Question for 53 coaches

Coach,

Our base defense is a 5-2 (weak eagle played basically like a monster) with our Strong Safety walked up to LB depth about 3 yds outside the TE. I should first mention that we always classify the tight side of a formation as strength, making our weakside defenders the adjusters against the formation you've mentioned. Against trips we would adjust by walking our FORCE LB outside (weakside inside backer) to split the difference between the inside receiver and the tackle on his side of the formation. If the inside receiver is in a slot we would have him align directly over him. We teach this LB to initially drop two steps inside looking to take away a slant (the route we consider the most dangerous to us) by the outside receiver before moving to cover the weak flat. Our Free Safety moves forward to a depth of about 8 yards directly over the #3 receiver to the trips side of the formation. The corner lines up in a press alignment on #1 and plays him vertically. The Free Safety also drops deep along with the Strong Safety aligned either over the tightside OT or center depending on the Free Safety's location. The tightside corner comes down into a 2x4 alignment watching for an outside TE release. If the TE were to set up split outside, the SS would make a "solo" call telling the corner he has man coverage on the TE (or split receiver away from trips). With the kids I still refer to this coverage as Cover 3, because we're still dropping three deep, but in actuality their alignments on the field make it effectively more like 1/4, 1/4/, 1/2. This is how we would adjust to an openside trips formation. Hope you were successful this weekend and if so, how did the team you faced play it?

Dave Hartman
CYFL Coach

Coach Morris,

How did your kids fare this weekend? Let me know if you have time.

Coach Easton

Coach Morris,

I think you did just right! I would never recommend playing tiddly winks to gain a tie! You scored and obviously turned it over to your defense to preserve the win. THATS THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT IN MY BOOK! A TIE IS LIKE KISSING YOUR SISTER! Congratulations on your win! Just one coach's opinion.

Coach Easton