Coach John Rice [email protected] Strategies for Defending the Spread Offense with the 3-3 JOHN...

Coach John Rice [email protected]

Strategies for Defending the Strategies for Defending the Spread Offense with the 3-3Spread Offense with the 3-3

JOHN RICEJOHN RICEDEFENSIVE COORDINATORDEFENSIVE COORDINATORCANYON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOLCANYON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOLMORENO VALLEY, CAMORENO VALLEY, CA(951) 537-9902(951) [email protected]@aol.com


Strategies • “Maximum” Zone Coverage

– Rush 3, drop 8 (2 deep or 3deep)– Rush 4, drop 7 (2 deep or 3 deep w/Tag)

• Pressure– Man Pressure 4, 5, 6, or 7 man– 1 Bracket with pressure– Fire Zones rush 5 and drop 6– Zone Blitzes (linemen dropping for blitzing LBs)– Combination Coverage with Pressure


Common Spread PhilosophySpread field through Formation and motionOpen up running lanes Create personnel mismatches“Take What you Give us philosophyRun the ball vs. appropriate numbers in the box (audible to 5 in the

box)Pass the ball vs. appropriate numbers in the box (audible to 6 or 7 in

the box)Throw vs. Uncovered receiversCreate the big play vs. the blitzUse of compressed formations to create confusion or gain an

advantage in numbers


Strategies for Defending the Spreadhow to take away certain strategies: Take away bubble screen by alignment (draw on board) Take away funnel screen by sticking like glue to #1 Outflank compressed formations Play zone or match up zone vs. compressed formations Playing bunches or stacks• o Jamming first man off the line in a zone• o Triangle concept man on LOS, bracket other two


Strategies for Defending the Spread

Analyze and understand protection scheme of your opponent:Have a pressure packaged based on their protection weaknesses (stunts, bluffs, overloads, personnel mismatches)

Anticipate the offensive coordinator’s adjustments to your strategy and have at least one countermove for each strategy he employs. two


• Take away an opponents best receiver by alignment, coverage, or both. Jam on line with safety help to test him. Align deep if he’s a deep threat. Bracket him if you can afford it.

Know the offensive coordinator’s philosophy and take advantage of it

Take away what they do best. Make them beat you with someone or something other than their best play.




• Be prepared for the no huddlePractice preparation

– i. Use two huddles/units in pass skeleton back to back to back w/#1 QB to keep continuity

– ii. Increase pace of drills and increase conditioning

Game preparation-getting the call on the field– i. Hand Signal call to entire defense (everyone

must know signals)– ii. Signal to one defender, he relays the call to defense– iii .Use wristbands and coded calls



Have multiple adjustments for motion/formation checksTeaching progression early in spring/summerJam receivers at different levels to disrupt timingIn man

• i. On line• ii. Catch and trail

In zone• i. On the line in 2 jam or 3 jam• ii. At 3 or 5 yards



Disrupt the rhythm of the offense-force post-snap reads. Disguise coverage (show examples)

Huddle call “bluff” (make sure they are not the same)“universal” wait on OCMix up your looks. Blend pressure and coverage.

Utilize straight man, combination (man zone), zone blitzes, and fire zones. (Show game ready sheet)


Strategies for Defending the Spread Offense

Play fastest players on defense• If the team you are playing uses personnel packages to

gain advantages, use the same 11 players without substituting

Stop the running game first with the least amount of defenders in the box as possible. If you can stop the run with 5 you have an advantage

Force the offense to be one-dimensional by doing one of the following:

Take away the pass. If you can consistently rush 3 and drop 8 defenders into pass coverage you are at an advantage

Take away the run by loading the line of scrimmage with eight or nine defenders


Formulating a strategy:• Take away what they do best; make them beat you

with something else• Have multiple adjustments to formations if needed• Have formations & coverage checks to prevent the

offense from gaining an advantage• Be prepared for no huddle• Be prepared for personnel groupings• Know their pass protection and how to attack it• Have a strategy to defend bunches and stacks


Vs. Doubles

Corner

Corner

FreeSafety

Spur

Bandit

Mike

Ram

Lion

Alignment vs. Doubles vs. Doubles


“Pull” ALIGNMENT VS. TRIPS


““Stack” ALIGNMENT VS. (TE) TRIPSStack” ALIGNMENT VS. (TE) TRIPS


Cover 3 DropsCover 3 Drops

Corner

Corner

FreeSafety

Spur

Bandit

Mike

Ram

Lion

5 under3 Deep Zone


Spur and Bandit buzz to the flats NOW, playing stop, hitch, & the out cut by #1, and the arrow and bubble by #2. Lion & Ram (as soon as they make a pass read) must get to the hashes to play vertical routes by #2s.


