empty protection

We don't use "EMPTY", but just a thought! MANY good defensive coordinators will AUTOMATICALLY bring 6 vs "Empty" (Va Tech did this for YEARS)! Therefore - you will PROBABLY throw "hot" more often than not!!!!!

Problem is with "hot" receivers is that they are NOT uncovered. SOMEONE will be assigned to cover the "hot" receiver. Having a "hot" does NOT guarantee you will have somebody WIDE OPEN (this is a misconception)!!!

Also - on 3rd & 7+, IF you complete the "hot" - odds are you are going to have to punt. If you have to go 80 yds in less than a minute (losing late) - I don't know if you are going to get there using "hots". Since MANY "breakoffs" are SLANTS - the clock will keep running because he can't get out of bounds.

We DO NOT use "hots". I refuse to use them!!!!!

From a ONEBACK SET - We 7 man protect (3 free releasers & 2 check/releasers), & if that is not enough - we 8 man protect (2 free releasers & 3 check/releasers)!!!!!

We do not use HOTS for the reasons I gave in my previous post.

Here is some material from our coaching manual:

PHILOSOPHY VS BLITZ


A) OUR PHILOSOPHY VS THE BLITZ IS TO CALL PLAYS IN ONE OF TWO CATEGORIES THAT ARE GOOD EITHER VS:

1. BLITZ MAN, AND COVER 2 (Cov. 2 = Middle Of Field Open), OR
2. BLITZ MAN, AND COVER 3 (Cov. 3 = Middle Of Field Closed).


B) WE DO NOT AUDIBLE TO DIFFERENT PROTECTIONS BECAUSE:

1. NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO COME (CAN BLUFF BLITZ & BACK OUT TO ZONE OR, THEY MAY COME).
2. QB NOT ALWAYS EQUIPPED TO SEE IT THE WAY YOU WANT HIM TO.
3. NOT ENOUGH GAME CLOCK TO AUDIBLE.
4. THEREFORE, WE NEED CALLS THAT ARE GOOD VS EVERYTHING.
5. USE 2 PLAY HUDDLE CALLS, OR “CHECK WITH ME AT THE LINE” – PLAYS THAT DO NOT CHANGE THE PROTECTION CALLED IN THE HUDDLE. THEY FIT INTO ONE OF THE CATEGORIES IN A) ABOVE.


C) AVOID “HOTS” BY USING 7 OR 8 MAN PROTECTION (BE SIMPLE ATTACKING BLITZ SO WE CAN SPEND MORE TIME ON GOOD FUNDAMENTALS – THIS LEADS TO BETTER EXECUTION). REASONS WE DON’T USE “HOT” RECEIVER(S):

1. QB DOESN’T SEE IT – HE GETS HIT!
2. QB SEES IT BUT RECEIVER DOESN’T!


D) MENTAL APPROACH VS BLITZ:

1. NOT “OH, NO – THEY’RE GOING TO BLITZ – I’M GOING TO GET HIT”, BUT:
2. “OH BOY” – IT’S A BLITZ – WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR A BIG PLAY”!!!


SUMMARY: “KISS” (KEEP IT SIMPLE – THE MORE EFFICIENT YOU ARE, THE MORE YOU MOVE THE CHAINS AND SCORE POINTS)!

Coach JIMD,

I run a 3x2 spread, Qb back at 6-8 yds in an empty nest. If they bring six, and as Bill said, they usually do
we are going to put a hat on 5 of them and count on our QB's to become their own best blocker of the 6th guy, by utilizing his legs to run out of trouble.

Coach Easton

Bill,

Yes, I do remember you telling me you stick with those two exclusively. If it aint broke, don't fix it.

Jerry