44 SWARM DEFENSE DEFENSIVE LINE PLAY Coach Tim Murphy Clovis East High School I. INTRODUCTION A.

4 things each defensive player must know - A.S.R.T. 1. ALIGNMENT 2. STANCE 3. READ - BLOCK RECOGNITION 4. TECHNIQUE

B.

10 Basic Offensive plays defensive players must be able to stop. 1. TRAP 2. POWER 3. WEAK SIDE LEAD 4. WEAK SIDE X BLOCK 5. SWEEP 6. OPTION 7. DROP BACK PASS 8. ROLL OUT PASS 9. SCREEN PASS 10. DRAW RUN

II.

ALIGNMENT

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A.

DEFENSIVE END 1. Head up on the LAST MAN ON LINE OF SCRIMMAGE (LMLOS) 2. Can also be realigned into inside gap vs wide OL splits between OT and TE, because DE run responsibility is the inside gap.

B.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES (NOSE GUARD, TACKLE) 1. Aligned in GAPS 2. Benefits of gap alignment a. Allows DT to penetrate or pierce gap when the dont get a READ call. b. Maintains balanced DL when OL uses wide splits. In a SHADE technique - the offensive line would use wide splits of 4 to 5 feet, the DT would follow them and this would allow huge holes to be created in the DL because of the OL alignment and DL shade technique.

III.

STANCE A. DE STANCE 1. 2 point Attacking stance a. Low to ground almost being in 4 point stance. b. Back parallel to ground c. Knees and ankles flexed / bent d. Arms - Coiled position - Pre loaded e. Chest over knees f. Vision - Look thru brow of helmet to TE g. Balanced with no forward lean like when in a 4 point stance 2. Depth from LOS - 2 feet, gradually getting closer to LOS as experience and skills improve and reaction to blocks by OL is quicker. B. DT STANCE 1. 4 point stance a. Foot to the side where they are stepping to is back 1). NG = Steps toward Center, back foot is side towards Center 2). DT = Steps towards Offensive Tackle, back foot is side towards OT.

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b.

Back foot toes in line with the instep of the front foot.

c. d. 2.

Both hands down and square to LOS. Feet width - Shoulder width or armpit width apart - no more wider then shoulders, if get too wide player looses power and balance. Depth from LOS - Hands are 1 yard (3 feet) off of LOS. a. Allows DT to be able to read and react to OL blocks, b. Even in passing situations an d pass rushing, remain 3 feet off of LOS 1). Use BULL RUSH technique their forward momentum generated to drive OL backwards then use escape move once OL is moving backwards.

2 FEET OFF LOS

3 FEET OFF LOS

2 FEET OFF LOS

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READS A. DE - Offensive lineman aligned up on, End Man on Line Of Scrimmage 1. Read the helmet / screws or chest plated, top of numbers if getting faked out by head fakes by OL 2. What the OL does dictates what the DE does for at least the first 2 steps of his attack. B. VS THE REACH BLOCK

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1. 2. 3. 4.

Goal of DE: Slow down BC and redirect BC laterally. Defensive Philosophy: Bounce and Attack BC Reach Block means Sweep Run Play Reach Block Read a. TE steps out, DE steps out b. DE makes contact with TE on second step, locks out arms for separation, and get eyes inside to backfield Triangle c. Do not try to get upfield and try to contain BC or try to get underneath the reach block in play inside out. C. BACKFIELD TRIANGLE 1. Triangle for DEs

BACKFIELD TRIANGLE READ FOR DES

2.

Triangle Read for Nose & Tackle

BACKFIELD TRIANGLE READ FOR N & T

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D.

DE vs DOWN BLOCK 1. TE DOWN BLOCKS to DT or SILB

TE DOWN BLOCK TO DT

TE DOWN BLOCK TO SILB

N W

T S

TE DOWN BLOCK TO SILB

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T S

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3. 4. E.

Very important for DE to JAM TE AND SQUEEZE to the inside of the formation down the LOS. a. DE keep shoulders square to LOS as squeezing TE down LOS While Squeezing down with TE get vision into backfield triangle looking for Full Back kick out block, or play side guard kick out block on the G play, or backside guard for wide trap. When DE squeezes down LOS the blocking angle of TE to the SILB is diminished and difficult for the TE to get to the SILB

DE vs TE BASE BLOCK

TE BASE / DRIVE BLOCK ON DE

N W

T S

1. 2.

