Post by Coach Campbell on Oct 8, 2020 1:05:49 GMT
DEFENDING THE RUN CHASE AND COLLAPSE
The 4.3 With Variations is designed to stop the run – cold. This can only be accomplished when each defender uses proper technique that will allow them to react quickly to the ball carrier. The following are the techniques used in defending the run.
CHASE AND COLLAPSE
In order to play sound football from the backside, you must be aware of pursuit techniques. Three of the most important factors in this phase of football are defending the cutback zone, reverse, and backside leverage (bootleg). These responsibilities fall on the backside end and the backside invert or outside linebacker. However, certain pressure packages will require an inside linebacker to use one or more of these techniques.
Chase and Collapse techniques are backside gap or area control, which does not go into effect until the ball is run away or the read is pass. The outer most rush defender is usually considered the Chase defender. Thus, look at the defensive scheme being used and always talk Chase and Collapse with your defenders. The defender who is assigned to the cutback will have "Collapse" responsibility and the defender who has reverse and bootleg will have "Chase" responsibility. These responsibilities will be defined as follows:
Chase Technique: This is automatically built into the defense and is determined by the type of defensive scheme called. The last down defender on the LOS typically has the responsibility for backside reverse or bootleg and will incorporate chase technique.
Once a chase defender reads pass, he is responsible for outside contain of the quarterback. When a Chase defender reads ball away, he will pursue as deep as the ball, keeping the ball carrier or quarterback on his inside shoulder. Again, when the ball is run away keep ball on defenders inside shoulder and gaining depth by chasing as deep as the ball.
A Chase defender continues to chase ball away until he reaches the opposite B- gap. It is usually decided that if the Chase defender reaches opposite B-gap the ball will truly be committed to running in that direction. Once the Chase defender reaches opposite B-gap he will then take his proper pursuit angle on the ball carrier or quarterback, looking to make the tackle down field. As Chase technique is worked at practice have the running backs change direction on occasion to see if Chase defender is there waiting for change of direction of ball. Also, you can never work on the boot enough!
Collapse Technique: The outside invert will typically have collapse. When the outside invert pursues the football on or behind the LOS he has “Collapse” responsibility. Collapse technique by a defender, puts him looking for any potential cutback by the running back or quarterback scramble.
A Collapse defender is responsible for any type of cutback zone plays, when ball is run away. When Collapse defender reads ball away, he will then begin to collapse down the LOS looking to see if ball cutbacks. Once the Collapse defender reaches opposite A-gap he will take his proper pursuit angle to the ball carrier. Work this on a daily basis because, it is extremely important for the Collapse defender to understand his responsibility.
Whenever the “chase and collapse” responsibilities change due to pressure packages, the defenders must communicate. The Collapse defender will step up to the Chase defender and remind them that they have “chase”. This is very important in the 30 Stack because the pressure packages create many different combinations of Chase – Collapse. Do not allow your defense to become vulnerable because your players forgot to handle the collapse responsibilities.
FORCE
The force player typically has pitch responsibility versus the option, and no pass responsibilities with a run at him. The force defender must make the play on any perimeter runs at him. His aiming point is the outside jersey number of the ball carrier. If the force defender is “crack-blocked”, the secondary force or “secure” defender will become the primary force.
SECURE
The secure defender, also referred to as secondary force, becomes the primary force defender on a crack block. They are responsible for halfback pass, stop & go routes, and should not support the run until there is no longer a threat of pass, i.e., the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage.
ALLEY
The alley defender checks #2 (versus 21 – Pro Personnel) especially if he is a tight end, for dump pass in the seam as he runs the alley. He is checking #3 versus any three receiver sets. The alley defender has quarterback on the option, and his aiming point is the inside jersey number of the ball carrier. The alley course is from an inside to outside track – similar to a banana.
LAST MAN IN PURSUIT (“LMP”)
The LMP is typically the backside Corner, i.e., play run away from the Corner. The LMP is responsible for securing the backside #1 receiver. His pursuit angle is to save a touchdown, and not to allow the ball carrier to cut back, reverse or cross their face. The Corner does not cross the far hash unless it is to save a touchdown.
