63 Defense A Winning Youth Defense

63 Defense

63 Defense
A Winning Youth Defense

Coach Jack Gregory

www.gregorydoublewing.com
Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 1

63 Defense
Table of Contents
Introduction…page 3
Acknowledgement…page 5
Dedication…page 6
Chapter 1 – Basic Structure & Theory…page 7
Chapter 2 – Basic Training…page 40
Chapter 3 – Defensive Fundamentals…page 58
Chapter 4 – Red & Red Spread Call…page 83
Chapter 5 – Corner Back Advanced Calls...page 100
Chapter 6 – Mike Advanced Calls…page 108
Chapter 7 – Nose Tackle Calls…page 115
Chapter 8 – Front Six Advanced Calls…page 121
Chapter 9 – Secondary Advanced Calls…page 125
Chapter 10 – Defensive End Advanced Calls…127
Chapter 11 – Dealing with Common Youth Offenses…128
Chapter 12 – Practice Structure and Organization…137
Appendix I – Table of Calls…141
Appendix II – Installation of Defense…144
Appendix III – Table of Basic Defensive Practice Schedule…145
Appendix IV – Defensive Scouting Sheet…149
Appendix V – 63 Defense Pictures…151
Appendix VI – Contact information…155
Appendix VII – Resource Websites…156
Appendix VIII – Other Items by Coach Jack Gregory…157

63 Defense
Introduction
After creating two separate 63 playbooks for two completely different teams on how to
run the 63 defense and spending a few seasons gathering my thoughts on how I would
run this over those multiple seasons to include teaching it and allowing it to progress I
figured I might need to write a relevant source document on it. In this book is exactly
how and why I run this defense. It includes how I teach it and why I teach the
techniques that I do. I have garnered a lot of knowledge for other coaches that I speak
to, write to, and listen to so not all of these originate from me but really are a
conglomeration of ideas from various coaches over time that I mixed to and utilized to
make my defense what it is. I hope you find it useful and can benefit from it as I have.
The defense is designed to place maximum pressure on the offense while at the same
time teaching fundamentals that are essential to developing young football players. The
goal of any defense is to stop the offense from scoring and forcing the opposing team to
turn the ball over. I began running the 63 defense in 2003 and based it on John T.
Reed’s Gap Air Mirror (GAM) defense, Clark Wilkin’s DC46, and some of the concepts
from John Carbon’s 62 Shooter along with some other concepts like the zone defense
and the Tampa Cover 2 and inverted zone concepts. The 63 at that time was a read
and flow defense that used compression techniques on the interior line and crash
techniques at the end positions to cause pressure in the backfield while the linebackers
flowed to the ball with zone coverage behind it for improved run support and deep pass
coverage. It was a very good defense for me but it still didn’t provide a great deal of
pressure when I needed it to because it was essentially a read-and-react (flow) defense
with pressure on the line of scrimmage. In 2005 JJ Lawson’s and Kevin Thurman
started a real good discussion on the 33 Stack and after breaking down what they were
doing with the 33 Stack I decided that I could use elements of the stack within the 63
specifically the pressure concepts they created using their tap-n-go system of blitzing.
Essentially it allowed me to run two base calls; compress, the classic read and react
defense I was already running, and the stack call using two three-man stacks that apply
serious pressure along the line of scrimmage. It really took me up to this point to get all
the concepts to flow and work in way that would be effective and I could fully explain
how they worked within a complete system. This has been a work in progress for a very
long time but I think this the most complete text on the 63 defense as I run it. One of
the benefits of having a forum like the Double Wing Forum and DC’s Youth Football
Forum is you can bounce ideas off of fellow coaches and come up with solid resolutions
to very difficult problems when designing a complete defensive system.
The main goal of this text is to give you a complete picture of how the 63 defense that I
run works and how to coach it. The book is broken into four main parts; basic structure
and principles, position specific coaching, and advanced calls that modify the structure.
Along with these four sections I have included additional sections that well further
enhance your learning and coaching of the 63 and defense in general at the youth level.
Let me say right from the beginning that it doesn’t matter what type of defense you run if
you are not fundamentally sound you will fail. Football is a combat sport it requires
players to hit other players at full speed and be willing to take a hit. It requires attitude
and aggressiveness and these traits are not the social norm for our children any longer.
This game is predicated on violence and being able to respond and react to what is
occurring while playing within that violence. This requires confidence and confidence

63 Defense
leads to aggression and aggression leads to speed and this all leads to success on the
field. Often you hear the phrase the “speed of the game” that is what everyone is talking
about when they make this statement. This is not an easy thing for most kids to adapt
to as violent contact is normally avoided at all costs by normal people. Aggressive
behavior stems from confidence and confidence stems from knowing what to do and
allowing players to become instinctive. The truth of the matter is in order for your
defense to be sound and be effective you need to make sure every kid can tackle and
pursue well allowing them to be confident as they attack the ball. Defense is all about
position, reaction, pursuit, and tackling and this defense is deeply rooted in that belief.
Every kid on the defense should have a desire to make contact and have an aggressive
attitude. Further developing that attitude into a desire to seek the ball carrier out and kill
the ball’s ability to move need to be further developed. Above all else defensive football
is about instinct, aggressiveness, and reaction so your schemes should be designed to
enhance your player’s ability to utilize all of those to stop your opponent’s offense.

63 Defense
Acknowledgement
I would like to acknowledge the people that have made me a better person and a better
coach. Without their inspiration, guidance, friendship and understanding I would not be
the person I am today.
Blake Alan Gregory

Clark Wilkins
Darrin Fisher
Derek Wade
Greg Thomas
Jack Gregory Sr.
Jason Mensing
Jeff Copeland
JJ Lawson
Kaden Blair Gregory
Kathy Ramsey
Kenny Mead
Lyn Thomas
Rose Charland
Tammy Gregory
Tim Murphy
Wanda Orbaugh
All the coaches from the Double Wing Forum

All the coaches from the DumCoach forum
The coaching staff from Prince of Peace
I would also like to thank Kimberly Lye for editing and proofing this book as well as the
Youth Double Wing. She also did a fantastic job on both covers and her hard work
makes this book that much better. She has been a huge help making sure the book is
clean and reads well and without her assistance these books would just be the rambling
thoughts of a coach.

63 Defense
Dedication
To my family which has grown to four with the addition of Blake Alan Gregory this past
year. They are the entire world to me and every day I wake up and see them is a great
day.

63 Defense
Chapter 1: Basic Structure & Theory

63 DEFENSE TERMS
These are terms you will see throughout the book and some of them are not classical
definitions but the way I use the term within my system and understanding them will help
you to better understand how the defense works.
Compress: A defensive line technique that has the lineman get off the snap and get into
the blocker and attempt to displace him or get behind him so that the defender’s heels
replace the blocker’s heels and there by compressing the line of scrimmage and force
the ball to spill outside. In the STACK call we get behind the blockers and in the RED
call he moves him back.
Hunting (Hunter): This is a technique of having a defender widen out far enough to not
be blocked by a interior blocker or offensive end man on/near the line of scrimmage
(EMLOS) and then aim the hips, belt buckle, and feet (tilted inside) at the near hip of the
deepest back or nearest back (in that order) and attack him at the snap of the ball and
stay on that outside edge of that near hip as he gets to him. This literally has the
defensive end tracking the near hip so he stays in front of it. If he encounters a lead
blocker then cross his face aggressively while ripping through the outside arm pit with
his inside arm to stay on that near hip of the ball carrier.
Feathering: This is when the near side OLB or a DEFENSIVE END is playing the sweep
or a perimeter play and must maintain outside leverage (hips square to the LOS) on the
read player and force him to string the perimeter play out towards the boundary (going
east-west). The OLB must keep his hips square to the LOS and keep his inside
shoulder tight and to the outside of the ball carrier. Used when we call RED (READ) for
the OLB and when a DEFENSIVE END is facing a fast running back that is beating him
to the C gap.
Spill: Force the ball to go wide to the boundary by filling all the interior gaps on the
inside. Individually it means having the ball go away from the LOS and go to the outside
of the outside shoulder of the defender. Often this is done by crashing or placing
immediate pressure inside filling the interior gaps or compressing the LOS. This is a
technique we use for our perimeter defense concept and specifically with our defensive
ends.
Squeeze: Force the ball to stay inside and not allow the ball to go outside towards the
boundary. Individually it means keeping the ball on the inside shoulder and forcing the
ball to cut back inside or backside. Often this occurs when the defensive end gets inside
quickly and does not allow the runner to spill forcing the runner to cut and run inside (into
our interior defender) or backside into our backside pursuit (BSDE). This technique is
used by the contain (play side) corner and by the RED play side (feathering) OLB.
Perimeter concept (SHOOT THE SIDELINES): this is the concept I use to force the ball
to stay east-west and deny it the ability to go north-south and drive the ball to the
boundary or kill it in the back field. There are several terms tied to this concept:

63 Defense
Alley: This is the location from the offensive EMLOS and the near boundary.
The defense, once they determine run to the alley (outside), must squeeze the
size of the alley down as much as possible from the inside out as they force the
runner to run east-west. The alley defender is the near OLB and his job is to
maintain outside leverage as well as mirror and attack the ball aggressively. His
job is to pin the ball behind the LOS and force it to run to the boundary or back
inside to the shoot defenders and pursuit. He is the first line of defense inside
the alley when we call RED. Otherwise the OLB is attacking the A, B, or C gaps.
Bounce: This is the backside OLB (in RED) once he determines there is no
threat of BCR (BOOTLEG COUNTER REVERSE) he must relocate to the play
side C gap at an intermediate depth angle to further drive the runner to the
boundary and not allow him to cut back as MIKE and alley OLB flow with the ball.
He must cross-key and check for Bootleg/Counter/Reverse prior to bouncing.
The bounce is the second line of defense inside the alley and we expect his
delay as he reads and that allows him to come into the play side C gap and kill
the cutback as he does.
Cap: The backside corner takes his three step pass drop and once he
determines there is not threat of BCR he must relocate to the play side at a deep
angle of about 30 yards (end zone line in near the end zone) to ensure that the
runner has no chance to score. He must check for Bootleg/Counter/Reverse
prior to capping and he should slow play the cap as first to verify BCR and no
throw back. This defender must cap the top of the alley to reduce the chance of
an easy score. He is the final line of defense on top of the alley or essentially the
safety.
Contain: Play side/near side corner after he takes his three step pass drop and
confirms a run to the near perimeter he immediately closes on the line of
scrimmage staying on the outside edge of the runner and attempts to contain the
runner behind the LOS and towards the boundary. His job is to contain the ball
behind or as near to the line of scrimmage as possible. The job of the contain
defender to is to squeeze the alley from the outside to the boundary.
Force: This is the defensive ends on both sides of the ball. Their job is to force
the ball to immediately turn inside or go deep around the force towards the
boundary so the ball can be killed in the backfield. The force defender aligns on
the inside of the alley and his job is to attempt to not allow the ball into the alley
or for it to have to go away from the LOS to get to the alley. Force the ball to
react immediately to pressure and not allow easy access to the alley at all. This
is our Hunting technique.
Shoot: This is the MIKE linebacker and his job, once he determines the
perimeter play, is to attack the ball from inside out downhill and kill the ball as
fast as possible and hopefully behind the line of scrimmage as it runs east-west.
His job is to shoot into the alley and kill the play. Mike must stay on track to the
inside hip of the runner.
Bite the Pit: This is simply a term to reinforce the safe and proper way to execute
a tackle. Literally bite the ball side arm pit; meaning you have to get your head
and eyes up and your mouth into the arm pit which will in turn force you to lower

63 Defense
your hips, drop your butt, bend your knees, and get you in the proper hitting
position. We use the LOAD, EXPLODE, GO concept with tackling. Load your
body, explode into the ball carrier, and go through the ball carrier. Bite the pit
reinforces all of that.
Field and Boundary Sides
Field: This is the wide side of the field or the side with more horizontal space for
the ball to maneuver in. The field side is always our DANGER SIDE. Mike will
call DANGER so that the entire defense is alerted to which side is field and which
side is boundary. If we are in the middle of the field then MIKE will call DANGER
SIDE to the opponent’s side line.
Boundary Side: This is the short side of the field and the ball has less horizontal
or lateral space to maneuver in and thus it is much easier to control the ball.
Bear in mind that the ball will often go NORTH-SOUTH or cut back much faster
on the boundary side and thus another reason why we keep our better players on
the field side so that we can account for the quick north-south or cut back move
via backside pursuit as we squeeze down from the field side.
Window: A Window is any open space on the LOS that is not covered by a defensive
lineman. A window is any open space between a defensive linemen and the sideline. It
is simply an open space on the LOS that a linebacker or any defender can get into and
into the backfield to make a play. Pre-snap the linebacker should look for windows
along the LOS and post-snap he should then locate those spots along with other
creases (via blocking) to find the most efficient window to use for the most direct path to
the ball.
Tunnel: Whenever a kick out is made on a defender a tunnel is made and the offense
will attempt to run through that tunnel. A tunnel is usually always between the alley and
the snapper. We must squeeze it and spill.

63 Defense
THE BASIC CONCEPT
Keep the ball on the opponent’s side of the line of scrimmage and deter him from
running north-south. Never give up the big play or the easy score via the pass or the
sweep.
The defense is designed to funnel the ball towards our best defenders and to the
sideline. In this defense the sideline acts as a twelfth defender and is one of our best
defenders. This is because the sideline always makes a tackle and the runner can
never get by him so we must utilize that extra defender whenever possible and force
runners that want to run the D gap to keep running towards our best tackler. Our goal is
to funnel or spill everything to the sideline and force the ball to go EAST-WEST and not
cross the LOS. Yardage is gained by running NORTH-SOUTH not EAST-WEST and
thus whenever we can funnel and force the runner to run east-west it increases the
likelihood that we will negate any chance of a positive gain by the offense and increase
the chance that our defense makes a tackle for a loss. This sounds like a contradiction
to what most defensive schemes would normally tell you to do; contain the ball and force
it back inside. When you force the ball back inside you give the runner two options, go
north-south (vertical) or cut back to the opposite side, both of which can net big yards if
there is any break down in the interior or backside perimeter due to pursuit as well as in
the secondary due to over pursuit in coverage. The one thing we don’t want the ball
doing is going north-south or breaking our containment. Once we get the ball going to
one sideline we want to drive it to that sideline and force the ball out, which is just as
good as a tackle for loss, or to cut back into the teeth of our pursuit that is trained to
drive the ball into the sideline and is already in the backfield and hunting that runner.
This eliminates the big cut back play or the broken pursuit play that you often see due to
forcing the ball back inside and interior and backside contain is not in place to deal with
the change of direction the ball has made due to a lack of backside and interior
discipline. Due to our defensive end technique our backside defensive end is already in
a position to stop that cut back and reduce the space the runner can move in. It is
much easier, in my opinion, to train the defense to drive the ball east-west and then
force it to keep going in that direction while you eliminate the rest of the field from the
runner as you squeeze down the backside and close the door. You are essentially
cutting the field in half and then further reducing it as you drive that runner towards the
sideline and the backside defensive end closes the rest of the field off. Often the biggest
plays on offense occur on broken plays that happen when a runner cuts back to the
opposite side of the field and finds a vertical lane to exploit. In my opinion it is better to
drive that runner into one direction allowing all your defenders to take good solid inside
leverage angles and squeeze that runner towards the sideline as the defensive line
reduces the line of scrimmage and closes off vertical gaps.
Because we attempt to spill every play towards the sideline and force the ball to go east-
west the concepts of field (wide) side and boundary (short) side are very important
concepts in this defense. We always call our danger side (most teams call it strong side
or strength of offense) the wide side of the field as there is more horizontal space for the
ball to attack. Thus our better bandits, outside line backers, and defensive ends will
always play the field side to account for the wide space. Mike will always call the field
(wide) side the DANGER SIDE to so that our CB’s, OLB’s, and DE’s can get on the
proper side of the ball. I will go in to further discussion on why and how I use field and
boundary side (danger call).

63 Defense
THE BASIC ALLEY CONCEPT
ALLEY
ALLEY
B
O B
U O
N U
D N
A D
R A
Y R
Y
When an offense aligns there will always be two alleys, one on each side of the ball, and
it is the job of the defense to squeeze the alley shut on each side of the ball and deter
the ball from getting into the alley and past the line of scrimmage.
One of the main reasons we play zone, specifically a rotational Tampa 2 zone, is so that
we have better run support on the perimeter then we could be afforded in man or press
coverage. The ability of the bandits (CB’s) to drop into zone coverage and read the
backfield and determine where the ball is and then play the ball is more forgiving, in my
opinion, then attempting to play man or even press coverage with inferior athletes
(compared to your opponents).
If you notice above as the offense sets up you have two alleys both of which extend off
the last interior EMLOS (OT or TE) all the way to the boundary on each side. Obviously
that interior space in the alley on the field side is going to be much wider then on the
boundary side (short side) and thus the reason why you need your better defenders on
the field side.
Why is the Field Side the Strong Side?
Here is some food for thought and why I do what I do in my 63.
Out of 104 teams that I studied, during one of my many self-scouting off season
sessions, I found that 76% of those teams ran to the wide side of the field. When they
did not run to the wide side of the field 84% of those teams ran to their side of the field.
Based on this I will always have my MIKE call strong side to the WIDE SIDE and if the
offense is in the middle of the field we will call strong side to the opponent's sideline.
This covers the percentages and in that time those odds have pretty much held true.
After doing film study for this year on my football team in an eleven games our strong
side call was right 72.4% of the time.
For me I want to stop where the offense is going to go the majority of time and not be
dictated specifically by formation. In most cases when it comes to youth/middle school
level football the wide side and opponent’s near side dictate the strong side more often

63 Defense
than formation. That is not to say that formation does not dictate strong side but as I
found out often you can tell by studying wide side/near side and often that will tell you a
lot about how a coach will call plays. Once I get a chance to do a thorough film study
there other things I can key on but as a base I use wide side/near side first especially if I
have not scouted an opponent.
1) Wide Side
2) Near Side (opponent’s near side)
3) Backfield alignments
4) Formation strength
5) Plays specific to individual formations
This is also why I specifically call plays (mainly WB SEAL) to both sides equally as I call
plays initially in a game because as I studied myself I discovered that I ran my offense
83% of the time to my side in the past. This was due, in a large part, to being able to
see the perimeter triangle much easier to the near side. Once I discovered this trend I
started making a concerted effort to reading the perimeter to the far side and calling
plays to both sides. This has lead to an increase in offensive production, and more
importantly, scoring production.
THE CONTAINMENT OF THE ALLEY

Capping
the alley.
Contain:
Shrinking
the alley.
B B
O ALLEY ALLEY O
U U
N N
D D
A A
R R
Y Y
Notice as the ball goes towards the alley and the contain man (bandit) reads run he
commits to the alley (run) and maintains outside leverage as he collapses to the line of
scrimmage. By doing so he shrinks or squeezes the alley shut from the outside in and
thus reducing the lateral space at the LOS that the ball can actually attack horizontally.
If the ball attempts to go past the contain man he must do so by going away from the
LOS (deeper behind it) and thus taking away the NORTH-SOUTH vertical threat.
Remember that the boundary is a defender so if we run the ball out of bounds it is just
the same as a tackle to us.

63 Defense
SQUEEZING THE ALLEY
Shooting
the Alley
Filling the
Alley
B
O B
U O
N U
ALLEY ALLEY
D N
A D
Forcing the ball
R away from the
A
Y alley R
Y
Once the defense determines the ball is shooting to the sideline we must now squeeze
the alley and attack the ball as quickly as possible. Bear in mind that the contain man
might not be shrinking the alley if he feels the threat of pass is still possible. His rule is
always to play pass first and foremost prior to collapsing into the alley to contain. So the
OLB, MIKE, and DE all must quickly work to squeeze the alley and force the runner to
either stop and go vertical/cut back into the shooting back (MIKE) and backside force
(BSDE) or spill deep and away from the LOS and try to run to the boundary (which is
what we want). By training your DE and MIKE to aggressively force and shoot the ball
this will occur even against the fastest of backs. I would add that when you properly
deploy this concept speed with the ball works to your benefit as they tend to eat up the
lateral space in the alley going to the boundary instead of attempting to go vertical and
get past the LOS. Also bear in mind that unless a RED call is made the OLB will be
stunting and blitzing into a gap so he might not be able to support the alley and this is
why the SHOOT and FORCE are so important in their roles and why they must be
aggressive to the ball as they take the proper angle to the runner. This forces the runner
to decide and react quickly and often at the youth level kids tend to bounce the ball into
alley as they see open space and think “get outside and up field” as they attempt to get
outside. Now all you have to do is simply keep him going east-west and at the very
worst let the boundary make the tackle.

63 Defense
Know your Enemy:
At the upper levels of football the deep passing game is often the home run play for most
offenses but at the youth level the home run play is the notorious sweep. Teams want to
give their best player the football and then get them outside against a minimal amount of
defenders in space. There is minimal risk for maximum reward and more teams have
run the sweep and had success then not so I don’t expect it to change any time soon.
So it goes without saying that if you stop the sweep play and force offenses to play a
complete game that your chance for success increase rapidly. This defense is geared to
stop the big play and force offenses to beat you going down the field the hard way.
63 Offensive Experience
The first and second editions of the 63 defense have been run against a variety of
offenses around the country at the youth and middle school levels with great results. It
has been run against all sorts of common offenses like the power I, wishbone, power T,
double wing, single wing, split back veer and host of other power schemes. It has been
used against traditional wing-t schemes, jet variations, shot gun, spread, and even a few
run and shoot teams and it has held up to them all. The one consistent factor is a solid
defensive scheme deeply rooted in fundamentals.
Placing Players in your Defense
Play your best players on the defensive side of the ball. Whether you decide to use a
two platoon system or play your best eleven on each side of the ball let me say that if
you want your defense to be successful play your best athletes (and most aggressive)
on the defensive side. Defense will win you the close games and the big games. It is
tough for any team to win if they can’t score or can’t move the ball. You can’t do this by
playing your least athletic players on the team on defense. In order for you to be
successful you must take your best athletes and play them on defense. Build rotations
and sub groups to allow you to develop your lesser talent players. This will allow you to
put them in positions to be successful. Throughout the book I will have notes in bold
italics that cover using minimum play players (development players) in the defense.
The coverage players are your best defenders on the field. They need to be technically
sound and athletic enough to play in space.
MIKE – best defender period; must be able to play from sideline to sideline and
aggressively attack the ball.
CORNERS (FIELD and BOUNDARY) – pass first/ball is mine mentality.
DEFENSIVE ENDS (FIELD and BOUNDARY) – disciplined, aggressive and the quicker
they are the better your defense will be. They must be smart about taking aggressive
angles into the backfield.
The interior players are your pressure/gap filler defenders on the field. There job is to
fill the A to C gaps and create as much pressure behind the LOS as possible to force the
ball to spill deep and wide.

63 Defense
OLB (FIELD and BOUNDARY) – more athletic defenders of the interior as they will need
to read and cover in space at times.
INSIDE TACKLE or GUARDs – can be small if they are quick and aggressive or they
can be big as long as they can get into the gap and fill space.
OUTSIDE TACKLES – more athletic of the tackles with the same advice as above.
The OLB and TACKLES make up the interior portion of the defense and these
players can actually be lesser athletic kids or MPP (minimum play players) by
rotating them in as a sub group. Because their main job is to stack and blitz as
long as they are attacking all six interior gaps (A, B, C) on each side of the ball
they are forcing the ball to spill to the boundary. The interior portion of the
defense is a great place to hide players and from a MPP stand point it goes IDT,
ODT, and OLB. If have to do a lot of RED and OLB coverage calls I strongly
recommend against using developmental players at OLB.
Order of Need: (this is the order of talent when selecting players in the 63)
63 Stack 63 Stack and Red

Mike Mike
Field Side DE Field Side DE
Field Side CB Field Side CB
Boundary Side DE OLB
Boundary Side CB OLB
OLB Boundary Side DE
OLB Boundary Side CB
DT DT
DT DT
DG DG
DG DG

63 Defense
The Hour Glass Effect (Sweep and Pass Triangle)
The HOUR GLASS EFFECT is a term I use to describe how we want to defend the field
and funnel players towards the boundary. There are two triangles that form an hour
glass. The PASS TRIANGLE which is the top part of the hour glass and the
PERIMETER TRIANGLE which is the bottom part of the hour glass.
The purpose of the PASS TRIANGLE is to stop the vertical pass and the easy score.
More often than not most youth teams try to throw to the deep out zones using corners,
fades, outs, go, and comebacks. Most youth teams don’t throw to the center of the field
(POST, DIG, and SEAM route) and I believe you have to take away the most common
routes to be successful in pass defense. The pass triangle is made up of the MIKE at 6
to 8 yards and aligned over the snapper and the two CORNERS 8 to 10 yards deep and
aligned somewhere in the deep out on each side (depending on alignment of first
receiver and number of receivers on his side).
The main reason we use an inverted coverage with our corners is they sit right in the
middle of the deep out zone and the depth is set to put the corners on their three step
drop at a position to intercept the ball and out position the receiver (defend the grass and
the ball). They are at 8 to 10 yards depth with their outside foot near the LOS (line of
scrimmage) and their belt buckle pointed at the passer (tilted at 45 degrees inside). This
allows them to drop using a lateral shuffle while keeping their vision on the backfield and
have their peripheral vision on the receivers. If the first receiver is a tight end they align
three yards outside of the defensive end. If the first receiver is a split end he splits the
difference between the first receiver and the defensive end. If it is a twin set he aligns
over the slot and if it is trips he aligns over the middle receiver. In a bunch set he aligns
over the middle receiver as well.
Base pass coverage in the 63 is a TAMPA COVER 2 ROTATIONAL ZONE. Initially it

looks like a cover 2 (two deep defenders) but as the play develops into a pass,
especially a vertical pass, the MIKE drops into the deep middle making it a cover 3
(three deep defenders) (thus the term TAMPA because the TAMPA BAY BUCANEERS
and Tony Dungy (now with the Colts made this scheme popular). It allows us to easily
morph our zone coverage from run support into a pass support using our best defender
(most athletic) to give us additional deep pass coverage when needed. Because the
defense is deceptive and it appears that the deep middle is wide open our MIKE backer
often makes a lot of interceptions as teams attempt to throw the post and in routes on us
only to find the MIKE backer gobbling up under throw balls (pretty common at the youth
level).
CORNER PASS READ: Quick read the near EMLOS of the offense for RUN/PASS the
passer. The corner on the facing side will continues to drop and cover the deepest man.
Far side corner will slowly rotate over reading BCR and (bootleg, counter reverse) and
looking for any throw back receiver. Once he confirms nothing is coming he can fully
rotate to the middle of the field. Once the ball is in the air both corners attack the ball
and attempt to get it. They never ever let a receiver get by them. They always play the
deepest man period so that they will not give up the deep ball. WHEN IN DOUBT KEEP
DROPPING AND ROTATING TOWARDS THE PASSERS UP FIELD SHOULDER.

