Installing Today’s Hybrid Pistol Offense Run & Pass from Top to Bottom
This manual provides you with the full offensive line, receiver, and quarterback mechanics for installing each offensive play presented. Coach Campbell has left no stone unturned for implementing today’s Pistol Offense into your program.
Coach, very interested to learn more about the 5-2. I coach at a small school and this year we are going to have one very good LB, but few others. Believe we must move to a defense that features more linemen and fewer LB's. Can you describe the reads of the inside LB and what holes he has. I have run 3-5 in the past but don't have enough LB's to do it this year. Can you describe the reads and fits for both of the Inside LB's for me. Thanks. Also Where your DB's line up and the Coverage. I know you like Cover 1. What are the alignments and assignments of the FS. Where do you like him to Line up vs various formations. Thanks, History 10
Coach, from what you are telling me, you are doing yourself an injustice by running a 5-2. If you have more linemen than linebackers, you are better off running an even front. The 5-2 defensive ends are linebacker-type players. They play outside shade of the tight end. The problem with calling this defense a 5-2 is that one automatically assumes that you need 5 defensive linemen--this is why I call this defense a 3-4. The type of players you want in a 5-2 are more linebacker types. You don't play your defensive ends in a 5-2 in a 3-point stance, because then they will have tremendous difficulty seeing the ball and keeping contain. The only exception is if you spill the defensive ends. That is a whole other thread in itself.
I recommend an even front (4-3) to remedy your situation.
However, if you want to run a 3-4 (5-2), the following is how:
ILB's read guards.
If guard comes at ILB-- here comes the ball. Meet the guard more than half way, attack him and tackle the ball carrier.
If guard blocks down on noseguard-- come tight off the double team and attack the fullback with the inside shoulder. If the fullback has the ball, tackle him. Keep your eyes up!
If guard pulls--get in his hip pocket, and follow him to the ball--keep your eyes up!
If guard pass protects-- cover 1st back out your side (man) or drop to your zone (zone).
PRIMARY GAP IS B GAP (THEY ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE EVERY TACKLE IN THE A, B, AND C GAPS!)
Cover 1
Cornerbacks align with leverage on #1 (inside if #1 is wide; outside if #1 is tight to L.O.S.).
Strong Safety aligns with leverage on #S2 (7 yds. off if tight, same as CB if wide).
Free Safety align 7 yards on the weak tackle if 2-back set. If doubles (1-back set), he will align on #W2.
Vs. Trips
SCB- outside leverage on #1... funnel to strong safety and cover the flat.
SS- leverage on #2.... deep third.
SOLB- leverage on #3, jam, curl zone.
SILB- base alignment, hook.
FS- centerfield, deep middle.
WILB- same as cover 1
WCB- same as cover 1.
This is our "21" call. We run this vs. trips as we play cover 2 to the trips side and cover 1 away from trips. This prevents teams from running crossing patterns vs. trips.
Coach, I hope this helped. If you need for me to clarify anything, please let me know and I will assist you. Take care.
Lou Cella
Head Varsity Football Coach
Greater Nanticoke Area High School (PA)
I would like to state another point of view, in contrast to that of coach Cella. The 52 eagle weak has long been a staple of our 50 package, although I am of the opinion that the 5-3 is the best run stopper ever devised. I have any number of 50 fronts we utilize from short yardage and goal line situations, as well as, proper coverages to compliment them. Our base has been the DALLAS 42 for almost 20 years now, but the 50 package will always be an integral part of our defense. Due to some serious health issues, I was forced to retire after 42 years on the field, and am having to learn to speak in the past tense instead of the present. Just trying to convey what I always did in the past.
I disagree that DE's in a 50 need to be LB types, and I never played any DE in a stand up posture ever. That maks them very vulnerable to a block that if they explode from a 3 point, will more often that not be successful against them. A DE, IMO, needs to be much QUICKER than the average LB and much more ATHLETIC so that he can easily run down a ball carrier with his backside pursuit at the depth of the ball or be prepared to drop off in coverage of a receiver if he is being used in a crash-drop DE scheme. Here again, this is just my opinion and certainly does not negate in any way coach Cellas point of view. Just offering a different way of looking at the situation.
