tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77759152956340944622024-03-05T08:08:20.618-05:00Live To WinMusings on the game. From X's & O's to everything else that I know.Pete DeWeesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234661733837007077noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775915295634094462.post-31483220099946776342011-10-31T13:35:00.002-04:002011-10-31T15:08:36.268-04:00Adjusting On The Run<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Like every other woe begotten soul that follows Ole Miss Football, I sat there Saturday night watching the Rebels take on Auburn.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the second week in a row Ole Miss has played a solid first half of football before falling apart in the 3</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">rd</sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> quarter.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All of the message board pundits over at <a href="http://www.omspirit.com/"><b>The Spirit</b></a> and in <a href="http://www.olemiss.rivals.com/"><b>The Grove</b></a> are fuming over the 2</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">nd</sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> half meltdowns and the word “Adjustments” has become a time bomb of hatred, malice, and confusion. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, I finally decided that I should make an adjustment to this website (1</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">st</sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> post in about 6 months) and go over some of the things that I saw during the game.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvDI_VS_KfEbxeQfA6rRQwoIZc-7Naq0wS7aQJgwpGGvGn36rAMucszj28fdXW1hzuyAaSwqv5DoXbEHVRRe-XErRkhvFiY9QCVX_abPdgLfddG57Nq5zsHvIQMzWPxITLdEQ53oSQr11/s1600/NUTT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvDI_VS_KfEbxeQfA6rRQwoIZc-7Naq0wS7aQJgwpGGvGn36rAMucszj28fdXW1hzuyAaSwqv5DoXbEHVRRe-XErRkhvFiY9QCVX_abPdgLfddG57Nq5zsHvIQMzWPxITLdEQ53oSQr11/s320/NUTT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone must have mentioned Pete Boone</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Disclaimer:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-I did not TiVo the game so I have not been able to review things.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-I was so focused on the Ole Miss offense – particularly their newfound fondness of gap scheme run plays – that, like <a href="http://www.olemisssports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011011aaa.html">David Lee</a>, I didn’t notice any adjustments by AU’s defense.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-This post is being based off of memory and watching live football so it may contain errors.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">AU Run Game:</span></b></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gus Malzahn’s offense has been cataloged and dissected by every football writer in the country. People that study his offense start to notice the reality: is not an overly complex scheme that is loaded up with a bevy of different plays and schemes, but rather a nice mix of plays that are masked several times over and executed from a number of different formations, shift, motions, and personnel groupings. Today I really just want to hit on two of Malzahn’s top run plays against Ole Miss: the Power and the Hand Sweep.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>Power:</u></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My infatuation with Power has been well documented (keep scrolling down to see). My giddiness exploded all over Twitter last weekend when OM started to use Gap scheme run plays like Power instead of the inside zone scheme that has resulted in terrible rushing performances through the first several weeks of the season. Power, or Power O, has been a big part of the Auburn run game for some time. (For a great read-up on Malzahn’s power see Brophy’s<a href="http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2010/11/auburn-gap-runs-power.html"> <b>excellent write-up</b></a> from last year)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In the first half of the game last weekend Ole Miss did a nice job of stopping AU’s power and counter schemes because their DE’s were doing a great job of spilling the kick-out block and forcing the ball to bounce to the unblocked defender.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<object data="data:application/x-silverlight-2," height="435px" id="pv" style="z-index: -100;" type="application/x-silverlight-2" width="580px"><param name="source" value="http://www.hudl.com/ClientBin/PresentationInlineViewer.xap"/><param name="Windowless" value="true" /><param name="minRuntimeVersion" value="4.0.51204.0" /><param name="autoUpgrade" value="true" /><param name="background" value="white" /><param name="enableHtmlAccess" value="true" /><param name="InitParams" value="p=38750" /><div id="nosl" class="embed"><div><h3 style="font-size: 40px !important;">Oh Snap!</h3><p class="snap">You need to install <strong>Silverlight</strong> to watch Hudl presentations. <a href="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=149156"><img alt="Download Silverlight" src="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=92801&clcid=0x409" /></a></p><p class="install-sl"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/tutorials/installsilverlight/">Need help installing Silverlight? Click here.</a></p></div></div></object><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ole Miss prefers to play with a two-safety shell on the back end of their defense. The “SPUR” aligns to the passing strength of the defense and the front aligns based on the call.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFA-dnPwjrGERoN4IqA2T8dtc3JZRbcDljZy5JCM2F0hQMw-3WiQd9F4y7BsZ8QFb8RWgyfzSBQemJqvUXjHgeUZquQyI28GcxTaeH6x07jxSnfOX2hwDmH9GmwRQtTat6BXhD63FRFtbd/s1600/AU+Base+Alignment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFA-dnPwjrGERoN4IqA2T8dtc3JZRbcDljZy5JCM2F0hQMw-3WiQd9F4y7BsZ8QFb8RWgyfzSBQemJqvUXjHgeUZquQyI28GcxTaeH6x07jxSnfOX2hwDmH9GmwRQtTat6BXhD63FRFtbd/s320/AU+Base+Alignment.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When running the Power play, AU will try to kick out the DE with either a pulling lineman or H-back.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If/when they get the kick out block the following puller will try to turn up and seal the LB giving the RB a downhill crease.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0Pe_mwIWdck2UQF8vG0ltWIYvVuMH6WLrsdKVf9BuGBQ8nLp31ICatPpVygGxd8u5-BoNxsHMHf9ApBLWKwu88CwK5fLS8Q4bN_ltqjoLwMm3DOfiCRCIQAtC0D87jytZSwEjH8isnpr/s1600/AU+Power+vs+base.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0Pe_mwIWdck2UQF8vG0ltWIYvVuMH6WLrsdKVf9BuGBQ8nLp31ICatPpVygGxd8u5-BoNxsHMHf9ApBLWKwu88CwK5fLS8Q4bN_ltqjoLwMm3DOfiCRCIQAtC0D87jytZSwEjH8isnpr/s320/AU+Power+vs+base.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If/when the DE effectively squeezes the kick out he forces the next pulling lineman (and the ball) to bow their path deeper into the backfield and towards the sideline.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This action allows the play-side LB and the play-side Safety to get over the top of any blocks and get to the ball before the ball carrier can get rolling down hill.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltE5-A_IZd8wI6woIXz8e_sK1-JduOjPd4J-ywxhGEBbolL4Sg3P8zyGjWSOTAEf5PMC820hcLrljWvgvTcW3ZLAoXGfo2vS8bmpx_Qmm3vE-iHGBGYPgCwdZkALIDFFMxeqnDat9uuyg/s1600/AU+spilling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltE5-A_IZd8wI6woIXz8e_sK1-JduOjPd4J-ywxhGEBbolL4Sg3P8zyGjWSOTAEf5PMC820hcLrljWvgvTcW3ZLAoXGfo2vS8bmpx_Qmm3vE-iHGBGYPgCwdZkALIDFFMxeqnDat9uuyg/s320/AU+spilling.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ole Miss Defensive Ends Kentrell Lockett, Cameron Whigham, and Gerald Rivers all did a nice job of spilling this play in the first half.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcGOGi-dc6U9QHERCdLPa2cgJD2YWt_0Xrw201tFJ2FmhVAwGJK4QtaHoEdk-XpFAPf-zxng0YB8sjUWk-qVzPvO7b1Pl68SEaxL28EO3zlr3SULu-rLyZJgtlJmBbxbx5UjtJLJJynol/s1600/Kentrell-Lockett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcGOGi-dc6U9QHERCdLPa2cgJD2YWt_0Xrw201tFJ2FmhVAwGJK4QtaHoEdk-XpFAPf-zxng0YB8sjUWk-qVzPvO7b1Pl68SEaxL28EO3zlr3SULu-rLyZJgtlJmBbxbx5UjtJLJJynol/s320/Kentrell-Lockett.