Stopping the Veer Offense

Hi Coach. There's a team I'm going to meet this fall that stomped the heck out of my team last year. Although their team was made up of all 8th graders and ours was all 7th. ( they wouldnt play our eighth graders) This year they have no choice and I'd like to make a better showing. We have a new head varsity coach and he is going to run the Split 44. So anything along that defense alignment would help greatly. I may be able to convince him to let me use the 46. ( Buddy Ryan defense), but we'll have to see. Any tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Willieskid.

Hi Coach. Yes you're correct on that allignment. The Dt's are in a 3 tech. They are to jam the OT on the line and hold the B gap. The DE is in a 7 tech. and he is to jam the End. Both inside LB's are responsible for the A gap. Depending on flow. They are approximately 4-41/2 yards from the LOS. The Strong and weak LB's are in 9 Techs. Only the DT's are down. Depending on the situation the middle LB's can be moved to the line with the Free Safety taking middle LB. I believe this is a good defense, but a 46 might be better to stop anything up the middle. What do you think? Thanks. Mac

WE have run the veer for 29 years and we have the most trouble with 2 defenses - 6-2 with really good athletes at the 5 and 9 technique(probably personel rather than scheme) and the 5-2 cover 3 Roll Weak or Cover 2. The 5-2 teams have the tackles squeeze the release of the tackle and take the dive the ends both have QB and usually slow play to give the defense time to pursue. WE like to see 4-4, we double combo the 3 technique and chip to LB. The TE takes a 6 foot split and releases inside to PSLB and the 7 technique is the dive read. Usually can get the playside LB walled off and the give is worth 4 yds or more. The read is easy for the QB.