DEFENSIVE

PLAYBOOK
FALL 2015

A Champion Is

A Loser Is

Ambitious- He has high goals and works

hard to achieve them. He does not let
setbacks get in his way. He finishes what
he starts.

A Slacker- Has no goals or direction. He is

not willing to put in work. He starts many
things, but does not finish them.

Coachable- Listens and takes advice. Is

eager to learn, and follows rules and
directions.

A know it all- He never listens. He does

not take criticism well. He makes excuses
instead of just saying Yes, coach.

Aggressive- He plays hard. He loves

contact and looks to make it every play.

Timid- He is scared to hit or be hit. He

avoids contact. He runs around instead of
through people.

A leader- He shows the way and sets an

example. He respects his teammates and
tries to build them up instead of tearing
them down.

A follower- He will go with the crowd and

do what others do, even when he knows it
is wrong. He is more worried about what
others think of him than doing the right
thing.

A hard worker- He never misses a

practice and is on the field early & ready.
Puts in extra work to better them self. This
work ethic goes into other aspects of life,
like the classroom.

A corner cutter- He skips practice or cuts

out early. He does the bare minimum. He
tries to cheat his way through things. You
see this attitude on the field, in the
classroom, and his life.

Physically tough- He is in great condition.

He keeps training year round. When he is
tired, he fights through the pain and dont
show weakness. He is at the head of the
pack during conditioning.

Soft- He is a muscle grabber who always

is hurt. When he is tired, he gives up.
When he is in pain, he lies down and quits.
He is content to be in the middle or back
of the pack in conditioning.

Mentally tough- He is in control of his

emotions. When angry, he shows restraint
and does not do anything that will hurt
himself or the team. He knows his
assignment and executes without fail.

Mentally weak- He loses his cool all of the

time. He makes mental mistakes and
commits stupid penalties. He does not
know his playbook, or his assignment on
each play or is careless when executing it.

Defensive Philosophy

Defensive Goals:
1. WIN the game
2. Shut out our opponent
How we achieve those goals:
1. GET YOUR MIND RIGHT! Know your alignment and
responsibility on every call.
2. DISCIPLINE! NEVER take dumb penalties or cheap
shots. NEVER give our opponents free yards.
Undisciplined players will never make enough plays
to get back the yards they gave away selfishly.
3. HUSTLE HARD! Run and swarm. ALWAYS run our
pursuit angles to stop the big play. NEVER rest on
the field; we rest on the sideline after we get the
stop. Conditioning is key.
4. AGGRESSION! Play downhill, get to the ball and hit.
No matter the score, keep swinging.

40 FORMATION

Defensive Terminology
Defensive Personnel
Identification

FIELD

Gap / Shade
Terminology

FREE

F
Receiver Numbering
RULES

CORNER HALF
SAM
MAC
BUCK
HALF
CORNER
FIELD FIELD STR OUTSIDE STR INSIDE WEAK INSIDE BOUNDARY BOUNDARY

END
STRONG

1 TECH
STRONG

3 TECH
WEAK

H
WARRIOR
WEAK

Defensive Terminology
Backfield Sets

Strength Call
RULES

BALL: MIDDLE OF FIELD =

STRONG LEFT LUCY
On OUR Defenses RIGHT
Hash mark = STRONG LEFT
LUCY
On OUR Defenses LEFT Hash
mark = STRONG RIGHT
RICKY

MAC SHOULD MAKE

STRENGTH AND
BACKFIELD SET CALL
Formation
Identification
Formations are identified by:

1st
-Number of receivers on
Field side of formation,
followed by number of
receivers on boundary side

For example:
If the offense lines up with:
- 1 rec. on the strong side
- 3 rec. on the weak side

This is called 13 SPLIT .

FREE is responsible for
Formation calls- should
Echo to both sides.

40 Base Responsibilities
POS

Alignment

Inside run
responsibility

Outside run
responsibility

Pass

5 tech (4i vs
7 man line)

Run to- strong C gap. Run

away- squeeze B.

