carrier, keeping their same
proportionate relationship to each other.
[Illustration: FIGURE 47]
Figure 48 illustrates a vulnerable area in the defensive secondary as the
result of the safety man being out of position versus a back up pass. His
course should be straight back, covering the deep middle zone, so that he
is approximately equidistant from his halfbacks. Should the error occur,
as illustrated in Figure 48, our pass defense will not be sound.
[Illustration: FIGURE 48]
The length of the spokes will be determined by the distance of
the defenders from the passer. As an example, if the passer goes
back to throw off of a drop back action, the spokes would stretch
proportionately. The defenders would have time to cover more distance if
the passer is attempting to throw deep because the ball must remain in
the air longer in order to reach its receiver. Conversely, if the passer
attempts to throw a quick pass from only a yard or so off the line of
scrimmage, the receivers will not have time to get deep, consequently
the length of the spokes will not be lengthened but will be shortened
proportionately as the defenders converge on the ball as it is thrown.
Figure 49 illustrates the initial depth and width of the ends and the
3-deep secondary in the 5-spoke defensive alignment when the ball is in
the middle of the field between the hash marks.
[Illustration: FIGURE 49]
Figure 50 illustrates the width and depth of the ends and the 3-deep
secondary in the 5-spoke alignment when the opposition has the football
on the defensive right hash mark and the wide side of the field is to our
left. It would be just the opposite if we were on the defensive left
hash mark and the wide side of the field was to our right.
[Illustration: FIGURE 50]
_Keys for the 5-Spoke Defenders_
Our 5-spoke defenders key as follows:
_Ends_—Our defensive ends look through the tail of the offensive ends and
read the whole backfield, especially the back nearest to the defensive
end.
_Halfbacks_—They look through the offensive end to their side and read
the whole backfield. It is very important that the halfbacks know at
all times where the football is; consequently, they should watch the
quarterback closely.
_Safety_—The safety looks through the center, reading the quarterback and
the whole offensive backfield. He, too, must know where the football is
at all times.
_Linebackers_—They line up on the tackle or guard, depending upon the
particular front alignment we are employing at the time, and read the man
in front of them. They should watch the entire backfield, too.
Figure 51 illustrates the positions and keys of the linebackers and the
5-spoke defenders.
[Illustration: FIGURE 51]
_Dividing the Areas_
We divide the areas in our defensive secondary into four short
one-quarters and three deep one-thirds. The short one-quarters are
covered by the ends and linebackers, and the halfbacks and safety cover
the three deep thirds, as illustrated in Figure 52.
[Illustration: FIGURE 52]
Our short one-quarter areas extend back 16 yards from the line of
scrimmage because we are trying to force the passer to throw the football
higher to his receivers behind our front line. We think that our
linebackers can get back approximately 12-14 yards, but we always tell
them we want them to cover 16 yards so they will hustle and work hard to
get depth on their pass coverage. If we said only 12 yards, they might
only get back to a depth of 10-12 yards, which would not be sufficiently
deep to cover their zones.
If our inside linebackers drop back 16 yards and our corner linebackers
drop to 8 yards, if all four of these defenders are in a football
position and ready to move, they should be able to touch any ball that
is thrown in this area. There may be a ball thrown in front of our
linebackers, but a completed pass in this area normally will not defeat
us. We believe if the passer goes back seven or eight yards, and our
rushers can make him release the ball at a higher angle over their
extended arms and fingers, it will be difficult for the passer to throw
in front of the linebackers. Consequently if they hustle and get to the
depth I have indicated, they should be in a good position to intercept
any ball thrown into their zone. We instruct our men in the short
“fourths” to tip the ball when possible, providing they cannot intercept
it, as one of our deep backs is likely to intercept a deflected pass.
Incidentally, at times we will not have a defender in every “fourth,” or
only two of the “fourths” will be covered. At other times we’ll have an
extra man in one of the “fourths.”
After our linebackers get back to their positions, we want them to assume
a relaxed position with the feet almost together, knees slightly bent,
and ready to move in the direction indicated by their keys. We adopted
this stance after making a study of Jackie Robinson’s relaxed and always
ready-to-move position on the baseball field. We do not want our players
to waste time and motion running in a circle getting to the football.
We can play only three men back in the deep zones. Therefore, we divide
our deep zones into “thirds.” A pass should never be completed in one of
the deep zones if the line rushes hard forcing the passer to release the
ball higher than usual, if the 3-deep men cover their zones properly, and
if they see the ball leave the passer’s hand and hustle to intercept it.
Of course, teams do complete passes on us in these areas, but we do not
believe it should ever happen. Each of the 3-deep men is a “guardian” of
his particular area of the field, left, middle and right one-third.
The “thirds” will vary in size. As an example, if the football is over
on the offensive team’s left (our right) hash mark, the defensive right
halfback’s third would be smaller than the left halfback’s one-third,
as illustrated in Figure 53. The right halfback’s one-third is smaller
because of field position, and secondly because the ball has a relatively
shorter distance to travel if thrown in this area of the field.
Conversely, if the ball were thrown in the left halfback’s area, the ball
would be in the air longer on a deep pass and both defender and receiver
would have farther to go to get to the ball. Therefore, the defensive
left halfback’s “third” would be larger and farther removed from the ball
on the opposite hash mark.
[Illustration: FIGURE 53]
OUR PASS COVERAGE
We normally want a man in every area on our pass coverage, unless we
decide for one reason or another not to cover one of the “fourths,” as I
indicated previously we sometimes do. The defender _must_ intercept or
knock down any and all passes thrown in his area. The defenders do not
play man-to-man in their areas, but each man covers a zone. If he will
play in the middle of his zone or area, when the ball is thrown he can go
to it. If a defender plays a man instead of his zone, the decoy can take
him out of his area permitting another receiver to catch the ball. Then
our defense is not sound. Therefore, we stress zone coverage, and playing
the ball—not the man.
_Coverage of Straight Drop Back Pass_
We consider a pass that is thrown from between the offensive tackle
positions as a straight drop back pass, as is illustrated in Figure 54.