You are in a very unique situation, in as much as you have fewer LB's than DL's. That is one reason the 30 looks became so popular because it is usually much easier to find LB types than Defensive Linemen.
Coach Easton
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
Just curious coach, what are your LBer's gaps on flow to or flow away/ scrape or force against the following:
1) Guard blocks down
2) Guard blocks away toward OT
3) Guard pulls playside
4) Guard pulls behind the center
So we are on the same page this is in the 5-2.
Also, what to you teach in terms of LB feet movement while reading their keys. For example, read step forward, Step sideways towards flow, or what I call zip feet (pat feet repeatedly) until flow/directions is established??
Guard Blocks Down=LB comes tight to the double team and takes on the lead block with his inside shoulder and keep his outside arm and leg free. KEEP THE EYES UP--If the fullback is running up the hole, tackle him!
Guard Blocks Away Toward OT= rarely does this occur... but
Come tight off the guard's hip and take on the lead block with the inside shoulder and keep the outside arm and leg free. KEEP THE EYES UP! (Teams don't usually do this because then the nose has to be based.)
Guard pulls (anywhere)= get in his hip-pocket, attack the line of scrimmage with EYES UP and tackle the man with the ball.
If they are taking the base block the steps are forward. Meet the guard more than half way.
If the guard is pulling, we are lateral working toward the LOS.
If the guard blocks down, we will angle step to the guard's hip and then straighten.
I hope this helped, coach.
Lou Cella
Head Varsity Football Coach
Greater Nanticoke Area High School (PA)
Guard Blocks Down=LB comes tight to the double team and takes on the lead block with his inside shoulder and keep his outside arm and leg free. KEEP THE EYES UP--If the fullback is running up the hole, tackle him!
Guard Blocks Away Toward OT= rarely does this occur... but
Come tight off the guard's hip and take on the lead block with the inside shoulder and keep the outside arm and leg free. KEEP THE EYES UP! (Teams don't usually do this because then the nose has to be based.)
Guard pulls (anywhere)= get in his hip-pocket, attack the line of scrimmage with EYES UP and tackle the man with the ball.
If they are taking the base block the steps are forward. Meet the guard more than half way.
If the guard is pulling, we are lateral working toward the LOS.
If the guard blocks down, we will angle step to the guard's hip and then straighten.
I hope this helped, coach.
Lou Cella
Head Varsity Football Coach
Greater Nanticoke Area High School (PA)
On the pull you shuffle downhill parallel to the LOS???
Two Questions:
1) What gap should the LB shoot (for example first window/gap playside or wait until the RB cuts back while in his hip pocket)? Sidebar I find if my LBers are aggressive shooting through windows playside, more times then not we will be successful.
2) What drills do you use to get your LBers to play downhill??
Question: On the pull you shuffle downhill parallel to the LOS???
Answer: Yes, we need to press the LOS.
1) What gap should the LB shoot (for example first window/gap playside or wait until the RB cuts back while in his hip pocket)? Sidebar I find if my LBers are aggressive shooting through windows playside, more times then not we will be successful.
Answer: I'm not sure that I understand this question. When a guard pulls it means that the ballcarrier is going there, so follow the pull with the LB's eyes up and tackle the guy carrying the ball. If it is an influence, we will adjust during that week's preparation. If they influence us during a game, our game-time adjustment is to check for cutback then follow the pull. Influencing is a great way to get teams who read keys well off-task.
2) What drills do you use to get your LBers to play downhill??
Shuffle drills from ALL angles at all times throughout the summer. This needs to happen through June and July, because by the time August comes, we have to focus on understanding blocking progression, coverage, getting off blocks, pursuit, tackling, and creating turnovers.
Lou Cella
Head Varsity Football Coach
Greater Nanticoke Area High School (PA)
I was not clear, I apologize. We are a funnel defense (everything is contained to the inside hopefully to our MLBers) we face two types of playside guard pulls, especially against the Wing-T.
