Prince George RoyalsDefensive PlaybookTable of Contents
1. Fronts from 3-5-3 Defense2. Defensive Line Play in 3-5-3 Defense3. Inside Linebacker Play in 3-5-3 Defense4. Outside Linebacker Play in 3-5-3
Defense5. Secondary Play in 3-5-3 Defense
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Position Alignment Reads and Keys Run To resp. Run Away resp.
Left End 4i-Tech attack TE ‘C’ gap squeeze
Right End 4i-Tech outside loop ‘C’ gap chase
Nose 0-Tech attack weak side guard weak ‘A’ gap Chase
Lion 40-tech left triangle: ball-back-guard ‘B’ gap ‘A’ gap (if I’m Here)
Ram 40-tech right triangle: ball-back-guard ‘B’ gap ‘A’ gap (if I’m Here)
Monster 00-tech triangle: ball-back-guard strong ‘A’ gap scrape to open door
Sam 3x2 off DE End man to near back force-contain I’m Here
Will 3x2 off DE End man to near back force-contain I’m Here
Field Corner 7 yds, inside #2 to #1 Receiver contain pursuit
Boundary corner 7 yds, inside #2 to #1 Receiver contain pursuit
Free Safety Shade 2 rec. side QB alley player alley player
Base 3-5-3 Defense “Jacks”
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Shift to 40-Solid
Strong End: Shift to 7-TechNose: Shift to Strong 3-TechWeak End: Shift to Weak 1-TechRam: Shift to head-up on GuardLion: Shift to head-up on GuardMonster: Shift to Ghost 9-TechWill: Roll back to 7 yds
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Solid
Position Alignment Reads and Keys Run To resp. Run Away resp.
Strong Side End strong 7-tech Squeeze TE ‘C’ gap Squeeze
Weak Side End stem to weak 1-tech Squeeze Guard weak ‘A’ gap Squeeze
Nose stem to strong 3-tech Squeeze Guard strong ‘B’ gap Squeeze
Lion 40-tech left triangle: ball-back-guard uncovered A/B gap ‘A’ gap (if I’m Here)
Monster Weak ghost 9-tech 2-Gap on Tackle ‘C’ gap C.R.B.
Ram 40-tech right triangle: ball-back-guard uncovered A/B gap ‘A’ gap (if I’m Here)
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Shift to 52-Tuff
Strong End: Strong 4i-techWeak End: Weak 4i-TechNose: 0-TechSam: Walk up to 9-TechRam: Shift to Right 20-TechLion: Shift to left 20-techMonster: Walk up to Ghost 9-Tech
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Tuff Weak
Position Alignment Reads and Keys Run To resp. Run Away resp.
Strong End strong 5-Tech attack TE ‘C’ gap squeeze
Weak End weak 4i-Tech outside loop ‘C’ gap squeeze
Nose strong shade attack weak side guard weak ‘A’ gap squeeze
Lion 20-tech left triangle: ball-guard-back uncovered A/B gap ‘A’ gap (if “I’m Here”)
Monster ghost 9-tech squeeze tackle force-contain I’m Here
Ram 20-tech right triangle: ball-guard-back uncovered A/B gap ‘A’ gap (if “I’m Here”)
Sam strong 9-tech End man to near back force-contain I’m Here
Will 8 yds, over tackle End man to QB alley player pursuit
Free Safety strong ‘B’ gap QB alley player pursuit
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4-6 Bear
Position Alignment Reads and Keys Run To resp. Run Away resp.
Strong End strong 3-Tech Attack Guard ‘B’ gap squeeze
Weak End weak 3-Tech Attack Guard ‘B’ gap squeeze
Nose ‘0’ Tech Crush technique Both ‘A’ gaps squeeze
Lion 40-tech left triangle: ball-guard-back Flow/scrape Flow/scrape
Ram 40-tech right triangle: ball-guard-back Flow/scrape Flow/scrape
Monster 7-tech on TE Read TE ‘C’ Gap pursuit
Sam strong 9-tech End man to near back force-contain I’m Here
Will Weak 5-tech End man to near back Force-contain I’m Here
Free Safety strong ‘B’ gap QB alley player pursuit
Defensive Line
Ends and Nose Guard• The job of our defensive linemen is to
disrupt the offensive line and free up linebackers to make tackles.