[Illustration: FIGURE 54]
Figure 55 illustrates our coverage of the zones versus a straight drop
back pass. The defenders’ duties and responsibilities are as follows:
[Illustration: FIGURE 55]
_Defensive Right End_—Turns to his outside, sprints back and out to a
depth of 10 yards. He then sets up and faces the passer. He covers a
short one-quarter zone. When the ball is thrown, he sprints for it.
_Defensive Right Linebacker_—Using a cross-over step, he turns to the
outside and sprints back trying to get a depth of 12-14 yards. He must
set up when the passer sets up. He keeps his distance with his other
linebacker to the inside. When the ball is thrown, he sprints for it.
_Defensive Right Halfback_—His first step is backward and outward, and
he continues to go back covering his deep one-third zone. He should not
get closer than eight yards to the sideline. When the ball is thrown, he
sprints for it.
_Defensive Safety_—He should favor the wide side of the field when he
retreats to cover his middle one-third zone. If no one is coming into his
area, he should favor the side with two receivers out. When the ball is
thrown, he sprints for it.
_Defensive Left Halfback_—His first step is backward and outward, and he
continues to go back covering his deep one-third zone. He should never
get closer than eight yards to the sideline. When the ball is thrown, he
sprints for it.
_Defensive Left Linebacker_—He turns to his outside and sprints back,
using a cross-over step, and tries to get a depth of 12-14 yards.
However, he must set up when the passer stops and sets up. He keeps his
distance with the linebacker to the inside. When the football is thrown,
he sprints for it.
_Defensive Left End_—He turns to his outside and sprints backward and
outward to a depth of 10 yards, and faces the passer. He covers a short
one-quarter zone. When the football is thrown, he sprints for it.
_Coverage of an Action Pass_
Figure 56 illustrates our coverage versus an action pass. The defenders’
duties and responsibilities are as follows:
[Illustration: FIGURE 56]
_Defensive Right End_—He crosses the line of scrimmage and contains the
passer very quickly. He must make the passer throw the football quickly.
We do not want the passer to be able to hit the deep receiver.
_Defensive Right Linebacker_—He plays the run first. After he sees the
offensive end releasing, and when he knows that a pass is developing, he
sprints out and covers the flat.
_Defensive Right Halfback_—His first step is back and out. He starts off
slowly at first, then covers faster and faster. He will cover the deep
one-third of the field on his side. He must be as wide as the widest
receiver, unless the receiver is within eight yards of the sideline. Then
he will play an inside-out position on the receiver.
_Defensive Safety_—His first step would be back and out, favoring the
wide side of the field. His area of responsibility is the deep one-third
of the field. He must always be as deep as the deepest receiver. When the
ball is thrown, he will sprint for it.
_Defensive Left Halfback_—His first step will be back and out when he
sees the flow is going away from him. He should turn to the inside and
get depth as he covers his area of responsibility, which is the deep
one-third of his side of the field.
_Defensive Left Linebacker_—When he sees the flow going away from him,
he will play the counter first, then start to pursue the football. When
he sees a pass developing, he sprints back to his spot and covers the
short one-quarter zone.
_Pass Defense Versus Broken Backfield (Straight Drop Back Pass)_
Figure 57 illustrates our pass coverage of a straight drop back pass
when the offense has a broken backfield. The defenders’ duties and
responsibilities are as follows:
[Illustration: FIGURE 57]
_Defensive Right End_—He should line up slightly wider, and he goes back
to his spot about 10 yards deep. He will get a little greater width when
a man is flanking him.
_Defensive Right Linebacker_—He should play a little looser, but still
cover his spot about 12-14 yards deep.
_Defensive Right Halfback_—He should line up slightly wider, about one
and one-half yards outside of the flank man. He will still cover his
regular one-third deep zone.
_Defensive Safety_—He should line up in a position where he will be in
the middle of the eligible receivers. He will face out, and he will cover
the deep middle one-third of the field.
_Defensive Left Halfback_—His alignment does not change and he has the
same deep one-third area.
_Defensive Left Linebacker_—His alignment does not change and he has the
same short one-quarter area, which is about 12-14 yards deep.
_Defensive Left End_—His alignment and assignment does not change. He
will have the same width and depth, and cover the short one-quarter area.
_Pass Defense Versus Action Pass With Broken Backfield_
Figure 58 illustrates our pass coverage of an action pass (to our
left) from a broken backfield. The defensive players’ duties and
responsibilities are as follows:
[Illustration: FIGURE 58]
_Defensive Left End_—He plays a little wider than usual, and he has one
of two options depending upon which defense has been called. He either
rushes and contains the passer quickly or he will drop off and cover the
short flat area. When the latter occurs, the tackle has the outside rush
and contain responsibility then in place of the defensive end.
_Defensive Left Linebacker_—He plays his regular position. He plays
the run first, but when he sees a pass develop, he covers his short
one-quarter area. If the defensive end is going to contain the passer,
the linebacker will check for the run first and then cover the short flat.
_Defensive Left Halfback_—He lines up on the outside shoulder of the
widest man and on the snap of the ball he steps back and out. He plays
his regular position, and his area of responsibility is the deep
one-third to his side of the field.
_Defensive Safety_—He lines up in the area where he will be splitting
the eligible receivers. His area of responsibility is the deep middle
one-third.
_Defensive Right Halfback_—His first step is toward his outside. As soon
as he sees the flow going away from him, however, he turns and gets depth
still covering the deep one-third area to his side.
_Defensive Right Linebacker_—He will play the counter when he sees the
flow going away from him. When he sees a pass develop, he will cover his
short one-quarter area.
_Defensive Right End_—The back who is flanked out does not alter the
defensive right end’s responsibility. He will start pursuing the ball
until he recognizes a pass, then he will cover his short one-quarter area.
_Pass Defense Versus End Out_
We cover the split end, illustrated in Figure 59, exactly the same way
that we would cover a back out. If the play is an action pass away from
the end out, we would cover it as we cover a regular action pass.
[Illustration: FIGURE 59]
_Pass Defense Versus a Flanked Back and a Split End to Opposite Sides_
Figure 60 illustrates our defensive alignment versus a flanked back and a
split end out to opposite sides. Our coverage depends on whether it is an
action or a straight back pass we are defending against.
