John RiceDefensive CoordinatorSantiago High SchoolCorona, CA

Defending the Spread; Defending the Spread; KeepKeep’’ em Guessing em Guessing

Outline1. Defensive Philosophy; brief overview2. Considerations for planning Pre-Snap Looks,

Formation Adjustments, Front Variations, Pressure, and Coverage

3. Wristband Review/Multiplicity4. Secondary Pre Snap Looks5. Multiple Pre-Snap looks6. Multiple Front/Coverage Variations7. New Looks/Variations Weekly8. Video Clips

Defensive Philosophy1. Take away what they do best; force them to beat

you with something else2. “It Depends” philosophy; defensive rules serve us;

we don’t serve rules (don’t be a slave to rules adjustments)

3. Utilize multiple adjustments to various formations4. Analyze pass pro and design pressure to attack

weakness and vulnerability5. Use Pre-Snap Movement to avoid accurate QB

reads and disrupt OL calls6. Use specific techniques to attack blocking schemes

(plan pressure based on pass pro)

Considerations for selecting pre-snap looks, formation adjustments,

front variations, and coverage1. Opponent Scouting-(tendencies, blocking

& pass pro schemes, personnel and team strengths)

2. Self Scouting (previous year’s game with opponent and opponent’s previous games that season

3. Random Element: select some variations at random

1. Flexible, multiple ways to call front & coverage; conducive to multiplicity

2. Used in conjunction with cards3. Change frequently; at series, quarter, half, game

by game4. Will interchange colors, code words, and

placement5. Never use the same wristband twice6. Change panel colors, panel locations, groupings

within panels, key words, “live” and “dead” key words and panels

7. Calls can be made pre-huddle or “check with me” style after offense lines up

Utilizing Wristbands

• One Color, Panel Groupings by Coverage

Sample Wristband; Summer Teaching

• Panel Contents Change Week to week

• Can change each half

• Can change by possession if necessary

Sample Wristbands

• Panel Groupings– By coverage– By pressure– By movement– By Field Zone– By D & D

• Sample Panel Groupings:– Dime Package– Quarterback Playing (2 panels for each QB)– All Purpose Calls

Sample Wristbands; different panel groupings/criteria

• Sample Panel Groupings:– By Formation (2 by 2 or 3 by 1)– Pressure – Field Position– Down and Distance

Sample Wristbands; different panel groupings/criteria

Secondary Pre-Snap Looks1. Multiple Adjustment for any given formation2. Three Shell (1 high Free Safety)3. Two Shell (2 Safeties Deep)4. Four DBs across at same depth (“U” Universal)5. Press Man with no Safety6. Joker: Everybody does their own thing pre-snap7. One side zone/one side man

1. Traditional Two shell one side/Man (press or off) opposite side2. Quarters look one side, man look opposite

PRE SNAP LOOKS“U”

(Five across at pre-determined depth)

Variation in technique from this pre-snap alignment:1. Move to base alignment after OC calls play2. Stay in it and play coverage post-snap

SECONDARY PRE SNAP LOOKS“U”

(Five across at pre-determined depth)

Variation in technique from this pre-snap alignment:1. Move to base alignment after OC calls play2. Stay in it and play coverage post-snap

PRE SNAP LOOKS“Joker”

Corners, Spur, and Bandit move at will

Variation in technique from this pre-snap alignment:1. Move to base alignment after OC calls play2. Stay in it and play coverage post-snap3. Use tags to employ variations: “Joker Corners” “Jokers

Left” “Jokers Field” “Jokers Leverage”

PRE SNAP LOOKS“Duece”

Variation in technique from this pre-snap alignment:1. Show it and play it2. Show it and play another coverage at the snap

PRE SNAP LOOKS“Triple”

Variation in technique from this pre-snap alignment:1. Show it and play it2. Show it and play another coverage at the snap

Mix & Match (64)Pre-Snap Looks

Add Coverage (and stunt/blitz if needed)Example “Joker Yo-Yo Switch 4”

SecondaryDisguise

LinebackerDisguise

Def LineStem

Wristband/Verbal/Signal Call:

UJoker

DiscoShow

DiscoSwitch

“U Disco”“Joker Show Switch”

Duece Half Shade “Duece Half Shade”

Press Yo-Yo Yo-Yo “Press Double Yo-Yo”

Base Front Pre-Snap Movement/Looks

1. Play from base depth and alignment2. “Half” LB’s and/or S/B play at ½ of normal

depth from LOS3. “Show” LB’s and/or S/B play at LOS in their

gap of responsibility4. “Yo-Yo” Start at base alignment, stem to

another alignment, then return before snap5. “Disco” LBs and DL may stem at will5. “Switch” DL Aligns 1 full gap away from their

responsibility, then stem to called alignment

Pre Snap Movement must be practiced!

