Mashpee High School
4-4 Defense
Matt Triveri
Head Football Coach
Athletic Director
mtriveri@mashpee.k12.ma.us
617-240-5416
2011 Division IV Eastern
Massachusetts Champions
13-0
Program History
• Our current staff took over in 2005 when I became head
coach
• Mashpee began football in 1998 and had a full varsity
schedule by 1999.
• Our staff inherited a program that went 15-40 from 19992004
• Previous coaching staff(s) actually did a pretty good job
teaching fundamentals and X’ and O’s; our focus was on
adding toughness, getting speed on the field and being
aggressive
• The current core of our staff (6 coaches) have been
together for the past four years
Defensive Successes
• Using the 4-4 exclusively the past seven years,
Mashpee High School has achieved the
following:
• A 62-16 record
• 2011 Eastern Massachusetts Super Bowl
Champions (13-0)
• Gave up 4 rushing touchdowns in 2011
• Recorded 10 shutouts
• Held 20 other opponents to one score
• Led the state of Massachusetts in points against
in 2008-2009 at 6.9 points per game
Continued
• Finished 6th in the state of Massachusetts in
points allowed at 10.1 points per game in 20082009
• Allowed only 8 100+ yard rushers in last 78
game
• Given up 26 plays of 40+ yards defensively in
last 78 games
• In seven season (78 games) have allowed
36 touchdown passes and had 81 interceptions
Why We Use The Split 4-4
• Well-suited for the type of kids we have;
somewhat undersized, but quick and athletic
• You do not need a lot of big bodies (this is
perfect for us as we have a limited number of
kids, and many play both ways, this limits the
need for bigger linemen to play a lot of defense)
• Strong against the run (in our league and state,
we see a lot of run-orientated teams, most
run/pass ratios of opponents are 65/35
• Great defense to stunt and blitz out of, very
flexible
Why We Use The Split 4-4
• Forces a lot of doubles, leaving second level
players free to read and run
• Ability to hide average players at certain
positions
• Can plug many types different kids into a
number of positions, and they can be successful
through discipline and technique, they do not
have to be overly athletic and fit physical
minimums
• Allows great players to flourish by creating
schemes to allow them to maximize physical
skills
Why We Use The Split 4-4
• Adjustments against to different offenses are
fairly simple
• Flexible against teams that are very multiple
• Individual alignments and techniques are not
difficult to teach
• Base alignment creates many issues for
offensive lines in terms of angles and blocking
assignments
• Tends to create many 2nd and 3rd and longs,
which allows us to do different things coverage
and pressure-wise
Overall Defensive Philosophy
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Play snap to whistle at 100%, never give up on a play
Be highly physical
Be a great tackling team
Be sound from a technique standpoint; INDY periods win titles
We dictate and attack at all times (through movement, blitzes, speed,
physicality)
Play fast and loose; overanalysis=paralysis
Refuse to be blocked
Stop the run, then attack the pass
Attack the football; create turnovers
Dominate the line of scrimmage, get up field, play downhill
Do your job; but play as a team; one heartbeat
Mental toughness (11 foxhole guys)
Spartan mentality
Teaching Progression
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Alignment
Stance
Keys
Reads
Technique
Different Types of Tackling
Ripping/Shedding/Evading Blocks
Down and Distance Recognition and Understanding
Formation/Play Correlations
Perfect Use of Movements; Taking Proper Angles
Personnel
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Personnel all depends on the type of kids you have
year to year; for us we try to identify kids early that fit
certain criteria we use for each position and develop
them into an outstanding player after one to two years
of instruction
Should be noted: We change positions of personnel
nearly every game depending upon the opponent and
their offensive packages and schemes
We believe every it is imperative to take away each
opponents greatest assets by putting our personnel in
different spots each week
This also makes us difficult to prepare for
Personnel (Continued)
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
•
1.
2.
3.
