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Maximizing Your Goal Line Defense – The Okie Hot defense is intended for use at the goal line and its efficiency is dependent on players following alignment rules as well as their execution.

by: Christian Guenther
Defensive Coordinator Southwest Minnesota State University
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We have seen a number of offenses in our conference transition to a spread attack. This has also transitioned to the goal line area of the field. Our defense is a 3-4 that plays the majority of time a cover 3 with single LB blitzes. When we’re inside the 10 yard line, we do not have a lot of options so we end up playing man coverage without help. 

The problem that we have had is our corners are 5’9” and are susceptible to bigger wide receivers beating them on jump ball fades. We believed we needed another option to be successful in goal line situations. We needed something that was sound in defending the run and could protect our corners. We turned to a cover 4 coverage that allowed us to keep our run fits consistent and protect the corner. These are the rules and steps we use to implement this goal line coverage.

Our base coverage is man coverage. Because of this it was important the coverage we came up with had a similar look to its pre-snap alignment. We base our rules out of a 2 x 2 formation with a TE. Our alignment rules are the following:
 
•  Corner: Press and head up.
•  Rover / Free Safety:  9 yards depth and 1 yard outside the number 2 WR. Their feet will be at the goal line if the offense is inside the 9 yard line.
•  Sam:  Apex linebacker at 3 yards.
•  Mike / Will:  5 yards in 30 tech.
•  Rushers:  9 tech.

Included are four separate diagrams - the Okie Hot coverage, Okie Hot vs. a 2 x 2 formation, Okie Hot vs. a 3 x 1 formation and Okie Hot vs. an empty backfield. Our base rules are the following (Diagram 1): 


Diagram 1: Okie Hot

Corners: Will take a lateral step outside and will bail to the back corner of the end zone. They are responsible for any back corner player and anything to the flat.

Rover / Free Safety:  Will fit any run outside the number two wide receiver.  If it is a pass, they will turn to the number one receiver. If he is on a fade release, he is free and will look to the QB. If the receiver takes a slant release, the safety will play inside of him trying to keep him from crossing.

Sam / Will:  Both of these linebackers will play their run gaps. Sam is the extra player to the field and the Will is a B gap fit. If it is a pass, they will find the number two receiver. If he goes vertical, they will trail and prevent him from going across the formation.

Mike: Is a B gap run fit. On a pass he will key the number three receiver and prevent him from crossing the formation and trail any vertical route. 

Rush / 3 DL:  Will execute a slant to the field with the rush coming tight to C gap and spilling everything to the outside.
Okie Hot Defense vs. 2 x 2 Set
(Diagram 2)


Diagram 2:  Okie Hot Defense vs. 2 x 2 Set


This package has been very effective as a complement to our man coverage schemes. We typically get a lot of fade concepts and corner routes by the number two receivers. This adjustment provides a great disguise for our defense and allows the corner to get a jump with his eyes to the football. We play only one type of cover 4 so this works well as an adjustment because all of our cover 4 run fits still apply. 

Adjustments: In two-back pro sets we will avoid running our Hot coverage.  With the strong threat of play-action, it is hard for the inside linebackers to key their fullback and still find the TE. We play true man-type coverages that will allow our DB’s to play coverage and our front seven to only deal with the run game. Concentrating on 1 back, 11 or 10 personnel formations has allowed us to use simple rules without a lot of adjustments.

Okie Hot Defense vs. 3 x 1 Set
(Diagram 3)


Diagram 3:  Okie Hot Defense vs. 3 x 1 Set

In 3 x 1 sets our free safety will now get involved in the run game. He will have the QB in back set to him and the B gap in a back set away from him. We will usually key over to number three. However, without any vertical field we will let the Mike trail and force him to the back of the end zone. This will allow us to double a backside number one receiver. Front side coverage for the rover and field corner remain the same. The Sam and Mike rules stay the same and the Sam will wall #2 and the Mike will wall #3. The Will linebacker will be the free player to play screen and float watching the QB’s eyes.

Okie Hot Defense vs. Empty Backfield
(Diagram 4)


Diagram 4: Okie Hot Defense vs. Empty set

In an empty set, we will apply the same rules except the Mike and Will are responsible for the B gap. On a pass play, the Mike and Will expand and wall their defenders.

This has been a coverage for us that has worked very well and is a complement on how we defend the goal line. This will allow our defense to be very aggressive and provide a zone-type coverage that is easy to teach. It  still has our players being able to play the ball in this area of the field.

About the Author: Christian Guenther recently completed his fifth season as both defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Southwest Minnesota State University. He also serves as the school’s recruiting coordinator. Prior to SWMS, Guenther served for nine seasons on the staff of Culver-Stockton College (MO) with five years being the head coach. He has also coached at both Minnesota State-Mankato and Elmhurst College.


More like this:

Zone Defense on the Goal Line – October/November, 2014
Rolling Thunder: Be Efficient in the Compressed Red Zone – October/November, 2013
Goal Line Defense – October/November, 2010







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