63 Defense
Corners can be small, quick, athletic players. They need to have good hands and
the more athletic they are (quickness/speed) the more space they can give up on
a receiver underneath and still make a play on the ball. Your field corner will
cover more open space and he should be your better corner of the two. He
should be a very good open field tackler and eat up bigger space in the zone to
bait passers to throw the ball to an “open” receiver and make a play on it. This is
not a great position to put a MPP/developmental player in but if you must do it use
the boundary corner position. They don’t need to be as disciplined as the
defensive ends or mike backer.
MIKE PASS READ: The Mike Backer is at six to eight yards depth directly over the
snapper (center). On the snap of the ball he will take a step down hill to flow (as he
reads it via the quarter back and backfield). If he reads pass at this point he will then
begin to drop and continue to drop until the ball is in the air. Read the up field
shoulder/face mask and drop. Keep dropping until the ball is in the air. Rotate to the
passer’s face/shoulder as he is dropping. Once the ball is in the air attack the ball it is
yours! READ RUN FIRST THEN PASS YOU ARE THE KILL SHOT ON THE TEAM!
This is your best defender. He needs to be able to cover the entire field from
sideline to sideline, aggressive to the line of scrimmage, and be a great tackler.
Don’t hesitate to place him at seven and even eight yards if he needs the extra
depth to cover the field. He needs to have great ball instincts and sniff out flow
quickly. Never put a MPP/Developmental player in this position. A slower MIKE is
more able to cover the field by aligning him one to two yards deeper thus the 6 to
8 yard alignment rule.
Note: Mike is not making the common linebacker zone drop but a defensive back drop.
Typically in a zone scheme; linebackers stop dropping when the passer stops and sets
to throw the ball and they flow to the direction of his up field shoulder/face mask.
Defensive backs, especially safeties, when they make zone drops they keep dropping
until the ball is thrown. This ensures that they never allow a receiver to get by them and
decreases the likelihood of a big play occurring from the pass.
The reason we have our MIKE backer make a DB drop is that it allows us to go from a
cover 2 look into a cover 3 whenever a deep pass threat occurs and thus it allows us to
automatically morph our coverage into a pass support structure when the offense shows
it. Because our MIKE is not aligned in a cover 3 look it also deceives the offense into
thinking they can easily split the inverted cover 2 secondary allowing us to bait the
passer into throwing into the middle of the field where we potentially have three
defenders that can break on the ball and make a big play on it. This is often called a
TAMPA COVER 2 scheme and it is why teams that run this scheme requires a very
athletic middle linebackers because essentially they are a hybrid backer/safety.

63 Defense
PASS TRIANGLE (rotational zone coverage):
MIKE: Take a read step towards the LOS as he reads the DIRECTION OF THE QB’s
FACE MASK/UP FIELD SHOULDER; determine if pass then drop and rotate flowing to
passer’s front shoulder then locate ball and get to it. Getting into the line of sight of the
QB is key to defending pass for MIKE.
Note: I have the MIKE key the direction of the QB’s facemask because it is a very easy
key to have him read. Whether a team pivots or reverse pivots it indicates the direction
the ball is in and it allows the MIKE to locate the ball and get to it. If we scout a team
one thing we note is do the majority of their plays start with a pivot or reverse pivot
handoff/pitch and how do they drop in play action and roll outs.
CORNER: Take a three step drop as you read the backfield you must quick check the
offensive EMLOS with your peripheral vision (run block/pass block/pass release).
Continue dropping and rotating until the ball is in the air. If the passer is pointing his up
field shoulder to your side continue dropping and locate the ball and get to it. If he is
pointing his up field shoulder away from you check for BCR then slowly rotate over until
you confirm no threat of BCR or throw back then fully rotate and find the ball (CAP). If
the corner has only a TE on his side and he sees him run block as he finishes his 3 step
drop he can start to come up to support run or CAP.
NOTE: One of the nice things about using the rotational zone principle is it fully
supports the SHOOTING THE SIDELINE PRINCIPLE specifically the CAP on the
backside. As the corner caps he is also rotating over in pass coverage and is playing
both run and pass at the same time. The other nice point about this is the infamous TB
pass that is often used at the youth level is not an issue because the backside corner is
capping and rotating at the same time looking for pass as he supports run.
Tampa Cover 2 rotating to

play side pass action.
Pass Triangle
1.

63 Defense
Above is a simple diagram of a very common pass pattern that is used at the youth level.
In the case above it uses play action so that we can see a few examples how the
rotational Tampa cover 2 zone works. We don’t want to give up the easy score via the
vertical pass so we play a Tampa cover 2 that utilizes the corners and the mike backer
to play zone coverage so they can also better support the running game as they read the
backfield for flow and locate the ball. The corners are basically our safeties and often
this hybrid position is called a BANDIT. Remember MIKE is RUN FIRST and PASS
SECOND and the CORNERS are PASS FIRST and RUN SECOND; whenever they are
in doubt they should revert to that rule.
Tampa Cover 2 rotating to

play side with vertical Pass Triangle
threat.

63 Defense
Action Play Side Corner Away Side Corner Mike

Pass Three step drop as you Three step drop as you read Take a step to the flow of
read backfield. Keep backfield. Keep dropping and the play and read the QB.
dropping and rotating to rotating to QB’s mask/up field Once you confirm pass
QB’s mask/up field shoulder. When you locate the immediately drop and
shoulder. When you ball close on it quickly and make begin rotating to the QB’s
locate the ball close on it a play. mask/up field shoulder.
quickly and make a play. Continue to drop until the
ball is in the air. When
you locate the ball close
on it and quickly make a
play.
Run Three step drop as you Three step drop as you read the Take a step to the flow of
read the backfield. Keep backfield. Keep dropping and the play and locate the
dropping until you confirm rotating until you confirm the ball ball.
the ball is going to cross is going to cross the Los. Once
the LOS. Once you do you do rotate slowly over as you AT: attack the ball
close on the ball from the check for immediately using inside
outside and shrink the BOOTLEG/COUNTER/REVERSE leverage. Any lead block
alley as much as once you confirm that there is no rip under the inside arm
possible. threat of BCR CAP the top of the and get to the ball.
alley off at 30 yards from the
LOS. AWAY: shoot to the
inside hip of the ball. If
the ball is behind the LOS
then find an open window
in the LOS and get
through it to the ball as
fast as possible. If the
ball is crossing the LOS
attack the ball from the
inside and if a lead
blocker is in the way rip
under his inside arm and
find the ball.
Play Action Pass Three step drop as you Three step drop as you read Take a step to the flow of
read backfield. Keep backfield. Keep dropping and the play and read the QB.
dropping and rotating to rotating to QB’s mask/up field Once you confirm pass
QB’s mask/up field shoulder. When you locate the immediately drop and
shoulder. When you ball close on it quickly and make begin rotating to the QB’s
locate the ball close on it a play. mask/up field shoulder.
quickly and make a play. Continue to drop until the
As the QB sells the play action ball is in the air. When
PASS FIRST! Whenever you should be dropping and you locate the ball close
you are in doubt you rotating. Check for BCR as you on it and quickly make a
defend PASS FIRST. do. By doing this whether it is a play.
PA pass or a TB pass of any sort
you are putting yourself in a RUN FIRST! You must
position to play the ball. always defend the run first
as you are the primary
PASS FIRST! Whenever you are defender to kill the ball
in doubt you defend PASS from the inside.
FIRST.
Mike will often be late into
coverage when a PA or
TB pass is used. Once he
determines pass he will
immediately drop.

63 Defense
Offensive Action Basic Secondary Coverage

Vertical Pass Start cover 2 invert and turn into cover 3
Roll Out/Flood Pass Start cover 2 invert and turn into rotational cover 3
Tail Back Pass Start cover 2and it might develop into a rotational cover 3
but more than likely a rotational cover 2. MIKE if he bites
on run should revert to blitz and attack the passer
immediately to place additional pressure on him.
Otherwise if he reads pass (tail back path is flat/parallel to
the LOS) he will drop and play the ball.
Play Action Pass Start cover 2 invert and it might develop into rotational
cover 3 but it might develop into rotational cover 2 if MIKE
bites on the run. MIKE if he commits to the run should
immediately go after the passer otherwise if he sniffs pass
and confirms it he should drop and rotate.
Sweep to Alley (perimeter) (D GAP) Start cover 2 invert – play side corner confirms run and
comes up on the ball using outside leverage and shrinks
the alley. Backside corner confirms run and caps the top of
the play side alley as he rotates he checks for BCR and TB
pass. Mike will read flow and attack the ball from the inside
out if the ball has not crossed the LOS he will find a
window in the LOS and get through it and after the ball
using inside leverage.
Run to Tunnel (Off tackle) (C GAP) Start cover 2 invert – play side corner confirms run and
comes up using outside leverage and shrinks the alley.
Backside corner confirms run and caps of the top of the
tunnel as he rotates he checks BCR and TB pass. He must
be aware of a cut back as the runner is attacking vertically.
Mike will read flow and attack the ball from the inside out.
First window he has he will get in it and attempt to take the
ball using inside leverage.
Run to the Interior (A & B GAP) Start Cover 2 invert – both corners read run and come up
field to shrink their alley down and maintain outside
leverage on the ball. Mike reads flow and finds the first
window (the hole more the likely) and attack the ball using
inside leverage. Typically if our interior defenders do their
job correctly we should have no space for the ball to enter
on the A-B-C gaps and often MIKE and CORNERS will
end up defending this as if it is an ALLEY or TUNNEL play.
Run to the Interior (WEDGE) Start Cover 2 invert – both corners read run and come up
field to shrink their alley down and maintain outside
leverage on the ball. As they confirm there is no threat of
BCR and they see the wedge go vertical they should come
up field and maintain outside leverage on the ball and
attempt to come in behind the wedge and take the ball from
behind. Mike as he reads flow and sees the wedge form so
immediately attack the center’s legs and force the center to
stumble over him and kill the wedge as fast as possible.
Aim for the top of the shoes and drive your shoulders into
them and this should cause the center to tumble over you
as well as the entire wedge. As you do curl up and protect
yourself.

63 Defense
Basic Alignment of the Pass Triangle to Various Formations
Trips with backside SE Trips with backside TE
Spread 2x2 Empty 3x2
Red Circle = number advantage to offense.
Tight Wing I Beast/Yale/Comet
Red Circle = number advantage for the offense
The above table is to show you how the pass triangle along with the defensive end will
align compared to some various formations. This does not account for the SHIFT
adjustments to move our interior unit over to account for offensive strength.
One thing I want to emphasis is that simply because an offensive formation out numbers
us on the perimeter or outnumbers our secondary coverage does not mean we will adapt
to that formation until they can prove they can beat our pass coverage consistently and
get by our perimeter defense. Remember we play our force defender on the edge of the
interior blockers this allows us to split or isolate perimeter blockers from the runner and
still play contain.

63 Defense
PERIMETER TRIANGLE (Stopping the sweep and perimeter pass):
The perimeter triangle is made up of the MIKE backer and both defense ends. Their job
is not to allow the offense to get into the alley unless they do it going away from the LOS
and moving east-west. The object is to turn them away from the alley but if the runner
does get by the end it must be on his outside shoulder as he gets more and more depth
away from the LOS. This allows our MIKE and BSDE along with the rest of the interior
defense to pursue and squeeze the runner towards the boundary forcing him to go east-
west while the passing triangle moves into run support to contain the runner behind the
LOS and bar him from going north-south. This method is really used on any sort of
perimeter play whether it is a sweep, a pass to the flat, or an option play. We do the
same thing all the time; we force the ball to go east-west and deny it the ability to go
north-south.
Defensive End – closing out the alley to the runner (squeezing and forcing the
spill):
B
O B
U O
ALLE ALLE U
N
D N
A D
R A
Y R
Y
Defensive End – forcing the runner to go away from the LOS :
B
O B
U O
N ALLE ALLE U
D N
A D
R A
Y R
Y

63 Defense
MIKE: Take a read step towards the LOS as he reads the DIRECTION OF THE QB’s
FACE MASK/UP FIELD SHOULDER to determine flow initially. Once he finds the ball
he shoots towards the inside hip of the ball carrier and finds the first open window in the
line and attempts to kill the ball as quickly as possible with the most aggressive angle he
can use. His ability to squeeze the ball from the inside quickly using inside leverage
help us to force the ball to run east-west and keep the runner from turning up towards
LOS and running north-south. Any blocker he meets he must rip through the arm pit that
is nearest to the ball so that he maintains inside leverage. He must not over run the ball
and he must attack from inside out and let the perimeter players (FORCE and
CONTAIN) do their job.
Mike REACTION (AT-AWAY READ)
AT: He reads flow and attack the open window to the runner with inside leverage. If he
meets a lead blocker he must meet him in or behind the hole and drive the blocker back
with inside leverage forcing the runner to spill into the OLB (ALLEY) and CB (CONTAIN).
It should be noted that more often than not the runner will bounce the ball out to the C
gap (because the D gap is closed by the DE) due our four interior linemen attacking the
A and B gaps.
AWAY: He reads flow and attacks the open window downhill to the runner. Any blocker
he must rip through the near arm pit to the ball and continue downhill to the ball with
inside leverage driving the ball to the boundary or towards the DE (FORCE) and CB
(CONTAIN).

63 Defense
DEFENSIVE ENDS (Hunters): Align at least three yards away from the WB, TE, or OT
(whichever comes first). If the end feels they can still be reached or the most dangerous
threat to the perimeter can still get to the alley then he should widen out enough to cover
that threat from the outside in. If the end has a slot receiver or any sort of trips he
should split the difference between the last offensive player inside and the slot (this will
allow them to cover the quick pass much better if he reads it). The defensive end will tilt
about 45 degrees inside and his feet and belt buckle will point at the deep/near back. At
the snap of the ball/first movement from the offense he will come across the LOS staying
on track at the near hip of the deep/near back. He will use his peripheral vision to check
if the passer is attempting a quick pass to his side. If he sees that passer bring the ball
to his ear and point his offhand shoulder towards his perimeter he will immediately drop
and rotate towards the passers line of sight and cover pass. If the end sees pass on the
backside he will divert his path and go after the passer immediately. If anyone attempts
to block him he will rip under the outside arm of the blocker and go after the passer. If
the end reads run on his near side he must keep his track to the near/outside hip of the
runner. He must rip under the outside arm of any lead blocker and maintain outside
leverage on the ball and force it to move away from the LOS to get into alley. Even if the
ball does get in the as long as the end eats up as much space as he can as he attempts
to cross the face of the runner or any lead blocker it will force the runner to move away
from the LOS and get depth to get around the end and into the alley. This will allow the
mike backer that is shooting from the inside, backside defensive end who is flowing and
any other defenders from the interior the time to squeeze the runner towards the
boundary. Once the end on the backside determines it is flow away he pursues at the
depth of the deepest back looking for any counters coming from the opposite side. He
must quickly eat up space from the backside on the ball and force the ball to accelerate
towards the boundary.
NOTE: As a base we align our ends on the LOS but if the threat of pass to the perimeter
is common with a particular offense you can have the end back off the line of scrimmage
two yards so that has he moves forward to he can still have time to get into the vertical
passing lane to cover the perimeter. This is enough space to allow him to cover the
space and still give him more than enough time to force the ball deep and away from the
LOS if it attempts to go into the alley.
NOTE: If a blocker (nasty tight end or slot receiver) tries to mirror the defensive end
then the end must rip through the outside arm pit of the blocker, get by him, and get on
his track to the near hip of the ball carrier.

63 Defense
Action Play Side End Away Side End Mike

Pass Get off the ball on first Get off the ball on first Take a step to the flow of
movement (ball/near foot). movement (ball/near foot). the play and read the QB.
Get across the LOS as you Get across the LOS as you Once you confirm pass
do eye the QB and check do eye the QB and check immediately drop and begin
for near quick pass. If you for near quick pass. As you rotating to the QB’s
see quick pass drop and determine backside get to mask/up field shoulder.
rotate to QB’s the QB through the outside Continue to drop until the
mask/shoulder. If not then shoulder of the near back. ball is in the air. When you
get to the QB through the Go after the ball if you can locate the ball close on it
outside hip of the near as you make the tackle! and quickly make a play.
back. The faster you can (BLIND SIDE
put pressure on the QB the PRESSURE!!!)
more likely that he will
attempt to run with the ball
or throw a wild pass.
Run Get off the ball on first Get off the ball on first Take a step to the flow of
movement (ball/near foot). movement (ball/near foot). the play and locate the ball.
Get across the LOS as you Get across the LOS as you
do eye the QB and check do eye the QB and check AT: attack the ball
for near quick pass. Get for near quick pass. AS immediately using inside
on a track to the outside hip you so the ball go AWAY leverage. Any lead block
of the deep/near back and get into a track of the rip under the inside arm and
eat up space as fast as you deepest back in the get to the ball.
can to the outside hip. If a backfield and go after the
lead blocker is in the way ball checking for BCR AWAY: shoot to the inside
the rip under his outside (bootleg/counter/reverse) hip of the ball. If the ball is
arm pit and cross his face as you do. behind the LOS then find an
to the ball. Force the ball to open window in the LOS
go away from the LOS or (BACKSIDE PRESSURE – and get through it to the ball
back inside. SQUEEZE THE BALL TO as fast as possible. If the
THE SIDELINE!!!) ball is crossing the LOS
(FORCE THE BALL) attack the ball from the
inside and if a lead blocker
is in the way rip under his
inside arm and find the ball.
Play Action Pass Get off the ball on first Get off the ball on first Take a step to the flow of
movement (ball/near foot). movement (ball/near foot). the play and read the QB.
Get across the LOS as you Get across the LOS as you Once you confirm pass
do eye the QB and check do eye the QB and check immediately drop and begin
for near quick pass. If you for near quick pass. As you rotating to the QB’s
see quick pass then drop determine backside get to mask/up field shoulder.
and rotate into coverage. If the QB through the outside Continue to drop until the
no quick pass then track to shoulder of the near back. ball is in the air. When you
the outside hip of the Go after the ball if you can locate the ball close on it
deep/near back quickly. as you make the tackle! and quickly make a play.
Once you confirm pass get (BLIND SIDE
to the passer through the PRESSURE!!!) RUN FIRST! See notes
outside arm of the near above about MIKE and
back. Force him to run or PASS.
throw a hurried pass!

63 Defense
The Hourglass Effect The Hourglass effect is simply a visual

representation of what we are trying to
accomplish with our defense. If we
deter the offense from throwing the
vertical pass and trying to attack our
Pass perimeter it really only leaves them
with two options. Run inside trying to
Funnel Funnel penetrate our interior or off tackle
locations or throw the ball into the
open areas. The hourglass really
defines where are weak spots are
Sweep
located so that we can understand
what will eventually happen as the
offense starts probing our defense.
The funnel area is basically the area
under the corners, above the
defensive ends and outside of the
mike backer. It is really the one area
they can attack via the pass that we
have left uncovered.
Funnel is the Weak Spot?
Yes and no. Our focus is to stop the offense from getting the big play first and foremost.
This is normally accomplished by the vertical pass or the perimeter play (the sweep).
We also allocate our interior six to filling all the interior gaps (A, B, C) on both sides as
well and thus deny them the ability to attack us on the interior as well while we apply
max pressure to their backfield using not only our interior six but our defensive ends.
This limits what the offense can really do to us and where they can effectively attack us.
They should not be able to throw the vertical pass, they should not be able to sweep on
us, and they should not be able to attack us in the interior or off tackle holes. What they
can do is get the ball into the funnel via the pass or screen. If you look at the way the
defense is designed we have a check and balance to allow us to account for this in our
normal structure. First the defensive ends are really executing a rush and read
technique that allows them to drop into coverage if they detect any sort of quick pass or
screen to the perimeter. Secondly all three defenders in the passing triangle are allowed
to flow to the passers vision allowing them to play the ball and the field and not a player.
More importantly if you look at the funnel once the ball is there we have defenders all
around the ball creating a ring of tacklers that allow us to close in and kill the ball where
it lands. As you read further into this book you will also find that we have numerous
tags that allow us to adjust on the fly to what an offense is doing and keep one step
ahead of them as they attempt to attack us. This is our base format and how we defend
the run and pass while focusing on stopping the big plays that often lead to a youth team
winning a game. If we can force the offense to put the ball in the funnel, and it often
does, we increase the likelihood of a big play via a turnover as we have three of our best
defenders surrounding the ball at all times. Thus we funnel the ball to the area that we
think increases our chance of getting the ball back from the offense and the likelihood of

63 Defense
scoring since the offense will have a limited amount of players on the perimeter to stop
the defender with the turnover in his hands.
Surrounding the ball in the funnel
Every time the ball is thrown into the funnel we want to have at least two and possibly
three defenders around the ball. The defender nearest the ball should play the ball and
every other defender should play through the receiver making contact with the ball. This
ensures two things that every defense desires; one that we have an opportunity to
create a turnover, two we get into the heads of the receivers and let them know that
every time they get a ball thrown to them they will be hit because we are going to be
physical. Deep balls to the deep out should be played by the corner with the mike
making the hit. Deep balls to the middle should be played by the mike with either or both
corners making the hit. Intermediate balls should be played by the mike with either
corner making the hit. Shallow passes to the flat should be played by the defensive
ends with the hit coming from the mike or the corner. This is why we call it the funnel
because we funnel the ball into the area that will provide us with a high percentage
turnover and/or a big hit on the offensive player. Hits on a player equals intimidation and
intimidation equals passive play by the offensive team as they are not going to attempt
to risk themselves for a ball when they know that contact will come as they near the ball.
Bootleg and Rollouts
When the quarterback rolls out, sprints out, waggles or you have a tailback sweeping flat
the pass triangle on the backside must think “BCR” which stands for BOOTLEG –
COUNTER – REVERSE. This works in this manner if the quarter back waggles off
sweep action (BUCK SWEEP) to the right side the right corner will continue to drop as
long as there is a pass threat, the mike will flow at the intermediate level to the right, and
the left corner will slow play to the deep middle zone watching for any backfield action
once he makes his pass drop on the backside he is now looking for anything that would
indicate counter or reverse and any type of throwback in the backside funnel. He should
slowly flow to the deep middle watching for these things until he confirms there is no
threat and then he can fully rotate over.

63 Defense
Interior Six; Apply pressure and spill the ball!
The interior six defenders are made up of two guards, two tackles, and two outside line
backers. One guard, one tackle, and one outside backer make up a stack of three
defenders. The outside backer is basically the stack leader and will direct where the
other two defenders in his stack will go at the snap of the ball. Since each stack is
basically being directed by the backer it creates random looks that the offense can’t
really key on. You can create further confusion by rotating your stacks if you have the
good fortune of having an extra two backers, or an extra entire stack (three players), or
two stacks (six players).
Often you can use minimum play players in the interior because their role is to
simply to apply pressure and fill all the interior gaps (A, B, C gaps). This is a
simple pressure concept that uses two three man stacks.
Defensive Guards: Will align head up over the first blocker on their side of the snapper.
They will get into an aggressive three point stance that allows them to attack either the
inside or outside gap of the man they are head up on. This can be the least athletic
player in the stack and often this can be the biggest player in the stack.
Defensive Tackle: Will align head up over the second blocker on their side of the
snapper. They will get into an aggressive three point stance that allows them to attack
either the inside or outside gap of the man they are head up on. This should be the next
athletic player in the stack.
Outside Backer: Will align one yard behind the defensive tackle in a balanced two point
stance with the arms cocked by the hips. He should on the balls of his feet and he
should be in a solid hitting stance ready to move in any direction. He should be the most
athletic player in the stack.