–Individuals, Inside Drill, 7 on 7, Team periods

Progression Skill

1 Stance

2 Alignment (including pre-snap movement)

3 Key

4 Reads/Reactions

5 Block Protection/Escape

6 Pursuit

7 Tackle

MULTIPLE PRE SNAP LOOKS; OVERLOAD

L

MR

B

S

F

MULTIPLE PRE SNAP LOOKS; 7 MAN BOX/OVERLOAD

LM

R

B

S

F

MULTIPLE PRE SNAP LOOKS; PINCH/CRASH THE ENDS

L

M

R

BS

F

MULTIPLE PRE SNAP LOOKS; REDUCE END TO A “3”

L

M

R B

S

E

MULTIPLE PRE SNAP LOOKS; REDUCE END TO A “3”

LMR

B

SE

MULTIPLE PRE SNAP LOOKS; OVERLOAD

L

M

RB

S

F

MULTIPLE PRE SNAP LOOKS; OVERLOAD

L

M

R

B

MULTIPLE PRE SNAP LOOKS; FORCE SINGLE BLOCKS

L

M

R

B

S

F

MULTIPLE PRE SNAP LOOKS;

L

M

R B

S

E

MULTIPLE PRE SNAP LOOKS;

L

MR

E

E

F

DOUBLE EAGLE (BEAR)

L

MR

B

E

F

E

N

Utilize Variables within a “look”

Change-Up:•By series•By half or quarter•Determined pattern during the season•Predetermined sequence within a game

Formation Checks(when? why? Frequency?)

• We will not always use them (“Stay” tag)Considerations for planning/utilization:1. To defend an offensive strength2. To play percentages (scouting)3. To attack a vulnerability in scheme

• Overload a blocking scheme• Create a favorable one-on-one match up

4. To break a tendency discovered in self-scouting

5. Utilization patterns: until they adjust, alternate series, alternating occurrences, for a half or quarter, for the entire game

Sample Formation Checks we utilized this season

Sample Formation Checks we utilized this season

Sample Formation Checks we utilized this season

Sample Formation Checks we utilized this season

Sample Formation Checks we utilized this season

Sample Pressure we utilized this season

Tags for Variations:•Field•Boundary•To/Away from Back•To/Away QB throwing hand•To Away Strength•At personnel weakness•Left/Right

Sample looks we utilized this season

Tags for Dropping Backer (Mike):•To Field•To #3 in Trips Set•To Back•To/Away QB throwing hand•To Away Strength•At personnel weakness•Left/Right

Sample looks we utilized this season

Tags for Dropping Backer (Mike):•To Field•To #3 in Trips Set•To Back•To/Away QB throwing hand•To Away Strength•At personnel weakness•Left/Right

Sample looks we utilized this season

Sample looks we utilized this season

Tags for Variations:•Field•Boundary•To/Away from Back•To/Away QB throwing hand•To Away Strength•At personnel weakness•Left/Right

Tags for Variations:•Field•Boundary•To/Away from Back•To/Away QB throwing hand•To Away Strength•At personnel weakness•Left/Right

Tags for Dropping Backer (Lion):•To Field•To #3 in Trips Set•To Back•To/Away QB throwing hand•To Away Strength•At personnel weakness•Left/Right

Sample looks we utilized this season

Sample looks we utilized this season

Tags for Variations:•Field•Boundary•To/Away from Back•To/Away QB throwing hand•To Away Strength•At personnel weakness•Left/Right

Tags for Dropping Backer (Ram):•To Field•To #3 in Trips Set•To Back•To/Away QB throwing hand•To Away Strength•At personnel weakness•Left/Right

Sample Concepts we utilized this season

Tags for Variations:•Field•Boundary•To/Away from Back•To/Away QB throwing hand•To Away Strength•At personnel weakness•Left/Right

Video Clips Needed

• Pre Snap Alignment w/o Movement (U)• Secondary Pre Snap Alignment• Disco (front 6)• Multiple Look Cuts • Successful plays from multiple fronts vs.

Spread