1. Mashpee High School 4-4 Defense
Matt Triveri
Head Football Coach
Athletic Director

2. 2011 Division IV Eastern Massachusetts Champions 13-0

3. Program History
Our current staff took over in 2005 when I became head coach
Mashpee began football in 1998 and had a full varsity schedule by 1999.
Our staff inherited a program that went from
Previous coaching staff(s) actually did a pretty good job teaching fundamentals and X’ and O’s; our focus was on adding toughness, getting speed on the field and being aggressive
The current core of our staff (6 coaches) have been together for the past four years

4. Defensive Successes
Using the 4-4 exclusively the past seven years, Mashpee High School has achieved the following:
A record
2011 Eastern Massachusetts Super Bowl Champions (13-0)
Gave up 4 rushing touchdowns in 2011
Recorded 10 shutouts
Held 20 other opponents to one score
Led the state of Massachusetts in points against in at 6.9 points per game

5. Continued
Finished 6th in the state of Massachusetts in points allowed at 10.1 points per game in
Allowed only yard rushers in last 78 game
Given up 26 plays of 40+ yards defensively in last 78 games
In seven season (78 games) have allowed
36 touchdown passes and had 81 interceptions

6. Why We Use The Split 4-4
Well-suited for the type of kids we have; somewhat undersized, but quick and athletic
You do not need a lot of big bodies (this is perfect for us as we have a limited number of kids, and many play both ways, this limits the need for bigger linemen to play a lot of defense)
Strong against the run (in our league and state, we see a lot of run-orientated teams, most run/pass ratios of opponents are 65/35
Great defense to stunt and blitz out of, very flexible

7. Why We Use The Split 4-4
Forces a lot of doubles, leaving second level players free to read and run
Ability to hide average players at certain positions
Can plug many types different kids into a number of positions, and they can be successful through discipline and technique, they do not have to be overly athletic and fit physical minimums
Allows great players to flourish by creating schemes to allow them to maximize physical skills

8. Why We Use The Split 4-4
Adjustments against to different offenses are fairly simple
Flexible against teams that are very multiple
Individual alignments and techniques are not difficult to teach
Base alignment creates many issues for offensive lines in terms of angles and blocking assignments
Tends to create many 2nd and 3rd and longs, which allows us to do different things coverage and pressure-wise

9. Overall Defensive Philosophy
Play snap to whistle at 100%, never give up on a play
Be highly physical
Be a great tackling team
Be sound from a technique standpoint; INDY periods win titles
We dictate and attack at all times (through movement, blitzes, speed, physicality)
Play fast and loose; overanalysis=paralysis
Refuse to be blocked
Stop the run, then attack the pass
Attack the football; create turnovers
Dominate the line of scrimmage, get up field, play downhill
Do your job; but play as a team; one heartbeat
Mental toughness (11 foxhole guys)
Spartan mentality

10. Teaching Progression Alignment Stance Keys Reads Technique
Different Types of Tackling
Ripping/Shedding/Evading Blocks
Down and Distance Recognition and Understanding
Formation/Play Correlations
Perfect Use of Movements; Taking Proper Angles

11. Personnel
Personnel all depends on the type of kids you have year to year; for us we try to identify kids early that fit certain criteria we use for each position and develop them into an outstanding player after one to two years of instruction
Should be noted: We change positions of personnel nearly every game depending upon the opponent and their offensive packages and schemes
We believe every it is imperative to take away each opponents greatest assets by putting our personnel in different spots each week
This also makes us difficult to prepare for

12. Personnel (Continued)
For us the most important positions in our 4-4 are:
Will Linebacker
Free Safety
Anchor (Strong DE)
Spur/SAM
DT (5/3 Technique)
For us, the positions we feel like we can use “average” kids and still be successful (positions of least emphasis)
Bandit
Defensive End (Weak)
Nose Tackle

