| Contents |
| Contents Contents......................................................................................................................... 3 Figures............................................................................................................................ 7 1 Overview................................................................................... 11 The 4-4 Defense........................................................................................................... 11 Where To From There?............................................................................................... 11 Why Did I Write This?................................................................................................ 11 The “Buddy System”.................................................................................................. 12 Summary........................................................................................................................ 12 2 Read 4-4 DEFENSE...................................................................13 Philosophy................................................................................................................... 13 Summary....................................................................................................................... 13 Experience..................................................................................................................... 14 Conservative................................................................................................................ 14 3 DEFENSIVE TACKLES...............................................................15 Overview....................................................................................................................... 15 Keys to Defensive Tackle.......................................................................................... 15 “3 Technique”.............................................................................................................. 15 “2i Technique”............................................................................................................. 18 4 DEFENSIVE ENDS.....................................................................19 Overview....................................................................................................................... 19 Keys to Defensive End............................................................................................... 19 “7 Technique”.............................................................................................................. 20 “5 Technique”.............................................................................................................. 21 5 INSIDE LINEBACKERS.............................................................23 Overview....................................................................................................................... 23 M/W Outside Reads................................................................................................... 23 M/W Inside Reads...................................................................................................... 24 ALL Linebacker Pass Drop Zones............................................................................ 24 Graphics........................................................................................................................ 24 6 OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS..........................................................27 Overview....................................................................................................................... 27 TE-Side Outside Linebacker....................................................................................... 27 Open-Side Outside Linebacker.................................................................................. 28 7 ALIGNMENT...............................................................................30 Secondary & Strength................................................................................................ 30 My Rationale................................................................................................................ 30 |
| 8 ADJUSTMENTS.......................................................................37 Overview.................................................................................................................... 37 Strength Calls........................................................................................................... 37 Pass-Oriented Adjustment Calls............................................................................. 37 Defense Base-Changing Calls................................................................................. 38 Prevent Deep Coverage Calls.................................................................................. 39 Last Adjustment Notes...............................................................................................39 9 FRONT 8...................................................................................47 Overview..................................................................................................................... 47 Option Plays............................................................................................................... 47 Trap & Influence Trap............................................................................................... 48 Power & Sweep.......................................................................................................... 49 Counter & Weak Iso.................................................................................................. 50 Reactions.................................................................................................................... 50 Option Strong............................................................................................................. 51 Option Weak............................................................................................................... 52 Option Wk Out Block................................................................................................ 53 Midline Option........................................................................................................... 54 Load Speed Option.................................................................................................... 55 Short Trap................................................................................................................... 56 Influence Trap............................................................................................................ 57 Power........................................................................................................................... 58 Load Power................................................................................................................. 59 Sweep........................................................................................................................... 60 Counter........................................................................................................................ 61 Weak Iso..................................................................................................................... 62 10 THE SECONDARY...................................................................63 Safeties........................................................................................................................ 63 Cornerbacks................................................................................................................ 63 Outside Linebackers.................................................................................................. 63 11 BASE COVERAGE...................................................................64 Cover 3......................................................................................................................... 64 Man............................................................................................................................... 64 Roll Cover 3................................................................................................................. 65 12 EVEN COVERAGES.................................................................68 Even Alignment............................................................................................................ 68 Cover 4........................................................................................................................... 68 Combo ........................................................................................................................... 68 Cover 2 .......................................................................................................................... 68 |
| Cloud & Sky Reads/Calls ........................................................................................ 69 Man Cover 2 .............................................................................................................. 69 Prevent......................................................................................................................... 69 Coverage Conclusion................................................................................................ 75 13 THE STUNT GAME..................................................................75 Overview..................................................................................................................... 75 Linebacker Stunts...................................................................................................... 75 Gap Control With Stunting Linebackers................................................................ 76 Inside LB Stunts........................................................................................................ 76 Outside Stunts............................................................................................................ 77 Combination Stunts................................................................................................... 78 Line Stunts.................................................................................................................. 79 Conclusion.................................................................................................................. 80 14 PLAY CALL CODE REVIEW...................................................81 Overview...................................................................................................................... 81 Adjustment Formation............................................................................................... 81 Coverage...................................................................................................................... 81 Stunt Players............................................................................................................... 81 Gaps.............................................................................................................................. 81 LB Stunts..................................................................................................................... 81 Line Stunts................................................................................................................... 81 Line Calls...................................................................................................................... 81 15 STUNT ADJUSTMENTS FOR 1-BACK....................................82 Overview...................................................................................................................... 82 Inside Linebacker / Free Safety Stunt Adjustments............................................. 82 Outside Linebacker Stunt Adjustments................................................................. 83 LB Combination Stunt Adjustments....................................................................... 83 16 DEFENDING THE WING T......................................................85 Overview..................................................................................................................... 85 Base Series.................................................................................................................. 85 Power Series................................................................................................................ 86 Belly/Down Series...................................................................................................... 86 Jet/Rocket Series........................................................................................................ 88 17 DEFENDING THE OPTION......................................................89 Review 1TE Split Back Option.................................................................................. 89 Dbl TE Wishbone Option......................................................................................... 50 Adjustment.................................................................................................................. 90 Spread Adjustments................................................................................................... 91 |
18 PRACTICE ORGANIZATION..................................................94 Overview..................................................................................................................... 94 Pre-Practice (15).......................................................................................................... 94 Period I (30)................................................................................................................. 94 Defensive Tackles & Inside Linebackers: Period I............................................... 94 Defensive Ends & Outside Linebackers: Period I................................................ 94 Secondary: Period I.................................................................................................... 95 Inside Drill/Man: Period II (30).................................................................................. 95 Outside Drill/Rush: Period III (20)............................................................................ 95 Team: Period IV (40)................................................................................................... 95 Specialty (15)............................................................................................................... 96 19 WEEKLY PRACTICE ORGANIZATION...................................96 Overview...................................................................................................................... 96 Saturday....................................................................................................................... 97 Monday........................................................................................................................ 97 Tuesday........................................................................................................................ 97 Wednesday.................................................................................................................. 98 Thursday...................................................................................................................... 98 20 COMBINING THE 20 & GMP.................................................98 Overview...................................................................................................................... 98 20 Gap to GMP Position Transitions.......................................99 Practice........................................................................................................................ 100 21 CONCLUSION........................................................................100 Repeating Myself...................................................................................................... 100 My Other Books........................................................................................................ 101 Stay In Touch............................................................................................................. 101 22 BIBLIOGRAPHY.....................................................................102 23 INDEX.....................................................................................103 |
| The Read 4-4 Football Defense |