2021 PTBO OTTERS

DEFENSIVE
PLAYBOOK

ASSIGNMENT, ALIGNMENT, TECHNIQUE.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION PAGE 3-4

FORMATION IDENTIFICATION PAGE 5-7

TERMINOLOGY PAGE 8-9

DEFENSIVE AND OFFENSIVE LOOKS PAGE 10-17

OFF-SEASON AGENDA PAGE 18--20

POSITIONAL SECTION – DL PAGE 21-23

POSITIONAL SECTION – LB PAGE 24-26

POSITIONAL SECTION – DB PAGE 27-31

BOX PAGE 32-39

COVERAGE PAGE 40-50

NOTES PAGES PAGE 51-52

 Introduction
Communication is Everything.

Our Philosophy is “Bend But don’t Break.”

We want to eliminate big plays and make
teams drive the field. Allow Offences to
make mistakes by making them earn yards.

Be Proud, But Never Satisfied.

Our identity of a Defense will be to execute

assignments consistently, understand our
alignments and where we need to be, and
how we’ll defeat our opponent through our
technique, and not always by our natural
athletism – Assignment, Alignment,
Technique.
Defensive Non-Negotiables
1. You must study your position and your
opponents. If you’re not prepared, you cannot
expect to succeed.

2. You must communicate to your teammates

and coaches about everything. What are you
seeing, do you know the play, do you need more
practice. Intuition plays a large role in this.

3. You must be accountable. Attend practice,

watch your film, don’t blame others, celebrate
others when they succeed, support those that
are struggling.
 Formation Identification
We will Identify the Formation by WR alignments and Backfield Set

Guidelines:

• We will determine formation by counting the WR’s on the field

side first, then number on the boundary side of the field. Motion
refers to pre-snap movement by receivers and/or backs that
alters the offensive formation and/or set. We must call out
motion. (We will practice this at Off-Season).
• TE’s aligned on the L.O.S must be identified as they are eligible to
catch passes.
• 1 RB set are referred to as Pistol (Can be Strong or Weak)
• 2 RB sets are referred to as Gun
 Offensive Identification – Backfield
Backfield sets are strong indicators of what run play and pass
protections are possible.

PISTOL PISTOL STRONG PISTOL WEAK

QB QB QB

ACE I GUN
QB

QB
QB

KING QUEEN DIAMOND

QB QB
QB

GUN I EMPTY QB

QB
 Offensive Identification – Formations
32 23 41
PISTOL PISTOL PISTOL
QB QB QB

14
PISTOL
QB
Assume the Field Side is to the Left
 “BOX” Alignment
The following terms apply only to those defensive personnel that are
aligned along the line of scrimmage as determined by the defensive
front. This could be linebackers and/or secondary personnel on
occasion.

9 5 3 1+ 0 -
2 4 6
I O I O

0 Head up on the OC
+ (plus) Shaded to the strong side of the OC
- (minus) Shaded to the weak side of the OC
1 Aligned in the “A” gap
2i Inside shade on the OG
2 Head Up on the OG
2o Outside Shade on the OG
3 Aligned in the “B” gap
4i Inside Shade on the OT
4 Head up on the OT
4o Outside shade on the OT
5 Aligned in the “C” gap
6 Head up on the TE (SB/FB)
7 Inside Shade on the TE
9 Aligned in the “D” gap (outside of the TE/SB/FB) - WIDE
 Position Names and Roles
F Face Front End (If Right-Handed QB, always on Left Side)
N Nose Tackle (Must always anticipate Double-Teams)
A Anchor End (Support the Nose, Stop backside Rollouts)
B Buck Backer (Supports the Mike with Coverage Calls)
M Mike Backer (Supports the Buck with Box Calls)
W Will Backer (Always aligned near the Boundary Side)
S Sam Backer (Always Aligned near the Field Side)
FH Field Side Half (Supports Coverage to the Field)
BH Boundary Side Half (Supports Coverage to the Boundary)
$ $afety (Always calls out Offensive Formation)
BC Boundary Corner (LDI)
FC Field Corner (LDI) “Lock Down Incorporated”

Basic Terminology:

Field Side is always the Larger side of the Field.

Boundary Side is always the Shorter side of the Field.
If the Ball is in the Middle, Field Side is always the Left.

Other Notes:

It is best to learn what everyone’s role is in your position group

Example; Face Front End should know what N and A do.
Buck Backer should know what M, W, and S do.
Field Half should know what S,$, FC, BH, BC do.

Sam Backer is both looked at as Backer and Defensive Back.

 Primary Defensive Looks
3-4 BASE

F N A
S
B M W
FH BH
FC BC
$

3-3 STACK

F N A
B M W
FH BH
FC BC
S $
 Other Defensive Looks
3-2 BUZZ

F M N W A

FH B
BH
FC BC
S $

4-3 SAW

F N A W
S B M
FH BH
FC BC
$
OFFENSIVE FORMATIONS
 3-4 BASE Alignment Looks
“22 Pistol King”

F N A
W
S B M
FH BH
FC BC
$

“22 Pistol Queen”

F N A
S
B M W
FH
BH
FC BC
$
 3-4 BASE Alignment Looks
“32 Pistol”

F N A

FH B M W
S BH
FC BC
$

“23 Pistol”

F N A
B M W S
FH BH
FC BC
$
 3-4 BASE Alignment Looks
“31 Diamond” (Auto 3-3 STACK)

S F N A BH
B M W
FH
FC BC
$

“22 Gun”

F N A
S
B M W BH
FH
FC BC
$
 3-3 STACK Alignment Looks
“22 Pistol King”

F N A
FH BH
B M W
FC BC
S $

“32 Pistol”

F N A
B M W
FH BH
FC BC
S
$
 3-3 STACK Alignment Looks
“31 Diamond” (Sam & BH come down)

F N A
S BH
B M W
FH
FC BC
$

“Empty” (Auto 3-2 BUZZ, Quarters Coverage)

F N A
M W
B
FH BH
FC BC
S $
 OFF-SEASON SKILLS Training Agenda
Week 1:
Introduction to the 3-4 BASE Defense
Safe-Tackle Drills
Zone Coverage (Basic)

Week 2:
Extension on 3-4 BASE Defense (Zone Coverage Plays)
Safe-Tackle Drills
Man Coverage (Basic)

Week 3:
Extension on 3-4 BASE Defense (Box Adjustments + Man Coverage)
Safe-Tackle Drills
Zone and Man Mix (Basic)

Week 4:
Finishing on 3-4 BASE Defense (Understand Assignment + Alignment)
Team Building Exercise
Zone and Max Mix (Finishing Off the Basics)

Week 5:
Introduction to the 3-3 STACK Defense
Safe-Tackle Drills
Zone Coverage (In 3-3 STACK)

Week 6:
Extension on 3-3 STACK Defense (Just Box, Play Calls and Blitz Packages)
Safe-Tackle Drills
Man Coverage (In 3-3 STACK)

Week 7:
Finishing 3-3 STACK Defense (base blitzes, coverages, and alignments)
Team Building Exercise
Finalizing all Coverages within 3-3 STACK
 OFF-SEASON LINEMEN Training Agenda
Week 1:
Introduction to the 3-4 BASE Defense (Alignments)
Safe-Tackle Drills + Conditioning
Competition

Week 2:
Extension on 3-4 BASE Defense (Assignments)
Safe-Tackle Drills + Conditioning
Competition

Week 3:
Extension on 3-4 BASE Defense (Box Adjustments + Man Coverage)
Safe-Tackle Drills
Zone and Man Mix (Basic)

Week 4:
Finishing on 3-4 BASE Defense (Understand Assignment + Alignment)
Team Building Exercise
Zone and Max Mix (Finishing Off the Basics)

Week 5:
Introduction to the 3-3 STACK Defense
Safe-Tackle Drills
Zone Coverage (In 3-3 STACK)

Week 6:
Extension on 3-3 STACK Defense (Just Box, Play Calls and Blitz Packages)
Safe-Tackle Drills
Man Coverage (In 3-3 STACK)

Week 7:
Finishing 3-3 STACK Defense (base blitzes, coverages, and alignments)
Team Building Exercise
Finalizing all Coverages within 3-3 STACK
 Defensive Looks at Off-Season

STACK BASE

QB QB
4o 4o 4i 4i

R N A R N A
S
F FH B M B B F F B M W
W B B
C H C C H
H C

S $ $

ALL STRONG LEFT

WALK WEAK

QB

4I

R N K A

F F S
M W B B
C H
H C

FS
 Defensive Line

non-negotiable:
Staying blocked
Not using your Hands
Not Being Decisive
 DL Checklist Pre-Snap
1. Assignment: After each play, QUICK CELLY/CHAT then get your eyes to
coach for the signal for the next call. Know your job and what you’re
supposed to do.

2. Down and distance/Field Position: Know what the offense needs and
have an idea of what they can potentially do. We will track the tendencies
of the offense and will let you know what plays to expect where.

3. Personnel: Look and listen to see if any new personnel has just subbed
in/out. Including injuries/QB changes

4. Backfield/OL Stance: Identify any differences in OL stance, width etc. 2pt

vs 3pt stance, weight on hand, may give away run/pass. See where the TB
or FB is aligned for protection cues. Listen to LB/DB communicating
cracks/add.

5. Alignment: Get in your gap and own it, if you lose your gap, fight to get it
back.

6. Technique: What is the move you’re going to do against the opposition?

 RUN GAME
Block Identification: OL will tell you what’s going on, do not look into back field.
High hat equals pass (feel the draw set). Low hat = run, key his shoulder to see
what type of block.

1) Base Block: OL will step right at you and try to drive you out or backwards.
CP: engage with hands inside and drive him back, staying square and
leveraging gap.

N
N Strike first. If doubled by the OC must keep
Strike first, do not get driven off the ball – low. If you get driven off the ball then drop
leverage your gap with right arm, lock him your inside knee try to split the double
out and shed block. Create a new LOS team and make a pile.

2) Reach/Cut-off Block (I/S Zone): OL will step laterally and attack your
outside shoulder trying to over take your gap. CP: engage with hands,
knock him backwards (he’s moving laterally) and push/pull keeping leverage
in your gap.

R N
Strike his outside shoulder with your inside
hand (pull), post with outside to not let
him cross your face (get reached) – need to Chase the OC – must beat the reach block
keep contain. Can play into his back and protect against the cut block of the OG
shoulder if you’re vertical in backfield. Grab OC and pull through gap
 Linebackers

non negotiable:
Turning down contact
Do your job
 LB Checklist Pre-Snap
1. Call the Strength: Make sure we are aligned properly.

2. Assignment: After each play, QUICK CELLY/CHAT then get your eyes to
coach for the signal for the next call. Know your job and what you’re
supposed to do.

3. Down and distance/Field Position: Know what the offense needs and
have an idea of what they can potentially do. We will track the tendencies
of the offense and will let you know what plays to expect where.

3. Personnel: Look and listen to see if any new personnel has just subbed
in/out. Including injuries/QB changes

4. Backfield/WR Alignment: See where the TB or FB is aligned for protection

cues/releases for routes. Identify where the closest WR to box is for
potential “bombers” “cracks” & crossers”

5. Alignment: Move around pre-snap but have eyes to your home gap. Play
off the DL.

6. Plan: How will you handle pullers, OL running at you or execute your drop?
 Elements of shedding blocks
• Once you take your read step and recognize run vs. pass, then you
must recognize the type of run (zone, counter, power, etc.) and be
able to defeat the blocks.
• Use your hands to push-pull shoulders of the O-lineman in the
direction you want to go. Fight to stay parallel to see flow
• Use leverage (take on half a man on the edge) and attack the
blocker on the gap side low & bring a high rip on contact. Create a
new line of scrimmage when possible and always keep your face
mask lower than the blocker
“POWER “POWER
RIP” RIP”

QB QB

A
B B
 Defensive Backs

non negotiable
Identify the WR Align/Motion
Don’t get beat deep
Communicate
 Field Identification

END ZONE 20 YARDS

FIELD WIDTH - 65 YARDS

#’s TO HASH HASH TO HASH #’s TO HASH SIDELINE TO #’S

SIDELINE TO #’S (12 YARDS)
(12 YARDS) (17 YARDS) (12 YARDS)
(12 YARDS)

BALL

CURL FLAT
FLAT/WHEEL
CURL

HOLE

MIDDLE GO/
GO/CORNER 1/3 SEAM
1/3 (POST) SEAM CORNER
1/3

2 YARDS O/S EACH HASH 3 YARDS I/S HASH TO SIDELINE

3 YARDS I/S HASH TO SIDELINE
 DB Checklist Pre-Snap
1. Assignment: After each play, QUICK CELLY/CHAT then get your eyes to
coach for the signal for the next call. Know your job and what you’re
supposed to do.

2. Field Position/Down and distance: Know what type of routes you may see
based on how much the offense needs. Think about what leverage you
should use

3. Personnel: Look and listen to see if any new personnel has just subbed
in/out. Including injuries/QB changes. Any extra WR or FB/OL for
protection could change types of route combinations

4. Formation: Identify the formation that goes with the personnel – it will
help narrow down the play coming at you

5. Alignment (WR Splits): The WR location will tell you what type of route to
expect. Wide split = inside breaking route or Vert, Tight split = Outside
breaking route. WR close together expect some sort of pick/rub

6. Pre-snap motion: Are they moving so we give away coverage? Create

mismatches? Call what you see and wait until the final formation declares.

7. Plan: How will you handle motion, different splits? Where are your eyes?
 DB Essentials
1. Eyes: Where are you looking? In Man coverage, keep your eyes on the WR
hips or knees. In Zone coverage get to your landmark see both the WR and
the QB. Man is you vs 1 Person. Zone is Teamwork.

2. Leverage: Know the call and where your help is. There is a reason DB’s are
coached to funnel receivers to your help. Every scheme is built on leverage
and the success of that scheme depends on the secondary’s ability to
maintain their leverage in coverage.

3. Footwork: There are lots of players that are fast but every skill player at
the NFL/CFL level can change direction efficiently. That’s why your
footwork and technique is crucial being a DB. Avoid the times when you
“open the gate” (open your hips at the line of scrimmage) or “step in the
bucket” (step behind) when the receiver makes a cut at the top of his
stem. By avoiding these common steps you will be able to close the gap
and keep a tighter cushion on the good receivers. Always keep your feet
under control and have balance to your game.

You might get by and recover with sloppy footwork on occasion, but if you
want to excel at your position and see valuable minutes on game day, your
technique has to be clean.
Man to man coverage technique – playing the route

Playing the routes – The critical skill in man coverage is the drive after
recognition. GET TO THE RECEIVER, look through him to the ball. Get
near arm in front of receiver. If you use both hands, you better be sure
it’s an INT. Keep your eyes on the receiver until he gives you a body
key for the ball (reception key) such as shoulders turning, hips
dropping, elbow and hands rising toward the ball, big eyes.

Out or In Out or In

QB REC REC QB

DB DB

Take a good angle and aim for high shoulder –

key the low/inside shoulder for REC turning
Only come under the REC if can cleanly come into the pass
away with the INT
BOX Calls
 BOX Calls
Our defensive scheme for BOX is designed to make Offensive Lines
think quick, keep them off guard by not allowing them to know what
we’re running, and finally, positioning ourselves to gang tackle.

