4-2-5 Defensive Line Stunts

By 6 Comments

I thought I would throw in a few defensive line stunts here. They’re no different than anything you can do from a 4-man stunt, so its not special and everyone runs them.

I’m not going to get into a great deal of technique with them because that isn’t really the purpose (I have the way I’ve done it in the past, which worked, but there are others). These are good passing down stunts with the line, that can confuse the offensive line’s blocking principles. But you can’t expect guys to just come running free, you’ll still need to beat the offensive line. If you have guys running free every time, you should beat that team anyway.

End first, then tackle switching gaps.

End first, then tackle switching gaps.

Tackle and End will exchanges gaps, with End going first.

Tackle and End will exchanges gaps, with End going first.

Tattoo sends the two Tackles to twist, with the Nose going first and crossing Center's face.

Tattoo sends the two Tackles to twist, with the Nose going first and crossing Center's face.

Nose over End and Tackle here, this is a passing downs only stunt.

Nose over End and Tackle here, this is a passing downs only stunt.

[Read more...]

Click Here to Add a Comment!
Filed Under: 4-2-5 Defense, Defensive Line, Members

3-5-3 Defensive Front

By Leave a Comment

Here is a little video clip from YouTube on the 3-5-3 Defense. This is from the Georgia Military College series – I guess the guy that posted the video is selling the full thing, don’t know. Anyway, that’s not the point. It shows the alignment and a basic line movement, which they call Jacks.

I’d like to go more in depth into the 3-5-3 Defense (or Odd Stack, or 3-3-5) because we’ve run it before and it seems to be a point of interest for a lot of people. Plus, we’ll be playing GMC in August (though as the Linebackers coach, I’m not concerned with their defense). Anyway, here’s the clip…

Click Here to Add a Comment!
Filed Under: 3-3 / 3-5 Defense, Defensive Line, Members

4-4 Defense Linemen

By Leave a Comment

Why reinvent the wheel, here’s a good video on the 4-4 Defensive Front from YouTube. Short, to the point… not a very complicated defense!

Remember that the 4-2-5 Defense is schematically the same as the 4-4 Defense, with the Outside Linebackers having different names. Most of this is compatible with a variety of fronts.

Click Here to Add a Comment!
Filed Under: 4-2-5 Defense, Defensive Line, Members

Defending the Option with the Defensive End

By 3 Comments

To defend the Option play we must decide how to use our Defensive End. I’m going to focus more on the currently very popular shotgun triple, although the principles work the same against any Option style offense.

The Defensive End can commit to playing the dive, commit to playing the Quarterback, or he can use a “feather” sort of technique to give the illusion of playing the pitch to the Quarterback. It is important to understand that the Defensive End is the read (at least, in the style of option we’re working with) and can therefore dictate to the offense who is going to get the ball. You’ll discover that being able to force the offense to put the ball in the hands of a lesser athlete can be a huge help in any situation. The option can be a bear to defend, but it can be really fun to prepare for the chess match at hand.

If you want to keep the ball out of the hands of the running back, then your defensive end will need to crash hard. He needs to get his shoulders turned and sprint down the line of scrimmage. In this way, he is taking away the cutback on the Zone Option, no matter how slow he is, and with a quicker defensive end should be able to tackle the Tailback on a zone run. To defend the option against a team with a great running back, you’ll want to crash that Defensive End hard. You need to assign a second-level defender to handle the Quarterback, as well. If everyone attacks the dive, even the slowest Quarterback will tuck it and run for good yardage.

The next option is to attack the Quarterback immediately. By coming up-field and attacking the Quarterback, you are keeping the ball out of his hands. If you want to force the Tailback to beat you, this is the way to handle the option. In this case, your second-level defender needs to play the cut-back. A team who runs the inside zone poorly may be most affected by taking the “Option” out of the offense and turning this into a simple Inside Zone. In addition, you should be able to take some shots on the Quarterback in this manner.

