Switching from the 4-3

Defense to the 4-4

Introduction
Defensive Problems
Making a Defensive Switch
Plan of Action
Show 4-4 alignment (Basic)
Pursuit Drill
Basic Defensive Techniques
Basic Alignments Summer
Basic Stunts
Tackling Importance
Future Goals
Conclusion
Problems With Our Defense
2011 season too many points and too many
big plays.
Spread offenses were improving their ability
to run the ball. (Better Athletes at QB!)
Change in talent 2A team under 400
students.
Not as much speed.

Problems With Our Defense Cont.
Previously 4-3 Defense.
Mostly man coverage.
Good Speed and Quickness.
Not as much speed.
Pass defenders struggled from man coverage
to run responsibility.
Too much scheming on Sunday Nights.
Too many problems with motion.
Important Concepts When Making
A Switch
Know the style of play of opponents. (Spread
Offense)
Ability to defend spread and power.
Ability to attack spread offenses.
Give multiple looks.
Ability to stem.
2-3 Blitzes and believe in them.
Must be able to defend the deep ball!
Plan of Action
Meet several times as staff.
Coaches presented research articles on
different defenses.
Decided on adjustments to 4-3, 4-2, or 4-4
Defense.
Decided on 4-4 Defense and Zone Coverage.
Important to have a solid defense and know
how to teach the basic fundamentals.
Studied training films and articles.
Position coaches studied and organized their
goals and objectives for summer workouts.
Athletes Responded To Change.
Lost 1st game 17-14 to 5A Highland. Much
improved 5A team
Lost 2nd game 7-6 to Harrisburg, a 4A Semi-
Final team.
Fortunate athletes continued to work to finish
regular season strong and go on to finish the
year at 9-3 getting beat in the Quarterfinals.
Accomplished goal over installing and
teaching the basics of the 4-4 Defense.
Athletes Responded To Change
Cont.
In order to survive must improve in our
knowledge and understanding of the defense.
Continue to meet as staff to look at ways to
improve.
Show Basic Alignment
Defensive Ends

Defensive Tackles

Inside Linebackers

Outside Linebackers
Head up to last man on
line of scrimmage.
Align in gaps 2-3 feet
off ball. Able to
react.
5 yards from Offensive
Guards.
4 by 4 from last man
on LOS.
Show Basic Alignment Cont.
Free Safety 10-12 yards deep,
splitting 2 widest
reveivers.
Cheat to field.


Show Basic Alignment Cont.
Corners 7-10 yards deep.
Line up inside of
receiver if receiver
is within 7 yards of
sideline.
Receiver within 15
yards of sideline,
line up to outside of
receiver.
Dont Get Beat Deep!
Pursuit Drill Diagram and
Explanation Cont.
1st Workout
Understand bubbles of defense.
Immediate sense of urgency.
5 minutes every day but Thursday.
Stress drops and hustle to ball.
Pass-Run Call!
2 Varsity groups and JV group.
Pursuit Drill Diagram and
Explanation Cont.
Sprint on and off the field several reps.
First whistle stop initial hit RB keeps
fighting, rip ball.
2nd whistle After all 11 players get to ball.
Defensive line Up down before pursuing ball.
Take Drops
Funnel and contain ball carrier (catch a rabbit)
2 Groups Coach for Depth
Pursuit Drill Diagram and
Explanation
Defensive Ends Alignment



Head up to last man on LOS.
Wide OL splits, line up inside gap.
DE run responsibility is the inside gap.
Read helmet, top of numbers, or crotch.
E
E
N
T
Defensive Ends Alignment Cont.





Backfield triangle read for DEs.
2 feet off the ball.



E
E
Reach Block
Loaded stance
Lead step, power step.
Jam TE, Lock out arms for separation, stick
butt & chest out.
Keep shoulders square to LOS.
Keep stepping outside of TE
Down Block
Loaded stance
Lead step, power step.
Jam TE, lock out arms.
Squeeze and push TE down LOS, turning
shoulders briefly, then get shoulders square to
LOS.
Take on kick out block with inside shoulder
Base Block
Loaded Stance
Lead Step, Power Step
Jam TE, Lock out arms
Squeeze inside, shuffle inside to gap
responsibility.
Escape with RIP move.

Inside/Outside Pass Release by TE
Loaded stance
Lead step, power step
Jam TE, Lock out arms
Inside release Jam TE down LOS, pass rush
with outside contain on QB rollout.
On roll out attack at 45 degree angle to get
containment.
Outside release, Jam TE stepping outside like a
reach block. On roll out, attack at 45 degree
angle.
General Points
General Points
Read TE Look to triangle.
C Gap Moving wall
Contain QB, 45 degrees.
Stay Square!
Hands in Passing Lanes 3 step drop = Hands
Up
Nose Guard and Defensive Tackle
Philosophy of Defensive Line Do Not Allow
Running Lanes To Be Created by:
1. Penetrating too deep into backfield.
2. Being driven backwards off LOS.
3. Def. line acts like a moving wall laterally,
forcing ball carrier to bounce outside.
4. See the shoes of ball carrier in backfield
triangle.
Alignment
DT lines up in B gap on TE side.
NG lines up in A gap away from TE.
E E N
T
Keys- Visual Key (VK) & Physical
Key (PK)
DT steps to Offensive Tackle (PK) and makes
eye contact with Offensive Guard (VK).
NG steps to Center (VK) and makes eye
contact with Offensive Guard (VK).
Stepping to Offensive Tackle protects from a
down block from tackle.
When tackle or nose feels pressure from
physical key abandon visual and push, pull or
rip across OL face.
Keys- Visual Key (VK) & Physical
Key (PK) Cont.
Versus double team Try to split or drop to
ground and make pile.
Find shoes of ball carrier in triangle.
Steps
DT Always steps to Off Tackle and make
contact.
NG Always steps to center and make
contact.
Down block by tackle and center Bucksweep.
N E
E T
Steps Cont.
DT and NG attack physical with vision on visual
read.
Escape with push, pull or rip across faces of
down block.
Get shoulders square to LOS.
Stay square to LOS and move laterally (Moving
Wall)
Down Block By Visual



Down block by visual key, tough to react
because momentum is going into physical
read.
Deeper alignment will allow them to see the
block easier and react quicker.
Step to PK, see VK blocking down, rock back
into visual and rip across visual.
E
N
T
E
Trap Block on DT




DT will not be blocked by visual or physical
must squeeze down to inside looking for
backside guard trap blocking.
NG visual goes away, push, pull or rip across
face of center.
E E N T
B B
Pass Block



Not expected to get huge pass rush, but put
pressure on QB.
If visual and Physical both set up for pass, split
and rush gaps, try to force 2 OL to block you.
N T E E
Plays Defensive Line Must Stop
Begin working on this in the summer
1. Trap
2. Power
3. Weak side lead
4. Weak side crossblock
5. Sweeps
6. Options Veers, Mid Line, and Zone Read
Defending the Trap
Defending Power
Defending Weakside Lead &
Crossblock
Defending Sweeps
Defending Options (Veer, Mid,
Zone Read, Power read)
Defensive Backs - Corners
Align 7-12 yards deep on widest receiver.
Outside foot up. Take 2 read steps backwards.
Receiver closer to sideline, line up a little
outside.
Cover 1/3 of field and overlap the seam.
Hash marks 17 yards cover 19 yards.
Never line up within 7 yards of sideline.
Defensive Backs Corners Cont.
On 4 verts split receivers on drops.
Cheat to inside receiver, more time to get to
outside.
Break on release of ball.
Dont break on under routes.
Dont break on 1st moves or pump fakes.

Defensive Backs Corners Cont.
On run redirect to contain area.
Corners read open lineman.
On run read outside in secondary corner
45 degrees from outside backer.
Defensive Backs Corners Cont.
Defending Post - Wheel
Defending Post - Wheel
Corner squeezes #1
Once #2 passes #1, #2 becomes #1 receiver.
Corner defends #1 receiver to sideline.
Dont over squeeze.
Free Safety
Split 2 wide outs and favor strength of field.
Deeper on twins.
Cover middle third and overlap.
Safety more aggressive on run.
On run read, safety comes forward.
Perfect spot = 2 yards behind linebacker.
Come up first and pursue inside out.
Video
Linebackers









B
B
B
B
4
4
4
4
5 5
Linebackers Cont.
B
5
2
Linebackers Cont.
Outside foot back, square with LOS.
Look at OT and read tackle.
Tackle reaches, play to outside.



Outside backer shuffles 2 steps. Possible pass,
widen to 4 by 6.


B
Linebackers Cont.



Tackle pulls, shuffle inside to 4 by 2 careful,
possible boot.
On pursuit away, shallow pursuit.
Wider the play the deeper the pursuit.
B
Linebackers Cont.



Down block or double team, shuffle to 2 by 2.



Pulling tackle, come to LOS and get enough
width to contain play, but not too much to
create lane.

E N
B
E
N
B
E
B
Linebackers Cont.
Jet Sweep! Keep outside shoulder free,
shoulders square.
Keep everything to the inside.

Linebackers Cont.
Pass Block






OLB drop 12 yards deep, 2 yards inside of
numbers. Puts OLB 10 yards from sideline.
Wherever QB points OLB breaks. Hand comes
off ball, break. Break to ball in a hurry. Flow
away go to middle of field
B
B B
B
Linebackers Cont.
Inside Linebackers
Blocking Schemes and Alignment.
5 yds back on guards.


Reach block, 2 shuffle steps and feel out the
play
B B
B B
Inside Linebackers Cont.
B B B B
2 shuffle steps and feel out play.
Guard pull, 2 shuffle steps and feel out play.
Inside Linebackers Cont.


After 2 steps, sneak a peak to see where DE is
going.
If DE goes outside go immediately to open
door.
If DE goes inside backer goes outside.

B
E
E
B
Inside Linebackers Cont.


Blocks that pull ILB to inside, inside release
and pulling guard.
Take 2 shuffle steps and read open window.


B
Inside Linebackers Cont.
Pass block



Drop and keep eyes on QB.
2 yds inside of hash.10-12 yds deep.

B B
Linebackers
Position Characteristics.
1. OLB almost DB more physical, would like a tall
OLB 61 to 62.
2. ILB tough, physical player
Alignments
Alignments Cont.
B B
B
B
E
E N T
C C
S
8-10
8-10
4
4
4
4
5
5
VS. PRO
10-12
Alignments Cont.
C
C
S
B B
B
E T N
E
B
4
4
5
2
8-10
10-12
VS. Twins
Alignments Cont.
C
B
E N T E
B
B
B
C
S
8-10
5
5
5
2 2
2
4
VS. Trips
Alignments Cont.
C
B
E
N
T E
B
B
B
C
S
5
5 5
2
2
5
VS. Double Slot
Alignments Cont.
C
B
E N
T E
B
B
B
C
S
8-10
5
5
5
2 2
2
4
VS. Wide Trips
8-10
Alignments Cont.
Alignments Cont.
B B
B
B
E E N T
C
C
S
2
2
2
2
5
5
VS. Double Tight
7-8
7-8
Basic Stunts
B B
B
B
E E N T
C
C
S
1
4
2 3
2-3 Blast
B B
B
B
E E N T
C
C
S
1
4
2 3
2 Blast
Basic Stunts Cont.
B B
B
B
E E N T
C
C
S
1
4
2 3
3 Blast
Basic Stunts Cont.
B B
B
B
E
E N T
C C
S
1
4
2 3
1-4 Rape
Basic Stunts Cont.
Step to crotch
1 Rape
4 Rape
Basic Stunts Cont.
B B
B
B
E
E N T
C C
S
1
4
2 3
1-4 X
Read
1 X
4 X
Basic Stunts Cont.
B B
B
B
E
E N T
C C
S
1
4
2 3
1-4 Smoke - Read
1 Smoke
4 Smoke
Stunts Cont.
Cover Alignments during summer vs. DQ
Offense.
Go over special offenses in camps.
B
B
B B E E N
T
C
C
S
Goal line Gap
Bismarck Henning
Tackling
Face Up! Athletic Stance
Cover in summer with no helmets.
No dropping of head or using helmet to
deliver blow!
Face, Chest, Hips Power cleans.
Goals
Improve against power formations.
1. Double Wing
More movement with ends and OLB.
Get safety involved in run support.
Conclusion
Young talented coaches Good teams in state.
Know how to get information.
Good Teachers
Continue to use game to teach morals and
values.
Use members in community, ministers to
assist in guidance.
Our players need it.
Dog Kerr Dog
Contact Information
Al Martin Head
Coach
Amartin@dqud300.p
erry.k12.il.us
618-542-4744 ext.
2102

Keith Ellis
Defensive
Coordinator
kellis@dqud300.perr
y.k12.il.us

John Gross
Secondary
jgross@dqud300.per
ry.k12.il.us

Mike Riggio OL/DL
mriggio@dqud300.p
erry.k12.il.us

Derek Beard
dbeard@dqud300.p
erry.k12.il.us


Issac Miller
Defensive Line
imiller@dqud300.perr
y.k12.il.us