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Crunch Time

When it rains, it STORM\'s: Wilmington College\'s 6DB package vs. spread offenses
Deensive Coordinator, Wilmington College
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Diagram 1.


Diagram 2.


Diagram 3.


Diagram 4.


Diagram 5.


Diagram 6.


Diagram 7.


Diagram 8.


Diagram 9.


Diagram 10.


Diagram 11.

At Wilmington College we are starting to encounter more offenses utilizing the spread attack. Today, these offenses have the ability to run the ball with greater efficiency and throw the ball effectively to all areas of the field. Diagrams one through four represent those formations we typically see with spread offenses. (See Diagram 1-4.)

To defense the spread offense effectively, we ask the basic question, “What personnel are in the game?” If the offense incorporates 4 wide outs we will substitute from our base 4-3 defense to our six defensive back package called “STORM.”

Our STORM package features six defensive backs and a combination of four defensive linemen and one linebacker or three defensive linemen and two linebackers. When four defensive linemen are used, they will represent our four best pass rushers regardless of position (See Diagram 5.). When we elect to use two linebackers it provides the flexibility to use more zone blitz concepts. (See Diagram 6.)

When the STORM package was conceived and developed, it had to have the flexibility to utilize both man and zone coverage concepts with several different blitzes. This article will discuss and diagram those schemes.

The front six can be played with one of two different combinations, but for the sake of discussion, we will assume a four-man front and the corresponding diagrams will depict the four defensive linemen set.

STORM – COVER 3

We have had some success playing cover 3 as a change up. As you can see, we roll the strong side corner up and he is a flat player. The under coverage assumes positions of a typical cover 3 and we play a tradition thirds coverage with our safeties and backside corner.

(See Diagram 7.)

STORM – COVER 2

Traditional cover 2 concept. The challenge here is the teaching progression for your two additional defensive backs. They have to understand what the hook-to-curl zones are and not to chase receivers running through their zones but rather “disrupt” them. (See (See Diagram 8.)

STORM – COVER 2 MAN

We use this coverage because it gives us a physical presence on the widest receivers and help over the top. Now you have the linebacker with man coverage on the running back.

(See Diagram 9.)

STORM – COVER 1

Here is your chance to apply some pressure. This is a concept that you can take and develop the pressure that fits your team best. There is a lot of flexibility with this coverage.

(See Diagram 10.)

STORM – COVER 0

Go Get ‘Em! Know your option responsibilities. Make sure you have productive blitz personnel in the game. (See Diagram 11.)

When developing your game plan, here are some questions to consider about the spread offense you are attempting to defend:

Are there four true wide outs on the field?

This is the most important question we ask when preparing. In our opinion, the four wide out set is the most dangerous and is the most challenging to the defense. We will incorporate STORM to get a better athletic match up with the inside receivers.

Will the quarterback be in a shotgun set or under center?

Scouting reports can uncover some interesting tendencies. The alignment of the quarterback can give you insight into the type of running attack the offense is attempting to establish. The quarterback may be a run threat in one alignment where, in a different alignment, he may not be a factor in the run game at all.

What is the involvement of the running back?

Maybe a better question would be: Is the player aligned in the backfield a running back or a wide out? As offenses advance their thinking and understand defensive schemes, a wide out lining up as a running back could give the offense a decidable coverage advantage.

What is the offensive line protection?

Man protection or zone? With a three man front there will be a 0 technique and two 5 techniques. This may result in a man blocking scheme. With four defensive linemen, we see more zone protections because of the 1 and 3 techniques. Some offenses like to zone run to the 1 technique – understand this concept!


Is there a field position tendency?

Some attacks have a “signature” play between the -40 and +40 and others will be very predictable in the Red Zone. Take this into consideration; the closer the spread offense gets to your goal line, the less room they have to operate. As the field shrinks, this can give the defense a blitz advantage.

Are the pass routes mirrored?


Diagram 12.

When routes are mirrored (See Diagram 12.) it allows you to have balance in practice. With both sides seeing the same routes, it gives all your personnel quality practice reps. The more you see the routes in practice, the better chance of anticipating the routes and making a big play.

Is there an option threat?