Vs. Doubles

Corner

Corner

FreeSafety

Spur

Bandit

Mike

Ram

Lion

Cover 3 “Jam” Pass Drops

Spur and Bandit jam & reroute #2s, then buzz the flat. On otherthan a vertical releaseBy #2, they take their normal drops to the top of the number once they make their pass read



Corner

Corner

FreeSafety

Spur

Bandit

Mike

Ram

Lion

5 under2 Deep ZoneW/hi hole player



Strategies for covering empty (or trips) with 33 defense

• Play straight cover 2; run with #3 verts• Play soft cover 2 to two receiver side; Quarters

to trips side• Play the corner man to man on #1 to the trips

side, and soft 2 everywhere else• Play 2 Deep zone, run with inside vertical

routes• 3-2 w/man free• 3-1 with 2 safety look


2 Deep Zone VS. TRIPS

Coaching Point in a 2 deep zone: Run with the #3’ vertical route


Quarters to trips side; Soft 2 to single side

Strategy vs. Trips Formations:

Soft Cover 2

N EECC S

F

ML R

B

Soft 2 to single cut sideQuarters to trips side

Deep 1/4 Deep 1/4 Deep 1/2


Man #1 Trips side; Soft 2 everywhere else

Strategy vs. Trips Formations:

N EECC S

F

ML R

B

Corner man #1

Deep 1/4 Deep 1/2

Soft Cover 2


Quarters to trips side; Soft 2 to single side

Strategy vs. Empty Formations:

Soft Cover 2

N EECC S

F

L

B

Soft 2 to single cut sideQuarters to trips side

Deep 1/4 Deep 1/4 Deep 1/2

M R


Man #1 Trips side; Soft 2 everywhere else

Strategy vs. Empty Formations:

N EECC S

F

L

B

Corner man #1

Deep 1/4 Deep 1/2

Soft Cover 2

M R


Strategies for covering empty w/33

• Play soft cover 2 to two receiver side; Quarters to trips side

• Play the corner man to man on #1 to the trips side, and soft 2 everywhere else

• Play 2 Deep zone, run with inside vertical routes

• 3-2 w/man free• 3-1 with 2 safety look


Pressure

• Man Pressure– 5 man– 6 man– 7 man


Principles for Applying Pressure

• Use more than one disguise per blitz

• Know the protection scheme you are attacking

• Know the opponent’s hot reads and sight adjustments (may be able to force a certain throw favorable to you)

• Ensure your defense is gap sound

• Assign proper run force

• In man schemes, every potential receiver is accounted for

• Don’t allow offense to create a mismatch

• Create mismatches that favor the defense-attack weakness

• Disguise your intentions if at all possible


Principles for Maximizing Principles for Maximizing Effectiveness of Pressure SchemeEffectiveness of Pressure Scheme

• Pressure Calls MUST be scripted.• Blitz Period /7 on 7/Team

– Practice the four looks (show, half, time, depth)– Show unusual formations/motion– Force checks to prevent unfavorable situations– Emphasize blitzing defenders redirect to the ball if

play is a run


Zone Pressure

• Can you force an audible by showing pressure pre-snap and drop a defender into a passing lane?


E EN

L M

BS

CC $ F

1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

Dime 4 “Idaho”


E EN

L M

BS

CC $ F

1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

Dime 4 “Oregon”


5 Man Pressure• From Base Front (6)

– Ox, Tiger, Smoke, Torch, Red, Crazy

• Fire Zones (9)– Thunder, Hurrican, Lamb, Rambo, Rex, Lex,

Laser, Male, Mare

• From Dime Front (6)– Crossfire, Mable (switch), Spice, Sugar, Axe


5 man pressure-from base5 man pressure-from base• ““Coverage-Blitz”Coverage-Blitz”• Examples: Examples:

– ““3 Ox Show” (cover 3 with Mike & Ram going)3 Ox Show” (cover 3 with Mike & Ram going)– ““3 Tiger Half” (cover 3 Mike and Ram going)3 Tiger Half” (cover 3 Mike and Ram going)– ““0 Sting Time” (cover 0 with Spur and Bandit 0 Sting Time” (cover 0 with Spur and Bandit

going)going)– ““0 Smoke Show” (cover 0, line slanting weak, 0 Smoke Show” (cover 0, line slanting weak,

Spur, Ram going outside End)Spur, Ram going outside End)


3 OX3 OX


3 Tiger3 Tiger


0 Smoke0 Smoke


0 Torch0 Torch


3 Jacks Red3 Jacks Red


““Crazy”Crazy”


5 man pressure from Dime:

•Crossfire•Mable (Switch)•Spice•Sugar•Axe


Dime 1Free Rules:

E EN

$ M RB

CC S

F Deep Middle

Hole

Dime ($) in for Lion; will align according to blitz called. Man up with #3 in emptyWe are playing man coverage with Spur and Bandit on #2’s (over vs. trips)We will always send at least 1 linebacker; the other will be a hole defender.If we send both inside backers, Dime will be hole defender unless covering #3 in empty.Free Safety is playing deep middle. We can also use him to bracket a receiver & play 0.Hole defender will abandon responsibility if R releases. In that case, man up on R.


Dime Crossfire Cover 1Free

E EN$

M RB

CC

S

F

Hole

Deep Middle


Dime “Mable” Cover 1 Free

E EN

$M R

BC

C S

F

Deep Middle

Hole


Dime “ Mable Switch” Cover 1 Free

E EN

$M R

BC

C S

F

Deep Middle

Hole


Dime “Spice” Cover 1 Free

E EN$

M R BC

C

S

FDeep Middle

Hole


Dime “Sugar” Cover 1 Free

E EN$

M RB

CC

S

F

Deep Middle

Hole


Dime Axe Cover 1Free

E EN$

M RB

CC S

F

Nose slants to field (blitz)

To field

Deep Middle

Hole


2 Shell Pressure2 Shell Pressure


Dime Double Plug Robber


Dime Tornado


Dime Field Slam


Dime Lightening


Dime Win


3-3 Fire Zone Pressure

E EN

L M R

B

CC

S

F

Seam/curl/flat Seam/curl/flat

Cover 33 Rules:We are sending 5 (3 linemen and usually 2 linebackers)The remaining linebacker is a hole defenderWe will cover both seams, not allow vertical releases by #2’s

Cover 33: 3 deep, 3 under, rush 5

hole


Thunder Cover 33

E EN

L M R

B

CC

SF

Thirds Thirds Thirds

Field

HoleSeam/curl/flat Seam/curl/flat


Hurricane Cover 33

E EN

L M R

B

CC

S

F


Field

HoleSeam/curl/flat Seam/curl/flat


Lamb Cover 33

E EN

L M R B CC S

F


Seam/curl/flat Seam/curl/flatHole


Rambo Cover 33

E EN

L M R B CC S

F




Rex Cover 33

E EN

L M

R

B CC S

F




Lex Cover 33

E ENL

M R B CC S

F




Laser Cover 33

E EN

L M R B CC S

F




Male Cover 33

E EN

L M R B CC S

F




Mare Cover 33

E EN

L M R B CC S

F




6 man pressure6 man pressure


ZooZoo


TigerBanditTigerBandit


Ox SpurOx Spur


TigerSpurTigerSpur


OxBanditOxBandit


Pressure from dime


6 man pressure from Base6 man pressure from Base• ““Coverage-Blitz”Coverage-Blitz”• Examples: Examples:

– “ “ 0 Zoo Time” (cover 0 with Lion Mike,Ram 0 Zoo Time” (cover 0 with Lion Mike,Ram going)going)

– ““3 Zoo” (cover 3 Lion,Mike and Ram going)3 Zoo” (cover 3 Lion,Mike and Ram going)– ““0 Tiger Bandit half” (cover 0 with Lion, Mike & 0 Tiger Bandit half” (cover 0 with Lion, Mike &

Bandit going)Bandit going)– ““0 Ox Spur” (cover 0, line slanting weak, Spur, 0 Ox Spur” (cover 0, line slanting weak, Spur,

Ram going outside End)Ram going outside End)