For us the most important positions in our 4-4 are:
Will Linebacker
Free Safety
Anchor (Strong DE)
Spur/SAM
DT (5/3 Technique)
For us, the positions we feel like we can use “average” kids and
still be successful (positions of least emphasis)
Bandit
Defensive End (Weak)
Nose Tackle
Personnel By Position
Attributes
Nose Tackle
•
-
Optimal player for us is:
a fullback type player from 190-220 pounds
powerful (strong hips and legs)
quick and relentless
a true one gap player that is disruptive and cannot be
reached in a zone scheme and will pursue flat
- currently have one: 5’11 200 TB 4.6 Speed, 250lb clean;
stud who is very disruptive 7 sacks, 11 TFL’s
• On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have used OL
kids that try to eat up a guard and center and let the Will
run around
Personnel By Position
Attributes
Defensive Tackle
• Our best or second best offensive lineman plays
here
• Size is not a must; but helpful
• Must be a technician
• Be able to read helmet and fight doubles
• Quickness helps, but must be stout
• Currently 2 kids rotate, one is 6’5 320 then other
5’7 190 (power lifting champion)
Personnel By Position
Attributes
Anchor (Strong side DE)
• This should clearly be the better of the 2 DE’s; a stud
• Be strong enough not to be turned out, but quick enough
not to get hooked
• Must be physical; attack power and traps violently
(looking to wrong-arm and spill)
• Initial burst and athleticism a huge plus
• Usually taller and athletic, TE types, have had kids
ranging from a 6’1 220 pound QB, a 6’0 basketball kid
who was a TE, to a pair of OT’s, one who was relentless
at 6’4 250 and starts at UMASS as a 3-technique
Personnel By Position
Attributes
Defensive End (Weak DE)
•
•
Our preferred kid is
Athletic; more of a pass rush kid
Tough, able to take on OT’s or TE
Long; ability to disrupt passing lanes
We have used bigger, slower types who will
control their gap, but force us to move other
personnel around them
• When we have longer, lean athletic kids, it
allows us to really attack from the edge with
many different blitz combinations
Personnel By Position
Attributes
Mike
• Bigger, stronger of the two ILB’s in general
• Willingness to be violent at point of contact (vs. Iso and lead) and
fight unblocked G/T
• Strong tackler; what he hits must stay put or go backwards
• Must read well and be able to diagnosis quick (film guy)
• Usually the defensive quarterback (calls signals, strengths, etc)
• Quickness is a plus, but other attributes can make up for lack of
burst
• Ability to shed blocks is a plus
• Nearly always a “zone defender”, so more smart than athletic in
pass coverage
• Had Everything from 5’9 180 to 6’0 210; and guys at 5.0 to 4.7
Personnel By Position
Attributes
Will
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•
•
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•
Should be the best football player we have
Great tackler and hitter
Posses quickness and athleticism
Should be unblocked most of the time, thus must read
keys properly and react quickly
Versatile enough to cover and tackle in the open field
Could actually use a DB type of kid as long as they are
aggressive and smart
Had 4 different kids play this position in the past 7 years
and all have mad over 80 tackles in a season (two guys
over 120 tackles in a year)
Best guy 5’9 200, 4.7, strong, quick, instinctive, and
tough- 3 year starter finished career with 274 tackles
Personnel By Position
Attributes
Spur/Strong Safety
• Must be a very good athlete to play here
• Ability to play the TE side and take on lead plays, yet be
able to cover slot guys
• A defensive back-type of player makes sense as long as
he is willing to be physical
• This player moves around the most in our defense and
will always be at the opponents point of strength
• Needs to be a solid tackler
• Must read TE/T combination quickly
• Our best was a 3 year starter, 6’1 200 RB who was a
10.9 100 meters guy who cleaned 250
Personnel By Position
Attributes
Bandit (Weak OLB)
• Many times this is out 11th best defensive player
• Because he is often lined up away from strength or
where we believe play is going, we like a guy who can
pursue
• Can be protected by the DE and NT (by alignment and
