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Missouri\'s Top Three Principles of Defense

by: Matt Eberflus
Defensive Coordinator, University of Missouri
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I would like to discuss and illustrate the ‘Top Three Principles of Missouri Defense.’

1. SPEED TO THE BALL.
2. VISION & BREAK (Break 1/3 The Distance The Ball Is In The Air).
3. TAKEAWAYS.

I. SPEED TO THE BALL
At Mizzou we take pride in running to the football. We evaluate our players’ effort on every single rep in practice and games. It is very important that Missouri players understand this is our #1 principle. Our success starts with relentless pursuit to the ball.

The Pursuit Drill starts with the defensive line starters. All four defensive linemen will be standing on the goal line facing a coach. On the first coach’s command, the defensive linemen will chop their feet. On the second coach’s command, the players will do three up-downs and on the third command the coach will point right or left and the players will begin their pursuit to the sideline. On the sideline are three cones placed at the 10, 20 and 30-yard lines.

With only three cones and four players, whoever does not get a cone will do 10 up-downs at midfield. Always have one less cone for each unit. This drill teaches players how to give maximum effort and pursuit angles. We will videotape this effort and pull it out to match the players’ effort in practice and games. It’s a great visual aid (See Diagram 1).

Diagram 1: Pursuit Drill

Diagram 2: Vision and Break Drill

II. VISION & BREAK (Break 1/3 The Distance When The Ball Is In The Air)
This principle applies to your pass defense. We want to have great break on the football and we feel this rule is a great way to measure it off the videotape. We want our secondary to break on the ball one-third the distance from the QB until it gets to the WR. (e.g., if the ball travels 30 yards in the air – we want our secondary to break at 10 yards.) (See Diagram 2)

This is one example of a Vision and Break Drill we do with the safeties. There are many other types that involve the entire secondary. In this drill, the coach and strong safety align in the middle of the field, 15 yards apart. There will be two wide receivers placed at 30 yards at 3 yards outside the hash. This location of the receivers puts each one at 10 yards from the middle of the field safety. On the coach’s first command, the DB begins to back pedal. When the DB gets to 30 yards, the coach will indicate which receiver he will throw to. The DB will then break on the ball and cover one-third the distance.

III. TAKEAWAYS
Takeaways are a huge part of the game today. With all the Spread passing and Spread Option offenses, we have great opportunities to create more takeaways. We use every drill we perform as a takeaway drill. For example, in all our drills we incorporate the football. The more passes we throw to our defensive players the better they will become at getting that critical interception. We also work on recovering fumbles. Our players scoop and score every ball that is on the ground during all of our team drills (i.e., 7-on-7, Inside Run, and 11-on-11). This helps our defensive players react quickly to all footballs on the ground and to work on the mechanics of the scoop and score.

At Mizzou we teach three ways to punch, rip and steal the ball from our opponents. They are punch the stripe, punch the pit and can opener.

1. Punch the Stripe: This is utilized when the defender is in front of the ball or the ball carrier has the ball in his far arm. As the defender enters the tackle he will utilize a quick punch through the front stripe of the football.

2. Punch the Pit: This is utilized when the defender is behind the ball carrier and the ball is in his far arm. As the defender enters the tackle, he will utilize a quick punch up and through the armpit of the ball carrier. He again attempts to punch the back stripe of the football.

3. Can Opener: This is utilized when the defender is on the ball side of ball carrier. This technique can be used in a front side or trail position. As the defender enters the tackle he will reach with his front arm to the front tip of the football and pull-up to the sky as if opening a can.


About the Author

Matt Eberflus begins his eighth season as Missouri’s DC and is also the Associate Head Coach and Safeties Coach. This is his 15th season serving under Missouri’s HC, Gary Pinkel. Eberflus was a three-year starter at linebacker at Toledo and a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

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





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