Help with coverage assignments in the 44

Coach Nicholson
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Posts: 780

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 9, 2004 19:43:32 GMT

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Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 9, 2004 19:43:32 GMT

Coaches,

If we are in a 44 and playing man cover 1 who are the backers assigned to cover? Should the outside backers be looking for a back coming out of the backfield to their side and the middle backers be looking for a tightend to their side or vice versa? Also if one of your backers has no one to cover in man coverage what is his technique for his pass drop? Should he just back pedal a couple yards and play a zone? The ways I have mentioned are how we have been doing things on defense. I am just wondering if any of you coaches have any suggestions or you have a better way of doing things?

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TIGER ONE
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Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 5:26:00 GMT

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Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 10, 2004 5:26:00 GMT

Coach,

BASE COVER RULES IN MAN = WIDEOUTS! (#1'S) COVERED BY CORNER BACKS
#2 RECEIVERS COVERED BY SS
#3 RECEIVERS COVERED BY LB
THIS IS THE SAME ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TAKING MY FS OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD. IF PASS DEVELOPS AND YOUR FS IS REVERTING HONORING DEEPEST THREAT, MAKING CERTAIN NO DRAW IS COMING HIS WAY YOUR M BACKER THEN REVERTS INTO THE MOF TO DEFEND PASS.
BY HAVING FS EYEBALL THE TIGHT END, IF TE IS ABLE TO ESCAPE HIS DEFENDER, FS THEN LOCKS UP IN TIGHT MAN WITH HIM.
BUT, IF YOU WILL JUST FOLLOW THE BASE RULE ABOVE, THEY WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO CATCH YOU IN A BAD ALIGIGMENT IN THE SECONDARY. I TELL MY GUYS IF THEY COME OUT IN SOME ALIGNMENT THAT WE DO NOT RECOGNIZE IMMEDIATELY, OR HAVE NOT PRACTICED AGAINST THAT WEEK, JUST MAN UP INSTANTLY (THIS OVER RIDES ANY DEFENSIVE CALL THAT HAS BEEN MADE) AND PLAY THAT PLAY AS HARD AS YOU KNOW HOW! IF THEY ARE JUST SPREADING YOU OUT AND HAVE A RUN CALLED, YOUR M BACKER HAS GOT TO NOT ONLY BE A PLUGGER, HE HAS TO BE ABLE TO MOVE LATERALLY AS WELL IN THIS INSTANCE.

Coach Easton

J.C. EASTON HEAD COACH GA TIGERS FOOTBALL PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE

Coach Nicholson
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Posts: 780

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 7:38:10 GMT

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Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 7:38:10 GMT

Coach Easton,

I understand your answer but we are usually in a 44 therefore we only have one safety (FS) playing deep middle. We have no SS to cover the #2 receiver. So if they come out in a twins set on one side and no one spit out on the other side would you walk your OLB out to cover #2 receiver or would you have your corner come over from the other side to cover #2 receiver? I guess the answer to this question would obviously depend on what the team you are playing is trying to do to you on offense. Most teams we see run the ball most of the time therefore I would rather bring my corner from the other side over to cover #2 receiver which allows me to keep all 4 of my LB 's in the box. I am just wondering how you would do this.

Also about my question regarding who the backers are assigned to TE's or RB's. Im saying if the offense comes out with no more than 1 WR split out to either side therefore leaving all 4 LB's in the middle of the field. Which backers should be assigned to who?

Again these are just the ways I have been taught to do things. I am just looking for suggestions on any better ways to things.

