Questions & Answers

Question:
Can you explain the Sky and Cloud calls in the 4-Spoke Secondary?

Answer:
The Strong Safety and Corner work together as a unit and defend the strong half of the formation. The Weak Safety and Corner work together as a unit and defend the weak half of the formation.

Sky and Cloud are calls made by the DBs to communicate which DB is the primary force defender and which DB is the secondary force defender on run plays outside the offensive tackle.

Sky and Cloud calls also communicate whether the CBs read the #1 receiver or the #2 receiver on pass plays that setup inside the Defensive Ends.

Anytime the #1 receiver does not align wider than the safety is off the line of scrimmage, the Safety will make a Cloud call which keeps the defense from being outflanked.

Anytime the #1 receiver does align wider than the safety is off the line of scrimmage, the Safety will make the Sky or Cloud call according to the coverage called by the coach.

The Sky call is strong against the run but weak against the quick out pass to #2.

The Cloud call is strong against the quick out pass to #2 but weak against the run except on wide runs.

Question:
What do you look for in each position?

4-3 Answer:
Mike-Biggest/Strongest LB. Instinct over Quickness. Plays to Tight End Side unless you declare strength away from Tight End. Run 1st/Pass 2nd.

Will-Smaller/Quicker LB. Plays to the side opposite Mike. Needs to pursue well on Run. 2nd best LB on Pass Coverage.

Sam-DB/LB type player. Needs to be able to play the run and the pass. Best LB of the three on pass coverage.

LDE-Biggest/Strongest DE. Can be declared to Tight End side or Field. Strength over quickness.

RDE-Smaller/Quicker DE. Can be declared to Split End side or Boundary. Quickness over size.

DT-Biggest/Strongest DT. Strength over quickness.

NT-Smaller/Quicker DT. Quickness over size.

3-4 Answer:
Mike-Biggest/Strongest LB. Instinct over Quickness. Plays to Tight End Side unless you declare strength away from Tight End. Run 1st/Pass 2nd.

Will-Smaller/Quicker LB. Plays to the side opposite Mike. Needs to pursue well on Run. 2nd best LB on Pass Coverage.

Sam-DB/LB type player. Needs to be able to play the run and the pass. Best LB of the three on pass coverage.

Rush LB-DL/LB type player, able to play in Two Point Stance, Strength over quickness, Run 1st/Pass 2nd.

DE-Smaller/Quicker DE. Quickness over size.

Rush End-Biggest/Strongest DE. Strength over quickness.

NT-Smallest DL. Quickness over size.

Question:
What pass coverage do linebackers have?

4-3 Answer:
Sam-Bracket Coverage on #2 & #1 Receivers
Mike-Bracket Coverage on #3, #2 & #1 Receivers
Will-Bracket Coverage on #2 & #1 Receivers

3-4 Answer:
Sam-Bracket Coverage on #2 & #1 Receivers
Mike-Bracket Coverage on #3, #2 & #1 Receivers
Will-Bracket Coverage on #2 & #1 Receivers

Question:
What techniques do the defensive lineman play?

Answer:
Attack the shoulder of the offensive lineman and control the gap.

Slant from a head up or outside shoulder technique into the next lineman's (inside shoulder or head up). Objective is to keep the next lineman from blocking the linebacker.

Angle from a head up or inside shoulder technique into the next lineman's (outside shoulder or head up). Objective is to keep the next lineman from blocking the linebacker.

The smaller and quicker your down linemen are, the more you can slant and angle.

Question:
How do you teach all the defenses?

Answer:
Don't teach defenses, teach alignments and how to read the wrist coach inserts. Each player's wrist coach insert will place him in the proper alignment. Regardless of the defense called all 8 gaps are covered:

4-3 Call Side
A & B Gaps-DT & Mike
C Gap-DE
D Gap-Sam & Secondary
Back Side
A & B Gaps-DT & Will
C Gap-DE
D Gap-Secondary

3-4 Call Side
A & B Gaps-RE & Mike
C Gap- RLB
D Gap-Sam & Secondary
Back Side
A & B Gaps-NT & Will
C Gap-DE
D Gap-Secondary

3-4 Call Side
A & B Gaps-NT & Mike
C Gap- DE
D Gap-Sam & Secondary
Back Side
A & B Gaps-RE & Will
C Gap-RLB
D Gap-Secondary

Question:
How do you teach the alignments?