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#40 looked the @OleForty that we all know and love.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Auburn and Malzahn found most of their 1</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">st</sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> half success in the running game when they were running their Hand Sweep (<a href="http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2010/11/auburn-gap-runs-hand-sweep.html"><b>thanks again Brophy</b></a>).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Hand Sweep is another Gap Scheme run play that finds its roots in old Wing-T football. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Hand Sweep was more successful because they were not trying to kick out the defensive ends and instead were using their technique to pin the edge players for Ole Miss.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To effectively spill any kick out block a defender has to “squeeze” – literally take the air out between he and the nearest offensive player – to get himself into position to spill.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So when a tackle blocks down the end squeezes and looks inside for the puller.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When the play side offensive tackle blocks down on the hand sweep the DE automatically squeezes the down block and looks for the pull.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What he does not see is the offensive player coming down from the outside that is trying to pin him inside to allow the two pulling guards to follow.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqa7GZnzFUEEyEfJpPVeah5cPe7tOO0AkMCTZmGViFnngqTpvKzwrSedLs1wyiMmriUYv8ceH4wywTGcKbYZrfBJsOVBH70Q9-exOPzMQ5qwVKXMmBFCv_2lgPoAsHjipj0H3BpU95V94V/s1600/AU+Hand+Sweep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqa7GZnzFUEEyEfJpPVeah5cPe7tOO0AkMCTZmGViFnngqTpvKzwrSedLs1wyiMmriUYv8ceH4wywTGcKbYZrfBJsOVBH70Q9-exOPzMQ5qwVKXMmBFCv_2lgPoAsHjipj0H3BpU95V94V/s320/AU+Hand+Sweep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> A</span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">U popped the Hand Sweep for a 9 or 10 yard run late in the 2</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">nd</sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> QTR and seemed to realize then that it could get outside.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The 3</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">rd</sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and 4</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">th</sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> QTR brought a steady dose of Hand Sweep and a nice variation of Power.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">AU began using the same type of motion, and the same type of block, on the edge player and started to hit Power outside of the tackle.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Once AU found out that they could get outside they took the game over offensively.</span></div>Pete DeWeesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234661733837007077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775915295634094462.post-29297646001504322142011-02-20T12:33:00.013-05:002011-02-20T13:26:16.892-05:00The 3-4 Defense: Developing the Personnel for the 3-4<div align="center"><em>*This is the 2nd post in a series on installing a 3-4 defense for use in high school and small college football.</em></div><br />
In my last post I briefly discussed the skills you are looking for in each of the “Box” players. Box players are the positions that we use to identify the front 7 (Anytime I add a safety to the Box with a pre-snap alignment we alert the front 7 with a “BOX” call from the safety to remind them of his presence). Our goal is to play multiple fronts to defeat the offenses personnel, formations, and tendencies. Despite the effort to be multiple, I try and limit the number of techniques and skills that each player must learn. Below is a rundown of the alignments and skills each player must focus on:<br />
<br />
<strong>NOSE</strong><u>-Alignment:</u> Our Nose will only play two alignments. He will play a shade on either side of the offensive center, he will also align in a head-up Zero but will never be asked to two-gap as he will always slant with the call.<br />
<u>-Technique:</u> The nose has one major rule – demand a double team. We want to keep the linebackers free to make plays. The Nose will always try to fit into the block and make it tough for any zone scheme or double to work up and “trade” him off to another lineman.<br />
<br />
<strong>TACKLE</strong><u>-Alignment:</u> The Tackle will play three alignments. He will align in a tight 5 technique, a 4i, and a 3 technique. He will play a three technique on either side of the center (Under and Solid), but the technique is the same. <em>*Note: some coaches I know have chosen to use either a 4i or 3 and not both*</em><u>-Technique:</u> Like the Nose, the Tackle will always fit into the block and fight pressure with pressure. He will squeeze any down block.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575832799161778306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGjArpplefayd6s9Tz89tD-CC55jwIwz4Wf-UsQf1Myym5rbEafx1VUkwhAF7VzUIqImYI8B8YSCvAwBZeIHhQH2qKfgbGMv0vOOWb95vIUSx4H3B6dR-B4PG-wkog1H0uyBuohV_AvGS/s400/FIGHT+PRESSURE+W+PRESSURE.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <strong>END</strong><u>-Alignment:</u> The End only has two alignments. He will play a 5 technique and he will play a 4i.<br />
<u>-Technique:</u> In an “Open” formation – without an in-line TE – will focus on squeezing any down block. Against any other block he will try to fight up field and turn the ball back inside unless a stunt sends him anywhere else. He will align in a five and slant inside to B gap. Against a TE, or when in a 4i, he must fight force with force play into the block.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div align="left"><strong>SAM</strong><u>-Alignment:</u> Any formation with #2 aligned as a TE will put the Sam in a wide 9 technique. He will align on the L.O.S. with his inside foot up. Any formation with #2 removed will widen the Sam. He will split the difference between #2 and the OT and align 2 yards from the L.O.S. His eyes and leverage are always inside. An “Alley” call from the safety lets the Sam know that he can align in his normal 9 technique (this call is used vs a trips set when #3 is an in-line TE).<br />
<u>-Technique:</u> 2 main rules effect the Sam in the run game: squeeze any down block and turn the ball back inside at all times. He is taught to force he impact on any kick-out block and to always keep his outside shoulder free. As a pass defender he must collision any vertical route and communicate any inside route. He must always be aware of #1’s alignment.<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575835833487368962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o7NyFM0nG8yi-NPHzQDUXJpeqGiMYUI5S_ZDg-PAY-fCX9AFaM5WF-7KGgCYI6Qym-sxuT6dc1h0y_wBoYHtHgsZynIuBWl7rt1Qh31aH-eTGqVX5DGWZckPmUx8AsJnbrRBSWsN-f9_/s400/OLB+vs+%25232+removed.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575835932685381218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjzI55JeG5VBYrNsVGHiAYW-jp2b74a5VGmH9Veg9OyOa2nuiMgmeJwPuToQZZjMV4Ai3fH2fBA0NPIYSG6JCI4gR80MhmigU0voswrN01AI31QqAVgQ7us1uGtwFzKNjUgSaisnU-Xa_/s400/OLB+Alley+Call.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<strong>JACK</strong><u>-Alignment:</u> The Jack will play a 5 technique and a (ghost)7. In our OAKIE front, and with no TE to his side, the Jack will align in the ghost 7 and play 2 yards outside and 1 yard off the line of scrimmage. In any other front, and with no TE to his side, the TE will align in a loose 5 technique with is inside leg up. If the Jack get a TE to his side in any of our fronts he will align head-up on the TE. Having a #2 receiver removed to his side only widens him slightly.<br />
<u>-Technique:</u> Against the run the Jack will always try to squeeze any block and turn everything back inside of him. If he get a TE to his side he will try and out-leverage the TE at the snap and either cross his face on a zone or stretch at him, or squeeze him to close C gap on anything away. Against the pass the Jack will always collision #2 vertical and communicate any inside route.<br />
<br />
