DEFENSE
INSTALL PACKAGE
SPRING CAMP EMPHASIS
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LEARN THE MATCH CONCEPTS
UNDERSTAND OUR RUN FITS
STOP THE RUN !
HEADS UP TACKLING
RUN TO THE BALL
STRIP THE BALL
“OTB”- OWN THE BALL
DEFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY
Our Defensive Philosophy at Bolsa Grande is three
fold. First, we believe it is our job to give the
offense good field position. We do not want our
offense to have to drive the length of the field to
score. It is our job to give our offense the
opportunity to put points on the board. Second, it
is our job to maintain momentum, turnovers, big
hits, big plays. We will own the football. Thirdly,
our defense can bend but not break. We will NOT
give up the big play.
Our base defense is the 4-2-5. It is a field /
boundary based defense. The front and the
secondary are not connected. The front and the
secondary are based on one simple principle… the
number of players that make up a surface area. The
defensive line will adjust to 2 (G-T) and 3 (G-TTE) man surfaces. The secondary and linebackers
will also adjust based on 1, 2, and 3 receiver
surfaces.
DEFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY
We will Attack the offensive movement and play
fast. Our base coverage will be Match coverage.
Cover 4 is our Robber coverage, We will also use
cover 2, cover 1 (1 deep man under), and cover 0
(man to man no help).
Our Blitz Packages allows us to put optimum
pressure on the quarterback from a variety Fronts
and players from 5 to 6 man blitzes. We will run
Cover Blue behind our 5 man blitzes and Cover
Red behind 6 man blitzes.
Defensively we should never be out hit or out
hustled.
THERE IS NO PUNTING ON DEFENSE!
OWN THE BALL.
BOLSA GRANDE
MATADORS
DEFENSIVE TERMINOLOGY
TERMINOLOGY
Alley – Run defender inside the Force
Axe – D-Line stunt by the Ace slanting inside B gap.
Bama – 3x1 check to the Boundary.
Bama Roll – Call by the Free Safety to roll the coverage into the boundary.
Blue- 2 read coverage where the out of #2 is handled by the corner.
BOE- Buck off Edge/same as MOE but for Buck.
Bronco – Front that sets the 3 Technique into the boundary
Bullets- Both ILB's blitzing.
Buzz – Call by the Spur or Wrangler telling the Corners they have help with the
stops and slant.
China- When a route by the #1 receiver is shorter than 5 yards (smash alert).
Cloud – Cover 2 Zone. 5 under 2 deep
Cop – Tells the Ace or End he has the TE Man to Man
COS- Change of strength.
Cover 0- Man to man, no man free.
Cover 2- In TCU's system, robber coverage where the out of 2 is still handled by the
corner (not traditional robber where the OLB/invert has the out of 2).
Cover 5- 2 deep squat 1/2's coverage, or what most of us are familiar with as cover
2.
Dogs – Group name representing the Inside Linebackers. Tells the Mustang and
Buck Linebackers they are blitzing
Even – Front that sets the Tackle and Nose in 2 technique
F.N.W. – Fill Where Needed. All playside gaps are covered and player is a free hitter.
Fiddle- 2 on 1 coverage.
Field – Initial call by the FS to align the secondary and Linebackers
Fifty- Tackle away from call (most of us call him the nose).
Fire- Call telling DE to rush one gap inside his alignment.
Flip- Corners over.
Florida – Robber coverage
Flo – Call by the Free Safety to roll the coverage back into the Field.
Fox – 3x1 check to the field. Play cover Florida.
INDIE - Solo- An "X" out concept against trips where the read side plays Blue
coverage to #1 and #2 while the read side LB has the short wall of #3 and the WS
has the long wall of #3.
TERMINOLOGY
Lion- Group name representing all Safeties .
Liz – Call by Mustang linebacker to set the 3 Technique to the left.
Lock – Call by the Wrangler telling Cowboy he is M/M on #1 and he is M/M on #2
Michigan - Cover 3 Buzz. Free Buzzes the Curl, Wrangler over the Top.
MOE- Mustang off Edge/edge blitz by MLB.
Odd – Front that sets both the Tackle and Nose in 3 techniques
Out – D-line movement that slants the Tackle and Nose into the B gap
Ozzy – 3x1 check. Special- An "X" out concept against trips where the read side corner is
man to man on the #1 receiver and the SS and FS play Blue coverage to the #2 and #3
receivers.
Peak- Long stick.
PEEL (Spy) - Call telling outside rusher to cover back man to man if he attempts to cross
his face .
Pinch – D-line movement that slants the Tackle and Nose into the A gap
Rip – Call by the Mustang linebacker to set the 3 technique to the right
Short – Call that designates direction for blitzes and stunts. Represents the boundary
Silver- DE's will cover RB man to man if he flares and take pitch on option.
