4-2-5 Defense

SPARTA FOOTBALL

2014

4-2-5 DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE TACKLES AND ENDS

Defensive Tackles (T & N)

– Big and strong; able to defeat any offensive lineman, stalemate a double team, and never get driven off the line of scrimmage

– Athletic; able to pursue down the line of scrimmage, chase down a running back, and never get reached by the offensive lineman

– Disciplined; able to never over penetrate and allow an easy trap block, read the blocking scheme and diagnose the misdirection, and recognize screens and draws

Defensive Ends (E)

– Tall; able to maintain leverage on an offensive tackle or a tight end, and knock down a pass at the line of scrimmage

– Athletic; able to rush the passer, make an open field tackle on a running back, cover a running back releasing out of the backfield on a swing route

– Disciplined; able to always get inside any lead blocker never getting kicked out or trapped, read their keys to recognize the offensive blocking schemes, screens and draws

– Athletic ability is more important than size at this position

LINEBACKERS AND DEFENSIVE BACKSLinebackers (S & M)

– Strong; able to defeat offensive linemen and fullbacks attempting to isolation block– Athletic; able to run to the football, cover running backs and slot receivers down the

field, tackle anyone in the open field, and rush the passer– Disciplined; able to make defensive front, stunt, and blitz calls, read flow and fit any

openings along the front, and diagnose the offensive scheme

Safeties (SS, WS & FS)– Strong; able to never get stalked or cracked on the perimeter by a wide receiver– Athletic; able to tackle anyone in the open field, cover wide receivers down the field,

and rush the passer– Disciplined; able to make coverage calls, read keys to diagnose the offense scheme,

and “Not to Go Until They Know”!

Corners (C)– Strong; able to take the ball away from a wide receiver or tight end– Athletic; able to cover wide receivers down the field, chase down a running back– Disciplined; able to stay in coverage when the passer leaves the pocket, read keys

and diagnose the route combination

FRONTSTIGHT sets the 3-technique tackle to the tight end side of the formation. The nose aligns in a weak shade on the offensive center.

TIGHT G sets the front the same as TIGHT with the exception of the nose who aligns on an inside shade on the offensive guard.

TIM sets the defensive tackle and the nose on an inside shade of the offensive guards.

OUTLAW sets the defensive tackle and nose on an outside shade on the offensive guards.

BUMP moves the linebackers away from the strength call.

SLIDE moves the linebackers toward the strength call.

WIDE moves the linebackers outside over the offensive tackles.

TIGER sets the strong side defensive end in a 9-technique on the tight end.

POWER brings the SS into a 9-technique and kicks the tackle opposite

5

TIGHT

N ETE

MSBASE DEFENSIVE FRONTThe 3-technique tackle aligns to the tight end side of the formation. If there is no tight end, then the 3-technique will align to the running strength of the formation. Sam linebacker is responsible for calling the strength by making a RIP or LIZ call.

End – 6-tech; head-up on TE; key OTTackle – 3-tech; outside eye of OG; key OGNose – shade C; key CEnd – wide 5-tech; outside edge of OT; key OTSam - 30-tech; over OG at 5 yards; key flowMike – 30-tech; over OG at 5 yards; key flow

6

TIGHT - G

N ETE

MS

DEFENSIVE FRONT ADJUSTMENTNose shifts alignment to the inside eye of the guard leaving the center uncovered. The 3-technique tackle and the defensive ends do not change their alignment. The G is an automatic adjustment when the offense aligns with 2 tight ends. The G adjustment helps prevent the G from climbing up to the linebacker on the weak side isolation and in zone blocking schemes. Versus strong side running attacks, the G technique gives the Nose a better shot at the center who must block back o him.

Nose – 2i-tech (inside eye of the Guard); key OG

7

POWER

N ETE

M S

DEFENSIVE FRONT ADJUSTMENTSS plays a 9-technique on the tight end and the defensive tackles shift opposite the strength call. This is essentially an under front.