<strong>MIKE and WILL</strong><u>-Alignment:</u> The Mike and Will linebackers will have multiple alignments. The 20 alignment (OAKIE/INDY) is head-up on the guard. The 30 alignment is on the outside shoulder of the guard. The 10 alignment is on the inside eye of the guard. Normal alignment is heels five yards off the ball.<br />
<u>-Technique:</u> The inside linebackers in this defense are told that they must “Ping-Pong” any inside (C gap to C gap) run back to their partner. Play away = run through. Against the pass there are two terms that we harp on: communicate and collision. Coverage dictates responsibility, but if you communicate what you see and collision what you can touch we will be a better defense.<br />
<br />
Here are some PowerPoint slides used for teaching the linebackers. </div><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575827130874758450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWflHmaWnawpuMdVSj5fvCgRguJ0NSpjF83tewbk7G5iv8SS3SaFfe6mg6r5Uxf3Bd16X_QqKSn9oTVH7RBJ28r7MdvRDVKQdCBBPU5syEUqYA0o4cdg3IyocO8uhg0hQg08zj-OZ-XYFA/s400/LB+Terms.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575827341854567234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8Bb8lVTw4Zi1q8sWv9wcqrFW14i7PPR7rUfl5uc66ZkesgO7-XWZHT008pu3RarCML_8GLYwk74O_GMmnEDxMYqcM65IMfZ1F_KWHR-hdQtuk7K6hx-vvllYjdyuL7HWlsvoSp-mIro1/s400/LB+vs+Iso.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575827522380471410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHKL3MrZkKzsbbdiU5g_MCajtzLCL5ISoSIahcEZnFoHmhEJLMhKPgIN3m5lT4cjEfsD_kFJfKOoBYKdOoqaClgFcMV6BV7ewvK1H3lPpSitZ_zBF5ngdi7pe5zAP0h0w40j_Do0NvXKa/s400/LB+vs+Iso+Wk.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575827646042920354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cSh-g5hJJ31pUIlBOSD6Gg22c-W3EDUzgSmccjB-fgufM6GmBFnkGV2LWvV-z0dGmA2BaVghmIEIwEmT4Pwph7pfsWc18UOPzZr1Hab0eKwujDylk01rAC2JpUBfMwzY8RxHa0YJ381e/s400/LB+vs+Power.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />Pete DeWeesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234661733837007077noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775915295634094462.post-552984457080714282011-02-17T15:22:00.008-05:002011-02-20T13:26:47.322-05:00The 3-4 Defense: FRONTS/ALIGNMENTS/PLAYERS<div align="left">A SERIES ON IMPLEMENTING A 3-4 SCHEME APLLICABLE AT ALL LEVELS OF PLAY<br />
<br />
One thing I feel certain in saying is that there is no defense that serves as the definitive “answer” for stopping offenses. At the end of the day your ability to stop offenses relies on 1) the player’s that you have on defense, 2) your knowledge of the defense and ability to apply it against your opponents, and 3) the opponents ability to both excel and/or shoot itself in the foot. There are many great coaches that swear by certain schemes, fronts, and coverage’s. You look around the country and you see different schemes working all over the football map. TCU’s 4-2-5 has been a hot topic lately. The success of Dom Capers (Green Bay) and Dick Lebeau (Pittsburgh) in the NFL has kept the 3-4 newsworthy. Too many programs have success with the “multiple” 4-3. I see merit in each and every scheme out there, but at the end of the day I have a certain affinity for one: the 3-4.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Why the 3-4? Several reasons:</span></strong><br />
<strong>Personnel:</strong> some areas/schools seem to “grow” a certain type of athlete, but at most of my stops I see more hybrid type kids than I do true defensive ends. I think find it easier to find a hybrid kid that can do multiple things than I do kids that I feel safe anchoring down as a four man front DE. I think that this defense also lends itself Nickel and Dime package(s).<br />
<br />
<strong>Box Alignment:</strong> I think the 3-4 allows you to be multiple in your box alignment. I also think that your alignments can more easily be tailored to your strengths in this front.<br />
<br />
<strong>Secondary Alignment:</strong> My preferred coverages will come later, but I think that a 2-high shell is the best starting place when designing the back end of your defense and the 3-4 allows you to use the 2-high shell but still adjust as needed.<br />
<br />
<strong>Balance:</strong> I think that the “base” alignment for a 3-4 defense allows you to balance up to any formation. This benefits the defense in the run game, passing game, and also in the pressure/blitz game.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>DISCLAIMER:</strong> Below are a few things that I want to put out there before I go any further, some of this applies to football schemes in general and not just this post –</em><br />
<div align="left">1. We all know that the last guy with the pen wins on the grease board. Players make plays, not markers and diagrams.</div><div align="left">2. Almost all schemes are related in some way. This scheme, like others, employs certain principles that make it akin to other defenses so I know some things might enter your head as being “contradictive” to my argument for the 3-4.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">3. Most of my 3-4 knowledge comes from a good friend and former co-worker and an outstanding clinic weekend with the defensive staff at Liberty University (Parcells/Belichick/Groh line of 3-4 coaches) and a staff I worked on.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">4. It is my blog so I can say what I want.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Personnel for the 3-4 FRONT:</span></strong><br />
<div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">I identify the lineman in the 3-4 as the Nose, Tackle, and End. The outside linebackers, who are important to your alignments, are the Sam and the Jack. The Sam will always align on the strong side and Jack will always align on the weak side of the formation. The inside linebackers are the Mike and Will. The secondary consist of two cornerbacks with a free safety and a strong safety.<br />
<br />
<strong>NOSE:</strong> This is your plugger – or at least the closest thing that you have. I never ask my Nose to 2-Gap (this is not the NFL). If I do not have a true plugger I am going to play someone with good “get-off” and serious strength at this position.<br />
<br />
<strong>TACKLE:</strong> This is more like the traditional 4 man front 3-Technique. He needs to be a little more mobile. Preferably the Tackle will be a good pass rusher, but still sturdy enough to take on a double team when needed.<br />
<br />
<strong>END:</strong> Again, this is like a four man front strong-side DE. The End is a solid pass rusher, but primarily good against the run.<br />
<br />
<strong>JACK:</strong> The Jack is the hybrid. I don’t expect any of you to have a Marcus Spears, but if you do this is his spot. He is the “tweener,” the kid that is not quite a LB, but not quite a DE either. He will play in a two point stance in a removed position and tighter in a 5 tech.<br />
<br />
<strong>SAM:</strong> The Sam must be able to play in space as well as down in a 9-tech. Your Sam should be better in space than the Jack. If you are lucky enough to have a Clay Matthews this is where you should play him.<br />
<br />
<strong>MIKE:</strong> My Mike LB is my plugger. This is the LB that absolutely has to play downhill.<br />
<br />
<strong>WILL:</strong> I love it when the Will can be my “brain” in the box of the defense. This is the player that makes great reads and understands how to wade through traffic and get to the ball.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Alignment for the 3-4 FRONT:</span></strong><br />
<div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">When discussing the different fronts that you can get into, the possibilities in the 3-4 defense are endless. The reality is much more limited. How many you actually carry, and how you align to certain offensive formations should be based on what your team can handle and most importantly on what your team needs. Here are some of the more prominent fronts and how they are used in the 3-4:</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574758006317425298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsKZAn9216xNFUT3PRTLIsrrpOiB3mkbo9ol34Tm-cMcUXN_NTViuACeLNOLtECQW031Vo09Yhu_dNQn_TaPuScS2UpRKcXd4ZxsAv2PR_VWiDThRB1kMx5CE9rRyAK8DgLT2Jp9WedO9/s400/OAKIE.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <br />
<div align="center">-A balanced front that is “safe” against any offensive formations.</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574757898167352498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNskXRvEAW-mXu1Jg9Y-y7P1kXTKPdxdy2rbAELr3QUjLz7jhb9gnrE-3eAw6wAxajkgGnzoTtPHcvwmRWP6iHCBJcdrOMwqlDcC2q3wb7sF7tUf2KEHGvQmQDvMyJAWesO5fXc905w5z/s400/INDY.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <br />
