Limit the Damage withRobber Coverage

Nat ZunkelHead Football Coach Mercer County High SchoolIHSA Class 2A State Champions14 - 0nzunkel@mercerschools.org

Defensive Principals

Do What We Do – Believe In Who We Are

Trust in the Process

Constantly Adjust

0 = 14

Base 3 – 4 Robber – We got found out

Transition to 4-3, 4-4, 5-2 – Hybrid Theory

Own Your Gap

Formation Recognition – “I Play Fastest When…”

“Play the Next Play”

“Be the Most Excited” – False Enthusiasm Works

“Set the Edge”

“Limit the Damage”

Coaches

A Family Affair

Trust & Loyalty

No Micromanaging

Expectations are set & Beliefs are met

Statistics

2009 8-3 (Scoring 36.3 O vs. 20.8 D, 1 Shut-Out, +1 TO)

TOTAL YARDS 489 2291 4.7

TOTAL RUSH 365 1530 4.2

TOTAL PASS YDS 124 756 6.1 7 int

2010 9-2 (Scoring 36.9 O vs. 16.6 D, 1 Shut-Out, +9 TO)

TOTAL YARDS 557 2388 4.3      

TOTAL RUSH 426 1776 4.2    

TOTAL PASS YDS 131/60 612 10.29 int

2011 11-1 (Scoring 37.8 O vs. 5.8 D 4 Shut-Outs, +7 TO)

3rd Best Scoring Defense in Illinois State

Total Yards 577 1814 3.1

Total Rushing 457 1486 3.3

Total Passing 120/34 328 9.6 11 INT

2012 14-0 (Scoring 41.0 O vs. 7.6 D, 5 Shut-Outs, +33 TO)

+15 TO Playoffs

TOTAL YARDS 706 2680 3.8

TOTAL RUSH 510 1602 3.1

TOTAL PASS YDS 196/104 1078 10.416 INT

We Are MC!

Turnovers & Tackling

Practice Set-Up

Monday – Walk-Through & Film – No Pads

Tuesday – Full Gear Offense

○ Tackling Stations (5 or 6)

Wednesday – Full Gear Defense

○ Turnover Stations (5 or 6)

Conditioning Incentives

Thursday – Pro-Pads – “Thud”

Friday – Game Day

Down Linemen – EndsTHE SPILL Must own the B Gap (30 – 4 /50 – 3

Tech)

Spill Man/Contain (40 – 5/7)

Make plays 1st and foremost

Never give up your gap or ground

○ Hands

○ Feet

○ Hip into the double team

Most important position on the field

Squeeze and Squat when unblocked

Getting Hooked is Fine – giving up ground is not

Pass rush moves

○ (20% sack/Interception/Pressure)

Pursue!

Nose

The most important player on the field

2-Gap Scheme (30 - 0) 1-Gap Scheme (40 - 1)

Must mess with the center

Attack the snapping hand

Punch and go

Make plays 1st and foremost

Never give up your gap or ground

○ Hands

○ Feet

○ Hip into the double team

Linebackers

Inside Backers

30/50 - Align head-up and read the guard

40 – Align head-up and read the center

A gap to B gap to C gap

○ Must be willing to be the man & take a pounding

○ Must be willing to get in the Defensives Line’s ear when Offensive Line is getting a free release

Outside Backers

Hybrid players

30 - Split the difference to #2 read tackle

40 - Inside foot to outside foot of DL

50 - Align outside shade of TE on LOS

○ Must play in space well - Must read well

○ Must Squeeze and Squat when unblocked on LOS

○ Advantage 5 man pass rush in coverage

Get under the slant/Peel the back/give up the flats

Safeties

Free Safety – Reading Tackle to #2

Makes all calls by formation

Align 10 – 12 yards where comfortable (very important)

Alley player

Robber Rules “If #2 is a-blockin’…I come a-knockin’”

Robbing #1 on bubble/out

Wheel Issues

Rover (Strong Safety) – Reading Tackle/TE to #2

Align at 7 – 9 yards (very important)

Must be a playmaker in space

Alley Player

Robber Rules “If #2 is a-blockin’…I come a-knockin’”

Robbing #1 on bubble/out

Wheel Issues

Corners

Corner – Align 2 x 7 Inside #1

Slide Shuffle to 9 at the Snap

Must Stay on Top of and Inside #1

Wheel Call

Vertical Route by #1 = Man to 17 Yards

Eyes to QB for 3-Step “HOT” (Ball to Ear)

If “HOT” Ready to Break

20% sack/interception

Adjustments

Hybrid Defensive Theory

Vary coverage & Fronts

Robber & Cover 2

Cover 3 (Amigo)

Areas for improvement

Team Discipline

Academics & College

Philanthropy

Big Dreams Require Big Efforts