protection vs. 3-3

Coach, I know you're big on big, but you might consider sliding. You could let your best OT single block on his DE (for example, let's say it is your LT). Each uncovered lineman slides away from him, so in our example, the LG slides right to help the C combo the NG to the MLB. Here is how to pick up the spurs: the RG slides right to help the RT actually combo three men (DE, LB, Spur), and if both the LB and Spur come, you throw hot to the slot on that side. Additionally, the FB blocks away from the slide (in this example, to the left), and has a double read on the left LB to the spur (similarly, if they both come, throw hot to the slot on that side). I know it's a lot, but its the best way we've found to protect v. 8 men (particularly the 3-3, where all 8 are always threats) with only 6 blockers. The upside is that if you really drill it, the kids understand, and it becomes much easier to block any other type of front. Hope this helps.

Clearly, they don't bring all 8, but in this defense any combination of the 8 may come, so we feel that in order to have a sound protection scheme, we must be able to account for all of them. The hot reads take care of them bringing more than we can protect.

Coach Rocketfb2003,

1(a) We are strong and quick along the line, so against a 4-4, if we can identify where our opponent's 1 and 3 will be against our spread sets (often if we're 3X1, the 3 tech will go to the trips, and if we're 2X2, the 3 tech will go wide if we're on a hash or to our right if we're in the middle of the field), we will set our line, so we're sliding to the 1 technique. If they don't align as we anticipated, we let the center call which direction we want to slide to against a 4-4 (Rock/Lava, etc.) based on where the 1 tech is (he knows he will slide to the 1 tech). If you don't flop you're line, letting the C call it might be the way to go.

1(b) Against the 3-3, if only the spur came, we would fan the G to the DE and the T to the spur. Against the 4-4, it's a little more difficult. We tried doing it the same way you mentioned, but had the same problem you identified, so we kept the rule the same (the uncovered lineman will slide to the covered lineman, and they will be 2 for 3 to the DT, ILB, and OLB), but after initially attacking the DT and pushing him off to the G, the C will release out and pick up the OLB. So the technique is not exactly the same as against the 3-3, but the rule stays the same, and we just drill the difference.

2. Yeah, we had coaches going both ways on that, too, but I just feel if I know one guy is going to be single blocking, I want him to physically be the best we've got. The other T will have more responsibility (2 for 3), but we feel he can learn the technique and will always have help from the G, so there's a little more room for error there.

Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any more questions. Good luck!