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TIGER ONE
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Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 8:37:23 GMT

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Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 10, 2004 8:37:23 GMT

Coach,

I run a Dallas 42 (4-2-5) which is basically nothing more than a 4-4. What it boils down to is semantics.
Where we call our SS's (Tiger Backs) and allude to them as DB's and not linebackers, which means in our teminology that we are always in a nickel, you call them OLB's and not safeties. In man coverage, the assignments are exactly as described above in my earlier post. If what you are looking at on offense is a flexed end formation, then your CB's still have the # 1 receivers (the widest aligned) your OLB's still have the #2 receiver, be that a slot back, WB or back out to their side as in a bone. The # 3 receiver would be covered in the same fashion by a LB, as in trips. If they are in a 5 wide set with trips to the frontside and twins to the backside, the backside slot(#2 receiver) would then be covered by the Will backer. If they motion to the trip side to set up a quad formation and flood then your FS would be forced to cheat. If you put your M backer on him they will run it right up the gut with nobody there to stop it.

Coach Easton

J.C. EASTON HEAD COACH GA TIGERS FOOTBALL PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE

Coach Nicholson
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Posts: 780

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 9:14:22 GMT

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Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 9:14:22 GMT

Coach Easton,

Ok when you mentioned a FS and SS in your first post on this thread I was under the understanding that you were refering to a 43 not a 4-2-5. I guess I sould have realized you were talking about a 4-2-5 since I have seen you say numerous times on this board that you run that defense. Thanks for your post!

If you don't mind I have another question. I know coaches declare the strength of the offense they are facing in different ways. Some coaches use the offensive set they are facing to declare strength while others declare strength by the wide side of the field. How do you tell your defense to identify the strength of the offense???

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DGS
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Posts: 32

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 9:15:42 GMT

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Post by DGS on Dec 10, 2004 9:15:42 GMT

We put our corners on #1 receiver unless he is the strongside TE. If they are in twins or trips, he crosses over to the other side and takes #2. The strongside OLB takes the TE. The weakside OLB doesn't have a man unless they are in a one back/no back formation. He is our adjuster to those sets (along with an ILB if no back). The weakside OLB rushes unless involved in coverage. The ILB's have the backs vs 2 back sets.

The reason we do this is twofold. First, it works well with Cover 1 out of the Bear front which we occasionally use. Second, it doesn't force an OLB to run with motion in 2 back sets which would allow the offense to outnumber the defense at the point of attack if they ran towards the perimeter vacated by the motion. This hasn't been a concern versus motion in the one back sets since the 5 tech DE and a scraping ILB could handle perimeter plays to their side.

TIGER ONE
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Posts: 6,423

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 9:53:30 GMT

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Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 10, 2004 9:53:30 GMT

Coach Nichelson,

I always teach locate the TE! 99 times out of a hundred in a conventional formation that will set the strong side. Formations that feature double tites and balanced backs (such as a stack "I") or a flexed double wing run and shoot base formation, etc. with the ball on either hash, then the field side is suspect in the PSL. However, tell your guys to be ready to read their keys as lots of times I love to run into the boundary just because I know the D will be looking to the wide side with anticipation.

Coach Easton

J.C. EASTON HEAD COACH GA TIGERS FOOTBALL PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE

Coach Nicholson Senior Member Posts: 780	Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 10:05:32 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 10:05:32 GMT Coach Easton, Thanks again, I have always used the TE to declare strength. I was just curious as to how others do it.
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Coach Nicholson
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Posts: 780

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 10:21:17 GMT

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Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 10:21:17 GMT

DGS,

Your post got me to thinking. You said your ILB's have backs in 2 back sets. What if your are facing and I formation twins to one side and TE on the other side. Your stong side OLB has that TE. So what if the I back motions out to the strong side? Would your MLB go with him?

I am thinking that it might be better to have you MLB's cover TE's and OLB's cover backs. The reasons being I would rather have my OLB(better athlete than MLB) out on an island with a RB that has motioned out and I don't want my MLB leaving the middle of the field open by following a RB out in motion. What do you think??