Slant – Designates D-line technique
Slice- "quick to the curl".
Slide – Call by the safeties telling the Mustang and Buck to move one man over in the box
Smoke – Combo Blitz between a safety with the opposite side Inside LB. Ex. Spur with
Buck or Wrangler with Mustang.
Solo – Call by the Wrangler to Buck and Cowboy they are M/M on #1 and #2
Spread – Alert call that there is no TE
Squeeze – Colt (Field Corner) call to move the Spur into the Box on dead side TE.
Stallion – Front that sets the 3 Technique to the field
Strike – Blitz with the Safety and linebacker to his side. Ex. Spur with Mustang or
Wrangler and Buck.
Strong – Designates TE side of the Formations.
Switch- Call made by OSS when he cannot blitz (vs. detached #2), this call tells ILB to blitz
side to replace the safety in the blitz.
Texas – Cover 3 coverage. 3 Deep / 4 underneath zone coverage.
Tim- Tackle inside 1 gap.
Kansas – 3x1 coverage check.
Wall – Coverage responsibility telling the Lb not to let receiver across formation
Weak – Designates SE side of the Formation.
Wide - Call that designates direction for blitzes and stunts. Represents the Field.
BOLSA GRANDE
MATADORS
GENERAL INFORMATION
DEFENSIVE INDEX
STALLION = 6/5 3 1 6/5
BRONCO = 6/5 1 3 6/5
EVEN = 6/5 2 2 6/5
MATCH = Stallion or
Bronco
Wide Lion = Spur Go.
Wide Dog = Mustang Go.
Short Dog = Buck Go.
Cowboy = Cowboy Go
Bullets = Mustang & Buck.
Wide Strike, Zona = Spur and
Mustang.
Short Strike = Buck and
Wrangler Go.
Florida = Robber / Match
Michigan = Cover 2.
Texas = Cov 3, Spur Drop to
Curl to Flat
Utah = Cov. 4
Iowa = Cover 1
Oregon = Cover 0
Ozzy = 3x1 Outside Solo /
Blue Coverage by S & F on
#2 & #3.
Colt - Field Side Corner
Spur – Field Side OLB.
Ace – Field Side End
Tackle– 3 Tech Tackle
Flo = Roll back to Field
Bama = Roll to Boundary
Move = Tackles move from 3
to 1 or 1 to 3
FIRE= Up field charge by
Ace on Wide Lion and has
Peel responsibility and up
field charge by Rider on
Short Lion and has Peel
responsibility.
Mustang – Middle Backer
Nose – 1 Tech or Nose
Tackle
Buck - Boundary Side
Backer
Rider – Boundary Side End /
Outside Backer
Wrangler- Boundary Side
Safety
Cowboy- Boundary Side
Corner
Free- Field Side Safety
AXE = ACE Gap Exchanges
inside to “B” Gap.
SLAM= Ace takes C Gap.
TIM= Tackle gap exchanges
to A Gap with Mustang.
NAVY= Nose gap
exchanges to B Gap with
Buck.
RINGO Rider Gap
Exchanges to B Gap.
STALLION EX= A, T & N
gap exchange away from
Field or Strength Side.
BRONCO EX= N, T & R gap
exchange to the Field or
Strength Side.
STALLION SLANT= Stallion
alignment. Nose and Rider
gap exchange (cross face)
to field or strength side.
BRONCO SLANT= Bronco
alignment. Ace and Nose
gap exchange (cross face)
towards the short or
boundary side.
Menu/Playlist of coverages
and How we call it
COVERAGE
COLLEGE
NAME
COLOR
SIGNAL
ROBBER
FLORIDA
ORANGE
Strike a Match
HALVES (CLOUD)
2
MICHIGAN
YELLOW
Hand Taps on Chest
THREE DEEP (BUZZ)
3
TEXAS
BLACK
Hand Horns
QUARTERS
4
UTAH
RED
Hand Goalpost
5 MAN PRESSURE
1
IOWA
WHITE
Point to Eye
6 MAN PRESSURE
0
OREGON
GREEN
Hand Quack
When playing
MATCH
3 x1 CHECKS ADJUSTMENTS
OZZY
BAMA
Base
Check
3x1 Outside Solo/Inside Read
Colt Solo, Spur Curl/Flat, Roll the safeties to 3rds..