63 Defense
How the stacks work:
The outside backers will make a stack call which will tell the other two members of the
stack where to go and what to do. Each member has one rule while in the stack when
the ball is snapped they must get into the backfield through their gap as fast as possible;
ignore the linemen and get to the ball as fast as you can. As soon as they cross the
LOS they must locate the ball and get to it as quickly as possible. The outside backers
are free to make any basic call and you should encourage them to change up and vary
the calls as much as possible. What you will find is as the outside backers and the
defensive linemen take owner ship of the stack that the outside backers will make calls
that will get them in the backfield as quickly as possible as they will hit the gap that is the
most available to them. Because the stunting and blitzing is layered, meaning defenders
are attacking the LOS at various moments in time, it ensures that a runner cannot simply
bypass the first level of our defense because they have to pass
IN OUT SPLIT GAP
BASE CALL BASE CALL (GOAL LINE)
These four basic calls can be made by the OLB’s at any time. My rule to them is put
yourself in the best position to make a play on the ball. Find the weak leak in the line
and hammer that call home while keeping them on offense on their toes.
IN – The OLB will call IN and it will tell both the DG and DT to slant to the inside gaps (A
and B) while the OLB stunts into the C gap.
OUT – The OLB will call OUT and it will tell both the SG and DT to slant to the outside
gaps (B and C) while the OLB stunts into the A gap.
SPLIT – The OLB will call SPLIT and it will tell DG slant into the inside gap (A) and the
DT to take the outside gap (C) while the OLB stunts into B gap.
NOTE: These three calls allow the OLB to hit all three gaps on his side of the ball.
GAP – This is a short yardage and/or instant pressure call when we need to get all three
defenders into the backfield immediately. This is especially useful in short yardage and
goal line situations. The DG will slide into the A gap, the DT will slide into the B gap, and
the OLB will slide into the C gap. This is also an automatic when the OLB sees an open
side (no tight end) on his side. This allows him to put immediate pressure on the A, B,
and C gaps and place pressure on the backfield.

63 Defense
How the Stack Concept Works:
Remember the line of scrimmage is made up of eight gaps and the stack concept
basically acts like a GAP 8 defense in that we are going to penetrate all eight of those
gaps. The method we use to penetrate them will vary from play to play and because we
are using stacked backers the way in which we penetrate is actually a wave or layered
effect so the offensive line will have a very hard time simply down blocking the entire
front and washing the defenders away from the play. Basically the center, guard, tackle,
and end will never know which three defenders they are going to face on the interior and
which gap they will hit.
D C B A A B C D
This is a pressure concept that allows us to attack with six to eight defenders putting
players in every gap and closing down the backfield from the D gap as our force
defender squeezes the runner from the outside in. When we call stack we want to
attack; we want those six stack defenders getting behind the LOS as quickly as possible,
locating the ball, and killing the ball behind the LOS.
The way they will penetrate into the gap is the defensive linemen will put their eyes on
the hands or feet of the blocker in front of them. When their key moves their hands/feet
they will get off the ball by exploding into their gap (BGO – Ball Get Off). The OLB will
key the hand/feet of the nearest blocker to the gap he is penetrating; he must not stare
but keep his head pointed straight. In either case the defensive linemen will all explode
through the near hip of their gap assignment. See the table below for aiming points.
The beauty of the stack call is that it allows our front eight to be aggressive and
aggressiveness is contiguous. The alignment and the blitzing allow your defenders to
get after the offense and as JJ Lawson stated in his 33 Stack playbook “that is going to
make them aggressive, happier, and more confident”.
Note: The OLB does not have to verbally sound off the call he can use a TAP method to
tell the linemen which gap to slant into by simply tapping the inside or outside hip of
each linemen. I have found that starting with the defensive guard first and then rotate
into his position has he taps the defensive tackle is the best.

63 Defense
Outside Backer Defensive Tackle Defensive Guard

IN IN IN
Aims off the defensive tackles Keys the hand of the blocker Keys the hand of the blocker
outside hip at the snap and over and penetrates to the over and penetrates to the
attacks the C gap. near hip of the blocker on near hip of the blocker on the
inside of the B gap. inside of the A gap.
OUT OUT OUT
Aims off the defensive guard’s Keys the hand of the blocker Keys the hand of the blocker
inside hip at the snap and over and penetrates to the over and penetrates to the
attack the A gap. near hip of the blocker on the near hip of the blocker on the
outside of the C gap. outside of the B gap.
SPLIT SPLIT SPLIT
Aims off the defensive tackles Keys the hand of the blocker Keys the hand of the blocker
inside hip at the snap and over and penetrates to the over and penetrates to the
attacks the B gap. near hip of the blocker on the near hip of the blocker on the
outside of the C gap. inside of the A gap.
GAP GAP GAP
Aligns in the C gap in a three Aligns in the B gap. Keys the Aligns in the A gap. Keys the
point stance. Keys the hand hand of the blocker inside of hand of the blocker inside of
of the blocker on the inside of the B gap and penetrates off the A gap and penetrates off
the C gap and penetrates off the inside hip of the inside the inside hip of the inside
the inside hip of the blocker blocker. blocker.
inside of the gap.
Engagement Technique:
All the stack players must get off the ball quickly on the first movement they see
(whether that is the ball or the hand/foot of any of the near blockers). This is called BGO
(BALL GET OFF). Secondly they must stay low and as they attack the near hip (aiming
point) they must use the near arm and rip under and through the blocker if he attempts
to block him. He must not get tangled up with any blocker as his job is to get behind the
heels of the blocker and then locate the ball and flow to it. Go-Rip-Flow should be their
three step progression. The key is to get into the gap and then behind the heels of the
line and then locate the ball in that exact order.

63 Defense
How does it Work?
This concept is taken from the 33 Stack Playbook so I highly recommend you read the
33 Stack by JJ Lawson (you can find it on my website at www.gregorydoublewing.com
under my article section) and you will get a very good idea of how the stack concept
really works. Although the concept is similar the set up uses a three stack concept vice
the more common two stack concept (which is very similar to the 42 call in JJ’s 33
Stack). What this gives you is a solid structure in a six man front. Also the approach I
use on stance, technique and flow are slightly different.
1) We create a wall along the interior of the line of scrimmage that forces the
offense to go outside (spill) or go to the air via the pass.
2) We allow the two OLB’s to make calls that will fill all six interior gaps with all three
members of the stack able to hit multiple gaps on their side. This pressure
causes the offensive line to become less aggressive as they must “think” about
who they have to block as the stack fires off the snap. This along with the force
DE’s will cause enough confusion across the offensive line to allow one or two of
our interior defenders to get through LOS and into the backfield or the line will
tighten its splits causing the walling effect to spill more of the offensive plays to
the outside (which is where we want them to go).
3) Remember the Sweep Triangle that is a basic structure of our defense. We have
placed our better athletes at these positions along with the Pass Triangle to play
OUTSIDE IN LEVERAGE. This allows us to spill plays and force them to go
lateral and often at a deeper angle allowing our better athletes (Shoot and Force)
to kill the play behind the LOS. This also forces the runner to take a longer path
to the goal line; remember the fastest path to the goal line is a straight line and
by spilling all the plays we force the runner to take the longest and often the
deepest path possible to get across the LOS and to the goal line which gives our
better athletes the time to chase the runner down and take better pursuit angles.
It often leads to tackles for loss behind the LOS putting the added pressure on
the offense to not only get a first down but recover the lost yards.

63 Defense
MIKE CALLS (MADE PRE-SNAP EVERY PLAY):
FIELD CALL: This is a call that is made immediately by the mike backer to indicate
which side is the field side (wide side of the field or the most vulnerable). The FIELD
SIDE CORNER and FIELD SIDE DEFENSIVE END should immediately swing to that
side from the middle of the field as the boundary side swings over to the opposite side.
If the offense is in the middle of the field then the FIELD side is the side opposite the
team’s sideline as we want our boundary players on our near sideline. MIKE has to
make this call immediately. He should not hesitate to make this call so that the field and
boundary players (DE’s and CB’s) can get in their right spots and wait for any additional
tags or calls.
SHIFT CALL: Our basic alignment has the interior defenders align against a 3:3
alignment, meaning there are at least 3 blockers on each side of the snapper. With
unbalanced sets and the use of a wing on, backfield overload (Yale/beast) and nasty
alignments we compensate for this by using a simple shift call. MIKE after making his
FIELD call will count the number of blockers on the LOS on each side of the snapper.
As long as there is 3:3 he doesn’t need to make the call unless he sees a wing on,
backfield overload, or a nasty split to the field side or the coaching staff from the side line
makes an adjustment call. By calling SHIFT (RIGHT or LEFT) it tells the stacks to shift
one man over to the side called (for a 4:2 alignment, wing on, backfield overload, or
nasty alignment). If the MIKE calls DOUBLE SHIFT or even TRIPLE SHIFT he is saying
to shift over twice or even three times (5:1 or a 6:0 alignment).
These two calls must be made each and every play to ensure the defense is properly
aligned on the offense. It puts our best players on the wide side of the field and it
adjusts the defense on the offense. Tell your mike if he is in doubt about a shift call that
he should shift the defense into a position so that he can make a play on the ball. If he
does that then every player in the hourglass will also be able to make a play on the ball
as well. This defense is set up for MIKE to be a playmaker and he needs to shift the
defense into a position that he and the rest of the hourglass can make plays.
Be Aware!
Aggressiveness is good but being overly aggressive is not good. The stacks must get
across the line of scrimmage (LOS) and locate the ball. They must not simply fly across
the LOS and keep penetrating because they are doing the offense a huge favor. Their
first priority is to get across the LOS. Once they pass the heels of the blockers the must
start locating the ball and then get to it as quickly as possible. Simply penetrating as
deep as possible across the LOS is not going to place the pressure on the offense that
you are going to need to beat a tough opponent with a talented runner.
NOTE: MPP’s will often do this so you have to stress PENETRATE PAST THE
HEELS LOCATE THE BALL!

63 Defense
Thoughts on STACKS:
If you have extra talent or you feel you have a very talented and/or gifted OLB or even
defensive linemen don’t hesitate to put them in the stack. Although I feel that having
your superior talent in the hourglass is essential to stopping the big plays you can
improve the pressure you place on the offense by placing natural talent in those
positions. This is especially true on the defensive line as the blockers will have to spend
all their time absorbing those defenders and this will often free up your OLB’s to make
big plays in the backfield. Good talent in the stacks will also improve your force on the
edges from your ends as well and increase the likelihood of a turnover in the pass
triangle.
Notes on defensive line stance: use a 3 – point stance that is aggressive. By aggressive
I mean that you need to use a toe – heel (or slightly deeper) staggered stance with the
dominant hand down and around 18 to 24 inches from the up field foot. The offhand
needs to be in a power position as if ready to sprint cocked behind above and behind the
near hip. Exploding off the ball is essential and the first step is key; it needs to be an
aggressive power step into the gap. It is alright to teach the down hand on the slant side
as well and often is an advantage if you can teach them to get into a three point on both
sides to maximize their effectiveness.

63 Defense
Chapter 2: Basic Training

The biggest question I often get is how do you get this defense installed and how long
does it take. My answer is it takes one practice to get the basic structure installed and
about three practices to get it working so that every player understands their role within
the defense. I use a pretty simple group method to initially teach the defense so that
every player has a basic understanding of how the entire thing works and why their job is
so important. I break it up into the sweep and pass triangles and then combine them
into the hourglass and explain how the two triangles support each other to make the
defense work. Once I get this done we work on perfecting their basic stances, initial
movements, and their role within the hourglass. Once we get that down we start refining
their techniques and adding some additional calls and tags that enhance what we do.
First and foremost we stress tackling, pursuit angles, and creating turnovers. These are
basics of defensive football and without them any defense you teach is going to be
worthless so you have to put an emphasis on these basic concepts throughout the
season and especially at the beginning of the season. Fundamentals should be
stressed throughout the entire season. A team that tackles, pursues, and creates
turnovers on defense gives their offense more possessions and increases the likelihood
of your team scoring.
Introduce the Defense:
Why: Introduce the basic concept, structure, and positions of the defense.
How: Line up the defense or chalk it on a board. Walk through why we use the defense,
introduce them to basic terms, the triangles, the hourglass effect, zone coverage
(inverted and Tampa 2), shooting the sidelines (alley, tunnels, squeezing, and spilling)
and finally and most importantly the stacks and why we use them.
Discuss our basic rule:
Keep the ball on the opponent’s side of the line of scrimmage and deter him from
running north-south. Never give up the big play or the easy score via the pass or the
sweep.
Ask at least five questions and up to ten to ensure everyone understands the basic
concept. It is important you paint an overall picture that you can break apart and show
the pieces of as you teach the defense.
Discuss the basic drills we will use: Stack Progression, Sweep Triangle, Pass Triangle,
and Hourglass.

63 Defense
What to Cover:
Defensive Fundamentals – tackling, pursuit, aggressiveness, communication, turnovers
Pass Triangle – coverage & contain unit.
Sweep Triangle – force & coverage unit
Hour Glass Effect – funnels and how the pass and sweep triangles support each other.
Interior unit – pressure & spill unit
Stacks – how they work
Call and Adjustments – to modify and adapt the defense to the offense

63 Defense
Introduce the Stacks:

Why: To teach the proper stance, alignments, keys, basic stunt calls, and movements
to all three stack players. Stance, Alignment, Recognition, Technique.
How: Take all players that will be a part of the stack teams and align them on a set of
offensive cones that simulate the blockers. If you have tires or 40 gallon trash cans use
them because they actually work best as their diameter is a much better representation
of the offense on all of these drills.
Teaching Progression:
1) Use cones and various formations (power I, power I wing, power I flanker, power
split back, pro I, pro split, ace, spread 2x2, spread 3x1, single wing, double wing)
and teach the stance of the defensive linemen and the backers. Have them
align on the front then get into a stance quickly. Linemen will do so by getting
into a even toed stance then offset one foot in a toe to heel alignment (or wider),
then drop down so both elbows rest on their thigh boards and then simply drop
the offset hand down about 18 inches in front of his offset foot. Head is up and
opposite hand is cocked back. The backers will align one yard behind the
tackles in an even toed hitting stance with their hands cocked at the hips with
their heads up.
2) Teach the alignment on the blockers using the snapper as the baseline. Have
them align to various balanced and unbalanced fronts by turning the backs to the
line and then having them turn around and quickly aligning (mention the shift call
that the mike can make to adjust the stacks to unbalanced fronts). Mention to
the stacks that if there is no TE on a stack side they automatically call GAP and
the OLB walks up to the LOS on the outside.
3) Teach the technique of the linemen and the backers. How to make the basic
calls, their movement keys (ball or near foot/hand), and where they stunt and
slant. Teach them the basic Ball Get Off (BGO) to get behind the blocker’s heels
(GO-RIP-FLOW). This is about teaching the stack to recognize their alignment,
field strength, and responsibilities as a stack.
4) Teach them the technique for stunting by attacking through the near hip and
ripping under any pressure. Teach the technique for locating the ball once they
pass the blocker’s heels (PENETRATE & LOCATE (KILL THE BALL IN THE
BACKFIELD)).

63 Defense
Stack Drill 1) (STANCE)
Why: To teach the basic stances and foundations of the defensive line and outside
backers.
How: Coach will align them on a basic seven cone set up with the center cone being
the center. Teach the two point linebacker stance and the proper depth. Teach the
defensive linemen how to get into a proper 3-point stance. Then teach them how the
OLB is in charge of the stack and he makes the calls either vocally or physically (taps).
Have them get into and out of their stances and check them to makes sure they are
correct. Make sure the OLB depth is correct as well.

63 Defense
Stack Drill 2) (ALIGNMENT)
Why: To reinforce the stances of the OLB and DL. To teach the proper alignment on
offensive fronts (five, six, seven, eight man fronts) and how to quickly align on balanced
and unbalanced (3:3, 2:4, 1:5, 0:6). Review and cover the shift call for the above (shift,
double shift, triple shift) that the mike backer can make to align the interior front. Cover
the open OT and how the outside backer automatically makes the GAP (unless RED).
How: Coach will align them on various fronts with a snapper cone. Align them on a
basic seven man front, six man front (GAP CALL is made on open side (no TE side), five
man front (gap call made on both sides). Then have them align on an eight man front
(MIKE calls shift to strong side). Then have them align on a nine man front (stay
balanced). Next Step is review unbalanced sets out of a 7 man front (explain 3:3, 2:4
(shift), 1:5 (double shift), 0:6 (triple shift). Explain that an eight man front that is
unbalanced simply add 1 shift to the above.
NOTE: The MIKE makes a shift call it means to slide over by ONE MAN. Double shift
means TWO MEN. Triple shift means THREE MEN. QUAD SHIFT means FOUR MEN
(I have never had to use this but you never know when you have to adjust to a crazy
formation.

63 Defense
Stack Drill 3) (RECOGINATION & CALLS)
How: Coach will take two stack teams have them quickly align, get into a proper stance,
and prepare for ball/blocker movement. Once the coach quickly checks for both proper
alignment and stance he will move up to the LOS and use either a foot or a ball for
movement. The backers will be given a basic call (IN, then OUT, then SPLIT, then GAP)
and on the movement queue they will fire off and execute that call. Once the players
pass the blockers heels they will come to a full stop and the coach will check to make
sure each defender is in the right gap. He should also check that they fire off on the very
first movement and attack the right aiming points. The coach should teach each call
separately then combine calls one at a time; see table below. Coaches need to stress
that every player should get skinny and low into the gaps when they penetrate.
Note: use various alignments to get the stacks used to aligning on different fronts.
In In/Split
Out In/Gap
Split In/Out/Split
Gap In/Out/Gap
In/Out In/Out/Split/Gap

63 Defense
Stack Drill 4) (TECHNIQUE)
How: Coach will take two stack teams have them quickly align, get into a proper stance,
and prepare for ball/blocker movement. One coach quickly checks for both proper
alignment and stance he will move up to the LOS and use either a foot or a ball for
movement. The backers will make their calls quickly. Coach will give a movement
queue and as he does will then point to a bag that is standing (being held by a player)
and the defenders will locate that bag and get to it and touch or tackle the bag (touch it
to get every player moving to the ball), tackle to get them to locate, move, and make a
tackle (gang tackle). Remind them to keep their belt buckle pointed into the backfield
and move laterally as they close on the ball. The key is teaching BALL GET OFF (BGO)
and PENETRATE PAST THE LINES HEELS AND LOCATE THE BALL
Note: use various alignments to get the stacks used to aligning on different fronts.
Note: place the bags at various depths to the LOS to get the defenders used to locating
the ball as soon as they get past the heels of the blockers.
Note: Reinforce that their job is to locate and kill the ball in the backfield and deny it
access to the A, B, and C gaps. They must ignore blockers and find the ball. Their job
is to penetrate and locate the ball.

63 Defense
Introducing the Hourglass (Base Structure)

This will teach your hourglass defenders the how and why of the sweep and pass
triangle as well as the hourglass effect. It will also teach the “shoot the sideline concept”
as well. This is done in a fifteen minute window with three five segments once you
master the first segment you can drop it and simply do two, three, and four. While this is
being done you can have another coach or coaches drill the stacks and the stack
progression. Defense always has an advantage of maturity at the beginning of the
season due to it being more about reaction, athletes, assignment, attitude, and
aggression vice action, scheme, timing, and technique.
Why: To teach the proper stance, alignments, movements, reads & keys, and
techniques for the hourglass.
How: Take all players that will be a part of the hourglass and align them on a set of
offensive cones. You will also need a ball or a player that will act as a rabbit (ball
carrier) to complete the progression.
Install Teaching Progression:
1) ALIGNMENT /DEPTH / RECOGNITION: Teach the alignment and depth of

all five defenders; MIKE, field and boundary DE, and field and boundary CB.
Have them align on various formations and have the mike take charge of the
five and make sure they align correctly by making the FIELD CALL (will be
made fast). Remind the MIKE he will have to make a SHIFT call as well.
Check the players for proper alignment and depth.
2) STANCE /RECOGNITION: Teach the proper stance to the five defenders.
Have them align on the front then get into a stance quickly. Make sure the
ends and corners are pointed/aligned with their belt buckles pointed inside.
Ends are angled to the deep/near back’s near hip and the corners are angled
to the passer with the inside foot up field. Teach DE’s how to make the quick
read and target the near hip of the deep/near back. Teach the CB’s how to
make their quick read on the EMLOS for run/pass as they make their 3 step
drop. Teach MIKE how to read flow and get to the ball using the first open
window or drop in to his zone.
3) RUN TECHNIQUE: Teach the various techniques to the mike, ends, and
corners and how the sweep triangle works and shooting the sideline to
support the run. Explain the concept of ALLEY, TUNNEL, SQUEEZING,
SPILLING THE RUNNER, as well as the various terms and techniques when
defending run. Show them how sweeps, pitches, option, counters (inside
hand off), and reverses (outside handoff) will look and why we use the
techniques that we use.
4) PASS TECHNIQUE: Teach the various techniques to mike, DE’s, and CB’s
how the pass triangle works and how the various zone techniques will be
applied. Ensure the CB’s understand they are PASS FIRST/RUN SECOND
defender. MIKE and the DE’s are RUN FIRST/PASS SECOND defender.
Explain the TAMPA COVER 2 Concept how we convert from a cover 2 into a
cover 3 when the offense commits to pass. Explain how the DE’s will convert
into a flat zone defender when the passer executes a quick pass on his side

63 Defense
while the DE’s on the backside will apply blindside pressure into the
backfield.
Once they can do this as an entire unit you can break the triangle down and work on
specific techniques of the pass and sweep triangle.
As they get good say FAST BACK and see if the DE’s widens (adjusts) and the mike
gets a little more depth. Also tell the ends that the WB or TE is really good at reaching
see if he widens. Tell the mike it is fourth and long and they are going for it see if he
gets a little depth to better cover pass.
NOTE: THIS IS YOUR COVER UNIT - This group requires more time then the
pressure/stack unit as they are your best five defenders and will ensure that you are not
beaten by the deep pass or on the perimeter. You need to line up different offensive
formations and show them how different perimeter plays work within each formation.
Remember they don’t have much responsibility on the interior of the LOS because of the
way we clog up all the interior gaps (A, B, C gaps on each side). We need to show them
all the ways that teams can attack the perimeter; Sweeps, Reverses, Options, HB
Passes, Screen to the perimeter (bubble/slip/tunnel), Flat Passes, Flood Passes.
MIKE: needs to make FIELD and SHIFT CALLS. Needs to understand how to attack
through the LOS into windows and make plays using inside leverage. He needs to
understand how he will drop into coverage using a DB drop (continues to drop until the
ball is in the air). Recognizing if the play is a run or pass is key. Recognizing play flow
and the proper angle to attack different plays (inside leverage). Recognizing unbalanced
sets and calling the SHIFT to have our STACKS shift. Recognizing quick TE pop
passes and how to make the receiver pay for it by keying the QB to the ball.
Recognizing play action or HB as well as recognizing crossing routes underneath.
DE: recognizing when there is a receiver there is a chance for a quick slant or hitch but
if there is no one wide then they can focus on the running game. Recognizing when split
the difference between a slot and the EMLOS when facing twins or trips. Recognizing a
swing pass route by a running back or a WR screen pass and how to stop the play
before it gets started. Recognizing a reverse or counter coming back to their side and
how to stop it (SPILL and outside handoff and SQUEEZE and inside handoff).
CORNER: recognizing possible routes by different alignments pre-snap (smart football).

Recognizing who is an immediate danger to their zone (space) pre-snap. Recognizing
when to drop and keep dropping due to a pass threat being present. Recognizing when
you have to support the run and squeeze the alley down or fill the tunnel. Recognizing
when to rotate over as they check BCR (bootleg-counter-reverse) to support the play
side zones and cap the top off the alley.

63 Defense
Hourglass Progression Drill 1)
C
Why – ALIGNMENT /DEPTH / RECOGNITION: Teach the alignment and depth of all
five defenders; MIKE, field and boundary DE, and field and boundary CB. Have them
align on various formations and have the mike take charge of the five and make sure
they align correctly by making the FIELD CALL (will be made fast). Remind the MIKE
he will have to make a SHIFT call as well. Check the players for proper alignment and
depth.
How – one or two coaches set up a cone offense with one cone designated the
snapping cone. Coach calls PLAY to tell defense is setting up and all of them align and
get into their stances. Coaches check them to make sure they are at correct depth and
spacing. Then the coach has them quickly turn around (SPIN) and both coaches reset
cones to a different formation and call PLAY. Have MIKE make the FIELD call when he
spins around and make sure the field and boundary players are on the right side if you
have them switching. Repeat until time runs out checking and rechecking stance,
alignment, and depth for five minutes.
• Mike – 6 to 8 yards deep, even toed two point stance, head up over
snapper. He needs to make the FIELD CALL and SHIFT CALL as
well.
• Corners – 8 to 10 yards deep (base is 8), outside foot staggered two
point stance, if 1st RX is a TE he aligns to the outside shoulder of the
DE, if 1st RX is a WR he splits the distance between the 1st RX and the
2nd RX on his side. Face the ball.
• Ends – 2 to 5 yards wider than the WB, TE, or OT (whoever is the end
man and the base is 2 yards wide), outside foot staggered two point
stance, feet and belly button pointed at the deep/near back. If facing
a nasty end (3-4 yard split) you line up outside of him normal rules. If
facing a slot receiver you split the difference between the slot and
next offensive player inside. Face the near back.
As they get good say FAST BACK and see if the DE’s widen (adjusts) and the mike gets
a little more depth. Also tell the DE’s that the WB or TE is really good at reaching see if
he widens. Tell the mike it is fourth and long and they are going for it see if he gets a

63 Defense
little depth to better cover pass. You need to make sure as you give them information
that they quickly adapt to it (LOOK – ADJUST).

