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Three and Four Man Fronts vs. Multiple Pass Protection

by: Dana Chambers
Defensive Line Coach
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Our base defense here at the University of Akron is primarily a 3-5 defense. We also have the ability to show some four-man fronts. In order for us to be successful against the pass in our three-man front our players have to be able to understand, recognize and react to different types of pass protections. They first have to know the different types of personnel groupings and what the favorite protections out of each grouping are – which I will explain later. Once they know what grouping is on the field, the next key is where the back or backs are aligned. Knowing the down and distance, knowing where the wide side of the field is will also help in reacting to pass protections.

    I have drawn up some of the pass protections we have faced and will explain how we will react to them in our three and four man fronts with base calls, no blitzes or stunting:


Diagram 1: Base protection - PAP Strong vs. Stack Front 21 Personnel - I Pro Formation DT – has to recognize that he has the OT/OG at him. He will stay outside and draw to contain QB. NT – has to see what guard has the double team with the center. He will work to contain to that side. DE – has to see OG away and make an up and under move.


Diagram 2: Base protection – PAP Strong vs. Bench Front 21 Personnel-I Pro Formation DT – 3 technique – two-way go on OG. Make up-field move first. Counter inside. NT – has double team. Attack double teamwork. OG – to contain. DE – has single block, make up field move then inside. Force QB scramble.


Diagram 3: Brown Protection – DBP – vs. Stack Front 11 Personnel – Detroit Gun Formation. DT – recognize off set back to your side. He is to the man protection side. Use up and under move. NT – recognize off set back to your left. He is to the man side; work guard to possible contain to the side of the back. DE – recognize back off set away. He is to the zone side. Stay outside for contain.


Diagram 4: Brown Protection – DPB vs. Bench Front 11 Personnel – Deuce Gun Formation. DT – recognize the back is set to him. He is to the man protection side. Use two-way go rule. NT – recognize the off set back to his side. Start move to the right of center and counter back. Stay tight on center’s hip. DT may be working the A gap to the side the back is on. DE – recognize the back is set away. Stay outside for contain on QB.


Diagram 5: Slide Protection – Five Step or Quicks vs. Stack Front 11 Personnel – Deuce Formation Zero Back DT – recognize zero back formation (back aligned behind QB). He will have a two way go on the back. NT – hear the zero back call from the five techniques. Work for contain to the guard that slides to him. DE – recognize zero back set and work for contain to the slide side.


Diagram 6: Slide Protection – Five Step or Quicks vs. Bench Front 11 Personnel – Deuce Formation Zero Back DT - recognize zero back formation. When OG slides away feel pressure from the OT; work for contain to the Bandit side. Bandit has a two way go on the back. NT – attack A gap; when guard slides away work center to opposite OG, push the middle. DE – recognize zero back formation. Slide is to you; stay outside for contain.


Being able to recognize pass protections by personnel groupings and back sets allows us not to have to call a lot of stunts when we are thinking run and pass shows. They become automatic versus the protection schemes we see. We feel having to run stunts versus runs can hurt you most of the time. By teaching these reactions versus the pass we feel like we are a lot safer. We get our stunts usually to the offense’s weak part of the protection.

About the Author

Dana Chambers

Defensive Line Coach Dana Chambers joins Head Coach J. D. Brookhart and the Akron Zips for his first season this fall. Chambers had been defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator for Youngstown State the past two seasons. Akron is the defending Mid-American Conference Champions and represented the MAC in last December's Motor City Bowl.

Questions?
If you have any questions you
can email the author at: 
DanaChambers@AmericanFootballMonthly.com





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