<div align="center">-Again a balanced formation. This is our version of a “BEAR” alignment. Instead of aligning in tight 3 techniques we align in 4i’s and attack B-Gap at the snap of the ball.<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574758149154271154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqup3iGIAil-XIQd6ePOKl1Dksqhl_OyPemGhYJT6dPoyWJ5NIquoxTdTzJhZBY2Lk7uV7ZxlAXZzaGkujIRlJB_RvMyJMuLrgzX_2wFXi8Ci6RqfQJHEhnm0dE0BLfenYEqPRWGZ5fBra/s400/UNDER.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />-Just like the traditional UNDER front except the backside 5 technique is played by the Jack LB instead of a DE. The Jack remains in a 2 point stance.</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574758272221540978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-ajDwrD9X3cjc4-Aj1EZ-QDF187s9Awfn6L0PVuiBsX3vqBtrzlOD1r_QG1gWeCuw_vK1rWLk13xYebW0vpEG0hMWG_0inkxWqNfmRXnC0vgVkVGa4QnNuopsXHGDuJ7nb-qbamYfT3f/s400/SOLID.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <br />
<div align="center">-Another common front that teams use against running teams/formations. Again, the Jack LB moved down to the 5 tech.</div>I will continue to discuss the implementation of this defense in upcoming post.</div></div></div>Pete DeWeesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234661733837007077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775915295634094462.post-59530683476434583512011-02-12T11:22:00.005-05:002011-02-12T11:57:24.978-05:00Don't Call It A Comeback...<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vimZj8HW0Kg">I've been here for years</a>. Well, I've been here for a month anyway. Of course I disappeared for a few weeks...<br /><br />I'm back now though!<br /><br />Things have been hectic and posting had slipped way too much. All I needed was a good shot in the arm. Thanks to the <a href="http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2011/02/invasion.html">vote of confidence </a>over on Brophy's site (thanks BTW) I am ready to work again.<br /><br />In the few weeks since my last post quite a bit has happened. There has been a change of power on our coaching staff as a good friend and boss stepped down, and a new (and respected) coach was hired. I tested the waters (just in case) and had one great interview and several very positive conversations (that could still lead to something). I've endured, and almost completed, the start of track season (I am the Girls Head Coach) and the mountain of paperwork that goes with it. Then of course there are the five classes of 9th grade Language Arts that I teach. Needless to say, it has been all I can do to stay afloat...<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572844289510522018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZYFeGMr6IAu9-Y8xQ6SNRkDhPhmnSoIYrUvW1iDbzM0ZnH2UI7BDFDEwLcSO-h4r1Tlex2upoM6mor41D8dhHy5STHG-Fow8NR59GQXFqxrTrnNWm9IgTo4ou82mm0qNrid62sTAopeD/s400/not-waving-but-drowning.jpg" border="0" /><br />The truth is without it all I would get bored. Work is what keeps me going most days because I love it. I might not love every aspect of it, but it is a part of who I am. I love knowing that I could be making a difference, and I love coaching. Sometimes working is hard when suddenly nothing is guaranteed and that is when you need a plan. My plan is simple: keep working. I have no idea what or where the next step for me may be, but I plan to keep working as hard as I can. My life, my accomplishments, my team(s), and my resume are only as good as the work I can produce. <strong><em>Therefore I grind.</em></strong> Oh, and hopefully post more updates to this site.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A few links to share:</span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.thepostgame.com/features/201101/tom-bradys-guru"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A guy that makes a difference</span></strong></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.thepostgame.com/homepage/201101/big-coach-little-gym"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A guy to admire</span></strong></a>Pete DeWeesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234661733837007077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775915295634094462.post-57697875926379160332011-02-11T10:21:00.008-05:002011-02-20T13:27:34.307-05:00Y-Stick<span style="font-size: 100%;">Continuing on the theme of the 3 step passing game, it is important to recognize Y-Stick and note its prominence in modern football. Y-Stick has become one of the most popular passing plays that coach coaches utilize in early down situations. Many offensive coaches consider the Y-Stick to be a free 4-5 yard play. I prefer to use the Y-Stick concept while still keeping our customary access rule on the back side of the play. Other teams, like the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers, get more creative on the backside, especially in empty sets.<br />
<br />
I prefer Y-Stick from some type of 3 X 1 formation. Pretty much any form of a 3 X 1 will work.<br />
</span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572837699172698082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuvXPTNW96t_wxaOD3Z7n_v6obVjXwnYfedn3IF-IpD77wcxTbgl_VOCLm_7264nivwifTfyK-aDGRYMZrUekkhUofynX43_dg7_wVmiOXZ0ecmULb5HNvSIEZ1axj2G6izbGGDun8wRw/s400/3x1+formations.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
We use our <a href="http://livingforwinning.blogspot.com/2011/01/accessing-great-quick-passing-game.html">Access Rule </a>on the backside of Y-Stick. The Concept Side of the play is as simple as it gets. I believe in giving young QB’s simple and sure reads so that they can make a throw with confidence.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Our Progression: (With Access CLOSED)</span></strong><br />
Z: is a pre-snap read only. Z is out of the equation unless we see two things: Man Coverage or Cover 2 with a big window.<br />
<br />
Y to H: The rule is simple; the ball automatically goes to the Y unless color covers the route. Color = H on the speed out.<br />
<br />
The goal is to out-leverage the invert or force defender with a horizontal read and make him wrong. <br />
<div><div><div><a name='more'></a><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572837896168341522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglOfGNB7Rdf3S6OfzaNMcIJq9-__kusmTgNS2J7SKLaPaIysNiF5nNHZETko62dJLyH1W2rbjl_3HDtVehzkubfBudFZBbmHHsp5de8l-gY9b9gWmqW82D5t1jo9XUYxU-m2QEtLbWVdO/s400/Y-STICK+LEVERAGE.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<div>In my opinion the toughest coverage’s for a QB to see are 4-2 Nickel teams that combo #1 & #2 with the SS/CB and match #3 with the Nickel, teams that effectively use the TCU “Special” coverage, or man to man (but only because the vertical can be a low percentage throw against a good CB).<br />
<br />
<strong>Sample of Y-Stick vs 4-2 Nickel with the aforementioned combo coverage: </strong></div><br />
<strong><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572838058222230242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietsKK-vrXPrc0IT_tq6iO928ykCG0o6ittAawJsRdG8GIDJ1HPCS5-bKjJn_kAZuItTO8cpzKIjfOt3no-1dzQkGdtmqT-Wv8EoQ9vJ312646rwRAYgarWl5aYdb2k8ARWRvm6cSfWBoe/s400/Y-STICK++SPECIAL+COV.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></strong> Teams with an empty package can do several things to take advantage of combo coverage’s by adding a two-man game on the back side of the formation. Green Bay’s final touchdown (the corner route to Greg Jennings) in the 2011 Super Bowl was a prime example of how Mike McCarthy loves to use this play from an empty set (and in one of the most crucial situations of his career).<br />
<br />
The Packer’s set the strength of the formation to the left and put two receiver’s right. On the front side of the formation they ran the traditional Y-stick combination, but on the backside of the play they ran a slant/corner smash combination. Rodger’s saw a man blitz coming from the Pittsburgh defense and took the 2 man side.<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572838220154723922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-u5JGTXqKLQH4He2PMA0-1HeQMtK563qSQV6j342yrFBr-5anpDIYdyGjNZVx4Dwj1aUptnNBQvNj6wOL1Z0QTrqV67QlTNVNMNCDHpo_-sPzbbskPEz0U5D9HvaTeRCKx5K11dt_jaMG/s400/Y-STICK+PACKERS.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />I have also seen teams use the backside of SNAG as well as other SMASH concepts on the backside of this play. Teams that BOSS their linebacker’s to the trips and leave a hole backside are acceptable to leveraging the backside defender horizontally by running an a hitch with #1 weak and a drag or slant with #2 weak. Mullen and Meyer used to do this with Percy Harvin to get him one on one in open space.<br />