• We must be physical and attack the offensive linemen.
• Work the line of scrimmage to close down gaps and bounce inside runs outside. Force the offense to go where they do not want to go!
Working the Line of Scrimmage
• Defensive Linemen must up and down the Line of Scrimmage.
• DL cannot over-penetrate, creating open running lanes underneath them.
• DL cannot chase backs in the backfield.• DL must pursue down the line of
scrimmage or deeper in order to meet the ball carrier as soon as possible.
Defensive Line Technique• Since our lineman will usually be aligned head up and
slanting either direction, we should be in a balanced stance with either hand down.
• Align 1 ½ yards from the helmet of the defensive lineman – do not crowd the ball!
• Be able to see the ball and move on the snap.• First step – lateral step in direction of slant, similar to a
pull step. Work to the opposite knee of the next lineman.• We want to touch his knee! Disrupt the linemen and
keep them off linebackers. • Only after we touch the knee, read the block of the
linemen and begin to work upfield and find the ball carrier.
Solid Front Technique• In SOLID, defensive linemen will squeeze the
nearest lineman and get big in their gap.• Step to the near number of the lineman and
deliver initial blow with inside shoulder/forearm.
• Drive the off-hand underneath the shoulder pads of the OL and squeeze the gap
• Always keep shoulders square to LOS and do not look for the football until you control the OL!
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JacksNose: Slant WeakEnds: Outside Slant
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PinchNose: Slant StrongEnds: Inside Slant
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StrongNose and Defensive Ends: Slant Strong
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WeakNose and Defensive Ends: Slant Weak
Outside Slant: Slant away from football
1. Step with near foot toward aiming point: opposite knee of next lineman
2. Follow with back foot and rip near arm underneath head-up lineman
3. Collision next lineman, then read his block.
4. It is critical that you keep the lineman off your linebackers!!
Inside Slant: Slant toward football
1. Step with near foot toward aiming point: opposite knee of next lineman
2. Follow with back foot and rip near arm underneath head-up lineman
3. Collision next lineman, then read his block.
4. It is critical that you keep the lineman off your linebackers!!
Down Block:Work through shoulder of blockerPursue down L.O.S.
Double Team Block:Attack down blocker and fight
to his opposite shoulder OR
Work low to split the blockers.DO NOT GIVE GROUND!
Drop outside hip to ground and crawl!
Reach Block:You must not allow the blocker to cross your face.Fight across his face, square your shoulders,Work down the L.O.S. to football.
xNo Block:If you are unblocked on your stunt,LOOK INSIDE! Someone will block you.Expect a trap block, Attack it down the L.O.S.Do not over-penetrate!!!**If OLB has given “I’M HERE” call, wrong-arm the trap. If no call, you must squeeze and contain!
Pull by covered lineman:Get in ‘hip pocket’ and follow Down the L.O.S.
Pull by Lineman to Stunt:Fight across back block,Get in pulling lineman’s ‘hip pocket’ Follow pulling lineman down L.O.S.
Inside Linebackers
Inside Linebacker Alignment & Assignments
• Lion, Monster and Ram will align 4-5 yards off the LOS, stacked behind DL.
• Stance on toes, butt down with chest up, head up and hands free
• LBs will be in motion prowling and working to time the snap count.
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Triangle Read
1. Linebackers: See the ball out of the corner of your eye
2. On snap of the ball, read through the nearest uncovered lineman
3. To the near back in the backfield
4. React to run to, run away, or pass read
Scrape Technique• On flow away from Inside LB, scrape
technique may be used.• Shuffle down LOS, attacking at 45 degree
angle with head on a swivel, looking for an “Open Door”
• Keep hands up, eyes up, butt down and ‘feel’ past “Closed doors” until finding an opening in LOS.
