Jr. High Coach moving up

I agree with coach Easton. One thing I have always taught young guy is LOW HAT ALWAYS WINS. However, don't forget to remind them to also TACKLE THE FOOTBALL. Which means they must SEE THE FOOTBALL. Young kids have a tendancy to penatrate with their heads down and stumble/fall. Also, teach PURSUIT TENACITY - many times OL give up or slip up or simply mess up - A DL must go and go and go. GATA-get after their act. Lastly, teach and preach correct tackling, too many times a DL penetrates only to have a RB slip off for a big gain. Use form tackling-tackling a bag- or even tackling air in every drill. Finally, work technique while changing direction. Too many drills are one on one in a 3' square - make it realistic - game like, move the kids around - work against blocks they will see (down trap, reach zone, double team, double combo etc).

Ok Coach, don't scare me. Trap block I know, double team I know, reach and combo I know. Double combo and reach zone I don't know. Please explain and advise on how to counteract. Thanks.

Coach, in addition to what Coach Tiger One gave you, you would also need to rep your reactions to certain blocks...as aggressive as the BEAR front is , a lot of coaches attack it with quick hitters such as traps, and folds...not too many teams want to line up and run right at it......down/reach/trap/fold/high hat(blocks)

COACH BOYD.

Howie Long was the all time best clubber in the NFL. It is a technique whereby the DLM tansfers his weight and head to one side, when the OLM shifts his body to meet the intended threat it exposes his back and rib cage. In a perfectly legal move, the clubber brings his forearm down in a clubbing motion on the exposed parts of the OLM. It is a crushing blow when delivered right!

Spin move is when DLM punches OLM with both hands to his shoulder pads similar to a bull rush but aiming point is pads and not lower. AS the DLM makes contact with the OLM and pushes hard with both hands to stop the OLM in his tracks hopefully, he then releases his right hand and takes a bucket step with his right foot and spins back the opposite direction and continues his path to the QB.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

Thanks Tiger One.
FOLD BLOCK.
Please explain. I pretty sure I know what it is, maybe terminology is different.

Thanks Coach. Happy Holidays!

cOACH,

I DID NOT SEE YOUR QUESTION YESTERDAY, SORRY. FOLD BLOCK TAKES PLACE JUST AS BILL DESCRIBES. I USE IT WITH THE GUARD BLOCKING DOWN ON THE 3 AND THE TACKLE FOLDING
TO THE BACKER AS WELL. DEPTH OF THE LB PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLL AS TO IF YOU CAN FOLD HIM OR NOT. IF HE IS STACKED UP IN THERE TIGHT OR BACK TO DEEP, IT BECOMES A HARD BLOCK TO MAKE.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

bigboyd4,

Rex Ryan's book on the 46 is excellent:

secure.winmill.com/gops...m?cat=117%3A12&Pid=867

He also has tapes out including one for D-line.

The fold is the biggest problem for the 46 D-line, IMO. Two options that I know of for the 3 tech: 1) dip and rip, penetrate past OT's block, disrupt OG and/or make tackle; 2) cross face of downblocking OT.

The latter is tough but can be terriffic for any player IF HE KNOWS IT IS COMING. Many O-lineman will give it away with a tight split, the OT leaning/pointing etc.

Another way to counter this scheme is to slant the NT or line him up in a one tech. Obviously, there is a chance he goes the wrong way, but there is a high probability of a negative play when he goes the correct way. This should discourage them from folding too often.

One more thing you can do is blitz the A gap which will be vacated by the pulling OG and/or show blitz there so the OG will be hesitant to pull.

You will find this is a far bigger problem on the weak-side so depending on what you decide to do, keep that in mind.

I look forward to discussing this more.

-Scott

Iso is not the best way to attack the 46, IMO. I assume we are talking about a 2-back set. If it is a 3-back set you should be in "Okie Dog Pinch" described by Coach Mountjoy at length elsewhere.

From a DL point of view, the 3 tech must observe two rules:
1) NEVER allow yourself to be reached
2) Do not allow the jump-through

Against Iso, the play-side 3 tech must not allow the guard to reach him. This should not be a problem. So long as this rule is observed, the play-side OT will have to block down on the 3 tech. Now it is up to the playside ILB to attack the FB while MAINTAINING OUTSIDE LEVERAGE. The back-side 3 tech. must not allow the back-side guard to cut off the backside ILB. This should cause the TB to cutback right into the unblocked ILB.

Key point for the 3 techs: Get your hands on the guard and hips to the B gap.

As for the LBs, here is a drill we like to work on defense of the Iso (from another post):

This is one I like for LBs (the =s represent a large bag on the ground sideways):

^________________________^
............B...................B

.........^.....======.....^

......................F
......................T

The "offense" can go to either side of the dummy and run iso or scissors. It is no accident that the drill area widens past the "LOS." We want our ILBs to attack the lead blocker while maintaining outside leverage. The LB to the side away from where the FB goes checks counter threat and then attacks the ball carrier through the cutback lane. The two LBs will remain on "defense" untill someone scores on them. If two LBs defeat all the pairs of participants, all except those two are going to run. Any pair of LBs who allow a TD will run.

We are trying to teach:
-tackling
-proper pursuit angles
-defeating a blocker
-team work
-"it pays to be a winner"

I am surprised that you see much Iso. That is NOT the way to attack the 46.

IMO, your weakside end should be spending signifigant practice time with the OLBs as he will be called upon to perform many of the same duties.

How are they attacking your DE? Out of what formations?

The "jump through" refers to the OG slicing between the 3 tech. and the 0 tech. to block an ILB.

Example:

....W..........M
E....3...0...3..7..9
....T.G.C.G.T.Y
...........Q
...........F
...........T

The offense might try to Iso the WLB, the LT blocks down on the weak 3 tech. and the LG pulls to kick out the weak DE. The Center base blocks the NT (this should be easier said than done). On the back (strong) side, the RT will try to reach or cut the strong 3 tech. while the RG "jumps through" to the second level, looking to cut off your MLB.

An example of the "fold" scheme you asked about earlier is the same play except the FB kicks out the weak DE and the LG pulls aroung for the WLB.

Either play can be effective for the offense if the backside 3 tech. is a selfish, poorly-coached cowboy who just tries to blow through B-gap on every play rather than getting his hands on the OG. IMO, a kid you prevents the "jump through" (and then gets into the pursuit) has done an adequate job. A well-coached and talanted player can actually prevent the "jump through" AND make that play in the backfield from the back-side. Technique for this is explained in Ryan's book.

You guys have been a great help. I'm really understanding this defense a lot better now. Todays question..."Man-free" coverage, please explain.

Vs pro set:

.....................F

C............W..........M...............C
..........E....3...0...3..S..9
X............T.G.C.G.T.Y
....................Q....................Z
................H.........F

WC: X
WLB: H
MLB: F
SLB: Y
SCB: Z

The fun begins when you start sending your LBs. For example, send your MLB and have the strong 9 tech. peel off to cover the back (if he releases); or send your SLB, have the MLB cover the TE and the 9 tech. peel off on the back. Obviously, there are many options avilable WHILE MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE MAN-FREE SCHEME.

Of course, there are many other coverages available in addition to cover 1 out of the 46 look.