<br />
Teams that rely heavily on this play also use the play as a chain mover in 3rd & 7/8 yd situations. Teams can use this as a part of their five step game for an 8 to 9 yard conversion.</div><div></div><div>This is an easy scheme that coaches can use to add an effective and efficient play to their arsenal.</div></div></div>Pete DeWeesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234661733837007077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775915295634094462.post-15172014751264360092011-01-16T17:09:00.015-05:002011-02-20T13:28:00.354-05:00Accessing A Great Quick Passing Game<span style="font-size: 85%;">*Updated with video (at bottom of post)</span><br />
<br />
Some passing offenses are designed to take shots down the field. Some teams rely heavily on play-action for their passing game. Some systems are based on concepts designed to attack the defense all over the field. Due to personnel, some teams are forced to design their passing game around the one true threat that they might have. I feel like I have done a little bit of everything in my time as a coach, but my studies have led me to one strong conviction: to have a great passing game you must be great in the quick game.<br />
<br />
An efficient quick or 3 step passing game can be an extension of your run game. If you are the 2007-2009 New England Patriots, a good 3 step package can BE your running game. This past season we made great strides in our quick game, and as a coach I learned lessons that I will carry with me as long as I stroll the sidelines as a coach. These lessons took shape when we implemented simple rules and proven concepts that proved to be effective for both our JV and Varsity programs. These same concepts are the ones I see utilized time and time again by some of the most successful offenses in college and professional football.<br />
<br />
Our journey started by teaching the <a href="http://livingforwinning.blogspot.com/2011/01/read-slant.html">Read Slant </a>that I discussed in a previous post. As noted, I taught the route to our quarterbacks and relied on them to work the routes with the receivers. Our offensive staff made sure to utilize this route from the start of our spring install calendar. Using the same 3X1 (or offset I) formations that we use in our run heavy offense, we would call an “Access” route for the single receiver and match that route with a quick game concept on the 3 receiver side. One major advantage is that any of these plays can be run from multiple formations without changing the read for the QB.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
At the first position meeting of the spring I introduced our new <strong>Access Rule</strong> to the quarterbacks. The rule is simple:<br />
<div><div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562910601792253522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dLGUXJKp8qktrpMc-757vDTt8XCqt1yw7786oar7c68a7HWuKbMls0PHCEbgtYcg5Jwi9CZ935_xWsH3eQIBV_1qRk4ETOnZzd80owMUmtlT2QXlSKBLDiKtmPMPkVzRi50Z0n6XjmJH/s400/Access+Rule.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 167px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> We explained to our quarterbacks that we use the Access Rule any time that we utilize a 3X1 formation for a 3 step passing play. What we are looking for is “Access” to the single wide receiver’s route. In other words, based on alignment, is there a defender that threatens the called route. If we have “Access” to the route, the ball immediately goes to that receiver. If “Access” is closed, we immediately know that we are working the concept side of the play. Picture a play where we have called the read slant for the X receiver. All the QB has to do is determine if there is an immediate threat to that route.<br />
<br />
<strong>What does it look like with Access open?</strong></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562910831293433250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbRON54LuMc7-RR30LCDXJz5RDOdzr43mwz75h-pQJEEZvM2vPkOGlN8DyQNb6vV7wwuSbHbSxzB_tndyOmcGleL888o4-EpKWAmmQaeJy5awRRDM0_FloqBbbBJEW1IWHhOXv_5bp4nx/s400/open+access.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 167px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<div>With this look the QB knows that he is taking the Read Slant that was called in the play.<br />
<br />
<strong>What does it look like with Access closed?</strong></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562910976458923058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzzzAMiaFAEAeVHwD3-Il9D1q6l9YoFVmKS4UiNQA-xPIqsT6bLHRWrrHvKsjLnqPk7lQ1CIQcfPhP-1cKK9hApNEQhBSV9M9mbrMxWWZHw4B1ctC2APhr6BZH2DnFEuRGVLRwretCP7f/s400/closed+access.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 167px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<div>With this look the QB knows that he is immediately working the “concept” or 3X1 side of the play.<br />
<br />
Since I started coaching Quarterbacks (after stints at nearly every other position on the field) I have prided myself on my QB’s ability to recognize defensive alignment and coverage’s so I was not at all surprised when my two upperclassmen picked up the concept immediately. I was pleased when the rising Sophomore QB that I had never worked with picked the concept up right away. But the simplicity of the “Access Rule” really showed itself a few days later when the varsity coaches spent some time working with the rising freshman players. Both rising 9th grade quarterbacks could identify open and closed access within minutes of me walking them through examples of the two scenarios. Obviously age and experience will play a role in how multiple and diverse you can be in your install of multiple plays, but installation of a small package of 3 step passing concepts using the “Access Rule” backside can be implemented at almost any level.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: 180%;">Other Options</span></strong>Once your skill players have a grasp of the Read Slant and the Access Rule you will find it easy to utilize multiple routes while keeping the thought process the same. For instance, if your single receiver is set to the boundary you can call assign that receiver a Hitch instead of the Read Slant. Or, if your single receiver is set to the field you can assign the single receiver a speed out to take advantage of the open field created by a soft cushion and the location of the ball. In either scenario the thought process for the quarterback does not change. If access is open, take the single receiver. If access is closed take the concept side of the play. This is especially important when you get tendency heavy and the defense starts to over-play the slant.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: 180%;">Marrying the Access Rule with Concept Passing</span></strong>Every offensive coach has their favorite passing plays. If you are a coach that prefers seven man protections you can utilize the access rule from any 2 back formation and call for a simple two man game like the slant/shoot, fade/out, out/fade, or smash combination (hitch w/a corner or seam). In the quick game I prefer a six man protection with a three man game to the concept side of the play. If you are a spread team you can also utilize empty formations and get the same thing (more on that later).<br />
<br />
I’ve heard a lot of coaches debate how many passing plays they should carry into a game. In my mind there are four great quick game concepts that can help any offense in almost any scheme. How many you choose to carry from week to week should be based upon how many YOUR TEAM can handle and not by someone’s personal preference. Here is a breakdown of one of those concepts. I will cover the others in due time.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: 180%;">Spacing</span></strong>The Spacing concept has taken on many faces in the coaching community. Many coaches have taken the simple idea of spacing (overloading one area of the field and reducing the ability of the defense to clamp down on receivers without leaving holes in another area of their coverage) and tweaked it to be more multiple. In my mind this is the most simple and pure example of spacing.<br />