Play C gap. Fill man on

outside run.

Outside rush lane. Do

not lose outside
leverage on QB.

1 tech (0 vs
7 man line &
TE to
boundary)

Run to- strong A. Run awaystrong A.

Flow staying square

looking for cutbacks.

Rush A. Get push,

collapse pocket.

3 tech (4i vs
7 man line)

Run to- Weak B gap. Run

away- squeeze A.

Flow staying square

looking for cutbacks.

Rush B/A. Get

upfield, collapse
pocket.

Wide 9

Run to- play C gap. Run

away- Shuffle & squeeze.

Run to: Primary run force.

Do not lose outside
leverage. Run away, RBC
man- Pursue through the
backfield

Outside rush lane. Do

not lose outside
leverage on QB.

Inside shade
#3 receiver
or 90 tech if
no #3

Run to- D gap, watch

bounce. Run away- D gap,
deep pursuit.

Run to: Primary run force.

Do not lose outside
leverage. Run away: RBC
man- SLOW FLOW.

Depends on call /
coverage

30 tech

Run to- play downhill, B

primary. Run awaydownhill, inside /out

Run to, flow hard and

downhill. Run away, slow
flow looking for cutback /
counter.

Depends on call /
coverage.

20 tech (30
vs 7 man
line)

Run to- play downhill, A

primary. Run awaydownhill, inside /out

Run to, flow hard and

downhill. Run away, slow
flow looking for cutback /
counter.

Depends on call /
coverage.

FC

Inside shade
#1 receiver
to field

No run responsibility until

ball crosses LOS.

No run responsibility until

ball crosses LOS- deepest
pursuit

Depends on call /
coverage.

FH

Inside shade
#2 receiver
to field

Run to- Go to ball, outsidein. Run away- slide inside

for cutback/counter

Run to: Dive inside block

#2, come hard upfield.
Secondary run force. Run
away: deep pursuit.

Depends on call /
coverage.

BC

Inside shade
#1 receiver
to boundary

No run responsibility until

ball crosses LOS.

No run responsibility until

ball crosses LOS- deepest
pursuit

Depends on call /
coverage.

BH

Inside shade
#2 receiver
to boundary

Run to- Go to ball, outsidein. Run away- slide inside

for cutback/counter

Run to: Dive inside block

#2, come hard upfield.
Secondary run force. Run
away: deep pursuit.

Depends on call /
coverage.

Depends on
coverage

Pursuit

Pursuit.

Depends on call /
coverage.

FORMATION ADJUSTMENTS

vs. 22
FIELD

F
C

B
W

M
1

vs. 32
FIELD

F
C

B
W

M
1

vs. 31
FIELD

F
C

B
W

ISO AUTO: CORNER PLAYS OFF MAN.

ON PASS, HALF READS #1, IN BREAKING
ROUTE COME DOWN ON #1. VERTICAL
LOOK FOR DIAGANOL FROM OTHER
SIDE. IF NO DIAGANOL, INSIDE HELP ON
#1.

M
1

S
E

FORMATION ADJUSTMENTS

vs. 13
FIELD

F
C

M
W

S
1

ISO AUTO: CORNER PLAYS OFF MAN. ON PASS, HALF

READS #1, IN BREAKING ROUTE COME DOWN ON #1.
VERTICAL LOOK FOR DIAGANOL FROM OTHER SIDE. IF
NO DIAGANOL, INSIDE HELP ON #1.

vs. 23
F
C

FIELD

B
W

S
1

vs. 41
C

H
W

FIELD

F
B
3

ISO AUTO: CORNER PLAYS OFF MAN.

ON PASS, HALF READS #1, IN BREAKING
ROUTE COME DOWN ON #1. VERTICAL
LOOK FOR DIAGANOL FROM OTHER
SIDE. IF NO DIAGANOL, INSIDE HELP ON
#1.

