Goals of the

FIELD DEFENSE

1. Hit the opponent every play!!!
2. Stop the run!!
3. Create Takeaways!!
4. Eliminate big plays!!
5. Get 11 men to the ball (polish)!!

Principles of Success

1. Create offensive confusion at the line of scrimmage.
2. Play with great technique and BE PHYSICAL!!!
3. Impose our eight man front on every team.
4. Establish pressure versus the pass.
5. High awareness driven secondary focused on technique.
EAGER TO POLISH!!!
Alignment Techniques
4i/4/5 5/4/4i 1/0/1 3/2/2i 2i/2/3 9/8/7 7/8/9
D D B C A A B C
GAPS
9 8 7 5 4 4i 3 2 2i 1 0
Out-
side
eye of
TE
Head
up on
TE
Inside
eye of
TE
Out-
side
eye of
OT
Head
up on
OT
Inside
eye of
OT
Out-
side
eye of
OG
Head
up on
OG
Inside
eye of
OG
Shade
of
center
Head
up on
center
E G N T
C $ W B C
F M
Free Safety - Calls down and distance
Mike - Calls the play
Huddle
Position Alignment Technique Run To Run Away Key Drop back Pass
END Head up TE

Press 8;
J elly Tech.
Off Tackle;
M/M read pres-
sure
Boot, counter, re-
verse
TE J am TE, rush the
passer
GUARD Strong side Out-
side eye of OG
3 Technique Stuff B gap inside
out
Pursuit and cutback OG to
Ball
Rush passer;
check draw and
screen
NOSE Shade center
Weak
1 Technique Stuff A gap inside
out
Pursuit and cutback C to Ball Rush passer;
check draw and
screen
TACKLE Outside eye of
OT
Squeeze 5 Tech-
nique
Off Tackle; M/M
Force;
Contain
Boot, counter, re-
verse
OT to
Ball
RUSH PASSER
MIKE
(leader)
Head up on the
OT, 5 yards off
the ball.
Covers strong C
and A. Attacks
L.O.S.
Attack blocker
head on, plug
Strong C gap
Scrape to fill
Strong A Gap
OG to
near
back
Hook / Curl;
run through on
sprint out strong
WILL Outside eye of
OG, 4-5 yards
off the ball.
Covers weak B.
Attacks L.O.S.
Attack blocker
head on,
plug weak B
Scrape to strong A OG to
Ball
Hook / Curl;
run through on
sprint out strong
BUC 4 yards wide, 3
yards deep off
last man on
L.O.S.
Attacks L.O.S.
from outside
Force / Contain Fold, Counter, Boot OT to
ball
Flats; route read
#1 receiver
STRONG
$
4-6 yards wide,
4 yards deep off
last man on
L.O.S.
Attacks L.O.S.
from outside
Force / Contain Fold, Counter, Boot TE to
ball
Flats; route read
#1 receiver
FREE
SAFETY
7 yards deep
over strong A
gap
Reads and Re-
acts to all plays
Play Alley, force
strong A
Play Alley OG
to QB
Deep Middle 3rd
CORNER 7 yards deep, 1
yard wide off
outside receiver
Stay on top off
the deepest re-
ceiver in his
third.
Support the run
late to POLISH
Support the run late
to POLISH
QB to
REC.
Deep 3
CORNER 7 yards deep, 1
yard wide off
outside receiver
Stay on top off
the deepest re-
ceiver in his
third.
Support the run
late to POLISH
Support the run late
to POLISH
QB to
REC.
Deep 3
Position Breakdown for Field 3:


This coverage declares the strength to the field when the ball
is on the hash or to the two receiver side if the ball is in the
middle.

C
C
G
F
E N T
B $
W M
Field 3 vs. Pro Set
Field assignments played with 8-men on L.O.S
Field Man vs. Pro Set
G E N T
C
B $
M W
F
C
Man to Man;
Mike and Will have first back to their side.
Up-Field 3 vs. Pro Set
G E N T
C
C B $ W
F

M
Line Stunt Left
ENDSlant to C gap
GUARDRip to A gap
NOSERip to B gap
TACKLEForce off edge, Contain
MIKEFill strong B, Scrape weak A
WILLFill weak A, Scrape Strong B
STRONGForce strong side, Contain
BUCPlay the ball
Field Rake vs. Pro Set
B
T
G E N T
C C
B $
M W
F
Field Loop vs. Pro Set
G E N
C C
$
M
W
F
Line Stunt Right
ENDRip outside TE, Contian
GUARDRip to strong B gap
NOSERip to strong A gap
TACKLERip to weak B gap
MIKEFill strong C, Scrape weak A
WILLFill weak A
STRONGPlay the ball
BUCForce off weak edge, Contain
ENDPress TE, read C gap and outside run
GUARDRip to strong A gap
NOSEPlug weak A gap
TACKLESqueeze / Contain