63 Defense
C
Why – STANCE /RECOGNITION: Teach the proper stance to the five defenders.
Have them align on the front then get into a stance quickly. Make sure the ends and
corners are pointed/aligned with their belt buckles pointed inside. Ends are angled to
the deep/near back’s near hip and the corners are angled to the passer with the inside
foot up field. Teach DE’s how to make the quick read and target the near hip of the
deep/near back. Teach the CB’s how to make their quick read on the EMLOS for
run/pass as they make their 3 step drop. Teach MIKE how to read flow and get to the
ball using the first open window or drop in to his zone.
snapping cone. Coach calls PLAY to tell defense is setting up and all of them align and
get into their stances. Coaches check them to make sure they are at correct depth,
spacing, and stance. Then the coach has them quickly turn around (SPIN) and both
coaches reset cones to a different formation and call PLAY. Repeat until time runs out
checking and rechecking stance, alignment, and depth for five minutes.
• Mike – 6 to 8 yards deep, even toed two point stance, head up over
snapper. He needs to make the FIELD CALL and SHIFT CALL as
well.
• Corners – 8 to 10 yards deep (base is 8), outside foot staggered two
point stance, if 1st RX is a TE he aligns to the outside shoulder of the
DE, if 1st RX is a WR he splits the distance between the 1st RX and the
2nd RX on his side.
• Ends – 2 to 5 yards wider than the WB, TE, or OT (whoever is the end
man and the base is 2 yards wide), outside foot staggered two point
stance, feet and belly button pointed at the deep/near back. If facing
a nasty end (3-4 yard split) you line up outside of him normal rules. If
facing a slot receiver you split the difference between the slot and
next offensive player inside.
As they get good say FAST BACK and see if the DE’s widen (adjusts) and the mike gets
a little more depth. Also tell the DE’s that the WB or TE is really good at reaching see if
he widens. Tell the mike it is fourth and long and they are going for it see if he gets a
little depth to better cover pass. You need to make sure as you give them information
that they quickly adapt to it (LOOK – ADJUST).

63 Defense

Contain
Squeeze the Alley Shoot
Inside Leverage
Tunnel
Pressure Force
Outside Leverage
Alley
Kick Out Block
Boundary Boundary
Why – RUN TECHNIQUE: Teach the various techniques to the mike, ends, and corners
and how the sweep triangle works and shooting the sideline to support the run. Explain
the concept of ALLEY, TUNNEL, SQUEEZING To PRESSURE, SPILLING THE
RUNNER, as well as the various terms and techniques when defending run. Show them
how sweeps, pitches, option, counters (inside hand off), and reverses (outside handoff)
will look and why we use the techniques that we use. Explain that the boundary is your
twelfth defender.
snapping cone. Coach walks through a basic sweep, quick pitch, inside counter,
reverse, and option plays and how the defense will stop them. You can use a few
players as a backfield to walk through the various perimeter runs that they will see.
Note – You can use a group of players for your backfield to simulate these plays once
you walk the unit through each perimeter running play. Having a set of note cards with
the plays and formations really helps. Also if you laminate the cards single-hole punch it
and secure them with a single ring it becomes a permanent coaching tool on teaching
basic defensive run stopping techniques for your defense.

63 Defense
Why – PASS TECHNIQUE: Teach the various techniques to mike, DE’s, and CB’s how
the pass triangle works and how the various zone techniques will be applied. Ensure the
CB’s understand they are PASS FIRST/RUN SECOND defender. MIKE and the DE’s
are RUN FIRST/PASS SECOND defender. Explain the TAMPA COVER 2 Concept how
we convert from a cover 2 into a cover 3 when the offense commits to pass. Explain
how the DE’s will convert into a flat/hook zone defender when the passer executes a
quick pass on his side while the DE’s on the backside will apply blindside pressure.
How – Have the coaches line up a set of cones in various offensive formations and
explain the pass triangle and how it is set up.
Teach the cornerbacks how to take their 3 step drop as they take the QUICK READ on
the EMLOS to confirm PASS/RUN as they put keep their eyes on the passer. They
keep dropping until the ball is in the air or they confirm run. AS they drop they rotate to
the QB’s up field shoulder and/or facemask. If they are on the backside the rotate slowly
and check for BOOTLEG/COUNTER/REVERSE once they confirm there is no BCR they
can fully rotate. This allows them to not only cover the middle zone over the top and
support the drop of MIKE they also can better support run via the CAP. Corners play the
deep out and on the backside they will rotate from the deep out to the deep middle.
Teach mike that he reads flow and once he confirms pass he drops and keeps dropping
until the ball is in the air. As he drops he rotates to the QB’s up field shoulder and/or
facemask. By rule he drops into the deep middle and keeps dropping but since he is
keying the passer he will really drop and rotate to the ball. We want MIKE to flow to the
ball and make plays so as long as he rotates and drops to the ball he is doing his job.
Teach the defensive ends that if a receiver is wide they need to be aware of quick pass
and eye the QB for mask/ball near ear. If the QB shows he drops and rotates to
passer’s mask/up field shoulder and makes a play on the ball. This is often the flat or
hook zone. If the passer does not show mask/ball to his side he puts immediate
pressure on the backfield through the outside arm of the near back (blindside pressure).

63 Defense
Why – PASS TECHNIQUE (Zone Coverage and being physical): To teach the pass
triangle (and OLB’s in RED) to learn how to drop, rotate, and play to the ball while being
extremely physical through the receiver. Using three dummies placed to simulate
common pass combinations that your opponent will throw. Remember our defense is
designed to defend SPACE and BALL. This drill is specifically designed to learn how to
defend space and then the BALL. The defenders will learn to surround the ball and the
player nearest the ball will make a play on the ball while the remaining defenders will
attack the receiver.
How – Have the coaches line up a set of cones in various offensive formations and three
blocking dummies (held by coaches or players). Coach will snap the ball drop back,
rollout, bootleg, or whatever movement the upcoming offense will execute. He will face
his passing target and then throw the ball to a specific dummy. The defenders must
execute their first steps and then drop and rotate properly keying off the QB’s facemask
or up field shoulder. Once the ball is in the air the near defender must make a play for
the ball while the remaining defenders attack the dummy by timing their hit with the ball
making contact. They must be physical and go through the dummy.
Teach the defensive ends that if a receiver is wide they need to be aware of quick pass
and eye the QB for mask/ball near ear. If the QB shows quick pass to perimeter he
drops and rotates to passer’s mask/up field shoulder and makes a play on the ball. This
is often the flat or hook zone. If the passer does not show mask/ball to his side he puts
immediate pressure on the backfield through the outside arm of the near back (blindside
pressure). DE’s applying pressure simply goes by the coach on the outside and tap his
near hip.
You can arrange the dummies in any way needed to get meaningful reps in with your
pass coverage team.

63 Defense
Half Line Drill 1)

C
C C
Why – To teach the defense how to respond to the basic offensive plays out of basic
formations. SWEEP, PITCH, LEAD/ISO, OFF TACKLE, DIVE, PLAY ACTION FLOOD,
BOOTLEG, ROLLOUT, and other play concepts. It can also be used to teach your
defense to respond to your opponent’s offensive system. It allows you to use your best
players on both sides of the ball so that you maximize your defense’s time and get
quality reps to improve technique, execution and intensity. Use four offensive linemen
(CENTER to PSTE/SE) and three to four backs/receivers. It is often better to use
coaches as backs if you want to increase reps per minute.
How – Line up three vertical cones on a yard line so it goes three yards deep. Have four
line men (CENTER to PSTE/SE) and three to four backs align on one side of cones with
the center over the top of the line of cones. Three coaches will align so that they have
the best angle to view all of the defensive players. Try to get 5 to 6 reps per minute and
correct on the fly. You want this drill to be intense and maximum effort and intensity
should be used.
Basic Plays to Rep
1) ISO/LEAD & PLAY ACTION PASS

2) SWEEP and OFF TACKLE
3) DIVE and PITCH
4) SWEEP and HB PASS

63 Defense
Playing the Ball in the Tunnel
When the offense kicks out a defender and runs the ball into the hole between the kick
out and the interior blockers a tunnel is created. Understanding how to defeat a play
being run into the tunnel and what the difference between a run in the tunnel and a run
towards the alley will further enhance the play of your defense.
When the defense fan blocks (blocks out with either a wing back or tight end), kicks out
with a full back, near back, play side lineman, backside linemen they close the alley out
and are now trying to isolate the perimeter defenders away from the play and run inside
of them. Because of the play of our defensive end it allows us to put immediate
pressure on the backfield and allows us to squeeze the tunnel from the outside and force
the runner to hit a smaller crease or spill outside.
When this occurs the defensive end must be in the backfield quickly and squeeze the
kick out as far in as possible to close down the tunnel as small as possible. He must
maintain outside leverage as he squeezes the play. If he can squeeze the play deep in
the backfield and behind the line often the ball carrier will attempt to spill the play outside
where he has no blocking support. The MIKE backer must immediately find an open
window in the line of scrimmage and attack the runner from the inside as fast as
possible. If he has a lead blocker he must rip/shiver through the inside arm pit of the
blocker and get to the inside hip of the runner. The cornerback as he makes his three
step drop and confirms run will immediately close down the LOS and maintain outside
leverage on the runner. He must attack the ball through the outside hip of the runner.
This means as the ball goes into the tunnel he will close down the tunnel from the
outside as the MIKE closes down the tunnel from the inside. The defensive ends job is
to first close the tunnel in the backfield and secondly make the tunnel as small as
possible. If the runner does spill out he must make sure he does so going away from the
line of scrimmage so that both the MIKE and CORNERBACK have less ground to cover
as they attack the ball carrier.
Obviously the key component is the defensive end applying pressure into the backfield
and the deeper he applies that the pressure the more likely the tunnel will close and the
runner will spill out. If that does occur the mike and corner now must do their job and
take the runner down behind the line of scrimmage.

63 Defense
B
O B
U O
N U
D N
A D
ALLE A
R
Y Tunnel R
Y
This is an example of the defensive end squeezing down the tunnel but closing it out in
the D gap vice behind the line and the runner deciding to run the tunnel. With the A, B,
and C gaps closed the runner must take the inside edge of the D gap and the MIKE
must shoot the window and attack from inside out. The corner as he confirms run must
come up and close down the runner from the outside. The backside defensive end will
put pressure on the runner from the bottom of the tunnel and the backside corner will
cap off of the top of the tunnel to reduce the chance of a big play.
B
O Tunnel
B
U O
N U
D N
A D
ALLE A
R
Y R
Y
The above example is what happens when the runner spills out due to the defensive end
closing out the tunnel in the backfield behind the C gap. Mike takes the open window
and attacks the runner from the inside. The cornerback confirms run and closes on the
runner from the outside closing the alley from the outside and driving the ball to the
boundary.

63 Defense
Chapter 3: Defensive Fundamentals

Tackling, Pursuit, and Turnovers
As I stated before if you want to have a really good defense you must be fundamentally
sound. For me that means you have tackle well, you have to take sound pursuit angles,
and you have to be aggressive and have the mentality that the ball is always yours and
that means creating and capitalizing on turnovers. This chapter will discuss and show
you how I teach these three areas to my team.
First and foremost defense is about attitude and reaction. Every player on the defense
must have the attitude that they will not allow that ball to advance down the field and if
they do they will punish that ball carrier for doing it with a hard tackle and every player
on the defense swarming to the ball to gang tackle and attempt to take the ball away.
Tackling: Pursuit: Turnovers:

Contact Drill Lateral Attack Angle Drill Who’s ball is it
Shed & Contact Drill Open Field Triangle Drill Scoop and score
Triangle Drill Open Field Reverse Triangle Scoop and Score II

Drill
Line Drill Shoot and Force Drill Jump Ball
Alley Drill Shoot the Sideline Drill (CB, Interception Drill

DE, Mike)
Lane Drill Red Shoot the Sideline Drill Tomahawk Strip Drill
Zigzag Drill Team Pursuit Drill (Pass & Two Hand Tomahawk Drill
Sweep)
Gang tackling Drill
Tackling
Safety first and foremost;
• You must stress to every player to keep their head up when any contact is being
made!
• If you coach football or play football take the time and watch the video from
NATA:
http://www.nata.org/consumer/headsup.htm
Basic L.E.G Progression
Load – your body; ankles, knees, hips, arms are cocked, eyes are on the aiming point
Explode – in to the runner as you bite the arm pit
Go – through the runner at full speed

63 Defense
Bite the Pit!
This simple statement is the best way to tell a player how to make a tackle in my opinion.
If you tell a player to literally bite the pit (arm pit) it tells him several things all at once in a
single descriptive way. Always bite the far pit if to the side and the ball side arm pit if
head up.
1) By biting the pit he has to drop his hips and bend his knees while keeping his
chest high and his jaw up as well as his eyes so that he can make the bite into
the arm pit.
2) By biting the pit the shoulders are strong, the arms are loaded, and the neck is
bulled. The arm pit is fixed it does not move like the ball.
3) When he bites the pit his body will unload and his hips will naturally roll forward
into the ball carrier and the arms will wrap around the runner. Contact is made
with the far top and front of the shoulder.
Bite the Hip!
This is a modification of bit the pit. It allows us to teach the above method to smaller
defenders and have a method to use against bigger power runners that can be very
difficult to bring down. The aiming point is redirected to the ball side hip. The defender
will bite the hip pad using the same rule as above.
1) This method is used when teaching small defenders to make tackles.

2) This method is used when facing power runners that have a size/weight
advantage.
3) The same exact method is taught as above except the contact is made with
the far top and front of the shoulder making contact with the inner thigh board
as the arms squeeze the thighs together. The head remains on the outside
of the far leg.
4) Head remains up and the neck is bulled because he is biting the hip pad on
the far/ball side.

63 Defense
L.E.G Progression
• The body does the tackling.
• The arms lock the runner around the body and grab cloth.
• Hips explode through the runner and lift his feet off the ground.
• Eyes are always on the ball side arm pit as you make contact.
The same progression as our blocking system to keep things uniform and simple
throughout our entire system.
1) LOAD – approach the defender and load your body

• Take short power steps as you near the defender (3 to 6 inch steps)
• In an athletic position, with numbers near the knees, load your body
• lower the hips, bend the knees, athletic hitting position
• Keep your head up and feet shoulder width apart
• Hand are open, palms are facing the hips, elbows cocked
2) EXPLODE – UNLOAD INTO THE RUNNER AND GRAB CLOTH

• Explode into the runner unloading your body from the ground up. Far
shoulder (from arm pit) makes contact first.
o Adjusting for Size of Defender
o Smaller Player – aim for a spot just below the hip to take away
the runner’s center of gravity.
• Unload every joint from the ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and
elbows into the runner.
• Arms wrap up into the runner and around the back and grabs cloth
violently. This increases the opportunity for a turnover
• Never leave your feet as you have more force through the ground.
3) GO – THROUGH THE RUNNER

• Go through the runner by unloading the hips through the runner.
• Run your feet and maintain contact on the ground.
• Never leave the ground to make a tackle.
• As you move through and unload lift the ball carrier and move through
him all at once.
• Explain it by telling them to drive their belly button through the runner
to get them to roll their hips up and forward.
The drills on the next few pages are the entire sequence of drills use to teach tackling.
When we first introduce tackling we do it in a progression format so that every kid is
given time to master the basics of tackling. The primary concern is always safety and
teaching the tacklers to keep their heads up prior to and during any contact. Once we

63 Defense
go through the progression and we feel each kid understands the basics of tackling we
then conduct our tackling sessions in a circuit style.

63 Defense
Introduction to Tackling – Tackling Progression

L.E.G Progression: this progression is done right after we finish our dynamic warm ups.
We do this for both blocking and tackling. Obviously the specifics of blocking and
tackling differ but the basic loading and unloading principles are exactly the same (15
minutes).
Tackling Progression I: (15 minutes); contact drill (5 minutes), line drill (5 minutes),
triangle drill (5 minutes).
Tackling Progression II: (15 minutes); contact drill (5 minutes), shed & contact drill (5
minutes), line drill (5 minutes).
Tackling Circuit I (3 x 5 minute circuits); contact drill, shed & contact drill, triangle drill.
Tackling Circuit II (3 x 5 minutes circuits); shed & contact drill, triangle drill, line drill.
Tackling Circuit III (3 x 5 minutes circuits); triangle drill, line drill, alley drill.
Tackling Circuit IV (3 x 5 minutes); line drill, alley drill, lane drill.
Tackling Circuit V (3 x 5 minutes); alley drill, lane drill, gang-tackle drill
Progressions are used to teach both the players and coaching staff how to execute the
drill and the fundamentals of tackling. It allows the instructor to correct both technical
problems and instructions problems. Each drill is done back to back as they each build
off of each other.
Circuits are used to save both time and maximize reps for every player once the
fundamentals of tackling are taught and the coaching staff understands how to teach the
specific drills and techniques. These are five basic circuits we use but you can mix and
match drills in groups of three using any of the tackling drills. The important point is to
do tackling every day because it is the cornerstone of every good defense. A team that
can tackle will defend well. If you only have ten minutes then simply reduce your circuit
down to two drills of five minutes.

63 Defense
Pursuit Angles to the Runner
It is very important part of defensive football and teaching players how to take a proper
angle to the runner and then break down and close on the on the ball is a fundamental
part of defense. This simple set of drills trains your players how to take a proper angle
on the ball and then close on it.
All pursuit drills are taught via a circuit course using a fifteen minute session with three
five minute segments. Obviously we can go to a ten minute session with two five minute
segments. We can also blend in tackling and pursuit so that you use a two to one split
of drills (either way). Since these concepts are not nearly as complex as tackling we
really don’t have to use a progression to teach them but if you feel you have to then
simply set up a progression using the same format as the tackling progression.
Pursuit Circuit: lateral attack angle, open field triangle, open field reverse triangle.
Pursuit Circuit II: open field triangle, open field reverse triangle, flow and close drill.
Pursuit Circuit III: open field reverse triangle, flow and close, shoot the sideline drill.
Pursuit Circuit IV: flow and close, shoot the sideline, red shoot the sideline drill.
Pursuit Circuit V: shoot the sideline, red shoot the sideline, team pursuit drill.
As with the tackling circuits these are basic pursuit circuits. At the beginning of the
season it is very important to implement a solid base of how to take proper angles on the
ball. You can use two segments of five minutes lasting a total of ten minutes or you can
easily mix in one pursuit drill into your tackling circuit during the season.
Turnovers and Scoring with the Defense!
I want my defense to create turnover and attack the ball. I want my entire team to have
the mentality that the ball is theirs and constantly attack the ball and the person holding
the ball in play in a all out effort to take the ball back. I also want my defense to have the
attitude that they can and will score with the football if they recover it. There is nothing
more demoralizing to a team and a player then to watch the opposing defense recover a
fumble or intercept a pass and take it back for a score. It places a tremendous amount
of pressure on the players and the coaching staff to play perfect or watch the game
spiral out of control. Turnovers and scoring on turnovers creates emotional and mental
pressure on the offense and when you do that they tend to protect the ball. This means
safer and more conservative play calling, less passing plays, runners who slow down as
they tend to protect the ball and themselves. All of this plays a critical role in how the
offense will engage the defense as the game goes on.
Turnovers are about being mentally and emotionally tougher than your opponent. It
means having an attitude that if they have the ball then they are stealing from our team.
It is about dominating your opponent to the point that the start playing it safe. When they
do they become predictable and this allows the defense to become more aggressive.
The drills below allow us to develop the needed skills in our players so that they
constantly attack the ball and attempt to create turnovers. A big part of each drill is the

63 Defense
desire to get the ball. Often this means allowing your players to fight for the ball in a
controlled setting. They have to have a desire to root the ball out and hold on to under
extreme conditions.
The first drill we introduce is a drill developed by Dave Potter an extremely gifted youth
coach who often has some of the hardest hitting teams in youth football. He calls it the
“Who’s Ball is It” and it is basically a controlled fight for the football. It is the key to
developing the attitude in all of our players that the football is our football. It is the center
piece for our turnover circuits and one of the reasons why we always have a high rate of
turnovers from season to season. Dave introduced me to this drill years ago and I have
always found it to be one of the most enjoyed drills by my team. The remaining drills
introduce and refine the skills to create, recover, and capitalize on turnovers we create.
Turnover Circuit I: Who’s ball is it, scoop and score, jump ball.
Turnover Circuit II: Who’s ball is it, fumble recovery, interception drill.
Turnover Circuit III: Who’s ball is it, scoop and score, tomahawk strip drill.
Turnover Circuit IV: Who’s ball is it, fumble recovery, two hand tomahawk strip drill.
Turnover Circuit V: Who’s ball is it, jump ball, tomahawk strip drill.
As with the tackling and pursuit drills we do these at the beginning of the year to
introduce and refine these skills. During the season we will often add one drill or a
circuit into our practice plan to further refine the skills. The key is to constantly reinforce
all three of these fundamentals. Obviously tackling is the corner stone but in order to be
a great defense you need to be good at all three of these fundamentals. I don’t spend
as much time on defense as I do on offense but I do spend time every day on the
defensive fundamentals because these are key to any defense being effective.

63 Defense
Tackling Drill #1: Contact Drill
Why: To teach each player how to properly “bite the pit” and execute our L.E.G
progression while making a tackle.
How: The coach, or coaches, will have three to six bags with players holding them to
simulate ball carriers. The defender will be one yard away. On READY the defenders
will get into an athletic hitting position. The feet should be slightly staggered to generate
additional force. The coach will move either foot to simulate the offenses first
movement/snap of ball. As soon as the player see the movement key they will fire off
and execute a L.E.G and bite the pit at ½ speed then full speed. It is essential that they
execute this at full speed but they need to build up to it from 1.2 speed so that they
master the technique.
1) LOAD - THE BODY PRIOR TO CONTACT

a. In an athletic position load your body
b. lower the hips, bend the knees, athletic hitting position
c. Keep your chest up and feet shoulder width apart
d. Hand are open, palms are facing the hips, elbows cocked
2) EXPLODE – UNLOAD INTO THE RUNNER AND GRAB CLOTH
a. Explode into the runner unloading your body from the ground up. Far
shoulder (from arm pit) makes contact first.
b. Unload every joint from the ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and elbows
into the runner.
c. Arms wrap up into the runner and around the back and grabs cloth. This
increases the opportunity for a turnover
d. Never leave your feet as you have more force through the ground.
3) GO – THROUGH THE RUNNER
a. Go through the runner by unloading the hips through the runner.
b. Run your feet and maintain contact on the ground.
c. Never leave the ground to make a tackle.
d. As you move through and unload lift the ball carrier and move through
him all at once.

63 Defense
Tackling Drill #2: Shed & Contact Drill
Why: To teach each player how to properly shed a blocker (ignore the blocker) and
“bite the ball” while executing our L.E.G progression.
How: The coach, or coaches, will have three to six bags with players holding them to
simulate ball carriers six yard back they will also have the same amount of players
holding shields an arms distance form tackler. The coach will call right or left to indicate
which side he wants the defenders to shed through. On READY the defenders will get
into an athletic hitting position. The feet should be slightly staggered to generate
additional force. The coach will move either foot to simulate the offenses first
movement/snap of ball. As soon as the player see the movement key they will fire off
and execute a RIP or WHEEL technique and shed the block (move through him fast)
immediately close on the bag and execute a L.E.G and bite the pit at ½ s full speed. It
is essential that they execute this at full speed.
Rip Technique
1) Defender will load his body and near arm.

2) When he is about to step on the blocker’s near feet/rub his hip he will rip
his near arm (far arm from gap) through the hip into the funnel (arm
pit/elbow).
3) The same leg will scrape the leg of the blocker as he goes by.
4) Use the gap side arm and drive the palm up into the shoulder to drive the
blocker’s body up as the defender rips under it.
Wheel Technique
1) Defender will fire both hands into the chest of the blocker.
2) He will drive the far forearm across the chest of the blocker as the near
arm drives the gap side arm pit back.
3) The defender’s body will lean into the blocker and across the gap side hip
past the blocker as he drives the near arm up into the shoulder as the far
forearm drives the blocker away and back as the defender goes by.

63 Defense
Tackling Drill #3: Triangle Drill
Why: To teach a player how to properly react and make an angle tackle.
How: Coach will set up a triangle with 3 yards distance between each cone to start with.
The runner, with the ball, will be on the tip of the triangle and the defender will be at the
base of the triangle just behind the line the cones create. On GO by the coach the
runner will step and attack either one of the cones on the right or left of the tackler and
the tackler must immediately cut off the runner and execute a good angle tackle that
denies the runner the ability to get to the cone.
Note: Any drill that has two live players in it you can control the amount of force being
applied by changing the distance between the runner and the tackler. As above we start
with 3 yards this is to deny the tackler the ability to reach full speed and apply maximum
force to his tackle. Remember that force = mass x acceleration or weight x speed
essentially. As your tacklers skills improve and you see that all of them are using safe
tackling methods (keeping their heads up) you can increase the distance. I typically go
no more than 6 yards from each cone.