M
1

QUADS Auto: Get into ATLANTA or

FALCON to quads side

FORMATION ADJUSTMENTS

vs. 14
FIELD

F
C

H
B

M
W

S
3

E
ISO AUTO: CORNER PLAYS OFF MAN. ON PASS,
HALF READS #1, IN BREAKING ROUTE COME DOWN
ON #1. VERTICAL LOOK FOR DIAGANOL FROM
OTHER SIDE. IF NO DIAGANOL, INSIDE HELP ON #1.

QUADS Auto: Get into ATLANTA or

FALCON to quads side

vs. 42 (flip versus 24)

FIELD

M
1

Auto to CAROLINA or PANTHER to 2

receiver side.

QUADS Auto: Get into ATLANTA or

FALCON to quads side

vs. 33
FIELD

S
BW

3 M 1

Auto to Bucksaw or Victory, depending

on situation.

FORMATION ADJUSTMENTS

vs. TIGHT 22
FIELD

F
C

B
W

M
1

H
E

vs. 22 TIGHT
FIELD

F
C

B
W

M
3

S
1

vs. TIGHT 31
FIELD

B
W

Auto- Corner mans up single receiver.

HALF assumes FREE responsibility in
coverage. FREE assumes SAM
responsibility.

M
1

F
E

FORMATION ADJUSTMENTS

vs. 31 TIGHT
FIELD

F
H

Auto- Corner mans up #1, Half mans up

TIGHT END.

vs. TIGHT 21
FIELD

F
C

H
W

B
3

M
1

H
E

Auto- Corner mans up #1, Half moves into

box at LB level and has RB if he releases to
boundary.

vs. 30 TIGHT
FIELD

H
W

B
3

Auto- Corner mans up TIGHT END. Half

moves into box at LB level and has RB if he
releases to boundary.

M
1

S
E

FORMATION ADJUSTMENTS

vs. DOUBLE TIGHT 21

FIELD

F
H

H
E

Auto- Corner mans up #1, Half mans up

TIGHT END.

vs. DOUBLE TIGHT 11

FIELD

F
C

Auto- Corner mans up #1, Halfs man up TE.

vs. DOUBLE TIGHT 20

C
W

Auto- Corner mans TIGHT END.

FIELD

F
H

B
3

M
1

H
S

FORMATION ADJUSTMENTS

vs. DOUBLE TIGHT 30

FIELD

F
E

Auto- Corner mans up TIGHT END.

Boundary half assumes free responsibility in
coverage. FREE assumes SAM
responsibility.

vs. DOUBLE TIGHT 10

FIELD

B
3

M
1

Auto- Boundary corner mans TE. FREE

mans TE to field. Field corner man up on
#1. Both half backs boxed pick up RB if
release to side.

vs. DOUBLE TIGHT 0

C
H
W

C
B
3

M
1

H
E

FIELD

F
S
Auto- Corner play deep cover 2. FREE
picks up anything releasing to field flats.
Boundary half picks up anything releasing to
boundary flats.

DEFENSIVE LINE STUNTS

40 STREAK

40 TON

B
W

B
3

M
1

B
3

M
1

M
1

40 WHIP

M
1

B
3

S
W

40 WHEEL

M
1

40 STONE

B
W

B
W

40 SWEEP

M
1

B
S

M
E

M
1

M
1

B
S

M
1

STUNT CALL TIPS

Calls that start with a S (STREAK, SWEEP, STONE) involve the strong side end
crashing in. Stunts that start with a W (WHEEL, WHIP) involve the Warrior crashing
in.

5 MAN PRESSURES
40 MAC BLADE

B
W

M
1

B
W

M
1

B
S

M
1

B
S

40 BUCK COBRA

B
E

B
W

B
W

40 BUCK BLADE

B
3

40 BUCK AXE

40 MAC AXE WEAK

B
W

B
W

40 MAC COBRA

M
1

BLITZ MODIFIERS
SHOW- On first sound, rotate down to LOS over gap you are blitzing. UNLESS SHOW
CALLED DO NOT GIVE AWAY BLITZ BY SHOWING EARLY.
MASK- Lineup in a 40 over look (strong side tackle at 3 tech, weak side tackle at 1 tech). On
first sound, shift back to our regular 40 under.
MUG- Show the blitz called then back out and play base. For example, if Mac Blade Mug is
called, on first sound the MAC would step down and show blitz, but back out prior to the snap
and play base.
GREEN BAY / PACKER- On field call that cancels blitz call and puts the defense in base.
This is usually due to an offensive formation that makes our coverage unsound.