1) Slant pull, which looks more like a crossblock or a playside pull into the line, in which case our backers fill the C-gap or the first open window pass the C-gap.
2) Sweep pull, usually a deeper and longer pull, in which case, if our MLBER shoots the first window playside or over pursues the ball carrier instead of shuffling downhill keeping inside leverage on the ball carrier, there is nobody home for the cutback.
Point being sometimes you can get caught out with your pecker in the wind if the MLBERS are to aggressive in our scheme. You are right, though, see ball carrier and tackle the SOB maybe I'm making it too complex??
INSIDE LINEBACKER STANCE: The inside linebacker (ILB) stance requires a good base with feet square to the LOS and spread slightly wider than shoulder width. Shoulder pads should be slightly out in front of the knees (the “pads out” position) with knees and waist bent. About 60 percent of the body weight should be forward on the ball of the ILB’s feet. The back should be straight and hands free to deliver a blow. The head and eyes remain up with the neck bulled.
BASIC FRONT INFORMATION: The ILB has a gap assignment (“B” gap in the 3-4 BASE defense) that may change with each defensive call. Knowing your gap assignment for every Bishop Hafey defensive call is important, however, we expect the ILB to make plays all over the field. The ILB in a 3-4 defense should know that they will make every tackle on every play, especially when the play is in their assigned gap.
THE DEFENSIVE CHARGE: The target of the defensive charge can either be an offensive lineman or a gap. The ILB needs to explode off the ball and meet the offensive lineman more than half way to the LOS to neutralize his charge. There are four key concepts to remember:
• SPEED of your blow is critical, not necessarily the power of your stab.
• STAY LOW and hit on the rise to create leverage.
• CROSS THE BLOCKER’S FACE—never run around a blocker.
• SEPARATION from the blocker allows you to pursue.
KEY BALL MOVEMENT: The ILB must maintain a pre-snap awareness of the ball using his peripheral vision. Keying both the ball and the offensive line movement optimizes the ILB’s speed off the ball.
ILB SHUFFLE: The shuffle is the primary ILB pursuit movement between the offensive tackles. The ILB maintains a good balanced base with even weight distribution. The shuffle allows his shoulders to remain square to the LOS as the play develops. This enhances his vision and improves his ability to read keys. Active feet (“buzz”) that never cross or even come close together allow him to step over trash during the shuffle.
PROTECT YOUR SPACE: Blocker and your own players can become obstacles in your path to the ball. You must maintain about an arms-length separation from all players both offensive and defensive in your pursuit of the ball. Protecting your space may require you to deliver a blow to your opponent to shed his block. Use caution when stepping over trash (a prone obstacle) in your path to the ball.
JAM AND PRESS: The most common method used by an ILB to deliver a blow to neutralize a block is the two-point jam and press. Using this method, the ILB explodes low into the blocker while maintaining his square orientation (feet, hips, and shoulders) to the LOS. He drives his hands into the “fit” position on the blockers chest plate with thumbs up and elbows in tight to his sides. Hitting on the rise, he then runs his feet and locks out his arms to create separation.
PRESS THE LOS: ILB’s must work downhill (towards the LOS) and attack the ball carrier or lead blockers. Pressing the LOS eliminates the possibility of a ball carrier cutback. Pursue downhill while keeping aware of the heels of your defensive lineman. IF the defensive lineman is driven off the ball, you may have to give ground to protect your space. Immediately repress the LOS after you give ground to protect your space.
SCRAPE TO THE BALL: Once the ILB has determined while hole the ball carrier is intending to run through, he attacks. When he scrapes to the ball, he squares to the LOS, stops working out to the sideline and rips up field. Fighting pressure, if any, from the blocker, he rips past the blocker using his inside arm. Ideally, he stays close to the blocker’s hip to eliminate cutback lanes. The ILB then creates a collision in the hole accelerating through the ball carrier while making the tackle.
LEADERSHIP: The success of our 3-4 defense is dependant upon the ability of our linebackers to get to the ball. You are the leaders of the defense just as the QB is typically the leader of the offense. When the linebackers play with intensity, the rest of the defense will follow your lead.