Finally, you may use a feather technique to confuse the read of the Quarterback. By keeping the shoulders square, you will probably get a give read on the option. However, if you squeeze down with shoulders square, and keep eyes on the Quarterback, he may have trouble deciding what to do. Now as the Quarterback keeps the ball, slide with him and stay outside of the quarterback. Ideally, with an athletic defensive end, we can split between the pitch back and the Quarterback. Stay in a position at the line of scrimmage in which you can break back in on the Quarterback or break out on the pitch – though you probably want to favor the Quarterback more heavily. By not committing to the Quarterback up field, the option read is being slowed down. The Quarterback is unsure of your defensive end’s responsibility, and your other players are being given time to defeat their blocks and get to their responsibilities. Also, the secondary read for the Quarterback is being given time to get to the pitch man, so that if the Quarterback makes the wrong decision off of his primary read (the End), he may pitch it right to your guy! All of this sounds great, but it is a tough technique to teach. If you’re only playing one option team this season, you may not have the time to teach this technique. If you’re going to be seeing multiple, quality Option offenses, you might want to learn more about this technique.

Play the chess game with the offense, and find a way to put the “offensive advantage” of the Option Offense back into your hands by using your Defensive Ends effectively. Good luck!

Click Here to Add a Comment!
Filed Under: Defensive Line, Members, Technique

Off-Season Drills for Defensive Line

By Leave a Comment

Its easy to work a receiver, Quarterback or Defensive back in off-season drills. But coming up with quality drills for Defensive Linemen can sometimes be tough. If you’re a DL Coach, you know the dread of those first few days when you can only wear helmets, too. It’s a high-contact position! The detail necessary for Offensive Line doesn’t exist either. A few ideas for you:

1. Hand fighting: To work hand quickness, this Defensive Line drill is going to give a nice, light activity for linemen to work any time. Have one player attempt to fit his hands, acting as the offensive lineman. The Defensive lineman quickly knocks those hands off with chops and rips to work past the OL. What is more important in this drill is hand quickness, their feet do not need to move. Work one player, then the other.

2. Stance & Starts: Stance should never be an in-season issue. Make sure your linemen have their stance down in BEFORE August. Teach them to start every off-season sprint with a picture perfect stance, and firing off ball movement. If you get players used to moving on audible commands (“GO!”) in the off-season, you can be sure you’ll be breaking the habit once they put pads on.

3. Bending and wrong-arm: Teach players to re-direct their initial momentum. If you are a wrong-arm team, you know that your players have to learn to come flat down the L.O.S. upon recognizing the down block by the opposing offensive lineman. Drill this with your Defensive Linemen in the off-season, there is no contact!! Add in a pad holder to work the actual wrong arm. Focus on the concept and the fit, not the collision. Anyone can beat up a pad!

4. Pass Rush Moves: Working off of the hand fighting, teach a few simple pass rush moves and let players work them at half or 3/4 speed versus pads, bags, and other players. Teach them the feel of the rip or the swim, and let them decide which one’s they prefer. Work to make good habits by having the Offensive Lineman give a convincing pass set.

5. Seat Rolls: From my playing days I know that these were a favorite of Defensive Line Coaches in the past. They may not seem applicable to your scheme, but it teachers a player to continue moving on the ground. Finish with a sprint from the seat roll position to teach getting up and continuing a play after losing your feet.

6. Ropes: If you can get the Running Backs away from them, use the ropes. Use rope drills for your Defensive Linemen to teach running with high knees. There’s a lot of traffic and bodies down in the trenches sometimes, be able to run over it! Can help with cut blocks too!

7. Pass Rush Lanes: A pursuit drill for the line! Teach fits on the pass rush, use a skill player to scramble around and force the big boys to keep their rush lanes, and contain a speedy gun slinger. They will learn to re-direct their bodies and maintain body control.

8. Strip Drills: No ball necessary. Wrap up a towel in some duct tape. Chances are, you’re using other Defensive Linemen to strip from, and they don’t know how to hold a football anyway. Separate the “ball” from the ball carrier’s body, use punches and clubs from behind to get it on the ground. Another set of drills that can be done indoors or out!

9. Zone Blitz Pass Drops: If you’re a Zone Blitz team, take advantage of 7 on 7 to work your Defensive Linemen. With the prevalence of the 3-5, more and more teams are running 8 guys in 7 on 7 and just blitzing one out. Some coaches (those who aren’t trying to win the State Championship in March) will appreciate the chance for their Quarterback to see some sophisticated defensive structure. Play one series with a Left End, another with the Right End, and only drop them occasionally. Teach them to fire off on every snap they are not dropping, and run past the QB. If you also drop a Tackle or Nose Guard, incorporate them as well. 7 on 7 isn’t just for the skinny kids anymore!

Check out more Defensive drills and techniques at gridironchat.com

Click Here to Add a Comment!
Filed Under: Defensive Line, Football Drills, Members