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SimplicityWestminster College protection schemesHead Coach, Westminster College © More from this issue At Westminster College, we like to keep things simple and sound in all of our protection schemes. This enables us to make adjustments on a weekly basis without too many contradictions to our base rules. As we all know when you introduce specific schemes the rules change with regards to personnel and game plans. By keeping simple and vague we are able to adjust rules as the season progresses. We feel, and our players feel, that our base protection is sound against any front or blitz that a defense will use. It may not be the best but it will be sound. Our base also gives us plenty leeway to make adjustments. If we are having problems with protection we can employ a two-back set, keep the tight end in or keep the tight end in and use two backs. Our base 5-step protection is called 50. We will block big-on-big (BOB) on one side and zone (ZEBRA) to the other. There will be various adjustments causing the BOB side guard or the center to double read from the inside out. The defensive alignment will determine the type of protection rules that we will use. There will be five base calls ZEBRA (zone), BOB (big on big), LARRY (fan left, double read man right), RICKY (fan right, double read man left) and MIKE (big on big across the board with double reads possible). ZEBRA will always be used with BOB. RICKY, LARRY AND MIKE will be used alone. When using ZEBRA-BOB or BOB-ZEBRA the first word used will be the left side style protection with the second word being the right side style of the protection. BOB means big on big man protection & ZEBRA means zone protection. RICKY or LARRY will be a Fan protection to the side of the call and BOB away from the call. MIKE is big-on-big protection across the entire line. The MIKE call will come in with the play call and be given as part of the huddle call. When MIKE is given in the huddle this is a KEEP IT call and we will not check out of it. It is very important when facing a stemming front (moving front prior to the snap) that the QB give the OL a chance to change their protection calls. All protection adjustments must be communicated down the entire o-line. We will incorporate double reads to maximize protections. When a lineman is assigned a double read he must first check for an inside LB blitz if there is no inside blitz he works deep and late to pick up the outside blitz. If there is not a threat of an outside blitz he doubles with his partner or works out to help the OT to his side. We will use switch calls on twists but they must be communicated between the two linemen involved. Adjustments will be made through game planning. We must be able to perform this protection from both a three and two point stance. For the scheme to be successful the entire protection unit must be working together. Communication within the group will determine the level of success that we will have. The QB must understand that while utilizing a one-back set that we only have six players involved in the protection and if the back releases there are only five. He must know which LB that might not be blocked. This will be his HOT read. When using a five-man protection scheme he must choose the two LB’s that may not be blocked and use them as his HOT reads. Rules Offensive Line The center will always protect to the side of the 1 or 0 shade technique. The center will give a Zebra call to the side of the 1 or 0 shade side and a BOB call to the other. The center will call the left side protection first followed by the right side protection. In the event that there are two 1 techniques we will zone to the backside of the QB (right handed QB zone to the left, left handed QB zone to the right. If we see a 0 shade and a 1 technique we will zone to the side of the shade. The BOB side tackle blocks his covered threat if he is uncovered he sets inside and double reads inside out. The QB is responsible for the No. 2 LB to the Bob side.
With a straight up 0 technique we will block either RICKY (FAN right, BOB left) or LARRY (FAN left, BOB right). The center will determine by the call which is the BOB side and which is the FAN side he will use only one call either RICKY or LARRY. We will always try to RICKY or LARRY away from the uncovered guard side. The guard on the BOB side, if uncovered, has a double read. If the LB blitzes his position he takes him, if he drops he works down hill to his outside. The QB is responsible for the No. 2 LB to the Ricky or Larry side.
If the defensive front does not have a 0 technique and there is not an inside shade on either guard (two 2 techniques) the center will give a MIKE call and the entire line will block BOB. The center will read the MLB and take him on a blitz. If the MLB drops he will double read to the left, checking for a “A” gap blitz to his side then work down hill picking up the outside blitz to the strong side of the defensive front. We will also use MIKE protection when the RB releases in a route or we are using a no-back formation. The MIKE call will come in with the play call and be given as part of the huddle call. When MIKE is given in the huddle this is a KEEP IT call and we will not check out of it. Our rule for MIKE is very simple; if you are uncovered you have an inside out double read. You can also use combinations to gain an advantage. Combinations can occur between the center and guard to the 1 or the 0 shade side. They will combo the 1 or 0 shade and read the most dangerous LB to their side. Versus a straight 0 or 2, no combinations will be possible.
About the author: John Welty In his sixth year as head coach of Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., John Welty has set 27 offensive and defensive records at Westminster and led his team to a national ranking at the conclusion of the 1998 season. Welty previously served as both the head football coach and director of athletics at Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill., where his team broke 18 offensive records. Before spending eight years at Benedictine, Welty served five years at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, as the defensive coordinator. |
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