INSIDE LINEBACKER FUNDAMENTALS
KEY THE OFFENSIVE GUARD AND BALL
BLOCK TYPE O LINEMAN ACTION AGGRESSIVE REACTION
BASE fires out low directly at you
• Mirror blocker, meet him more than half way
• Stay low and explode
• Stay square, separate and lock out
• Squeeze blocker into adjacent gap, release
• Locate ball and pursue
• Shuffle between OT’s if needed, press LOS
• Scrape to ball
• Be aggressive and relentless
PULL, TRAP,
FOLD drop step and flat down the LOS
• Mirror blocker down the LOS
• Quickly locate ball
• Pursue, shuffle between OT’s pressing LOS
• Whip hips to outside and sprint if needed
• Scrape to ball
• Be aggressive and relentless
DOWN, REACH,
CUTOFF fires out to nearest DL, gives you
No pressure, or steps to your inside
Or outside shoulder
• Immediately key the ball
• Pursue, shuffle between OT’s pressing LOS
• Whip hips to outside and sprint
• Locate potential blocker’s and LOS trash
• Protect your space
• Scrape to ball
• Be aggressive and relentless
PASS punch and set, drop and slide
• Mirror blocker and drop into pass coverage
• Cover 1- first RB out to your side, or second RB out to the other side
• Cover 2- strong ILB drop to curl zone
Weak ILB drop to weak hook zone
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER FUNDAMENTALS
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER STANCE: The outside linebacker (“OLB”) stance requires a good base with feet spread slightly wider than shoulder width and staggered heel to toe. The feet should be slightly pigeon toed with the inside foot forward and flat to the ground. The shoulder pads should be slightly out in front of the knees (the “pads out” position) with knees bent. In addition, the hands should be free and prepared to deliver a blow with the thumbs up and elbows in close to the body. The head and eyes remain up with the neck bulled.
ALIGNMENT TECHNIQUES: In our BASE defense, the OLB alignment is formation and field position dependent. There are four alignment possibilities, which can be summarized as follows:
9 technique on the TE: the default alignment used in most situations that supports the OLB’s outside contain alignment.
Jet alignment: used vs. the wing formation, 3 point sprinters stance with a 45 degree angle. Key the ball and sprint up field between the TE and wing. The SS has outside contain when you are in the jet alignment.
OUTSIDE CONTAIN: The outside contain (“D” gap) responsibility is the primary run responsibility of the OLB. This means that he cannot allow the ball carrier to get outside of him. In addition, we expect the OLB to work his way two or three yards up field when a blocker attempts to seal him inside. Typical blocks used to seal the OLB inside include a reach block by a TE, a log block by an OT or OG, a lead block by a RB, or a crack block by a WR.
KEY BALL MOVEMENT: Intelligent OLB’s always maintain a pre-snap awareness of the ball using their peripheral vision. Keying both the ball and offensive line movement optimizes the OLB’s speed off the ball while preventing penalties.
THE DEFENSIVE CHARGE: The target of the defensive charge can either be the TE or a gap. Assuming the target is the TE, the OLB needs to explode off the ball and neutralize the TE’s charge. There are four key concepts to remember:
• SPEED of your blow is critical, not necessarily the power of your stab
• STAY LOW and hit on the rise to create leverage
• CROSS THE BLOCKER’S FACE—never run around a blocker
• SEPARATION from the blocker allows you to pursue
JAM AND PRESS: The most common method used by a OLB to deliver a blow to neutralize the TE’s charge is a two point jam and press with outside leverage. Using this method, the OLB explodes low and off the ball attacking the blocker while maintaining his square orientation (feet, hips, and shoulders) to the line of scrimmage. He drives his inside hand into the center of the blocker’s chest and his outside hand into the blocker’s outside shoulder. He must have thumbs up and elbows in tight to his side. Hitting on the rise, he then runs his feet and locks out his arms to create separation. Ideally, he will turn the blocker’s outside shoulder away from the LOS. When used against a reach or cutoff block, the OLB may whip his hips across the face of the TE to defeat the block.