Answer:
Get an old fire hose and paint the alignments and gaps on it.

If you teach alignments and you want more than one unit going at a time, you can paint up as many fire hoses as you have units. May want to paint each hose a different color. Also if you use your offensive line splits when you paint the hoses, you can use the hoses when the offensive backs practice plays or when the offensive team practices plays. The fire hose will also help the scout team defense to line up correctly.

Question:
How do you use the Defensive Hit Sheet to call defenses?

Answer:
The Defensive Hit Sheet shows you where the Defensive Lineman are aligned and what gaps they are responsible for. The Linebackers are responsible for the uncovered gaps, which are called the soft spots. Offenses like to run at the soft spots in a defense. The Defensive Hit Sheet helps you to visualize those soft spots and put a Defensive Lineman in that soft spot.

If the offense keeps running over the Center then call a 0, Stack 0, or Stack 40.

If the offense keeps running in the A gap then call a 1 or a 2i.

If the offense keeps running over the Guard then call a 2.

If the offense keeps running in the B gap then call a 3 or a 4i.

If the offense keeps running over the Tackle then call a 4.

If the offense keeps running in the C gap then call a 1, 2i, 2, or a 5.

If the offense keeps running over the End to the Weak Side then call a 4.

If the offense keeps running around the End to the Weak Side then call a 5.

Question:
How do you declare strength of the defense?

Answer:
Phase I:
Mike sets the Defensive Tackles to the Most Linemen by making a Right or Left call. The Defensive Ends can also be set with Mike's call should the coach choose to do so.

1st Tie Breaker-Most Receivers
2nd Tie Breaker-2/3 of the Field
3rd Tie Breaker-Left or QB's Passing Hand

Phase II:
Sam sets the Defensive Secondary to the *Most Linemen versus a running team and to the *Most Receivers versus a passing team by making a Roger or Louie call. The Coach can change where Sam sets the Defensive Secondary to by making the following calls:

	The second digit 1 tells the back side tackle to play a 1. Both Defensive Tackles start in a 1.
	The first digit 3 tells the call side tackle to play a 3. When strength is declared to the left the Left Tackle plays a 3.
	The first digit 3 tells the call side tackle to play a 3. When strength is declared to the right the Right Tackle plays a 3.

	The second digit 1 tells the back side end to play a 5. Both Defensive Ends start in a 5.
	The first digit 3 tells the call side end to play a 7. When strength is declared to the left the Left End plays a 7.
	The first digit 3 tells the call side end to play a 7. When strength is declared to the right the Right End plays a 7.

	When strength is declared to the Left, the first digit 3 tells Mike to align in a 2 to the left and Sam to align in a 9 to the left. The 2nd digit 1 tells Will to align in a 4 to the right.
	When strength is declared to the Right, the first digit 3 tells Mike to align in a 2 to the right and Sam to align in a 9 to the right. The 2nd digit 1 tells Will to align in a 4 to the left.

Question:
How would you defense a Double Wing or Flex Bone type of offense?

Answer:
Whether the offense runs a tight end/wing to both sides, a split end/slot to both sides, or a tight end/wing to one side and a split end/slot to the other side. The offense is balanced to both sides and the defense must be balanced to both sides.

1. Strong Safety declares to same side as Front 7.

2. The Front 7 declares strength to the Most Linemen side unless offense is balanced then Mike declares to Wide Side of Field.

3. I would play a 2i3. To the call side you have Defensive Tackle, Defensive End and Mike to take the fullback. Sam has the QB. The Safety "Sky" or Corner "Cloud" has the pitch. The other Defensive Back has Deep 1/3 first and run support second.

4. To the back side you have the Defensive Tackle and Will to take the fullback. The Defensive End has the QB. The Safety "Sky" or Corner "Cloud" has the pitch. The other Defensive Back has Deep 1/3 first and run support second.

5. The offense will try to attack the back side C gap by blocking down on your 3 technique and stepping the guard around on your Will LB.