Cowboy Solo
COMMUNICATION
FLO
Roll back to Field Side
HANG
WS From Opposite Hash – #3 Vert. / Post
BUZZ OR SKY
Safety Curl to Flat
CLOUD
Safety over, Corners Flat
CLAMP
Vs. Tight Bunch Formation
BANJO
2 on 2 in Oregon Coverage
FIDDLE
2 on 1 in Oregon Coverage
FRONT
MATCH
STALLION
BRONCO
ODD
EVEN
OKIE
Palms Together, Opening & Closing (Mini Gator)
Horse Hand Held Up
Horse Hand Bucking up and Down
Three fingers right hand up
Two fingers both hands up
Fists on top of each other
STUNT
EXCHANGE
SLANT
AXE
TIM
NAVY
RINGO
NIKE
Right hand waved in front of face
Hand Touching Shoulder
Chop Axe
Point to Watch
Salute
Hand Down with Flicking Fingers
Hand Down pointing to Shoes
DIRECTION
WIDE
SHORT
Swipe Hand from Shoulder to Shoulder
Palm Down Waving
BLITZ
LION
DOG
BULLETS
SMOKE
STRIKE
COWBOY
Loser L
Closed Fist
Double hand guns
Hand Genie
Pound Palm of Hand
Tip hat
COVERAGE
FLORIDA
MICHIGAN
Striking a Match motion with Hands
Hand Taps on Chest
BOISE
Open and Close Palms Held together
TEXAS
Hand Horns “Hook em”
UTAH
Hand Goalpost to form a “U”
IOWA
Point to Eye
OREGON
Hand Quack
CALL SHEET
#
PR
FRONT
STUNT/GAME
BLITZ
COVERAGE
1
FIELD
STALLION
2
FIELD
BRONCO
EXCHANGE
CALL
3
FIELD
STALLION
SLANT
CALL
SLAM/AXE
4
5
LION
BRONCO
5
5
DOG
6
5
7
CALL
WIDE LION
TEXAS
BRONCO
WIDE DOG
TEXAS
STRIKE
STALLION
WIDE STRIKE
ZONA
6
BULLETS
BRONCO
NIKE
BULLETS
OREGON
8
6
BULLETS
BRONCO
MO
BULLETS
OREGON
9
6
BULLETS
EVEN
BULLETS
OREGON
10
MATCH
CALL
CALL
11
BOUNDARY
BRONCO
12
BOUNDARY
BRONCO
STEM
CALL
13
BOUNDARY
STALLION
EXCHANGE
CALL
14
BOUNDARY
BRONCO
SLANT
CALL
RINGO
15
5
COWBOY
STALLION
COWBOY
TEXAS
16
5
DOG
STALLION
SHORT DOG
TEXAS
17
6
STRIKE
BRONCO
FIRE
SHORT STRIKE
OREGON
18
6
BULLETS
STALLION
NIKE
BULLETS
OREGON
19
6
BULLETS
STALLION
BO
BULLETS
OREGON
BOLSA GRANDE
MATADORS
ALIGNMENT RULES
D-LINE
STRENGTH VS. SURFACES
DEFENSIVE GAPS AND SHADES
Q
D
C
B A
A B C
D
Q
S S
7 6 6i
5 4 4i
321
0
123
4i 4 5
6i 6 7
D-LINE MATCH
H
“LIZ”
FIELD
Y
A(6)
T(3)
M
S
N(1)
B
FIELD
R(5)
“RIP”
H
A
S
N(1)
M
A
S
T(3)
B
H
“LIZ”
FIELD
Y
R
T
M
N
B
FIELD
R
“LIZ”
H
W
S
Y
A
T
M
N
R
B
D–LINE SURFACES (Count from Center)
FIELD
2 MAN SURFACE
CO
2 MAN SURFACE
A T
M
S
N
B
R
CB
F
W
3 MAN SURFACE
Y
A
CO
S
3 MAN SURFACE
T
M
T
B
F
CB
4 MAN SURFACE
W
W
Y
S A
T
M
CO
F
W
Y
R
W
4 MAN SURFACE
5 MAN SURFACE
BENCH
T
Y
R W
B
CB
F
Y
S A
T
CO
M
F
BOLSA GRANDE
MATADORS
ALIGNMENT RULES
DB ATTACK GROUPS
FIELD AND BOUNDARY “SURFACES”
FIELD
FIELD SIDE RECIEVER SURFACES
COLT: 7x2 – Zone / “Protect the Post
and Fade”
BENCH
1 MAN SURFACE - NBAMA ROLLOLL” CALL
SPUR: 3 x 7 – “#1 to Flat”
A T
MUSTANG: Gap Align – Work over “#3
to the Hook”
FREE: “#2 Vertical to Curl / Zone up” backside drag on boot / Post
COLT: 7x2 – Zone / “Protect the Post
and Fade”
S
M
CO
F
1 MAN SURFACE – “ROLL” CALL
SPUR: 3 x 7 – “#1 to Flat”
MUSTANG: Work over “#2 to the
Hook”
FREE: Work to Boundary Hash: “#3
Vertical / Zone up” - backside drag on
boot / Post
COLT: 7x2 – “Protect the Post / Wheel
by #2”
A T
M
S
CO
F
2 MAN SURFACE
SPUR: 3x7 – “#1 to Flat / #3 Wheel”