KICKOUT AND TRAP ATTACK: To neutralize an offensive lineman’s trap block or a FB’s kick out, the OLB typically attacks the kickout or trap blocker. The OLB again explodes low off the ball while the TE down blocks either the DE or ILB. The OLB should attempt to jam the TE while he steps forward to the TE’s hip to pinch down the “C” gap. Maintaining his low and square orientation (feet, hips, and shoulders) to the LOS he then attacks the blocker meeting the blocker with his inside shoulder, forearm, and hip. This protects the OLB’s flow side arm and leg.
PURSUIT: Initially in pursuit the OLB must stay square to the LOS in a good football position. Stay low by bending at the knees and keep your shoulder pads slightly in front of the knees (the “pads out” position). Never cross the feet over each other and try to work up field to the ball carrier. When you need speed, open your hips, drop the closest shoulder, and sprint. Don’t round off your pursuit angles.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER FUNDAMENTALS
KEY THE TIGHT END
BLOCK TYPE O LINEMAN ACTION AGGRESSIVE REACTION
BASE fires out low directly at you
• Stay low and explode into TE
• Jam and press, separate, and lock out
• Stay square with outside leverage
• Squeeze TE into “C” gap
• Locate ball and pursue
REACH steps to your outside shoulder
and tries to wall you away from
the outside
• Step outside, stay low, explode into TE
• Jam and press, separate, and lock out
• Stay square and whips hips outside past TE
• Cross TE’s face working up field
• Locate ball and pursue working up field
DOWN fires out to nearest DL, gives you
no pressure
• Jam TE if possible
• Stay square right on the TE’s hip
• Locate block (kick out, trap, crack, or cross)
• Staying low & square, explode into blocker
• Keep outside arm and leg free—separate
• Locate ball and pursue working up field
CUT OFF steps to your insider shoulder and
tries to wall you away from the inside
• Stay low and square, explode into TE
• Jam and press, separate, and lock out
• Check for reverse or counter
• Stay square and whip hips inside past TE
• Cross TE’s face working up field
• Locate ball and pursue working up field
CUT fires out low and dips to your knee
or ankle
• Place your hands on the back of the blocker’s helmet and shoulder pads
• Drive the blocker’s face into the ground
• Keep outside foot and leg back
• Be aware of quick pass (get hands up)
• Locate ball and pursue working up field
NO TE- RUN key the nearest RB
• Use stack or off alignment
• Check for reverse or counter
• Fly to the ball
PASS TE releases, OT pass blocks
• Cover 1 strong & weak OLB contain rush
• Cover 2 strong OLB drop to strong curl
• Cover 2 weak OLB contain rush
DEFENSIVE LINE FUNDAMENTALS
3 POINT STANCE: The 3 point stance requires a good base with feet spread slightly wider than shoulder width and staggered toe to instep. The defensive lineman (“DL”) then coils his legs for maximum explosion bending at the knees with his hips low, back flat, neck bulled, and eyes up. The ground hand should be open with about 60 percent of the body weight forward spread evenly on the fingertips. The off hand must be in the ready position prepared to deliver a blow.
3 POINT SPRINTERS STANCE: Similar to the 3 point stance except that the feet are closer together and staggered to a much greater degree. This stance gives the defender a better opportunity to get off the ball and is particularly effective when used in a stunt or a passing situation.
4 POINT STANCE: The 4 point stance is similar to the 3 point stance, however, the DL’s feet are not staggered and both hands are placed on the ground about shoulder-width apart. Both hands remain open with about 75 percent of the body weight forward spread evenly on the finger tips. This stance is mandatory in goal-line situations.
THE DEFENSIVE CHARGE: The target of the defensive charge can either be an offensive lineman (“OL”) or a gap. Assuming the target is an OL, the DL needs to explode off the ball and neutralize the OL’s charge. There are four key concepts to remember:
• SPEED of your blow is critical, not necessarily the power of your stab.
• STAY LOW and hit on the rise to create leverage.