[Illustration: FIGURE 60]
_Versus the straight drop back pass_, we cover this like our regular drop
back coverage. Our ends drop off and cover their short one-quarter areas,
and the linebackers cover their short one-quarter areas. The defensive
halfbacks line up outside of the widest man to their side unless he is
closer than six yards to the sideline. They cover their deep one-third
area, always staying as deep as the deepest receiver. The defensive
safety man would line up in a position splitting the eligible receivers.
He faces the wide side of the field, and as the receivers come downfield
he would cover the deep middle one-third of the field.
_Versus the action pass_, the ends play their regular defense versus
a man out toward them. If the flow comes toward the end, he comes up
containing the passer quickly forcing him to throw the football. The
end away from the action will start his angle of pursuit through the
area where the defensive safety man lined up originally. When he sees a
pass develop, he tries to get back to the off-side one-third area. The
defensive halfback on the side of the action covers his deep one-third
area, unless he receives an oral signal from his safety man. The halfback
away from the side of the action takes his steps back and out, and then
sprints to a position where he can cover the off-two-thirds of the field.
He must get his width and depth first. The defensive safety will start
in the direction of the action, and then try to get in a position so
that he can cover the deep one-third of the field. When he gets in this
position, the defensive safety man gives an oral signal which releases
the defensive halfback to go up and cover the short one-quarter area.
If the safety cannot get in this proper position, he does not give the
signal and we have two men covering the deep one-third area.
PASS DEFENSE BY POSITIONS
_Defensive End_ (Flow toward a defensive end)—After lining up in his
proper stance and position, when he sees the action coming toward him
he crosses the line of scrimmage approximately two yards deep in the
offensive backfield. His inside foot should be forward, and his shoulders
parallel to the line of scrimmage, as he plays off the outside blocker.
He must contain the passer quickly. He cannot permit the passer to get
outside of his position. On certain defenses he will drop off and cover
the short flat, especially when a back is flanked to his side of the
field.
_Defensive Ends_ (Versus drop back pass)—After lining up in his proper
stance and position, when he recognizes a drop back pass, he turns to
his outside and sprints, using a cross-over step, to a spot 10 yards
deep. He never takes his eyes off the passer. When the passer gets set to
throw the ball, the defensive end must stop and set up, even if he has
only gotten five yards deep. He must get into a good football position
quickly, which is tail down, head up, back straight, weight on the balls
of the feet, knees slightly bent and feet even. When the passer steps
in one direction as if to throw or fake the pass, we want the end to
start in that direction, even if he “takes the fake.” Should the latter
occur and the passer not throw the football, then the end must bring
himself under control quickly and sprint for the football when the passer
releases it, regardless of where it is thrown.
_Defensive End_ (Flow away from a defensive end)—After taking his proper
stance and position and he recognizes the play going away from him, he
commences his angle of pursuit through the area where the defensive
safety man lined up originally. When he sees a pass develop, he stops
and still facing the passer and wide side, he tries to get back into a
position to help out in the deep off-one-third. He gets as deep as he can
and puts his hands high. Consequently the passer must throw the ball high
and get it over him. Since the ball is thrown higher, it stays in the air
longer and gives our defensive halfback who is covering that third of the
field time to react and sprint for the football. When the ball is thrown,
the end must sprint for it.
_Defensive Linebackers_ (Versus straight drop back pass)—If, after lining
up in their proper position and stance, they recognize the play as a
straight drop back pass, the linebackers will turn to their outside and
by using a cross-over step they will sprint back trying to get to a depth
of 12-14 yards. They should never take their eyes off the passer. As soon
as he gets set to throw, the linebackers should set up in a good football
position regardless of their depth at the time. The linebackers must take
the first passing fake of the quarterback or they will never be able to
knock down the short passes. When the ball is thrown, they both must
sprint to it.
_Defensive Linebacker_ (Flow pass toward a linebacker)—After the
linebacker has lined up in his proper stance and position and recognizes
the flow is coming toward him, he must expect a running play first. The
hole he must check will depend upon the defense that has been called.
After he has checked for a run but sees a pass developing, he must
turn to his outside and sprint for his short one-quarter area using a
cross-over step, or he will sprint to the flat on his side and cover
this area. He, too, must get set when he sees the passer get set, and he
takes the first fake. If the ball is not thrown, he regains his balance,
position, etc., and sprints for the ball when it is thrown.
_Defensive Linebacker_ (Flow away from the linebacker)—From his proper
stance and position when he observes the flow going away from him, he
steps in and checks the counter play and then starts his pursuit for the
football. When he recognizes a pass developing, he will plant and try
to get back to his short one-quarter area by using a cross-over step.
He will continue to go back to his one-quarter area still facing the
direction of the flow. He is trying to get to a depth of 12-14 yards.
However, he must come under control and maintain a good position when the
quarterback gets set to pass. He then plays his regular pass defense. He
must try to maintain his proper distance between his other linebacker
as a short one-quarter area will be vulnerable if they move too close
together. When the ball is thrown, he sprints for it.
_Defensive Halfbacks_ (Versus straight drop back pass)—After the
defensive halfbacks have lined up in their proper stance and position
and the ball is put into play, their first step is back and out. Each
halfback starts toward his deep one-third zone as he sees the straight
drop back pass develop. Although they commence slowly, the longer the
passer holds the ball, the faster and deeper they cover their one-third
areas. The deep men do _not_ take the passing fake, such as the ends and
linebackers must do. When the ball is put into the air in his area, the
halfback must sprint to intercept the pass. It is very important that the
halfbacks take the shortest and straightest line to the football once it
leaves the passer’s finger tips.
The defensive halfback will never get closer than eight yards to the
sideline when he is covering a deep one-third of the field. As he gets
close to the sideline and the passer is still holding the football, the
defensive halfback will bend away for the sideline but still remain in a
position to see it.
If the ball is thrown deep over his head, the halfback is permitted to
turn his back (whirl around) on the passer and go after the football.
We feel he can cover more ground and get to the ball faster using the
whirl around method than if he plants, pivots, keeps his eye on the ball,
and then goes after it. This is the only time we will permit a 3-deep
defender to take his eyes off the football.
