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The Situation

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Travis Niekamp, Linebackers Coach, Eastern Washington University. AFM subscriber since 2003.

In this particular circumstance, we would definitely be playing the percentages. With the down and distance being third and ten our philosophy would be to stop the pass. Field position always plays a major role because of the fact that they are potentially in 4 down territory. This plays a factor because the offense could be treating it like a neutral down knowing that they have two downs (third and fourth) to get 10 yards. Taking all of this into account, we would love to give the illusion out of our 4-3 package that we are coming on an all out blitz and then, on the snap of the ball, bail to our 2 deep coverage.

By doing this, hopefully, we can talk the offense out of running the football because of the blitz threat and convince them to be one dimensional and throw the football. All three linebackers would be walking up to the line of scrimmage and showing blitz. Mike aligns ‘up’ in the open A gap, Sam and Will align in an up-alignment outside the defensive ends, showing edge pressure. The corners will show pressman coverage and the safeties will cheat down from their 2 deep depth and show man coverage as well (Diagram 1).

Diagram 1: 2-deep Coverage

On the snap of the ball, the safeties will bail to their halves of the field. The corners will be aggressive flat players on the release of the wide receivers and sink to the ‘hole.’ The inside linebackers will bail to their pass responsibility for cover 2 (Diagram 2). As I mentioned earlier, we will play the percentages and show pressure to create some eyewash and try and force their hand by making them throw the football.

Diagram 2: Cover 2

Jose Jefferson, former coach at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Midland Lutheran College, afl2, and the NIFL. AFM subscriber since 2005.

In this sitution, I would change up from a 4-3 to a 3-5-3. The nose being lined up over the center in a “0” and the DE’s head up on the tackles. The linebackers would be stacked directly behind the 3 defensive linemen, about 5-6 yards back. With two receivers in the field and a wing, the strong side backer would shift outside to cover the field side wing. The boundary “Dog” would slide in and take the spot of one of the LB’s (weakside) as weakside moves to middle and middle replaces strong side. The corners and other “dog” are playing inside tech 6-7 yards off of each receiver in the field. The free safety will cheat over to the two receiver side of the field at 12-14 yards. I would have the defense force the QB to throw or run to his left. The strong side DE and the nose will slant to the field with the weak side DE slanting to the boundary. The field side linebacker to the field would cover the running back man-to-man. The other two backers – middle and weakside dog – would blitz; middle backer would take Weak A and the weakside dog would take Weak B. The rest of the field will play man free hoping to force the action to the field. This blitz will leave the right guard with a decision to protect the A or B gap. Hopefully the backer or weak side “dog” will get there.

Changing to a 3-5-3 Defense

Bob Jones, Head Coach, Aldine High School (TX) along with defensive coaches Swift Fletcher, Tom Allen, Ken Vale, and James Clancy. AFM Subscribers since 2006.

The down and distance situation affords us the opportunity to bring a zone pressure from the field. This allows us to pressure the passer, in an obvious passing situation, while remaining confident against perimeter option threats to both field and boundary. A possible pressure we utilize often is bringing the field backer and safety while slanting the front to the boundary. This places the boundary end as the run force defender versus option to the short side of the field with the sideline as the unaccounted defender. Option to the field will be defended by the overload blitz itself.

Pressuring the Passer

Coming Soon: May’s ‘Situation’: You’re on offense late in the third quarter and have been using the spread shotgun offense for most of the game, using trips on a number of occasions. The game is tied at 17 and it’s third and five at midfield on the near hash mark. Your opponent has been using a 3-4 and cover 2 defense most of the game. What play do you call to get a first down, continue the drive, and not be forced to punt? Go to www.americanfootballmonthly.com/thesituation and send your response and play diagram to AFM’s Managing Editor Rex Lardner (rlardner@lcclark.com). Deadline is March 20th.





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