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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 GuentherDefensive Coordinator Southwest Minnesota State University © More from this issue 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: 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. Diagram 2: Okie Hot Defense vs. 2 x 2 Set
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. 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. 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. More like this: Zone Defense on the Goal Line – October/November, 2014 |
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