MIKEBlitz Strong B
WILLBlitz Weak B
STRONGFold / Contain
BUCFold / Contain
ENDSlant to C gap
GUARDPlug strong B gap
NOSEPlug weak A gap
TACKLERip to weak B gap

MIKEBlitz Strong A
WILLPlay the ball
STRONGTimed Blitz off strong edge, Con-
tain
BUCTimed Blitz off weak edge, Contain
Field Blood vs. Pro Set
T
G
W
E N T
C C
B $
M
F
W
G E N
C C
B $
M
F
Field Storm vs. Pro Set
F
ENDSlant to C gap
GUARDPlug strong B gap
NOSERip to weak B gap
TACKLESqueeze / Contain

MIKEBlitz Strong A
WILLBlitz Weak A
STRONGBlitz off strong edge, Contain
BUCFold / Contain
Field Pinch vs. Pro Set
G
M W
E N T
C C
B $
W
E N T
C C
B $
M
F
Field Attack vs. Pro Set
G
ENDSlant to C gap
GUARDRip to strong A gap
NOSEPlug weak A gap
TACKLESqueeze / Contain

MIKEFill strong A
WILLFill weak B
STRONGForce off strong edge, Contain
BUCFold / Contain
F
F
ENDRip to outside, Contain
GUARDPlug strong B gap
NOSEPlug weak A gap
TACKLE Contain
MIKEFill strong A
WILLScrape strong A
STRONGBlitz strong C gap
BUCBlitz weak B
Field Edge vs. Pro Set
E
W
G N T
C C
B $
M
W
G E N T
C C
B $
M
Field Skull vs. Pro Set
ENDPress TE, read C gap and outside run
GUARDPlug strong B gap
NOSEPlug weak A gap
TACKLESqueeze / contain

MIKERead / fill strong A and strong C gap
WILLFill weak B gap
STRONGBlitz off strong edge, Contain
BUC Blitz off weak edge, Contain
Strength declared to the split-end.
W
T E N G
C C
B
$
M
F
Split Eagle vs. Pro Set
ENDSqueeze 5 Tech., weak side;
Contain / boot, reverse
GUARDPlug weak B gap
NOSEPlug Strong A gap
TACKLE Plug strong C

MIKEFill weak A
WILLFill strong B
STRONGForce; boot, counter, reverse
BUCSqueeze 9 Tech. Contain
FREE7 yards of, over center
Tight Robber vs. Pro Set
(Pass, counter, or boot)
C
F
M
G E N T
C
B $
W
Strength declared to the TE.
ENDPress TE, read C gap and outside run
GUARDPlug strong B gap
NOSEPlug weak A gap
TACKLESqueeze / contain

MIKERead / fill strong A and strong C gap
WILLFill weak B gap
STRONGForce; Flat read #1
BUC Force; Flat read #1
FREECheat to TE cover M / M
FREEBlitz strong A
$trongCovers Deep
middle third
WillRotates to Flat
Field Opposite Free
vs. Pro Set
W
G E N T
C C
$
B
M
F
1/3 1/3
1/3
W
G E N T
C C
$
B
M
F
1/3
1/3
1/3
Field Opposite Rob
vs. Pro Set
FREEM / M on TE
$trongCovers Deep
middle third
WillRotates to Flat
Field Half Free vs. Pro Set
M W
G E N T
C C
B $
F
1/2
1/2
Field Half Rob vs. Pro Set
W
G E N T
C C
B $
F
1/2
1/2
M
Field Lock vs. Trips
Sky vs. Single width
Strength to the field
W
G E N T
C
B $
M
1/4
F
1/4
C
1/2
W
G E N T
C
B $
M
F
C
Mike / Buck have back on action to them.
Field 3 vs. Quads
Field 3 Sally
Strength to the Boundary
W
G E N T
C
B
$
M
F
C
1/2
1/2
W
G
E
N T
C C
B
$
M
F
Field vs. Double Tight
Up-Field 3 Bang
G E N T B $ W M
C
C
F
W
G E N T
C
C
B $
M
F
Mike and Will drop to hash.
Position Alignment Technique Run To Run Away Key Drop back Pass
END Head up TE