movement) if he is average, if he is good, we are able to
ramp up responsibilities
• Has to be able to cover
• Good tackle skills; has to be moderately physical
“Overachievers” and intelligent football players always
exceed expectations at this position
• Never had a kid over 200lbs here, played with a 5’8 130
kid as well
Personnel By Position
Attributes
Cornerback
• Outside of our FS, these are the programs best athletes;
we take whatever we can get, all shapes and sizes
• Quickness and burst are more important than linear
speed
• Premium guys are usually basketball kids that have
loose hips and excellent change of direction skills
• Must be smart enough to handle different formations and
coverage calls
• Just need to proficient tacklers (especially in the open
field)
• Mix and match by corners size/ability/best qualities; we
change by teams offence, field/boundary, size/ability of
receivers, formation, etc- Responsibilities change a lot
Personnel By Position
Attributes
Free Safety
• For us, FS and Will LB are the 2 most important guys in our 4-4; has
to be able to do a ton of things
• Must be able to cover a lot of ground through speed, instincts, or
recognition or a combination of the 3
• Must be smart; defensive quarterback, makes coverage calls
• Smooth hips and fluid, basketball-type kid
• Must be a sure tackler
• Must be able to read the OL and flow; we train our FS similar to our
ILB’s
• Having a hitter is a huge plus; makes teams think twice about
throwing verticals or routes inside the hashes
• Our best; 3 year starter, also QB, 6’2 175, smart, all EMASS player,
9 career picks, big hitter, 7 tackles/game- all-league 2-Guard in hoop
Game Week: Defensive Game
Planning and Install
Friday (night)
- Opponent game tape is compressed and sent to every
coach and player via Hudl
Saturday
- Coaching staff meets in the morning to go over previous
night’s game and opponent film (kids have weekends off)
- General defensive game plan, opponents formations,
alignments, looks etc discussed
- In the afternoon/evening opponents plays are broken
down by formation, put in folders and sent to all football
staff and players through Hudl
Game Week: Defensive Game
Planning and Install
Sunday
- Communication with/between all coaches through email,
texts, and phone calls on general consensus on what we
will be doing defensively against Friday nights opponent
- Conversation with defensive coordinator on what stunt
and blitz packages will be most effective (this is usually
vs. formation and run/pass)
- Create play cards for scout team to use during the week
(HC And DC take a half of a game or 1 game apiece);
also add in any plays from previous year(s) that were not
on game tape. Trick plays, gadget plays, etc.
Game Week: Defensive Game
Planning and Install
Monday
- General defensive walkthrough with kids; focus
is on opponents personnel and their abilities,
scheme, tendencies (by formation, we do not do
a lot of down/distance tendencies), goal line
package, 2-point plays, general strengths,
weaknesses, etc.
- Meet with defensive coordinator to go over initial
blitz package
Game Week: Defensive Game
Planning and Install
Tuesday
- Base 4-4 vs. opponent run game (3/4 speed
looks)
-
10 plays live
Goal line/2 point plays
Stunt/blitz package vs. run game
Coaches evaluate our defensive plan/package
vs. run game, make appropriate adjustments
Game Week: Defensive Game
Planning and Install
Wednesday
- Defensive 7 on 7 against opponent pass game
- Team vs. opponent pass game (includes
screens and draws as well); 20-25 plays
- Pass blitz scheme vs. air, then semi-live
- Add in any run adjustments and briefly go over
goal line and 2-point plays
Game Week: Defensive Game
Planning and Install
Thursday
- DL/LB’s group up to go over alignments,
responsibilities, and what plays they are going to
see; all mental (5-10 min)
- DB’s/LB’s group up to go over pass game and
coverages and option responsibilities and calls
vs. option heavy teams
- Defensive team vs. scout look (20-25 plays)
- Blitz package walkthrough
Alignment/Technique
Chart
98 7 6 5 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9
Alignment Addendums
• We try to keep the Anchor (Strong DE) in a 9 vs.