63 Defense
Tackling Drill #4: Line Drill
Why: To teach players to “bite the pit” technique using a L.E.G progression at ½ speed
and then full speed.
How: The coach will align as many dummies he can to create lines between the
dummies. You can create the lane with cones, PVC pipes, or any item that will easily
express the lanes to the players. The lanes need to be about 2 yards wide and about 4
to 5 feet long. One side will be the ball carrier and one side will be the defenders and
they can alternate to maximize time. Both will start on the outside edge of the barrier
(outside of the lane). One line at a time the Coach will call GO and runner will drive
forward and the defender will attack the runner as deep into the line as possible and
execute the “bite the pit” tackle and use his entire L.E.G progression as he makes the
tackle and drives the runner out of the line. The runner should attack at full speed with
his hips and knees bent and his chest high (don’t let them lower their head). Make sure
the tackler unloads on the runner, wraps, lifts, and drives the runner out of the lane. As
each tackler finishes the coach will call GO for the next line and each on thereafter?
Having an extra coach to correct techniques and problems with the player’s tackling
method is helpful so that the coach calling GO can keep the drill moving while
corrections are being made.
Google Video Clip of the Drill
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2030619229949183914

63 Defense
Tackling Drill #5: Alley Drill
Why: To teach players the full “bite the ball” technique using a L.E.G progression at ½
speed and then full speed while having to maneuver to the ball as the ball carrier makes
one cut and attacks an open alley.
How: The coach will set up four bags so that they are 1 yard apart from each other with
one cone on each side aligned in the middle lane about 3 yards away from the lane.
The runner with a ball and a defender will each align behind their cone. On GO from the
coach the runner will cross their cone and make one cut and then attack one of the three
lanes. The runner is not allowed to sprint into the middle lane. He must attack one of
the out lanes first and then cut into the middle lane if chooses to attack the middle lane.
The tackler must stay square to the runner (keep his belt buckle pointing at the runner)
as he slides in the runner’s direction. He should mirror the runner’s depth at all times
until he sees the runner commit to one alley. Once he does he must immediately attack
the runner and attempt to make the tackle as deep as he can in the lane; if he can make
the tackle on the other side of the lane that is even better. He needs to maintain inside
leverage on the runner when the runner attack s ones of the outer lanes.
Variation: To teach the tackler to key the ball and the fundamentals of cross
reading.
How: Using two runners with one facing to alley and the
other in front of the first runner facing away from the
alley. There will be one ball between the two runners
and on GO one of them will attack in one direction with
the ball and the other will attack an open alley. The
tackler must key the ball and then attack it in the alley as
quickly as possible. He must learn to not attack the
runners but the ball.

63 Defense
Tackling Drill #6: Lane Drill
speed and then full speed while keeping square and maintaining leverage on the runner.
How: The coach will form to columns of players. One column will be the runners and
they will face the end of the bags the other column will face the runners. The coach will
form alleys with four to six bags, you need to have at least three alleys, and you can
make the alleys with cones or even PVC pipe as well. On GO the runner will jog down
the bags and pick and alley to run into an attempt to get to the other side while the
defender laterally moves with him and maintains inside leverage on him. When the
runner turns and attacks the alley the defender must accelerate into the alley and
attempt to make the tackle as far into the alley as possible; if the defender makes the
tackle on the other side of the alley that is excellent. He must execute a good form
tackle using a “bite the pit” method and L.E.G.
Variation: Key the ball and cross read variation.
By adding an extra row on the opposite side who acts as a counter back teaches the
defender how to execute a cross key and attack the ball. On GO the runner will do the
exact same thing as above but the counter back will release when the runner passes the
second bag. The runner has two options either keep the ball after a hand fake or make
the hand off and let the counter back attack the first lane. The defender must maintain
leverage and watch for the ball then flow to the ball and attack the runner in the alley.

63 Defense
Tackling Drill #7: Zigzag Drill
“GO!”
speed and then full speed after moving in multiple directions. Teaches the defender to
control is body and move in for the tackle.
How: Coach will take eight cones and align then 2 yards apart from each other in a
rectangle pattern. One more cone will be aligned 5 yards from the last cone and 3 yards
deep. On GO the defender will sprint and backpedal through the cones as the defender
hits reaches the last cone (from backpedaling) the coach will call GO again and the
runner will sprint straight across from his start cone. The defender must get under
control and immediately execute a form tackle. Because the tackler has to accelerate
forward as he gains control he has to learn how to reposition his feet, get low, and get
his eyes on the far arm pit.
Variation: Have the runner attack the defender by moving towards the last cone and
attempting to shoulder rush the tackler. Now the tackler must attempt to meet the runner
and close ground much quicker on the runner. This demonstrates how a runner will
often turn into a tackler and attempt to make first contact to nullify the defender’s
contact.

63 Defense
Tackling Drill #8: Gang Tackle Drill
speed and then full speed.
How: The coach will place three dummies that are 3 yards apart from each other in a
straight line. You can have players hold the dummies in place if you need too. Have the
defender form three lines behind the dummies five yards apart. On GO from a hitting
position (or three point stance) the defenders will attack the dummy the coach points to
and gang tackle it. The first defender will always make a form tackle, the second
defender will make contact with the defender just outside of the shoulder of the form
tackle while the last defender will close down on the dummy and make the tackle
however he can (drive his teammates, go high, go low, mesh with the next tackle). They
need to learn how to work as a unit and drive the runner to the ground as quickly as
possible. If you are having a player hold the dummy have him offer some resistance as
first contact his made. As soon as the second defender makes contact the holder
should release the dummy.

63 Defense
Pursuit Drill #1: Lateral Attack Angle
Why: Teach the defender how to take a proper angle on the runner as he attack the
perimeter.
How: The coach will use two dummies and two cones. One dummy will be placed on
the LOS as a barrier between the runner and the defender with a cone five yards from
the barrier dummy and a dummy (simulating a runner) ten yards away. The runner cone
will be five to seven yards from the barrier dummy. On GO the runner will cross over
step and sprint past the runner dummy and go vertical up field and the defender must
maintain inside leverage and stay square and mirror the depth of the runner. As he sees
the runner go vertical he will tackle the dummy. He must attempt to maintain inside
leverage as long as possible once he cannot he turns and attack the dummy
aggressively.
Note: This drill is set up to teach angle pursuit but it is specifically designed to teach a
OLB and DL’s how to maintain outside leverage on a runner and then attack the runner
as he attacks the LOS.

63 Defense
Pursuit Drill #2: Open Field Triangle Drill
Why: Teach the defender how to take a proper angle in the open field on a runner that
breaks into the open field.
How: The coach will set up three cones; one cone will be place at the 0 yard line and
two will be placed at the 10 yard line and 20 yards apart from each other. The ball
carrier will be behind the single cone and the defender will be between the two cones.
On GO from the coach the runner will sprint up field a few steps and then immediately
break aiming for either cone. The defender will immediately break on the runner
maintaining leverage on the runner close on him and cross the defender’s body (bite the
arm pit) and touch both hips as he crosses the runners body.
Note: The coach can rep this to one side or alternate sides. The defender should pick
up the dummy after he makes the tackle. This should be a fast paced drill.

63 Defense
Pursuit Drill #3: Open Field Pursuit Triangle Drill
Why: Teach the defender how to take a proper angle on the runner as he breaks past
the LOS and goes vertical.
How: Each side of the field you will place three dummies five yards apart as runner
dummies. In the middle of the field you will place a cone and one dummy on each side
of the cone as a barrier along the LOS. The defender will close on the runner
aggressively from inside out as the runner goes vertical on the outside of the dummies.
The defender will tackle the dummy that the runner is about to go by to simulate him
making a tackle. The defender has to turn and close quickly on the runner using
aggressive inside angle.
Note: The coach can rep this to one side or alternate sides. The defender should pick
up the dummy after he makes the tackle. This should be a fast paced drill.

63 Defense
Pursuit Drill #4: Shoot and Force Drill
Why: Teach the shoot and force defenders how to take a proper angle and track the
ball even when facing misdirection.
How: The coach will use one dummy on each side of the center cone to represent a
barrier at the LOS. Two runners one a deep back facing the LOS and one facing the
deep back with the deep back about six yards deep. A ball between the two and on GO
one will keep the ball and they will both split running outside (cone can mark it off). The
defensive ends must immediately attack up field at the near hip of the deep back as
soon as they see movement. They must locate the ball as they close and attack it from
the front and pursue it from the back aggressively (checking for counter as they do from
a position of depth). The MIKE backer must locate the ball and then take an aggressive
angle from the inside and attack the runner. This is a full speed wrap up drill and it
needs to be taught using only full speed.
Variation #1: Have the up back lead block and kick out or log block the DE at times to
teach play side DE to cross the face of the lead blocker as he rips through the blocker’s
outside arm while the backside DE pursues and closes in on the runner.
Variation #2: Use three backs in a triangle with two going one way and one going the
opposite way. You can run full misdirection or use one as a lead blocker. This is
especially helpful when teach your defenders to key a three back offense that uses a lot
of crossing and countering.

63 Defense
Pursuit Drill #5: Shoot the Sideline Drill
Why: Teach the sweep and pass triangle defenders how to take a proper angle and
track the ball on a perimeter run even when facing misdirection.
the front and pursue it from the back aggressively (checking for BCR as they do from a
position of depth). The MIKE backer must locate the ball and then take an aggressive
angle from the inside and attack the runner. The cornerbacks must take their 3 step
drop and read the play and then react to the direction of the run with the play side corner
coming up immediately to squeeze the alley down and the backside corner capping the
top of the alley as he checks for BCR. This is a full speed wrap up drill and it needs to
be taught using only full speed.
Variation #1: Have the up back lead block and kick out or log block the DE at times to
teach play side DE to cross the face of the lead blocker as he rips through the blocker’s
outside arm while the backside DE pursues and closes in on the runner.
Variation #2: Use three backs in a triangle with two going one way and one going the
opposite way. You can run full misdirection or use one as a lead blocker. This is
especially helpful when teach your defenders to key a three back offense that uses a lot
of crossing and countering.
Variation #3: Use three backs with on dropping back, bootlegging, or rolling out and
faking pass as the other two backs run the ball (criss cross action or lead). This forces
the pass triangle to play pass until run is confirmed.

63 Defense
Pursuit Drill #6: Red Shoot the Sideline Drill
Why: Teach the sweep and pass triangle defenders as well as the OLB’s how to take a
proper angle and track the ball on a perimeter run even when facing misdirection. RED
is our call to our OLB to READ and this drill teaches them how to take good angles on
perimeter plays to support the sweep triangle.
the front and pursue it from the back aggressively (checking for BCR as they do from a
position of depth). The MIKE backer must locate the ball and then take an aggressive
angle from the inside and attack the runner. The cornerbacks must take their 3 step
drop and read the play and then react to the direction of the run with the play side corner
coming up immediately to squeeze the alley down and the backside corner capping the
top of the alley as he checks for BCR. The OLB on the play side as he identifies run to
his side he keeps his hips square and attempts to maintain outside leverage on the
runner. The backside OLB cross reads and checks for BCR after he confirms not BCR
he bounces to the inside edge of the play side alley and denies any sort of cutback. This
is a full speed wrap up drill and it needs to be taught using only full speed. You can use
the variations in Drill #5 as well.

63 Defense
Pursuit Drill #7: Team Pursuit Drill (also RED call)
Why: Teach the entire defensive unit how to flow and pursue to the ball. This is a fast
paced drill designed to teach the entire unit to locate and get to the ball as quickly as
possible no matter where it is at on the field.
How: The coach will use seven cones to indicate seven blockers on the LOS. Three
runners one a near back facing away from the LOS and two deep backs facing the LOS
with the deep backs about six yards back. A ball between the three and on GO they will
execute one of the moves below. The sweep triangle and pass triangle will execute
their techniques while they determine pass/run and flow of ball. The interior six will
execute their stunts based on the OLB’s calls. Mike should be making field and shift
calls when and if needed. The coach should give indications of wide side, strength, and
even let him key on certain clues we give as coaches so that he gets used to watching
for clues on the field.
Action Near Back Left Deep Back Right Deep Back

Power Rt Kick Out Right Run Off tackle Lead Right
Power Lt Kick Out Left Lead Right Run Off tackle
Sweep Rt Log Right Run Sweep Log Right
Sweep Lt Log Left Log Left Run Sweep
Counter Rt Lead Left Counter Right Fake Left
Counter Lt Lead Right Fake Right Counter Left
Drop Back Drop Back Block Left Block Right
Bootleg Rt Bootleg Right Fake Right Fake Left
Bootleg Lt Bootleg Left Fake Right Fake Left
Variation #1: RED with the OLB in a READ mode.

63 Defense
Turn Over Drill #1: Who’s Ball is It
Why: To teach the mental and physical aspect of football. To teach each player that
the football is theirs at all times on the field and to teach players how to be physical until
the echo of the whistle.
How: The first time the coach runs this play he should explain that at all times the ball is
to be consider ours. Whenever the ball leaves the opponent’s hands as an entire team
we must attempt to recover, protect, and retain possession of that ball. The drill is
intended to teach players that it doesn’t matter who gets their hands on it first it matters
who has it at the echo of the whistle. The players must not hit, punch, scratch, claw,
pinch, bite, or kick the opposing player. He must attempt to get the ball out of the other
player’s hands by pulling, tugging, and getting position on the ball. The coach will stand
between the two players and ask them if each who’s ball it is by name; they should say it
is their ball. Then the coach will walk behind them and then toss the ball up in the air
about 5 yards in front of them. As soon as they see the ball they should attack it and the
other player should make every attempt to regain possession of the ball. The coach or a
pair of coaches will trail the players telling each player to get the ball and encouraging
the players in any way they can that they must recover that football. At any time either
player can tap out if it becomes too physical. Once one player has possession and it is
obvious the other player will not regain possession or if both players are tied and there is
no movement for a small amount of time call it. Make sure you acknowledge the good
job they did and repeat with the next group. After a while you can let winners or even
specific players call out other players and put those players on the spot.
This is supposed to be a physical drill and initially you should match up players by size.

63 Defense
Turn Over Drill #1: Scoop and Score
Why: To teach the players how to work as a team and scoop up the ball and get to the
end zone as quickly as possible as the other players shield of and create vertical lanes
for the defender to score.
How: The coach will form two lanes of players one on each side of a cone about one to
two yards from each other. The coach will stand behind the players and remind them
that one player must scoop the ball (player farthest from any opponents while the other
player shields off and blocks for the scooper and then creates a vertical lane to the end
zone (10 yards up field). The coach will pitch or soft toss the ball about 5 yards in front
of the two defenders. Another coach will be standing up field on one side or the other
and will begin to move towards the ball. The near defender must wall off the coach and
let his partner scoop the ball up on the run. If the scooper bobbles the ball in any way he
should simply cover it and lay on his side with the legs, arms, and body wrapped around
the ball. If he does secure it he should immediately go vertical and find the end zone.
The defender that is walling off will go vertical and shield off pursuit and/or create a
vertical lane. This needs to be a fast paced drill and the coach on the field needs to
force one defender to always come up and wall him off so they learn to work as a team.
Alternative: three players with the one in the middle holding the ball. His job is to score
and the other two must strip the ball and recover it. There should be enough distance
between the defenders and the runner so that he can get a head start on the coaches
starting signal.
I really like to do this at one end zone and if the runner gets to the far end zone he can
jog back while the other two have to sprint back.

63 Defense
Turn Over Drill #1: Scoop and Score II
end zone as quickly as possible as the other players shield off and creates a vertical
lanes for the defender to score while facing live opponents that will attempt to pursue
and recover the ball or tackle the defender.
of the two defenders.

63 Defense
Turn Over Drill #3: Jump Ball
end zone as quickly as possible as the other players shield of and create vertical lanes
for the defender to score.
of the two defenders. Another coach will be standing up field on one side or the other
and will begin to move towards the ball. The near defender must wall off the coach and
let his partner scoop the ball up on the run. If the scooper bobbles the ball in any way he
should simply cover it and lay on his side with the legs, arms, and body wrapped around
the ball. If he does secure it he should immediately go vertical and find the end zone.
The defender that is walling off will go vertical and shield off pursuit and/or create a
vertical lane. This needs to be a fast paced drill and the coach on the field needs to
force one defender to always come up and wall him off so they learn to work as a team.

63 Defense
Chapter 4: Red Call

Supporting the Sweep Triangle
This RED call is essentially the base 63 defense that I ran in the past prior to
implementing the stack concept into the defense. In all honesty you could run the 63
using only the RED concept and be successful but I feel the combination of the STACK
and RED concept make the defense very tough to defend because the offense never
knows if it will see an aggressive attacking front with pressure ends or a reading front
with pressure ends. It puts a tremendous amount of pressure on an offense and their
play calling while allowing a defensive coordinator to be very creative in a very simplistic
manner.
In the nutshell RED means OLB’s read the backfield. It is an audible or signal that can
be sent out to tell the OLB’s they are no longer stunting/blitzing in the stack but now
reading their key while their stack linemen execute whatever call they make. This allows
them to call their stacks but read so even though they are reading the nature of the
attacking front stays intact it is simply missing one defending. This allows the OLB to
call IN/OUT/SPLIT and even GAP giving the appearance of stacking but really reading
the backfield while his defensive linemen slant into their various gaps.
Some main reason for using RED CALL
1) League does not allow linebackers to stunt or blitz

2) Defensive ends need additional edge/perimeter support
3) Elite running back that can get outside
4) Passing game that likes to attack the hook zones
5) Bootlegs and Waggles are a big part of the offensive attack
6) Need additional pass coverage support against a spread type passing attack
(RED SPREAD)
League Does Not Allow Backs to Blitz
I have had a bunch of coaches around the country run into this issue and they have
used the 63 RED version with great success. Although I completely disagree with
leagues that do this it is the best way to adapt to the situation if you want to run the 63.
Defensive Ends Need Additional Edge Support & Elite Runners
Because of the aggressive technique our ends play there are times that we have to give
them additional support. This is especially true against superior running backs that are
athletic enough to cut off the Defensive end’s aggressive angle and move into the
narrow space between the DE and the DL or he has the ability to slip around the DE to
the outside and cut and go vertical. In this case calling RED to support that DE is a
good idea because you get immediate leverage support from the OLB. This is often
enough to force the running back to spill or cut back inside which is the intention of the
DE’s technique in the first place. This can also be caused by formations (unbalanced
backfields and such) or motion. Calling RED allows you to support the edge better in
these cases.

63 Defense
The Hook Zone
When I first designed this defense I broke down all the defensive plays we had at Grand
Prairie and the Texas Brahmas and found that most teams simply don’t pass in the hook
zones that much. My guess is most youth OC’s don’t have a enough confidence in their
passer’s accuracy to trust him to get the ball into an area that has a possibly three of the
defense’s best defender’s sitting in that space (OLB, MIKE, and CB). With that due to
the aggressive nature of our defense and the fact that we don’t appear to support our
hook zones it is not uncommon to see offensives throw dump, pop, and hook passes
into the hook zone. Normally our MIKE can flow and defend against those pass routes
but if we are playing against a good play action team or a team that likes to show punt or
deep pass on third/fourth down and then dump it off into the hook zone calling RED
allows you to put your OLB’s into pass zone coverage and support those hook zones.
Often when we play teams and they start doing this it allows us to ROB their routes and
get an interception when we go from STACK to RED and our OLB drops into the hook
zone only to see the ball coming right at him.
Bootlegs, Waggles and Rollouts
Offenses that use these types of plays often use half field flood concepts with them and
it is impossible for the cornerback and mike to cover every one or to expect the defense
not to commit to run off of a good play action instead of dropping into the flat on the play
side. In these cases it is better to call RED and get the additional support in pass
coverage and if the DE does read pass quickly enough he is simply additional support
otherwise he can apply pressure to the backfield and the passer.
Spread Teams
I would say that 75% of the teams that have run the spread or some version of it that we
have faced we simply stayed in STACK and went after them and never bothered to call
RED or RED SPREAD because our ends were good enough to see the quick pass
(obvious in shot gun) and drop into coverage. The teams that really like to run draws and
delays off of pass action are tough and often we have to let the end commit to run and
not drop in these cases so calling RED or RED SPREAD is much more realistic
approach. My ends typically have a big day against teams like these both in QB
pressures, sacks, and interceptions because my philosophy is make them prove to me
that I need to go out of STACK for additional pass support. My rule is stick with pressure
if it is working and let the defensive ends do their job and good things will happen.

63 Defense
Benefit of Supporting the Sweep Triangle
Above are two classic examples of a sweep play developing against our defense; in the
first the end was able to get behind the C gap prior to the ball leaving the backfield.
Typically this is going to result in a big defensive play but if you are up against a pretty
good athletic and talented runner he can slip by the end and get outside still and the
additional support of the ALLEY defender (OLB) puts pressure on the runner to continue
flowing outside towards the boundary while the contain player (corner) comes up to
support the run. Otherwise the runner will get by the force defender and the contain
defender might not be in a position to immediately support the force player if this
happens. With the RED call you get alley support and the ability to maintain leverage on
the offense to go east-west. If the runner decided to climb the ladder and go vertical up
field the OLB is taught to mirror the runner so if he goes vertical the OLB goes vertical
from outside in on the runner trying to drive him to the boundary or towards the MIKE
BACKER (shoot). This gives our defense the ability to better support the perimeter
triangle when we feel the ball carrier or blocking scheme will make it difficult for the end
to force the ball consistently and maintain our defensive philosophy. The bottom
example illustrates what happens when a runner does get outside. Notice in both cases
the OLB mirrors the ball and maintains inside shoulder to outside shoulder relationship
at all times attempting to force the runner to stay flat and behind the LOS or go vertical
to the inside of the OLB.

63 Defense
RED CALL TECHNIQUE
OLB’s are in a normal balanced two point stance with their hands and arms cocked at
their hips and their heads up and the need to be 3 yards back from the defensive line.
They are reading the near or deep back through the near offensive tackle. When the
ball is snapped they will take one slide step to the outside as they read flow in the
backfield through the tackle. The purpose of the slide step outside is twofold. His
ALLEY RULE is below:
When RED is called the OLB is in a READ MODE; he has three responsibilities that he
must read in the below priority.
AT = BALL COMING AT YOU.

AWAY = BALL IS GOING AWAY FROM YOU (other side).
OUTSIDE = BALL IS GOING OUTSIDE OF YOU.
His reaction is going to be based on where the ball goes. It is important to understand
that the OLB will ALWAYS read step by taking a slide step with his outside foot to the
outside. This is not a traditional LB read step. In most cases the read step is either
downhill at a specific gap or a slide step inside. The problem is youth players tend to
chase runners going away from them and they can give up their ALLEY and TUNNEL
when they do that. I have found it to be far better when my OLB is reading that they take
a slide step outside. This covers the OUTSIDE issue and it puts them in a position to
attack an off tackle/lead/iso play with outside leverage. It also moves them into a
position to cross read prior to vacating their position responsibility prior to pursuing
away.

63 Defense
OLB REACTION:
AT = fill the first open window with outside leverage. Once you see the ball coming don’t
wait react and fill quickly. The sooner you fill the more space you eat up and the more
likely you are to fill behind the hole and not allow the runner to gain a single yard and
even lose yardage.
AWAY = cross read to check for BCR then:
1) If ball is behind the LOS then attack through first open window you come to
and take a strong inside angle to the ball carrier.
2) If ball is crossing the LOS then take an angle that will get you to the ball from
the inside quickly so that the runner has to cross your path to get by you.
Taking a good angle is key as well as not over pursuing the runner so he
keeps inside leverage on the runner so if he cuts back inside to avoid the
FORCE and SHOOT he runs right into you. It is better to slow play and verify
there is no threat of BCR then to attack too quickly play side. Backside
OLB’s must be patient first and foremost which is why we have them slide
step outside every time.
OUTSIDE = flow laterally and maintain outside inside leverage and mirror the runner;
remember your first step every play is a slide step outside so you are already moving in
that direction for immediate alley support. OLB is the ALLEY DEFENDER and must
force the runner to run flat to the sideline or cut back inside. If the runner goes vertical
the OLB must attack him violently from the outside in as soon as he sees the ball go
vertical. Fill quickly when the runner starts to climb! You can eat up the space between
you and the runner as long as you maintain outside leverage.

