Defending Commonly Seen Pass Plays in the 4-2-5 Defense By: Coach Jimmy Sims Head Football Coach at Los Angeles Valley College Football simsja@lavc.edu

The Frank Glazer Clinic Special Thanks Frank Glazer Clinic Biography and Coaching Experience Education 18 years High School & College Coaching leaned about myself as a coach in high school slow down, teach, communicate, be humble “You must be humiliated, before you can be humble”

Introduction I am not here to convince you play our defensive coverages, but more importantly to share information that we believe works for our athletes. Hopefully, our information can assist you as a coach and / or your players. I believe that coaches must understand the players the personnel you have, then use your philosophy to fit the mold of our players. "It's not always the X's and the O's,it's the Billy's and the Joe's... It's a true statement!

Introduction I’ve been associated with some great coaches. I have had the chance to coach with them on the sidelines I've had the opportunity to pick their brains at clinics or during the recruiting process.

Defensive Staff at Los Angeles Valley College Preparing for each opponent each week. Our secondary philosophy is to teach our base defense that our athletes can master in a two year period. “Do the little things, first” establish a solid foundation in our base coverages and our blitz schemes builds confidence in the players by keeping it simple the secondary can grab a large number of repetitions with each practice repetitions create confidence for the athletes allows them to perform at a high level in games without hesitations. discipline plays a key role in the secondary without it, the season will be very long.

L.A. Valley College Secondary Philosophy Our Philosophy Teach secondary fundamentals; alignment and assignment Must be able to make a tackle Stop the run Control the passing game The use of deception in disguising the coverage Personnel and evaluation of players Recruit speed, quickness, football intelligence, mental and physical toughness Prevent the “big play” and easy touchdown

Our Secondary Philosophy Read and React “Forget about the last play” (deep touchdowns) Protect Your Territory - each player is asked to be responsible for their territory The tendency to help your teammate protect his areas Do your primary job first; then help & pursuit once the your initial territory has been secured.

The Keys To Teaching Quarters Coverage The coach must be able to teach the principles of “alignment” and “assignment” to his players Find players that will execute properly Players must believe in the defense Basic overall understanding of offensive formations; 21P, 20P, 12P, 11P 10P, GL

The Keys To Teaching Quarters Coverage Know the Weaknesses - coaches must know the weaknesses of of the defense Repetitions of Fundamentals – fundamental techniques will differ from one coverage to another do you have a secondary coach that “understands” technique & can “teach” technique to the players?

Advantages of Quarters Coverage Nine man front Compliments the play action pass Assist the defense with four vertical receivers The transition from the base defense to zone blitzing is simple Good Run Support: Primary Force and Alley Fill

Advantages of Quarters Coverage Juco ‘s often have players reporting late We need a defense that is easy to learn in a short period of time. The DEFENSE “CONTINUES” Coaches can use many different schemes that all look the same to the opposing quarterback: Disguises: C4 to C2, C4 to C3 (traditional S/S or Cloud), C4 to Man

Alignment FC = Field Corner The alignment of the Field Corner is 7 yards back by 1 yard inside the #1 receiver. He is the CB to the wide side of the field. When in the middle of the field the coach can designated the left or right side based on the opponent. He is usually a better zone player and run support that the boundary corner back. BC = Boundary Corner 7 yards back by 1 yard inside the #1 receiver. He is the CB that is aligned to the boundary side of the field. He is the defender on your team that can play man to man coverage to the single receiver side; 10 personnel trips (1 RB / 0 TE); 11 personnel strong trips (1 RB / 1TE). This allows the defense to zone the wide side of the field and man the back side when needed.

BASE ALIGNMENT vs (21P) $ M W 2x1 FC B C 7X1 7X1 10X2 10X2 Diagram: #1 D C B A A B C D A T N E 1. IF WE START HAVING TROUBLE SLOWING SOMEONE DOWN, WE ALWAYS COME BACK TO THIS CONFIGURATION. OVER THE YEARS THIS ALIGNMENT HAS HEL UP THE BEST FOR US. $ M W 2x1 FC B C 7X1 7X1 F R 10X2 10X2

Alignment F/S = Free Safety 10 yards deep by 2 yards outside the end man on the line of scrimmage. If a a slot receiver is present and ball on the hash, safeties will align no more than 4 yards outside the end man on the line of scrimmage. He can adjust to his quarter of the field, but never outside his responsible quarter (fast receiver in 10P trips) If ball is in the middle of the field, alignment is a 10x2 R = Rover

BASE ALIGNMENT vs (21P) $ M W 2x1 FC B C 7X1 7X1 10X2 10X2 Diagram: #1 D C B A A B C D A T N E 1. IF WE START HAVING TROUBLE SLOWING SOMEONE DOWN, WE ALWAYS COME BACK TO THIS CONFIGURATION. OVER THE YEARS THIS ALIGNMENT HAS HEL UP THE BEST FOR US. $ M W 2x1 FC B C 7X1 7X1 F R 10X2 10X2

Alignment vs (10P) Trips w 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4 $ Diagram #2 A T N E FC BC Field Boundary A T N E 1. IF THE LB’S DO NOT GET A JAM ON #2, THE RECEIVER IS ON TOP OF THE SAFETY TOO QUICKLY. M w $ FC BC ‘Lion Call’ F – 10x4 R 10x4 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

Alignment vs (11P) w 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4 FC BC F R Diagram #3 A T N E $ M 1. IF THE LB’S DO NOT GET A JAM ON #2, THE RECEIVER IS ON TOP OF THE SAFETY TOO QUICKLY. $ w FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

“UNDER” C. 4 vs (12P) T N A E $ M W BC FC R F Diagram #4 R.H. $ widen on strong trips motion for base combo or CHECK 3 by roll coverage

ADJUSTMENT TO (11P) TRIPS Diagram #5 ¼, ¼, ½; we prefer to not to flip CB. How good are your CB’s on run support? CORNER OVER? E N T A $ FC W M R F BC

Man / Zone Adjustment vs (10P) Trips Diagram #6 Must have a BC that can play man Field Boundary #3 1. IF THE LB’S DO NOT GET A JAM ON #2, THE RECEIVER IS ON TOP OF THE SAFETY TOO QUICKLY. M “Lion Call” BC Man w $ FC ‘ F – 10x4 R 10x4 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

C. Assignment Run Support Keys and Reads Safeties - “Don’t Go Until You Know” Safeties - Flat-Footed Read; Wait technique Safeties – Read and Key end man on the LOS Safeties - If it’s run; primary force on back field “speed flow” to the perimeter Safeties – If it’s run; stack flow Safeties – if it’s run; tight flow Safeties - cutback on all back field flow away

Run Support Keys and Reads Cornerbacks – key and reads QB triangle Cornerbacks have secondary run support on back field speed flow Cornerbacks have angle of pursuit on backfield flow away once ball is pass the LOS On WR crack on safety, CB must be primary force; CB must see contact on safety (very hard to teach)

Run Support in Quarters “Cornerbacks” Diagram #7a Back field run flows: speed, stack, tight A T N E M W 1. THE SAFETIES ARE BASICALLY LINEBACKERS (THAT CAN RUN) LINED UP AT 8-10 YARDS DEEP. $ 2x1 FC BC F R

Run Support in Quarters “Safeties” Diagram #7b Back field run flows: speed, stack tight A T N E M W $ 2x1 1. THE SAFETIES ARE BASICALLY LINEBACKERS (THAT CAN RUN) LINED UP AT 8-10 YARDS DEEP. FC BC F - 10x2 R 10x2

PASS DEFENSE Practice Techniques and they will become second nature Fundamentals; we always concentrate on EDD’s ( every day drills) I. Stance II. Backpedal III. Break on the ball IV. Zone Turns with hips, leg drive, and acceleration V. Man to Man hip movements and hand placement (opponents hands or hips and high thighs VI. Intercepting Balls VII. Tackling VIII. Alignment IX. Assignment

Assignment Pass Keys and Reads Technique for CB’s - shuffle, shuffle , bail CB’s: Routes 10 yards or more is your man off man from seven yards Three step read key from quarterback If three steps is no longer a threat; work hard into a speed backpedal with eyes on #1 receiver 18 yards or more the CB will take his man on an intermediate route or to a deep route

Assignment Pass Keys and Reads Technique for Safeties “Don’t go until you know” Flat – footed read; wait technique If no vertical threat by the #2 receiver, get inside and underneath the #1 receiver 4 important keys by the #2 receiver a.) block; primary run support to cutback b.) vertical release; 10 yards or more man to man c.) inside release; look to double #1 receiver inside out d.) outside release; look to double #1 receiver inside out

C.4 PASS RESPONSIBILITY 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4 Diagram #8 LBS HAVE UNDERNEATH ZONES. DBS HAVE THEIR QUARTERS Vulnerable Areas; Low & outside Vulnerable Areas; Low & outside 1. THE ONLY WAY I KNOW HOW 3 LB’S CAN COVER FOUR SHORT ZONES IS TO HAVE THEM “PATTERN READ” THE #2 RECEIVERS. M W $ FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4 THIS GIVES US FOUR DEEP VS. FOUR VERTICALS

C. 4 PASS RESPONSIBILITY 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4 $ F R Diagram #9 DB’s: Routes at 10 yds or more = man to man $/$ and WLB must jam to re-route #2. 1. IF #2 RECEIVER GETS BY THE L.B., SAFETY HAS HIM M/M ON ANY ROUTE OVER TEN YARD. THE TRICK IS TO SEE THE THREAT. IF THE L.B. KNOCKS #2 DOWN HE IS NO THREAT. BUT, AS LONG AS THE SAFETY CAN SEE THE FRONT NUMBERS OF #2, HE CANNOT DOUBLE #1. $ M W FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

C. 4 PASS RESPONSIBILITY 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4 Diagram #10 Safeties and LB’S Pattern Read #2. 1. BOTH SAFETIES READ SLOW (BOUNCE) AND REACT FAST. IF #2 IS NO THREAT TO THEIR QUARTERS, (FRONT NUMBERS DISAPPEAR) THEN THEY ARE INSIDE OUT ON #1. M W $ FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

C. 4 PASS RESPONSIBILITY 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4 F R Diagram #11 $ FC BC M W 1. IF THE LB’S DO NOT GET A JAM ON #2, THE RECEIVER IS ON TOP OF THE SAFETY TOO QUICKLY. M W $ FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

C. 4 PASS RESPONSIBILITY Diagram #12 $ M W FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4 SECONDARY MUST COMMUNICATE WITH ONE ANOTHER. WHEN THE CORNER SEES THE “SMASH” ROUTE BY #1, HE MUST MAKE AN “UNDER” CALL TO LET THE L.B. KNOW THAT #1 IS IN A SHORT CROSSING ROUTE. ANOTHER TIME TO MAKE A CALL IS WHEN #1 IS “CRACKING” ON THE SAFETY. THE CORNER MUST CALL “CRACK”!! TO LET THE SAFETY KNOW HE IS COMING. $ M W FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

C. 4 PASS RESPONSIBILITY Diagram #13 $ M W FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4 1. IN COLLEGE THERE IS NO BUMP RULE. DON’T BE AFRAID TO COLLISION THE RECEIVER IF THE BALL IS NOT IN THE AIR. YOU, AS A DEFENDER HAVE A RIGHT TO ESTABLISH A POSITION. $ M W FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

C. 4 PASS COVERAGE VS. 90 SERIES (1,2,3, STEP DROP) DB’s read QB three step drop; technique is very important Diagram #14 1. THE CORNERS NUMBER ONE RULE IN QUARTERS IS “DON’T GET BEAT DEEP”! OBVIOUSLY, EVERY COVERAGE HAS ITS SHORTCOMINGS. IF AN OFFENSE COMES OUT AND NICKELS AND DIMES US DOWN THE FIELD WITH SLANTS, HITCHES, AND ARROW ROUTES, WE WILL SHOW A PRE-SNAP LOOK OF C. 4. ON THE SNAP, WE WILL STEM TO C. 2 OR C. 21. IF THE QB THROWS THE BALL ON TIME, IT COULD BE SIX GOING THE OTHER WAY. $ M W FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

PASSING SCHEMES THAT CREATE PROBLEMS FOR QUARTERS COVERAGE Diagram #15a Counter Pass 1. IF THE LB’S DO NOT GET A JAM ON #2, THE RECEIVER IS ON TOP OF THE SAFETY TOO QUICKLY. M W $ late FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

Counter Pass vs Double Robber Counter Pass Adjustment: Double Robber Not good against multiple formations offenses unless you are able to check coverages Diagram #15b Counter Pass vs Double Robber 1. IF THE LB’S DO NOT GET A JAM ON #2, THE RECEIVER IS ON TOP OF THE SAFETY TOO QUICKLY. $ M RB W RB FC BC F R

PASSING SCHEMES THAT CREATE PROBLEMS FOR QUARTERS COVERAGE Diagram #16 Iso Pass; “$” late on re-route of #2 rec; tough for F/S 1. IF THE LB’S DO NOT GET A JAM ON #2, THE RECEIVER IS ON TOP OF THE SAFETY TOO QUICKLY. M W $ late FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

PASSING SCHEMES THAT CREATE PROBLEMS FOR QUARTERS COVERAGE Diagram #17 Naked Pass: very effective play 1. IF THE LB’S DO NOT GET A JAM ON #2, THE RECEIVER IS ON TOP OF THE SAFETY TOO QUICKLY. $ M w FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

Naked Pass Adjustment: ¼, ¼ (slot), Man Diagram #18 Field Naked Pass: very effective play 1. IF THE LB’S DO NOT GET A JAM ON #2, THE RECEIVER IS ON TOP OF THE SAFETY TOO QUICKLY. $ M w FC BC F R 1/4 1/4

PASSING SCHEMES THAT CREATE PROBLEMS FOR QUARTERS COVERAGE Diagram #19 Half Back Pass; FC must see WR contact on safety; have patience 1. IF THE LB’S DO NOT GET A JAM ON #2, THE RECEIVER IS ON TOP OF THE SAFETY TOO QUICKLY. M w $ FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

PASSING SCHEMES THAT CREATE PROBLEMS FOR QUARTERS COVERAGE Diagram #20 Play Action Pass: very effective “M” no re-route; vertical pressure on “R” 1. IF THE LB’S DO NOT GET A JAM ON #2, THE RECEIVER IS ON TOP OF THE SAFETY TOO QUICKLY. M w $ FC BC F R 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

“Success is when preparation meet opportunity” Prepare your players so that they understand the coaches’ thinking process vs the opponent Organize practice plans that create game like situations throughout the week. This will assist your players to be successful with any coverage you decide is best.