13. Personnel By Position Attributes Nose Tackle
Optimal player for us is:
a fullback type player from pounds
powerful (strong hips and legs)
quick and relentless
a true one gap player that is disruptive and cannot be reached in a zone scheme and will pursue flat
currently have one: 5’ TB 4.6 Speed, 250lb clean; stud who is very disruptive 7 sacks, 11 TFL’s
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have used OL kids that try to eat up a guard and center and let the Will run around

14. Personnel By Position Attributes Defensive Tackle
Our best or second best offensive lineman plays here
Size is not a must; but helpful
Must be a technician
Be able to read helmet and fight doubles
Quickness helps, but must be stout
Currently 2 kids rotate, one is 6’5 320 then other 5’7 190 (power lifting champion)

15. Personnel By Position Attributes Anchor (Strong side DE)
This should clearly be the better of the 2 DE’s; a stud
Be strong enough not to be turned out, but quick enough not to get hooked
Must be physical; attack power and traps violently (looking to wrong-arm and spill)
Initial burst and athleticism a huge plus
Usually taller and athletic, TE types, have had kids ranging from a 6’1 220 pound QB, a 6’0 basketball kid who was a TE, to a pair of OT’s, one who was relentless at 6’4 250 and starts at UMASS as a 3-technique

16. Personnel By Position Attributes Defensive End (Weak DE)
Our preferred kid is
Athletic; more of a pass rush kid
Tough, able to take on OT’s or TE
Long; ability to disrupt passing lanes
We have used bigger, slower types who will control their gap, but force us to move other personnel around them
When we have longer, lean athletic kids, it allows us to really attack from the edge with many different blitz combinations

17. Personnel By Position Attributes Mike
Bigger, stronger of the two ILB’s in general
Willingness to be violent at point of contact (vs. Iso and lead) and fight unblocked G/T
Strong tackler; what he hits must stay put or go backwards
Must read well and be able to diagnosis quick (film guy)
Usually the defensive quarterback (calls signals, strengths, etc)
Quickness is a plus, but other attributes can make up for lack of burst
Ability to shed blocks is a plus
Nearly always a “zone defender”, so more smart than athletic in pass coverage
Had Everything from 5’9 180 to 6’0 210; and guys at 5.0 to 4.7

18. Personnel By Position Attributes Will
Should be the best football player we have
Great tackler and hitter
Posses quickness and athleticism
Should be unblocked most of the time, thus must read keys properly and react quickly
Versatile enough to cover and tackle in the open field
Could actually use a DB type of kid as long as they are aggressive and smart
Had 4 different kids play this position in the past 7 years and all have mad over 80 tackles in a season (two guys over 120 tackles in a year)
Best guy 5’9 200, 4.7, strong, quick, instinctive, and tough- 3 year starter finished career with 274 tackles

19. Personnel By Position Attributes Spur/Strong Safety
Must be a very good athlete to play here
Ability to play the TE side and take on lead plays, yet be able to cover slot guys
A defensive back-type of player makes sense as long as he is willing to be physical
This player moves around the most in our defense and will always be at the opponents point of strength
Needs to be a solid tackler
Must read TE/T combination quickly
Our best was a 3 year starter, 6’1 200 RB who was a meters guy who cleaned 250

20. Personnel By Position Attributes Bandit (Weak OLB)
Many times this is out 11th best defensive player
Because he is often lined up away from strength or where we believe play is going, we like a guy who can pursue
Can be protected by the DE and NT (by alignment and movement) if he is average, if he is good, we are able to ramp up responsibilities
Has to be able to cover
Good tackle skills; has to be moderately physical “Overachievers” and intelligent football players always exceed expectations at this position
Never had a kid over 200lbs here, played with a 5’8 130 kid as well

