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Letter From the Editor

Defense: What\'s Necessary to Stop a Potent Offense
by: Rex Lardner
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A legendary coach was once asked, ‘if you could have your best athlete play one particlular position – offense or defense – what position would that be?’ Without batting an eyelash, the coach responded, ‘middle linebacker – he sets the tone and leads our defense.’

The interesting part is that the coach didn’t say an offensive position – quarterback or running back – but inferred that linebacker may be, in his view, the most important position on the field. From that the old adage comes: offense is for show, but defense wins championships.

In this issue of American Football Monthly, the theme is defense. Out September issue concentrated on offense; October stresses defense in both general and specific ways. Three features summarize ways to counter different types of offense, one pits a specific offense vs. a defense, and another article reflects on a legendary defensive specialist returning to the college game after being away from coaching for more than a decade. More specifically:

• The Man in Black is Back: Jerry Glanville returns as Defensive Coordinator at the University of Hawaii under long-time friend June Jones. After nearly 12 years in the television world, Glanville has his work cut out for him: the Hawaii defense ranked near the botton of all Division I-A schools in many statistical categories.

• Stopping the Aerial Attack Offense: With many colleges and high schools going to the high-powered passing offense, defensive coaches talk about the keys to containing it.

• The Wing-T: How to neutralize it: a number of defensive coordiantors comment specifically on what is necessary to stop this time-tested offense.

• The Option: How do you defend it: coaches offer a number of opinions on what is needed to prevent this offense from rolling up 500 yards on your defense.

• Point-Counterpoint: Two offensive coaches strategize about how to make the Wing-T work while two defensive coaches talk philosophically about defending it.

The consistent themes throughout the features on containing defense – regardless of the type of offfense – include preparation, the importance of understanding your role as a player, and adjustments when needed. Each coach emphasized the importance of both physical and mental preparation in getting ready for a particular offense. Players need to walk through their roles and watch enough tape to be familiar with their opponents’ key plays. Coaches also stressed the need for knowing your role and not trying to overdue individual assignments. Finally, it is critical to understand that adjustments in the defense are ever-evolving with the nature of the game. They may be done between offensive series and/or at halftime. But they are inevitable.

We certainly welcome your feedback. Please feel free to send us your comments and suggestions. We hope you enjoy this issue of American Football Monthly.

Respectfully,





Rex Lardner
Managing Editor
American Football Monthly
rlardner@lcclark.com
561-355-5068

Correction: American Football Monthly recently published a clinic article written by Jamie Woodruff, head coach of Ponderosa HS in Parker, CO. The article, ‘Back to the Basics’, appeared in oour February issue. AFM inadvertently misspelled Coach Woodruff’s name in the article and regrets the error. Our apology to Coach Woodruff and his staff.





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