• When you find an “Open Door,” shoot through and find the ball carrier.
Prowling• For our defense to be successful, we must make
it hard for the offense to find us.• Prowling is Linebackers moving in and out of
gaps, decoying and disguising stunts.• DO NOT move past the next gap• DO NOT move past the heels of the DL• Our linebackers should be in constant motion
during pre-snap cadence.• No matter where you are on the snap, LBs must
play their original responsibility when the play starts.
Down block,Flow To
1. Read Step on snap
2. Uncovered linemanBlocks down, step outside
3. Read near back flow to,Scrape to open door
Block away,Flow To
1. Read Step on snap
2. Uncovered linemanBlocks out, step inside ofHis block.
3. Read near back flow to,Attack to gap responsibility.
Block to,Flow away
1. Read Step on snap
2. Uncovered linemanBlocks out, step inside ofHis block.
3. Read near back flow away,Attack to backside gap responsibility.
1. Read Step on snap
2. Uncovered lineman blocks to, step inside of his block, being mindful of gap resp.
3. Read flow to and attack
immediately.
Block to,Flow to.
Pull outside,Flow to.
1. Read Step on snap
2. Uncovered lineman pulls outside, Flow will go in direction of pull.
3. Make sure ball clears play side gap and attack to pulling lineman (point of attack).
Pull inside,Flow away
1. Read Step on snap
2. Uncovered lineman pulls inside,Flow will go away.
3. Chase pulling lineman to backside gap responsibility.
Reading Guards
1. Read the helmet of the Guard for keys.2. If the helmet goes down, it is a run block.
Read near back and attack.3. If you see ear hole, it is a trap block.4. If the helmet comes at you, attack
immediately. Do not hesitate!5. If the helmet pops up, it is pass block.
Check for draw and then zone drop, reading #3 to #2 receiver.
Outside Linebackers
Outside Linebacker Alignment & Assignment
• OLB will be aligned 2x3 off DE when he does not have a slot receiver.
• OLB will be aligned 4x2 inside of #2 slot receiver.
• Read End Man on Line of Scrimmage to Near Back on every snap
• EMOLS blocks down: Squeeze to his hip• EMOLS blocks out: Attack and Squeeze• EMOLS pass blocks: Drop to pass, crossing #2
face and listening for CB call
Force-Contain Player
• The Sam/Will is the Force-Contain Player on runs to his side.
• Sam/Will must maintain outside leverage on all run plays to his side, keeping outside arm and leg free.
• Sam/Will must force the ball carrier to either cut back inside, or string the play out to the sideline.
• Sam/Will cannot chase a play in the backfield, making lanes for the back to cut.
“I’m Here” Call• When flow goes away from Sam or Will, he is
responsible for Counter/ Reverse/ Bootleg if he does not have pass coverage
• If Sam or Will reads flow away and has no pass coverage, he should call “I’M HERE” loudly to Lion / Ram
• This alerts Lion / Ram that Sam or Will has C.R.B covered, and Lion/Ram can begin scrape/pursuit.
• If Lion/Ram does not here “I’M HERE” or hears “YOU YOU YOU!”, he must assume C.R.B. responsibility.
Reads:1. End Man on Line of Scrimmage
2. Near Back
End Man blocks down,Flow toward
1. Take read step on snap
2. End man blocks down, attack to LOSAnd call “DOWN DOWN” to Lion/Ram
3. Read flow to, keep shoulders square andPrepare to take on a block at LOS. Squeeze The block down and either force the play insideOr force ball carrier to bounce.