• CROSS THE BLOCKER’S FACE—never run around a blocker.
• SEPARATION from the blocker allows you to pursue.
KEY BALL MOVEMENT: Intelligent defensive linemen always maintain a pre-snap awareness of the ball using their peripheral vision. Keying both the ball and offensive line movement optimizes the DL’s speed off the ball while preventing penalties.
DEFENSIVE LINE FUNDAMENTALS
BUTT AND PRESS: The most common method of delivering a blow to neutralize the offensive lineman’s charge is the butt and press. Using this method, the DL explodes low off the ball attacking the blocker while maintaining his original head position. He drives his hands into the blocker’s chest plate using the “fit position.” He must have inside hands with thumbs up and elbows in tight to his side. Keeping his shoulders square to the LOS and hitting on the rise, he then runs his feet and locks out his arms to create separation.
SPLIT THE DOUBLE TEAM: A common blocking scheme the defensive lineman will face is the double team or combo (temporary double team). The best way to defend against the double team is to split the blockers and hold your ground. If you can occupy two offensive linemen without getting blown off the ball, you have won the battle. Do not allow yourself to be driven off the LOS. Stay lower then the blockers and drive the feet.
PURSUIT: After you have separation from the blocker, locate the ball and pursue the ball carrier with relentless aggression. Initially in pursuit the DL must stay square to the LOS in a good football position. Stay low by bending at the knees and keep your shoulder pads slightly in front of the knees (the “pads out” position). Never cross the feet over each other and try to work up field to the ball carrier. When you need speed open your hips, drop the closest shoulder, and sprint.
DEFENSIVE TECHNQUES—PASS RUSH
• OBJECTIVES: sack, deflection, legal knockdown, hurry, intimidate.
• COMMUNICATE: yell pass when you read pass; yell ball when the QB releases the ball.
• ANTICIPATE PASS: down and distance, blocker’s stance has little weight on the down hand.
• GET OFF QUICKLY: on the snap of the ball.
• SPEED: use quick, short steps, accelerate to the QB.
• MINIMIZE THE TARGET: less contact with the blocker is better.
• FOCUS ON THE QB: be aggressive and relentless.
• GET YOUR HANDS UP: when you see the QB cock to throw.
PASS RUSH LANES: Pass rush lane assignments are either contain or force. A contain assignment means the QB cannot beat the pass rusher to the outside. A force assignment means that you rush inside to your alignment side. Against the rollout pass, the pass rusher with contain responsibility to the rollout side must attack the lead blocker (usually a RB) from the outside to maintain his contain. Each of the force rushers must take an angle that anticipates the QB’s set up point.
SPEED RUSH: Using a head fake, the rusher plants, cuts, and drives directly up field to avoid immediate contact with the blocker. After two or three steps he then takes a direct line to the QB. If necessary, he may use the dip and rip technique as he accelerates to the QB.
DIP AND RIP: The rusher raises a fist behind his own elbow and punches past the blocker’s outside shoulder with his inside arm and shoulder. He dips the “rip” shoulder targeting his blow beneath the blocker’s upper arm and armpit. As he punches the rip past the blocker, he turns his hip inside and accelerates to the QB.
SWIM: The rusher first moves his body to one side of the blocker and clubs the blocker’s arm off his body using his outside arm. This clubbing action should knock the blocker’s arm off the pass rusher and may even turn the blocker’s shoulders away from the rusher. The pass rusher then swings his inside arm over the blocker’s shoulder and drives his elbow down past the blocker. The pass rusher can take away blocking surface by dipping his outside shoulder as he accelerates to the QB.