Press 8;
J elly Tech.
Off Tackle;
M/M read pres-
sure
Boot, counter, re-
verse
TE J am TE, rush the
passer
GUARD Strong side Out-
side eye of OG
3 Technique Stuff B gap inside
out
Pursuit and cutback OG to
Ball
Rush passer;
check draw and
screen
NOSE Shade center
Weak
1 Technique Stuff A gap inside
out
Pursuit and cutback C to Ball Rush passer;
check draw and
screen
TACKLE Outside eye of
OT
Squeeze 5 Tech-
nique
Off Tackle; M/M
Force;
Contain
Boot, counter, re-
verse
OT to
Ball
RUSH PASSER
WILL Strong shade of
the center, 5
yards off the
ball.
Covers strong A
and A. Attacks
L.O.S.
Attack blocker
head on, plug
Strong A gap
Scrape to fill
inside out
Center to
near
back
Deep Middle
BUC Head up on the
OT, 4-5 yards
off the ball.
Covers weak B.
Attacks L.O.S.
Attack blocker
head on,
plug weak B
Scrape to fill OT to
Ball
Hook / Curl;
run through on
sprint out weak
MIKE
(leader)
Outside eye of
OT, 4-5 yards
deep .
Covers strong C
and A. Attacks
L.O.S.
Attack blocker
head on, plug
strong C gap
Scrape to fill OT to
ball
Hook / Curl;
run through on
sprint out strong
STRONG
$
8 yards deep, on
the hash marks
Reads and Re-
acts to all plays
Play Alley Replace and fill #1 and
#2
Deep Half
FREE
SAFETY
8 yards deep, on
the hash marks
Reads and Re-
acts to all plays
Play Alley Replace and fill #1 and
#2
Deep Half
CORNER 34 yards of
receiver
Re-route re-
ceiver
Support the run
late to POLISH
Support the run late
to POLISH
Rec. to
QB
Flats; Sit and
Catch
CORNER 34 yards of
receiver
Re-route re-
ceiver
Support the run
late to POLISH
Support the run late
to POLISH
Rec. to
QB
Flats; Sit and
Catch
Position Breakdown for Stack 2:
F
ENDPress TE, read C gap and outside run
GUARDPlug strong B gap
NOSEPlug weak A gap
TACKLESqueeze / contain

MIKERead / fill strong C gap
WILLRead / fill strong A gap
STRONGhalf player; Read #1 and #2
BUC Read / fill weak B gap
FREEhalf player; Read #1 and #2
CORNERSFlats; Sit and Catch
Stack 2 vs Pro
G E N T
C C
B
$
M
W
G E N T
C
C
B
M
F
$
Stack Flat 2 vs Pro
DBs are flat across at 8 yards
We can stem to any of our stack coverages from this shell.
W
1/2
1/2
Stack Flat 1, Will vs. Quads
Buck or Mike has back. Will has delayed blitz on pass.
W
G E N T
C C
B
$
M
F
W
G E N T
C
C
B
$
M
F
Stack 1 vs. Quads
BUC or MIKE has backs. WILL blitz strong A.
Stack Flat 4 vs. Quads
W
G E N T
C C
B
$
M
F
W
G E N T
C
C
B
$
M
F
Stack 4 vs. Quads
1/4 1/4 1/4
1/4
1/4 1/4
1/4
1/4
Line Stunt Right
ENDRip outside TE, Contian
GUARDRip to strong B gap
NOSERip to strong A gap
TACKLERip to weak B gap
MIKEFill strong C
WILLFill weak A
BUCForce off weak edge, Contain
Stack Lasso vs. Pro
W
G E N T
C
C
B
$
M
F
Stack Rip vs. Pro
W
G E N T
C C
B
$
M
F
Line Stunt Left
ENDSlant to C gap
GUARDRip to A gap
NOSE2i (align); Rip to weak B gap
TACKLEForce off edge, Contain
MIKEForce off weak edge, Contain
WILLFill strong B, scrape to weak B
BUCFill strong A
E
Buck and Mike Blitz contain.
Stack Big Man vs. Pro
W
G N T
C
C
B
$
F
M
ENDSlant to C gap
GUARDPlug strong B gap
NOSEPlug weak A gap
TACKLERip to weak B gap

MIKEFill strong A
WILLTimed blitz; force off strong edge
BUCTimed blitz; force off weak edge,
Contain
Stack Flat Up Big Man vs.
Quads
W
G E N T
C C
B
$
M
F
ENDSlant to C gap
GUARDPlug strong B gap
NOSEPlug weak A gap
TACKLERip to weak B gap