6. Don't sit in a 3 technique. You could run a Slant 13, Stem 2i3, 13 Angle, 04, 05.

7. You could also have the Front 7 declare strength to the Fewest Linemen side.

8. In a long yardage situation, you could run 33 to the Wide Side of the Field. This would move your Defensive Ends out to a 7 technique.

Question:
What are the responsibilities on an option play?

4-3 Answer:
DTs, Mike & Will are responsible for the Fullback.
DEs are responsible for the Quarterback unless Sam gives you a "Me" call then Sam is responsible for the Quarterback and the DE is responsible for the Fullback.
Sky call, Safety is responsible for the Pitch and Corner is responsible for Deep 1/3.
Cloud call, Corner is responsible for the Pitch and Safety is responsible for Deep 1/3.

3-4 Answer: *Rush is Counted as a DE
DTs, Mike & Will are responsible for the Fullback.
DEs are responsible for the Quarterback unless Sam gives you a "Me" call then Sam is responsible for the Quarterback and the DE is responsible for the Fullback.
Sky call, Safety is responsible for the Pitch and Corner is responsible for Deep 1/3.
Cloud call, Corner is responsible for the Pitch and Safety is responsible for Deep 1/3.

Question:
What kind of offense does the 7-Man Front Best Defend?

Answer:
The key to a good defense is how easily and well it can adjust to any offense. I personally like the 7-Man Front Defense because you only have to have two inside linebackers. That only gives the offense one soft spot to run at on each side. Three secondary players are committed to pass first and run second. The fourth secondary player is committed to run first and pass second. His job is to outflank the offense and force the ball back inside to the Front 7. The Front 7 are committed to the run first and pass second.

Question:
How do you teach the Wrong Arm Technique?

Answer:
Start out by teaching FIT THE BLOCKER-OUTSIDE SHOULDER TECHNIQUE and FIT THE BLOCKER-INSIDE SHOULDER TECHNIQUE. Then you teach the WRONG ARM TECHNIQUE.

FIT THE BLOCKER-OUTSIDE SHOULDER TECHNIQUE
Defensive Linemen put their inside hand in the chest of the Offensive Blocker (grab the jersey) and their other hand on the arm of the Offensive Blocker (grab the jersey). Defensive Linemen extend their arms and get up on their toes. Defensive Linemen close their eyes and react to the Offensive Blocker. Offensive Blockers can not use their hands (only their feet). Coach tells Offensive Blockers to execute one of the following blocks:
1. Drive Block (feet only)
2. Reach Block (feet only)
3. Pass Block (feet only)
4. Down Block (feet only)

FIT THE BLOCKER-INSIDE SHOULDER TECHNIQUE
Defensive Linemen put their outside hand in the chest of the Offensive Blocker (grab the jersey) and their other hand on the arm of the Offensive Blocker (grab the jersey). Defensive Linemen extend their arms and get up on their toes. Defensive Linemen close their eyes and react to the Offensive Blocker. Offensive Blockers can not use their hands (only their feet). Coach tells Offensive Blockers to execute one of the following blocks:
1. Drive Block (feet only)
2. Reach Block (feet only)
3. Pass Block (feet only)
4. Down Block (feet only)

DEFENSIVE TACKLE DRILL
DOWN BLOCK VS GUARD TRAP (WRONG ARM TECHNIQUE)
Step 1: Have Defensive Tackle Fit The Blocker.
Step 2: Defensive Tackle's inside or outside hand in the chest of the Offensive Blocker (grab jersey).
Step 3 : Defensive Tackle's other hand on the arm of the Offensive Blocker (grab jersey).
Step 4: Have Defensive Tackle Open His Eyes for this Drill.
Step 5: Defensive Tackle will naturally turn inside when Offensive Blocker
Blocks Down.
Step 6: Defensive Tackle sees the Pulling Guard on the LOS.
Step 7: Defensive Tackle attacks the Pulling Guard with his outside arm.
Coaching Points: To make it simple, tell the Left Tackle to use his left arm and the Right Tackle to use his right arm.
Step 8: Defensive Tackle is responsible to make the play bounce outside.
Step 9: Defensive Tackle and Guard can hold dummies to prevent from beating each other up.