5 MAN PRESSURES
40 SAM DAGGER

B
W

B
F W

1
B

M
E

B
W

W 3

H
W

SF

M
1

B
3

S F

M
1

40 WEAK HAMMER

E F

M
1

W 3

M
1

F
W

B
W 3

40 STRONG FREAK

B F

40 WEAK FREAK

40 FREAK

B
W

40 STUB

M
1

40 STRONG HAMMER

B
W

B
W 3

M
1

S
E

M
1

M
H

B
3

M
1

H
S

This blitz is a double D blitz to control the

outside run. Primary run force, whether SAM
or END does not crash inside. Half back comes
from depth and is on a contain blitz (do not
lose outside leverage on ball).

6 MAN PRESSURES
40 SUMO

40 BAM

B
W

B
3

M
1

M
1

B
3

H
E

M
1

B
E

40 MAC HAMMER

M
1

40 BAM CROSS

M
1

40 SMACK

B
W

B
W

40 STAB

H
S

M
1

6 MAN PRESSURES
40 SABRE

40 SHARK

B
W

M
1

B
W

B
W

H
W

H
S

M
1

B
W

M
1

ZONE BLITZES
(DOGS)

ZONE BLITZES (DOGS)

40 SMACK DOG ATLANTA

F
C

W 3

E S

C
FIELD

B
W 3

B
W

M
1

DESCRIPTION
5 man blitz with ATLANTA/FALCON or HOUSTON/TEXAN behind it.
SMACK BLITZ (SAM off edge, END down the line through strong A, and MAC delay
until END crosses face and hit B).
On RUN, WARRIOR stays on edge and doesnt drop. 3 TECH hits own gap. On a
pass read, WARRIOR covers boundary flats, 3 TECH loops outside and has weakside
edge rush.
On pass read, BUCK must work his way out to the strong side curl zone, reading from
#1 receiver inwards looking for crossers.
SMACK DOG HOUSTON call means WARRIOR must drop hook to curl, taking
over BUCKS coverage responsibility.

ZONE BLITZES (DOGS)

40 WEAK DOG
F
C

B
H

M
1

E
FIELD

B
H

M
1

B
E

M
1

DESCRIPTION
5 man pressure with either HOUSTON or CHICAGO behind it.
BOUNDARY HALF blitzes edge, BUCK blitzes weak B.
WARRIOR must check run before dropping. On run, WARRIOR primary run force,
must sit down in D. On pass, WARRIOR assumes BOUNDARY HALF
responsibility in pass coverage (usually flats).
FREE must play more down the middle. Help the corner on deep passes to
the boundary (read boundary to field looking to pick up most dangerous
vertical threat).

ZONE BLITZES (DOGS)

40 SABRE DOG
F
C

H
W

E
FIELD

B
W

M
1

H
E

B
W

M
1

H
S

DESCRIPTION
5 man pressure with any of our cover 3 zones behind it (Houston, Carolina, Dallas,
Chicago).
SAM and BUCK blitz through the B gaps.
3 TECH crashes A. On run read, stays in A and gets into his run fit. On pass read,
drops into middle zone looking for short crossers before working into curl zone
(play hook to curl).
Illustrated is Sabre Dog Houston

ZONE BLITZES (DOGS)

40 SCRAMBLE DOG
F
C

B
H

M
1

E
FIELD

B
W

M
1

B
E

M
1

DESCRIPTION
5 man pressure with either HOUSTON, CAROLINA, OR DALLAS behind it.
All backers blitz. BUCK blitzes weak B, MAC blitzes strong B, SAM blitzes edge.
3 TECH slants inside to A. If he reads run, gets into run fit. If he reads pass,
drops into curl zone looking for short crossers from the boundary. END
steps hard to C. If he reads run, gets into run fit. If he reads pass, drops
looking for crossers coming from field. Both 3 and END cover from hook to
curl.