A
MUSTANG: Gap align – “#3 to the
Hook”
FREE: 10x2 on #2 – “#2 Vertical / Curl
to Post
COLT: 7x2 – “Protect the Post / Wheel
T
M
S
CO
F
2 MAN SURFACE
by #2”
SPUR: 4 x 1 inside: “#1 to Flat / #3
A T
M
Wheel”
MUSTANG: Gap Align: “#3 to the Hook”
FREE: 10x2 on #2 – “#2 Vertical / Curl
to Post”
S
CO
F
FIELD
FIRE TEAM FIELD SIDE RECIEVER SURFACES
COLT: 7x2 – “Protect the Post / Wheel by
#2”
SPUR: 4 x 1 inside – “#1 to Flat / #3
Wheel”
MUSTANG: Gap align – “#3 to the Hook”
3 MAN SURFACE - TREY
A
FREE: 10x2 on #2 – “#2 Vertical / Curl to
Post”
WRANGLER: Hash – “#3 Vertical to Post”
COLT: 7x2 – “Protect the Post / Wheel by
BENCH
T
M
S
N
CO
F
W
3 MAN SURFACE – TRIPS
#2”
SPUR: 4 x 1 inside: “#1 to Flat / #3 Wheel”
MUSTANG: Split Align: “#3 to the Hook”
A T
FREE: 10x2 on #2 – “#2 Vertical / Curl to
Post”
WRANGLER: Hash - #3 Vertical to Post
S
M
CO
F
COLT: 7x2 – “Solo”
W
3 MAN SURFACE – OZZY VS. TREY
SPUR: 4 x 1 inside – “#2 Vertical / #2
or #3 to the flat”
A
FREE: 10x2 on #3 – “#3 Vertical to #2”
S
MUSTANG: Gap align – “Wall #3 to the
Hook”
N
CO
F
WRANGLER- work burn side
COLT: 7x2 – “Solo”
T
M
W
3 MAN SURFACE – OZZY VS. TRIPS
SPUR: 4 x 1 inside – “#2 Vertical / #2
or #3 to the flat”
A T
M
FREE: 10x2 on #3 – “#3 Vertical to #2”
S
MUSTANG: Split align – “Wall #3 to the
Hook”
WRANGLER – work burn side
CO
F
W
FIELD
BURN TEAM BOUNDARY SIDE RECIEVER SURFACES
BENCH
1 MAN SURFACE - SOLO
COWBOY: 7x2 – “Solo”
BUCK: Gap / Cap Align – “Solo #2”
N
WRANGLER: Hash – “#3 Vertical /
R
B
Post”
W
CB
2 MAN SURFACE - SKY
COWBOY – 7x2“Protect the Post / Fade”
BUCK – “Read #2 to Curl / Flat – (#3
T
B
Wheel)”
WRANGLER – “#2 Vertical / Flat””
R
W
CB
2 MAN SURFACE - SKY
COWBOY: 7x2 – “Read #2 to Flat”
BUCK: Split Align – #2 to Curl / #3 Flat”
N
WRANGLER: 9x1 on #2 – “#2 Vertical to
R
B
Fade”
W
COWBOY: 7x2 – “Solo”
CB
3 MAN SURFACE - BAMA ROLL
BUCK: Gap / Split Align – “Wall #3”
WRANGLER: 4 x 1 – “#2 Vertical / #2 or #
3 to the flat”
T
FREE: Roll inside boundary hash- “#3
R
B
W
Vertical”
F
COWBOY: 7x2 – “Solo”
3 MAN SURFACE - BAMA ROLL
CB
BUCK: Gap / Split Align – “Wall #3”
WRANGLER: 4 x 1 – “#2 Vertical / #2 or #
N
3 to the flat”
FREE: Roll inside boundary hash- “#3
Vertical”
R
B
F
W
CB
BOLSA GRANDE
MATADORS
OFFENSE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBERING RECEIVERS
NUMBERING ELIGIBLE RECEIVERS
Widest Receiver on a side of the ball is #1.
The second Widest is #2, etc. etc.
#3
#1
#2
#2
#1
#1
#2
#2
#1
#3
#3
#1
#2
#2
#1
NUMBERING ELIGIBLE RECEIVERS
#2
#3 #2
#1
#1
#1
#1
#1
#2
#3
#2
#1
#2
#3
#2
#1
#2
#3
#2
#1
NUMBERING ELIGIBLE RECEIVERS
#2
#3 #2
#1
#1
#1
#1
#1
#2
#3
#2
#1
#2
#3
#2
#1
#2
#3
#2
#1
NUMBERING ELIGIBLE RECEIVERS
#3 #2
#1
#3 #2
#1
#2 #1
#2
#1
#1
#3 #2 #2 #3
#2#3
#2
#2
#2
#1
#3#2
#1
#2
#3
#1
#3
#2
#1
BOLSA GRANDE
MATADORS
FRONT 6 PLAY
ATTACK GROUP ONE:
“THE BOX”
PONY LINE GAMES
AX
ACE FROM 6 TECH, GAP EXCHANGE
TO B GAP
Y
A
SLAM
A- PENITRATE C GAP. MAY BE USED
ON WIDE LION, STRIKE OR SMOKE
BLITZES. ALSO ON SHORT YARDAGE
AND GOAL LINE.
