Defending the Power Play

We define “Power” as a gap blocking scheme with a fullback kicking out the end man on the line of scrimmage (EMLOS), and a backside guard pulling through on the playside linebacker. This play is used on a consistent basis by our own offense and by the opponents in our conference, so we have to be sound in defending this type of physical run.

Our entire philosophy on this play is to stop it from getting downhill. We want the ball carrier to go “East and West” so the gain is minimal. This allows for our team speed and pursuit to chase it down. In order to deny the ball carrier from getting downhill, we must be the more physical team upfront and “spill” the ball carrier to the perimeter. When we spill,  the defender at the point of attack (POA) will take his outside arm and “rip” through the inside arm of the “kickout” block, forcing the ball carrier to spill to the perimeter.

Our defender wants to spill two yards behind the line of scrimmage to define the path of the ball carrier immediately. The best case scenario for the spill defender is to get “two for one” by disrupting the fullback and backside guard pull. This gives us an advantage with numbers to the play side.

Fronts/Coverages

We will either be in our Over (Diagram 1) or Under (Diagram 2) front when defending the power run. The coverage we want to be in when defending this play is cover 3. This allows us to build an eight-man box by rolling a safety down (force player) to help in run support. We have had tremendous success in defending this play with this philosophy.

Diagram 1: Over vs. Pro Near Set; DE will “Spill” FB kickoff block

Diagram 2: Under vs. Pro Near Set; S will “Spill” FB kickoff block

About the Author: J.G Aegerter is the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Palomar College. He was a defensive coach at Palomar with three different championship teams – the 1991 National City College Co-Champions, the 1993 National Champions, and the 1998 National Co-Champions. Aegerter holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Wyoming and a Master’s Degree from Azusa Pacific.

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