63 Defense
Red Call and Supporting the Tunnel
There will be times when the front six are simply not getting done or being effective out
of stacks against the off tackle play. This is especially true when your front six is over
penetrating and not locating the ball and the runner is simply cutting into the vacated
spaces. This places a tremendous amount of pressure on the MIKE to fight through a
block and get to the runner in a much bigger space. It is especially true if the offense
decides to have their linemen get off the LOS and into the MIKE and let the defensive
line over penetrate. Often the quickest fix is to simply call RED and allow your OLB’s to
support our MIKE instead of stunting them in the STACK. It allows the OLB to now slide
step read the flow and then attack the runner as he goes vertical into the tunnel from the
outside in. Now the cut back into the vacated spaces created by over penetration is
neutralized by having an ALLEY player support your MIKE. This gives you the ability to
counter this problem and make the necessary adjustments and coaching to correct the
problem with your stacks.
B Tunne
O B
U O
N U
D N
A D
ALL A
R
Y R
Y
This is a good example of a runner attacking the C gap when the C gap defender was
over penetrating into the backfield leaving a hole to run through. Because the OLB is
now reading the runner attack the same path seeing the vacated space but this time the
OLB is sitting in the tunnel waiting to drive the ball back towards the MIKE.

63 Defense
B
O Tunne B
U O
N U
D N
A D
ALL A
R
Y R
Y
The above example is what happens when the runner spills out due to the defensive end
closing out the tunnel in the backfield behind the C gap. Mike takes the open window
and attacks the runner from the inside. The cornerback confirms run and closes on the
runner from the outside closing the alley from the outside and driving the ball to the
boundary. The PSOLB slide steps outside then flows maintaining outside leverage on
the ball while eating up space to the runner forcing him to run east-west. The BSOLB
slide steps backside checks BCR and then pursues. He sees the ball not crossing the
LOS and he attack the first open window he comes to and attack the ball with inside
leverage behind the SHOOTER.

63 Defense
Red Call and OLB Zone Coverage
The other benefit to the RED call is the obvious pass coverage support you get in the
hook zones from the OLBs. Once the OLB’s make their READ STEP (slide step) and
they see PASS they immediately drop and continue to drop until the QB sets. Once he
sets they stop dropping and then start rotating to where his up field shoulder is pointed
(at first train them to locate the QB’s face mask it is easier for younger players).
Backside OLB always checks BCR and slow rotates so that he can fill any void that a
receiver might try to sit up in from a shallow drag, sit, or mesh. If the QB is bootlegging
or rolling out they drop to his boot/rollout depth and rotate over. Near side OLB rotates
maintaining outside leverage and the BSOLB checks BCR and slow rotates looking to fill
any void left by the MIKE and near side OLB.
B
O B
U O
N U
D N
A D
ALLE A
R
Y R
Y

63 Defense
RED essentially gives us five zone defenders instead of three with the ability to add an
extra player in the flat if the QB attempts a quick pass to the perimeter via the near side
defensive end. Often the RED call is a great way to rob those little short dump passes
that teams love to run against us when they see the hook zones are empty of defenders.
We are essentially baiting them to do it.
B
O B
U O
N U
D N
A D
ALLE A
R
Y R
Y
Here is an example of the offense running a TE dump pass and the zone rotating to the
QB’s vision/up field.
B
O B
U O
N U
D N
A D
ALLE A
R
Y R
Y
Here is an example of the offense running a slant route to the weak side. Notice how
the pass triangle and the OLB’s rotate to the QB’s facemask. The near side DE sees
quick pass so he stops rushing and drops to the passer’s line of sight. Once the PSCB
sees no vertical threat he collapses on the QB’s LOS and attack the ball. MIKE will key
the QB’s LOS and climb and rotate over to the top.

63 Defense
B
O B
U O
N U
D N
A D
ALLE A
R
Y R
Y
Three verticals (or four verticals) will convert our cover 2 Tampa look into a cover three
and often this will leave a gap in the middle and hook zones underneath for the offense
to take advantage of and the RED call alleviates this by dropping your OLB’s into the
hook zones and then rotating to the QB’s LOS.
B
O B
U O
N U
D N
A D
ALLE A
R
Y R
Y

63 Defense
RED Alignment to Various Formations
The above table is to show you how the RED call does not affect the base alignment out
of stack against some various formations. This does not account for the SHIFT
adjustments to move our interior unit over to account for offensive strength. What the
RED call does give you is hook zone coverage support but it does not move the OLB
outside to support against an overload on the outside by multiple receivers.

63 Defense
Red Spread
The RED call simply puts our OLB’s into a READ mode but they do not cover done on
extended receiver threats; meaning that the #2 receiver is a slot the OLB will still stay in
place stacked over the DT. The RED SPREAD call basically tells a OLB with a slot,
trips, or quad looks to extend out.
The rule for the OLB is if he has two or more receivers outside of the DE and RED
SPREAD is called he will spread out splitting the difference between the DE and the
second receiver from the outside and will FACE THE NEAR BACK just like the DE does.
He will read the backfield flow just as he would in RED and his read step is the exact
opposite. It is a slide step inside with the up field foot as he reads flow. The reason for
this is he is far enough outside that he is already in a position to cover the ALLEY. The
slide step inside puts him in a position to cover the AT and AWAY flow reads and puts
him moving to maintain inside leverage on his zone drop if it is pass on his side as well
as moving to the away side for pursuit and zone coverage rotation. If he sees pass key
he drops at the depth of the QB’s drop and rotates to the QB’s line of sight (LOS).
Between STACK, RED, and RED SPREAD that gives us three simple ways to utilize
both zone coverage and pressure concepts and keep an offense on its heels.
RED SPREAD is also a great adjustment to teams that like to run JET or fast motion to
one side (wide side or strong side) as it puts the ALLEY DEFENDER in the ALLEY pre-
snap and allows him to better support the D gap.
The call is typically RED SPREAD with the OLB calling IN to tell his defensive line team
to slant inside but the use of SPLIT and OUT can be used to keep an offensive line
guessing. Let the OLB mix up his calls because the stack calls create confusion and if
you get into position where you are calling a lot of RED SPREAD you don’t want the
offensive line getting used to the IN call. Remember our primary method of attack is
using stunts and slants to confuse the offensive line so even in RED SPREAD you have
to let the OLB make stack calls to create that confusion. This is especially true if you are
using the more advanced front six calls.

63 Defense
RED SPREAD Alignment to Various Formations
Why Zone Coverage in Youth Football?
Zone coverage affords your secondary the ability to cover the pass while being able to
support the run. This is a spot and read zone coverage and not a pattern read zone
coverage or landmark zone coverage. This method is very simple and it allows us to
focus our secondary on run even though we want them to stop the pass. The concept is
very simple defend space and ball as you read the backfield for the play that is
developing. If it is pass then the mechanics are very straight foreword never let a
receiver get by you, when the ball is in the air get to the ball as quickly as possible. If
run the cornerback simply needs to know is if it is near him or away from him as it will
determine his next move.

63 Defense
Brief Explanation of Coverage and Coaching
This is an excerpt from the Double Forum that I had with another fellow coach on how I
coach my DB’s and the way the technique works. It is probably the best description and
I think it will do a good job giving inexperienced coaches a good look at how it is
supposed to happen.
“
Jack to Dan: This is where I and JJ do things differently. I want my
DB's backpedaling for three steps no matter what their first three steps they are
always backwards so if it is passing they are already flowing vertically so that
there is no chance of a receiver beating them deep. Otherwise a speed type
receiver will beat your DB because he has to stop redirect and then gain
acceleration vertically and that can get a DB beat if the receiver is faster than
your DB and can cover that cushion up as he reads... That is my take does not
mean that the way JJ does things is wrong it is just the way I do things. There
primary job is PASS first...let me say this again their primary job is PASS first and
they are the only two defenders in the base defense that key PASS FIRST RUN
SECOND...but I feel if I don't have at least two defenders splitting the field in half
protecting against the vertical threat that we are open to the BIG PLAY and I will
not allow my defense to be open to that threat.
With that being said the DB's have to be drilled into making that read into the
backfield and making a decision. I tell my DB's if a receiver is on your side to
drop quickly and keep that cushion open so that you can get a good CLUE on
RUN and PASS...once you confirm no pass threat is ON YOUR SIDE PLAY
RUN...
We drill it, drill it some more, drill even more, and then we drill it a lot more. At
first your DB's will be keyed on never giving up the deep pass and that means
they will come up to run support (CONTAIN) slow but honestly by mid season
(1st year) they will start becoming more confident on their reads and will come up
much quicker to support run as they become confident in reading the backfield
and the QB.
1) CB drops and the get that three step cushion quickly and if they have a vertical
threat they must keep that cushion and keep looking into the backfield and adjust
to the QB's FACEMASK... They should eat up ground and if that means they
take 10 steps to figure it out then so be it...but they never give up the vertical
pass.
2) If the QB drops as if pass both CB's drop vertically and key that FACE
MASK...front side keeps dropping and backside rotates inside slightly as he sees
FACE MASK AWAY. Now if it is a draw or a delay that is not the CB's job...in all
honesty that is the DE's coming off the edge and the front six...delays and draws
should never get off if they are doing their jobs.
3) If the QB is dropping and looking at the perimeter and running draw or delay to
that side (I have had two teams do this) and your DE drops to cover the flat and
the run is getting off you need to make sure your STACKS are actually

63 Defense
penetrating and locating the ball... If in doubt I will call GAP from the sideline to
get my OLB right in the C gap and put some immediate pressure on the
backfield. I will also call FIRE to tell the DE to ignore his QUICK PASS KEY and
just get into the backfield... The mix of those two tend to stop that stuff.
4) Now play action and roll outs are lot easier for both CB's in my opinion....all
they have to do is play PASS FIRST and then confirm run.
5) Run to the perimeter is easy to key and react to...it will be the fastest keys
your CB's will pick up on because they can see the ball...but make sure they
know that if the RB runs flat or deep to maintain pass coverage if a receiver is in
space...HB PASS...otherwise attack and contain. After a while the CB's get how
to key on this.
6) Run to the off tackle is a little harder but it is the second easiest run key
because as the tunnel opens the CB on play side can see the ball and come up
and support it...with HALF LINE drills it becomes very easy for them to defend
this key. Because I really stress for my backside CB to CAP this allows us to
cover up the deep vertical front side as the BSCB confirms no threat of pass on
the backside as well. This allows our FSCB to be aggressive. The big thing here
is for the DE's and front six to do their jobs.
7) Run to ISO/LEAD is a little harder because it is now pointed at the B gap vice
C or D gap in the cases above. The big key here is for the front side CB to make
sure there is no vertical threat and if not come up and support from outside in...If
not he maintains pass coverage. Again DE's and Front six must do their jobs.
8) Run to DIVE or WEDGE are very simple because they hit quick...often these
are coupled with misdirection actions so we tell our DB’s play pass first and
confirm the location of the ball.
The big thing Dan is communication...the DE's have the best view of the
backfield I stay on their butts about shouting out RUN (meaning the ball is
coming at them), SWEEP (meaning the ball is going outside of them), PASS
(meaning the QB is throwing)...these three things are always coming out of my
DE's mouth...if not we get on them about it... My MIKE and front six are also told
if they see the ball to do the same thing. That really helps to get your DB's flying
up to support.
I will not hesitate to call SKY and cut my CB's distance in half to get them into run
support faster if we figure out their passing game is not to be feared or they are
throwing to perimeter more than vertically.
The big thing is to be consistent in your drilling .”

63 Defense
Jack to JJ:
“I don't think what we do is very different at all except for the first three steps as
you said and one more thing... I don't teach my CB's to key off the receiver. I am
very strict about SPACE and BALL...don't worry about the receivers because if
you key space and ball you will run into the ball. The only thing the CB's do on
#1 receiver is maintain cushion as long as possible until they figure out if run or
pass. Now with that said if they are on the TE side and he blocks the CB is off
pass and into run quickly because he has no need for cushion...easy teach. If
the TE does release the CB is already dropping and he is looking for which way
the QB's facemask is pointed and listening for any CLUE from the DE's.
My question is HOW DEEP are your CORNERs at the snap??? Mine are
deeper than most based on the fact that we are moving forward slightly ...
and like you go on to say near the end of you post ... once we decide that
the pass is not to be feared we will move them up some to further pressure
the running game ...
8 to 10 yards is base (8 if there is no real threat of a vertical pass and 10 if there

is)...SKY call tells them to cut that depth in half.
We don’t see the QB drop or at least we don’t see the first couple steps
because our CORNERs are reading the #1 receiver ... but once we read
pass then as we backpedal we are looking for face mask to our side of the
field and playing the ball ... and I agree 100% on the front 6 being
responsible for delayed running plays ... my CORNERs will help against the
run but only when there is NO pass threat...
As I said above this is where we do things a little different. Our CB's are in a
FACE THE BALL STANCE and they are keying the ball...once the ball is
snapped they are dropping and getting a key on the QB (PASSER)...their first job
is to key pass. This is my preference but I have found if I can keep my CB's tilted
inside and dropping and locating the passer and which direction he is facing then
teaching them to simply follow their eyes is very simple...natural rotation occurs
and then all you have to do is teach reaction. Now in a tight formation we tell our
CB's since all the receivers are inside if they don't see release they can come up
and support run but as they do be aware of delayed releases... Against WR,
twin, and trips they are going to drop and play pass first and foremost but still
they are going to key off the backfield for direction and action.ction of flow and
direction of QB facemask.
Our DOG only drops if there is a pass threat to his side ... for instance
against a Wishbone team or some formation where no wide out is on his
side, the DOG will play run and hit any back trying to release out into the
flat area and knock him down ... so we don’t get any wasted drops by our
DOGs ... on occasion a couple of teams have tried to slip a TE out into the
flat area behind our DOGs after a wide out goes deep to draw off the
CORNER ... we just remind them when there is a wide out they must honor

63 Defense
the pass if they get a pass read against those teams ... but a team that has
no wide out won’t be doing any damage by slipping that TE out behind our

63 Defense
DOG because the CORNER is reading the TE ... so we are a little backward
from each other on this aspect ... you call FIRE to get your DE to play how
mine play from start and I have to remind mine occasionally to play how
your DE is playing from start when we do find someone with this type of
play in their arsenal ...
That is what I meant to say with the DE's...DE that is facing the QB’s face mask
and pointing to the perimeter is going to drop (FLAT TO HOOK)...backside DE is
coming with pressure...so there is always backside pressure. FIRE simply tells
both DE's to pin their ears back and get after the backfield and SPY tells both to
drop into flat coverage (FLAT TO HOOK)...otherwise they read it. I will also at
times shout FIRE or SPY to one side...those are all adjustments to what we see
on the field though. I got the DE's read tech from you LOL and it has been the
best addition to the defense...our DE's had 6 or 7 INT's because of it...
Agreed ... very easy ... my guys are playing pass until such a time as they
no longer have a pass read ... play action always results in a pass read the
way we teach the reads ... that is why we don’t let our CORNERs look into
the backfield until they already get their Pass/Run read ... to avoid being
fooled by play action fakes of the QB ...
This is the only other spot where I see that we differ... I want my CB's eyes in the
backfield…that’s where the ball and the passer is...I don't care about the
receivers as long as the CB's eyes are keyed to flow and ball and he is rotating
properly...the rest will take care of itself. Let’s say the QB reverse pivots and
then hands off to the right side...both CB's take their three step drop and the
RSCB sees flow coming his way he and he has a TE on his side he sees no
release he comes up and plays run outside in.... On the backside LSCB sees
flow away sees only TE slowly begins to rotate checking delay sees no delay and
sees the FSCB come up and he goes full rotation and CAPS to play side.
Now same set up but the FSCB has a TE and FLANKER and backside as a
SE... FSCB sees the FLANKER release deep and the TE release...he eats up
space has he drops keys the backfield sees the handoff but keeps dropping a
few more steps to confirm the ball is going to cross the LOS...he then comes off
his drop and comes up outside in. He never looked at the receiver but located the
flow and the ball...if he doesn't see the ball coming at the LOS he keeps playing
pass...that is our safety net so to speak. DON'T SEE THE BALL PLAY PASS...
The BSCB drops sees flow away slowly rotates as he gets more cushion
because he has a SE releasing...keeps dropping and slowly rotating play side
then sees the FSCB come off of pass and into run and he fully rotates to CAP.
Now if the DE's are communicating the FSDE should have said BALL BALL
BALL...telling the FSCB to support....which will get the BSCB to CAP quickly.
That is pretty much how I teach it. At first it is slow going but the more you drill it
and the more confident the CB's get and the more the DE's communicate the
quicker everything is for us .”

63 Defense
Jack to JJ:
“Let me clarify.
I never tell my kids that play CB to key on the receivers...ever because I don't
want them staring at the WR I want them fixed on the backfield...so I tend to
describe it just like that to my kids... They essentially peek at the WR out of the
corner of their eye as they drop to verify if they need more cushion but they never
LOOK at the receiver if that makes sense... I have found if I say LOOK at the WR
that is exactly what the kid is going to do and he is going to keep looking
LOL...so I stopped telling them that a long time ago...I tell them to FACE THE
BALL (FACE THE PLAY) drop and out of the corner of their eye they spot the
receiver and if he is climbing to him to keep getting cushion until he confirms
RUN...he does that by ONE - seeing the ball going at the LOS and across the
LOS, TWO - hears his near DE call BALL or SWEEP... Often the CB will break
on the ball crossing the LOS at first because they are being cautious and we
jump their asses if they give up a pass deep in practice after awhile as they grow
confident in what they are seeing they will jump the run as it nears the LOS...
Now once you get the DE's to start communicating (which seems to always be
the hardest thing) it happens even faster. I have seen our DE call ball a split
second after the snap and the CB is sitting on the contain a few moments later
because 1) he saw the ball nearing the LOS and 2) he got it confirmed by the DE
calling BALL...that is when the defense starts creating real problems for the
offense :)
I have found that if they look at the WR they can easily forget to get their eyes on
the backfield and get run off when the KEY to RUN PASS is in the
backfield...BALL and PASSER...
I agree if I was having my guys come up I would key 1st receiver outside...no
doubt about that and that is probably the culprit. If you are going to attack the
LOS aggressively then you have to at least key on the 1st threat outside to make
sure you can stay aggressive or start dropping. You are right we can read
backfield because we drop which gives us more cushion...since you are eating
up cushion along with the receiver the space is gone much quicker.
Overall I think we are accomplishing the same thing but in a different manner you
place a little more emphasis on run support at the edge where as I place a little
more emphasis on pass coverage deep but we arrive at the same conclusion... ”

63 Defense
Final Thoughts on RED and RED SPREAD
The important thing to realize when using RED and RED SPREAD is it gives the
defense the ability to both adapt and present a different face to the offense. It allows
you to manipulate the offense into doing what you want them to do and increase the
chance for turnovers and plays for loss.
RED allows you keep your OLB’s inside and give the appearance of STACK even when
the offense sets up in TWINS, TRIPS, or even BUNCH to one side. It gives the illusion
of STACK pressure to bait the offense into throwing the ball into perceived open spots
and allows us the chance to ROB the hook and flat areas.
RED SPREAD allows us to cover the field and play in a traditional zone coverage look
covering the deep outs, deep middle, and hook zones with the ability to cover the play
side flat as well.
RED and RED SPREAD gives the ability to READ AND REACT to run instead of
applying pressure. Often an offense will adapt to one variation of a defense but not to
another. Thus the ability to be a pressure defense and a read defense gives your
defensive scheme tremendous versatility.

63 Defense
Chapter 5: The Corner Back

Additional Calls
The corner back is the main pass defender in our defense. These two defenders are the
shield against the vertical pass and they give us the ability to both contain the run and
stop the big play via the CAP technique. The corners need to be athletic, fast, and have
the ability to adapt on the fly. They should be patient but aggressive players. They
should also be solid tacklers with the ability to make open field tackles against athletic
players.
This chapter will discuss some common adjustments and some not so common tags that
I have used in the past to add a twist in the defense against various offenses I have
faced using this defense.
SKY CALL
This is a basic call that I install very early in the season. In the basic alignment the
corners align 8 to 10 yards deep when SKY is called it tells the corners to cut that
distance in half but their technique remains the same. It puts them in a position to better
support run and allows them to play the flat initially as they drop and read the play. This
is a great call to make against teams that are not effective using the vertical pass, that
like to throw to the perimeter, or teams that like to run to the perimeter. Their alignment
remains the same it is only the depth that is affected with this call.
COUGER CALL
Tells the CB to come down to the outside of the DE and on the snap the DE will take a
path through the near heel of the EMLOS and attack the QB’s near hip. The CB will
become the HUNTER (DE) and aim for the near hip of the NEAR/DEEP back and track
that hip. It should only be used on a TIGHT END SIDE never on an open end side.
COFFIN CALL
Tells the CB to come down to the inside of the DE and on the snap the CB will aim for
the near hip of the QB and get there as fast as possible. This allows us to squeeze the
pocket right behind the LOS and force the QB to rush any play he makes. The DE has
the same job to hunt the near hip of the near/deep back.

63 Defense
Sky Call to Various Formations

63 Defense
Cougar Alignment to Various Formations

63 Defense
Coffin Call to Various Formations

63 Defense
SABER CALL
The CB aligns to the inside of the DE and on the snap he aims for the far hip of the
near/deep back while the DE aims for the near hip of the near/deep back. This is a great
call against teams that like to run the counter trey or counter step play with their TB as it
puts to immediate defenders in both paths and forces a TB to make an immediate
decision in the backfield. It is also a great call against shot gun and single wing teams
that like to run a lot of misdirection as it puts immediate pressure in to the backfield.
STONE CALL
The CB aligns outside shade of the TE while the near OLB aligns inside shade of TE
and on snap they explode into the TE while joining hips so that their near hand (to TE)
fires off into chest of TE and far hand into the near arm pit of the TE. They drive the TE
behind the LOS and get their eyes into the backfield. If the ball comes into their gap
they release off the stone call and attack the ball. The stone call allows us to use the TE
to close the D and C gaps and not let the TE off the LOS.
PRESS CALL
Both CBs will align in PRESS coverage on the first receiver from the outside and play
man to man press coverage. His alignment is outside foot on the receivers belt buckle.
At the snap he punches his near palm into the chest while his far palm punches into the
near arm pit and he drives the receiver down the LOS towards the boundary. He does
not allow the receiver to release inside by mirroring the receiver and keeping his body
positioned on the inside of the receiver after he makes contact. He must not allow the
receiver a free outside release he must press the receiver so that he has go to down the
LOS as long as possible to destroy any timing that the QB and receiver has on any
passing play attempted. Once the receiver releases vertically the CB must turn towards
the receiver and trail the receiver and go where he goes. When the receiver turns to find
the ball the CB gets his far hand up in the line of sight of the receiver and when the
receiver’s hands go up the near hands split the hands of the receiver as the ball makes
contact and the CB rips his near hand down into the far arm of the receiver while the far
hand rips down on the near arm of the receiver to separate the ball from the receiver.

63 Defense
SABER CALL to Various Formations

63 Defense
STONE CALL to Various Formations

63 Defense
Press Call to Various Formations

63 Defense
Chapter 6: MIKE
Additional Calls
Mike is our primary defender and the player that is the glue to this defense. As I stated
earlier in this book I am not a big advocate of moving MIKE around as I want him in the
centerfield to make plays to both sides of the field. With that said I know there are times
that we have to move our best player around to either get him away from jump through
blocks (when the offensive linemen bypass the defensive linemen to get to the next level
and get blocks on the linebackers) or to get him in a position to make a big play.
This chapter will discuss five calls that I have used to put my MIKE into position to make
a big play. These calls put him in positions along the line of scrimmage to add additional
pressure or put him into coverage to give us additional pass coverage support.
MICKEY CALL
This call puts MIKE near the line of scrimmage and on the inside to add additional
pressure to the interior of the line. The MIKE will align over the center and launch into
the center’s snapping shoulder on the first movement of the ball. His job is to blitz the A
gap on the center’s snapping hand side and get into the backfield. As soon as he
passes the center’s heels he has to locate the ball. This is usually called with RED or
RED SPREAD but in the case of teams that use wide splits (18 inches or wider) you can
use it with STACK as well and get the MIKE and one extra defender into a A gap.
MOUSE CALL
The MIKE aligns to the inside of the DE and on the snap he aims for the far hip of the
near/deep back while the DE aims for the near hip of the near/deep back. This is a great
call against teams that like to run the counter trey or counter step play with their TB as it
puts to immediate defenders in both paths and forces a TB to make an immediate
decision in the backfield. It is also a great call against shot gun and single wing teams
that like to run a lot of misdirection as it puts immediate pressure in to the backfield. I
like to switch this call and SABER up to keep the defense guessing as to who is going to
apply that additional pressure.
ROVER CALL
Mike moves over to a position just inside of the call side DE at the same depth and has
the same read as he would from his base position. If there is a twin or trips receiver set
he will align on inside of the slot in FACE THE BACKFIELD stance. This is a good call
when you can determine what side the offense will run to and/or if you want to rob a
specific route in the HOOK zone on that side but don’t want to use the RED call or you
want to use the RED SPREAD but also want immediate support on the near HOOK
zone. This is a base call for me much like SKY is. I use this on the field side to get my
MIKE into a better position to support the field side when I know an offense likes to run
to the wide side and my short side doesn’t need his additional support on that side.

63 Defense
ROBBER CALL
This tells the MIKE to become a defensive back and on snap he will immediately make a
3 step drop as he reads the QB and flow. This allows him to play a shallow safety
instead of a linebacker and puts him in a better position to defend seam and in routes
that are often run behind the MIKE when the offense uses PAP (play action pass) to get
the MIKE moving forward. It essentially puts your inverted cover 2 into a cover 3
secondary.
REAPER CALL
This is a concept that is based on the 2LD defense (second level defense) safety. We
move the MIKE to a position in front of the center at 18 to 20 yards depth with his same
exact base read. He reads the QB’s facemask and flow as he moves down hill. This
allows him to cover the deep pass and come down hill to play both perimeters. It is a
great call against teams that like to run a lot of reverses, double reverses, four verticals
and intermediate routes because the MIKE is deep and playing down hill and can easily
convert to pass coverage as the ball goes up. I like using this call in conjunction with
SKY and PRESS.