FIRE
ACE / RIDER- GAP EXCHANGE WITH
SPUR / WRANGLER TO D GAP.
USED ON WIDE / SHORT LION
BLITZ. HAS COVERAGE
RESPONSIBILITY (PEEL) ON
RUNNING BACK FLAT OR SWING
ROUTE.
T
N
R
T
N
R
T
N
R
T
N
R
T
N
R
Y
A
Y
A
TIM
3 TECH, GAP EXCHANGE TO A GAP
Y
A
NAVY
1 TECH, GAP EXCHANGE TO B GAP
Y
A
PONY LINE GAMES
NIKE
1 TECH, CROSSFACE GAP
EXCHANGE TO OPPOSITE A GAP
Y
A
RINGO
5 TECH, GAP EXCHANGE TO B GAP.
MAY BE USED ON SHORT LION,
STRIKE OR SMOKE BLITZES
T
BRONCO - EX
BRONCO ALIGNMENT.
T AND N GAP EXCHANGE (CROSS
FACE) TOWARDS THE FIELD OR
STRENGTH SIDE.
STALLION - SLANT
STALLION ALIGNMENT. NOSE AND
RIDER GAP EXCHANGE (CROSS
FACE) TO FIELD OR STRENGTH
SIDE.
R
Y
A
STALLION - EX
STALLION ALIGNMENT. ACE,
TACKLE AND NOSE GAP EXCHANGE
(CROSS FACE) AWAY FROM FIELD
OR STRENGTH SIDE. NOTE ACE
CHEAT FROM 6 TECH.
N
N
T
R
Y
A
T
N
R
Y
A
N
T
R
Y
A
T
N
R
PONY LINE GAMES
BRONCO - SLANT
BRONCO ALIGNMENT.
ACE AND NOSE GAP EXCHANGE
(CROSS FACE) TOWARDS THE
SHORT OR BOUNDARY SIDE.
EVEN PINCH
TACKLE AND NOSE ALIGN HEAD UP
ON GUARDS AND PENETRATES TO
THEIR INSIDE A GAP. USED ON
SHORT YARDAGE AND GOAL LINE.
NOTE: ACE ON SLAM TECH.
EVEN WIDE
TACKLE AND NOSE ALIGN HEAD UP
ON GUARDS AND PENETRATES TO
WIDE OR FIELD SIDE OF THE FIELD
Y
A
EVEN OUT
TACKLE AND NOSE ALIGN HEAD UP
ON GUARDS AND PENETRATES TO
THE OUTSIDE SHOULDERS OF THE
OFFENSIVE GUARDS.
T
R
T
N
R
T
N
R
T
N
R
Y
A
Y
A
EVEN SHORT
TACKLE AND NOSE ALIGN HEAD UP
ON GUARDS AND PENETRATES TO
SHORT OR BOUNDARY SIDE OF THE
FIELD.
N
Y
A
Y
A
T
N
R
PONY LINE GAMES
STALLION - TEXT
STALLION ALIGNMENT. 3 AND 1
TECHS GO FIRST AND RUB BY
OFFENSIVE TACKLES. ANCHOR AND
RIDER JAB STEP AND THEN LOOP
BEHIND TACKLES.
BRONCO - ECHO
BRONCO ALIGNMENT.
A AND R GO FIRST AND RUB BY
OFFENSIVE GUARDS. TACKLE AND
NOSE JAB STEP AND THEN LOOP
BEHIND ENDS.
EVEN TEXT
EVEN ALIGNMENT. 3 AND 1 TECHS
GO FIRST AND RUB BY OFFENSIVE
TACKLES. ANCHOR AND RIDER JAB
STEP AND THEN LOOP BEHIND
TACKLES.
EVEN ECHO
EVEN ALIGNMENT.
A AND R GO FIRST AND RUB BY
OFFENSIVE GUARDS. TACKLE AND
NOSE JAB STEP AND THEN LOOP
BEHIND ENDS.
Y
A
T
N
R
Y
A
N
T
R
Y
A
T
N
R
T
N
R
Y
A
Y
A
T
N
R
BLITZ PACKAGES
Y
5
A
S
5
T
M
N
B
R
W
STALLION
Y
A
S
5
T
M
N
B
R
S
N
M
T
B
BRONCO
R
A
S
6
T
M
N
B
R
C
Y
A
S
6
T
M
N
B
R
S
6
N
M
T
B
R
W
Y
A
S
T
M
N
B
SHORT DOG
STALLION,
RINGO
COWBOY
R
W
TEXAS
BLACK
TEXAS
BLACK
TEXAS
BLACK
TEXAS
BLACK
OREGON
BRONCO, EVEN,
NIKE, BO, MO
BULLETS
BRONCO,
AXE
WIDE
STRIKE
ZONA
STALLION
SHORT
STRIKE
OREGON
W
Y
A
WIDE DOG
W
Y
5
WIDE LION
W
Y
A
STALLION,
AXE
GREEN
RED
GREEN
BOLSA GRANDE
MATADORS
TEAM PURSUIT
CONE DRILL
RELENTLESS EFFORT
Attack Drill (Pursuit)
Ball goes WIDE TO the
Call Side (aka the FIRE Side)
2
0
2
0
MOF
B
M
S
5
R
BURN SIDE
N
T
A
FIRE SIDE
Co
5
1
0
Cw
1
0
1
5
1
5
F
Wr
Attack Drill (Pursuit)
Ball goes WIDE AWAY FROM
the Call Side (aka the FIRE Side)
2
0
2
0
MOF
B
M
S
5
R
BURN SIDE
N
T
A
FIRE SIDE
Co
5
1
0
Cw
1
0
1
5
1
5
F
Wr
Attack Drill (Pursuit)
Ball goes WIDE AWAY FROM
the Call Side (aka the FIRE Side)
2
0
2
0
MOF
1
5
1
5
1
0
1
0
F
Wr
S
Co
B
M
5
Cw
5
A T
FIRE SIDE
N
R
BURN SIDE
Attack Drill (Pursuit)
Ball goes WIDE TO the
Call Side (aka the FIRE Side)
2
0
2
0
MOF
1
5
1
5
F
1
0
1
0
Wr
S
M
Co
B
5
Cw
5
AT
FIRE SIDE
N
R
BURN SIDE
BOLSA GRANDE
MATADORS
PASS COVERAGES AND CHECKS
ATTACK GROUPS 2 AND 3
“FIRE TEAM” AND
“BURN TEAM”
2 DEEP ZONE
F
SWING
Z
H
SWING
X
Y
FLAT ZONE
OUT
STRONG
CURL
WEAK
HOOK
HOLE
HOOK
OUT
FLAT ZONE
CURL
FADE
FADE
STRONG DEEP 1/2
WEAK DEEP 1/2
3 DEEP ZONE
F
SWING
Z
H
SWING
X
Y
FLAT ZONE
OUT
STRONG
CURL
STRONG DEEP
OUTSIDE 1/3
HOOK
HOLE
SEAM
MIDDLE DEEP 1/3
(POST)
WEAK
HOOK
SEAM
CURL
OUT
FLAT ZONE
WEAK DEEP
OUTSIDE 1/3
4 DEEP, 4 UNDER ZONE
H
F
SWING
Z
SWING
X
Y
FLAT ZONE
FLAT ZONE
OUTSIDE 1/4
CURL
STRONG
HOOK
CURL
WEAK
HOOK
INSIDE 1/4
INSIDE 1/4
OUT
OUT
HOLE
OUTSIDE 1/4
COVERAGES
Field / Formation Coverage – Match
All Man to Man Coverage's Are Colors
All Zone Coverage’s Are Names
Zone Concepts
1.
2.
3.
4.
Match Zone Rules
Florida Rules
Cloud Rules
3x1 Checks
•
•
•
•
Ozzy
Kansas
Texas
INDIE
We are a pattern read defense. Our base coverage
is a robber coverage. We will run zone principles
with an infusion of man principles. Our underneath
zone players will drop to a receiver 1, 2 or 3 and
then protect their zone.
Zone Coverage Concepts
• Match Coverage
• Match tells the secondary that we are going to match our
coverage based on the offensive formation.
• We will use Cover 4, 2 and a 3 x 1 check Ozzy
• The offensive formation is split into two parts from the
center.