Intention of the block a. TE attacks DE and tries to take DE wherever he wants to go. b. TE attacks DE attempts to TUNNEL the DE out. DE Reaction: a. Fight pressure to the inside gap, which is DE run responsibility, and hold ground to the inside. b. Keep shoulders square to the LOS c. Do not wrong arm any kick out blocks, squeeze down LOS 1). Wrong arming will all ow the offense blocker to log block the DE, allowing the BC to get to the outside. 2). Vs LOG block by offense DE will treat the block as he would a REACH block. d. If TE allows you to gain inside position, they may be attempting to set the DE up for a REACH block. 1). If DE Reached by TE must rip across the face of the TE.

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DE vs LOG BLOCK by RB

TE DOWN BLOCK TO SILB RB LOG BLOCK DE

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T S

1. 2.

INTENTION OF BLOCK a. Hook DE inside prevent from getting to the outside, because BC is running to the outside. REACTION same as if REACH block by TE a. Jam TE, Squeeze down LOS, keeping shoulders square to LOS, eyes in Back field triangle looking for RB block, b. RB attempts to LOG block, rip across RBs face to outside.

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DE VS DROP BACK PASS BLOCK

TE PASS BLOCK

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1. 2. 3.

Attacks OUTSIDE EYE of the TE/ OT No deeper penetration then the QB Contain QB on Roll out , Never allow QB to get outside a. DT and ILBs will be freed up to get to QB for Sack.

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DE VS ROLL OUT PASS

N W S

1. 2.

GREEN LIGHT AUTO BLITZ ILB has GREEN LIGHT, auto blitz rush. DE must escape from TE / OT block with rip technique to the outside

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DE VS INSIDE / OUTSIDE RELEASE BLOCK 1. Inside Release a. JAM TE & SQUEEZE down LOS with vision into triangle, where he will see pass block look by OT b. Pass rush QB with containment.

TE INSIDE RELEASE

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OUTSIDE RELEASE BY TE a. First thinks TE is REACH blocking, b. Jam TE, stepping out, with vision into triangle c. See OT pass block set up, pass rush with containment on QB.

TE OUTSIDE RELEASE

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DE VS TACKLE PULL BLOCK

TACKLE PULL BLOCK

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1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

OT pulls across formation down the LOS DE follow OT down LOS Squeeze down LOS all the way to the adjacent defensive lineman. Vision is into backfield triangle looking for any kind of play action or QB roll out. QB rolls out, DE reacts immediately by taking a 45 degree attacking angle to get back on track to contain QB, not allowing QB to get outside tackle box.

TACKLE PULL BLOCK QB ROLLS OUT

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TECHNIQUES A. DE vs REACH BLOCK 1. Loaded stance 2. Steps: Lead Step, Power Step 3. Jam TE, lock out arms to get separation, Stick butt out, Stick chest out 4. Keep shoulders square to LOS 5. Keep stepping outside of TE 6. Escape move - RIP B. DE vs DOWN BLOCK 1. Loaded stance 2. Steps: Lead Step, Power Step 3. Jam TE, lock out arms to get separation, Stick butt out, Stick chest out 4. Squeeze and push TE inside down LOS, turning shoulders briefly, then get shoulders square to LOS, shuffle down LOS 5. Take on any kind of kick out blocker with inside shoulder. DE vs BASE BLOCK 1. Loaded stance 2. Steps: Lead Step, Power Step 3. Jam TE, lock out arms to get separation, Stick butt out, Stick chest out 4. Squeeze inside, shuffle inside to inside gap responsibility. 5. Escape with Rip move. DE vs INSIDE / OUTSIDE RELEASE BY TE 1. Loaded stance 2. Steps: Lead Step, Power Step 3. Jam TE, lock out arms to get separation, Stick butt out, Stick chest out 4. Vs Inside Release - Jam TE down LOS, then pass rush with outside contain on QB roll out 5. Vs Outside Release - Jam TE stepping outside like a reach block reaction, then pass rush with outside containment on QB. DE vs TACKLE PULL ACROSS FORMATION 1. Loaded stance 2. Steps: Lead Step, Power Step 3. Jam TE, lock out arms to get separation, Stick butt out, Stick chest out 4. Squeeze shuffle down LOS to next defender 5. QB rolls out, attack at 45 degree angle to get to containment of QB

C.

D.

E.

VII.

FOOTWORK OF DL A. Feet alignment 1. Back foot = inside foot 2. Front foot = outside foot B. First 2 steps 1. 1st step = LEAD STEP by back foot (inside foot) 2. 2nd step = POWER STEP by front foot (outside foot)

2nd step POWER STEP 1st step: LEAD STEP VIII. THE NOSE GUARD AND DEFENSIVE TACKLE A. Philosophy of Defensive Line: Do not allow running lanes to be created by 1. Penetrating too deep into backfield 2. Being driven backwards off of LOS. a. DL acts like a MOVING WALL laterally back and forth, forcing BC to bounce to outside. b. DL will determine the direction of BC by seeing the shoes of the BC in the backfield triangle. B. Alignment: 1. DT= Lined up in B Gap on Y (TE) side of formation, 2. NG = Lined up in A Gap away from Y side of formation

A
E N

B
T E

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D.

E.

READ KEYS 1. Visual Key: Offensive lineman to the inside 2. Physical Key: Offensive lineman to the outside 3. Reason for keying inside OL - the NG & DT are surrounded by OL a. If the DT steps out to the OT, makes contact with his eyes to the inside and the OG, he will be protected from a DOWN block from the OT. b. Upon feeling pressure from the physical key the DL will abandon his visual read and get his vision (eyes) onto his Physical Key and Push, Pull, Rip across the OL face. 4. If both the Physical & Visual Key for the DL a. VS Double Team drop to ground and make pile b. Vs a weaker Double team block try and split it c. Any time DT feels he is being driven backwards dive to ground, grab grass, bear crawl or seat roll towards the direction of the play. d. Determine the direction of the play by seeing the shoes of the BC in the backfield Triangle. Steps 1. DT: Always 1st two steps toward Offensive Tackle and make contact with OT 2. NG: 1st two steps toward Offensive Center and make contact with OC. READS 1. DOWN BLOCK BY O. TACKLE = Pull by O. Guard

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a. b. c. d.

DT steps and attacks physical read (OT) with vision on visual read (OG) Escape with PUSH, PULL RIP ACROSS OT face. Get shoulders square to LOS Do not belly around the back of the blocker 1). Creates running lane 2). Must stay square to LOS and move laterally to LOS

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DOUBLE DOWN BLOCKS BY OG & OT

N W S

a. b. 3.

Physical Key overrides visual key DT steps into Physical Key (OT) sees OG down block, DT fights across the face of the Physical key (OT). REACH BLOCK

N W S

a. b. c. d.

Key that OT can not Reach the ILBS, the only way that happens is if the OG reaches the DT, but because of DT alignment this should never happen. OGs are not allowed to reach block the NG or DT. DT steps into Physical Key (OT) feels no pressure, the OT is releasing outside Vision goes to Visual key (OG) trying to REACH block -

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because of the DTs alignment this wont happen, so DT can make play on BC. e. Because of the DTs alignment the OT is forced to DOWN block to the DT, which will free up the SILB to make plays on the BC. REACH BLOCK ON NG

N W S

a. 5.

NG steps into physical key (OC), Physical Key goes away, visual key (OG) tries to REACH block on NG b. Scrape all the down the LOS PASS BLOCK

N W
a.

T S

NG & DT are not expected to get huge pass rush or sacks but will get pressure on QB.

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6. 7.

Step into Physical Key, see both PK & VK set up for pass block, c. Split and rush gaps: NG = A gap, DT = B gap d. Do everything possible to take on 2 offensive linemens gaps, dont just choose to rush at one OL, but try and split 2 OL forcing OL to go 2 on 1 situation, this will allow the ILB to blitz BASE BLOCK a. Because of alignment there will be no base block. TUNNEL BLOCK by Visual Key player

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a. b. c. d. e. f.

Down block by Visual Key tough to react to this block because the momentum of the DL is going into Physical read. The deeper alignment of the N & T off of the LOS will allow them to see this block easier and reaction to it is quicker. Step into PK and see VK blocking down, must rock (redirect) back into VK block and rip across VK face, Treat like a down block If reaction to block is late spin across the face of the VK

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SPIN TECHNIQUE

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a. 9.

Do not lose ground down field, this will create running lanes. b. Spin must be tight to the blocker and LOS c. Always keep moving the WALL laterally. TRAP BLOCK ON DT.

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a.

N W S

DT will not be blocked by VK or PK, must react by squeezing down to the inside looking for backside guard trap blocking.

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TRAP BLOCK VS NG

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a. 11.

N W S

No block by the PK or VK squeeze opposite way down LOS

DEFENSIVE LINE RULE: Whenever the DL doesnt get blocked by their PK or VK they should squeeze down the LOS in the opposite direction of where they stepped (into their PK) expecting a block from the direction.