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DGS
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Posts: 32

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 10:42:14 GMT

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Post by DGS on Dec 10, 2004 10:42:14 GMT

You post a real concern. We play man on the same person, so if a back motions out, an ILB goes with him. This isn't an ideal situation but it keeps us from getting confused. If it is something that a team has shown on film, we usually get a tendency for the possible plays. That will help the FS and the remaining ILB to be alert for what to expect. We do not play many strong passing teams so it seems to work for us.

Coach Nicholson Senior Member Posts: 780	Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 11:01:17 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 11:01:17 GMT dgs, If you are set on having your MLB's cover the backs and OLB's cover TE's then you could have a switch call between the two backers thus switching their responsibilities if the I back did motion out.
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44AttackD
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Posts: 114

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 11:33:33 GMT

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Post by 44AttackD on Dec 10, 2004 11:33:33 GMT

A Scouting report will often dictate what you will do but if you are getting an I back motioning out of the backfield you can have the FS pick him up. You lose him as deep help but we always tell our kids to not expect help from the FS. You now keep everyone in the box and a good pass defender on the motion back.

Another way is to bump the OLB to the motion and have the ILB step over to cover the TE. (not a favorite of mine) or simply have the ILB go with his man in motion. We face a team that will motion out of the backfield. If you send the ILB with him they will come right back with an inside trap. Of course if you send the FS you better be hitting the TE or you will get a pop pass that can go a long way. That is why the scouting report is so important. I'd have a base way of covering it (we have FS go with all motion away from center or across the center), then make adjustments depending on the scouting report.

44AttackD Member Posts: 114	Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 11:35:54 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by 44AttackD on Dec 10, 2004 11:35:54 GMT We designate the TE as strong even though their may be more numbers away from him. That way you can call your blitzes/stunts and everyone on the field has the same point of reference.

TIGER ONE
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Posts: 6,423

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 11:37:18 GMT

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Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 10, 2004 11:37:18 GMT

Coaches,

The easiest way is to have the motion man picked up by the OLB/SS on the side he is motioning to. If the play goes away from motion, as it usually does, the FS will play the slot and the WIll backer will have man out to his side, when facing a play call going to the rip side. DGS- if you cover motion with an ISLB, you are asking for trouble sure enough. First of all he has to avoid his LB teammates, and that will make him late in his coverage, plus the fact that you have a receiver who should be faster than most ISLB's almost every time and that is a mismatch that all OC's look for first thing! At what level are you fellahs coaching?
If you are youth coaches, you may be able to get away with some of the things you mention doing, but above that level I think you will find that is not going to be too successful, imo. Certainly not meaning to be demeaning to anyone, just trying to help you win.

Coach Easton

Coach Easton

J.C. EASTON HEAD COACH GA TIGERS FOOTBALL PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE

Coach Nicholson
Senior Member

Posts: 780

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 12:20:47 GMT

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Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 12:20:47 GMT

Coach Easton,

I like having our corner cross over to cover the slot man in twins b/c it is obviously a better matchup than having an OLB matched up on a WR. Of course there are going to be situations where it would be better to walk your OLB out in coverage. For example this past season we faced a team that lined up with one WR split out to both sides. They would motion one of the WR's to the other side of the field in hopes that our corner would go with him. They would then run a quick toss out where the motion man came from. We had to make an adjustment and have the corner stay on his original side to help with outside containment and have our OLB walk out on the motioning WR. I guess what I am saying is that no matter what your base scheme is you are always going to encounter situations that force you to make adjustments to your scheme.

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TIGER ONE
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Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 12:36:39 GMT

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Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 10, 2004 12:36:39 GMT

Coach,

You are absolutely right about that! Plus the fact that any defense going is vulnerable somewhere! If you are rolled up hard and playing inside leverage in man under (our cover one stay) and your CB goes with him, you had better have a plan to replace him with another defender or you have left yourself wide open, just as you indicate in your post. You didn't tell me your level of play you coach. My reason for asking is to be able to respond to your questions in a way that will be most helpful at that level.