63 Defense
MICKEY CALL to Various Formations

63 Defense
Mouse Call to Various Formations

63 Defense
ROVER CALL to Various Formations

63 Defense
ROBBER CALL to Various Formations

63 Defense
REAPER CALL to Various Formations

63 Defense
Chapter 7: NOSE TACKLE

Additional Calls
Even though our base front is a six man front (defensive linemen and ends) the ability to
morph into a odd can be a big benefit to us if we have a nose tackle that can apply
immediate and immense pressure on the center so that it applies additional pressure on
both A gaps (the gaps to the left and the right of the center).
Our two basic nose tackle calls are based on pulling a defensive guard and replacing
him with a LB type called a RANGER and a nose tackle. The RANGER is placed on the
danger side or field side of the defense. The nose is placed head up on the center and
will always execute LIL technique (LAUNCH INTO LAP). The nose tackle’s technique
allows us to close the A, B, and C gaps with five players instead of six using the LIL
technique as a change up so that we can utilize the extra player at what we perceive to
be the danger side of the defense.
NICK CALL
The NICK call will remove one defensive guard and replace him with a linebacker; if you
have a DT that can also play a linebacker position even better. The other defensive
guard will move over the center and play nose tackle. The new linebacker will be called
MO and will align on the inside of the field side defensive end. On the snap the MO will
attack up field aiming for the inside hip of the deep/near back while the nose tackle
executes a LAUNCN INTO LAP (LIL) technique of the center and drive the center into
the QB’s lap. NT should have his hands in the arm pits of the center as he drives him
back. The NT will keep driving the center back as he locates the ball once he does he
will step through the near hip of the center as he throws the center away from the ball.
This is a nice change up as it gives the defense an ODD front look while placing the MO
on the strong side applying pressure into the face of the runner while still having a MIKE
and both OLB’s. If using STACK the OLB’s and DT must still execute their calls by
going into their assigned STACK CALL gaps. This forces the entire offensive line to
locate were the pressure is coming from and where it is going.

63 Defense
NINJA CALL
The NINJA call will do the same thing as the NICK does as far as NT goes. The NT will
execute the same technique as the NICK call. MO and MIKE will move into the spots of
the OLB’s and replace them. MIKE and MO will make any STACK CALLS and will make
their RED zone drops as if they are OLB’s (hook zones) but will make a MIKE read (read
either QB or FB). The OLB’s will align on the inside of the defensive ends at their
normal depth and they will make their same reads. If pass they will drop into the FLAT
prior to rotating to QB’s facemask. This is a great call against teams running off tackle,
sweep, and like to make short passes to the perimeter.
STACK CALL – OLB’s will align on the inside of the DE and blitz aiming for inside
hip of the near/deep back and MIKE/MO will make their STACK call. Nice all out
pressure blitz call against teams that are trying to get outside or off tackle and
having a bit of success due to either bouncing it out but inside of the DE or
delaying the run.
RED SPREAD – OLB’s will so they are inside shade of any slot receiver and
make FACE THE BACKFIELD so they can make their read and zone drop.
This is a very versatile call as it allows you to get into a 54 front but play the 63 STACK,
RED, or RED SPREAD concepts.
NOSE CALL
The NOSE call will do the same thing as the NICK does as far as NT goes. The NT will
execute the same technique as the NICK call. The MIKE will align at his normal depth
and position but the MO will align as if in a ROVER position. This allows us to put an
additional linebacker on the field side in a READ mode. Furthermore if there is a twin or
trips set of receivers the MO will align inside of the slot at his normal depth in a FACE
THE BACKFIELD stance so he can make his read and zone drop (if needed). This
gives us a 52 Monster look but play our normal STACK, RED, and RED SPREAD calls.

63 Defense
NICK Alignment to Various Formations

63 Defense
NINJA Alignment to Various Formations

63 Defense
NOSE Alignment to Various Formations

63 Defense
Chapter 8: Front Six

Advanced Calls
These are advanced calls for the front six and they give us some nice variations that
allow us to give a few different looks and twist in attacking offensive lines. BEAR is
really a simplification of our interior line that allows us to look like GAM team as it places
the guards and tackles in the A and B gaps and bear crawl them through while the
OLB’s align in the C gaps and blitz but we can call RED BEAR and have the OLB’s read
as well. The BULL uses the LAUNCH IN LAP technique with all four defensive line men
attacking the guards and tackles while the OLB’s align in the C gap and blitz. We can
also call RED BULL to have the OLB’s read. This is a great call for offensive lines that
are basically sitting on their gaps trying to cover up their gaps expecting stunting and
blitzing into gaps. If offensive lines are area blocking and not coming off aggressively
this is a great call because it gets the defensive linemen into the blockers and drives
them off the line of scrimmage as they read flow. TWISTER (IN call with a line stunt)
and TORNADO (OUT call with a line stunt) are nice adjustments to teach if you have
some athletic linemen that can move laterally quickly and then get up field with some
discontent in their heart. These could both be with the OLB reading calling them RED
TWISTER and RED TORNADO. TIGER is a stunt between the two defensive guards
while the defensive tackles attack the B gaps and the OLB’s can either blitz the C gaps
or READ (RED TIGER).
The BEAR call allows you to use less than athletic linemen and fill space so it is really an
adjustment to adapt to slower linemen. The BULL call is great for quick, explosive, and
aggressive linemen that love to crush the guys in front of them. It is an advance call that
is used in conjunction with the STACK and RED call to take advantage of hesitant
blockers. The three stunt calls are advanced calls that require athletic linemen that are
aggressive. If I have savvy linemen and they have mastered the basic calls and can
handle the stunts then it adds a nice little twist to your defensive calls and gives your
OLB’s more ways to mess with the offensive linemen’s heads. Just remember to not
add anything if it will cause your line to think too much because then you will just get a
mess up front. Add only if they are ready and only if they will go 100% with every call.
BEAR CALL
BEAR RED BEAR

63 Defense
The defensive line align in the gaps with the defensive guards aligning in the A gaps and
the defensive tackles in the B gaps while the OLB’s align in the C gap and blitz into the
backfield. The bear crawlers must explode into the gaps and crawl past the heels of the
blockers. As soon as they do they must get their heads up and locate the ball
immediately and get up and get to the ball. If the bear crawlers must do their jobs and if
they do they will compress the line of scrimmage and close down the interior but they
are even more effective if they can get past the heels of the blockers, locate the ball, and
get to the ball. The RED call is a great tag if teams are running a lot of sweeps and
reverses as it allows the OLB’s to flow to the ball while the defensive ends apply
pressure directly into the backfield.
BULL CALL
BULL RED BULL
The defensive linemen get into a four point power rush stance and they literally spring
into the lap of the blocker and drive him back into the backfield as they locate the ball. If
executed correctly they are playing a two gap technique in a very aggressive manner. It
is essentially a flat out explosive bull rush. It is a great change up against offensive lines
that are sitting on the line of scrimmage trying to locate which guy to block. The BULL
call also will allow the OLB to come free in the C gap if the TE fans out to take the DE
and does not block the OLB or on the open side.

63 Defense
TWISTER and TORNADO CALLS
TWISTER TORNADO
Twister is an inside blitz to the A gap while the defensive guard drops their outside foot
and crosses over the inside foot as the body stays square to the line of scrimmage. The
defensive tackle will aim for the outside hip of the next blocker inside (guard) and attack
through the gap just as if he was slanting into the B gap. As soon as he defensive tackle
penetrates the defensive guard will cross the face of the defensive tackle’s blocker
(tackle) and penetrate past the blocker’s outside hip. The defensive guard must stay flat
and literally scrape the defensive tackle as he goes by so that he can get into the
smallest space possible on the outside hip of the offensive tackle. The OLB must attack
the inside hip of the offensive guards and go through it. If the OG fans out to follow the
defensive guard or blocks into the B gap to pick up the DT he leaves the A gap open and
OLB will be behind the LOS quickly especially if the center is focused on the opposite
stack.
Tornado is the exact opposite to Twister. The OLB will blitz into the C gap aiming for the
outside hip of the offensive tackle. The defensive guard will aim for the inside hip of the
offensive tackle and slant into the B gap. The defensive tackle will drop his inside foot
and cross over step with his outside and scrape the defensive guard as he goes into the
B gap. As soon as the DG goes vertical and he crosses the defensive guard’s butt the
defensive tackle will go vertical and attack the inside hip of the offensive tackle and get
into the C gap. This is a great call against offensive guards that are chasing the
defensive guard into the B gap as well as a nice call for when the offensive tackle is
stepping down inside to cover the B gap as the stunt will lure him inside so the OLB can
get into the C gap easily.

63 Defense
RED TWISTER RED TORNADO
The calls are exactly the same exempt the OLB’s don’t blitz into their designed gaps
instead they fake the blitz and read flow. This is a nice complimentary call to Twister
and Tornado and very easy to install if you already have the RED call installed.
TIGER CALL
TIGER RED TIGER
TIGER is a front six call not a stack call. It tells the defensive tackle to slant inside to the
B gap while the OLB blitzes the C gap. The defensive guard on the snapping side arm
will attack the center and cross his face into the opposite A gap while the other defensive
guard drops his inside foot and crosses over with his outside foot scrapes over the
attacking defensive guard and gets vertical into the opposite A gap.
RED TIGER is the same call as TIGER except the OLB’s fake the blitz and read flow. It
is a nice adjustment if you are using TIGER and you have installed the RED concept.

63 Defense
Chapter 9: Secondary
Advanced Calls
There are two calls that I use and both for different reasons. The MIRROR call is used
when we feel we need to actually man up on all eligible receivers. This can be for
various reasons but most often because the offense has proven they have an effective
passing game and we want to use the MIRROR as a change up at specific times to
confuse the offense. Other times when the offense throws out the swinging gate and the
lonesome pole cat we have the ability to adapt quickly without wasting timeouts. The
other call is called PREVENT and it allows us to convert our coverage into a cover 3
prevent based coverage for times when we know the offense must throw the ball.
The MIRROR call tells the corners to go into press coverage on the first receiver to the
outside, the OLBs cover down on the second receiver outside, and the MIKE covers
down on the third receiver outside on either side (with three receivers that should be the
field side). Defensive ends still have the quick pass read. The one unique quality of this
call is if there are three eligible receivers on one side and only one on the other side the
MIKE can call for the OLB to shift over and mirror the third receiver from the outside on
the opposite side so that MIKE can stay in the middle of the field.
The PREVENT call tells the corners to go from 8 to 10 yards to 15 to 18 yards and the
MIKE going from 6 to 8 yards to 10 to 12 yards. If RED or RED SPREAD is called it will
also tell the OLB’s to go from 3 yards depth to 6 yards depth.

63 Defense
MIRROR Alignment to Various Formations

63 Defense
Chapter 10: Defensive Ends (Hunters)

Advanced Calls
In all honesty the defensive ends are one of the key components of this defense along
with the MIKE backer. Their success or failure will often determine success of the
defense. There are four calls we use to assist our defensive ends in playing their
position. Two are basically adjustments to the base play of the defensive end. SPY
basically tells the defensive end to automatically drop into the flat quickly and spy the
passer just as if it was a QUICK PASS KEY. The other basic call is FIRE and it tells the
defensive end to ignore any quick pass read and hunt into the backfield. The first call,
SPY, allows us to drop our defensive ends into flat coverage when we suspect perimeter
passes and our ends are not making the reads fast enough. The second call, FIRE,
allows us to pin the defensive end’s ears back and get into the backfield. This call is
often used when offensives are using a fake pass action, draw, or delay and hitting the
vacated area of the end as he drops into his FLAT after making a quick pass read to his
side. It is the fastest way to eliminate those issues and get our defensive end into the
backfield and apply immediate pressure to a draw or delay.
COVER call tells the defensive end to cover down on the second receiver from the
outside using inside press leverage and bump and bail into the flat zone SPYING the
backfield. It gives the appearance of MIRROR coverage when are actually in RED or
STACK coverage while applying some pressure on the inside receivers so they can’t get
off the line so easily.
SHADOW tells the DE to cover any running back out of the back field on their side as
they make their QUICK PASS KEY and HUNT into the backfield. This allows us to cover
running backs that are hitting our flat while we play base coverage behind it. It is very
similar to SPY but instead of a quick pass key we are simply telling the DE if he sees a
back crosses his face then to turn and run with him.
Final Thoughts on Calls
Never add anything until you are sure they understand STACK and RED and have
mastered those calls. It will do you no good to add additional calls if they don’t
understand the base of your defense. There are base calls that must be installed so that
the defense can adapt but even those must be installed only after the team has a solid
grasp of the concepts and techniques.

63 Defense
Chapter 11
Dealing with the Offense
One of the biggest questions you are going to have to answer is what is the offense
trying to accomplish. Stop that and you defeat the offense and deter it from scoring.
Remove what it is good at doing and you force it to operate in an alternative manner
which is often less effective. This chapter will help you determine what you are facing
and how to best handle it.
This chapter is not a how to manual on how to defeat the WING-T, SINGLE WING,
DOUBLE WING, POWER-T, POWER-I, SPREAD, or any other offense. It simply gives
you the ability to decide how the offense is going to attack you and then determine how
to defend and attack the offense. I have found offenses don’t typically prescribe to a
specific set of rules because the coach running the offense and the players he has will
determine that. Answering the below questions is how I determine how to attack an
offense. I also spend a lot of time reading about various offensive schemes and attacks.
The more educated you are on different offensive styles the more likely you are to figure
out how an offense is going to attack you.
Saying a team is a wing-t team can be deceptive because there are a variety of wing-t
schemes and you can spend an enormous amount of time on all the various schemes
the wing-t uses. Instead I would rather know what the opponent is doing specifically and
how to adapt my defense to it. If I can do that and our kids are technically sound a do
their job we should have great success.
Talent is always a key issue in youth football. A team that has more talent then you and
has players that are more biologically mature then yours has a great advantage. Often
these advantages can be difficult to overcome. It requires the coach to really prepare for
everything and it requires the players to play exceptionally well. Knowing this is very
important because sometimes winning the defensive side might be impossible if you’re
outmatched in talent and biological maturity. Then you must consider limiting the
offense from doing too much damage.
You need to ask a few questions about the offense you are going to face.
1) What is the base running play in their offense?
A. Sweep, Toss, Pitch – main point of attack is at the D gap

B. Power Off Tackle – main point of attack is at the C gap.
C. Lead, ISO, Blast – main point of attack is at the B gap.
D. Dive attack – main point of attack is at the A gap.
E. Option team – speed, double, triple option base (D gap).
F. Veer team – inside and outside veer (B and C gap).
2) Can and will they pass the ball? What type of passing game do they use?
A. Flood passing game

B. Perimeter passing game
C. Vertical passing game

63 Defense
D. Cross passing game

63 Defense
3) Do they use misdirection? What is their best misdirection play?
A. Trap (A and B gap)

B. Cross Buck (B and C gap)
C. Inside Counter (C gap)
D. Reverse (D gap)
E. Draws (A and B gap)
F. Delays (C and D gap)
G. Counter Step to opposite side
H. Play action pass vertical(often used with sweeping teams)
I. Play action pass perimeter (often used with power off tackle teams)
4) Do they use one, few, or many formations?

5) Do they run the same base plays out of all the formations or do the formations
determine the plays they run? (often youth coaches run different plays out of
different formations based on the strength of the formation)
6) Determine the LINE OF FORCE (a line drawn threw two or more backs in the
backfield to determine the gap that their base play will run to).
Once you answer these questions you need to also answer these questions:
1) Who is their best and second best running back (jersey number)?
2) Who is their best and second best receiver (jersey number)?
3) Who is their weakest backfield player (jersey number)?
4) Which side of the offensive line is their best?
5) Which offensive linemen is their best?
6) Is their QB a running threat?
7) Is their QB a passing threat?
8) When and who do they rotate into the offense (weak links?)?
Formations often determine what an offensive system is trying to do.
1) Do they compress their formation (double tight ends)?

2) Do they spread their formation (double split end and slot)?
3) Do they show a pro look (FLANKER, TIGHT) to one side?
4) Do they show a wingback look t one side (SPLIT END and WING BACK)?
5) Do they show a twin look to one side (SPLIT END and SLOT)?
6) Is their backfield two or three running backs?
7) Are they in a direct snap look?
8) Do they use tight or wide splits (zero to six inches or one foot and greater)?
See Appendix V (Scouting Report) to use the Scouting Report Sheet.
What is the base running play in their offense?
Determining what the base play for the offense is will tell you a lot about how to stop the
offense. The vast majority of inexperienced coaching staffs will utilize the sweep attack.
Get their fastest kid with the best hands to the outside as quickly as possible.
Experienced teams will often run inside. Well coached option, veer, and power off tackle
teams can be a real nut to crack.

63 Defense
Can and will they pass the ball? What type of passing game do they use?
Bear in mind that the passing game at the youth level is often ineffective but there are
very good coaches that can run a very effective passing game. Typically youth teams
average around 25% completion of passes. So if a team is not well coaches and they
are throwing a lot of passes it is going to make your job easier. Knowing what type of
passing structure they are using is going to give you the opportunity to make turnovers
and score points on the defensive side of the ball as well as set your offense up with a
short field.
Do they use misdirection? What is their best misdirection play?
Understanding a team’s counter game is just as important as understanding their base

play. A wingback to one side is player that needs to be watched as he is often a key
back in the counter game. An offset full back is another key player in the counter game.
Wide receivers and especially slots are key reverse players. An athletic quarterback can
be an effective tool in the bootleg game and don’t be surprised if a team attempts to get
him outside. Split, wishbone, and T teams will use cross buck action as their counter
game. It is very important to understand how a team will counter you so that your
defense is aware of the possible threats.
Do they use one, few, or many formations?
If a team uses one formation they are confident they can beat you with your base series
of plays and out execute your defense. Teams that run few formations often do so to
take advantage of defensive alignments and mistakes in execution. Teams that run a lot
of formations are looking for alignment mistake, to remove defenders that are presenting
problems, or to attack the defense in isolated spots on the field.
Do they run the same base plays out of all the formations or do the formations
determine the plays they run?
It is key when facing a team that uses a lot of formations to see if they are using different
plays from different formations. This is often the case and when they do it can be as
simple as seeing a formation and knowing the type of plays they run from them. Other
teams will use a lot of formations but run the same set of plays over and over.
Attempting to gain leverage, position, or numbers advantage on your defense and
knowing this is going to be essential to you stopping their offense.
Determine the LINE OF FORCE.
Clark Wilkens, AKA Dumcoach, has a theory that is very relative to how you view an
offense. It is pretty simple and a very sound way at looking at what an offense is going
to attempt to do to you. The theory is pretty simple: Draw a line through two or more
backs and the gap it goes through indicates a line of force at that gap. There can be
multiple lines of force and the more lines of force a backfield has the more gaps it can
attack with numbers.

63 Defense
Who is their best and second best running back (jersey number)?
This is very important to discern. It is also essential to know if he is a speed, power, or

combination back. This is going to tell you a lot about what plays they should and
should not call. I have seen teams with power runners attempt to run sweeps all day
and teams with speed backs attempt to run dives and leads all day. A player that can do
both is very dangerous and it gives the offense the ability to attack multiple gaps
effectively so it very important to figure out if they have one of these backs. So knowing
this information will tell you what they should be good at and it will tell you what they
should not be good at.
Who is their best and second best receiver (jersey number)?
It is not uncommon for their best back or backs to be their best receivers. In this case be
ready to see their back come out of the backfield or split out as a wide receiver. Also it
is important to note if the receiver is a good vertical receiver, perimeter receiver, or
crossing receiver. Does he have speed, size, and good route running. These things will
tell you a lot about who is going to be running what routes and where the ball is going.
Who is their weakest backfield player (jersey number)?
This can be an important tidbit of information can it often tell you who will be running
fakes and counter actions away from the ball. What is he good at? Is he a good
blocker? Is he a good receiver? If he small? Is he big? Is he slow? Is he fast? This
can help you quickly discern who is going to get the ball and their play set up.
Which side of the offensive line is their best?
Knowing this can tell you a lot about which side of the formation they are going to run to
and which side they will not. This is especially so in short yardage and goal line situation
or key situations. Coaches are going to put the ball in their best players hand and put
him behind their best blockers.
Which offensive linemen is their best?
Knowing who their best lineman is and knowing if he pulls, is a power blocker, or a
finesse blocker can tell you a lot about what they like to do and where the ball is going to
go in key situations.
Is their QB a running threat?
If the QB is athletic and can run then you have to account for him as he can cause
problems. If he can pass and run then you have even more problems and you need to
account for it accordingly. Often a team that has a truly athletic back will use him as a
crutch when you have removed all other options. Be prepared for QB sneaks, QB boots,
and QB counters when this happens. Make sure your backside LB’s and DE’s play their
jobs correctly and are disciplined.

63 Defense
Is their QB a passing threat?
If a QB has the ability to throw the ball down the field you need to be aware of it and you
need to address this with your pass triangle and make sure they play disciplined football.
Often youth teams use man pass patterns or zone flood patterns so it is imperative that
never let the ball get behind us and force any pass to the perimeter or the funnel where
we can swallow the ball. The pass triangle must play disciplined but not get caught up
over playing the pass and forgetting to support run. This is the reason why we play zone
is so that we can play run support and cover pass.
When and who do they rotate into the offense (weak links?)?
Knowing who they rotate in the offense and where they rotate those players can give
you some indication what their intentions are when they have non-starters in the lineup.
If they are rotating players into wide-out positions that typically means they have no
intentions of throwing the ball on that side of the offense. If they rotate a player into the
backfield than they have no intention of running the ball to that player as it increases the
likelihood of a turnover. If they rotate the player to QB it means they will use him as a
handoff position and not a runner or passer.
Formations often determine what an offensive system is trying to do.
Do they compress their formation (double tight ends)?
A team that compresses their formation wants your defense to compress so that they
can open the edges and the downfield perimeter. Teams that run double tight
formations want to run the ball using power running concepts, play action passing, and
utilize outside/perimeter running concepts. The reason we use the perimeter and pass
triangle is we don’t fall into that compression trap and we never give up the edge.
Do they spread their formation (double split end and slot)?
Teams that spread their formation are looking to either isolate their better players in
space on the perimeters or pass the ball to them on the edge or down field so they can
make plays. The other concept they use is to pull your better perimeter defenders to the
perimeters (CB and OLB) on both sides and then run at the off tackle or inside with their
better runners. You need to figure out which one they want to do or if they are capable
of doing both. The answer to the other questions above can often lead you to the
answers.
Do they show a pro look (FLANKER, TIGHT) to one side?
Teams that use pro formation looks at the you the level often have coaching staffs that
watch way too much football on Saturdays and Sundays. The majority of their running
game will be to the tight end side with QB bootlegs and counter cutback plays along with
traps to the weak side. Expect to see a heavy dose of toss/pitch to the tailback to the
tight end side with the flanker cracking inside (often with motion). Make sure you
address that you DE is facing the ball and his back is facing the flanker and he is outside
of the free blocking zone.

63 Defense
Do they show a wingback look to one side?
Wingbacks are an indication of a team that runs counters and often they are inside and
outside countering teams. You need to address this with your DE’s and OLB’s (in RED).
They must slow play any time a wingback goes inside to insure no counter is coming
their way. Any time a wingback is on the opposite side of your DE and OLB they need to
be looking for that back moving towards them.
Do they show a twin look to one side (SPLIT END and SLOT)?
Teams that show twin looks are looking to either remove your OLB and CB from run
support or to isolate a good receiver with an extra blocker on one defender to throw to
the perimeter. In either case you need to drill your defense to be prepared for both.
Stay in STACK or RED and see if they are attempting to isolate your CB in a 2 on 1
situation on the edge. If they don’t then keep applying pressure and if they do then your
DE on the quick pass side should give additional inside support to your CB when the ball
goes to the edge. Obviously you can call SKY and RED SPREAD as well to adjust to
the offense’s strengths.
Is their backfield two or three running backs?
Is their base set out of two or three backs? If two then there is a strong chance they
have a receiver they intend on using or they are hiding a player and attempting to isolate
one or more defenders. If three running backs you are more than likely facing a power
running team and you need to check and see if they use misdirection and what form of
misdirection they are using.
Are they in a direct snap look?
Single teams and shot gun teams present a real problem to defenses. The use of JET
sweep along with spinning action can be a big problem in itself. Often these teams are
going to get the ball in their best player’s hands at the snap and then beat you up with
additional misdirection and speed sweeps. Stay in your STACK or RED calls at first and
see if you can beat them with your base defense. Often your HUNTER play of your
defensive ends and the pressure you bring from the inside out is enough to reduce these
threats.
Do they use tight or wide splits (zero to six inches or one foot and greater)?
There used to be an old saying that a team that uses WIDE SPLITS will go inside and a
team that uses TIGHT SPLITS will go outside. Although that might be the case it totally
depends upon the blocking system the team is using. TIGHT SPLITS can also been the
team wants to compress the defense and then attack the defense in using a “phone
booth” method while hitting the off tackle hole (C gap) and utilizing an effective trapping
game in the A and B gaps. Often a team that compresses like this with tight splits are
looking to beat your defense up inside and as the defense compresses to account for
the brute strength inside they then quickly hit outside where they now have numbers and
an open field. Make sure you know what type of philosophy you are facing when it
comes to line splits as it can tell you a lot about what type of offensive philosophy you
are going to face.

