Sorry Guys

I appologize for the lack of posting lately. Between staff meetings and players getting ready to report I have been too busy to post. I will be hopefully posting some updates throughout the season. Good luck to all this season.

More 4-2-5

More links to 4-2-5 resources from the RUNCODHIT blog here.

4-2-5 Resource Guide

Here are some good resources for coaches interested in 4-2-5 Defense

4-2-5 Articles here on Blitzology

Stuff from:
TCU here and here
Boise State here and here
Baylor here
Villanova here
Willamette here

If you are looking for a history lesson or you hybrid your 4-2-5 into a 4-4 you should definitely check out the old Virginia Tech stuff here and here.

Attacking BOB with the 3-4 part 1

This post will focus on attacking BOB protection when the offense has assigned both inside linebackers to the offensive line.

The first and simplest pressure plan vs. this protection is to rush both OLBs. Blitzing both should get the offense to throw hot.

The next strategy to attack this protection is to move 1 or both of the DEs to a 4i (inside shade) alignment on the OT.

 

Here the LT has the 4i DE 1 on 1. The DE is aligned inside and is on an inside pass rush. This creates a difficult block for the LT. This same pressure can be run as a 4 man rush with the LILB buffing pressure at or near the LOS in the A gap to hold the LG from helping with the 4i DE then bailing to coverage.

Another variation:

The Mike and Bob bluffing pressure holds the guards long enough for the inside pass rush by the DEs. The Nose jabs and loops for contain. After running this pressure once or twice the guards may decide to help with the Ends quickly as they see the inside backers drop. You can compliment this pressure with a bail and go concept which was previously discussed with video here.

The Mike walks up pre-snap to attract the guard's attention. Post-snap the Mike will start to bail then blitz the A gap. The coverage needs to be adjusted to a 3 under 3 deep because it is now a 5 man pass rush.

Another strategy involves using inside linebackers as outside pass rushers.

This pressure is just like the traditional NCAA blitz but with the two inside linebackers blitzing instead. The end is long sticking to the A gap. To pick it up the center must pass the Nose to the Guard and pick up the long stick. The guard must pass off the long stick to the center. The Tackle must pass off the long stick and pick up the edge blitzer. That is a high degree of difficulty for a single blitz. If the offense is able to pick up this pressure you can increase the degree of difficulty by adding a twist by the Nose and away side DE.

The jab and loop by the Nose helps keep the center from getting involved blitz side and creates a 2 on 1 vs. the guard (long stick and inside blitzer). Meanwhile the away side guard and tackle must handle a twist in man protection which always requires good technique and communication. Either of these pressures can be run with a 3 under 3 deep or a 4 under 2 deep coverage behind it.

More strategies for attacking BOB protection are on the way in the forthcoming posts. 

Good Reading

Two posts on the RUNCODHIT blog about Defending Bunch Formations and more info on the TCU coverage package vs. 3x1 sets.

A post from Brophy's blog about offensive game planning philosophy from Brian Billick. Always good to glean something about how the other side is thinking. I believe defensive breakdown and game plan for offensive openers (game, 2nd half, and of drives) is an under used planning opportunity for defenses.

And a book I just finished reading Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell. The book explores why people succeed and is a fascinating easy read.

TE and Dual Read OL in Pass Protection

I have received comments and e-mails pointing out the fact that I have not discussed the role of a TE or Dual read offensive linemen in pass protection schemes. I chose to focus on the basic version of protections in order to address the schemes coaches are most likely to see. As time goes by there will be posts on ways to deal with and attack the dual read of OL. Also the usage of TE in both zone and man scheme blocking as well as slam release schemes will be covered in the future at some point. First and foremost, I want to complete the series on 3-4 vs. BOB protection.

Blitz of the Week #11

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. I have been busy working camps. This week's Blitz of the Week is an X blitz by both inside linebackers in a 3-4 with fire zone coverage.

The timing and spacing of the Inside Linebackers and the Nose are the critical coaching points to this pressure.

• Ends - Contain Rush
• Nose - Weak Wide A Gap (Get to the inside Leg of the Guard)
• Mike - Walk up on LOS pre-snap (outside leg of the Guard, depth at the heels of the DL). Post snap dance (chop feet at LOS) with the guard then come tight of the Bob's butt once he clears. Blitz the midline
• Bob - Time is up and blitz the Opposite Wide A (Get to inside leg of the Guard). Hit the blitz at speed when the ball is snapped
• Sam & Will - Seam
• FS - 3RH
• SS - Middle 1/3
• Corners - Outside 1/3

This blitz is most effective vs. offenses with wider splits.

vs. 1/2 slide

If the slide is going to the blitz the Center is in a bind as the Nose goes away the blitzing Bob shows up in the A gap area the Center is responsible for in the slide. This is where the Bob must work to the widest part of the A gap to pull the Center out wider. The Mike should attract the attention of the Guard with his alignment and the dance. If the Bob is timed up on his blitz, the Mike should have a clean run on the midline. If the slide is going opposite the blitz the Center is stretched with the Nose and the Mike should have the same open rush on the midline.

vs. BOB this blitz can be effective vs. all three types of BOB mentioned in the previous post. If the 2 inside linebackers are the responsibility of the OL the Center and Guard must handle a difficult twist by the blitzers. If the OL is responsible for 1 inside and 1 outside the protection is just like the 1/2 slide example. Lastly, if the OL has both the outside linebackers the blitz will force a hot throw.

This blitz can be used successfully vs. zone read as well. If the blitz is opposite the alignment of the back the center must block the blitzing Bob linebacker in the inside zone scheme. The blitz of the Bob linebacker and the block of the Center should push the Bob into the initial path of the back which should cause the RB to cutback. If the Mike has done his job he should be coming over the top at the same time the RB is cutting back and be unblocked to make the tackle.

This blitz can also easily be converted to a 4 under 2 deep pressure.