Defending the Spread using the 30 Stack Defense

Offensive Philosophy

• Why are they running the spread? (Run v. Pass)

• Where on the field do they want the ball to go? (Box v. Perimeter)

• Who do they want to get the ball to? (Best Players)

• What are their best plays? (3 – 4 Run and 3 max. play actions)

Defensive Game Plan

• Know your Personnel– More talented than opponent: Blitz more

players and play cover 0. (Perimeter)– Less talented than opponent: Blitz fewer

players and play zone coverage.

• Scope of plan should be small– Less is more: (Fewer blitzes, fronts,

movements, and coverages = more reps. In practice and players playing faster.

Strength of the 30 Stack against the Spread

• Six defenders in the box. Can’t block everyone.

• Tough, not impossible, to get to the stacked linebackers.

• Reduces the effectiveness of the bubble screen and tunnel screens.

• More defenders within five yards of the LOS to help pursue the perimeter run plays.

Base Alignments against the Spread

LE N RE

FD H

B M W

FC BC

FS

Defending the Zone Read(Double Team Greatest Threat)

• Base Philosophy• DE: Shoulders

Square Squeeze Air. – Responsible for QB.

• OLB: Fits up inside on the FB running the zone.

• Alley Player: Reads run and is the 2nd defender on the QB

• Chase Philosophy• DE: Slants inside and

chases FB (Good Pursuit Angle)

• OLB: Fits Outside of Defensive End and plays QB inside – out.

• Alley Player: Reads run and is the 2nd defender on the QB

Rip(Base Technique)

LE N RE

FD B

B M W

F

Liz (Chase Technique)

LE N RE

FD H

B M W

F

Inside Zone (No Read)

• Pinch DE’s to B Gap

• DE should Wrong Arm any Slot working across the Formation

• Blitz MLB to side of the FB

• Falcon Safety should also Fit to side of FB.

Pinch Technique (Against Inside Zone)

LE N RE

FD H

B M W

F

Defending Counter Play

• Must spill the ball: We want them to run laterally not north and south.

• Pinch: Good call against teams that run a lot of counter, especially counter trey.

• Blitz Mike Backer. Pinching and blitzing MLB makes it very difficult to pull backside linemen.

• Backside LB must read split flow.

Pinch Mutt Left

LE N RE

FD H

B M W

F

Pinching the Counter Trey Scheme

QB Counter

QB Counter

Stopping Perimeter Run & Screen Game

• Jet Sweep– Alignment: Must have

an Alley Player who can get to the LOS

– Must be good at Shedding Blocks

– Zone Coverage is very Helpful since Secondary is Reading the QB for Run/Pass

• Slot Screen– Alignment: Must have

an Alley Player who can get to the LOS

– Must be good at Shedding Blocks

– Zone Coverage is very Helpful since Secondary is Reading the QB for Run/Pass

Jet Sweep

Slot Screen

Coverages in the 30 Stack

• Cover 3– CBs: Deep Outside

1/3s (Landmark: Top of Numbers)

– F: Deep Middle 1/3 (Landmark: Split Uprights)

– Alley Players: Flats– OLBs: Curl Zones– MLB: Hook Zone

• Cover 1 (Man Free)– CBs: Man – to – Man

Coverage No. 1s.

– F: Free Player (Help where it is Needed)

– Alley Players: Man – to – Man Coverage No. 2s.

– OLBs: Man – to – Man with Flaring Back to Your Side.

– MLB: Middle Screen & Draw

Cover 3

FD H

FC Hook Zone BC

B M W

F

Cover 3 (Twister Route)

Cover 1 (Man Free)

FC FD H BC

B M W

F

(Free Player)

Cover 1

Cover 1

Roll Pass Coverage (Match)

• Principles– Alley Player to Side of Roll Pass: Automatic

Blitz (Keep Contain on QB)– OLB to Side of Roll Pass: Must find No. 1

Receiver and get under him– CB to Side of Roll Pass: Must find No. 2

Receiver and Play him Man – to – Man– Falcon: Must find No. 1 Receiver and stay

over the top of him

FC

Roll Pass Coverage (Match)

FD H FC B M W BC

F

Roll Pass

Contact Information

• Tim Millspaugh– Home Phone: (260) 726 – 3781 – Email Address:

tmillspaugh@jayschools.k12.in.us– School Phone Number: (260) 726 – 9306 Ext.

2258 Prep Period: 12:35 – 1:55