63 Defense
Conclusion of Defensive Scout Questions
If I can answer these questions and get clear answers I am probably way ahead of my
opponent come game day. I have found when I don’t have these answers or the
answers are not clear this often when the defense struggles because we have not
prepared them. This is one of the main reasons why I use this defense with pressure
and zone coverage because when I don’t have these answers at the very least I know
we will not give up a big play as we discover the answers during the game. Since our
mind set is not give up the big play to the perimeter or the vertical passing threat we
force teams to beat us inside. This gives us the ability to adapt and adjust while keeping
that ball in front of us and reducing the likelihood of a quick or easy score on us. That
doesn’t mean they won’t score and it won’t happen quickly it just means we are more
prepared for it when they do come because it is something that is built into our defensive
philosophy.

63 Defense
Chapter 12
Practice Structure and Organization
Probably the most important thing you are going to do with this defense is install it and
the defensive fundamentals that are necessary to be successful as a defensive coach
prior to the first game. More importantly as the season progresses it is going to be
important that you develop those fundamentals, increase defensive execution of the
base defense, and install additional components that compliment your players. There is
a very fine line when doing this because often the lion share of practice will go to the
offense due to the execution based nature of it where as defense is based mostly on
movement and reaction. Typically the split is 45/30/15/10 (offense, defense, special
teams, and athletic development). Now I know there is a great amount of difference
based on individual teams but for the most part that is typically how things break down
for me by season’s end. Since we run a small amount of special team plays it doesn’t
take much to teach them, master them, and then work on fine tuning execution of
technique. Offense typically will get a larger amount of time due to the installation of
play calling, formations, installation of power series, and the addition of any other
supplemental plays and series you wish to include in the offense as the season
progresses. This takes time and it takes a great deal of practice scheduling. Defense is
more about fundamentals, proper positioning, movement, and reaction. Once you teach
the basic structure of the defense it is a simple matter of drills and reps to get the proper
execution down. Although a great many teams seem to over look the athletic
development part I would stress that with the nature of budget short falls and the cutting
of extracurricular activities (mainly sports) someone has to pick up the slack and start
developing these kids into athletes. Their athletic potential will never be realized unless
we, as coaches (youth coaches and parents), take the time to educate ourselves and
work on improving our kid’s athletic potential. There is more than enough hard data on
the subject of athletic development and academic achievement to prove that someone
needs to pick up this short fall and we are the people that need to be doing it as we have
access to these kids early and it is imperative we start as early possible to develop their
athletic potential so they can maximize whatever genetic ceiling they have. That is
enough of me on the soapbox but I feel it is a very important subject and one that is
often overlooked in team sports. JUST REMEMBER YOU ARE YOUTH COACH FIRST
AND A FOOTBALL COACH SECOND! Where it like a badge of honor!
DEFENSIVE FUNDAMENTALS
You must teach aggressiveness, tackling, pursuit, and turnover creation. These are a
must for all defensive players and it is a key element to making your defense aggressive
and dangerous. No matter how athletic or aggressive your kids are or how sound your
defensive scheme is if your kids don’t have good defensive fundamentals they will not be
successful defending the ball and stopping the opponent from scoring.
DEFENSIVE TECHNIQUES
You must teach stance, alignment, and technique (SAT) to all of your defensive players.
They must know how to get into a proper stance, get their proper alignment, and execute
their technique without thought. It must be fluid and fast as they react to the ball and
close on it.

63 Defense
DEFENSIVE CALLS AND ADJUSTMENTS
It is important that your entire defense knows how to quickly adjust to strength calls and
any shift calls that are being made. They need to do it quickly and get into their stance
and alignment. When the coaching staff or defensive captain barks a call or adjustment
the defense’s response needs to be immediate so they can get back in their proper
stance and get ready for the snap of the ball.
DEFENSIVE REACTION AND PURSUIT
Beyond having solid fundamentals it is essential that your players know how to react to
common offensive plays and what angle to take to the ball. Plays like sweep, isolation,
power off tackle, and play action pass to name a few are plays that you need to rep with
your defense so they know how to react. Special plays your opponents will use against
you need to be repped as well in their most common formations. This allows your
defense to “see” the play develop and react much quicker as he is much more confident
of what is occurring in front of him.
HALF LINE DRILLS
I have probably used this one drill more than any other drill to get meaningful reps for my
defense. One of the main problems we have as youth coaches is getting our defense to
match up against a scout offense that can give us some meaningful reps. Often it is
impossible to go eleven on eleven with your starting defense going against backups and
minimum play players and get any sort of real look from them. By taking one stack, one
defensive end, a mike backer, and both corners against a center, guard, tackle, and four
runners positioned in formation looks that the opposing offense will show. A coach will
act as the quarterback so ball transition is smooth. Initially we will practice sweep,
power off tackle, isolation, dive, flood pass, perimeter pass, and various play action
passes. We will also simulate cross buck, inside counter, and reverse as well so they
can get meaningful reps and know how to defend against these common plays.
Instilling Aggressiveness in Your Players
It is very important that every player that is going to play defense for you can tackle and
tackle effectively and aggressively. Bear in mind every kid is different so don’t expect
every one of your kids to be pit bull tackling machines after one week of practice. The
main ingredient is consistency in how you teach not only your tackling fundamentals but
how you instill aggressiveness in your kids. One of the main reasons it is one of the first
things I mention as a fundamental is that so many of our kids are simply not aggressive
any longer due to the brain washing and political correctness that goes on in our
communities and schools. The simple fact of the matter is that football is a violent sport,
a combat sport, a controlled fight. It requires athletes to not only be physically tough but
mentally and emotionally tough. Often the team that walks out on the field and imposes
their will first is going to win the day. It is not uncommon to see a team from an inner city
program waylay a suburban team because of the inner city team’s mental and emotional
toughness. Once a team imposes their will on team and it dominates them both
physically and emotionally the game is over. It is imperative that you prepare your team
for this. You can win a lot of games by imposing your will on team even before one play
is run in a game. More importantly you will eliminate the ability of the other team to do it

63 Defense
To your kids which is often more important if you come from a team that is not used to
playing in environments like that.
First you must expect your players to give the team 100% effort at all times. Do not
except anything less if you do you have just lowered the bar and that is what the entire
team will give you. Secondly when contact is made you must expect them to go through
the contact every time whether it is blocking, tackling, or running with the ball. Teach
every player to always initiate contact. Any player that is hit should be getting an ear full
about always making contact first. I stress to my players that we must be HAMMERS
never ANVILS. We lay the licks whether we are on offense, defense, or special teams.
We make contact and we make it hard and at full speed period.
Putting the Components Together
The first thing you must teach is tackling and pursuit. Good defenses tackle and pursue
to the ball well so if you plan on having a good defense then plan on stressing tackling
and pursuit. I always start from the premise that every kid on the team does not know
how to tackle. Even if we have returning players it allows them to refocus and fine tune
skills they have already learned from last season. It allows new players to learn the
basics of contact without the fear of injury which is important in building confidence in
your new players.
Once you have set the ground work and taught the fundamentals of tackling and pursuit
you can then begin to add more advanced tackling and pursuit drills as well as turnover
drills to turn your defense into a potential scoring threat. Once you turn your defense
into a component that can score the offense becomes conservative as they don’t want to
turn over the ball to defense that can immediately score.
During pre-season and install you are going to want to get the basics of the defense
installed. Stance, alignment, and basic techniques for run and pass for each position.
Whether you choose to install STACK, RED, or both concepts it works the same way.
Separate the BACK FIVE and the FRONT SIX then get the basics installed. Once they
know how to get in their stances, align, and their basic techniques you can bring them
together and have the defense work against basic formations and plays.
There is nothing stopping you from using specific drills for each position but frankly with
time limits and practice restrictions I have found it beneficial to train my defense using
the BACK FIVE and FRONT SIX and then using the HALF LINE drill along with
SCRIMMAGE. These basic components work for me and they work because they are
time efficient, specific to the needs of the defense, and develop the techniques they
need to be successful.
For a breakdown of the drills please see APPENDIX II and III. If we are facing a team
that we know is going to be an easy opponent or we have a bye week we might spend a
little more time on position specific drills designed to fine tune specific areas of our
defense

63 Defense
Appendix I
Table of Calls
Base Call Purpose Front Six Calls Purpose
STACK Base pressure call IN DL slant inside to A and B
gaps and OLB stunts into C
gap
RED Base read/zone call OUT DL slant outside for B and C
gaps while OLB stunts into
A gap
RED SPREAD Spread/zone call SPLIT DL split A and C gap while
OLB stunts into B gap
GAP DL move into A and B gap
and penetrate and OLB
aligns into C gap. This is
an AUTO call for an open
side (without TE).
Corner Back Calls Purpose Adv. Front Six Calls Purpose
SKY Move CB’s to flat for tighter TWISTER Inside stunt with DT slanting
zone coverage and run into B gap while DG stunts
support into C gap and OLB stunts
into A gap.
SABER Align inside of DE and RED TWISTER Same as TWISTER but
attack far hip of deep/near OLB stays in RED call and
back leaves A gap open.
STONE Align outside shade of TE TORNADO Outside stunt with DG
while OLB aligns inside slanting into the B gap while
shade. They double team the DT stunts into the A
the TE into backfield. gap. The OLB blitzes into
the C gap.
COUGAR Align outside of DE and he RED TORNADO Same as TORNADO but
becomes HUNTER while the OLB stays in RED call
DE attacks near hip of QB. and leaves the C gap open.
COFFIN Align inside of DE and TIGER Front six special
attack near hip of QB. OLBs blitzes C gap. DTs
slant into B gaps. The DG
on the snapping side slants
into the opposite A gap
while the other DG stunts
into other A gap.
PRESS Align inside shade of 1st RED TIGER Same as Tiger except OLB
receiver from outside. Play stays in RED call.
press man.
BEAR Places DG into A gap and

DT into B gap in four point
explosive stances. The
OLB aligns in the C gap and
blitzes.
Mike Calls Purpose RED BEAR Same as BEAR but OLB
aligns in normal RED
alignment.
MICKEY MIKE backer aligns over BULL Tells DG and DT to align in
the center and attacks a four point stance and
through the Center’s explode into their blocker
snapping shoulder into the and drive him back. OLB
near A gap and locates the will align in C gap and blitz.
ball.
MOUSE The MIKE aligns to the RED BULL Same as BULL but the OLB
inside of the DE and on the aligns in RED. If open end
snap he aims for the far hip he automatically aligns in
of the near/deep back while BULL not RED BULL.
the DE aims for the near hip
of the near/deep back.

63 Defense
ROVER Mike moves over to a

position just inside of the
call side DE at the same
depth and has the same
read as he would from his
base position. If there is a
twin or trips receiver set he
will align on inside of the
slot in FACE THE
BACKFIELD stance.
ROBBER This tells the MIKE to Secondary Adv Call
become a defensive back
and on snap he will
immediately make a 3 step
drop as he reads the QB
and flow.
REAPER We move the MIKE to a MIRROR Press man to man CB 1st
position in front of the outside, OLB 2nd outside,
center at 18 to 20 yards MIKE 3rd outside (5 players)
depth with his same exact
base read. He reads the
QB’s facemask and flow as
he moves down hill.
PREVENT The PREVENT call tells the
corners to go from 8 to 10
yards to 15 to 18 yards and
the MIKE going from 6 to 8
yards to 10 to 12 yards. If
RED or RED SPREAD is
called it will also tell the
OLB’s to go from 3 yards
depth to 6 yards depth.
Nose Tackle Purpose

NICK Replace one DG with a MO
BACKER.
He aligns on inside of field
DE and attacks inside hip of
deep/near back.
NINJA The NINJA call will do the
same thing as the NICK
does as far as NT goes.
The NT will execute the
same technique as the
NICK call. MO and MIKE
will move into the spots of
the OLB’s and replace
them. MIKE and MO will
make any STACK CALLS
and will make their RED
zone drops as if they are
OLB’s (hook zones) but will
make a MIKE read (read
either QB or FB).
NOSE The NOSE call will do the
same thing as the NICK
does as far as NT goes.
The NT will execute the
same technique as the
NICK call. The MIKE will
align at his normal depth
and position but the MO will
align as if in a ROVER
position.

63 Defense
Defensive End Calls Purpose

SPY Tells the defensive end to
automatically drop into the
flat quickly and spy the
passer just as if it was a
QUICK PASS KEY
FIRE Tells the defensive end to
automatically hunt into the
backfield with no pass key.
COVER Tells the defensive end to
cover down on the second
receiver from the outside
using inside press leverage
and bump and bail into the
flat zone SPYING the
backfield.
SHADOW Tells the DE to cover any
running back out of the
back field on their side as
they make their QUICK
PASS KEY and HUNT into
the backfield.

63 Defense
Appendix II
Installation for Defense
Drill Pre-Season Installation Routine
Tackling
Contact Drill xxx
Shed & Contact Drill xxx
Triangle Drill xxx xxx xxx
Line Drill xxx xxx
Alley Drill xxx xxx
Lane Drill xxx xxx
Zigzag Drill xxx
Gang tackling Drill xxx
Pursuit
Lateral Attack Angle Drill xxx
Open Field Triangle Drill xxx
Open Field Reverse xxx xxx xxx
Triangle Drill
Shoot and Force Drill xxx xxx
Shoot the Sideline Drill (CB, xxx xxx
DE, Mike)
Red Shoot the Sideline Drill xxx xxx
Team Pursuit Drill (Pass & xxx xxx
Sweep)
Turnovers
Who’s ball is it xxx xxx
Scoop and score xxx xxx
Scoop and Score II xxx xxx
Jump Ball xxx
Interception Drill xxx
Tomahawk Strip Drill xxx
Two Hand Tomahawk Drill xxx
Front Six
Stack Drill 1) xxx xxx xxx
Stack Drill 2) xxx xxx xxx
Stack Drill 3) xxx xxx
Stack Drill 4) xxx xxx
Back Five
Hourglass Prog Drill 1 xxx xxx xxx
Hourglass Prog Drill 2 xxx xxx xxx
Hourglass Prog Drill 3 xxx xxx
Team Drills
Half Line Drill 1 xxx xxx xxx

63 Defense
Appendix III
Basic Defensive Practice Schedule
Pre-Season Install DAY 1
Time Drill Notes

6:00 pm Dynamic Warm Up
6:10 pm LEG
6:20 pm OFFENSE
6:30 pm Tackling: Contact
6:40 pm Tackling: Shed & Contact
6:50 pm WATER BREAK Discuss Basic Rules
7:00 pm OFFENSE
7:30 pm DEFENSE
FRONT SIX (drill #1/#2)
BACK FIVE (drill#1/#2)
7:50 pm CONDITIONING
Time Drill Notes

6:10 pm LEG
6:20 pm OFFENSE
6:30 pm Pursuit: LAA
6:40 pm Pursuit: OFT
7:00 pm OFFENSE
7:30 pm DEFENSE
7:50 pm SPEED TRAINING
Time Drill Notes

6:10 pm LEG
6:20 pm OFFENSE
6:30 pm Tackling: Contact
7:00 pm OFFENSE
7:30 pm DEFENSE

63 Defense
Time Drill Notes

6:10 pm LEG
6:20 pm OFFENSE
6:40 pm Pursuit: OFT
7:00 pm OFFENSE
7:30 pm DEFENSE
Time Drill Notes

6:10 pm LEG
6:20 pm OFFENSE
6:40 pm Tackling: Triangle Drill
7:00 pm OFFENSE
7:30 pm DEFENSE
Time Drill Notes

6:10 pm LEG
6:20 pm SPECIAL TEAMS KOR/KO
6:40 pm Pursuit: OFRT
7:00 pm OFFENSE
7:30 pm DEFENSE Include play action pass off of
HALF LINE DRILL SWEEP/ISO.
(SWEEP/ISO)

63 Defense
Time Drill Notes

6:10 pm LEG
6:20 pm OFFENSE
6:40 pm Tackling: Triangle Drill
7:00 pm OFFENSE
7:30 pm DEFENSE Use a Perimeter pass play as
Half Line Drill (DIVE/SWEEP) well.
7:50 pm Who’s Ball Is it
Time Drill Notes

6:10 pm LEG
6:20 pm SPECIAL TEAMS PAT/PAT BLOCK
6:40 pm Pursuit: OFRT
7:00 pm OFFENSE
7:30 pm DEFENSE
7:50 pm King of the Ring
Normal Season Practice Day 1
Time Drill Notes

6:10 pm LEG
6:20 pm OFFENSE
6:30 pm Tackling Drills
6:40 pm OFFENSIVE LINE/BACKS
7:00 pm TEAM OFFENSE
7:30 pm DEFENSE Drills & Skills
Front Six
Back Five
7:50 pm Conditioning (HEAVY)

63 Defense
Time Drill Notes

6:10 pm LEG
6:20 pm OFFENSE
6:30 pm Pursuit Drills
HALF LINE DRILL
7:50 pm SPECIAL TEAMS KOR/KO
Time Drill Notes

6:10 pm LEG
6:20 pm OFFENSE
6:30 pm Turnover Drill/Tackling Drill
HALF LINE DRILL
7:50 pm Offensive Perfection Drill
Final Thoughts on Practice Schedule
Don’t get caught up on being rigid with your practice schedule. Build some flexibility into
so that if there are areas you need to work on you can. I have no problem dropping a 10
segment that we are already solid on to work on an area we need to improve on.
Remember that the whole purpose of practice is to practice and improve. Kids are going
to make mistakes so be prepared for it. I tell my kids I want them to make mistakes on
the practice field as long as they know they made a mistake and that they don’t keep
repeating the same mistake over and over. Practice is for making mistakes, fixing them,
improving as an individual, improving as a team, and inevitably becoming a better
football team. Perfection will never be achieved without the ability to correct mistakes
and improve and we do that on the practice field.

63 Defense
Appendix IV
Defensive Scouting Sheet
Date: Opponent:
Primary Formation Alternate Formation #1
NOTE LINES OF FORCE NOTE LINES OF FORCE

Alternate Formation #2 Alternate Formation #3
NOTE LINES OF FORCE NOTE LINES OF FORCE

What is the base running play in their offense? Can they pass the ball?
Sweep Double Dive Will they pass the Ball?

Isolation/Lead Double Option
Power Off tackle Inside Veer What type of passing game do they use?
Dive Outside Veer
Flood passing game
Notes: Perimeter passing game
Vertical passing game
Cross passing game
Do they use misdirection? Do they use one, few, or many formations?
What is their best misdirection play?
Trap (A and B gap) Draws (A and B gap)

Cross Buck (B and C gap) Delays (C and D gap)
Double Dive Counter Step to opp. side
Inside Counter (C gap) PA pass vertical
Reverse (D gap) PA pass perimeter
Do they run the same base plays out of all the Who is their best and second best running back
formations or do the formations determine the (jersey number)?
plays they run?
Who is their best and second best receiver Who is their weakest backfield player (jersey
(jersey number)? number)?
Which side of the offensive line is their best? Which offensive linemen is their best?
Is their QB a running threat? Is their QB a passing threat?

63 Defense
When and who do they rotate into the offense Do they use a direct snap (shotgun/Singlewing)
(weak links)? or an indirect snap (under center) as their
primary snap?
Do they use zero, tight (less than one foot), or Does their line pull from backside?
wide line splits (more than one foot)?
Does their line pull from play side to perimeter?
Does their line trap block?
Does their line align tight to the LINE OF Does their line pass block when passing or run
SCRIMMAGE or do they play off the line (helmet block in place?
must break plan of center’s hip)?
Do they cut block (backside, play side) during
runs?
Do they cut block during pass plays?
Additional Notes

63 Defense
Appendix V
63 Pictures

63 Defense

63 Defense

63 Defense

63 Defense
Appendix VI
Contact Information
If you have any questions or need some additional help with the defense or have
a youth football question please feel free to email me at
[email protected] and I will assist you in any way I can.
I will do my best to respond to your email and if need be we can set up a call so
that I answer your question as best as possible.

63 Defense
Appendix VII
Resource Websites
Coaches I have a website that I use as a resource for not only my 63 Defense but also
for my Youth Double Wing. It has a tremendous amount of material that I have created
but also from a great deal of other coaches from all levels that I have found helpful. The
ARTICLE PAGE is chalked full of great power point presentations, documents, spread
sheets, as well as play books and a lot of other great information. The BENCH is a
place that I post some great video clips on the YDW, 63 Defense, as well as cool stuff
that can be used like drills, various concepts, and anything else I find useful for
coaching. The YOUTH ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT PAGE is where I post information
on youth athletic development and how to train kids. I do a lot of speed and athletic
development from the ages of 8 on up to the high school level and any resources that I
use are posted on that page.
TAKE A LOOK AT WWW.GREGORYDOUBLEWING.COM!
Also if you are a visual learner don’t miss out on the

WWW.DOUBLEWINGSYMPOSIUM.COM site. We post all of our presentations from
our annual Double Wing Football Coaches Symposium in Frisco, Texas. It uses the
latest version of Quicktime and you will need broadband internet access. We have
nearly 120 hours of video presentations and demonstrations from coaches around the
country.

63 Defense
Appendix VIII
Other Items by Coach Jack Gregory
Youth Double Wing: Winning Youth Offense
The modern double wing offense is the pinnacle of power and

misdirection football. This book covers how to implement it,
coach it, and utilize it with a variety of youth football teams.
The system has been field tested for over ten years by not
only the author but from coaches around the country who
sing its praise. The system is simple, efficient, and
effective while teaching the core fundamentals of football.
The author has taken Don Markham's, inventor of the
modern double wing, core principles and made them effective
for any age group in youth football.
http://www.wordclay.com/BookStore/BookStoreBookDetails.aspx?bookid=18918
Item Number: FD-02969
"My double wing philosophy is pretty simple. I want to

overwhelm the point of attack with more numbers then
the defense has. I want to beat the defense with my base
power play and force them to adapt to stop it. Once they
do we will counter punch them with misdirection and play
action passing. We want to control field position and time
forcing our opponents to play the longest field possible
while having to outscore us with a small clock."
- Jack Gregory, President of the Double Wing

Symposium
http://www.championshipproductions.com/cgi-bin/champ/p/Football/The-Youth-Double-Wing-5-
Pack_FD-02969.html?mv_pc=jag1872

63 Defense
Coming Soon!
Youth Double Wing: The Gun!
Coming 2009
Youth Double Wing: The Passing Game!

Coming 2010
Gregory Youth Football Drill Book

Coming 2010

63 Defense

63 Defense A Winning Youth Defense

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

63 Defense A Winning Youth Defense

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

63 Defense A Winning Youth Defense

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What are the main components of the 63 defense discussed in the book?

What are the main components of the 63 defense discussed in the book?

How does the book describe teaching the techniques of the 63 defense?

How does the book describe teaching the techniques of the 63 defense?

63 Defense

Coach Jack Gregory

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 1

Chapter 1 – Basic Structure & Theory…page 7

Chapter 2 – Basic Training…page 40

Chapter 3 – Defensive Fundamentals…page 58

Chapter 4 – Red & Red Spread Call…page 83

Chapter 5 – Corner Back Advanced Calls...page 100

Chapter 6 – Mike Advanced Calls…page 108

Chapter 7 – Nose Tackle Calls…page 115

Chapter 8 – Front Six Advanced Calls…page 121

Chapter 9 – Secondary Advanced Calls…page 125

Chapter 10 – Defensive End Advanced Calls…127

Chapter 11 – Dealing with Common Youth Offenses…128

Chapter 12 – Practice Structure and Organization…137

Appendix I – Table of Calls…141

Appendix II – Installation of Defense…144

Appendix III – Table of Basic Defensive Practice Schedule…145

Appendix IV – Defensive Scouting Sheet…149

Appendix V – 63 Defense Pictures…151

Appendix VI – Contact information…155

Appendix VII – Resource Websites…156

Appendix VIII – Other Items by Coach Jack Gregory…157

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 2

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 3

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 4

Blake Alan Gregory

All the coaches from the Double Wing Forum

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 5

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 6

Chapter 1: Basic Structure & Theory

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 7

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 8

Field and Boundary Sides

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 9

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 10

Why is the Field Side the Strong Side?

Here is some food for thought and why I do what I do in my 63.

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 11

THE CONTAINMENT OF THE ALLEY

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 12

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 13

Placing Players in your Defense

CORNERS (FIELD and BOUNDARY) – pass first/ball is mine mentality.

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 14

63 Stack 63 Stack and Red

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 15

Base pass coverage in the 63 is a TAMPA COVER 2 ROTATIONAL ZONE. Initially it

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 16

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 17

Tampa Cover 2 rotating to

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 18

Tampa Cover 2 rotating to

Jack Gregory © 2009 All Rights Reserved Page 19

Action Play Side Corner Away Side Corner Mike