SS

8

TIMBoth defensive tackles align on inside shades on the offensive guards

N EE

MS

T

N EE

MS

T

OUTLAWBoth defensive tackles align on the outside eye of the offensive guards

9

FLIP (pre-snap)Both defensive tackles change their alignment right before the ball is snapped

N EE

MS

T

N EE

MS

T

FLIP (post-snap)

10

BUMPBoth inside linebackers adjust their alignment away from the strength call

N ETE

MS

SLIDEBoth inside linebackers adjust their alignment to the strength call and the weak safety walks down

into the box

N ETE

MS WS

11

WIDEBoth inside linebackers align over the offensive tackles

N ETE

MS

TIGERThe tight end side defensive end adjusts his alignment to an outside shade on the tight end

N ETE

MS

DEFENSIVE LINE TECHNIQUES3-Technique:

Align on the outside eye of the offensive guard with the inside hand down and the inside foot back. Attack the offensive man delivering a solid blow attempting to knock him backwards. Key the movement of the offensive man.

• If he attempts to base block, fight pressure with pressure• If he attempts to reach block, maintain outside leverage• If he releases inside, bend inside and expect either a trap or a down block from the tackle - wrong-

arm the trap and get up the field under the down block• If he pulls inside, bend inside and defeat the offensive center• If he pulls outside, stay on his hip and expect a down block by the tackle - get underneath the

down block of the tackle• If he pass sets, attack his outside shoulder and use a pass rush move

Shade Technique:Align on the outside eye of the offensive center with the inside hand down and the inside foot back. Attack the offensive man delivering a solid blow attempting to knock him backwards. Key the movement of the offensive man.

• If he attempts to base block, fight pressure with pressure expecting a double team to come from the offensive guard - defeat the double team by whipping the offensive center

• If he attempts to reach block, maintain outside leverage• If he attempts to back block, rip across his face and get into pursuit• If he pass sets, attack his near shoulder with speed

DEFENSIVE LINE TECHNIQUES2i-Technique:

Align on the inside eye of the offensive guard with the outside hand down and the outside foot back. Attack the offensive man delivering a solid blow attempting to knock him backwards. Key the movement of the offensive man.

• If he attempts to base block, fight pressure with pressure• If he attempts to reach block, maintain outside leverage• If he pulls inside, bend inside and wrong-arm the offensive center• If he pulls outside, stay on his hip and expect a down block by the tackle - get underneath the

down block of the tackle• If he pass sets, attack his inside shoulder and use a pass rush move

6-Technique:Align head-up on the tight end with the inside hand down and the inside foot back. Attack the tight end delivering a solid blow attempting to knock him backwards. Key the movement of the offensive tackle

• If the tackle blocks out, fight pressure with pressure and compress the gap• If the tackle blocks down, bend inside and expect either a down block by the tight end or a kick-

out block by either the guard or the fullback - get under the down block and wrong-arm the kick-out blocks

• If the tackle pass sets, get up the field and pressure the passer maintaining outside leverage

DEFENSIVE LINE TECHNIQUES5-Technique:

Align on the outside eye of the offensive tackle with the inside hand down and the inside foot back. Key the movement of the offensive tackle. Attack the offensive man and deliver a solid blow attempting to knock him backward.

• If he base blocks, fight pressure with pressure• If he reach blocks, maintain outside leverage• If he blocks down, bend inside and expect a kick-out block by either the guard or the

fullback - wrong-arm the kick-out block• If he pass sets, get up the field and pressure the passer maintaining outside leverage

Wide 5-Technique:Align on the outside edge of the offensive tackle with the outside hand down and the outside foot back. Key the movement of the offensive tackle. Attack a spot 2 yards behind the outside leg of the offensive man. Beat the offensive man to that spot.