_Defensive Halfback_ (Flow pass toward a defensive halfback)—After the
halfback has lined up in his regular position and he recognizes an action
pass or a running pass coming toward him, he starts back and out. His
area of responsibility is the deep one-third to his side of the field.
He must always be as deep as anyone in his area, and he must be in a
position so that he can cover his whole zone. If the football comes into
his zone, he is responsible for it. He must play the ball at the highest
possible point he can reach it safely. He must not get closer than eight
yards to the sideline because this cuts down his ability to cover the
entire one-third, his responsibility. When the ball is thrown, he must
sprint for it.
_Defensive Halfback_ (Flow pass away from the halfback)—After lining up
in his proper position and stance and recognizing the flow is starting
away from him on the snap of the football, his first step is back and
out. He must get his width in case of a roll-out pass. On his third
step he will plant, pivot to his inside, and get depth covering his
one-third to his side of the field. Regardless of flow or action his pass
responsibility is the deep one-third of the field that he lines up in.
_Defensive Safety_ (Versus straight drop back pass)—After the safety
has lined up in his proper position and stance and he sees the ball has
been put into play, his first step is back and out, favoring the wide
side of the field. He starts running slowly, but the deeper he goes, the
faster he runs. He cannot permit a receiver to get behind him. He must
be as deep as the deepest receiver anywhere on the football field. His
responsibility is the deep middle one-third, and if the ball is thrown
in his area, he must play the ball and _not_ the receiver. We instruct
the safety man to be deep enough so that he must come forward to play
the football in the air instead of running backward to play it. If the
ball is thrown in one of the deep one-third areas to his right or left,
he does _not_ sprint for the ball. Instead he sprints for a spot between
the place where the ball will come down and the opposition’s goal line.
In case the opponent catches the ball, he will be in a position to tackle
the receiver. If the ball is tipped into the air, the safety man should
be in a position to catch the ball. He must remember that he is the
safety and it is his duty to stop the opposition from scoring if they get
past the other 10 defensive men.
_Defensive Safety_ (Flow pass in any direction)—After the safety has
lined up in his proper position and stance and sees the flow pass
develop, his first step is back and out toward the flow. His area of
responsibility is the deep middle one-third of the field, but he goes
back facing or favoring the flow. He must get as deep as the deepest
receiver and be in a position to cover the middle one-third, as well as
be in a position to help out on deep passes from sideline to sideline.
He must remember he is the safety, and he _must_ prevent the touchdown
regardless of where the ball is thrown.
_All Defenders When the Ball Is Thrown_—When the ball is thrown to any
deep one-third area, the procedure is the same. Let’s assume the play
is a straight drop back pass and it is thrown into our defensive right
halfback’s one-third zone area, as illustrated in Figure 61. If he is in
the proper position, he will give an oral signal while the ball is still
in the air. His signal tells the other defenders he is going to touch the
football, and they should get set in the event it is tipped into the air.
The safety will get between the halfback and the opposition’s goal line.
He should assume a good football position and be alert for the tipped
football from his halfback. The defensive ends, linebackers and the other
defensive halfback will be sprinting for the football. When they hear the
right halfback’s oral signal, they will stop about five yards away from
him, get into a good football position, and watch for the tip. If our
defender intercepts the football, his teammates will turn around quickly
and block aggressively for him. The technique as I have described it is
illustrated in Figure 61.
ADVANTAGES OF THE 5-SPOKE PASS DEFENSE
The advantages of the 5-spoke pass defense are as follows:
1. When playing a team that quick kicks frequently, we have
a man in position to field the kick without weakening our
defense.
[Illustration: FIGURE 61]
2. The 3-deep men only have one position to learn on defense.
The defensive right halfback is always the defensive right
halfback, etc.
3. When the offense flanks backs and splits ends, it is easy
to adjust our defensive backs. Instead of revolving, they
simply loosen up or line up wider and still play their regular
positions.
4. There is always a defender in each of the deep one-third
areas without revolving into the areas.
5. It is easier to cover the running pass because there is no
point of indecision.
6. On a straight drop back pass, there is a defender in every
deep one-third area and one in every short one-quarter area.
7. We can get fast containment versus the action pass because
ends line up in a wide position initially.
8. It is easy to teach because we delegate a definite area of
responsibility on every occasion.
9. It is a very good defense against the long pass because of
the deep centerfielder or safety man.
10. Keying is cut to a minimum because there is no revolving
necessary in order to get a man in the deep safety position.
THE 4-SPOKE PASS DEFENSE
The 4-spoke or 2-deep defense is also a very good pass defense. I believe
it requires a little better athlete to play some of the positions in a
4-spoke as compared to the 5-spoke defense. I would probably be using
the 4-spoke defense if it were not for the fact that a number of teams
we play quick kick frequently. This was a major factor in my changing
from the 4-spoke defense which we used successfully at Texas A & M to the
5-spoke defense which we now use at the University of Alabama.
_Advantages of the 4-Spoke Defense_
The advantages of the 4-spoke defense are as follows:
1. When playing a 9-man front, the extra man is always where
you need him.
2. You can stunt a great deal in your secondary and give the
passer problems.
3. It is a good defense against a Split-T offense.
4. Tremendous pursuit can be obtained from this formation
because the linemen all play an outside technique.
5. You can predetermine your rotation; consequently, you remove
any indecision.
6. You use the same coverage with your goal line defense,
merely tightening up the defense and the secondary.
7. You put quick pressure on the passer by using your 9-man
front advantageously.
8. The defensive keys are definite.
The principle of the 5-spoke pass defense and the 4-spoke pass defense
is basically the same with the exception you have only four spokes or
four men in the outer perimeter of your secondary. The spokes run from
an imaginary center with a defender placed on the end of each spoke, as
illustrated in Figure 62.
These spokes can all be lengthened or shortened, as was explained
previously for the 5-spoke defense. They must move as a unit or team,
however, or there will be vulnerable areas in the secondary. We run an
imaginary line from defender to defender, considering the lines as a
rubber band, as illustrated in Figure 63. The rubber band can stretch,
but it should not break.