Coach Easton

J.C. EASTON HEAD COACH GA TIGERS FOOTBALL PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE

Coach Nicholson
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Posts: 780

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 12:58:43 GMT

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Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 12:58:43 GMT

Oh sorry about that. Right now I currently coach at the middle school level (mostly 13-14 year olds). These kids are only a year or two from varsity high school ball. So I really try to teach them a lot of the things that they will need to know very soon. Of course I don't go as in depth with them as I would if they were currently varsity players. I will be graduating college within the next 2 years. I am planning on finding a varsity assistant job then. So while many of my questions apply to the level I am coaching at now I am also trying to prepare to become a varsity coach. When need be I will try to specify what level of play I am talking about when asking a question.

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Coach Nicholson
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Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 13:02:29 GMT

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Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 13:02:29 GMT

Also many times when having a discussion I will ask questions that apply to varsity kids. Therefore I can gain knowledge that I can use at the varsity level but I can also take the same information and simplify it when needed for the middle school kids to better understand.

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DGS
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Posts: 32

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 13:06:35 GMT

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Post by DGS on Dec 10, 2004 13:06:35 GMT

I am a d-coordinator for varsity high school. As I said before, we do not play very many good passing teams; our competition is run oriented. A team isn't going to catch us in Cover 1 very often. The other point is that we play our best guys at ILB. The are often better athletes than our OLB's, who are LB's not Strong Safeties. We have never had trouble with backs motioning out and burning the ILB's, especially with a FS over the top. And LB's frequently cover running backs in the pros so I would think it should work fine in high school. We used to play Cover 1 with OLB's strictly on #2 receiver. But a 2 back team will motion him out of there and run to there. We also used to recount and realign with motion but we sometimes had people uncovered. I am not saying this is the best way. It simply works has worked best for us.

TIGER ONE
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Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 13:08:13 GMT

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Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 10, 2004 13:08:13 GMT

Coach, that is great! Welcome to the profession! I just started my 41st season and plan on continuing until the good Lord says "that's it". I am an Ordained Minister, as well as, a football coach. I am 63 and in good health so far! I hope it will be as good to you, as it has for me.

Coach Easton

J.C. EASTON HEAD COACH GA TIGERS FOOTBALL PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE

Coach Nicholson
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Posts: 780

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 13:17:58 GMT

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Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 13:17:58 GMT

Coach Easton,

Thanks for the good wishes. I am a young coach but I do feel I have a pretty good knowledge of the game. Having said that I am always more than willing to listen to people like yourself who can help me continue to improve my knowledge of the game. I am always looking to learn something new. I really appreciate all the help that you guys provide on here.

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TIGER ONE
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Posts: 6,423

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 10, 2004 13:44:37 GMT

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Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 10, 2004 13:44:37 GMT

DGS,
As I have posted many times before here on the forum, the truth of the matter is simply that there are certainly more than one or two ways to solve any singular problem on a football field. You have to go with what you know, and what your comfortable coaching. I always do the same. In your reference to LB's covering receivers in the NFL, my son played for Clemson when Lavon Kirkland was their best LB. I saw him, when he was with the Steelers, run with Wayne crebet about 40 yds. into the endzone and knock down a pass. I spent close to 30 years coaching HS football and have several "name" players in the league today. Brian Dawkins(Eagles) Rod Gardner(Redskins) Lito Shepherd (Eagles) Jabbar Gaffney(Houston Texans) to mention a few. When I had them in HS, they could do anything you asked of them.
That to agree with your statement that what the pros do, HS kids should have no problem with.
Motioning runs off the #2 cover if he is in man, if you let him. I run a 4-2-5 that faces that situation. If motion threatens to runs him off, the FS will come down and lock on him(#2). He will revert with #2 a few steps and then turn him to the FS, all the while watching the threat that is developing and invert to stop the threat. There will be some grass for a second or two between #2 and the FS, granted but not for long if you have the right guy at FS. As a DC, you know the guy with the chalk last wins all the arguments when O verses D on the board. But, on the field is where the best ATHLETES are going to win the ball game, by making plays, right? Just my opinion.