MIKEFill strong A; M / M on back
WILLWide 9 Tech.;
Blitz; force off strong edge, Contain
BUCWide 9 Tech.;
Blitz; force off weak edge, Contain
FREEM / M on #2
$TRONG M / M on #2
CORNERSM / M on #1
Stack Flat Strong 3 vs. Pro
1/3
Stack Bang 3 vs. Pro
W
G E N T
C C
B
$
M
F
W
G E N T
C
C
B
$
M
F
1/3 1/3
1/3
1/3
1/3
Position Alignment Technique Run To Run Away Key Drop back Pass
END Inside eye of
TE
Press 7 Tech. Stuff C gap inside
out
Boot, counter, re-
verse
TE J am TE; Rush the
passer
GUARD Strong side
Outside eye of
OG
3 Technique Stuff B gap inside
out
Pursuit and cut-
back
OG to
Ball
Rush passer;
(draw and
screen)
NOSE Head up center 0 Technique Stuff both A gaps
inside out
Pursuit and cut-
back
C to
Ball
Rush passer;
(draw and
screen)
TACKLE Outside eye of
OG
3 Technique Stuff B gap inside
out
Pursuit and cut-
back
OG to
Ball
Rush passer;
(draw and
screen)
MIKE
(leader)
Head up on the
OT, 5 yards off
the ball.
Covers strong A
and C. Attacks
L.O.S.
Attack blocker
head on, plug
strong A gaps
Scrape to fill
Strong A Gap and
off tackle
OT to
near
back
M / M on back to
the strong side.
WILL Outside eye of
OG, 4-5 yards
off the ball.
Covers weak A.
Attacks L.O.S.
Attack blocker
head on,
plug weak A
Scrape to strong A OG to
Ball
M / M on back to
the weak side.
BUC Outside eye of
OG
Squeeze 5 Tech. Force / Contain Fold, Counter,
Boot
OT to
ball
Rush the Passer
STRONG
$
Outside eye of
TE
Squeeze 9 Tech. Force / Contain Fold, Counter,
Boot
TE to
ball
M /M on TE. (if
TE blocks, RUSH)
FREE
SAFETY
8 yards deep
over strong A
gap
Reads and Re-
acts to all plays
Play Alley, force
strong A
Play Alley OG
to QB
Play Football
CORNERS Over #1 Re-
ceivers
Inside PRESS
M / M
Support the run
late to POLISH
Support the run
late to POLISH
REC. M / M on outside
receivers
N E T
W
G $
C
C B
M
F
BEAR
vs. Pro set
BEAR Roar Rob vs. Pro
T
BEAR Strong Rob vs. Pro
E T
W
G $ N C C B
M
F
E
W
G $ N C C B
M
F
ENDSlant through C gap
GUARDPlug strong B gap
NOSEPlug both A gaps
TACKLEPlug weak B gap

MIKERead / fill strong A gap
WILLRead / fill weak A gap
STRONGBlitz / Contain
BUC Blitz / Contain
FREEM /M on TE
CORNERSM / M on outside receivers
ENDSlant through C gap
GUARDPlug strong B gap
NOSERip right to strong A gap
TACKLERip right to weak B gap

MIKEPlay the ball
WILLRead / fill weak B gap
STRONGBlitz / Contain
BUC Blitz / Contain
FREEM /M on TE
G E
BEAR Bite vs. Pro set
W
N T $ C C B
M
F
BEAR Leap vs. Pro set
E
W
G $ N C C B
M
F
T
ENDSlant through C gap
GUARDRip left to A gap
NOSERip left to A gap
TACKLEPlug weak B gap

MIKEBlitz strong B gap
WILLPlay the ball
STRONGBlitz / Contain
BUC Blitz / Contain
FREEM /M on TE
CORNERSM / M on outside receivers
ENDJ am TE; Plug C gap
GUARDPlug strong B gap
NOSEPlug both A gaps
TACKLERip to weak C gap; contian

MIKERead / fill strong A gap
WILLRead / fill weak A gap
STRONGM /M TE
BUC Loop over T to blitz B gap
FREEPlay the ball
CORNERSM / M on outside receivers
ENDSlant through C gap
GUARDPlug strong B gap
NOSELoop over to weak B gap
TACKLERip under to weak A gap

