Defensive Gameplan

Matthew Puente

In our program we run a 4-2-5. It is a little different than the typical 4-2-5 we try to remain as balanced as possible. In our system our outside backers or invert defenders are called dog safeties. These guys are crucial to the entire defense as we ask them to be hybrid defenders. They are usually some of our best and most athletic guys on the team. They can step in like a linebacker and stop the run or they can play in space and help out tremendously in the pass game. They have to be the best of both worlds. Kind of a fortunate and unfortunate thing is this is how our guys are built. We don't have many 6 foot linebackers walking around to clog the middle or speedsters out on the outside able to be lock down corners. But we do have some really athletic 5'7-5'10 buys that are great tacklers and can play in space pretty well. Our defense is built around them and what they can do.


Front 6 - Defensive line & line backers all have gap responsibility. It is their job to clog up the middle and make any tackles that try to come at them. They are making the play in the backfield or forcing the ball carrier to bounce.


Dog safeties - clean up anything that is left over. Outside contain that the front has strung out to the outside. Make plays in space.


Cornerbacks & free safety - play coverage. Free safety also runs the alley and cleans up anything left over.

Our defense is based on getting hats to the ball. Take care of your responsibility first and once we know ball is gone or on the move, get to the ball! Every play at practice must end with 11 helmets to the ball. On passes linemen have to get to the ball and on runs the secondary must get to the ball. We stress effort and urgency, good things happen when we have great effort and get to the ball with urgency.

Rather than a pursuit drill daily we do a change of direction drill that has a pursuit aspect to it. If differs because we do not have different landmarks for different positions. The point of this drill is to have constant movement and get in as many reps with different units as possible. EVERYONE goes through this drill. 1st defense, 2nd defense, jv defense, freshmen defense, and everyone else. There is 1 defense unit on the ball at once facing one defensive coach who is leading drill. To his left and right on the sideline are a coach waiting as well as 2 more coaches 20 yard from them, on sidelines as well. After given the defensive call, on the snap defense gets into their gaps/blitz/drops coach blows a whistle and everyone hits their chest on the ground, they are responsible for popping up as fast as possible. As they are getting back to their feet the coach leading the drill throws the ball to one of the four coaches. Either down the line to left or right or down the field left or right. Every player needs to get their eyes up and find the ball asap and get there. once all players get to the ball, they break it down and jog back. I like this drill because it is a front & stunt review, recognition drill, effort drill, and angles for pursuit have to be used as well. We can get a bunch of reps in fast and get everyone through the drill.