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Drills Report: Training the Eyes

How Cal Lutheran Increases Defensive Reaction by Training the Eyes
by: Scott Beattie
Defensive Coordinator, California Lutheran University
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We emphasize “eyes” at Cal Lutheran. The most common remark we hear from our opponents is, “you guys play fast.” I believe the reason we play so fast is because we drill daily our eye placement. By drilling eye placement every day, keying becomes second nature and we are able to diagnose the play rapidly while reacting accordingly.

We base our defense out of a 3-2-6. Each position group has a key progression that is drilled during individual time. The defensive line, inside linebackers and defensive backs drill run and pass keys during our individual period. We then have a group period where our nickels and rovers drill with the defensive line, the free and strong safeties drill with the linebackers and the corners work one-on-one versus the receivers.

Defensive Line Key Drill
During individual drills, the nose and ends drill against different run blocking combinations and pass protection schemes. The purpose of the drill is to train our eyes to quickly and properly diagnose the play.
The defensive line coach will make a defensive call and designate a blocking scheme or combination that we will see. The defense works independently during individual time and utilizes scouts during group time.
Common blocking schemes we drill are: zone, down-and-pull, and pass set. Different calls put us in different gaps so we must read and react accordingly. Some examples:

Zone Scheme
Strong-End as a C-gap player vs. combo block:
Nose will stem from a 0-technique to a 1-technique with shaded hand down. Nose has his eyes on the center and peripherally sees the guard. When the center reaches the nose, the nose shoots his hands and sinks his hips while compressing the center as he rips into the A-gap.

Weak-End as a B-gap player vs. a scoop block:
The end stems from a 4-technique to a 3-technique with shaded hand down. The end has his eyes on the guard and peripherally sees the tackle. When the guard steps away, the end hugs the hip of the guard and runs down the line of scrimmage (See Diagram 1).




Down-And-Pull
Weak-End as a C-gap player vs. a down-and-pull:
End will stem from a 4-technique to a 5-technique and play with shaded hand down. End keys the tackle. When the tackle steps down, end replaces the feet of the tackle and eyes go inside while keeping the shoulders square until the kick-out is diagnosed. End sees kick-out block and wrong-arms puller.

Nose as an A-gap player vs. a down block:
Nose will stem from a 0-technique to a 1-technique with shaded hand down. Nose has his eyes on the center and peripherally sees the guard. When the guard blocks down, the nose shoots his hands and sinks his hips while fighting pressure as he maintains the A-gap.

Strong-End as a B-gap player vs. a pull-and-back block:
End will stem from a 4-technique to a 3-technique. The end has his eyes on the guard and peripherally sees the tackle. When the guard pulls, the end will replace his feet and dip his inside shoulder to rip over the top of the back block. The end wants to run to the hip of the guard and to the ball (See Diagram 2).




During the group part of practice the nickel and rover will come to the defensive line coach and drill their eyes the same way the ends train.

The Rover as a C-gap player vs. a pass set:
The rover stems from a 3 x 5 alignment to a 5-technique (2-point stance). The rover has his eyes on the tackle. When the rover see high-hat, he clubs the wrist and rips by the tackle with a low shoulder and tight turn of the corner. The nickel/rover is taught only to club and rip. Rover has contain rush.

The Weak-End as a B-gap player vs. a pass set:
The end stems from a 4-technique to a 3-technique. The end has his eyes on the guard and peripherally sees the tackle. When the end sees high-hat, he has a two-way go on the guard as he clubs the wrist and rips or quick “wipes” into his pass-rush lane.

The Nose as an A-gap player vs. a pass set:
The nose stems from a 0-technique to a 1-technique. The nose has his eyes on the center and peripherally sees the guard. When the nose sees high-hat, he has a two-way go on the guard as he clubs and rips into his pass rush lane.

The Strong-End as a C-gap player vs. a pass set:
The end stems from a 4-technique to a 7-technique. The end has his eyes on the tackle and peripherally sees the tight end. When the end sees high-hat, he clubs the wrist and rips or quick “wipes” into his contain rush (See Diagram 3).


Linebacker Key Drill
During the individual period, the inside linebackers work their eyes by keying through the offensive line to the backfield. The purpose of the drill is to train the eyes to key properly and quickly.


Some of the “looks” we give to the linebackers are zone, down-and-pull, iso, and pass set.
The linebacker coach will give a call that designates the linebacker as an A-gap or B-gap player. Once the defensive call is made, the coach instructs the offensive line as to what “look” he wants. Some examples:


When the Linebackers get a zone look, they fit and run through their gaps. The Linebackers must keep their pad level down and rip through their respective gaps (See Diagram 4).

When the linebackers get a down-and-pull, they step opposite the down and go over the top with the pull. The play-side linebacker hits the first open window, while the back-side linebacker works over the top of blocks. Coaching point: we emphasize recognizing the difference between a down block and a back-side scoop block. We step opposite the down block and fit our gap versus a scoop block (See Diagram 5).

During the group period of practice, the free safety and strong safety go with the linebacker coach and drill their eyes the same way the linebackers train.


When the linebackers and safeties get an “iso” look, the play-side defender hits the open window and takes on the fullback with his inside shoulder. The play-side defender squeezes the tailback to opposite linebacker/safety who has worked over the top of blocks (See Diagram 6).

When the linebackers and safeties get a high-hat, they drop to their respective zones (we are a base zone team). We use the hashes as landmarks as we read routes (See Diagram 7).


Secondary Key Drill
During individual time, the secondary trains their eyes by keying the offensive line to their first threat or back. The secondary coach will give a call and route combinations or a run look will be executed with the offensive line giving a high-hat or run key. We play various types of cover-3 with our safeties dropping down as flat/force players or into the box as hook/gap players. It is a match-up zone and we will match-up with our deepest threat. When it is time for group, the nickel/rovers work with the defensive line, the free and strong safeties go with the linebackers and the corners work one-on-one vs. receivers. Some examples:

Safety as a flat player vs. 3 & 1 pass (nickel/rover rush): (See Diagram 8)



Safety as a hook player vs. 2 & 2 pass (nickel/rover flat): (See Diagram 9)



If the offensive line gives a run key, the defensive backs shed and get to their run fits.

Safety as a force player vs. 3 & 1 run (nickel/rover rush): (See Diagram 10)



Safety as a gap player vs. 2 & 2 run (nickel/rover flat): (See Diagram 11)








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