ZONE BLITZES (DOGS)

40 BAM CROSS DOG

F
C

B
W

M
1

E
FIELD

B
W

M
1

B
E

M
1

DESCRIPTION
5 man pressure with any of our cover 3 zones behind (Houston, Carolina, Dallas,
Chicago).
WARRIOR must check run before dropping to flats On run, WARRIOR
primary run force, must sit down in D. On pass, WARRIOR assumes
coverage responsibilities of BUCK.

ZONE BLITZES (DOGS)

40 STRONG DOG CHICAGO

F
C

B
H

H
C

E S

FIELD

B
W

M
1

H
E

B
W

M
1

H
S

DESCRIPTION
5 man pressure with Chicago coverage behind it.
FIELD HALF has a contain rush, SAM blitzes aggressively off of edge.
WARRIOR must check run before dropping. On run, WARRIOR primary run force,
must sit down in D. On pass, WARRIOR drops to flats.
FREE rotates over and has deep 1/3 to the field. BOUNDARY HALF rotates
field and has deep middle 1/3.

ZONE BLITZES (DOGS)

40 BUCKSAW DOG
F
C

W 3 M 1

E S

C
FIELD

W 3 M

DESCRIPTION
Show Buck Saw but bring 4 man pressure with Cover 4 (Atlanta / Falcon) behind it.
WARRIOR assumes BUCK coverage responsibility versus pass (flats to the
boundary). END assumes SAM responsibility.
BUCK and SAM blitz off the edge. 3 and 1 techs rush regular gaps.

WARRIOR and END must play run first before dropping. WARRIOR is the
boundary C gap defender. END plays C squeezing B on run. MAC shows weak
A blitz before dropping out and playing base responsibility on run and pass.

+1 PRESSURE
PACKAGE
(STING)

BUCK SAW CONCEPT (+1

PRESSURE)
DESCRIPTION
Blitz one more defender than the offense has in the box, creating a free hitter to get
to the ball quickly. Must count men the offense has in the box, excluding QB.
DBs align at 10 yards playing man, taking away deep routes and driving downhill
on short routes. Come up and make a good tackle on balls thrown underneath.
Use the receiver line attacks to time up your stem to the line. Try to hit the blitz on
the run, while taking care to avoid the offside.
END and WARRIOR must shorten corner for free hitter by attacking outside
shoulder of the tackle or the inside shoulder of the RB. ALL BLOCKED RUSHERSPush-Push-Hands up!
Outside rusher has RB if he releases to his side. Break off blitz and go to back
looking for the pick or big hit.
Can also call 30 Buck Saw Spy- MAC shows blitz but backs out on snap
and sits in middle zone spying QB and looking for crossers.

Bucksaw vs. 32
FIELD

H
BW 3

ES

BUCK SAW CONCEPT (+1

PRESSURE)

Bucksaw vs. 23
FIELD

F
BW 3

ES

Bucksaw vs. 31
FIELD

C
H BW 3

ES

Bucksaw vs. 22
FIELD

F
BW 3

ES H

BUCK SAW CONCEPT (+1

PRESSURE)

Bucksaw vs. 41
FIELD

C
BW 3

ES

Bucksaw vs. TIGHT 22

FIELD

H
BW 3

ES H

Bucksaw vs. 22 TIGHT

FIELD

H
H BW 3

ES

BUCK SAW CONCEPT (+1

PRESSURE)

Bucksaw vs. 11 DOUBLE TIGHT

FIELD

C
H BW 3

C
1

ES HF

Bucksaw vs. 33
FIELD

S
BW 3

24 FORMATION

Defensive Personnel
Identification

FIELD

F
C

H
W

S
1

POS

Alignment

Responsibility

4i tech

On first sound, 1 tech shifts into a 4I technique. On run, he must own that gap by
ensuring the guard doesnt push him wide and the tackle doesnt force him inside on
a down block. Versus a double, split it, or grab cloth and drape both OL.