Dime “Python” Cover 0

E EN

L

M R$

CC

S F


Dime “Python Under” Cover 0

E ENL M R

$C

C

S F


Dime “Boa” Cover 0

E ENL

M R$

CC

S F


Numbers package


Numbers Package with Pressure

• When double-bracket coverage with pressure is desirable as part of a package

• May play single bracket with pressure if desired

• When a team places their best receiver at various positions in the offensive formation


Dime Numbers “12” Anchor

E EN B

CC

S

Low HoleL M

$ F


Numbers 11 Ox (Swap)

E EN B

CC

SL M

$F


“Duo” Package

E EN

$

B

CC

S

F

N M

Corners Man on #1; keep inside leverage

Spur Bracket #2; outside leverage

Nickel Bracket #2; inside leverage

Mike Pressure

Dime Bracket #2; inside leverage

Bandit Bracket #2; inside leverage

Free Safety Pressure


Duo Pressure

E EN

M

F

E EN

F

M

E EN

F

M

E EN

M

F

“Indiana Left”

Tags:RightLeftField

Boundary

“Indiana Right”

“Ohio Right”“Ohio Left”


Appendix

• Weekly Practice Overview

• Sample Defensive Practice Plan

• Sample Inside Drill Practice Script

• Sample 7 on 7 Period Practice Script

• Sample Team Period

• Sample Defensive Game Call Sheet

• Defensive Implementation Schedule


WEEKLY OVERVIEWWEEKLY OVERVIEWTuesday Wednesday Thursday

Fundamentals Right, Left, 3 Jacks Red, 3 Anchor, 3 Torpedo

Smoke Cover 0 Torch Cover 0

Spur, Bandit Tiger Swap, Ox Swap

Inside Drill

7 on 7

Team

Goaline Bear Strong Cov 0 vs. All Sets

Special Situations

3 Jacks Red vs. Trips Spur/Bandit over #2, FS

align over #3

Smoke Cover 0 Torch Cover 0

Spur/Bandit over #2, FS align over #3

Linda, Rita, Tiger Swap, Ox Swap, Spur/Bandit over #2, FS align over

#3

Weekly Concepts to Cover:

Run

Pass

Weekly Defensive PRACTICE SCHEDULE

COUGAR FOOTBALLQ u ic k T im e ™ a n d aT IF F (L Z W ) d e c o m p re s s o ra re n e e d e d to s e e th is p ic tu re .

In s id e Z o n e

D a rt/W ra p

Q B Tra p

Fa d e

H i L o

B o o t

3 m a n S c a t

S m a s h

W h e e l/P o s t

D a rt/W ra p

Q B Tra p

H i L o

Y o r X Fa d e

W h e e l/P o s t

In tro

R e v ie w

R e v ie w

R e v ie w

R e v ie w

Ins ide

Zone

B o o t

S c a t

S m a s h

In tro

In tro

In tro

R e v ie w

S c a t

S m a s h

In tro

In tro

R e v ie w

In tro

E m p ty D ra w

Y o r X Fa d e

S la n t

In s id e Z o n e

D a rt/W ra p

Q B Tra p

R e v ie w

H i L o , Fa d e

W h e e l/P o s t

B o o t, S c a t

S m a s h

WEEKLY OVERVIEW (USED TO PLAN DAILY PRACTICE)

Wrap/DartGoaline Runs

Review

Hi-Lo CrossesSmash

Crossing Routes

Review

Inside ZoneWrap/DartHi-Lo CrossesSmash

Vs. 2 minute offense

2 minuteNo Huddle Review Bracket & Pressure Package

Review


Front/Coverage Lift

PERIOD: # Time

1 5

2 10

3 15

4 20

5 25

6 30

7 35

8 40

9 45

10 50

11 55

12 60

13 65

14 70

15 75

16 80

17 85

18 90

4 WIDE

Hi Low

Fade

CURL/WHEEL (MIRROR)

4 WIDE

4 WIDE

GROUP 1 (10)

SMASH (STOP

CORNER)

COUGAR FOOTBALL Date:

PM1 Free, NumbersDefensive

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

T H O U G H T O F T H E D A Y :

CONDITIONING

Passes

Conditioning

GROUP 2 (20)

TEAM (20)

4 WIDE

AS NEEDED

Formations

Plays and Formations for TodayCorners and Safety

"WINNING IS A HABITÉUNFORTUNATELY, SO IS LOSING." -VINCE LOMBARDI

Draw

RUNS

QB Trap, zone

In and Out bracket technique

Press Technique2 by 2

D LineLinebackers

(Mike, Lion, Ram)

