50 Playbook

Coach Easton,

I coach at the high school level and we face primarily wing-t teams. We do have a couple teams on the schedule that run the I with a lot of unbalanced looks. We are going to run a multiple 50 that includes a 5-3 and an okie front. We are looking for some resources on how to package it together.

Coach,

If you are planning on running a 52 using multiple fronts, I would highly recommend Coach Campbell's manual. I bought it well before I knew Coach Campbell personally and before this site had become a reality and still continue to use it as a reference.

As Coach Mountjoy mentioned, there are also a number of books that you may also find of interest as well. Don't hesitate to ask questions as there are a number of terrific coaches that you'll find can assist you a great deal with your installation coach. Good luck with it and welcome to the jcfb site!

Dave Hartman
CYFL Coach

esenbeth,

The two coaches posting above have both given excellent reference materials for you to read!

Coach Easton

Coaches,

I'm looking for a good resource dealing with implementing the 5-3 defense. Does Coach Cambell's book on this site give much discussion to the 5-3? What other resources would you recommend? Thanks in advance.

Coach Scott,

How does Rex adjust to double tights?

Thanks Coach.

Here is the ORIGINAL "5-2 OKIE" Defense as played by such LEGENDS as Paul "Bear" Bryant, & Bud Wilkinson (from the "Bear's Notebook).

NOSE: 0- The defender lines up head on the offensive center. Depending on 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 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 a 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.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES: The 5 technique man lines up on the outside eye of the offensive tackle, 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 responsibillity, and he should never be blocked 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.

DEFENSIVE ENDS: The 9 technique splits 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. 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.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS: Line up on the outside eye of the offensive guards 2 1/2 yards deep. Key the offensive guards to the ball. If the guard block in or out - step up to LOS and fill. If the guard pulls - follow him a step behind. If the offensive guard comes at you - step up and meet him near the LOS and never get blocked in.
Pass responsibilities depend on coverage called.

SECONDARY: Play Coverage called!