4i tech

On first sound, 1 tech shifts into a 4I technique. On run, he must own that gap by
ensuring the guard doesnt push him wide and the tackle doesnt force him inside on
a down block. Versus a double, split it, or grab cloth and drape both OL.

Wide 9

On first sound, WARRIOR moves into a wide 9 technique. He is the primary force
man on any run and must maintain outside leverage. If they motion a back or
receiver outside of him pre-snap, he must shift outside of that player.

Wide 9

On first sound, END moves into a wide 9 technique. He is the primary force man on
any run and must maintain outside leverage. If they motion a back or receiver
outside of him pre-snap, he must shift outside of that player. If a TE is on your side,
play a 7 technique just inside of the TE and Sam will come down.

B&M

30 tech

On any play coming to the A gaps, MAC and BUCK have to shoot hard and make
the play. On play away, backside inside backer is responsible for the cutback to the
A gap. DO NOT OVER PURSUE.

DBs

Regular

Responsibility and technique same as 40 base defense.

24 BLITZ PACKAGE
24 MAC BLADE

B
W

M
1

S
W

B
E

B
E

M
1

B
W

B
E

M
1

B
E

24 BAM AXE

B
E

24 STUB

24 SAM DAGGER

24 BAM BLADE

B
E

B
W

B
W

24 BUCK BLADE

H
E

H
E

B
W

S
E

B
W

M
1

S
E

24 BLITZ PACKAGE
24 STAB

24 BASH

B
W

24 WEAK HAMMER

B
W

H
W

H
W

M
1

B
W

S
E

S
E

S
E

M
1

B
W

24 WEAK LOOP

H
E

H
E

B
3

24 BAM CROSS

M
1

B
W

H
E

B
W

B
W

24 SHARK

B
E

S
W

S
E

B
E

M
1

S
E

COVERAGES

COVERAGES

Man Coverage Rules:

Your assignment is determined by the numbering of the receivers on the snap of the
ball. Whoever is the outside receiver on the snap of the ball is the #1, regardless of
where he started.
Only switch on crossing or rub routes if both players are on the same page. Both
players must clearly yell SWITCH! Otherwise, stay on your assigned man.
Play aggressive but not stupid. If you are on an island, your first thought is break
up the pass, not go for risky interceptions. Picks will come with tight coverage and
on poorly thrown balls.

Zone Coverage Rules:

Short zone defenders must deny vertical release of the man they are over before
dropping into their zone.
Short zone defenders should feel free to play aggressive. Go for the pick, break up
or big hit with confidence knowing that you have deep help behind you.
Deep zone defenders should stay deep until the ball is in the air. Be aware of
double moves, deep crossers etc. Do not give up the big play.
Do not cover grass. Short zone defenders should keep dropping deep until zone is
threatened. Squeeze zones if there is no possible threat to your zone.
Do not stare at the QB. Be aware of threats in your zone and and close on them
hard. Get in position to make the play before you worry about the QB and the ball.

Coverage Modifiers:

PRESS or Philly: Puts corners into press alignment and technique

BLUE: Play cover 0 to the boundary and zone to the field. Free over-shifts to
help to the field. For example, HOUSTON BLUE is hold 3 to the field, cover 0 on
the boundary.
GREEN: Play cover 0 to the field and zone to the boundary. Free over-shifts to
help to the boundary.

COVER 1
OAKLAND / RAIDER

o
o
o oo o o

o
S

C: man on #1 receivers
H: man on #2 receivers.
S: man on #3 receiver to strong side
B: man on #3 receiver to weak side
M: look for RB coming out of backfield or drop into
middle zone looking for crossers
F: Pick up most dangerous vertical receiver

o
C

Same as Cover 1 but with no deep help.

