Defending the Red Zone
Adjusting Man Free in the Red Zone
Defensive Coordinator , Christopher Newport University©
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All football coaches
understand the importance of winning those two or three games each
season that are won (or lost) by a touchdown or less. The difference
in those types of games can usually be determined by getting at
least one big stop in the red zone. We spend two 15-minute segments
per week on our red zone package. Our red zone coverages are easy
adjustments (1 zone and 1 man) from our base coverages. In this
article we will concentrate on those red zone adjustments from our
man-free scheme.
In order to discuss these red zone adjustments we must first look
at some of the basics. We teach all of our man-free pick-ups with
a system based on two deep/man under. Also, we teach our defensive
players a system that only allows the offense to have four formations
– two from 1 backs and two from 1 back. If there are two backs
in backfield, they can only be in pro (double width) or slot (single
width). If there is only one back in the game, it has to be either
doubles or trips. We have found this system to be especially helpful
in simplifying man pick-ups. (Diagrams 1-4)
Diagram 1. 2 Backs-Pro |
Diagram 2. 2 Backs-Slot |
Diagram 3. 1 Back-Doubles.
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Diagram 4. Back-Trips |
Obviously, this is pretty straightforward. We are rushing our four
down linemen and playing 1 deep/man under. However, we do not use
this scheme more than 3 or 4 times a season. It is important only
because this is the ‘springboard’ for the rest of our
man pick-ups, including those in the red zone.
As we said, 2 deep/man under is not a big part of our normal game
plan, but it does give us a lot of flexibility in creating different
5-man pressures. For example, we can bring an OLB from either side
and simply have the safety to his side replace him in the pick-up
scheme. The other safety then falls to the post and becomes the
free. (Diagrams 5-8)
We feel this is a simple way to create 5-man pressures. Either OLB
can be utilized from the edge or inside in the A or B gap. Also,
it is easy to tie these pressures into any of our normal interior
line stunts (twists, loops, etc.)
The next step is to adapt these concepts into a simple red zone
package. Down in the red zone, obviously, the safeties (or any defenders
not involved in the man under scheme) do not need to be concerned
with playing a deep middle or deep half zone. We are now defending
a short field and we can use the endline as an extra defender. In
the red zone we are looking to get our ‘zoners’ free to
help in the flat.
This is most effective when using a 4-man rush. There are a number
of ways to get this done, but this is our basic way of playing man
under in the red zone. (Diagrams 9-12)
A few notes and coaching points in regards to this type of man-to-man
coverage in the red zone:
1. We have found that this is a very effective run defense. The
‘zoners" with no deep pass responsibility become very
aggressive overlap players vs. the running game.
2. The corners can overplay the fade route. They know that the ‘zoners’
are available to help on all slant routes. This allows them to sit
on all outside releases and overplay the fade. This can be very
helpful for smaller corners.
3. It is a better way to combo, or hand off routes. We feel we can
do a better job of playing the various pick/rub routes that most
offenses use in the red zone. Our base rule is that if your man
goes to the ‘zoner’, then he belongs to the ‘zoner’.
Once your man belongs to the zoner, you become the zoner. Look for
the next crossing route.
As we have stated, making big plays in the red zone is usually the
key to winning close games. At CNU, we have been fortunate enough
to have played in six NCAA playoff games in the first four years
of the program. We expect these games to be hard fought because
the level of competition in the playoff environment is excellent.
In order to win in that atmosphere we know we must get those critical
stops in the red zone.
About the author
David Legg
Defensive Coordinator David Legg has been instrumental in CNU’s
first four seasons which resulted in a share of four conference
titles as well as four appearances in the NCAA Division III
playoffs. No other school in NCAA history has ever made the
post season in its first four years of play. A graduate of CNU,
Legg previously coached at Popuoson High School, Hampden-Sydney,
William & Mary and Bucknell. You can reach him at legg@cnu.edu. |
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