DEFENSIVE END DRILL
DOWN BLOCK VS FULLBACK KICKOUT (WRONG ARM TECHNIQUE)
Step 1: Have Defensive End Fit The Blocker.
Step 2: Defensive End's inside or outside hand in the chest of the Offensive Blocker (grab jersey).
Step 3 : Defensive End's other hand on the arm of the Offensive Blocker
(grab jersey).
Step 4: Have Defensive End Open His Eyes for this Drill.
Step 5: Defensive End will naturally turn inside when Offensive Blocker
Blocks Down.
Step 6: Defensive End sees the Fullback.
Step 7: Defensive End attacks the Fullback with his outside arm.
Coaching Points: To make it simple, tell the Left End to use his left arm and the Right End to use his right arm.
Step 8: Defensive End is not responsible for contain.
Step 9: Defensive End is responsible to make the play bounce outside.
Step 10: Defensive End and Guard can hold dummies to prevent from beating each other up.

DEFENSIVE END DRILL
DOWN BLOCK VS GUARD KICKOUT (WRONG ARM TECHNIQUE)
Step 1: Have Defensive End Fit The Blocker.
Step 2: Defensive End's inside or outside hand in the chest of the Offensive Blocker (grab jersey).
Step 3 : Defensive End's other hand on the arm of the Offensive Blocker
(grab jersey).
Step 4: Have Defensive End Open His Eyes for this Drill.
Step 5: Defensive End will naturally turn inside when Offensive Blocker
Blocks Down.
Step 6: Defensive End sees the Pulling Guard on the LOS.
Step 7: Defensive End attacks the Pulling Guard with his outside arm.
Coaching Points: To make it simple, tell the Left End to use his left arm and the Right End to use his right arm.
Step 8: Defensive End is not responsible for contain.
Step 9: Defensive End is responsible to make the play bounce outside.
Step 10: Defensive End and Guard can hold dummies to prevent from beating each other up.

DEFENSIVE END DRILL
DOWN BLOCK VS GUARD PULLING & OFF LOS (BOOTLEG)
Step 1: Have Defensive End Fit The Blocker.
Step 2: Defensive End's inside or outside hand in the chest of the Offensive Blocker (grab jersey).
Step 3 : Defensive End's other hand on the arm of the Offensive Blocker (grab jersey).
Step 4: Have Defensive End Open His Eyes for this Drill.
Step 5: Defensive End will naturally turn inside when Offensive Blocker
Blocks Down.
Step 6: Defensive End sees the Pulling Guard off the LOS.
Step 7: Defensive End works up field and puts his inside hand in the
Pulling Guard's chest.
Step 8: Defensive End is responsible for contain.
Step 9: Defensive End and Guard can hold dummies to prevent from beating each other up.

Question:
Can you recommend some resource materials on Numbering Defenses?

Answer:
TITLE: Building a CHAMPIONSHIP Football Team
AUTHOR: Paul W. "Bear" Bryant
PUBLISHER: Englewood Cliffs, NJ Prentice-Hall, Inc. �1960
PAGES: 28-41
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS #: 60-53173

TITLE: Football's Master Defense Guide
AUTHOR: Robert Troppmann
PUBLISHER: West Nyack, NY Parker Publishing Company, Inc. �1969
PAGES: 8, 15-24, 161-226
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS #: 69-11496

MANUAL: 1995 Nike Duffy Daugherty Coach of the Year Clinics Football Manual
SPEAKER: Bob Davie-University of Notre Dame
SUBJECT: Irish Pressure Defense
PAGES: 47-55

MANUAL: 1997 Nike Coach of the Year Clinics Football Manual
SPEAKER: Spike Dykes-Texas Tech University
SUBJECT: Basic Defensive Alignment and Adjustments
PAGES: 64-70

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Question: How do you handle Z Motion? Answer: Anytime the offense aligns in or motions to a 1x2 or 1x3 formation the defense is outnumbered and the secondary must check to Cover 5. CP: Think of motion as, what is the formation when the ball is snapped.
Huddle call is Cover 4. The secondary checks to Cover 5 to the 1x2 formation and checks back to Cover 4 when the Z back motions across to a 2x1 formation.	Huddle call is Cover 4. The secondary plays Cover 4 to the 2x1 formation. Sam's Motion Rule tells him that anytime he is aligned outside and #1, #2 or #3 wide receiver goes in motion that he is to run with motion.