COVER 0
MIAMI / DOLPHIN

o
o
o oo o o

FREE must pick up man normally assigned to

blitzer.

o
C

MAN 2
TENNESSEE / TITAN

o
H

o
o
o oo o o

o
S

o
H

o
C

QUARTERS
ST LOUIS / RAM

o
C

o
H
F

o
o
o oo o o
M

o
C

C: man on #1 receivers
FH: Man on #2 receiver to field
S: man on #3 receiver to field
B: stem to #2 receiver and man up.
M: look for RB coming out of backfield or drop
into middle zone looking for crossers
F: Deep zone to the field side picking up most
dangerous vertical threat
BH: Bail to deep zone to the boundary side
picking up most dangerous vertical threat

C: man on #1 receivers
FH: Deny vertical release of #2 & drop into flats
S: man on #3 receiver to field
B: Fly out to flats on pass read
M: look for RB coming out of backfield or drop
into middle zone looking for crossers
F & BH: Bail deep; read #2- if vertical pick up
man to man. If short route, double #1 if he goes
vertical.

HOLD 3
HOUSTON / TEXAN

o
o
o oo o o

o
S

C: Bail 15 yds deep as rec line attack. Aiming point

in between #1 & #2. Deep outside 1/3.
H: Deny vertical inside release of #2. Open to flats
getting depth until zone is threatened.
S: Deny vertical inside release of #3. Open to curl
and get depth. Read #1, #2 looking to pick up in
breaking routes.
B: Drop into curl reading outside receivers, looking to
wall off in breaking routes.
M: Drop into middle-hook zone. Wall off inside
routes.
F: Read field seam to boundary seam and pick up
rec threatening vertical seam.

o
C

CUT 3
CAROLINA / PANTHER

o
o
o oo o o

o
C

To the field side, play HOLD 3 coverage

(HOUSTON / TEXAN) . To the boundary side,
play CUT 3 coverage (CAROLINA / PANTHER).

COMBO ZONE
DALLAS / COWBOY

o
H

o
o
o oo o o

o
S

C: Outside shade on line. Deny outside release of

#1 and carry until flats are threatened.
H: Bail to 15 yards deeps on line attack. Aiming
point between #1 & #2. Deep outside 1/3.
S: Deny vertical inside release of #3. Open to curl
and get depth. Read #1, #2 looking to pick up in
breaking routes.
B: Drop into curl reading outside receivers, looking to
wall off in breaking routes.
M: Drop into middle-hook zone. Wall off inside
routes.
F: Read field seam to boundary seam and pick up
rec threatening vertical seam.

o
C

To the field side, play CUT 3 coverage

(CAROLINA / PANTHER). To the boundary side
play HOLD 3 coverage (HOUSTON / TEXAN).

COMBO ZONE
CHICAGO / BEAR

o
C

o
H

o
S

o
o
o oo o o
M

o
H

o
C

COVER 4 ROBBER
BUFFALO / BILLS

o
C

o
o
o oo o o
M

C: Bail deep on line attack. Deep outside .

H: Bail deep on line attack. Deep inside .
S: Stem outside prior to snap. Get depth while
dropping to flats.
B: On pass, fly out to flats, getting depth until zone
threatened.
M: Drop into middle-hook zone. Get depth.
F: Drop into ROBBER zone. Play any routes
coming through zone aggressively. Look for the INT.

o
C

COVER 4
ATLANTA or FALCON

o
o
o oo o o

o
C

C: Bail deep on line attack. Deep outside .

FH: Deny inside vertical release of #2. Open to flats
and get depth until zone is threatened.
BH: Bail deep on line attack. Deep inside 1/4 .
S: Deny vertical inside release of #3. Open to curl
and get depth. Read #1, #2 looking to pick up in
breaking routes.
B: On pass, fly out to flats, getting depth until zone
threatened.
M: Drop into middle-hook zone. Get depth.
F: Deep inside to field side.
Auto when facing QUADS.