21. Personnel By Position Attributes Cornerback
Outside of our FS, these are the programs best athletes; we take whatever we can get, all shapes and sizes
Quickness and burst are more important than linear speed
Premium guys are usually basketball kids that have loose hips and excellent change of direction skills
Must be smart enough to handle different formations and coverage calls
Just need to proficient tacklers (especially in the open field)
Mix and match by corners size/ability/best qualities; we change by teams offence, field/boundary, size/ability of receivers, formation, etc- Responsibilities change a lot

22. Personnel By Position Attributes Free Safety
For us, FS and Will LB are the 2 most important guys in our 4-4; has to be able to do a ton of things
Must be able to cover a lot of ground through speed, instincts, or recognition or a combination of the 3
Must be smart; defensive quarterback, makes coverage calls
Smooth hips and fluid, basketball-type kid
Must be a sure tackler
Must be able to read the OL and flow; we train our FS similar to our ILB’s
Having a hitter is a huge plus; makes teams think twice about throwing verticals or routes inside the hashes
Our best; 3 year starter, also QB, 6’2 175, smart, all EMASS player, 9 career picks, big hitter, 7 tackles/game- all-league 2-Guard in hoop

23. Game Week: Defensive Game Planning and Install
Friday (night)
Opponent game tape is compressed and sent to every coach and player via Hudl
Saturday
Coaching staff meets in the morning to go over previous night’s game and opponent film (kids have weekends off)
General defensive game plan, opponents formations, alignments, looks etc discussed
In the afternoon/evening opponents plays are broken down by formation, put in folders and sent to all football staff and players through Hudl

24. Game Week: Defensive Game Planning and Install
Sunday
Communication with/between all coaches through , texts, and phone calls on general consensus on what we will be doing defensively against Friday nights opponent
Conversation with defensive coordinator on what stunt and blitz packages will be most effective (this is usually vs. formation and run/pass)
Create play cards for scout team to use during the week (HC And DC take a half of a game or 1 game apiece); also add in any plays from previous year(s) that were not on game tape. Trick plays, gadget plays, etc.

25. Game Week: Defensive Game Planning and Install
Monday
General defensive walkthrough with kids; focus is on opponents personnel and their abilities, scheme, tendencies (by formation, we do not do a lot of down/distance tendencies), goal line package, 2-point plays, general strengths, weaknesses, etc.
Meet with defensive coordinator to go over initial blitz package

26. Game Week: Defensive Game Planning and Install
Tuesday
Base 4-4 vs. opponent run game (3/4 speed looks)
10 plays live
Goal line/2 point plays
Stunt/blitz package vs. run game
Coaches evaluate our defensive plan/package vs. run game, make appropriate adjustments

27. Game Week: Defensive Game Planning and Install
Wednesday
Defensive 7 on 7 against opponent pass game
Team vs. opponent pass game (includes screens and draws as well); plays
Pass blitz scheme vs. air, then semi-live
Add in any run adjustments and briefly go over goal line and 2-point plays

28. Game Week: Defensive Game Planning and Install
Thursday
DL/LB’s group up to go over alignments, responsibilities, and what plays they are going to see; all mental (5-10 min)
DB’s/LB’s group up to go over pass game and coverages and option responsibilities and calls vs. option heavy teams
Defensive team vs. scout look (20-25 plays)
Blitz package walkthrough

30. Alignment Addendums
We try to keep the Anchor (Strong DE) in a 9 vs. a TE and outside shade vs. a T in spread as much as possible; Reasons:
Better angle vs. power which make a wrong arm and spill much easier
Easier for a heavier, stronger DE to squeeze a hole vs. a TE/T than a OLB
Better ability to slide to an 8/headup technique and jam a good pass catching TE

31. Alignment Addendums
vs. TE Trade/Exchange, we will balance the tackles to where we need them (i.e. 1 to 3, 3 to 1)
Linebackers must adjust as well; they must understand where the other OLB aligns (key for Bandit)
Vs. Pass Spur has slant/skinny vs. a X/Z inside move in Cover 3
Stunts and blitzes stay on- players have to be smart enough to adjust