MIKEM /M on TE
WILLPlay the ball
STRONGBlitz / Contain
BUC Blitz / Contain
FREEBlitz strong A
CORNERSM / M on outside receivers
BEAR vs. Single Back
E T
W
G $ N C C B
M
F
Angry BEAR vs. Pro set
$
T
W
G E N C C B M
F
Free safety cheats over to help Mike on the TE.
Position Alignment Technique Run To Run Away Key Drop back Pass
END Outside eye of
OT
5 Tech. Stuff C gap inside
out
Boot, counter, re-
verse
OT Rush passer;
(draw and
screen)
GUARD Inside eye of
strong side OG
2i Technique Stuff A gap inside
out
Pursuit and cut-
back
OG to
Ball
Rush passer;
(draw and
screen)
NOSE Inside eye of
weak side OG
2i Technique Stuff A gap inside
out
Pursuit and cut-
back
OG to
Ball
Rush passer;
(draw and
screen)
TACKLE Outside eye of
OT
5 Tech. Stuff C gap inside
out
Boot, counter, re-
verse
OT Rush passer;
(draw and
screen)
MIKE
(leader)
Over B gap, 5
yards off the
ball.
Covers strong B
Attacks L.O.S.
Attack blocker
head on, plug
strong B gaps
Scrape to fill OT to
near
back
Hook / Curl;
run through on
sprint out strong
WILL Over B gap, 4-5
yards off the
ball.
Covers weak B.
Attacks L.O.S.
Attack blocker
head on,
plug weak B
Scrape to fill OG to
Ball
Hook / Curl;
run through on
sprint out weak
STRONG
$
Outside eye of
TE
Squeeze 9 Tech. Force / Contain Fold, Counter,
Boot
TE to
ball
Flats; route read
#1 receiver
BUC Outside eye of
ghost TE
Squeeze 9 Tech. Force / Contain Fold, Counter,
Boot
OT to
ball
Flats; route read
#1 receiver
FREE
SAFETY
7 yards deep
over Center
Reads and Re-
acts to all plays
Force both A
gaps
Play Alley OG
to QB
Play Football
CORNER 3-4 yards deep,
1 yard wide off
outside receiver
Stay on top off
the deepest re-
ceiver in his
third.
Support the run
late to POLISH
Support the run
late to POLISH
QB to
REC.
Deep 3
CORNER 3-4 yards deep,
1 yard wide off
outside receiver
Stay on top off
the deepest re-
ceiver in his
third.
Support the run
late to POLISH
Support the run
late to POLISH
QB to
REC.
Deep 3
T N E
W
G $
C
C B
M
F
Grizzly
vs. Pro set
ENDPlug strong C gap
GUARDPlug strong A gap
NOSEPlug weak A gap
TACKLEPlug weak C gap

MIKEPlug strong B gap
WILLPlug weak B gap
STRONGSqueeze Contain
BUC Contain
FREEForce inside run; middle 1/3
CORNERSdeep 1/3
1/3
C
1/3
T N E
W
G $
C
B
M
F
Grizzly
vs. Pro set
1/3
1/3
C
1/3
T N E
W
G $
C
B
M
F
Grizzly Attack
vs. Pro set
1/3
ENDPlug strong C gap
GUARDRip to strong B gap
NOSERip to weak B gap
TACKLEPlug weak C gap

MIKEBlitz strong A gap
WILLBlitz weak A gap
STRONG Squeeze Contain
BUC Contain
FREEForce inside run; middle 1/3
CORNERSdeep 1/3
ENDRip to strong B gap
GUARDPlug strong A gap
NOSEPlug weak A gap
TACKLERip to weak B gap

MIKETimed Blitz strong D gap
WILLTimed Blitz weak D gap
STRONGRip to strong C gap
BUC Squeeze Contain
FREEForce inside run; middle 1/3
CORNERSdeep 1/3
1/3
C
1/3
T N E
W
G $
C
B
M
F
Grizzly Sweep
vs. Pro set
1/3
1/3
C
1/3
T N E
W
G $
C
B
M
F
Grizzly Blood
vs. Pro set
1/3
ENDPlug strong C gap
GUARDPlug strong A gap
NOSEPlug weak A gap
TACKLEPlug weak C gap

MIKEBlitz strong B gap
WILLBlitz weak B gap
STRONGSqueeze Contain
BUC Contain
FREEForce inside run; middle 1/3
CORNERSdeep 1/3
C
T N E
W
G $
C
B
M
F
Grizzly Half
vs. Pro set
1/2
1/2
ENDPlug strong C gap
GUARDPlug strong A gap
NOSEPlug weak A gap
TACKLEPlug weak B gap

MIKEPlug strong B gap (stacked on End)
WILLPlay the football (stacked on Tackle)
STRONGSqueeze Contain
BUC Blitz Contain
FREEPlay the football
CORNERSdeep 1/2