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REACH BLOCK GOING OPPOSITE OR TO WEAK SIDE

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a. b. c. d. IX.

N W S

Physical key tries to reach block to inside and Visual Key goes to next level (ILBs) React by redirecting like a trap block Step into PK, VK blocks next level, String blocker down the LOS

PLAYS THAT DEFENSE LINE NEED TO STOP A. GUARD TRAP.

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1. 2.

N W S

TE inside release a. DE Jam TE do not allow off LOS b. Squeeze down LOS to next defenders feet DT - Physical & Visual Keys no block, squeeze down LOS inside

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4.

looking for Trap block by BSG Do not penetrate causes BSG to go down hill to get to DT for trap block, b. Penetrate too deep creates running lane and is an easier block for trap blocker. c. Hit trap blocker with inside shoulder then fight across the face of the trap blocker NG gets double read a. Step into the direction of the play, into Phys. key, Visual key will take NG to the ball, b. Fight across the face of the Phys. Key, OC WEAK SIDE DE a. Get inside read by OT, b. Fight across the face of the OT, Squeeze down LOS a.

B.

POWER WITH FULL BACK KICK OUT BLOCK

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1. 2.

N W S

DE: Jam TE a. Squeeze down LOS with TE, do not allow free release off of LOS DT: Double team by PST & PSG a. Problem if DT gets pushed off of LOS, b. Even if DE squeezes down LOS a Seam or running lane can still be created. c. Must not ge driven off of LOS - must stalemate the double team block NG: Gets double read from Physical & Visual Key a. Step into Physical Key, sees Visual key pull across b. Squeeze down LOS across the face of the Physical Key (OC)

3.

C.

DEFENDING WEAK SIDE CROSS BLOCK (FOLD BLOCK)

N W S

1.

2. 3. 4.

NG: Step into PK, PK goes away no block a. VK goes away, NG automatically squeeze down LOS opposite of first step (away from PK) to attack the cross blocker (OT) WDE: Step into OT, OT crosses his face, automatically squeeze down LOS to meet block by OG DT: Step in PK, no block, tunnel block by VK, a. Cross the face of the VK or spin across the VK face if necessary. NG & WDE will plug up hole by their reaction to the blocks

D.

DEFENDING THE CROSS SWEEP

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1. 2. E.

N W S

WDE: a. String out the reach block by OT b. Mirror the BC redirect BC to bounce out or cutback ALL DL: a. String out reach blockers

DEFENDING THE OPTION 1. Inside release by TE:

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a. b. c.

N W
DE: 1). 2). DT: 1). SILB: 1).

T S

Jam TE, squeeze down LOS Take away dive back Stalemate double team QB Responsibility

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OUTSIDE RELEASE BY TE

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a. b. c. 3.

N W S

DE: 1). Jam TE and string out like a Reach block 2). QB Responsibility SILB: 1). Dive back responsibility Open Door concept 1). Fill any opening on OL by ILB

INSIDE COMPONENT OF THE OPTION

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a. DT: 1). b. c. d.

T Dive S QB

Dive / QB

Pitch Man

DE: 1). Squeeze down LOS to DIVE BACK TO QB SILB: 1). QB responsibility OLB: 1). PITCH MAN responsibility

PK & VK both go the 2nd level (inside release) a). Squeeze down LOS to middle of formation to DIVE BACK

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DEFENDING THE PASSING GAME 1. DROP BACK PASS a. DT & NG not expected to get many sacks, but will put pressure on QB, by pushing OL back into QB b. DE: Outside Contain of QB, not let outside of tackle box c. NG: A gap pressure d. DT: B gap pressure

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2.

N W S

ROLL OUT PASS a. DE: Must contain QB by attacking DL outside shoulder, allows play side ILB to GREEN LIGHT BLITZ.

N W S

T
Green Light Blitz

3.

SCREEN PASS a. When DL reads screen pass retrace steps in rush lane asap. 1). Reason for retracing - Treat as run play b/c ball has to be exchanged behind the LOS b. DL Key: 1). TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE BLOCK by OL 2). QB bailing out deeper than 5 step drop

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G.

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Defending the Draw 1. DL attack in pass rush lanes, when play is recognized RETRACE STEPS a. Get vision to tail back - most draws are given to the deep RB, 6-7 yds deep in the back field. b. As you see the play develop, slow down pass rush and retrace steps to RB

N W S