We run our spacing play out of multiple formations, but the routes and the concept remain the same. We can also use motion to get to formations ideal for this play. Pairing the Access Rule with the Spacing concept is a simple but effective play. Last season this was the passing play responsible for our highest completion percentage and was equally effective in helping us stay in favorable down and distance situations.<br />
<br />
<strong>Rules for Spacing:</strong><br />
<strong>X: Read Slant</strong> (see post below)<br />
<strong></strong></div><br />
<div><strong>Y: Inside Stick Route</strong> – take an inside release and “capture” the opposite shoulder of the Middle LB. If the MLB leaves, settle* over the ball. Route should never be deeper than 5 yards.<br />
<strong></strong></div><br />
<div><strong>Z: Inside Stick Route</strong> – release inside and “replace” the Y’s original alignment. Settle in window at 7-9 yards.<br />
<strong></strong></div><br />
<div><strong>H: Free Release Shoot</strong> – attack perimeter gaining width to sideline. Depth at 2-3 yards. If you clear the numbers turn back and settle for QB with back to the sideline.<br />
<strong></strong></div><br />
<div><strong>Q: Access to Concept</strong> – Access = take X on the called route. Concept = Peak X on your first step, as you hit step 3 read across the field from Y to Z. Take Y unless color makes cloudy. If cloudy take Z. H is an “oh crap” route only.<br />
<br />
<em>*in our coaching vernacular the term “settle” means to stop while “throttle” means to slow your route down.<br />
</em><strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Example:</span></strong></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562911554628959602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBeiBlbzz9M1mnDfZaldUtU72gklZrhF-n4fvgiW70cHmlYPKF4fDILhm668MqSSSTr4gdAvm-U1KjppzvsxZMvQyuyO-zARw22BoOi24JCneozQcQYF1F-zB5oz_FIdJ8-pPL5fk72gI/s400/Spacing-Open.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 167px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> </div><div><strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Sample Videos:</span></strong></div><div><span style="font-size: 85%;">*Editor's note, not all of these clips are perfect, for example, in the first clip you see the WR does not throttle down enough. We use this as a teaching tool to show the WR's why he throttle's. We ask them to look at how close the safety is to the ball. Throttling out of the break cuts down on that threat. </span></div><div>**If you can not see the video click <a href="http://www.hudl.com/presview/6140">HERE</a>.</div><strong></strong></div><strong></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<object data="data:application/x-silverlight-2," height="435" id="pv" style="z-index: -100;" type="application/x-silverlight-2" width="580"><param name="source" value="http://www.hudl.com/ClientBin/PresentationInlineViewer.xap"/><param name="Windowless" value="true" /><param name="minRuntimeVersion" value="3.0.40624.0" /><param name="autoUpgrade" value="true" /><param name="enableHtmlAccess" value="true" /><param name="InitParams" value="p=6140" /><div id="nosl" class="embed"><div><h3 style="font-size: 40px !important;">Oh Snap!</h3><p class="snap">You need to install <strong>Silverlight</strong> to watch Hudl presentations. <a href="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=149156"><img alt="Download Silverlight" src="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=92801&clcid=0x409" /></a></p><p class="install-sl"><a href="http://www.hudl.com/tutorials/installsilverlight/">Need help installing Silverlight? Click here.</a></p></div></div></object>Pete DeWeesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234661733837007077noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775915295634094462.post-50015388928930114132011-01-14T20:11:00.001-05:002011-02-20T13:28:17.815-05:00The Read SlantThe slant route has been a staple in the passing game for decades. The route has remained popular because it can be a high percentage throw and has the potential to bust for big gains. Guys like Jerry Rice made their career off of running the slant. NFL teams still execute the slant flawlessly. There might not be a better slant team in the NFL than the Green Bay Packers. For some reason though, you have started to see less and less of the slant in high school and college football. I think a lot of this can be attributed to three things: 1) NFL defenses run a ton of cover 1 where good receiver’s can get loose on a 1 step slant, 2) defenses on the HS and college level have become more multiple, and 3) the threat of a spinning safety or dropping lineman in a zone dog/blitz scheme.<br />
<br />
Many teams have adjusted their slant game to answer the evolving defenses. Last spring we incorporated the Read Slant to our offense and found it to be successful this season. We borrowed this idea from <a href="http://ballstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=14200&ATCLID=205070018">Rich Skrosky </a>(formerly of Elon) and a video he shared with <a href="http://aplayaday.com/">A Play A Day</a>. Many coaches, particularly high school coaches, prefer to abide by the K.I.S.S. rule and stop reading at this point, but I assure you that this concept is simple and can be learned and employed by athletes most any level.<br />
<br />
What is the Read Slant? A smart way to assist your quarterback and receiver’s and help create open space for a high percentage throw.<br />
<br />
What exactly are we reading? The “Read” portion of this concept is based on the alignment of the defense and the rules are simple. First, is there a slant threat? Second, what kind of cushion am I going to get? From there the route develops.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: 180%;">How the “slant threat” changes the route:</span></strong>Once the receiver aligns to start the play he looks for “access” to run his slant. <br />
<div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562216620608880882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWZljljLx9I7YYGq3upI_Ct1a_HAIPnPgXYzoy8p447sE29bH1SccGoeb9y9F7W6lRtLA1a8ISNRoL45X-uRadHoeofBCeP6Ejz_nHafu0D9ESIdDVqezI5bg110Fq0e_VSnPSzs7sPE6/s400/access.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />If there is no threat (like above) he will make the appropriate break on the route and run out the break while “throttling” down slightly to help the quarterback place the ball in the window. <br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562217518873648706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KI6hxPWnUHR32Zl_uvfpgcAM9iuDcdNULzeazJVVWew6jqAtWCmXMJnxPtmtIr21Vyzr2TxIU4Z03ifCDhC8eswSBAdOk555qgFMk3hEtn3SktWmx9G415uvN3Oak1OXTjJEMg3auuVQ/s400/open+access.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> If there is a defender that denies or limits the “access” to the slant window the WR will make his appropriate break and immediately “throttle” down and almost stop the route. This keeps the invert defenser from getting underneath the route. WR’s like this technique b/c it prevents them from taking big shots by inside defenders. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562217166100251858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ViS7_pg476ONc7VyXJcoHwIHD3QPhXexZ-K8AsFfKr8tmN4yUDcxHPlQpssC9jKicKHx3qjn2L5Nr3WYnbie0ARc1v3g0KBSQ8a20QHnH0pSYtbkqs2z1M9pP0wax3wDCAk130-4qmqv/s400/closed+access.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> If there is a threat the rule is simple, the closer you are to the “threat,” the shorter the slant becomes. Over time our WR’s started to recognize that if the “threat” aligns too wide or drops too shallow that they can run right past him, but that will come with time. Start simple.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: 180%;">How the cushion changes the route:</span></strong>Like any traditional slant route the WR will burst off the ball for three steps before breaking his slant. If the cushion of the defensive back is three yards or more the WR will stick on his third step and break on an angle showing his jersey number to the quarterback. The angle should never be greater than 45 degrees. If the cushion of the defensive back is less than three yards the WR will break flat and show his jersey number to the quarterback. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562217868829846418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZkG5SjnwUbNYsUcyC664z3-jPXubdWAijbYRV20AgIVt7OlvmI7byviouqpY6bperilH6bZ_q77eHhCV7LAk1EGQsetL5uiNjfvJHZkI506_6DFb4-K6iIjt0-v7KhFradT0FOqm8vxU/s400/read+slant.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <br />