• Field Side
• Boundary Side
“FIRE” (field) ATTACK GROUP
 COLT / CO – Field Corner
 S – SPUR
 F – FREE SAFETY
 M – MUSTANG LINEBACKER
“BURN” (boundary) GROUP
 COWBOY / CB – Boundary Corner
 W – WRANGLER
 B – BUCK LINEBACKER
PONY COVERAGES
UTAH
(QUARTERS)
COLT: 5x2 – “Bail ¼ ”
SPUR: 5x2 – “Re-Route 2, Sink Curl/Flat”
FREE: 12x2 on #2 – “Middle 1/4 ”
MUSTANG: Gap align – “Wall #3 to
Hook”
A T
M
S
N
B
COWBOY: 5x2 – “Bail ¼”
WRANGLER: 12x2 on #2 – Middle ¼”
BUCK: Gap Align – “#2 to Hook / Curl”
R
CO
CB
F
COLT: 7x2 – “Deep Outside 1/3”
SPUR: 3x7 – “#1 Flat”
FREE: 10x2 on #3 – “Deep Middle 1/3”
W
TEXAS
(COVER 3)
COWBOY: 7x2 – “Protect the Post / Fade”
WRANGLER: 10x1 – “#1 to Flat / 2 Wheel”
BUCK: Gap Align – “#3 to Hook”
MUSTANG: Gap align – “#2 to the Curl”
A N
T R
M
B
S
CO
CB
F
W
PONY COVERAGES
FLORIDA (MATCH)
A T
M
S
N
B
R
CO
CB
F
COLT: 5x2 – “Squat”
SPUR: 5x2 – “Read Curl”
FREE: 12x2 on #2 – “Deep 1/2 ”
MUSTANG: Gap align – “Wall #3 to
Hook”
S
W
5x2 – “Squat”
MICHIGAN COWBOY:
WRANGLER: 12x2 on #2 – Deep 1/2”
(CLOUD cover 2)
BUCK: Gap Align – “#2 to Hook / Curl”
A T
M
N
B
R
CO
CB
F
W
PONY COVERAGES; 3 x 1 CHECKS
COLT: 7x2 – “Solo”
SPUR: 3x7 – “#2 Vertical / #2 or #3 to the flat”
OZZY
COWBOY: 7x2 – “Protect the Post / Fade”
WRANGLER: 10x1 – “#1 to Flat / 2 Wheel”
FREE: 10x2 on #3 – “#3 Vertical to #2”
BUCK: Gap Align – “#2 to Hook / Curl”
MUSTANG: Gap align – “Wall #3 to the Hook”
A N
T R
M
B
S
CO
CB
F
COLT: 5x2 – “Solo”
SPUR: 5x2 – “Curl/Flat”
FREE: 12x2 on #2 – “Deep 1/3 outside ”
MUSTANG: Gap align – “Wall #3 to
Hook”
W
BAMA
A
M
S
N
BUCK : Gap align – Solo “Hug RB”
WRANGLER: 12 Bama Roll - #3
Vertical to Post
COWBOY: 7x2 – “Solo”
T R
B
CO
CB
F
W
Match Coverage Rules
Match Coverage Splits the offensive formation at
the center. All checks are based upon the surface #
of receivers.
There are only 3 possible surfaces (not counting
Quads)
1.One man surface
2.Two man Surface
3.Three man Surface
There are only 3 possible surfaces (not counting
Quads)
1.One man surface
2.Two man Surface
3.Three man Surface
Boundary Side Surface Checks:
•1 Man Surface – Buzz
•2 Man Surface – Cloud
•3 Man Surface – Bama Roll
Match Coverage (Matches Surface with 3x1 check)
Only 3x1 check is called in huddle.
Field side
1 man surface: Bama Roll / Buzz check
2 man surface: Play Florida
3 man surface: play 3x1 Check
Boundary side
1 man surface: Buzz Check
2 man surface: Play Boise
3 man Surface: Bama Roll / Play 3x1 Check
FIELD
BAMA (ROLL)
BUZZ SINGLE
3X1 OZZY CHECK
A
N
T
S
M
FLORIDA
CLOUD
A
R
B
CB
CO
CB
F
3X1 OZZY CHECK
S
BUZZ
CO
N R
B
W
W
FLORIDA
READ
A T
S
CB
N R
B
M
CO
CB
F
F
FLORIDA (NO BAMA)
S
N R
B
M
F
A T
M
T
S
W
CO
BENCH
A T
M
READ
CO
TEXAS
BUZZ
A
N R
B
W
S
N
M
T
R
B
W
CB
CB
F
W
CO
F
MATCH COVERAGE CHECKS
FIELD SIDE
BOUNDARY SIDE
1 Man Surface
(No Bama)
FLORIDA
(ROBBER)
1 Man Surface
(Bama Roll)
TEXAS
(BUZZ)
1 Man Surface
(No Bama)
TEXAS
(BUZZ)
WRANGLER FLAT
SPUR FLAT
2 Man Surface
FLORIDA
(ROBBER)
2 Man Surface
MICHIGAN
(CLOUD)
3 Man Surface
OZZY
Spur/FS Read
(COLT SOLO)
3 Man Surface
(Bama Roll)
OZZY
FS/Wrangler Read
(COWBOY SOLO)
COVERAGES
COVER 0
COVER 2
COMBOS
OREGON
(0 Man)
MICHIGAN
(CLOUD)
5
2
5
3
5
4
COLT / COWBOY FLAT
COVER 3
TEXAS
(BUZZ)
SPUR / Wrangler FLAT
COVER 4
UTAH
QUARTERS
Robber Coverage Notes
The biggest technique issues are for the safeties: SPUR SAFETY (Flat
player) and FREE SAFETY (Robber).