• If he blocks out, fight pressure with pressure• If he reach blocks, maintain outside leverage• If he blocks down or releases off the line off scrimmage, bend inside and expect a kick out

block from the inside - wrong arm any lead blocker• If he pass sets, get up the field putting pressure on the passer and maintain outside

leverage

DEFENSIVE LINE MOVEMENT

TechniqueConcentrate your weight on the foot opposite the direction of the stuntJab step in the direction of the stunt with the near foot pushing off the far foot

Key the movement of the offensive man toward whom you are stunting– If he attempts a kick-out or trap block, wrong arm the blocker– If he attempts to reach block, get up the field and maintain outside leverage– If he moves away, get in his hip pocket and pursue flat down the line of scrimmage– If he pass sets, attack his near shoulder and use a pass rush move

Far GapIf the defensive lineman is shaded opposite the direction of the stunt, he must rip across the face of the offensive man using his outside arm.

Near GapIf the defensive lineman is shaded to the stunt, he will fire into the gap and read the next offensive lineman.

16

SLANTS

N ETE

TANK

N ETE

ARMY

N ETE

AIM

N ETE

TORO

Tackle and Nose slant away from the strength.

Tackle and Nose slant to the strength.

Defensive linemen slant away from the strength.

Defensive linemen slant to the strength.

17

STUNTS

N ETE

BLOOD

N ETE

SPIKE

N ETE

TAG Tackle slants into the A gap.

End stunts into the open C-gap.

End stunts into the open B-gap.

N ETE

TAKE End and tackle stunt into closed B and A-gaps.

18

SPLIT FIELD COVERAGE

Pass coverage to each half of the field is called separately by the safeties. The free safety identifies the passing strength, or wide side of the field, and makes either a “reading left” or a “reading right” call. The free safety and strong safety travel together to the “read side” of the formation. The weak safety travels to the “away side” of the formation.

The free safety calls the coverage for the read side defenders (strong safety, corner, and linebacker). Base coverage for the read side of the formation is Cover 2 (Robber).

The weak safety calls the coverage for the away side defender (corner and linebacker). Coverage to the away side of the formation can be Bronco (Man), Blue (Quarters), Sky (Invert), or Cover 5 (Squat-Half).

Front, read side coverage, and away side coverage calls are all made independently.

19

COVER 2 - Robber Coverage

SS

FS

C

S

Free safety:Alignment - 10 yd deep over the G to a closed side or splitting the difference between the offensive center and the #2 receiver to an open sideRun/pass key - OL Run to - fit the front, press the hip; of the ball carrier; Option - quarterback Run away - fit the alleyCoverage key - #2 receiver; Robber Rules #2 vertical release - call “PUSH” cover all of 2 #2 outside release - call “WHEEL” rob 1 #2 inside release or stay - call “RAT” rob 1Coaching Point - Stand flat foot at a depth of 10 yards and don’t go until you know

20


SS

FS

C

S

Strong Safety: Align at 5 yd on outside eye of #2 receiver or 3 x 7 off a tight endRun/pass key - EMLOS Run To - set the edge, force the ball back inside Option - defend the pitch Run Away - bootleg, counter, cutback, reversePass - drop on #1 receiver; defend the flat; handle any short route by #1 receiver; cover a deep swing by #3 receiver

21


SS

FS

C

S

Corner: Align 1 x 7 inside #1 receiverDrop for depth and defend the deep inside 1/2 of the field with a Man-Clue on #1 receiverMake a CHINA call if #1 receiver runs a hitch route; continue dropping for depthMake a “RAT” call if #1 receiver releases inside; continue dropping for depthFree safety calls:

PUSH - match #1 receiver; no help from free safetyWHEEL - defend deep 1/2 of the fieldRAT - match #1 receiver

22


SS

FS

C

S

Linebacker: Alignment - Front CallKey - Offensive Lineman to Flow (running back)Run - Fit the run; press the inside hip of the ball carrierPass - Middle dropper; open up on #3 receiver; wall any crossing route; set the edge versus rollout passer

23

COVER 2 BLACK - Man Coverage

SS

FSC

S

Cover 2 Black is essentially the same as Cover 2 with one difference. The free safety is locked up on the #2 receiver on any inside release in addition to any vertical release. This means the corner cannot expect any help with #1 receiver when the #2 receiver releases inside. This is a good adjustment versus tight end / wing formations.

24

BLUE (ALERT) - Read 2 Coverage

WS

CM

Weak Safety: Align at 9 yd on or near the hash marksKey - EMLOS

Run To - set the edge; Option - pitchRun Away - counter, cutback, reverse

Coverage Key - Read #2 receiver#2 releases vertical - man/man #2#2 releases outside, inside or stays - eyes snap to #1 receiver

25


WS

CM

Corner: Align at 7 yd outside leverage on #1 receiverCoverage key - #2 receiver

#2 releases outside - squeeze #1, match #2 but do not leave #1 until you have to#2 releases inside, under, vertical or stays - man/man #1Deep swing of #2Wheel route of #2

26


WS

CM

Linebacker: Alignment - Front CallKey - Offensive lineman to the flow

Run - fit the run, press the inside hip of the ball carrierPass - vertical pass drop; wall off any crossing route; get under the curl of #1

27

SKY - Invert Coverage

WSC

M

Corner:Alignment - 1 x 7 inside #1 receiver

Pass - defend the deep inside 1/2 (same technique as Cover 2)

Weak Safety:Alignment - 5 x 5 off the offensive tackle

Run - set the edge; cut back, counter, reverse, bootlegPass - flat defender, deep swing of #2 (same as SS technique in Cover 2)

Linebacker: Pass - wall off any crossing route; set the edge on rollout passer

28

BRONCO - Man Coverage

WS CS

Corner:Alignment - inside leverage on #1 receiver

Pass - all vertical routes of #1receiver

Weak Safety:Alignment - outside leverage on #2 receiverKey - EMLOS

Run - set the edge; cut back, counter, reverse, bootlegPass - all vertical routes of #2 receiver


29

BANJO - Man Coverage

WS

C

S


Pass - all of whichever receiver releases vertically

Weak Safety:Alignment - outside leverage on #1 receiverKey - EMLOS

Run - set the edge; cut back, counter, reverse, bootlegPass - all of whichever receiver releases outside


30

FIDDLE - Man Coverage

WS

C

S


Pass - all of #1 receiver releasing vertically

Weak Safety:Alignment - 5 x 5 off EMLOSKey - EMLOS

Run - set the edge; cut back, counter, reverse, bootlegPass - all of #1 releasing outside


31

COVER 5 - Squats and Halves

WS

CM

Corner:Alignment - 5 yards off or press #1 receiver with outside leverageKey - #2 receiver; squeeze #1 receiver to the inside while focusing eyes on #2 receiver

Run - set the edgePass - if #2 releases outside, match #2; if #2 releases elsewhere, sink with #1

Weak Safety:Alignment - 10 yards on hash markKey - #2 receiver; gain depth and defend deep 1/2 of the field

if #2 releases outside, underneath or stays, then all of #1 verticalif #2 releases vertical, all of #2 vertical

32

COVER 5 - Squats and Halves

WS

CM

Linebacker:Alignment - 5 yards on offensive tackleKey - offensive lineman to the flow

Run - fit the run; press the inside hip of the ball carrier

Pass Key - wall #2 receiver#2 releases outside - under #1 receiver#2 releases inside - wall #2 receiver#2 releases vertical - collision #2 listen for CHINA call#2 releases dig - match #2#2 releases inside - wall #2

Deep 1/2

33

TRIPS CHECK #1: SOLO

WS

CM

Read Side:C, SS, FS - Cover 2Linebacker - drop on #3; wall #3 crossing; #3 goes outside wall #1 or #2 crossing

Away Side:WS - make a SOLO call telling the corner to man-up #1; cover the final #3 receiver verticalC - all of #1 verticalLinebacker - wall #1 crossing; deep swing of #2

SSS

C FS

Cover 2 Solo

34

TRIPS CHECK #2: KEEP 3

WS

CM

Read Side:C, SS, FS - Cover 2Linebacker - drop on #3; keep #3 vertical

Away Side:WS - make the KEEP 3 call telling the linebacker to man-up #3; drop and defend deep 1/2 of the fieldC - the KEEP 3 call tells the corner to play press cover 5 techniqueLinebacker - wall #1 crossing

SSS

C FSCover 5Cover 2

35

TRIPS CHECK #3: SPECIAL ZERO

WS

CM

Read Side:C/FS/SS - man/man

Away Side:WS - free; deep middle of the fieldC - man/man

Linebackers:Man/man the back out f the backfield to your side

SSS

C

FS

MOF

36

CHANGE OF STRENGTH

WSC

M

Only motion that changes the passing strength will require a COS call.