[Illustration: FIGURE 62]
[Illustration: FIGURE 63]
In Figure 63 the spokes have lengthened, the rubber band has stretched,
and the defense is still sound. The defenders, although they are farther
apart, have all kept their proper spacing with each other. Although they
are farther apart, the time that is required for the ball to travel the
extra distance will permit the defenders to cover the space between them.
In Figure 64 the defensive right halfback has taken the wrong route,
causing a large gap in the secondary and we are extremely vulnerable
should a pass be thrown into the area where the rubber band has broken.
[Illustration: FIGURE 64]
_The 4-Spoke Alignment_
Figure 65 illustrates the depth and width of the secondary defenders in
the 4-spoke defensive alignment when the ball is in the middle of the
field between the hash marks. The defensive corner man will line up about
four yards wide and about two and one-half yards deep. They key or read
the offensive halfback closest to them, and the nearest end. The reaction
of the corner man will be determined by his keys (offensive end and near
halfback). He will “read” the following situations:
1. If the end blocks in and the backs come toward the corner
man, he should come up and contain the play quickly.
2. If the end comes out and does not block and the backs start
toward the corner man, he should turn to his outside, sprint
back eight yards and get set to cover his short one-quarter
area.
3. If the end comes out and does not block and the back starts
away from the defensive corner man, he should sprint back and
get in a position to cover the deep one-third zone.
[Illustration: FIGURE 65]
The deep backs or twin safeties line up on the inside shoulder of the
offensive ends about seven and one-half yards deep. They should keep a
relative position to each other. The safeties should look through the
offensive tackles to the halfbacks. The flow of the offensive backs will
determine largely the direction the defensive safeties should go, who
must react on the snap of the ball. The twin safeties should react to the
following situations:
1. On a straight drop back pass, the safety starts deep to his
outside until he gets an oral signal from his corner man. This
signal sends him to the middle one-third area.
2. If the football or the action of the offensive backs goes
away from the safety, he should go to the middle one-third zone.
3. If the flow comes toward him, he covers the deep one-third
area to his side of the field.
_4-Spoke Pass Coverage Versus Straight Drop Back Pass_
Versus the straight drop back pass, as illustrated in Figure 66, the
linebackers, corner men and twin safeties will react as follows:
[Illustration: FIGURE 66]
_Defensive Left Corner Man_—On the snap of the ball the defensive corner
man is in a position to observe both the end and the halfback nearest
to him. If the end releases and the halfback is coming toward him, the
corner man must turn to his outside and sprint to a position eight
yards deep. He sets up in a good football position and covers his short
one-quarter area. He never takes his eyes off the passer, and should the
ball be thrown into his area he intercepts the pass.
_Defensive Left Halfback_ (Safety)—After he lines up in his proper
position, the defensive halfback upon recognizing a straight drop back
pass developing, immediately looks to see which side has two eligible
receivers. He then starts to his outside and goes deep, unless he
receives an oral signal from his corner man releasing him from his deep
one-third area. As shown in Figure 66, the defensive left halfback covers
the deep one-third area to his side of the field.
_Defensive Right Halfback_ (Safety)—After lining up in his proper
position and stance, the defensive right halfback, upon recognizing the
drop back pass, covers the deep one-third zone. Should he receive an
oral signal from his corner man, he is released from covering the deep
one-third to his side and he now covers the deep middle one-third. He
should receive the signal on his third or fourth step, if the corner man
gives it. The safety then plants his foot and turns to the inside, always
facing the passer, while he sprints to the middle one-third if he is
released from his other responsibility by his corner man.
_Defensive Right Corner Man_—On the snap of the ball, when the defensive
corner man observes the drop back pass developing, and the end and
halfback release to his side, he starts to his outside in order to cover
his short one-quarter area. If the near halfback stays in and blocks, and
only the end releases, the corner man gives an oral signal to his safety,
the defensive right halfback, who covers the middle one-third, and the
corner man covers the deep one-third area on his side.
_Defensive Linebackers_—The defensive linebackers play exactly like the
linebackers on a 5-spoke defense, which I explained previously. The only
difference is the area which they line up in (see Figure 55 and Figure
66). On the 4-spoke pass defense the linebackers play the straight drop
back pass and the action pass exactly as they do on a 5-spoke defense,
which I explained previously.
_4-Spoke Pass Defense Versus the Action Pass_
Versus the action pass, as illustrated in Figure 67, the 4-spoke
defenders react as follows:
[Illustration: FIGURE 67]
_Defensive Right Corner Man_—He lines up in his regular position and
observes the type of play developing. When he sees the offensive end to
his side releasing downfield and the action is coming toward his side,
he is alert for a pass. He then turns to his outside and sprints to his
short one-quarter area, which is about eight yards deep. He should be in
a good football position so that he can cover his zone properly. He must
try to stay wider than the widest man in his area, unless he is closer
than six yards to the sideline.
_Defensive Right Halfback_—After lining up in his proper position, when
the action starts toward his side, he sprints to his outside getting
depth and tries to get into a position so that he can cover the deep
one-third area, as illustrated in Figure 67. He should be as deep as
the deepest man in his area, and when the ball is thrown, he plays the
football and not the receiver.
_Defensive Left Halfback_—When he sees the flow going away from him, upon
receiving an oral signal he will turn to his inside and start for an
angle of pursuit through where the safety man would have lined up if it
were a 3-deep defense. On his third or fourth step he should see a pass
developing, and then he must start for the deep middle one-third of the
football field.
_Defensive Left Corner Man_—On the snap of the football as the defensive
left corner man sees the flow of the backs going away from him, he
immediately knows only one man can come to his side as a receiver.
Therefore, he must sprint back to cover the deep one-third area, usually
covered by his defensive left halfback in a normal situation. He gives
an oral signal to his halfback, which releases him from his normal
responsibility.
_Defensive Linebackers_—The defensive linebackers play the action pass on
the 4-spoke defense exactly as they do on the 5-spoke defense, which was
explained previously.
_4-Spoke Pass Defense Versus the Roll-Out Pass_
Figure 68 illustrates the 4-spoke pass defense versus the roll-out pass.