If the defender is aligned in press coverage our WR’s will automatically convert the route to a fade.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-size: 180%;">Throttling Down:</span></span></strong>I believe it is important to use common language and be consistent in how you teach and coach everything you do. When we talk to our receiver’s about settling down in a hole we prefer to use the term throttle over settle. When I/we used the term “settle” the kids always wanted to come to a dead stop when they found green grass. When we tell our kids to “throttle down” they understand that we are telling them to slow the process, but we are not asking them to stop entirely. The defender’s keep moving, so should you. So when we teach the DIG route or the MESH concept we tell our kid to throttle against zone coverage and show their numbers to the quarterback. People I’ve discussed this particular concept with always ask why we throttle down the slant route. I think that throttling down the slant route helps with accuracy and can assure a higher percentage throw. I spend a lot of time talking to my quarterbacks about “throwing the receiver open” in our 3 step game. Our QB’s and WR’s got so used to throwing this read slant that the QB was able to consistently place the ball on the should that he wanted the WR to turn and run – like the noose drill for you SYSTEM guys. Early each spring, when we are limited with what we can do with the player’s, our QB’s organize and run 1 on 1 and 7 on 7 sessions with our other skill player’s. I sat in a meeting room and taught this route to our top two quarterbacks about a month prior to the start of spring ball last April. They taught the route the WR’s, and by the time we started spring practice there was very little coaching for the staff to do. Our kids could throw and catch this route versus any coverage from day one. The concept is simple enough that every QB & WR in our program (grades 9-12) picked it up easily. Teach the “Cushion” rule, followed by the “Threat” rule, and you are off and running. </div></div>Pete DeWeesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234661733837007077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775915295634094462.post-66057508523089381092011-01-14T00:02:00.001-05:002011-02-20T13:20:13.698-05:00Wisconsin's Power Run GameAnybody that has coached with me knows that I love "power" football. More specifically, I love the magical offensive play that bares the same name. Some people simply call it Power. some call it Power O, others call it Power G. I call it the best offensive play in football. Whether we are talking pro sets, 2 tight ends, one back, or with no backs (see Auburn) I love this play and in my mind no one does it better than the Wisconsin Badgers. In fact, I love everything about their offense and their program in general. In my mind their transition from Barry Alvarez to Bret <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bielema</span> has been successful because they did one thing that I find crucial to succeeding as a football program: <div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561906720231362114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8GyYVz9Ux0MaXzX1J_xIRysOtTf1IZl5EfheG7qc27QiHVnPMhqZUTdJ_8tMHpV-k3bDnbW-qN53Xscsg6BoqRJUjhpDQsp9j9iWb5TkZvX5Zar6PGXIDqgJpEdsmH5Atrqjs4Fw8Xub/s320/wisonsin+visor+shot.jpg" border="0" />They took an honest look at what they are and what resources they have round them and they built the program around those resources. And what did they see? A landscape filled with massive offensive linemen and the reputation for running the football that will allow them to recruit a quality running back (or three).<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561906917419470466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 197px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcxmiB3Icn1XCCXNLbrNGAUWaVoR2w8pyPnDCQIqC-FpNym_34ViKQUvw1D53XwAtjVrtnDXfESbdJMHHf0IUBTRh7GXNTYlBVNqBVETQNi9wIuOvLOnAPy0dIKUTWV_cVsyLgWER_Aet/s320/Wisconsin-Badgers-Football.jpg" border="0" />Another staple of the Wisconsin offense is their use of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tightend</span>. Guys like Owen Daniels (Texans), Garrett Graham (Texans), Travis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Beckum</span> (Giants), and most recently SR Lance Kendricks (below) have been instrumental in every phase of the Badger offense.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561910044735061730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 183px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWz0IjE3TkGQ5U7wENj_LQkIG8XVTVsSJiyDymgkpjzuoByw8gZ3iHDNWy3kd-v5s9XkDv6CHyfiKaxQRwCSRg3_xDqH__Jtac62wKyMbzd4eFDqA6QCCF4B6lcgcK9IE4gx-0PasLtplu/s320/wisconsin+TE.jpg" border="0" />I am especially in love with how Wisconsin has incorporated their TE in to their power run game.</div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">The Basics of Power...</span></strong></div><br /><p>"Power" is a downhill run play designed to give the offense at least one double team to the play side while gaining a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">play side</span> blocker by <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">pulling</span> the backside guard. There are hundreds of coaching points that coaches to discuss. Power can be run from multiple formations and utilizing several different motions. I've set and listened to coaches debate for an hour over what type of pull technique to use (I prefer skip pull). Regardless of the makeup of your offense, there is a place for Power. </p><p>Here is a look at Power from a Pro set. For simplicity purposes I am going to use an Under front.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562141527787134226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 339px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 248px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzN_H5s4BB5Wwgh3yLjRRX7ZWZIK5xMS91Y6vuY1s3rsjVLd4nXmdGosCPVfIxWEOmdNE7jxEGDAHAPY-tTagvl5Wg3oYeGXZ8IXVt0HQUinY82pnXMunxjwShmoTmi1K5ATAkg4rC78Fu/s320/PRO-I+POWER+VS+UNDER.jpg" border="0" />Versus an Under front most teams will double team the 5 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">technique</span> and work to the backside linebacker. The fullback, or H-back, will be responsible for kicking out the end man on the line of scrimmage. In the Under front that will usually be a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">stand up</span> DE or Sam LB in a 9 technique. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">play side</span> guard will work down on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">play side</span> shade while the center "chokes" back to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">the</span> 3 tech. The backside guard pulls for the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">play side</span> LB, in this front that is the Mike LB. The backside tackle gap-hinges to protect the backside. Our tailbacks take a drop step with their backside leg and drive downhill at the inside hip of the guard. The back has to be patient and hit inside his pull in almost every case. Our primary coaching point to the running back is the Power is a downhill play that should not bounce.</p><p>The school where I coach uses a pro-style offense that believes in running the football to find success. Power has been one of our primary offensive plays. Due to our proclivity for running the football we began to see and eight man front. Most of the teams in our region base their defense out of 4-3 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">personnel</span>. The Under front became the most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">popular</span> answer against our offense. Those same teams liked to live in Cover 4 on the back end of their defense. The result was tightly aligned Cover 4 safeties ready to get downhill in a hurry. Even prior to my arrival they always used a good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">play action</span> game to keep defenses honest, but the bottom line is: we have to run the ball to be successful. </p><p>When <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">everybody</span> did their job and blocked the play correctly they always had that Cover 4 safety that they could not account for. That is where Wisconsin came to the rescue...