Developing an aggressive Multiple Defense - Greg Mattison U of M Def.

Coordinator

Reason for coaching - Example of 2011 season at U of M. Players and staff decided to do
things the right way and together.

Brady Hoake brought back tradition to the program and a belief in Michigan football.

BUILDING TRADITION
Each meeting is started with the HC asking the question “YEARS?” (the number of years
Michigan has been playing football) and the room would reply “132” - This is reminder of how
do you want to be remembered as the team of the 133 year. What legacy do you want to leave
behind? Then he would ask “CHAMPIONSHIPS?” Again the team would respond with the
number of Conference and National Cahmpionships the program has won throughout it’s
history. Not sure what the number is . . . (42?)

Michigan footaball is about winning championships and playing together will bring about
success and a chance to play for a championship.

Laminated cards are given to each player with “133” on front and on the back is the
pyramid diagram of Defensive foundations, goals, what we stand for as a defense.

1. TEAM! TEAM! TEAM!

2. Defense is made up of tough minded men.
This is the mentality coaches have in approaching the defense.
No player is sacred! They will hear if they are performing good or bad.
No beating around the bush.
Make sure they do the right things and the way we want it done, you will
be successful.
a. Armidillo Skin - tough and resilent
b. Rabbit Skin - Soft and cuddly.
Must have men who have Armdillow Skin to play aggressive defense.

3. Physicall Swarming Defense

Play with great effort.
11 players to the ball with full speed
a. In an effort to develop depth on defense Michigan will rotate players on
every play of practice.
They are to run on and off the field
This creates depth and also makes players accountable for position.

4. Great Tackling Team

Tackling is a lot of guys at the ball

5. Create Turnovers
Every play in practice defense practices this by trying to strip the ball from
the ball carrier.
Each incomplete pass thrown in practice is treated as a fumble. This will
get your defense line to pursue to the ball on pass plays rather then standing and watching the
ball after it has been trhown.

6. NO LOAFING!
 A loaf is being passed by another defender in pursuit to the ball carrier,
being caught on the ground and not trying to get back up, not going hard (100% effort)

7. NO BIG PLAYS
Runs -15 yds Pass -25yds
Can’t have a great defense if big plays are made by the offense
“Keep the ball inside and in front of you.”
The secondary’s responsibility is to defend the pass and to keep the ball inside &
in front.

8. PRIDE IN TECHNIQUE
You are as you are on film
From day 1 TECHNIQUE is going to be everything.
Use sleds daily 2-5 minute session to work on how to deliver a blow.
a. Every play of every practice is evaluated and coached.
1). As a defense
2). As a position
You better see our work done in “individual periods” in film, don’t do drills
that don’t apply to what our defense is doing.
3). “Walk Throughs” are important and done daily.
Always have players ready with helmets buckled, in a good stance
and taking two perfect steps based on the call.
Script walk throughs
Do with tempo and eliminate mistakes

b. STANCE
c. ALIGNMENT

9. SMART DEFENSE
a. COMMUNICATE with each other.
1). Take care of each other . . .

10. PRIDE IN STOPPING THE RUN

a. Have an aswer for when a team is running the ball!
1). Run stopping defense
2). Must run Powers, Iso, Leads at the defense daily.
Practice - Inside run drills with #1’s vs #1’s - 8 plays
Team period with 3 scout offense groups 16 plays each
Switch period to deal with anything an oppent did - give
difense packages, vs 21 personnel, 22 personnel, use a HEAVY PACKAGE.
VS 10 Personnel - 3 favorite plays
Scout team - run only run plays

11. WIN THE MONEY DOWN - Great 3rd Down Defense

33% or less success by offense
 1). Must bring pressure
2). Zone

12. GREAT RED ZONE DEFENSE

50% successful in stopping offnese
1). Base Coverage - All things are confinded in the red zone.
2). Must have All Out Blitz (Zero Blitz)

13. GIVE ME A PLACE TO STAND - Motto

1). Great GOAL LINE DEFENSE

DEFENSE GOALS
1. WIN!
2. HOLD OPPONENTS TO 18 POINTS OR LESS PER GAME
3. SHUT OUT OPPONENT IN 4TH QUARTER
4 HOLD OPPONENT TO 32% OR LESS ON 3RD DOWN CONVERSION
5. LESS THEN 10 MISSED TACKLES PER GAME
6. 2 OR LESS BIG PLAYS - RUN -15 YDS; PASS -25 YDS
7. SCORE OR CREATE 3 TURNOVERS PER GAME
8. 100% ON SUDDEN CHANGE
Sudden change any time offense starts series on our side of 50 yard line.
9. RED ZONE DEFENSE - STOP OFFENSE 50% OR BETTER - FIELD GOAL OR
LESS

SITUATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
1ST & 2ND DOWN
Stop the run!
Take away their best receiver
Defend tendencies - make calls based upon their tendencies
Take away what they do best

3RD & 4TH DOWN

Get off of the field!
Mix up pressures and coverages
4th down - less then 38% conversion - Have a great 4th down defense

BACKED UP OFFENSE
Think defensive score
Be aggressive and creat turnovers
Force turnover or punt

RED ZONE DEFENSE

2 MINUTE DEFENSE
 Prevent offense from scoring
If pressure do so when not timeout has been called. Will give offense time to see
pressure and adjust.
Best time to pressure is when offense is not huddling.
Tackle in-bounds
Get Off Field

4 MINUTE DEFENSE - Offense is protecting the lead)

Turnovers! Create turnovers
Stop the run
No big plays

Calling your defense to FIELD or to FORMATION

FORMATION DEFENSE - Set defense to offense run strength
FIELD DEFENSE - Set defense to FIELD
Advantages
1. Players get set faster
2. Defending No Huddle offense - defense gets set no matter
the formation the offense comes out in.

DEFENDING 21 PERSONNEL
Will use UNDER FRONT WITH ¼, ¼, ½ COVERAGE (Str 5, 3, 1, 5 Tech)