COVER 5
VICTORY

o
o
o oo o o

M
F

o
B

BLUECALL
HOUSTON BLUE / TEXAN
BLUE
o
o
o
o
o
o oo o o
C

C: Put heels 20 yds back. Play deep outside.

H: Put just on hash mark 20 yards back. Play deep
hash.
F: Put heels 25 yards back. Play deep middle, back
pedalling until ball is in air.
S: Stem out to flats prior to snap. Keep getting
depth until ball thrown. Do not come up on
underneath routes.
B: Stem out to flats prior to snap. Keep getting
depth until ball thrown. Do not come up on
underneath routes.
M: Drop to middle zone getting depth until ball in air.

Blue call puts boundary DBs in man coverage

and field DBs in zone. Diagram is of Houston
Blue call (Hold 3 to field, man to boundary).
o
H

o
C

Can also call Carolina Blue (Cut 3 to field, man

to boundary).

GREEN CALL
HOUSTON GREEN / TEXAN
GREEN

o
C

Red call puts field DBs in man coverage and

boundary DBs in zone. Diagram is of Houston
Red call (Hold 3 to boundary, man to field).

o
o
o oo o o
M

Can also call Carolina Red (Cut 3 to bounday,

man to field).

o
o
o oo o o

o
C

o
H

o
o

o
o
o oo o o

o
o
o oo o o

o
H

o
C

SHORT YARDAGE
PACKAGE

60 FORMATION
POS

Alignment

Responsibility

1 tech

Explode low and hard through centres thigh, stepping with the inside foot first. Reset the line of scrimmage one yard behind the offensive line.

3 tech

Low penetrating charge through the offensive guard, resetting the line of scrimmage.
Do not get forced outside, opening up the B gap.

5 /7 tech

If T/TE tries to kick you out, pinch hard. If T/TE tries to reach block, maintain outside
leverage.

M/B

30 tech

Play run first, read guard through to fullback and fill hard pressing the line. Run
Away: Flow hard and downhill on an inside-out angle.

Inside shade
#2 receiver

Play the run first- make them pass the ball to score. If on TE, key initial movement.
If TE turns out DE, fill C gap hard. On flow away, close on B gap. On pitch motion,
act as force man, getting hard upfield. Cover #2 man to man on pass.

Inside shade
#1 receiver

Run to: Pinch down and set the edge. Run Away: Wait; watch for pass to backside
end, or for reverse, bootleg, counter.
Pass: Play the #1 on pass plays

60 DEFENSE
FIELD

B
E

3 1 1

11

ADJUSTMENT VS TRIPS
C

M
E

3 E

60 TWIN HAMMER
B

H
E

3 1 1 3

M
E

50 FORMATION
POS

Alignment

Responsibility

0 tech

Shoot hands hard to centres chest plate and gain control. Keep pressed out, and
shed when you read direction of the ball.

3 tech

Low penetrating charge through the offensive guard, resetting the line of scrimmage.
Do not get forced outside, opening up the B gap.

5 /7 tech

If T/TE tries to kick you out, pinch hard. If T/TE tries to reach block, maintain outside
leverage.

00 tech

Read FB- flow hard to ball, down hill and inside out.

S/B

Inside shade
#3 receiver /
30 tech

Play run first, read guard and fill hard pressing the line. Run to: Come down hard
and fill. Run Away: Slow flow taking away cutback or counter.

Inside shade
#2 receiver

Play the run first- make them pass the ball to score. If on TE, key initial movement.
If TE turns out DE, fill C gap hard. On flow away, close on B gap. On pitch motion,
act as force man, getting hard upfield. Cover #2 man to man on pass.

Inside shade
#1 receiver

Run to: Pinch down and set the edge. Run Away: Wait; watch for pass to backside
end, or for reverse, bootleg, counter.
Pass: Play the #1 on pass plays

50 DEFENSE
FIELD

H
E

50 STAB
(Stab In OLB go C gap)
B
E

ADJUSTMENT VS TRIPS
C

B
E

M
N

S
3