No walking, jogging, stopping to pull up pants (I’ve seen it before),

and no excuses. We will efficiently rotate Backers and Linemen to
maintain stamina and always ensure that we are giving our best on
the field every play.

We must always COMMUNICATE with the defender beside you and

TRUST that they will do their job. Play with confidence and trust in
the techniques that you will be taught.

We will have 3 Alignments for Ends, 4i, 4, & 4o

4i is shaded just inside the Offensive Tackle to provide initial leverage
off the snap
4 is directly overtop the Offensive Tackle to provide equal opportunity
for inside and outside choice plays, forcing the Offensive Tackle to
react
4o is shaded just outside the Offensive Tackle to provide initial
leverage off the snap

B and W Backers are always going to “Stack” behind their Ends as if

they are always aligned in the 4.

All BOX Plays can be done in a 33 Stack as well, but the next few pages
will show all of the introduction BOX Calls with the S in the picture.
The S will always align on the stronger side of the field based on look.
The example provided will show the S is on the left because the
Fullback is on the left side, making it the “strong side.”
Coverage Plays: 3-4 BASE
REBEL

F N A

S B M W

REBEL CHOICE

F N A

B M W
S
Coverage Plays: 3-4 BASE
KING

F N A

B M W
S

KING CHOICE

F N A

B M W
S
Coverage Plays: 3-4 BASE
FLASH

F N A

B M W
S

RAZOR

F N A

B M W
S
Coverage Plays: 3-4 BASE
GATOR

F N A

B M W
S

RIFLE

F N A

B M W
S
 BOX Plays: 3-4 BASE
GATOR-SHOW

F B N M W A

RIFLE-SHOW

B F M N A W

S
 BOX Plays: 3-4 BASE
SAW

F N A

B M W
S

HOOP

F N A

B M W
S
Pass Coverage
 Pass Coverage
Our defensive scheme for pass coverage is designed to take away the
Vertical routes (corners, post, seams, go, digs) and rally late to
underneath routes (slants, curls, unders, swings, screens).

If we are not the High Defender (Deep Cover guy), we must “Sink” in
coverage (Gain depth until another receiver enters your zone).

• Attack the ball in the air, become the receiver.

• Play aggressively – jump routes & get your hands on WR’s
• Know your reads/keys; cover routes in your zone-don’t chase
• Use the technique specific to your position within each call

We must always COMMUNICATE with the defender beside you and

TRUST that they will do their job. Play with confidence and trust in
the techniques that you will be taught.

We will have 2 disguises: Flat & Yo-Yo

Flat is designed to hide the pre-snap contour throws. We will align at
9 yards then play called coverage from there.

Yo-Yo is designed to show a Half High and a Corner Low before the
Snap, but just before anticipating the snap, the Half will creep down
into low zone, while the Corner will bail and enter into a high zone.
Showing a “Yo-Yo” effect.
 Cover 1 - SILVER
QB

B
M W S
FC FH BH BC
$

 Corners take hard I/S leverage, take away I/S breaking routes, use
Sidelines as your help
 Halves & Sam take O/S leverage, take away O/S breaking routes,
funnel WR to your help.
 Halves & Sam drop under routes, call them to LB’s look for another
Coming back
 Non – Blitzing LB’s depth/width (based on #3 & TB, look for unders)
*If grab is called one of you BNE TB*
**If Spy is called on of you BNE QB**
 Cover 2 Man - GOLD
QB

FC FH B M W BH BC
F
S

 *COMPLETIONS IN GOLD ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE*

 Corners take hard I/S leverage, take away I/S breaking routes, use
Sidelines as your help
 Halves & Sam take O/S leverage, take away O/S breaking routes,
funnel WR to your help.
 FS & Will high & square @ 18 on the hash to your side, get in
position to make plays on the ball
 Halves & Sam drop under routes, call them to LB’s look for another
Coming back
 K & M depth/width (based on #3 & TB, look for unders)
*If grab is called one of you BNE TB*
**If Spy is called on of you BNE QB**
 Cover 0 - Bronze
QB

