Defending the Fade Route

On the Goal Line

I t is an honor to be asked to contribute to
the AFCA Summer Manual. I share that
honor with my fellow defensive coaches,
worked on often if we are to be successful.
We start our teaching in man coverage
by stressing that the fade is a timing pat-
Bob Davie, Curley Hallman, Paul Register tern. Our best chance for success is to dis-
and Bob Matey. With their excellent coach- rupt the timing of the receiver. To accom-
ing, and the play of some outstanding plish this, we move to a position very near
young men, we moved from No. 8 in the head-up on the receiver and about one
nation in total defense a year ago to No. 4 yard off the ball. We want complete con-
this past season. More importantly, we won centration on the waist area of the receiver.
our second straight Southwest Conference The defensive back should be in a well-bal-
Championship. These accomplishments anced and comfortable stance with both
are certainly a reflection of the loyalty, ded- hands up.
ication, and outstanding coaching of these It is important to have the hands in a
fine men. ready-to-hit position as timing on the hand
The topic which I have been asked to shiver (catch) is critical. The inside foot
discuss is certainly worthy of consideration. should be firmly planted and slow to move.
Many of us on the defensive side of the ball On an attempt to release inside, the corner
have had anxious moments over the years should catch the receiver and ride him
while considering how to stop the fade. It is down the line. If he tries to release outside,
a well-conceived play that offers maximum he should be jammed with the inside hand
gain with very little risk. It is normally a on the shoulder pad. In case of a swim
touchdown or is incomplete. It is run more release technique, the corner should jam
often in goal line situations simply because him hard in the rib area to disrupt his route,
man coverage is easier to predict in this again using the inside hand.
area. To back up a little bit; when the receiver
The first step in defending this pass is to first came to the line, the corner should
study your opponent’s philosophy and ten- have checked the receiver’s split to deter-
dencies in the following areas: mine what techniques to use in man cover-
R.C. Slocum When does he like to throw this route? age: 1) In the pocket, or 2) Pin and look.
Will he throw it on 1st down, or is it a play Now to explain briefly these two tech-
Defensive Coordinator that is just called in obvious passing or blitz niques:
situations? Is it a check when man cover- In-the-pocket is the technique used
Texas A&M University age is read? Will he repeat the call? when the receiver has cut his split down
From what formation does he like this and has considerable room to the outside.
College Station, Texas route? Many teams prefer the fade from a With this alignment, the threat of an out
pro-set so that there is a wide receiver on pattern must also be defended. Also, when
both sides and two opportunities at getting the fade is run from this alignment, the
a tight corner. Many motion teams will receiver normally shows a short, hard push
never motion and throw the fade. up the field and then fades hard to the cor-
To which receiver do they prefer to ner of the end zone.
throw this route? Is one receiver taller or is After trying to make contact on the
one a better leaper? release, the defender should wheel
Does the receiver tip his route by his towards the receiver and drive upfield with
alignment (split)? him with visual focus on his hands. When
Knowing the answers to the above the receiver lifts his hands, the defender
questions is essential to designing a plan to must immediately lift his own hands
defend this route. By answering these (inside hand) and prepare to drive it
questions, you have a chance to anticipate through the pocket (receiver’s hands). We
and will increase your chances to defend stress trying to whack the receiver’s off
against it. arm. The defender must get the ball out of
We have a pressure philosophy when a the pocket.
team gets inside our 20-yard line, and con- If the receiver is aligned close to the
sequently, we play a high percentage of sideline (three yards or less), we will use
man coverage. While we do mix in some our second technique—and look. Again,
zones, we play a lot of man and are prime our alignment should be very near head-up
targets for the fade route. and we want to disrupt the receiver’s
Because we do play so much man release if at all possible. As he releases to
inside the 20, the fade pass, along with the the outside, the defender should step first
flood pass, must be taught early and with the outside foot and wheel with the

• AFCA Summer Manual — 2001 •

receiver. The inside foot remains stationary
R.C. Slocum at a Glance
as long as possible to prevent the head
fake and inside move. As the defender Experience: Defensive Coordinator, Lake Charles (La.) High
turns up the field with the receiver, he School, 1968-69; Freshman Offensive Line Coach, Kansas State,
should try to crowd him into the boundary, 1970; Freshman Coach Kansas State, 1971; Offensive Assistant,
feel him on his arm, and get his eyes Texas A&M, 1972; Defensive Assistant, Texas A&M, 1973-78;
around to look for the ball. If the receiver Assistant Coach, Saskatchewan Rough Riders, 1977 & 1979;
has gotten a clean release and has the Defensive Coordinator, Texas A&M, 1979-80; Defensive
defender beaten, it is important not to run a Coordinator, Southern California, 1981; Defensive Coordinator,
circle in attempting to cover him. Rather, a Texas A&M, 1982-88; Assistant Head Coach, Texas A&M, 1985-
cut-off angle should be taken to regain 88; Head Coach, Texas A&M, 1989- (109-37-2).
position. When the receiver is pinned, then
the defender can turn and look for the ball. Career Head Coaching Record: 109-37-2
These techniques obviously must be
practiced repeatedly to develop proficiency Bowl Games: 1989 John Hancock Bowl; 1990 Holiday Bowl; 1992 Cotton Bowl, 1993
and confidence. Probably the greatest Cotton Bowl, 1994 Cotton Bowl; 1995 Alamo Bowl; 1998 Cotton Bowl; 1999 Sugar
problem to overcome is the “panic reaction” Bowl, 1999 Alamo Bowl
at the moment when the ball is arriving,
regardless of the techniques being used. Conference Championships: Southwest Conference, 1991, 1992, 1993; Big XII, 1998
The defender must realize that it is always
going to be close and the bottom line is
whether the ball is caught. For this reason,
“it is not over, until it’s over” as the saying hope to get the fade or an audible to the can stop in any of our coverages, but is a
goes. Find some way to get the ball out if it fade. Our corner will give the quarterback a challenge when we are one-on-one. We
is momentarily in the pocket. good look, then will back out and play hope we will always have players that rel-
The above techniques are used when three-deep. We will also do the opposite if ish that type situation.
we are playing straight man with no help. this; show three-deep and walk up to a Hopefully, these ideas will be of some
There are other maneuvers that we will use press alignment late. benefit to the reader. These techniques are
to help our corners defend the fade. Having In obvious passing situations, we have the subject of as many discussions as any
some anticipation as to when this route is numerous other zones and bracket man topic in football. However, as is always the
likely to be run is very beneficial. If the fade coverages that we will employ to defend case, if you have something that you really
is a problem, one of our first alternate the fade route. I think that it is important believe in, sell to your players, and practice
choices is to show a pressed corner and that you present the fade as a route that we diligently, it will usually work for you.

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• AFCA Summer Manual — 2001 •