2 ON 1 Bracket Drill

WATER BREAK

SLANT TECH RUN FITS/ Hole Drop

Spur and Bandit

INDIVIDUAL FUNDAMENTALS (EVERY DAY DRILLS)

INSIDE RUN DRILL (SEE SCRIPT)

Fundy (15)

TEAM (SEE SCRIPT)

GROUP 3 (20)

1 ON 1 PASS RUSH

7 ON 7 (SEE SCRIPT)

Trips open

FORMATIONS

SAMPLE DEFENSIVE PRACTICE PLANSAMPLE DEFENSIVE PRACTICE PLAN


SAMPLE INSIDE DRILL SAMPLE INSIDE DRILL PRACTICE SCRIPTPRACTICE SCRIPT

Play H COV1 L 33

2 R 4

3 R 33

4 R 1 free Robber

5 L 33

6 L Numbers 22

7 L Numbers 22

8 M 33

9 M 33

10 L 33

11 R Numbers 22

12 L Numbers 22

Emphasis: Defending Spread Formation RunsNOTES

COUGAR FOOTBALL

"BIG 8" DEFENSIVE PRACTICE SCRIPTwed 9/28

Card

Shift

FORMATION PLAY FRONT STUNTsee card inside zone Base Male

Hard Count

see card Inside Zone Base Mare Motion

see card QB Trap Dime None

see card Draw Base Mable hard Count

see card Dart/Wrap Dime None

see card Inside Zone Dime None Shift

see card QB Trap Dime None

see card Draw Base Mare

see card QB Trap Base Mable

see card Draw Dime Pinch

Hard Count

see card Inside Zone Dime None Shift

see card FB Trap Base Laser

A

C

D

E

A

F

D

C

A

E

F

A


SAMPLE 7 ON 7SAMPLE 7 ON 7 PRACTICE SCRIPT PRACTICE SCRIPT

Play h1 L

2 M

3 R

4 L

5 M

6 M

7 R

8 R

9 M

10 L

Bluff

Disguise!

none

see card Boot Pass

Disguise!

none Disguise!Base w/bluff

none

Wed 9/28

Hi-Low Pass

7 on 7 DEFENSIVE PRACTICE SCRIPT

Base

Disguise!

Ox Swap Shift

Dime "Time"Tiger Lock

Disguise!Base w/bluff Crazy HalfSmash

Zip motion

Dime Cross Plug Disguise!

Dime w/bluff RedNOTES

COUGAR FOOTBALL

Emphasis: Pressure vs. Spread

A Numbers11Card # COVSTUNT/Blitz

see cardFORMATION PLAY FRONT

B Numbers 11see card Fade

D 1 FreeZoo ShowA 3see card

Basesee card slant

B 0see cardA 3Base

Fade

D 3

A 4see card trap pass Dime

see card slant

D 3

A 3

noneBasesee card slantsee card trap pass


SAMPLE TEAM PERIOD SAMPLE TEAM PERIOD PRACTICE SCRIPTPRACTICE SCRIPT

Play H1234

56789

101112131415 B 3left

A 0D 3

Ox Bandit

see card Inside Zone right

AA 3B 3

BanditFadeWrap/Dart

BaseBase

C 0Tiger Spursee card Base

BB 3 Hard Countsee card Boot Base left

C Numbers 11Cross Plugsee card Inside Zone Dime

C 3Zoo TimeBasesee card Wrap/DartEmptyDimesee card Inside Zone

see card Qb TrapB 4None

1 Free Robbernone MotionDime 3Left Spur Emptysee card Boot Base

Red Hard Countsee card Hi Lo DimeHard CountFade Base Crazy Half

BaseBase

Emphasis: Defending the Spread

BaseInside Zonesee cardFORMATION PLAY FRONT

see card

see card QB Trap

Empty

Motion

left

Base

see card Draw

wed 9/28

Hi Lo

Hard Count

Empty

Shift

Hard Count

STUNT

COUGAR FOOTBALL

see cardsee card

A

B

C

AA

A

Card

"TEAM" DEFENSIVE PRACTICE SCRIPT

Numbers 22

Shift

Hard Count

3 Shift

COVRight Bandit

NOTES

3


SAMPLE DEFENSIVE GAME CALL SAMPLE DEFENSIVE GAME CALL SHEETSHEET


Implementation Schedule


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