S B M W
F
FC FH BH BC

 Corners take hard I/S leverage, take away I/S breaking routes, use
Sidelines as your help
 Halves & Sam take I/S leverage, take away I/S breaking routes,
funnel WR to your help (FS over the top)
 Corners and Halves are sitting at 8 Yards away in STING Technique
 B and F are either blitzing off edge, or are man up with Runningback
 S isn’t in STING Technique, but will Jam the 3rd Receiver at the line
 Call “Bango” to switch Receivers
HEAVY BLITZ COVERAGE, EXPECT SLANTS/OUTS AGAINST THIS.
 Zone Defense
Zone Rules:
1. Do not get beat deep; high zone defenders get to your landmarks
and get square. Knees bent, see QB & WR, break on throw
regardless of where ball is thrown.
2. Don’t cover grass; take the route in your zone, but don’t chase a
route into another zone.

Box and Triangle: Used in zone schemes and allows us to outnumber

the opponents at the point of attack.
• Box 4 defenders vs. a 3 WR set and triangle 3 defenders vs. a 2 WR
set.

3 Receivers QB

B M
FC FH

S
4 Cover Men
ZONE Coverage Reminders:
Zones = GET TO YOUR LANDMARK, HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH WR AND
EYES TO QB. (THINK INT)
 GREEN; Cover 3; (Double Hold); Halves must PRESS (IN) & SINK; Take away
curls.
 RED; Cover 3; (Double Cut); Corners must PRESS (IN) & SINK; sit under
Corner Routes .
 YELLOW; Cover 3; (Hold Strong, Cut Weak); Same PRESS Rules for low
players.
 BLUE; Cover 4; Corners, FS & S high.

Zone Coverage Tags/Autos:

(Throughout the Season)

COMBO Coverage/Blitz Plays:

(Half, Sam, and Safety Blitzes will be installed later in the Season)
 Cover 3 Dbl Hold – GREEN
QB

FC FH S B M W BH BC
F
1/3 1/3 1/3

 HALVES are over the #2 Receiver, with eyes on the #1.

 CORNERS; High & square @ 9 yards.
 FS; High & square @ 13 yards, shading the field primarily but
weaving based on QB eyes.
 Non blitzing LB’s width/depth drops based on formation.
 Cover 3 Dbl Cut - RED
QB

B M W
FC FH S BH BC
F

1/3 1/3 1/3

 PRESS THE WIDEOUTS INSIDE!!

 Corners, first low route (ball thrown); carry vertical
by #2 otherwise.
 HALVES; High & square @ 9 yards.
 FS; High & square @ 13 yards, shading the field primarily but
weaving based on QB eyes.
 Non blitzing LB’s width/depth drops based on formation
 Cover 3 Hold Field, Cut Boundary - YELLOW
QB

B M W
FC FH S BH BC
F

1/3 1/3 1/3

 BC & FH, first low route (ball thrown); BC carry vertical

by #2 otherwise.
 FC & BH; High & square @ 9 yards, splitting the #’s & the hash,
Unless WR split dictates otherwise. Weave based on QB eyes.
 FS; High & square @ 13 yards, shading the field primarily but
weaving based on QB eyes.
 Non blitzing LB’s width/depth drops based on formation
 Cover 4 - Blue
QB

B W
FC FH S M BH BC

$
1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4
 Corners High & Square @ 9 on the #’s, weave based on QB eyes .
 FS Aligned @ 13 on Hash to that side.
 S is Dropping into a Deep ¼. S may choose to start in
Double Safety look
 Non blitzing LB’s take depth/width drops based on formation.
 FORMATION – BOX CALL - COVERAGE
34 - REBEL - GREEN

F N A

S B M W BH
FH
FC BC

COMMUNICATE, AND
DO YOU JOB