a TE and outside shade vs. a T in spread as
much as possible; Reasons:
- Better angle vs. power which make a wrong arm
and spill much easier
- Easier for a heavier, stronger DE to squeeze a
hole vs. a TE/T than a OLB
- Better ability to slide to an 8/headup technique
and jam a good pass catching TE
Alignment Addendums
- vs. TE Trade/Exchange, we will balance the
tackles to where we need them (i.e. 1 to 3, 3 to
1)
- Linebackers must adjust as well; they must
understand where the other OLB aligns (key for
Bandit)
- Vs. Pass Spur has slant/skinny vs. a X/Z inside
move in Cover 3
- Stunts and blitzes stay on- players have to be
smart enough to adjust
Alignment Addendums
• Vs. Motion:
- Spread to Trips: Bump down Spur and Bandit
Bumps out (stunts/blitz may remain, if the bandit
or his end is coming we will give a base or kill
call)
- Pro to Slot: Bandit must bump out and trail 5X2,
Spur will be head up to inside leg of TE
- Slot to Pro: OLB to the Slot bumps down and is
head up on the OT, OLB to the motion/pro
bumps to inside leg of DE/ead Up on TE
Alignment Addendums
• - Vs. Motion
- Jet Motion- vs. Spread, the Will or Mike will bump to
head up over the OT when motion is at them, this will
allow them to scrap the jet and avoid being blocked
(Anchor/DE must jam). The other MLB is over the center.
The OLB that has motion going away will bump down to
inside leg of the DE. In Cover 3 he is responsible for
slant/skinny on a WR inside stem. In Cover 13 (split field
back to his side or inside cross). The OLB that has
motion at him slides to head up on the slot (read keys do
not change).
Alignment Addendums
• Vs. Motion
- Flexbone: Would depend upon how many and how often
an opponent counters off motion
- Against teams that use basic FB trap or counter, we
often automatically crash the defensive tackle away from
the motion to take away trap and help vs. midline and
follow
- When we do this with the DT, the DE away from the
motion will slide to a head up position against the tackle
and attempt to take away counter and slow any option
away from motion
- Linebackers will bump down, BS OLB stacks on the DE,
BS ILB goes over center, and PS MLB to head up on
OT, with PS OLB stacked on wing/RB
Fronts
51 Front
(Base 4-4)
B
DE
W
NT
S
M
T
An
22 Front
B
DE
W
NT
M
T
An
S
31 Front
B
DE
W
NT
M
T
S
An
11 Front
B
DE
W
NT
M
T
S
An
31 G Front
B
DE
M
NT
W
T
An
S
51 Front
Strong Over
DE
W
B
NT
M
T
S
An
Alignments and Match-Ups vs.
Formations
Vs. Pro and Slot
Pro
- Must stop downhill runs
- Protect C Gap and kill the trap to the 5 tech with the Will reading fast
- Looking boot out of base I and hitch, slant to the open side of the
formation (Bandit)
- Other issues: Double Dive, Veer, multiple option
Slot
- Look for lead/power to the slot, LB in B Gap must be
physical
- End trap/Counter to the TE, must for to the free corner
- Iso to the TE side is an issue
- Look for slot combination routes; curl/flat, smash, NCAA- cheat FS
vs. Pro
FS
C
B
DE
W
NT
C
S
M
T
An
Y
X
QB
FB
H
Z
vs. Slot
FS
C
DE
B
T
C
S
W
M
An
NT
Y
QB
FB
H
X
Z
vs. Wing (To TE)
FS
C
B
DE
W
NT
X
C
M
T
S
An
Y
QB
FB
H
Z
vs. Tight Slot/Wing Away
FS
C
B
DE
W
T
M
NT
Y
QB
FB
H
C
S
An
X
Z
vs. Wing T
FS
C
B
NT
W
DE
X
C
M
T
S
An
Y
QB
H
FB
Z
Vs. Spread
• Very important: determine what the opponent
really is out of spread and prepare accordingly
• Are they run or pass dominant? If run dominant,
how so; are the mainly Inside Zone, option, jet
sweep, rocket, or a physical man on/gap
approach (power, lead, counter, QB trap, etc.)