32. Alignment Addendums Vs. Motion:
Spread to Trips: Bump down Spur and Bandit Bumps out (stunts/blitz may remain, if the bandit or his end is coming we will give a base or kill call)
Pro to Slot: Bandit must bump out and trail 5X2, Spur will be head up to inside leg of TE
Slot to Pro: OLB to the Slot bumps down and is head up on the OT, OLB to the motion/pro bumps to inside leg of DE/ead Up on TE

33. Alignment Addendums - Vs. Motion
Jet Motion- vs. Spread, the Will or Mike will bump to head up over the OT when motion is at them, this will allow them to scrap the jet and avoid being blocked (Anchor/DE must jam). The other MLB is over the center. The OLB that has motion going away will bump down to inside leg of the DE. In Cover 3 he is responsible for slant/skinny on a WR inside stem. In Cover 13 (split field back to his side or inside cross). The OLB that has motion at him slides to head up on the slot (read keys do not change).

34. Alignment Addendums Vs. Motion
Flexbone: Would depend upon how many and how often an opponent counters off motion
Against teams that use basic FB trap or counter, we often automatically crash the defensive tackle away from the motion to take away trap and help vs. midline and follow
When we do this with the DT, the DE away from the motion will slide to a head up position against the tackle and attempt to take away counter and slow any option away from motion
Linebackers will bump down, BS OLB stacks on the DE, BS ILB goes over center, and PS MLB to head up on OT, with PS OLB stacked on wing/RB

35. Fronts

42. Alignments and Match-Ups vs. Formations

43. Vs. Pro and Slot Pro Must stop downhill runs
Protect C Gap and kill the trap to the 5 tech with the Will reading fast
Looking boot out of base I and hitch, slant to the open side of the formation (Bandit)
Other issues: Double Dive, Veer, multiple option
Slot
- Look for lead/power to the slot, LB in B Gap must be
physical
- End trap/Counter to the TE, must for to the free corner
Iso to the TE side is an issue
Look for slot combination routes; curl/flat, smash, NCAA- cheat FS

49. Vs. Spread
Very important: determine what the opponent really is out of spread and prepare accordingly
Are they run or pass dominant? If run dominant, how so; are the mainly Inside Zone, option, jet sweep, rocket, or a physical man on/gap approach (power, lead, counter, QB trap, etc.)
Are they no huddle? Hurry up?
Our game plan work of their offensive strengths in the spread

50. Vs. Spread
Against heavy Inside Zone teams we are 1 to the back and 3 away with the tackles (been very effective for us)
Against Zone Read teams we will often have the end to the back chase and have the Mike X to the edge for QB
The bigger issues are spread teams with the capabilities to throw the bubble backside on zone and front side on veer
Inverted veer (flash/QB Power Read) and the jet sweep read of the front side end also force us to change how we approach teams that use these
We tend to be very aggressive vs. spread teams and play a lot of Cover 1 and 0; against very good pass pro teams we will play a lot of Cover 3 and look to hammer receivers

56. Double Tight

60. Power Sets (Power I/Bone)
We will try to stay 4-4 vs. all power sets, the one exception is vs. Double Tight/Double Wing (Bay City T) we will go 5-2 and 5-3.
The Double Tight/ Double Wing Diagram is wrong, but we are slightly inside shaded tackles on OT’s, ILB’s in A Gaps, DE’s in 9’s and OLBs inside leg of DE’s.