</p><p><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Wisconsin Power...</strong> </span></p><p>When I changed programs prior to the 2008 season and made the move to my current school I began looking for resources that would enhance the pro-style offense referenced above. Item #1, taking care of that 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">th</span> defender or aggressive safety. Thanks to a great connection from a great friend and former coaching brother I was able to get a cut-up of the Wisconsin run game. One thing that I had noticed from watching the Badger's play during the previous season was that they had a play that looked like a hybrid of Power and Counter schemes. The result: an extra man at the point of attack. The cut-up of the Badger run game opened the door to the play that would change our offense. Although the play was initially installed to become a part of our short-yardage/goal-line package, it quickly became a primary force in our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">game plan</span> each week. </p><p>Wisconsin used an extra TE or Wing to pull from the backside and account for the extra defender. The blocking scheme for the rest of the line didn't have to change, they still blocked power. The carry-over was important to our staff. The only thing that we had to tweak was our running backs steps. Now the TB would take a drop-step at a slight angle to the weak side before working back <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">play side</span> and downhill on his normal path. The slight counter step allows for the extra "puller" to get in front of the play. The coaching point for the TE/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">FB</span>/W that you use as the extra guy is simple, follow the guard and take the first color that you see. Just like a tackle on counter, he <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">takes</span> the window created when the guard in front of him declares and takes on a defender. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562150540715030354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 355px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 252px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfchhUNLmiL9zBkhZ281Hzz038jj7t2yqiWwROtF2EiBxRWEQ_yX5zHJCnNLmj8gMzso-L8cVmPCiXoMaSB7ecrK8yPUNS5fb9MBxzQSq2z1tiqoISMaJD4xPAhBqjeq7tLze_LeneeFfl/s320/POWER+PLUS+VS+UNDER.jpg" border="0" />Schematically you are only weak in one area: the backside edge. If a defense brings edge pressure off of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">weak side</span> the player can work down the line and stop the play for a short loss. Watching <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Winconsin</span> this season it appears that they counter that pressure by having the "puller" read the edge as they pull.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562162107597470114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddoigVKNBAAFHj8wJ7lFFF55GSDFPx0p8TwiydAnHVg6YEy1BSkiI5eyTcvfNMA-uQXq0CIl79bUMHd_i54YkL9AlX4aKKfB231vJqHLh-w3UJ_Tw2D4r1WaB0KkrmaHzc9FKjbXiaBIG/s400/WITH+EDGE+PRESSURE+AND+WITHOUT.jpg" border="0" /> We began to run this play from several different formations and be utilizing several different motions. The result was a play that accounted in over 60% of our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">playcall's</span> in 2008. That season we rushed for over 3,300 yards and averaged 285 yards rushing a game and 6.1 yards per carry. Our run game, relying heavily on this play, accounted for 37 rushing touchdowns. Changes in our roster have led to adjustments in our scheme over the past few seasons but this play has remained an integral part of what we do.<br /><br />Watch a Wisconsin game and you will see them run this from several different sets and formations. Below is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">slide show</span> of some formations used by both the Badgers and our high school offense to run this play effectively.<br /><br /><div id="__ss_6570343" style="WIDTH: 425px"><strong style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 12px 0px 4px"><a title="Power plus formations" href="http://www.slideshare.net/deweesep/power-plus-formations">Power plus formations</a></strong><object id="__sse6570343" height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=powerplusformations-110114155302-phpapp02&stripped_title=power-plus-formations&userName=deweesep"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed name="__sse6570343" src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=powerplusformations-110114155302-phpapp02&stripped_title=power-plus-formations&userName=deweesep" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; PADDING-TOP: 5px">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/deweesep">Pete <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">DeWeese</span></a>.</div></div>Pete DeWeesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234661733837007077noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775915295634094462.post-33938183208405267202011-01-13T22:57:00.000-05:002011-01-16T00:05:27.829-05:00"You don't coach football because you love the game. You coach football because you can't live without it."I remember the first time I heard that quote. I also remember thinking, "that's me." That was eight years go. What do I think when I hear that quote now? Simple, "that's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">definitely</span> me."<br /><br />Football is my life. It's that simple. I love everything about the game. I spend the season focused on winning and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">off-season</span> focused on getting me and my players better. I still study the game. I pick football subjects like they were college courses and throw myself into them. Do you have a good breakdown of a certain team/coach/concept? I want it. Honestly, I probably already have it. If not, gimme.<br /><br />The only thing that tops studying the game is coaching the game. In my world football <strong>IS</strong> is life and life doesn't stop when the game ends. Neither does coaching. I love interacting with my players and building relationships and developing bonds with my athletes. Coaching is a 24/7 gig and want my players to know that. I want them to understand that what they do on the field means just as much as what they do off the field. I expect my players to crave winning and winning is an all the time thing. I live to win.<br /><br />Chip Kelly and his national runner-up Oregon Ducks had a simple <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">motto</span> during the 2010 season: "Win The Day."<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYalwLp7tE2pNlH0sUm3mC0cSV8HlD0vuVs5kKM3JNncoGXvOOdkJtK1_EKsuxd_fug2wpzy5gGtq7v_T77HoGFc9musH9-Z9u_VYQw2YJ6cugJ-QbpH-zM8PegQi0wCzGo-k1fbLp4PV/s1600/WTD+Oregon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561892620004372722" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 220px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYalwLp7tE2pNlH0sUm3mC0cSV8HlD0vuVs5kKM3JNncoGXvOOdkJtK1_EKsuxd_fug2wpzy5gGtq7v_T77HoGFc9musH9-Z9u_VYQw2YJ6cugJ-QbpH-zM8PegQi0wCzGo-k1fbLp4PV/s320/WTD+Oregon.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>To be successful in this world that has to be your goal. You "Win The Day" by attacking everything with all that you have. For some people that means saving lives or winning court cases. For others it means earning minimum wage or doing your homework. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Regardless</span> of who you are and what cards you have been dealt, you can always give your best. You will never be truly successful if you do not give maximum effort in everything you do. Sure, you may cruise by in one facet of your life but you will never be a complete man. Success can only be found when you have exhausted all of your efforts. I leave you with this:<br /><br />"Success is a peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best that you are capable of becoming.." - Legendary UCLA Basketball Coach, John WoodenPete DeWeesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234661733837007077noreply@blogger.com2