• Are they no huddle? Hurry up?
• Our game plan work of their offensive strengths
in the spread
Vs. Spread
• Against heavy Inside Zone teams we are 1 to the back
and 3 away with the tackles (been very effective for us)
• Against Zone Read teams we will often have the end to
the back chase and have the Mike X to the edge for QB
• The bigger issues are spread teams with the capabilities
to throw the bubble backside on zone and front side on
veer
• Inverted veer (flash/QB Power Read) and the jet sweep
read of the front side end also force us to change how
we approach teams that use these
• We tend to be very aggressive vs. spread teams and
play a lot of Cover 1 and 0; against very good pass pro
teams we will play a lot of Cover 3 and look to hammer
receivers
vs. Spread
FS
C
B
NT
S
W
M
DE
X
C
T
H
An
Y
QB FB
Z
vs. Trips
FS
C
B
DE
NT
C
M
T
X
S
W
An
Y
QB FB
H
Z
vs. Bunch
FS
C
C
B
DE
NT
T
W
M
X
An
S
H
QB FB
Y
Z
vs. Quads
FS
C
B
DE
C
M
NT
X
T
An
W
S
FB H Y
QB
Z
vs. Empty
FS
C
S
X
C
M
DE
NT
T
An
W
H
FB
QB
B
Y
Z
Double Tight
vs. Deuce (Even)
FS
C
B
DE
X
C
M
T
W
NT
S
An
Y
Y
QB
H
Z
vs. Deuce (Trips)
FS
C
B
DE
M
T
NT
C
W
S
An
Y
Y
QB
H
X
Z
Double Tight I
FS
C
C
DE
B
W
NT
M
T
S
An
Y
Y
QB
F
H
Z
Power Sets (Power I/Bone)
• We will try to stay 4-4 vs. all power sets,
the one exception is vs. Double
Tight/Double Wing (Bay City T) we will go
5-2 and 5-3.
• The Double Tight/ Double Wing Diagram
is wrong, but we are slightly inside shaded
tackles on OT’s, ILB’s in A Gaps, DE’s in
9’s and OLBs inside leg of DE’s.
Double Tight Power I
FS
C
C
B
DE
W
NT
M
T
S
An
Y
Y
QB
F
H
F
Bone Double Tight
FS
C
B
DE
W
NT
M
T
S
An
Y
Y
QB
F
H
H
C
Double Tight Wing
FS
C
B
DE
W
NT
M
T
C
S
An
Y
Y
QB
F
H
Y
Unbalanced Single Wing
FS
C
B
DE
W
NT
Y
H
C
T
M
S
An
Y
F
QB
H
Double Split Bone
FS
C
B
DE
C
M
T
W
NT
X
S
An
Z
QB
H
F
H
Diamond
FS
C
B
DE
C
M
T
W
NT
X
S
An
Z
H QB H
F
Double Tight/Double Wing
FS
C
B
DE
C
M
T
W
NT
S
An
Y
Y
F
QB
H
Y
Aces, Twins, Other
Aces
FS
C
B
DE
C
M
T
W
NT
S
An
X
Z
H
QB
F
Y
vs. Tight Bunch
FS
C
B
DE NT
M
T
C
W
An
X
S
Y
QB
FB
H
Z
vs. Twins
FS
C
W
DE
X
T
M
NT
C
B
An
S
Z
Y
QB
FB
H
vs. I- Twins (Open)
FS
C
W
DE
C
M
B
T
NT
An
S
X
Z
QB
FB
H
Y
vs. Pro Trips (Y-Trips/Trey)
FS
C
W
DE
NT
M
X
C
B
T
S
An
Y
QB
FB
H
Z
Keys/Reads
Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle
• When we are in base we are “reading helmet”
• We do this by getting up field and attacking
• Difficult to learn, most kids get it by their junior or
senior year; like riding a bike
• Gapped a ton so, being able to feel doubles and
decipher between a down block and reach are
critical
Defensive End/Anchor
• When in an outside 9 shade on a tight end or
outside 7 shade on a tackle, they are attacking
the outside half and reading the block
• Turnout block=squeeze (we previously ripped
with the outside arm under and blew up the hole,
but this killed our OLB read-they hit the hole)
• Hook block=Control, use hands, or rip outside