The 4.3 With Variations is designed to stop the run – cold. This can only be accomplished when each defender uses proper technique that will allow them to react quickly to the ball carrier. The following are the techniques used in defending the run.
CHASE AND COLLAPSE
In order to play sound football from the backside, you must be aware of pursuit techniques. Three of the most important factors in this phase of football are defending the cutback zone, reverse, and backside leverage (bootleg). These responsibilities fall on the backside end and the backside invert or outside linebacker. However, certain pressure packages will require an inside linebacker to use one or more of these techniques.
Chase and Collapse techniques are backside gap or area control, which does not go into effect until the ball is run away or the read is pass. The outer most rush defender is usually considered the Chase defender. Thus, look at the defensive scheme being used and always talk Chase and Collapse with your defenders. The defender who is assigned to the cutback will have "Collapse" responsibility and the defender who has reverse and bootleg will have "Chase" responsibility. These responsibilities will be defined as follows:
Chase Technique: This is automatically built into the defense and is determined by the type of defensive scheme called. The last down defender on the LOS typically has the responsibility for backside reverse or bootleg and will incorporate chase technique.
Once a chase defender reads pass, he is responsible for outside contain of the quarterback. When a Chase defender reads ball away, he will pursue as deep as the ball, keeping the ball carrier or quarterback on his inside shoulder. Again, when the ball is run away keep ball on defenders inside shoulder and gaining depth by chasing as deep as the ball.
A Chase defender continues to chase ball away until he reaches the opposite B- gap. It is usually decided that if the Chase defender reaches opposite B-gap the ball will truly be committed to running in that direction. Once the Chase defender reaches opposite B-gap he will then take his proper pursuit angle on the ball carrier or quarterback, looking to make the tackle down field. As Chase technique is worked at practice have the running backs change direction on occasion to see if Chase defender is there waiting for change of direction of ball. Also, you can never work on the boot enough!
Collapse Technique: The outside invert will typically have collapse. When the outside invert pursues the football on or behind the LOS he has “Collapse” responsibility. Collapse technique by a defender, puts him looking for any potential cutback by the running back or quarterback scramble.
A Collapse defender is responsible for any type of cutback zone plays, when ball is run away. When Collapse defender reads ball away, he will then begin to collapse down the LOS looking to see if ball cutbacks. Once the Collapse defender reaches opposite A-gap he will take his proper pursuit angle to the ball carrier. Work this on a daily basis because, it is extremely important for the Collapse defender to understand his responsibility.
Whenever the “chase and collapse” responsibilities change due to pressure packages, the defenders must communicate. The Collapse defender will step up to the Chase defender and remind them that they have “chase”. This is very important in the 30 Stack because the pressure packages create many different combinations of Chase – Collapse. Do not allow your defense to become vulnerable because your players forgot to handle the collapse responsibilities.
FORCE
The force player typically has pitch responsibility versus the option, and no pass responsibilities with a run at him. The force defender must make the play on any perimeter runs at him. His aiming point is the outside jersey number of the ball carrier. If the force defender is “crack-blocked”, the secondary force or “secure” defender will become the primary force.
SECURE
The secure defender, also referred to as secondary force, becomes the primary force defender on a crack block. They are responsible for halfback pass, stop & go routes, and should not support the run until there is no longer a threat of pass, i.e., the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage.
ALLEY
The alley defender checks #2 (versus 21 – Pro Personnel) especially if he is a tight end, for dump pass in the seam as he runs the alley. He is checking #3 versus any three receiver sets. The alley defender has quarterback on the option, and his aiming point is the inside jersey number of the ball carrier. The alley course is from an inside to outside track – similar to a banana.
LAST MAN IN PURSUIT (“LMP”)
The LMP is typically the backside Corner, i.e., play run away from the Corner. The LMP is responsible for securing the backside #1 receiver. His pursuit angle is to save a touchdown, and not to allow the ball carrier to cut back, reverse or cross their face. The Corner does not cross the far hash unless it is to save a touchdown.
