Introduction

Intro-Defense

Alignment

Alignment

Playbook Sections

Run Fits vs 2x2 spread, run left

Every run generally goes one of two directions for a defender, either towards the defender or away from the defender. The following terms are applied to a defender depending on the direction of the play.

DL Alignment - Base

Our base alignment on the defensive line is referred to as an odd front. We play a balanced front with a Nose Guard aligning over the center, the Defensive Tackle aligning over the strong side tackle, and the defensive end aligning over the weak side tackle.  We will also have a gap assigned to each DL based on alignment and slant call. This provides variance in our looks, and minimizes the physical requirements for our linemen.

DL Alignment - Strong Falcon

We have multiple alignments we can present on the defensive line. One tag we can use is Strong Falcon. This tells the Nose Guard and Defensive End to move over one position to head up over each guard. Using simple verbage, we can move the DL into any favorable position when needed.

LB Gap assignments (Strong Slant)

We are a one-gap scheme. Each call for the DL assigns them a gap, and in turn each LB also has a gap responsibility, but each is tied the DL in front of them, thus assigning gap responsibility based on the DL slant.

Rover does not have an assigned DL, but he must be aware of Tackle slant for blitz and run responsibility. He is the extra run defender to the strength call of the defense. 

Out Mojo Stab X

The play below is one of our stunts that we run that demonstrates the multiplicity of our defense and the way we can create unique pressure on an offense. Each defensive lineman and linebacker have a gap assigned.

Nose guard - Out tells the nose guard he is slanting away from the strength, his responsibility is the weakside A gap.

Defensive Tackle - Out tells the DT that he is slanting out, away from the center, to the strength. He is responsible for the strongside C gap.

Defensive End - Out also tells the DE to slant out, away from the center, away from the strength. He is responsible for the weakside C gap.

Rover - No initial gap assignment unless there is a Tight end or H back, making him the D gap defender. He will be pass first or the extra run defender to the strength.

Will - In the out call, the DE is slanting into weakside C gap, which means the Wills gap is the backside B gap. The will will be the primary cutback defender in any runs away from him.

Sam - Sam is traditionally tied to the DT, meaning his default gap in an out slant is the strongside B gap. Stab is the blitz call for the Sam linebacker. The X call means his responsibility changes with the other blitzing LB, in this case the Mike, so instead of blitzing the B gap, he will approach the line and blitz strongside A gap instead. 

Mike - Similar to the Sam, the Mike is tied to the NG in regards to gap assignment. His base responsibility in the out slant is the strongside A gap, and Mojo is the blitz call for the Mike linebacker. The X call exchanges gaps with the Sam linebacker, and he will delay blitz into the B gap. 

Defensive back Alignment and Assignment in Cover 4

Our base coverage is a cover 4/cover 2 look, which is the typical base for a 2 high shell. This coverage is a zone match defense, which means each defender has rules in how to respond to different things an offense might do. Below describes what the coverage looks like in a 2x2 formation.

CB’s - Play leverage based, 5-7 yards deep of #1, read #2 WR

Safety - Play on top of #2 within two yards of the hash