• Reach/BS Zone=Squeeze, then look for
trap/counter/ (wrong arm), reverse; chase flat
• Power/Trap=Wrong arm and spill
Inside Linebackers
•
•
•
•
Read Key: Near Guard
Secondary Key: Center
Read from guard/center to fullback
Vs. heavy IZ teams, we are one back/flow
Outside Linebackers
•
•
-
Spur: TE/Tackle combination
Run/Pass should be diagnosed early
Key read in the TE on DE
If TE hooks=Get wide for lead block
If TE turns out and T down=Fill C Cap ASAP
If TE and T reach/zone=Get flat, but find away
guard to see if there is a pull coming your way
- Vs. Power/End Trap/Counter=Get to the LOS
and be ready for the back to bounce, the end will
wrong arm and spill
Cornerbacks
• In Cover 3, we key the near tackle to diagnosis
run or pass, making sure the tackle is getting up
field and PAP
• Against 2X2 teams that use a lot of zone our
corners are particularly careful
• In Cover 1 we do not read, we are locked on to
the WR
Safety
• While driving back, our safety will read the
strong side tackle and guard to determine run or
pass
• His read is similar to an inside backer, with much
greater responsibilities
• Down and distance will dictate aggressiveness
and film study is huge in terms of recognition
and feel
Stunt/Blitz Package
• Our stunt/blitz package is a little different than many others: we call
each stunt/blitz by position and do not use one or two words for
multiple movements
• Our calls would be Pinch Strong, Loop Weak Machete B Strong,
Machete A Weak Cover 1
• We do not use Storm Strong, Gator, Thunder etc.
• Advantages: We can get very creative and come from all angles, it
is also easy to learn for kids, as they have to learn their couple of
movement and just listen for them; colors coordinate to formation
making it easy to adjust vs. high tempo teams
• Disadvantages: Very long/wordy, the safety (who makes coverage
calls/adjustments must be smart, LB’s must understand DE blitz and
vice versa. Coaches must be organized and have coverages added
into packages
• To combat these disadvantages we use wrist coaches
1. BASE
2. X WEEK (3)
3. X WEEK SHOOT STRONG C (0)
4. X WEEK END PINCH STRG SHOOT STRONG C (0
5. DOUBLE LOOP DOUBLE MACHETTE A (1)
6. DOUBLE PINCH DOUBLE MACHETTE B (1)
7. LOOP STRG PINCH WEEK SHOOT WEEK C(0)A
8. END PINCH STRG SHOOT WEEK C (0)
9. X STRONG SHOOT WEEK C (0)
10. X STRONG LOOP WEEK MACHETTE A WEEK (1)
Playoff
1. BASE
2. DOUBLE ONE’S END PINCH STRONG (1) 1st and 2nd down
3. END+TACKLE PINCH STRONG SHOOT WEEK B(1) 1st and
2nd down
double tight / Pro
4. STRONG OVER MAC(A)STRONG MAC(B)STRG(1) 1st and
2nd down
Pro / Jet/ lead
5. 4-5 LOOP STRG MACH A STRG SHOOT WEAK B(1)1st and
3rd down and 5 up
Pro/DT boot pass/CT/weak lead/lead
6. 5-4 LOOP STRG MACH A STRG SHOOT WEAK B(1) 1st
and 3rd down and 5 up Pro/DT Any down / Pro and spread
boot pass/CT/weak lead/lead/sweep
7. LOOP STRG MACH A STRG PINCH WEAK(3) Any down/
Pro and spread
