StrategiesforDefendingthe

SpreadOffensewiththe33
JOHN RICE
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
CANYON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
MORENO VALLEY, CA
(951) 537-9902
Zacoach102@aol.com

CoachJohnRice

Strategies
MaximumZoneCoverage
Rush3,drop8(2deepor3deep)
Rush4,drop7(2deepor3deepw/Tag)

Pressure

ManPressure4,5,6,or7man
1Bracketwithpressure
FireZonesrush5anddrop6
ZoneBlitzes(linemendroppingforblitzingLBs)
CombinationCoveragewithPressure

CoachJohnRice

CommonSpreadPhilosophy

SpreadfieldthroughFormationandmotion
Openuprunninglanes
Createpersonnelmismatches
TakeWhatyouGiveusphilosophy
Runtheballvs.appropriatenumbersinthebox(audibleto5inthe
box)
Passtheballvs.appropriatenumbersinthebox(audibleto6or7in
thebox)
Throwvs.Uncoveredreceivers
Createthebigplayvs.theblitz
Useofcompressedformationstocreateconfusionorgainan
advantageinnumbers

CoachJohnRice

StrategiesforDefendingtheSpread
howtotakeawaycertainstrategies:
Takeawaybubblescreenbyalignment(drawon
board)
Takeawayfunnelscreenbystickinglikeglueto#1
Outflankcompressedformations
Playzoneormatchupzonevs.compressedformations
Playingbunchesorstacks
o Jammingfirstmanoffthelineinazone
o TriangleconceptmanonLOS,bracketothertwo

CoachJohnRice

StrategiesforDefendingtheSpread
Analyzeandunderstandprotectionschemeofyour
opponent:
Haveapressurepackagedbasedontheir
protectionweaknesses(stunts,bluffs,overloads,
personnelmismatches)
Anticipatetheoffensivecoordinatorsadjustments
toyourstrategyandhaveatleastonecountermove
foreachstrategyheemploys.two

CoachJohnRice

StrategiesforDefendingtheSpread
Takeawayanopponentsbestreceiverby
alignment,coverage,orboth.Jamonlinewith
safetyhelptotesthim.Aligndeepifhesadeep
threat.Brackethimifyoucanaffordit.
Knowtheoffensivecoordinatorsphilosophyand
takeadvantageofit
Takeawaywhattheydobest.Makethembeatyou
withsomeoneorsomethingotherthantheirbest
play.

CoachJohnRice

StrategiesforDefendingtheSpread
Bepreparedforthenohuddle
Practicepreparation
i.Usetwohuddles/unitsinpassskeletonbacktobackto
backw/#1QBtokeepcontinuity
ii.Increasepaceofdrillsandincreaseconditioning

Gamepreparationgettingthecallonthefield
i.HandSignalcalltoentiredefense(everyonemust
knowsignals)
ii.Signaltoonedefender,herelaysthecalltodefense
iii.Usewristbandsandcodedcalls

CoachJohnRice

StrategiesforDefendingtheSpread
Havemultipleadjustmentsformotion/formationchecks
Teachingprogressionearlyinspring/summer
Jamreceiversatdifferentlevelstodisrupttiming
Inman
i.Online
ii.Catchandtrail

Inzone
i.Onthelinein2jamor3jam
ii.At3or5yards

CoachJohnRice

StrategiesforDefendingtheSpread
Disrupttherhythmoftheoffenseforcepostsnap
reads.Disguisecoverage(showexamples)
Huddlecall
bluff(makesuretheyarenotthesame)
universal
waitonOC
Mixupyourlooks.Blendpressureandcoverage.
Utilizestraightman,combination(manzone),
zone
blitzes,andfirezones.(Showgame
readysheet)

CoachJohnRice

StrategiesforDefendingtheSpread
Offense
Playfastestplayersondefense
Iftheteamyouareplayingusespersonnelpackagestogain
advantages,usethesame11playerswithoutsubstituting
Stoptherunninggamefirstwiththeleastamountof
defendersintheboxaspossible.Ifyoucanstoptherun
with5youhaveanadvantage
Forcetheoffensetobeonedimensionalbydoingoneof
thefollowing:
Takeawaythepass.Ifyoucanconsistentlyrush3anddrop
8defendersintopasscoverageyouareatanadvantage
Takeawaytherunbyloadingthelineofscrimmagewith
eightorninedefenders

CoachJohnRice

Formulatingastrategy:
Takeawaywhattheydobest;makethembeatyou
withsomethingelse
Havemultipleadjustmentstoformationsifneeded
Haveformations&coveragecheckstopreventthe
offensefromgaininganadvantage
Bepreparedfornohuddle
Bepreparedforpersonnelgroupings
Knowtheirpassprotectionandhowtoattackit
Haveastrategytodefendbunchesandstacks

CoachJohnRice

Alignmentvs.Doubles
Corner

Vs.Doubles

Spur
Free
Safety

Lion
Mike

Bandit

Ram

Corner

CoachJohnRice

PullALIGNMENTVS.TRIPS

CoachJohnRice

StackALIGNMENTVS.(TE)TRIPS

CoachJohnRice

Cover3Drops
Cover3Drops

Corner

5under
3DeepZone

Bandit
Ram
Mike
Spur

Free
Safety

Lion

Corner
Spur and Bandit buzz to the flats NOW, playing stop,
hitch, & the out cut
by #1, and the arrow and bubble by
CoachJohnRice
#2. Lion & Ram (as soon as they make a pass read) must

Cover3JamPassDrops
Corner

Vs.Doubles

Spur
Free
Safety

Lion
Mike

Bandit

Ram

Corner

CoachJohnRice

Spur and Bandit

jam & reroute
#2s, then buzz
the flat. On other
than a vertical
release
By #2, they take
their normal
drops to the top

Cover3Drops
Cover2Drops

Corner

5under
2DeepZone
W/hiholeplayer

Bandit
Ram
Mike

Spur

Lion

Corner

CoachJohnRice

Free
Safety

Strategiesforcoveringempty(ortrips)with
33defense
Playstraightcover2;runwith#3verts
Playsoftcover2totworeceiverside;Quarters
totripsside
Playthecornermantomanon#1tothetrips
side,andsoft2everywhereelse
Play2Deepzone,runwithinsideverticalroutes
32w/manfree
31with2safetylook

CoachJohnRice

2DeepZoneVS.TRIPS

CoachingPointina2deepzone:Runwiththe#3verticalroute

CoachJohnRice

Strategyvs.TripsFormations:
Quarterstotripsside;Soft2tosingleside
Quarterstotripsside

SoftCover2
Soft2tosinglecutside

S
L

F
Deep1/4

Deep1/4

Deep1/2

CoachJohnRice

Strategyvs.TripsFormations:
Man#1Tripsside;Soft2everywhereelse
SoftCover2

Cornerman#1

S
L

Deep1/4

Deep1/2

CoachJohnRice

Strategyvs.EmptyFormations:
Quarterstotripsside;Soft2tosingleside
Quarterstotripsside

S
L

SoftCover2
Soft2tosinglecutside

F
Deep1/4

Deep1/4

Deep1/2

CoachJohnRice

Strategyvs.EmptyFormations:
Man#1Tripsside;Soft2everywhereelse
SoftCover2

Cornerman#1

S
L

Deep1/4

Deep1/2

CoachJohnRice

Strategiesforcoveringemptyw/33
Playsoftcover2totworeceiverside;
Quarterstotripsside
Playthecornermantomanon#1tothe
tripsside,andsoft2everywhereelse
Play2Deepzone,runwithinsidevertical
routes
32w/manfree
31with2safetylook

CoachJohnRice

Pressure
ManPressure
5man
6man
7man

CoachJohnRice

PrinciplesforApplyingPressure
Disguiseyourintentionsifatallpossible
Usemorethanonedisguiseperblitz
Knowtheprotectionschemeyouareattacking
Knowtheopponentshotreadsandsightadjustments
(maybeabletoforceacertainthrowfavorabletoyou)
Ensureyourdefenseisgapsound
Assignproperrunforce
Inmanschemes,everypotentialreceiverisaccountedfor
Dontallowoffensetocreateamismatch
Createmismatchesthatfavorthedefenseattackweakness

CoachJohnRice

PrinciplesforMaximizing
EffectivenessofPressureScheme
PressureCallsMUSTbescripted.
BlitzPeriod/7on7/Team

Practicethefourlooks(show,half,time,depth)
Showunusualformations/motion
Forcecheckstopreventunfavorablesituations
Emphasizeblitzingdefendersredirecttotheballif
playisarun

CoachJohnRice

ZonePressure
Canyouforceanaudiblebyshowing
pressurepresnapanddropadefenderintoa
passinglane?

CoachJohnRice

Dime4Idaho

S
C

N
L

1/4

1/4

CoachJohnRice

1/4

1/4

Dime4Oregon

S
C

N
L

1/4

1/4

CoachJohnRice

1/4

1/4

5ManPressure
FromBaseFront(6)
Ox,Tiger,Smoke,Torch,Red,Crazy
FireZones(9)
Thunder,Hurrican,Lamb,Rambo,Rex,Lex,
Laser,Male,Mare
FromDimeFront(6)
Crossfire,Mable(switch),Spice,Sugar,Axe

CoachJohnRice

5manpressurefrombase
CoverageBlitz
Examples:
3OxShow(cover3withMike&Ramgoing)
3TigerHalf(cover3MikeandRamgoing)
0StingTime(cover0withSpurandBandit
going)
0SmokeShow(cover0,lineslantingweak,
Spur,RamgoingoutsideEnd)

CoachJohnRice

3OX

CoachJohnRice

3Tiger

CoachJohnRice

0Smoke

CoachJohnRice

0Torch

CoachJohnRice

3JacksRed

CoachJohnRice

Crazy

CoachJohnRice

5manpressurefromDime:
Crossfire
Mable(Switch)
Spice
Sugar
Axe

CoachJohnRice

Dime1FreeRules:

E
C S

N
M

E
R

B
C

Hole

DeepMiddle

Dime($)inforLion;willalignaccordingtoblitzcalled.Manupwith#3inempty
WeareplayingmancoveragewithSpurandBanditon#2s(overvs.trips)
Wewillalwayssendatleast1linebacker;theotherwillbeaholedefender.
Ifwesendbothinsidebackers,Dimewillbeholedefenderunlesscovering#3inempty.
FreeSafetyisplayingdeepmiddle.Wecanalsousehimtobracketareceiver&play0.

CoachJohnRice
HoledefenderwillabandonresponsibilityifRreleases.Inthatcase,manuponR.

DimeCrossfireCover1Free

N
M

E
R

Hole

DeepMiddle
CoachJohnRice

B
C

DimeMableCover1Free

E
C S

N
M

E
R

Hole

DeepMiddle
CoachJohnRice

B
$

DimeMableSwitchCover1Free

E
C S

R
Hole

DeepMiddle
CoachJohnRice

B
$

DimeSpiceCover1Free

N
M

E
R

Hole

DeepMiddle
CoachJohnRice

DimeSugarCover1Free

N
M

E
R

Hole

DeepMiddle
CoachJohnRice

B
C

DimeAxeCover1Free
Tofield

C S

N
M

E
R

Hole

F
Noseslantstofield(blitz) DeepMiddle

CoachJohnRice

B
C

2ShellPressure

CoachJohnRice

DimeDoublePlugRobber

CoachJohnRice

DimeTornado

CoachJohnRice

DimeFieldSlam

CoachJohnRice

DimeLightening

CoachJohnRice

DimeWin

CoachJohnRice

33FireZonePressure
Cover33:3deep,3under,rush5

S
Seam/curl/flat

hole

Seam/curl/flat

Cover33Rules:
Wearesending5(3linemenandusually2linebackers)
Theremaininglinebackerisaholedefender

CoachJohnRice
Wewillcoverbothseams,notallowverticalreleasesby#2s

ThunderCover33
Field

E
C

L
Seam/curl/flat

Hole

S
Thirds

Seam/curl/flat

F
Thirds
CoachJohnRice

Thirds

HurricaneCover33
Field

S
C
Seam/curl/flat

M
Hole

F
Thirds

Thirds
CoachJohnRice

E
R

Seam/curl/flat

B
Thirds

LambCover33

S
Seam/curl/flat

Hole

Seam/curl/flat

F
Thirds

Thirds
CoachJohnRice

Thirds

RamboCover33

S
Seam/curl/flat

Hole

Seam/curl/flat

F
Thirds

Thirds
CoachJohnRice

Thirds

RexCover33

S
Seam/curl/flat

M
Hole

E R
B

Seam/curl/flat

F
Thirds

Thirds
CoachJohnRice

Thirds

LexCover33

L E
C

S
Seam/curl/flat

E
R

Seam/curl/flat

Hole

F
Thirds

Thirds
CoachJohnRice

Thirds

LaserCover33

S
Seam/curl/flat

Hole

Seam/curl/flat

F
Thirds

Thirds
CoachJohnRice

Thirds

MaleCover33

S
Seam/curl/flat

Hole

Seam/curl/flat

F
Thirds

Thirds
CoachJohnRice

Thirds

MareCover33

S
Seam/curl/flat

Hole

Seam/curl/flat

F
Thirds

Thirds
CoachJohnRice

Thirds

6manpressure

CoachJohnRice

Zoo

CoachJohnRice

TigerBandit

CoachJohnRice

OxSpur

CoachJohnRice

TigerSpur

CoachJohnRice

OxBandit

CoachJohnRice

Pressurefromdime

CoachJohnRice

6manpressurefromBase
CoverageBlitz
Examples:
0ZooTime(cover0withLionMike,Ram
going)
3Zoo(cover3Lion,MikeandRamgoing)
0TigerBandithalf(cover0withLion,Mike&
Banditgoing)
0OxSpur(cover0,lineslantingweak,Spur,
RamgoingoutsideEnd)

CoachJohnRice

DimePythonCover0

E
C

N
M

L
S

F
CoachJohnRice

DimePythonUnderCover0

E
C L

N
M

E
R

$
C
F

CoachJohnRice

DimeBoaCover0

L
C

N
M

E
R

C
F

CoachJohnRice

Numberspackage

CoachJohnRice

NumbersPackagewithPressure
Whendoublebracketcoveragewith
pressureisdesirableaspartofapackage
Mayplaysinglebracketwithpressureif
desired
Whenateamplacestheirbestreceiverat
variouspositionsintheoffensiveformation

CoachJohnRice

DimeNumbers12Anchor

E
S
C

N
L

LowHole

CoachJohnRice

DimeNumbers12Anchor

E
S
C

N
L

LowHole

CoachJohnRice

Numbers11Ox(Swap)

E
S
C

N
L

E
M

CoachJohnRice

DuoPackage

S
C

Corners
Spur
Nickel
Mike
Dime
Bandit
FreeSafety

Manon#1;keepinsideleverage
Bracket#2;outsideleverage
Bracket#2;insideleverage
Pressure
Bracket#2;insideleverage
Bracket#2;insideleverage
Pressure
CoachJohnRice

DuoPressure
E

OhioLeft

Tags:
Right
Left
Field
Boundary

M
IndianaRight

F
IndianaLeft

OhioRight

CoachJohnRice

Appendix

WeeklyPracticeOverview
SampleDefensivePracticePlan
SampleInsideDrillPracticeScript
Sample7on7PeriodPracticeScript
SampleTeamPeriod
SampleDefensiveGameCallSheet
DefensiveImplementationSchedule

CoachJohnRice

a re
T

n
IF
QF
uee
(L
ic d
Z
k

e
W)
T
imd
e

to
e
s
c
a

e
o
ne
m
d

th
p
a is
re

p
s ic
s

tu
o re

WEEKLY OVERVIEW (USED TO PLAN DAILY

PRACTICE) COUGAR FOOTBALL
Weekly Concepts to

WEEKLYOVERVIEW

Cover:

Weekly Defensive PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Fundamentals

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Right, Left, 3 Jacks Red,

3 Anchor, 3 Torpedo

Smoke Cover 0
Torch Cover 0

Spur, Bandit Tiger

Swap, Ox Swap

Run

In s

id e

Zo

ne

R
e v iew

Dart /Wrap

Wrap/Dart

Inside

Inside Drill

BT
ra

In s id e Zo ne

QB Tra p

In tro

GoalineRuns

Da rt/ Wrap

Zone
QB T
ra p

R
e vie w

Vs.2minuteoffense
e vie w
R

Hi Lo

B oot

Da

a
rt/W

Hi Lo, Fad e

7 on 7

In tro

Y or X Fad e

S cat
Wh ee l /Po st

I ntro

Bo o t, S

Wh eel/Post

ca t

S mash

Smas h

R
e v ie w

S cat

Team

S mash

HiLoCrosses
Smash

Int ro

Review

I ntro

ad
F

o
iL

oo

Review
CrossingRoutes
In tro

In tro

Y or X Fad e

S lant

Special
Situations

Pass

Re vie w

E mp ty Dr aw

Goaline

InsideZone
Wrap/Dart
HiLoCrosses
Smash

Review

Bear Strong Cov 0 vs.

All Sets

3m

an

Sc

at

Rev iew

Linda,
Rita, Tiger Swap,
ReviewBracket&
Ox Swap, Spur/Bandit
PressurePackage
Spur/Bandit over #2, FS over #2, FS align over
align over #3
#3

ma

s h

he

e l/P
o

Smoke Cover 0

3 Jacks Red vs. Trips

Torch Cover 0
NoHuddle
2minute
Spur/Bandit over #2, FS
align over #3

CoachJohnRice

s t

R
e vie w

THOUGHT
SAMPLEDEFENSIVEPRACTICEPLAN

COUGAR FOOTBALL

Date:

Front/Coverage

Defensive
PRACTICE SCHEDULE

PERIOD:

Fundy
(15)

GROUP 1
(10)

GROUP 2
(20)

GROUP 3
(20)

TEAM
(20)

Time

1
2

5
10

15

20

25

30

35

8
9
10

40
45
50

11

55

12

60

13

65

14

70

15

75

16

80

17

85

18

90

CONDITIONING AS

1 Free, Numbers

Linebackers
(Mike, Lion, Ram)

D Line

Spur and Bandit

INDIVIDUAL FUNDAMENTALS
(EVERY DAY DRILLS)

SLANT TECH

RUN FITS/
Hole Drop

Lift

1 ON 1 PASS
RUSH

Corners and Safety

Plays and Formations for

Today
FORMATIONS

RUNS

2 by 2

QB Trap, zone

Trips open

Draw

Passes

Formations

SMASH
(STOP
CORNER)

4 WIDE

CURL/WHEEL
(MIRROR)

4 WIDE

Fade

4 WIDE

Hi Low

4 WIDE

In and Out bracket technique

2 ON 1 Bracket Drill

7 ON 7 (SEE SCRIPT)

Conditioning

DAY:

PM

Press Technique

TEAM (SEE SCRIPT)

NEEDED

THE

"WINNING IS A HABITUNFORTUNATELY,
SO IS LOSING." -VINCE LOMBARDI

WATER BREAK
INSIDE RUN DRILL
(SEE SCRIPT)

OF

CoachJohnRice

SAMPLEINSIDEDRILL
PRACTICESCRIPT
COUGAR FOOTBALL
wed 9/28

"BIG 8" DEFENSIVE PRACTICE SCRIPT

Emphasis: Defending Spread Formation Runs

Play

Card

1
2
3
4

5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

FORMATION
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card

PLAY
inside zone
QB Trap
Inside Zone
Dart/Wrap
Draw
QB Trap
Inside Zone
QB Trap
Draw
FB Trap
Inside Zone
Draw

FRONT

STUNT

COV

Base
Dime
Base
Dime
Base
Dime
Dime
Base
Base
Base
Dime
Dime

Male
None
Mare
None
Mable
None
None
Mable
Mare
Laser
None
Pinch

33
4
33
1 free Robber
33
Numbers 22
Numbers 22
33
33
33
Numbers 22
Numbers 22

CoachJohnRice

NOTES
Shift
Hard Count
Motion

hard Count

Shift

Hard Count
Shift

SAMPLE7ON7
PRACTICESCRIPT
COUGAR FOOTBALL
Wed 9/28

7 on 7 DEFENSIVE PRACTICE SCRIPT

Emphasis: Pressure vs. Spread

Play
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Card #

FORMATION
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card

PLAY
Hi-Low Pass
Fade
Smash
slant
Boot Pass
Fade
trap pass
slant
trap pass
slant

FRONT
Dime w/bluff

STUNT/Blitz

Red

Dime

Cross Plug

Base w/bluff

Crazy Half

Base
Base

Zoo Show
Ox Swap

Dime

Tiger Lock

Dime

none
none
none
none

Base
Base w/bluff
Base

CoachJohnRice

COV
Numbers11
Numbers 11
3
1 Free
3
0
4
3
3
3

NOTES
Zip motion
Disguise!
Disguise!
Disguise!
Shift
"Time"
Bluff
Disguise!
Disguise!
Disguise!

SAMPLETEAMPERIOD
PRACTICESCRIPT
COUGAR FOOTBALL
"TEAM" DEFENSIVE PRACTICE SCRIPT

wed 9/28

Emphasis: Defending the Spread

Play
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Card

A
B
C
AA
A
B
C
C
BB
C
AA
B
A
D
B

FORMATION
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card
see card

PLAY
Inside Zone
Fade
Hi Lo
Boot
Qb Trap
Inside Zone
Wrap/Dart
Inside Zone
Boot
Hi Lo
Fade
Wrap/Dart
QB Trap
Inside Zone
Draw

FRONT

STUNT

COV

Base
Base
Dime
Base
Dime
Dime
Base
Dime
Base
Base
Base
Base
Base
Base
Base

Right Bandit
Crazy Half
Red
Left Spur
none
None
Zoo Time
Cross Plug
left
Tiger Spur
Bandit
left
Ox Bandit
right
left

3
3
Numbers 22
3
1 Free Robber
4
3
Numbers 11
3
0
3
3
0
3
3

CoachJohnRice

NOTES
Shift
Hard Count
Hard Count
Empty
Motion
Empty
Shift
Hard Count
Hard Count
Empty
Motion
Shift
Hard Count
Hard Count
Empty

SAMPLEDEFENSIVEGAMECALL
SHEET

CoachJohnRice

CoachJohnRice

VIDEOCUTUPS

CoachJohnRice