Coach Easton

J.C. EASTON HEAD COACH GA TIGERS FOOTBALL PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE

DGS
Member

Posts: 32

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 11, 2004 17:22:44 GMT

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Post by DGS on Dec 11, 2004 17:22:44 GMT

Tiger One
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I was at a BB tourney watching my daughter's team. I certainly respect your opinions on this issue and the others that you have frequently addressed. We all have been able to learn from your experiences you have had over the years. I doubt I would ever win a debate on a FB issue with you, even if I was the last one with the chalk. By the way, as a FCA huddle coach I am pleased to see that you are a minister as well. I am certain that you represent the profession with a great deal of class. To me, it doesn't matter if coaches agree on the best ways to x and o. I believe it is more important how you teach the players and I can tell from your posts that you do it in a positive way.
Thanks,
DGS

TIGER ONE
Senior Member

Posts: 6,423

Help with coverage assignments in the 44 Dec 11, 2004 18:28:23 GMT

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Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 11, 2004 18:28:23 GMT

DGS,
I would venture to say that you give it your best shot also! My team has been a FCA huddle for long years, now. My son played for CLemson and was the team spokesman whenever groups would call for a Christian speaker. In 1992 when they played California in the Citrus bowl in Orlando, a local church called for a speaker. Ken Hatfield who was the HC said " that will be Lance Easton". They came and picked us up the next morning at the Stoffer Hotel in Orlando in a candy apple red Mercedes! I'm a football coach and a Minister, I don't drive a Mercedes! HA HA At any rate when I get there, this man comes striding toward my wife and me and son and say's"HI, I'm Charlie McClendon and I want to ask you to sit in my pew! Well, needless to say, that was a real treat for me because he was the grand daddy of them all, next to Bear! We were talking option football when they introduced my son to speak. He did a wonderful job, and I couldn't help but recall the time he got his first MVP trophy in Middle School. They asked him to say a few words and he got through it, but when he was done I shook his hand and it was ice cold from nerves. Some 7 years later, as he delivered the message that morning I was very proud of him! As he stepped down from the podium, I reached over and shook his hand again, as he came to the pew. His message of hope in Christ had been delivered flawlessly, but his hand was still ice cold! He has spoken many, many times since that day and is now a very polished public speaker. But, you know what? His hand still is cold when he is finished! Thanks for your kind words.
Coach Easton

J.C. EASTON HEAD COACH GA TIGERS FOOTBALL PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE

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Help with coverage assignments in the 44

Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 9, 2004 19:43:32 GMT

Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 10, 2004 5:26:00 GMT

Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 7:38:10 GMT

Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 10, 2004 8:37:23 GMT

Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 9:14:22 GMT

Post by DGS on Dec 10, 2004 9:15:42 GMT

Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 10, 2004 9:53:30 GMT

Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 10:05:32 GMT

Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 10:21:17 GMT

Post by DGS on Dec 10, 2004 10:42:14 GMT

Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 11:01:17 GMT

Post by 44AttackD on Dec 10, 2004 11:33:33 GMT

Post by 44AttackD on Dec 10, 2004 11:35:54 GMT

Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 10, 2004 11:37:18 GMT

Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 12:20:47 GMT

Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 10, 2004 12:36:39 GMT

Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 12:58:43 GMT

Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 13:02:29 GMT

Post by DGS on Dec 10, 2004 13:06:35 GMT

Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 10, 2004 13:08:13 GMT

Post by Coach Nicholson on Dec 10, 2004 13:17:58 GMT

Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 10, 2004 13:44:37 GMT

Post by DGS on Dec 11, 2004 17:22:44 GMT

Post by TIGER ONE on Dec 11, 2004 18:28:23 GMT

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