8. PINCH STRG LOOP WEEK MACH A WEAK (3) Any down/
Pro and spread
9. DOUBLE LOOP DOUBLE MACH A(1) Any down/ Pro and
spread
10. DOUBLE PINCH DOUBLE MACHETTE B(1) Any down/ Pro
and spread
Stunt/Blitz Package
• We must make a strength call
• Usually dictated by a TE
• When even, it may by to the field side or to a strong side
of a line
• Against spread teams we sometimes go away from the
back other times towards, it depends on what the do as
far as strengths
• The strength call is crucial because we stunt/blitz using
strong/weak as an indicator
• There are times when we send OLB’s that we can play
Cover 1 or Cover 3 (in 3 we take the ILB and send him
into the flats
Stunt/Blitz Package
DT Stunts:
-
Pinch
Loop
Go
Twist
DE Stunt/Blitz:
-
Pinch
Loop (from a head up position)
X
Twist
Stunt/Blitz Package
ILB Blitz:
-
Machete (Gap call follows)
X (vs. Spread/Trips)
OLB Blitz:
-
Shoot (Gap call follows)
X
Double Loop, Double Machete A
FS
C
W
DE
B
C
M
NT
T
X
S
An
Y
QB
FB
H
Z
Double Pinch, Double Machete B
FS
C
B
DE
W
NT
X
M
T
C
S
An
Y
QB
FB
H
Z
End Pinch Strong
C
FS
B
DE
W
NT
X
C
M
T
S
An
Y
QB
FB
H
Z
Pinch Strong, Go Weak, Machete A Weak,
Shoot B Weak
C
FS
B
DE
W
NT
C
M
T
X
S
An
Y
QB
FB
H
Z
Double Go, End Pich Strong, Machete B
Strong, Machete A Strong
FS
C
B
DE
W
NT
X
M
T
C
S
An
Y
QB
FB
H
Z
Pinch Strong, End Loop Strong, End Pinch Weak,
Double Machete A, Double Shoot C
FS
C
B
DE
W
NT
X
C
M
T
S
An
Y
QB
FB
H
Z
Same Blitz With Different Coverage
Shoot Strong C, Shoot Weak B (Cover 0)
C
FS
B
DE
W
NT
X
C
M
T
S
An
Y
QB
FB
H
Z
Shoot Strong C, Shoot Weak B (Cover 3)
FS
C
B
DE
W
NT
X
C
M
T
S
An
Y
QB
FB
H
Z
Shoot Strong C, Shoot Weak B (Cover 1)
FS
C
B
DE
W
NT
X
C
M
T
S
An
Y
QB
FB
H
Z
Blitz vs. Spread
Double Loop, Double Machete A
FS
C
B
X
DE
M
NT
C
W
T
H
An
S
Y
QB FB
If Back is on a swing, arrow, etc.
the DE that side must detach and
cover in Cover 1
Z
X-Strong (End/ILB- Run vs. Zone Read Teams)
FS
C
B
X
DE
M
NT
C
W
T
H
An
S
Y
QB FB
Z
Double End Pinch, Double Shoot C (Cover 0)
FS
C
B
M
DE
X
NT
C
W
T
H
An
S
Y
QB FB
Z
Slant
• This is the only stunting we do that is a “one’ call
for us and it is usually done vs. flexbone teams
• Going into a game our defensive line will know
to slant towards the motion call (cutting off trap
and counter)
• Rarely we use this as slant strong or slant weak
Slant vs. Aces
FS
C
B
DE
C
M
T
W
NT
S
An
X
Z
H
QB
F
Y
Mashpee 4-4 Stack Defense
Defensive Coverages and
Responsibilities
4-4 Stack Defensive Coverage(s)
• Primary: Cover 3
• Secondary: Man Free Run vs. spread teams
(2x2) sets
• Checks: Split Coverage Calls.
• Man All Over including Safety
• Split field coverage-Coverage vs. formations
• Cover 2
– 12 rolls corner up, shift $$ over the top, roll OLB
Deep
Overall Philosophy/Rules
• CB:
– Alignment: 6 yds. x 2yds inside leverage
• Always taking away slant and post
• We can run with the fade/corner
– Must assess # of threats to deep 1/3.
