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AFM Magazine


A Killer Pass Rush

by: Phil Zacharias
Defensive Ends Coach, Stanford
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As Defensive Line Coaches, we work and create many pass rush games. The object is to give our players the best chance to rush the passer. We also create situations that allow our best pass rushers opportunities to highlight their pass rushing ability. Most of the time we call pass rush games from the sideline as a part of a defensive call.

At Stanford, the problem we experienced were that we were calling the games, but we were fifty-fifty at best versus offensive line protection slides.

"Killer" was designed as a protection beater because the scheme:
A.) Could be called or assumed with defensive calls;
B.) Gave us the best pass rush or pass rush game versus protection slides; and
C.) Highlighted our best players.

Our defensive linemen are identified from the tight end or strong side to our split end side as End, Tackle, Nose and Fox. Our best pass rushers are usually positioned at Tackle and Fox. The first function of Killer is to give the Tackle and Fox free pass rush lanes and protect them with the End (Tackle) and the Nose (Fox).


Diagram 1

We use the phrase "2 way go" meaning the Tackle can pass rush A or B rush lanes versus the Guard. End would then bull rush the outside edge of the tackle and be prepared to play an outside or inside escape by the quarterback. The Fox has a B or C "2 way go" versus the tackle. The Nose would ideally attract the block of the center and guard adjust to the outside edge of the guard and be prepared for any outside escape by the quarterback. We teach the players how to take advantage of predictable protection slides and what pass rushes and pass rush games to use against them.

We identify the position of the back or backs to predict protection slides. Killer is most effective versus one-back sets but we will use it versus two-back sets if we know the protection concepts.

I will now focus primarily versus one-back sets. If the back aligned behind the quarterback, we identify that as "home" position. If the back aligned to the tight end, we identify it as "T" position. If the back aligned to the split end side, we identify it as the "S" position.

If the back is in home position, we will always play that as a run formation. With Killer concept, players understand to think run first, then react to pass. Home position "long yardage," think pass, then execute Killer. With back in home position, we still have a lower percentage of predicting the slide of the protection. Killer then will function with speed rushes by the End and Fox. Tackle and Nose execute a two versus three game against guards and center.


Diagram 2

T-position by the back we will immediately think pass unless scouting suggests otherwise. With T-position, we anticipate the center to slide to the split end side, to the tight end side the Tackle either has a "2 way go rush" or can call a pass rush game that is effective versus the protection.


Diagram 3

T-position, Nose and Fox know the center slide is to them. Therefore, we will either speed rush or execute a game that minimizes help from the center.


Diagram 4

S-position, once again we think pass first unless scouting suggests otherwise. We anticipate the center will slide to the tight end side. End and Tackle now think speed rush or pass rush game that minimizes help from the center.


Diagram 5

S-position Nose and Fox think either "2 way go" by the Fox or 2 man game.


Diagram 6

In summary, Killer is a pass rush concept that gives you effective ways to get an advantage in pass rush. Your pass rush games, protection beaters, and the ability to give your best pass rushers free rush lanes are built into the concept. It's flexible to the point where you can incorporate any game that you want executed versus the best possible protection scenario. It's stimulus response, Home, S, T position by the back generates different pass rushes. The Killer concept gave our players a better understanding of pass protection concepts, how to identify protections, and most importantly how to defeat them!






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