The box-wing defenders must react as follows:
[Illustration: FIGURE 68]
_Defensive Right Corner Man_—When the defensive right corner man observes
the near offensive end release and the flow starts toward him, he sprints
back to his area eight yards deep. When he sees the quarterback roll away
from him, as illustrated in Figure 68, he turns to his inside and gets
into a position so he can cover the deep one-third of the field to his
side. He must react quickly as his responsibility changes from a short
one-quarter to a deep one-third pass coverage when the play starts toward
him and then the quarterback rolls away from his position.
_Defensive Right Halfback_—On the snap of the ball if the defensive right
halfback sees an action pass coming in his direction, he starts back
and out to a position where he can cover the deep one-third area to his
side of the field. On about his eighth or ninth step, he should be able
to recognize a change in the offense’s direction and the flow is going
away from him. He immediately turns to his inside and still watching the
passer he sprints to the deep middle one-third of the field. He, too,
must react very quickly and sprint in order to cover the deep middle
area. The time it takes him to react and change his direction will be an
important factor in determining whether or not he breaks up the pass.
_Defensive Left Halfback_—When the defensive left halfback sees the flow
going away from him, he should receive an oral signal from his corner
man releasing him from his deep off-one-third responsibility. After he
hears his signal, he will sprint to a position where he can cover the
middle one-third area. As he is running to his area, he observes that
the quarterback is now rolling out to his side. Therefore, the halfback
must plant, pivot and try to get into a position to cover the deep
one-third area on his side of the field. If he sees he can cover this
area satisfactorily, he will give an oral signal to his corner man which
tells the latter to go up and cover the short one-quarter area. If he
sees that he cannot get into a good football position to cover his area,
the defensive halfback will _not_ give a signal. Then we will have two
men covering the deep one-third area, and the short one-quarter area will
not be covered in such a situation.
_Defensive Left Corner Man_—By reading the offensive backs, the defensive
corner man observes the flow going away from him. He immediately turns
to his inside and yells an oral signal to his defensive halfback, which
tells the latter the corner man will cover the deep off-one-third area.
As he is sprinting toward his area, he observes the quarterback reversing
his action, and the play is now coming toward him. He turns to his
outside and stays in a position to cover the deep left one-third (Figure
68) until he hears an oral signal from his halfback releasing him from
his deep responsibility. If he does not hear a signal, he will continue
to go back and cover the deep one-third zone. If he hears a signal, he
is released from his deep responsibility, which is now assumed by the
halfback, and the corner man covers his short one-quarter area. If the
offense is going to complete the pass, we want them to catch it in the
short area rather than in the deep zone. Therefore, the deep one-third
coverage has preference over the short one-quarter zone. At times we
might end up with two defenders in the same deep zone, but we would
rather do this than leave the deep zone uncovered. If this were the case,
then our defense would not be sound. Once again our first objective of
defensive football is to eliminate the “easy” or “cheap” touchdown pass.
_4-Spoke Coverage Versus a Flanker Set_
Figure 69 illustrates a 4-spoke coverage versus a straight drop back
pass from a flanker set. As you can observe, the entire perimeter of the
defensive secondary is revolved to the left. If the offense were strong
to their left, our secondary would revolve to our right versus a flanker
set left.
In Figure 69 the _left corner man_ goes up on the line of scrimmage, and
from his new position he carries out the same assignment he would if
he lined up in his normal position of two and one-half yards deep and
four yards wide. In his new position he can contain a running play very
quickly. If a straight drop back pass developed, he would turn to his
outside and still cover his short one-quarter area.
The _defensive left halfback_ carries out the same assignment by
covering the deep one-third of the field to his side, but he lines up
outside of the flanker instead of on the inside shoulder of the offensive
end.
[Illustration: FIGURE 69]
The _defensive right halfback_ moves over and plays the safety position.
When the straight drop back pass develops, he covers the deep middle
one-third of the field. As he goes back to cover his area, he faces
toward the strong side of the offense.
The _defensive right corner man_ revolves from his regular corner
position back to a defensive halfback. He lines up about three yards
outside of his offensive end, and when the pass develops, he covers the
deep one-third of the field that he has lined up in.
The _linebackers_ play their regular technique, sprinting to their usual
spots to play their regular pass defense.
_Action Pass With a Flanker_
Figure 70 illustrates 4-spoke coverage versus the action pass from a
flanker set.
The defensive secondary again revolves to the strong side of the
offense, as illustrated in Figure 70. If we do not have a stunt on in
our secondary, which I shall cover later in this chapter, our secondary
would play it exactly as we do the straight back pass, explained above.
The _left corner man_ reads his keys and goes back to cover his spot. He
must be ready to come up if the passer chooses to run with the football.
The _left halfback_ covers the deep one-third to his side. The _right
halfback_, who has revolved to the middle, plays and covers the deep
middle one-third. The _right corner man_, who has also revolved back to
the defensive halfback position, covers the deep one-third to his side of
the field.
[Illustration: FIGURE 70]
_4-Spoke Coverage Versus a Floater_
Figure 71 illustrates 4-spoke coverage versus the straight back pass from
a floater set.
[Illustration: FIGURE 71]
When the offense lines up in a floater set, illustrated in Figure 71, our
secondary does not revolve but merely loosens up a little. The defensive
_corner man_ to the side that the back is flanked (our right) lines
up a little wider and a little deeper. On the snap of the ball, if a
back-up pass develops, he drops off to eight yards depth, and covers his
one-quarter zone. The _defensive right halfback_ lines up wider and he
still covers the deep one-third area to his side. The _defensive left
halfback_ lines up in approximately his regular position because he must
be able to cover the deep one-third zone to his side of the field. On
this particular play as he sees a back-up pass develop, and only one
receiver is out to his left, he anticipates receiving a quick release
signal from his corner man. Should this occur, he now covers the deep
middle one-third of the field. Otherwise he covers his deep side zone, as
indicated above. The _left corner man_ lines up in his regular position
and sprints into a position to cover the deep one-third area on his side
of the field when he sees his nearest offensive back blocking and only
one receiver is coming out to his side. He gives the defensive halfback a
quick release signal on about his second or third step.