• If #2 is a skill player, the CB cannot jump the hitch
• If #2 is a TE, the CB can jump any 3-step routes
– Checks (Motion/Formation)
• Cov 3 Zone to trips, man principles backside
• Man on Coverage across the board
• Corner Jams/Funnels #1 inside and retreats to flat (10-12
yds. Deep)
Rules For Safety
• Safety:
– Alignment:
• 10-12yds from LOS. Shade Strength
• Can also motion to alignment pre-snap
– Responsibilities:
• Deep middle in straight Cover 3 Zone
• Split the two with a shade to the QB’s hand vs. Spread
• Make all checks based on the following:
– Blitz/Stunt Call, Formation, and Motion
Basic Cover 3 Responsibilities
vs. Pro/Slot
•o
oooxoo
C
o
C
Deep 1/3
S
Deep 1/3
Shade Strength Deep 1/3
Corner Must Assess # of Threats to Zone
Example: If it is a Pro Formation with and X, Y, and Z, the corner may jump any
route.
Corners are to take inside leverage
vs. Spread (Cover 3)
•o
o
ooxoo
( Jam to Flat) LB
LB
LB
C
o
o
LB (Jam to Flat)
C
Deep 1/3
Deep 1/3
S
- Shade Strength Deep 1/3
- Strength would be Hand of the QB
- Checks are Dependent on Stunt/Blitz call
vs. Spread (Cover 3 Buzz)
• o
o
ooxoo
LB
LB
C
LB
o
o
LB
C
Deep 1/3
Deep 1/3
S
- Looking to jump any quick routes with LB’s
- OLB’s start head up, ILB’s widen to make any easier run
- Sprint to zones on snap of the ball (no jam)
- Defensive tackles will not rush and look fro screen/draw
Split-Field Coverage (12)
•o
C
o
LB
ooxoo
LB
LB
o
LB
o
(MAN)
C
Jam to FLAT
MAN
FS (Deep 1/2)
Cover 2 to one side, Man to the other
We Like to use this to jump hitch/fade, smash,
hitch/hitch
VS Empty
•o
o
( Jam to Flat)
LB
ooxoo o
LB
LB
o
LB
C
o
(Jam to Flat)
C
MAN
MAN
S
Man Coverage ALL IN
VS Sprint Out
• All Defensive Backs check to Roll Coverage to
the Sprint-Out side
• CB Locks onto closest man
• Safety locks onto crossing route
• Backside CB Rolls over the top taking away
backside post
Roll Coverage vs. Sprint Out/Boot
•o
ooxooo
C
o
C
S
Safety Jump Cross
Roll side CB Lock on
Backside CB Rolls over top (inside leverage of
backside post/crossing route
VS 3-Level
F
•o
oooxoo
LB
LB
C
LB
o
LB
C
S
VS Trips (13)
o o
o
o
LB
o
ooxoo
LB
o
LB LB
C
C
Deep 1/3
Man on Backside
S
Shade Strength Deep 1/3
13 Check can be made if motion creates a 3x1
set or by straight formation
If there is a dead end side, CB has back out of
Backfield
Drills: Basic
• Threat Assessment Drill: By formation and Motion
• o
oooxoo
o
1- threat
C
C
jump hitch and slant
Deep 1/3
Deep 1/3
S
Shade Strength Deep 1/3 (play over top of TE)
•
•
•
Corners should be able to determine # of real threats to zone and make decision
on how to cover their 1/3. (Show tons of formations)
Scout team will run route combinations to finish up drill (go over all possible route
combos) Include “Cover 3 beaters”
TE is not a real threat (unless he is a mismatch). Safety will be responsible for TE
over top.
Contact Info
• Please feel free to contact me if you need
anything.
• I can send cutups as well
• mtriveri@mashpee.k12.ma.us