The free safety will change the strength by making a “COS” call followed by “Reading Right”. The weak safety assumes the responsibilities of a strong safety. The strong safety assumes the responsibilities of a weak safety. The corners assume the responsibilities of the new coverage called to their side. The free safety and strong safety must also make coverage calls to their respective side of the formation.

SSS

CFS

E T N E

37

“SINGLES” PACKAGE

The objective of the “singles” package is to allow linebackers to exchange gaps with defensive linemen and/or give linebackers a head-start into an open gap. “Singles” are not blitzes.

Coverage:Pass coverage for all “singles” is base coverage to the read side and some form of man coverage to the away side.

Singles Terminology:Mike - Mike linebacker rushes the open gapMike A - Mike linebacker rushes the A-gapMike B - Mike linebacker rushes the B-gapMOE - Mike linebacker rushes off the edgeSAM - Sam linebacker rushes the open gapSAM A - Sam linebacker rushes the A-gapSAM B - Sam linebacker rushes the B-gapSOE - Sam linebacker rushes off the edgeSAM OKIE - Sam linebacker exchanges gaps with the Nose

38

MIKE - 2 BRONCO

N ETE

MS

C CSS

FSWS

Mike linebacker attacks the open B-gap.

“COVER 2”“BRONCO”

39

MIKE A - 2 SKY

N ETE

MS

CC

SS

FSWS

Mike linebacker and nose tackle exchange gaps. The nose stunts across the face of the offensive guard and keys his movement. The Mike linebacker stunts behind the nose into the A-gap and keys the flow.

“COVER 2”“SKY”

40

MOE - 2 BRONCO

N ETE

MSC C

SS

FSWS

Before the snap, the Mike linebacker creeps forward to the line of scrimmage and then blitzes off the edge. The defensive end stunts across the face of the offensive tackle into the open B-gap.

“COVER 2”“BRONCO”

41

SAM B - 2 5

N ETE

MSC

C

SS

FSWS

Sam linebacker and 3-technique Tackle exchange gaps. Tackle must get across the face of the offensive guard and then read the movement of the offensive center. Sam linebacker will attack the B-gap while keying the flow.

The secondary will execute the called coverage.

“COVER 2” “COVER 5”

42

SAM - 2 SKY

N ETE

MSC

C

SS

FS

WS

Sam linebacker attacks through the A-gap will reading the flow. The 3-technique tackle will fire into the B-gap and cannot get reached by the guard.

Secondary execute the called coverage.

“COVER 2”

“SKY”

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SOE - 2 BLUE

N ETE

MSC

CSS

FS WS

Sam linebacker creeps toward pre-snap and then blitzes off the outside edge. The end and tackle need get across the faces of the offensive tackle and guard.

Secondary executes the called coverage.

“COVER 2” “BLUE”

44

SAM OKIE - 2 - BLUE

N ETE

MSC

CSS

FS WS

Sam linebacker and nose tackle exchange gaps. The nose must get across the face of the offensive center and react to the movement of the offensive guard. The linebacker must read the flow.

45

BLITZ PACKAGE

BULLETS: Both linebackers blitz through the open gaps or through gaps tagged by the blitz call

SMOKES: Both safeties blitz off the edge

STINGS: Both safeties loop inside and blitz through the B-gaps and the defensive ends loop outside and rush off the edge

THUNDER: Both linebackers blitz through the A-gaps and the safety to the tight end side blitzes off the edge

DOGS: The safety and linebacker to the same side blitz

46

BULLETS B - 0

N ETE

MS

C CSS

FSWS

Both linebackers blitz the B-gaps while both defensive tackles penetrate through the A-gaps.