_Action Pass With a Floater_
[Illustration: FIGURE 72]
Figure 72 illustrates 4-spoke coverage versus the action pass from a
floater set. The entire secondary plays the action pass exactly the same
as a drop back pass if the action is toward the back who is flanked. It
would be played in a slightly different manner if the action is away
from the back who is flanked, as illustrated in Figure 72. In such a
situation the _left corner man_ would sprint to a position eight yards
deep and set up immediately to cover the short one-quarter zone. The
_left halfback_ sprints to a position back and out so he can cover the
deep one-third of the field to his side. The _right halfback_ plants,
turns to his inside, and sprints to a position to cover the deep middle
one-third of the field. The _right corner man_ turns to his inside,
sprints back and out, and gets in a position to cover the deep one-third
of the field when the action starts away from him.
PREDETERMINED ROTATION
When identifying our different defenses, we decided to number all of our
4-spoke defenses in the 40 series as far as the secondary was concerned.
I mentioned in a previous chapter that we have a defensive signal caller
for the secondary, as well as for the defensive line. We decided that
4-spoke and 40 had something in common (the 4’s), and would be easy for
our players to remember. Consequently a 4-spoke defense is in the 40
series.
In addition, we gave our right and left corner men numbers. Our objective
was to eliminate indecision as the second digit, when called, gave the
corner man a definite responsibility, as will be illustrated shortly.
Therefore, it was possible for the secondary to do a good job of rotation
merely by watching the flow of the offensive backs.
As an example, let’s assume our defensive signal caller says, “40,” which
is our regular 4-spoke defense. Therefore, our secondary will revolve
according to the flow of the offensive backs, and the corner men will
read the end and halfback nearest to them in order to ascertain whether
they go up or drop back.
However, we will do more than play a straight 40 defense. By numbering
our corner men, we can predetermine the rotation. Our right corner man is
given the even numbers 4 and 8, and the left corner man the odd numbers 5
and 9. Therefore, we can call 44, 45, 48 and 49 defenses from the 4-spoke
alignment. Now 44 and 48 mean two different things, as does 45 and 49.
However, 44 and 45 are the same, only to opposite sides of the line, and
the same holds true for 48 and 49.
_Defensive Calls 44-45 for Secondary Rotation_
When our defensive signal caller calls, “44,” our secondary will
have a predetermined rotation to our right, _unless_ the flow of the
offensive backs is to our left. Then we will play regular and disregard
the predetermined call. Let’s assume 44 was called and the flow of the
offensive backs was to our right. We have already predetermined our
rotation. Regardless of whether it is a pass or a run, our defensive
right corner man must come across the line of scrimmage and contain
the passer quickly, as illustrated in Figure 73. Our defensive right
inside linebacker knows the corner will contain quickly, so he is now
responsible for the short one-quarter area the corner man usually covers
on a flow pass toward him (Figure 73). If the corner man was hesitant
before, he need not be under these conditions as he knows he will contain
without fail on a 44 predetermined call when the flow is toward him.
[Illustration: FIGURE 73]
If the flow was away from him on a 44 call, as illustrated in Figure 75,
the predetermined call is “off,” and he revolves back and covers his
regular position. Both situations would be reversed if the call was “45.”
Defensive call 44 is also good versus a straight back pass, as
illustrated in Figure 74. The same is true of defense 45. The only thing
that erases the predetermined call is when the flow is away from the
second digit called, i.e., away from 4 or 5.
[Illustration: FIGURE 74]
[Illustration: FIGURE 75]
_Defensive Calls 48-49 for Secondary Rotation_
We use the call 48 and 49 when we want a sure rotation, say, to the wide
side of the field. When our right corner man hears “8” and the left
corner man hears “9,” he knows he must go across the line of scrimmage
regardless of the flow of the play. If the flow of the play is away from
him, as illustrated in Figure 76, he will trail the play. If the play
is a straight back pass, as illustrated in Figure 77, he will rush the
passer hard. Figure 78 illustrates the flow of the play coming toward
the right corner man. His job is to contain the play then. The remaining
three backs know they are going to go to a 3-deep secondary regardlessly.
We ordinarily will use such a stunt only toward the wide (right) side of
the field (Figure 76-78). The element of surprise is very good, and it
eliminates indecision on the part of the secondary.
[Illustration: FIGURE 76]
[Illustration: FIGURE 77]
[Illustration: FIGURE 78]
_Defensive Calls 38-39 for Secondary Rotation_
Another predetermined rotation is 38 and 39, and is similar to 48 and 49,
respectively, as one corner man rushes regardless of the situation. We
use 38 or 39 when we do not wish to call 48 or 49. If the offense sets
a flanker to one side, and we want our secondary to revolve toward the
flanker and the corner man who is now up on the line of scrimmage to
rush regardlessly, we would call 38 or 39. The first digit, “3,” tells
our secondary to revolve to a 3-deep toward the flanker. The second
digit, “8” or “9,” indicates the right or left corner man, respectively,
is going to fire into the offensive backfield. Figures 79-80 illustrate
call, “38,” versus a running play and a straight drop back pass,
respectively.
[Illustration: FIGURE 79]
[Illustration: FIGURE 80]
STUNTING IN THE DEFENSIVE SECONDARY
A team must be sound in its defensive secondary in order to be a good
football team. All of us use certain basic principles, but we must be
careful we do not “type” ourselves as this could be very costly if the
opponents pick up our maneuvers while scouting our team.
One of the basic principles we try to teach our quarterback when we
are discussing different phases of the passing game is where _not_ to
throw the football. While we might not complete the pass, as long as
the opposition does not intercept it, we are not in too bad a position.
Everyone knows the effect an interception can have on both the offensive
and defensive teams.
In order to do an intelligent job of telling our quarterbacks where
_not_ to throw the ball, we must know the maneuvers of the opponent’s
defensive secondary on action passes and on drop back passes. However, we
always give our opponents credit for being as smart or smarter than we
are. They, too, teach their quarterbacks where _not_ to throw the ball.
Consequently we try to make their job even more difficult by using some
stunts in our secondary.