End Man blocks out,Flow toward
1. Take read step on snap
2. End man blocks out, maintain outside leverage and read to near back.
3. Read flow to, be sure to force play inside,Then attempt to help on inside run.
Secondary
Corners Alignment & Assignment
• In Cover 3, we will align 8 yards off, one yard inside of #1 Receiver, with outside foot up.
• On the snap, bail and read #2 receiver for run/pass read
• See the QB out of the corner of your eye and look for his release.
• Always turn with hips facing the QB and maintain inside position.
Cornerback Rules• CB reads #2 to #1 Receiver• CB must communicate the #2 Routes to the
OLB. This is crucial in our coverage. TALK EVERY PLAY!
• If #2 runs “OUT”: Check #1, OLB has man on #2
• If #2 runs “IN”: Check #1, OLB covers #2 until he crosses into next zone
• If #2 runs “DEEP”: Check #1 for deep route, get depth and do not get beat deep!
“OUT”
“OUT”
“DEEP”
“DEEP”
“IN”
“IN”
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Cover 3 (Green)
Position Alignment Initial Read On Initial Pass Read Read Routes
Lion 40-tech left triangle: ball-back-guard Drop to Hook #2 to #3
Ram 40-tech right triangle: ball-back-guard Drop to Hook #2 to #3
Monster 10-tech triangle: ball-back-guard Stunt
Sam 3x2 outside DE EMOLS to near back Drop Curl to Flat #2 to #3
Will 3x2 outside DE EMOLS to near back Drop Curl to Flat #2 to #3
Corner 7x1 inside #1 #2 to QB Drop deep 1/3 #2 to #1
Free Safety Shade 2 rec. side EMOLS to QB Drop deep 1/3 #2 to #1
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Cover 3 Cloud
Position Alignment Initial Read On Initial Pass Read Read Routes
Lion 40-tech left triangle: ball-back-guard Drop to Hook #2 to #3
Ram 40-tech right triangle: ball-back-guard Drop to Hook to Curl #2 to #3
Monster 10-tech triangle: ball-back-guard Stunt
Sam Split #2-#3, 3yds EMOLS to near back Drop Curl to Flat #2 to #3
Will 7x2 outside DE EMOLS to near back Drop deep 1/3 #2 to #1
Weak Corner 7x1 inside #1 #2 to QB Sit in flats #2 to #3
Strong Corner 7x1 inside #1 #2 to QB Drop deep 1/3 #2 to #1
Free Safety Shade 2 rec. side EMOLS to QB Drop deep 1/3 #2 to #1
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Cover 3 Fire Zone (Green Fire)
Position Alignment Initial Read On Initial Pass Read Read Routes
Lion 40-tech left triangle: ball-back-guard Stunt #2 to #3
Ram 40-tech right triangle: ball-back-guard Drop hook (2 rec. side) #2 to #3
Monster 10-tech triangle: ball-back-guard Stunt
Sam 3x2 outside DE EMOLS to near back Drop Curl to Flat #2 to #3
Will 3x2 outside DE EMOLS to near back Drop Curl to Flat #2 to #3
Corner 7x1 inside #1 #2 to QB Drop deep 1/3 #2 to #1
Free Safety Shade 2 rec. side EMOLS to QB Drop deep 1/3 #2 to #1
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Cover 2 (Blue)
Position Alignment Initial Read On Initial Pass Read Read Routes
Lion 40-tech left triangle: ball-back-guard Drop to Hook to Curl #2 to #3
Ram 40-tech right triangle: ball-back-guard Drop to Hook #2 to #3
Monster 10-tech triangle: ball-back-guard Stunt
Sam 3x2 outside DE EMOLS to near back Drop Curl #2 to #3
Will 7x1 inside #2 EMOLS to near back Deep 1/2 #2 to #1
Corner 1x1 outside #1 #2 to QB Jam #1 inside #2 to #3
Free Safety 9x1 inside #2 EMOLS to QB Deep ½ #2 to #1
Will and Weak CornerSwap Cover 2
Alignments and Responsibilities
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Cover 2 Sky Weak
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