DEFENSIVE LINE FUNDAMENTALS
KEY THE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN IN FRONT OF YOU
BLOCK TYPE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ACTION AGGRESSIVE REACTION
BASE fires out low directly at you
• Stay low & explode into blocker
• Butt and press with helmet in gap
• Staying square, separate & lock out
• Squeeze blocker into adjacent gap
• Locate ball & pursue
CUTOFF, REACH steps to your inside or outside
Shoulder and tries to wall you off
• Take flat power step with closest foot
• Explode into blocker’s chest & far shoulder
• Staying square, separate, & lock out
• Whip hips past blocker & cross his face
• Locate ball & pursue
PULL, TRAP, FOLD drop step and flat down the LOS
• Dip shoulder & sprint to blocker’s hip
• Sprint to ball carrier if possible
• Separate, fight pressure crossing blocker’s face
• Locate ball & pursue
DOWN fires out to nearest DL, gives you no pressure
• Stay square, jam blocker if possible
• Locate block
• Staying low & square, explode into blocker
• Separate, fight pressure crossing blocker’s face
• Locate ball & pursue
COMBO , DOUBLE TEAM BASE block with help from adjacent OL
• Play like BASE, but try and split the double team
• Stay low, drive the feet and defend your gap
CUT fires out low and dips to your knee or ankle
• Place your hands on the back of the blocker’s helmet & shoulder pads
• Drive the blocker’s face into the ground
• Keep outside foot and leg back
• Be aware of quick pass (hands up)
• Locate ball & pursue
PASS punch and set, drop and slide, may cut
• Explode off ball
• Speed, dip and rip, or swim
• Stay in pass rush lanes
DEFENSIVE BACK FUNDAMENTALS
STANCE: Align toe to instep with the inside foot forward. Feet should be approximately 6” to 8” apart and perpendicular to the LOS. Shoulders should be over your knees and parallel with the LOS forcing 3/4 of your bodyweight forward. Bend at the waist and relax your upper body.
ALIGNMENT: The defensive back (“DB”) may align either on an inside or outside armpit depending on where the ball is spotted and what the defensive coverage is called. Depth from the LOS is zero yards for the “press” technique, four to six yards for the “normal” technique, and 8 to 12 yards for the “off” technique.
STAY LOW, KEEP YOUR FEET: A defender is more agile when he keeps a low center of gravity. Do not stand up once the lay beings because you may be blocked or even slip with no contact. The DB cannot be effective against the run or pass if he loses his feet and falls to the ground.
RUN/PASS READ: At the snap of the ball, the DB will make a run/pass read. The DB’s first responsibility is against the pass, but quickly recognizing the run and providing run support is critical to our success. The DB keys on the TE, OT, and near RB. The OT’s drop step or punch and set indicates pass while crossing the LOS typically indicates a run. The DB usually makes the run/pass read during a one or two step backpedal and adjusts accordingly.
COMMUNICATION: When any defensive player reads pass in his run/pass read he will immediately yell “pass, pass, pass.” This is important because it may prevent another defensive player from blowing a read. When the receiver breaks to either the outside or inside, the DB will yell either “out, out, out” or “in, in, in” alerting other defenders in the area. This is very important in both man and zone coverage because pass defenders are frequently free to help in both types of coverage. After an interception the DB should yell “bingo, bingo, bingo” to alert defenders that they should now find an offensive player to block.
PASS READ: If the offensive lineman pass blocks, the DB continues to drop into pass coverage using the backpedal. The DB must keep his backward momentum with a backpedal and not wait for the receiver to run by him. In man-to-man pass defense, NO RECEIVER EVER GETS DEEPER THAN THE COVER MAN except in the very back (the last one or two yards) of the end zone. In zone coverage, NO RECEIVER EVER GETS DEEPER THAN THE DEEP ZONE COVER MEN.
BACKPEDAL: Both man and zone pass drops for DB’s start with the backpedal. Backpedal by keeping the rear down, shoulder over the knees, head up, and chin out over the toes. Push off the front foot while pumping the arms and keeping the elbows in. Keep the leg and foot motion perpendicular to the LOS for efficient use of energy and increased speed. Backpedal “on the bubble” with weight balanced and under control. Stay in the backpedal as long as possible until the receiver either cuts or breaks your cushion. Staying low in the backpedal makes quick changes in director easier.
CUSHION: The cushion is the space between a pass receiver and pass defender. The pass defender controls how much cushion to allow a receiver. An appropriate man-to-man cushion will vary with the speed of the receiver and defender, depth of the pass route, ability of the QB, field position, and field conditions. The typical cushion used in high school football is two yards.