After we started to experiment, we found these stunts were actually
serving a two-fold purpose. Not only was it confusing the opponents but
it was also helping us to eliminate some problems of indecision that
our corner men were having on certain occasions. By giving each man a
specific assignment and by letting his assignment be determined by the
flow of the offensive back and not by keying different positions, this
greatly reduced our mistakes.
When we are using a particular stunt in our secondary, we never want
to weaken our coverage at any point. To the contrary, we think we are
strengthening it when we stunt. We have used four stunts successfully
from time to time. We call our stunts “Thunder,” “Robber,” “Gangster,”
and “Lightning.” After carefully analyzing these stunts, we came to the
conclusion we were usually having two or three men exchange assignments,
having defenders come from different angles, but still covering all the
regular areas.
“_Thunder_”
“Thunder” is the name we have given to a stunt that will be between our
defensive right halfback and right corner man, which will constitute one
team, and our defensive left halfback and left corner man which will
constitute a second team. Each team will be completely independent of
the other team. What the stunt really amounts to is that the halfback
and corner man will exchange assignments completely unless the flow goes
away from them. For example, let’s say the offense runs an action pass
to their right side. With an action pass of this type, our left corner
man would ordinarily drop back eight yards deep and cover the short flat
area. With “Thunder” called, however, he will turn to his outside and
sprint back and cover the deep one-third of the field to his side. The
left defensive halfback, who ordinarily would cover the deep area on this
particular type pass, will come forward and outside and cover the short
area the corner man would ordinarily cover. Not only have we given the
quarterback an entirely new picture to look at, but we have strengthened
our coverage by having our halfback come forward through the hook zone,
going to the flat area. “Thunder” is illustrated in Figure 81.
I mentioned earlier that one of the advantages of these stunts was that
it takes away any point of indecision for our corner men. When we are
using our regular coverage and the flow goes away from our corner man, he
will sprint to his outside and cover the deep one-third area, but when
the flow comes toward him he has to key the offensive end and determine
if he is blocking, slamming, going down field to block or to catch a
pass. The action our corner man takes will largely depend upon the action
the offensive end takes. When we have “Thunder” called, the corner man
knows on the snap of the ball, regardless of what kind of play the
offense will run, he will sprint back and cover the deep area to his side
of the field. (Figure 81.)
The signal caller in our secondary can call “Thunder” for our right side
only, left side only or both sides at the same time. If he calls it for
both sides at the same time, then the direction in which the offense
operates will determine which side of our defensive secondary will play
“Thunder.”
[Illustration: FIGURE 81]
“_Robber_”
“Robber” is another of our stunts that serves a two-fold purpose of
eliminating indecision and is an element of surprise.
Our “Robber” will be someone playing defensive right or left halfback,
depending upon our game plans. However, we will _never_ have “Robber”
called on _both_ sides at the same time.
For example, let’s say our defensive left halfback will be our “Robber,”
as illustrated in Figure 82. On the snap of ball, regardless of the
flow, our left corner man will sprint back and cover the deep third
of the field to his side, our defensive right halfback will cover the
deep middle of the field, and our right corner man will cover the deep
one-third to his side of the field. On the snap of the ball, our “Robber”
can go anywhere he thinks the opponents will run. This is a very good
element of surprise because we will get an additional defender at the
point of attack and he can be very reckless due to the fact that he does
not have any designated responsibility. We expect our “Robber” to try to
second-guess the opponent’s quarterback. When a pass play develops, he
is in a very good position to break up the short passes.
We do not use this as a steady diet, but we gain considerably by having
the “Robber” pursue the ball recklessly.
[Illustration: FIGURE 82]
“_Gangster_”
“Gangster” is a stunt we particularly like with a 4-5 defense or any
9-man front defense where our linebackers will line up a little wider
than ordinarily.
This stunt will be performed by three men—a corner man, linebacker,
and halfback. For example, we will use our defensive left side, as
illustrated in Figure 83. On the snap of the ball, regardless of the
flow, our left corner man will sprint back and cover the deep third area
to his side of the field (the halfback ordinarily covers this area). The
left linebacker will cover the short flat to his side of the field (the
corner man ordinarily covers this area). The left halfback will come
forward and cover the hook spot (the linebacker ordinarily covers this
area). The remaining backs will cover their regular area.
The main advantage of this stunt is that by having our halfback come
forward we are in a good position to stop all short passes in the hook
zone. He is going forward and covering the same area our linebacker
usually covers. Our linebacker has to key, sprint back, and set up,
before he can get ready to go forward. You can see that we have
definitely strengthened our coverage at this point and it is equally
sound in the other area. We will only call “Gangster” to one side at a
time.
[Illustration: FIGURE 83]
“_Lightning_”
“Lightning” is a stunt between our linebacker and corner man only, and
is illustrated in Figure 84. We first started using this stunt for the
sole reason of eliminating any point of indecision for our corner man. It
is a very simple stunt. As an example, if the flow goes toward the side
on which we have called “Lightning,” the corner man will come across the
line of scrimmage very fast and contain the ball carrier. He does not
have any pass responsibility at all if the action comes toward him. The
linebacker to his side will cover the short flat area if a running pass
develops. Our corner man is coached to contain the passer so fast that a
receiver does not have time to get very wide and our linebacker does not
have any trouble covering the short flat area. The remaining backs will
cover their regular areas. The call, “Lightning,” will be _off_ if the
flow goes away from the side we have called it on, or if a straight drop
back pass develops.
We can call “Lightning” on both sides at the same time.
[Illustration: FIGURE 84]
We do not use a stunt on every play, but with our regular coverage and
using a stunt occasionally we can give the opposition’s quarterback a
number of problems. He is looking at a number of different “pictures”
when we employ these defensive tactics. Secondly, we feel it helps us
because any indecision our corner men might have is eliminated when we
stunt.
CONCLUSION
The basic principles of pass defense are: when the ball is in the air,
your secondary men must sprint for the football, play through the
receiver for the ball and not around him, and play the football at
the highest point possible. If your defenders will apply these basic
principles along with an aggressive attitude that the ball belongs to the
defenders when it is in the air, you will have a good defensive secondary.
In a later chapter I shall explain and illustrate our drills for the
defensive secondary.