There are many offenses that have developed great speed option attacks out of the spread offense. And we face a couple of them in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Throughout the week of practice, we drill our unit to ensure the correct option responsibilities. We have to identify which player posses the biggest run threat. Some offensive systems will change the play to option if they anticipate pressure.

Here are some items to complete the defensive installation:

Can your linebackers cover the inside receivers?

In most situations, there will be a “go to guy” or the offense’s best receiver and a “clear out guy” or decoy. Many spread offenses like to throw the ball to the inside receiver on the wide side of the field and the “Z” receiver into the boundary. If you don’t like the linebacker match-ups with the inside receivers, then it’s time to substitute with a defensive back. Linebackers do provide much better run support than a corner.


Diagram 13.


Diagram 14.


Diagram 15.

What is your best blitz and at what level will the blitz originate?

We can pressure/blitz from all three levels of our defense. Blitzing from the line of scrimmage can be seen in diagram 13, from the linebacker level in diagram 14 and from the secondary level in diagram 15. Choose the pressure/blitz that is most effective for the situation and your personnel. If you decide to blitz, do it with the most effective blitz personnel you have. Poor pressure can result in big offensive plays.

Should you play with a three or four linemen front?

We like to use our four best pass rushers for the front. If you allow quarterbacks the time to find receivers…THEY WILL! Using four defensive linemen ensures a couple of one-on-one blocks by the offense, as long as the formation remains spread. Be careful not to stunt your linemen out of an effective pass rush. At times the best pass rush is the simplest. As we discussed before, using three linemen and two linebackers doesn’t mean sacrificing pass rush pressure; send a linebacker!

In previous games, have you tipped or demonstrated a strong tendency (self scout)?

Self scout, though time consuming, is very important. In fact, we seldom use this information as effectively as we should. We want to make every pre snap read by the offense, look identical. Be careful not to tip a blitz or stunt. Make sure your safeties don’t roll up too quickly when blitzing. Check film to determine if your linebackers give away their stunts. Document in what situations you blitz. Is there a down and distance or field zone where you have developed a pattern that the offense might take advantage? If your defense does something well – stick with it.

What will be your adjustments?

If you’ve been conservative in the first half, try pressure or blitzing in the second half. Cover 3 is very sound against the run. Inserting another linebacker and removing a defensive linemen will help in zone blitzing. In certain situations, playing 2 man will give you double coverage on some receivers. Know your empty checks. Then again, you might not need to adjust at all. If it’s working, stay with it.

If you liked this article, here are three others just like it:

1. Emporia State: Getting an Edge on the Blitz, July 2003
2. Combo Coverage from a Cover 3 Look, Sept. 2003
3. Nebraska: Robber Coverage Out of an
8-Man Front, Nov 2003

Final Thoughts…

Someone much wiser than me once said, “It’s not about the X’s and O’s but Johnnies and Joe’s.” With that being said, our goals are to be sound in our thinking and evaluation of our opponents, design a package to take into account our defensive personnel strengths, and give our players a chance to be successful.

It is our pleasure to have the opportunity to represent Wilmington College with this article and thank American Football Monthly magazine for the chance to share our ideas. We hope that some of the information provided will make your team better. Good luck in your upcoming season.


Related Videos
American Football Monthly now offers a full line of coaching videos. So, if you enjoyed this clinic article, here are a few videos that you may find interesting:

FV: 01294 Cyclone Pressure Defense (Skladany)
FV: 01778 Defensive Line Drills (Aiken)
FV: 01598 Explosive Drills for the Defensive Line (Latimore)


To find these videos and many others, view our online catalog at www.AFMVideos.com.

About the author
Jack Giambrone


Jack Giambrone, in his second year with the Quakers, will serve as the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.

Giambrone becan his coaching career in 1989 at Otterbein College where he was head of the defensive backs and special teams. A year later Giambrone moved to Eastern Kentucky University to coach under Hall of Famer Roy Kidd. He coached defensive backs and special teams while helping lead the Colonels to a number one ranking in NCAA Division I-AA.

In 1991 he received the opportunity to coach under NFL legends Larry Little and Paul Warfield with the Ohio Glory of the World League. After a year in professional football, Giambrone returned to the college ranks and coached offensive tackles and tight ends for Wittenberg University, where he stayed for the next decade.

For more information you can contact
Coach Giambrone at:
Jack_Giambrone@wilmington.edu






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