Sheldon Brown, CB—2004 NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles
TRANSITION: When the DB’s cushion is broken or when the receiver makes his cut, the defender must transition and sprint with the receiver. The transition into a sprint is necessary because people can sprint faster than they can backpedal. Staying low in the backpedal and exploding out of the hips are keys to a smooth transition with no “stall out.” The transition may be at forward, backward, left, or right angles into a sprint depending upon the receivers pass route. The transition starts when the DB plants (without stepping out) his outside foot, whips his hips, and drives hard in the receiver’s direction.
RUNNING WITH THE RECEIVER: Using a sharp angle, the DB rapidly accelerates from the transition into a sprint with no stall out. He then targets the topside shoulder preventing the receiver from getting deeper than the DB.
QUICK TURN: If the DB mistakenly turns his hips away from the receiver, he should recover without losing momentum. This can be accomplished using a quick turn where the DB’s back briefly turns away from the receiver. Combining this turn with an arm and chin whip may allow the DB to recover after being heat.
BREAK ON THE BALL: The DB should anticipated the pass when the receiver either looks back to the QB or extends his arms for the catch (in man coverage) or when the QB’s non-throwing hand releases from the ball (in zone coverage). ANTICIPATING THE PASS DOES NOT MEAN YOU STOP RUNNING WITH THE RECEIVER! Break towards the ball making the interception by attacking the ball at its highest point or, if necessary, knock the ball down or strip the receiver.
STRIP THE RECEIVER: If the defender cannot make the interception, he must strip the receiver preventing the reception. The DB should play through the receiver taking the shortest route to the ball. Strip the ball and “search” the receiver pulling his arms apart with a downward ripping action. The DB’s legs should be driving through the receiver to make the tackle if necessary. Lunging at the ball or receiver is a bad idea because it is highly probable that you will lose your footing—this breaks a fundamental rule of defensive football.
INTERFERENCE: The PIAA penalty for pass interference is 15 yards from the LOS and an automatic 1st down. In some situations (30 yards downfield) taking the penalty may be better than risking a pass completion.
RECOGNIZE ROUTE TYPES: All receiver routes can be broken down into four categories. Recognizing route types is particularly important in zone pass defense since the DB’s eyes are focused on the QB. These categories correspond to the depth of the related QB drop:
Route Type QB Drop
QUICKS: three to seven yard routes (slant, hitch, speed out, drag, pop) 3-step
INTERMEDIATE: 10 to 15 yard routes (hook, curl, out, dig) 5-step
DEEP: over 15 yard routes (post, go, flag, comeback, stop and go) 7-step
SCREEN: usually out the backfield or to the TE 9-step
DEFENSIVE SECONDARY FUNDAMENTALS
KEY THE CLOSEST END, OT, AND RB
END ACTION OT ACTION RB ACTION READ & REACTION
RELEASES PASS BLOCK PASS COVERAGE
RUN BLOCK RUN BLOCK INSIDE PLAYSIDE RUN SUPPORT
CB HAS STRIKE
FS OR SS HAS FILL
RUN BLOCK RUN BLOCK OUTSIDE PLAYSIDE RUN SUPPORT
CB HAS FORCE
FS OR SS HAS FILL
RELEASES RUN BLOCK OUTSIDE PLAYSIDE RUN SUPPORT
CB HAS FORCE
FS OR SS HAS FILL
RELEASES RUN BLOCK INSIDE PLAYSIDE RUN SUPPORT
OFFSIDE RUN SUPPORT
CB HAS STRIKE
FS OR SS HAS FILL
RELEASES RELEASES INSIDE AWAY RUN OTHER SIDE OF FORM.
CB HAS STRIKE
FS OR SS HAS DEEP FORCE
Lou Cella
Head Varsity Football Coach
Greater Nanticoke Area High School (PA)
Excellent material!!! Our philosophies on defense are very much alike. Hope everything is going well with your pursuits. Keep me informed if you test the waters of the Empire State.