Eagle and Bear Defense Question

WILLIE,

Do you understand the defensive techniques ( 3 tech, 5 tech, etc.) to which Coach Campbell refers? Do not be embarrassed if you don't, that is why we are here to help you, just tell us as no question is too basic when your first starting out. Look forward to having you participate here on the forum. Welcome aboard, coach.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

46 vs. 2 back set:


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

C........W...........M........C
........5..3...0...3..S.9
X........T.G.C.G.T.Y
.................Q................Z
..................F
..................T

What Coach Campbell means by reducing the open side of the formation is basically a shift by the defensive linemen. In a standard 50 look you would have a head up nose guard, two tackles on the outside shade of the OT's and DE/OLB's playing outside shade on the TE. Against teams that play with one TE is when most coaches will go to their eagle front. The TE side DE and DT will not change their alignment. The nose will take a strong shade on the Center and play Strong A gap. The Weakside DT will shift from his outside shade on the OT to an outside shade on the G and play weak B gap. The DE on the weak side will shift from his 9 or "Ghost 9" technique to an outside shade on the T and play C gap/Contain.

As far as strategic reasons for using the Eagle front go, one obvious advantage is that it eliminates the need to double gap by your nose and puts everybody back into a one gap assignment. If you stayed in your base 50 defense against a one back set (say 21 personnel, two backs and one TE) you would have both a DT and DE outside of the open side OT, so there are times you can reduce and not "waste" two defenders on one gap. Another reason coaches use the Eagle front is it changes blocking angles. It can confuse the blocking schemes and we have found it particularly effective as a change up against teams that are having success trapping us. Your backside 3 tech has a chance of getting hands on the pulling guard and disrupting the pull and the frontside nose can disrupt the pull by getting penetration. Some teams also the Eagle front in pass rushing situations because the 3 technique is almost impossible to double team based on his alignment, so they put their best pass rusher there and let him go to work. The only real way to get a double team is to bring the T inside and double with the G, then use a back on the DE to that side. The eagle front is very similar to the 43 Under that is described in other parts of this forum.

One play that has given us trouble in this front that may come as a surprise is a dive or iso scheme run right at the reduction. The offense has pretty good angles to cross block on the weak side with the T coming down on your 3 tech and the G kicking out your DE while the FB leads at the Weakside ILB. Lead zone to the weakside can be a problem too if your nose guard gets cut off by the Strong Guard, but once he gets into Eagle alignment he only has one gap and should probably be penetrating hard every play. He is difficult to trap by his alignment and there aren't many situations where his penetration can hurt you so we have typically turned him loose out of this alignment.
I've kind of rambled on here so if anything doesn't make sense or anybody has other thoughts on what I've said I'd be happy to discuss it further.
Coach Buice

quote:

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Originally posted by: Buice
What Coach Campbell means by reducing the open side of the formation is basically a shift by the defensive linemen. In a standard 50 look you would have a head up nose guard, two tackles on the outside shade of the OT's and DE/OLB's playing outside shade on the TE. Against teams that play with one TE is when most coaches will go to their eagle front. The TE side DE and DT will not change their alignment. The nose will take a strong shade on the Center and play Strong A gap. The Weakside DT will shift from his outside shade on the OT to an outside shade on the G and play weak B gap. The DE on the weak side will shift from his 9 or "Ghost 9" technique to an outside shade on the T and play C gap/Contain.

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Thanks, Coach Buice. That was extremely helpful and I completely understand.

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Buice
As far as strategic reasons for using the Eagle front go, one obvious advantage is that it eliminates the need to double gap by your nose and puts everybody back into a one gap assignment. If you stayed in your base 50 defense against a one back set (say 21 personnel, two backs and one TE) you would have both a DT and DE outside of the open side OT, so there are times you can reduce and not "waste" two defenders on one gap. Another reason coaches use the Eagle front is it changes blocking angles. It can confuse the blocking schemes and we have found it particularly effective as a change up against teams that are having success trapping us. Your backside 3 tech has a chance of getting hands on the pulling guard and disrupting the pull and the frontside nose can disrupt the pull by getting penetration. Some teams also the Eagle front in pass rushing situations because the 3 technique is almost impossible to double team based on his alignment, so they put their best pass rusher there and let him go to work. The only real way to get a double team is to bring the T inside and double with the G, then use a back on the DE to that side. The eagle front is very similar to the 43 Under that is described in other parts of this forum.

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That makes alot of sense...thank you for taking the time to explain this in great detail.

quote:

---

Originally posted by: Buice
One play that has given us trouble in this front that may come as a surprise is a dive or iso scheme run right at the reduction. The offense has pretty good angles to cross block on the weak side with the T coming down on your 3 tech and the G kicking out your DE while the FB leads at the Weakside ILB. Lead zone to the weakside can be a problem too if your nose guard gets cut off by the Strong Guard, but once he gets into Eagle alignment he only has one gap and should probably be penetrating hard every play. He is difficult to trap by his alignment and there aren't many situations where his penetration can hurt you so we have typically turned him loose out of this alignment.
I've kind of rambled on here so if anything doesn't make sense or anybody has other thoughts on what I've said I'd be happy to discuss it further.
Coach Buice

---

Thanks again, Coach. Very helpful stuff.

So, I think I've got it....

..........................TE...T...G...C...G...T......
.........................9.....5........N.......3....5...

Is this correct?

What are the LB's alignments and primary keys/responsibilites in this defense? I imagine a LB will be responsible for filling weakside A gap and strongside B gap?

Also, what coverages work well with this front? We are primarily a cover 3 secondary.

Also, what does the term "flex" eagle refer to?

Sorry for all the questions...I'm very grateful to be here learning from some great coaches. Thanks again!!!

Coach Buice,

I use no 30 fronts at all, so will give way to others who may be able to answer your question as to when I would eagle from a 3-3 much more intelligently. Eagleing and reducing normally take place to stop the bleeding when an opponent is being successful in a specific area such as off tackle, etc.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

flex eagle or double eagle flex is the "desert swarm" scheme. There are books, articles etc. on it. A man plays in a 2 point about a yard or two off the ball over the OG. I have not run this at all.