The read side should be called to the side of the running back so that the strong safety and the free safety can BANJO the inside receiver and running back to that side.

“BANJO”

47

BULLETS B - 0

N ETE

MS

CC

SS

FSWS

Both linebackers blitz the B-gaps while both defensive tackles penetrate through the A-gaps.

If the running back is aligned to the away side of the coverage he becomes the responsibility of the linebacker. The linebacker can make a BLOOD call and blitz off the edge and use a SPY technique if the running back releases.

“BANJO”“BLOOD”

48

BULLETS A - 0

N ETE

MS

C CSS

FS WS

Both linebackers blitz the A-gaps

Coverage is man/man

Banjo coverage technique with the read side safeties on the #2 receiver and the back out of the backfield

Note: The read side should be called to the running back side whenever possible to allow Banjo coverage to be used.

“BANJO”

49

SMOKE - 0

N ETE

MSC

CSS

FS

WS

Read side safety (SS) blitzes off the edge of the formation and must cover the running back if he releases out of the backfield.

Away side safety must make a “Switch” call telling the linebacker to replace him in the blitz because he must cover the #2 receiver.

Linebacker must make a “Blood” call to tell the defensive end to stunt across the face of the OT into the B-gap because the B-gap will be left open by the linebacker blitzing off of the edge of the formation.

“FIRE”

“SWITCH”

“BLOOD”

50

SMOKE - 0

N ETE

MSC

CSS

FSWS

The read side safety will make a “Switch” call to tell the linebacker to replace him in the blitz.

The linebacker must then make a “Blood” call telling the defensive end to stunt across the face of the OT into the open B-gap.

“FIRE”

“BLOOD”

“SWITCH”

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THUNDER - 0 COP

N ETE

MSC

C

SS

FSWS

If the original pressure call had been “SMOKE” and the offense aligns in a closed formation, the free safety will check the pressure to “THUNDER”.

The tight end side safety will must make a “COP” call telling the defensive end to cover the tight end if he releases on a pass route. The the safety will blitz off the edge. The linebackers will blitz the open gaps. The outside safeties will creep down into the box and lock up on any running back releasing out of the backfield or rob underneath routes.

“COP”

52

THUNDER - 0 COP

N ETE

MSC

C

SS

FSWS

The tight end side safety must make a COP call telling the defensive end to cover the tight end if he releases on a pass route. The other safety will creep down into the box and take any running back releasing out of the backfield. The linebackers blitz through the open gaps and the 3-technique tackle takes a wider pass rush.

COP

53

STING - 0

N ETE

MSC

CSS

FS

WS

The away side safety will make a “Switch” call to tell the linebacker to replace him in the blitz.

“SWITCH”

54

STING - 0

N ETE

MSC

CSS

FS

WS

The read side safety will make a “Switch” call to tell the linebacker to replace him in the blitz. The linebacker must make a “Box” call to tell the defensive end to cover the running back releasing out of the backfield.

“BOX”

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FIELD DOG - 0

N ETE

MSC

CSS

FSWS

The safety and linebacker to the field side will blitz

Coverage is man/man

The blitzing safety will SPY the running back releasing out of the backfield

“FIRE”

“SPY”

56

FIELD DOG - 0

N ETE

M SC

CSS

FS WS

The safety and linebacker to the field side blitz

Coverage is man/man

The away side safety must come all the way across the formation to cover #3 receiver

“FIRE”

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FIELD DOG - 0

N ETE

M SC

CSS

FS

WS

The Switch call tells the linebacker to replace the safety in the blitz; the opposite linebacker to also get involved in the blitz; and the away side safety to drop down into the box and cover the back out of the backfield or rob the solo receiver

“BLOOD”

“SWITCH”“OKIE”

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BOUNDARY DOG - 0

N ETE

M SC

CSSFS

WS

The safety and linebacker to the short side of the field blitz

Coverage is man/man

“FIRE”

“SPY”

4-2-5 Defense

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