Defense 101

[bennyl08]

IMO, these are the types of threads hogville needs more of. This thread is meant to be a discussion of football strategies and schemes on defense. Strictly an X's and O's thread with minimal talk of Jimmy's and Joe's. I use the caveat of minimal in that certain schemes require at least one specifically talented type of player to work.

I'll start this thread with a link on what a Cover X defense means. For example, most football fans are familiar with at least the names of some coverage schemes such as a cover 2 or a cover 3 defense, but what exactly does that mean?

http://www.thephinsider.com/2014/8/15/6000113/football-101-coverage-shells

I strongly recommend reading the full link. It is well written and easy to understand. However, to avoid link bombing and provide some information for those who won't read the link, Cover X basically describes that there are X number defenders going into a deep zone protection. The link is based on a 4-3; however, most of it is equally applicable to the 3-4. I.e. if you are dropping 2 safeties deep into coverage, that leaves you with 6 non DL players available to work with in the short game. Offense can only have 5 players run routes, meaning you have at least 1 extra player to blitz, qb spy, etc... In a 4-3, however, you'd only have 5 non DL players.

[bennyl08]

http://www.thephinsider.com/2014/3/7/5482102/football-101-defensive-line-gap-techniques

I was genuinely looking up the differences b/w cover X but liked the site and saw they had others so here are some more.

This is an extremely fundamental link that most should know. It covers topics such as the difference between the A gap and the B gap, explains what a 1 technique vs a 0 technique is, and briefly touches on the difference b/w an over and an under formation.

[bennyl08]

http://www.thephinsider.com/2014/7/24/5933695/brief-overview-of-the-4-3-linebacker-roles-in-our-base-defense

This one isn't as good IMO, but figured I'd complete the set. We will likely still be using some 4-3 looks plus some relevance to analyzing our past defenses. Gives a brief overview of the Sam, Will, and Mike LB positions, though is pretty heavy on Dolphin player references compared to the other two links.

[factchecker]

Here is a good resource for everything football:

http://smartfootball.com/

[bennyl08]

http://www.afcaweekly.com/2015/08/one-gap-3-4-defense-keeps-offenses-on-their-heels/

Posted this link in another thread. This one is pretty in depth and uses a lot of terminology, most of it mentioned in the other links or described in this one. In contrast to the traditional 3-4 where much of the DL utilizes 2 gap responsibility, a 1-gap 3-4 is a more aggressive defense and allows for smaller DL players (i.e. what we have outside of Jackson).

[bennyl08]

http://www.afcaweekly.com/2016/12/coverage-101-sessions-teaching-system-helps-defenders-understand-the-intricacies-of-various-coverages/

Highlights some of the coverages schemes mentioned in the first post, but applies them to a 3-4 defense.

[jgphillips3]

I'm confused.  Are you actually trying to discuss football?  Shouldn't there be some name calling, useless and inane commentary, or something?  I mean you are putting forward some knowledge and stuff. 😊

[bennyl08]

http://www.afcaweekly.com/2016/11/hardcore-xs-os-montanas-hurricane-zone-blitz/

This link discusses blitzing the boundary corner and how that can work given different offensive alignments and groupings.

[bennyl08]

I'm confused.  Are you actually trying to discuss football?  Shouldn't there be some name calling, useless and inane commentary, or something?  I mean you are putting forward some knowledge and stuff. 😊

Walking into Mordor, invading Russia, taking the hogs into OT, and discussing actual football on hogville are things one does not simply do.

[bennyl08]

http://www.afcaweekly.com/2017/01/going-through-the-motions-setting-up-your-defense-to-counteract-pre-snap-motion/

I admit, I haven't finished reading this link. It is very long. As the link name suggests, it covers how a defense reacts to a motioning offense, even citing Auburn (despite this being a HS coach).

http://www.afcaweekly.com/2016/08/defeating-rpos-run-pass-options-by-utilizing-defensive-line-movement-match-quarters/

Another link I haven't had time to thoroughly read, but it describes how a defense can defeat the RPO's (run-pass option plays) than an offense uses. Shows a clip from the compass bowl of OM vs Pitt where OM ran the exact same RPO 4 plays in a row but the options available in the play allowed them to take what the defense gave them.

[greenie]

Good thread.  Thanks for the links, benny and factchecker.
This will give me something to peruse while my better half is watching re-runs of Downton Abbey.

[factchecker]

Wade Phillips The 3-4 Defense Alignment Assignments and Responsibilities:

Jeff Reinebold 3-4 Defenses: Base Coverage:

Jeff Reinebold Blitzing to Stop the Run in the 3-4 Defense:

Jeff Reinebold 3-4 Defense: Fire Zone Coverages

Some all 22 footage: