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AFM Magazine


Developing a Fire 2 Zone “Cheat” Blitz Package

by: John Thompson • Defensive Coordinator and Ryan Zimmerman • Assistant Coach
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Simplifying terminology and guidelines can produce effective blitz packages against different fronts.

We have developed a form of Cover 2 Zone Blitz coverage that can be an effective tool in any defense’s package. We will explore the history, benefits, how to develop the coverage, and how to implement it for multiple looks and packages. 

The History

    My father once told me, “If you get information from just one person, that’s stealing. If you get it from many, that’s research.” Well, we have researched from many great coaches - Dick LeBeau, Don Lindsey, Pete Carroll, Monte Kiffin, Ron Zook and many others. Over the years, we have developed a diverse package of Fire 2 concepts that we feel gives us a tremendous advantage against opposing offenses. The premise for Fire 2 came from using Fire 3 zone blitzes. We had developed a system that allowed us to apply basic rules and communicate basic terms to our players while giving them the ability to produce multiple blitzes (roughly 120). This developed like all defenses develop; that is, by creating a set of guidelines for both blitzes and coverages. The tricky part was to be able to develop guidelines that allowed us to apply our blitz package across multiple fronts.

    As we worked on refining it, offenses developed concepts that attacked the weaknesses of Fire 3. Offenses looked first to attack the flats and hash seams with quick hot route concepts. At the same time, quarterbacks began to look for the signs of a Fire 3 defense (bailing corners and crashing safeties). Fire 2, then, is nothing more than being pro-active to offensive adjustments.

    We base everything we do off the “same as” principle. We believe the ability to keep fundamentals, terminology, and teaching the same allows us to create multiple packages and schemes for game day, while keeping it simple enough for our players to play fast. With the idea of applying blitz concepts, we already had coverage concepts to counter offensive recognition and reactions and so we developed the Fire 2 “Cheat” package.

Benefits of Fire 2 Zone Blitzes

    The key benefit to the Fire 2 Zone is the ability to effectively cover the field with two high safeties and provide enough coverage underneath to take away the offenses’ ability to throw hot to the field. This can be the case in 2x2 and 3x1 offensive formations and will be explained with the “23 Vert” player. Pre-snap offensive recognition can mimic Fire 3 Zone, allowing us to have a distinct advantage. In this situation, the offense will quickly attempt to throw hot to the flats or hash seam.

Developing the Coverage

    Just as Fire 3 Zone is considered ‘cheat’ coverage in which six players are used to cover the traditional seven zones, so is the Fire 2 Zone. The field side of the coverage is the traditional cover 2 side. From the middle toward the boundary of the coverage, we make sacrifices to replace the missing coverage player. We do this by rolling the coverage toward the field with either safety rolling down to play the field #2 receiver and “cheating” the boundary corner into the boundary half. Finally, we use a “23 Vert” player to adjust to formational vertical threats. Here are our base rules for coverage:

FIELD FLAT: This is our traditional cover 2 flat player. This can be played with any type of cover 2 corner techniques.

FIELD HALF: This technique pairs with whatever technique the Field Flat player plays.

2 VERT: This player plays the #2 receiver inside out if he releases vertical. Typically, we give this responsibility to either the strong safety or free safety. This gives the illusion of a roll down safety in cover 3. The other safety will assume the field-half responsibility.

23 VERT: This player is the formation swingman. He plays the most dangerous player, either 2 vert to the boundary or 3 vert to the field ( 2x2 boundary, 3x1 field).

CHEAT HALF: Typically this is played by the boundary corner. He performs a tempo bail from his flat position. This gives the illusion of a deep third bail.

BUZZ:  The buzz player is the replacement for the cheat half corner. This is usually a weakside backer or defensive end and we can play him as either a true flat or a curl-flat player (See Diagram 1).

Diagram 1: Basic Fire 2 Zone Coverage


Implementation with Multiple Looks and Packages

    By simply applying specific responsibilities, you can produce multiple looks in the secondary. By exchanging the safety responsibilities, you can create two vastly different game plan coverages. “Rooster” tells our field safety to play the 2 vert technique. By bringing down the safety to the field and having the boundary safety work across the middle of the field, we can give the illusion of a 3 deep coverage. The offense’s reaction could be to throw hot to #1 receiver (E) in the flat in which the field corner will be there to make the play. Their other reaction could be to push both receivers vertical to that side. This would be countered by having a deep half safety and a 2 vert player in position (See Diagram 2).

Diagram 2: ‘Rooster’ Coverage

    “Flood” tells the free safety to come across the field and play the 2 vert technique. This can be paired with a 3 shell look and can also be used as a way to rob what could appear to be an uncovered #2 receiver. In this situation, the linebacker moves in to pressure the front. Notice that against a 3x1 formation, because of the 23 Vert player, we have the ability to cover the passing strength very well while also allowing us to pressure with 5 defenders (See Diagram 3).

Diagram 3: ‘Flood’ Coverage

    By just implementing our rules, you can apply this coverage to almost any defensive front. In “Cash”, we have applied our rules to a 3-3-5 defensive front. It also illustrates our ability to free up players in the secondary. Here the boundary corner is involved in the pressure. This is also another example of disguising our coverage by showing a cover 1 or cover 3 look (See Diagram 4).

Diagram 4: ‘Cash’ Coverage


Conclusion

    In conclusion, our defense remains based on these principles:

1. Be proactive – attack.
2. Be multiple - keep them guessing.
3. Do not allow the offense to get in a comfort zone – put the QB in a whirlwind.
4. Keep “same as” teaching theory for progression, fundamentals, and responsibilities. 

You can view John Thompson’s new line of ‘Defensive Strategies’ DVDs on AFMVideos.com

John Thompson has 28 years of college coaching experience and is the DC at Georgia State. Over his career, Thompson has been the DC at four different SEC colleges – Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, and Mississippi as well as the head coach at East Carolina.

Ryan Zimmerman is in his third year as an assistant coach at GSU. He coaches the kickers and specialists and serves as a defensive assistant coach. Zimmerman also coached on the high school level, helping bring four teams to the Georgia state playoffs.







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