VS Twin WR's
SPUR
Drop back and break to the flat if #2 releases outside. If number two
release vertical past 8 yards, drop to flat and get under #1 and check if
there is a back out (#3). If number #2 Releases inside get under #1 now
and be aware of #3.
FREE
#2 Release vertical, get in slow back pedal, if he passes 8 yards you have
him man to man.
#2 Release inside, remain flat footed and read the depth of the release.
If he releases under the linebackers, Rob under #1. If he release
above the LB's cut off and cover him now (think Play Action
Pass/Boot).
#2 Releases out-side. The eyes flash to #1. The key is to read the feet of
the #1 WR. Most of the time one of three things will occur.
1. WR will buzz feet. FREE SAFETY Should Rob curl to dig NOW.
2. WR will plant and drive at 45. FREE SAFETY Should roll into a position
to cutoff the post.
3. WR Continues vertical. This is different from other peoples idea. The
FREE SAFETY should flash his eyes to the QB and now "ROB" his eyes.
Break on the ball. If the ball is thrown to the other side, break across
the middle. The FREE SAFETY can't help the Corner when #1 releases
vertical.
Robber Coverage Notes – CONT.
DEFENDING TIGHT BUNCH FORMATIONS
Bunch formations cause problems for defenses that are not prepared for them.
When receivers reduce their splits in respect to one another it usually means that
some time of pick or exchange route is about to occur. The split reduction is
problematic for the defense for multiple reasons. First, you can't run press-man on
both WR's. Alignment won't allow you to. Also, to run straight man against reduced
splits is suicide. The offense will pick you off and open-up a WR to the inside or
outside. Because of this threat, defenses have to stay in pure-zone or combo-man
coverage.
The blitzology blog had a recent post to deal with these types of sets. The coverage
techniques that are explained are excellent and identical to what I would do versus
those particular sets. Especially the coverage that is explained about wide bunch. In
4-2-5 terminology we call this coverage "TRIO" and man the SS on the #2 WR and
play blue coverage on the #1 and #3 WR's with the corner and free-safety.
However, versus tight-bunch formations this coverage adjustment is not as sound.
The tight-bunch formation is displayed below:
This formation can be used to attack you with the pass just as easily as the run. The
formation is very similar to a formation with a TE and two wing backs to the same
side. So the first priority to defending this set is to align the defense in a way that
prevents it from letting the ball get to outside. If you play normal "trio" coverage
versus tight-bunch formations, you are not going to have a player in a position to
force the ball inside. This concept is paramount versus this formation, because it is so
easy for the offense to wall-off the interior players.
3-WAY COVERAGE
The adjustment of choice is "3-way". (This is a different use of the term 3-way then
what I discussed in a previous post in respect to what Buddy Ryan called 3-way ). 3way coverage seeks to allow for combo man principals to be in place, while at the
same time establishing a force player to leverage the ball back inside. 3-way
alignment looks like this.
This alignment puts the defense in a good position to play the run or the pass.
Robber Coverage Notes – CONT.
VERSUS THE RUN
Versus the run 3-way places the SS in a position to force the ball inside. The corner is
assigned play-pass responsibility, and the FS is a flat-foot read player that plays the
alley aggressively. The backer is cheated over to help on the outside running plays.
The end also solidifies the integrity of the defense by forcing one of the bunch WR's
to block him on an outside run. The defense has 4 immediate players to defend the
run against the 3 WR's the offense has to block. The offense has to leave one player
unblocked on any outside running play. (The other possibilities are option (not a big
problem, because the SS is in position to play the pitch) and the chance that the OT
can scoop the backer. If this happens coverage adjustments are the least of your
worries.)
If the Z WR blocks out on the SS, then the offense is in a lose-lose situation. They
have to decide which player they want to team-off on. Either the FS or backer is
going to be cut loose.
VERSUS THE PASS
Against the pass the rules are easy. SS has the first man to the flat, if no attacks it, he
sinks under the first WR outside. The Corner has the first deep route outside, he is
going to pedal on the pass and read the WR's. The FS has the first man deep inside,
his technique is essentially the same as the corners. If a deep receiver does not show
in or out, then they play a "zone it" technique and help their partner. The diagrams
that follow are examples of how the coverage will work versus various route
combinations.
3-way coverages is simple to execute because it works off other coverage principals
that are part of the 4-2-5 Defense. Other defenses can integrate this coverage into
their schemes. The number one concern with implementing this coverage, is the
ability of the force player (SS). This player needs to be strong enough to force the ball
inside and agile enough to run with a wheel route.