68. Aces, Twins, Other

74. Keys/Reads

75. Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle
When we are in base we are “reading helmet”
We do this by getting up field and attacking
Difficult to learn, most kids get it by their junior or senior year; like riding a bike
Gapped a ton so, being able to feel doubles and decipher between a down block and reach are critical

76. Defensive End/Anchor
When in an outside 9 shade on a tight end or outside 7 shade on a tackle, they are attacking the outside half and reading the block
Turnout block=squeeze (we previously ripped with the outside arm under and blew up the hole, but this killed our OLB read-they hit the hole)
Hook block=Control, use hands, or rip outside
Reach/BS Zone=Squeeze, then look for trap/counter/ (wrong arm), reverse; chase flat
Power/Trap=Wrong arm and spill

77. Inside Linebackers Read Key: Near Guard Secondary Key: Center
Read from guard/center to fullback
Vs. heavy IZ teams, we are one back/flow

78. Outside Linebackers Spur: TE/Tackle combination
Run/Pass should be diagnosed early
Key read in the TE on DE
If TE hooks=Get wide for lead block
If TE turns out and T down=Fill C Cap ASAP
If TE and T reach/zone=Get flat, but find away guard to see if there is a pull coming your way
Vs. Power/End Trap/Counter=Get to the LOS and be ready for the back to bounce, the end will wrong arm and spill

79. Cornerbacks
In Cover 3, we key the near tackle to diagnosis run or pass, making sure the tackle is getting up field and PAP
Against 2X2 teams that use a lot of zone our corners are particularly careful
In Cover 1 we do not read, we are locked on to the WR

80. Safety
While driving back, our safety will read the strong side tackle and guard to determine run or pass
His read is similar to an inside backer, with much greater responsibilities
Down and distance will dictate aggressiveness and film study is huge in terms of recognition and feel

81. Stunt/Blitz Package
Our stunt/blitz package is a little different than many others: we call each stunt/blitz by position and do not use one or two words for multiple movements
Our calls would be Pinch Strong, Loop Weak Machete B Strong, Machete A Weak Cover 1
We do not use Storm Strong, Gator, Thunder etc.
Advantages: We can get very creative and come from all angles, it is also easy to learn for kids, as they have to learn their couple of movement and just listen for them; colors coordinate to formation making it easy to adjust vs. high tempo teams
Disadvantages: Very long/wordy, the safety (who makes coverage calls/adjustments must be smart, LB’s must understand DE blitz and vice versa. Coaches must be organized and have coverages added into packages
To combat these disadvantages we use wrist coaches

85. Stunt/Blitz Package We must make a strength call
Usually dictated by a TE
When even, it may by to the field side or to a strong side of a line
Against spread teams we sometimes go away from the back other times towards, it depends on what the do as far as strengths
The strength call is crucial because we stunt/blitz using strong/weak as an indicator
There are times when we send OLB’s that we can play Cover 1 or Cover 3 (in 3 we take the ILB and send him into the flats

86. Stunt/Blitz Package DT Stunts: DE Stunt/Blitz: Pinch Loop Go Twist
Loop (from a head up position) X

87. Stunt/Blitz Package ILB Blitz: OLB Blitz: Machete (Gap call follows)
X (vs. Spread/Trips)
OLB Blitz:
Shoot (Gap call follows) X

94. Same Blitz With Different Coverage

98. Blitz vs. Spread

102. Slant
This is the only stunting we do that is a “one’ call for us and it is usually done vs. flexbone teams
Going into a game our defensive line will know to slant towards the motion call (cutting off trap and counter)
Rarely we use this as slant strong or slant weak

104. Mashpee 4-4 Stack Defense
Defensive Coverages and Responsibilities

105. 4-4 Stack Defensive Coverage(s)
Primary: Cover 3
Secondary: Man Free Run vs. spread teams (2x2) sets
Checks: Split Coverage Calls.
Man All Over including Safety
Split field coverage-Coverage vs. formations
Cover 2
12 rolls corner up, shift $$ over the top, roll OLB Deep

106. Overall Philosophy/Rules
CB:
Alignment: 6 yds. x 2yds inside leverage
Always taking away slant and post
We can run with the fade/corner
Must assess # of threats to deep 1/3.
If #2 is a skill player, the CB cannot jump the hitch
If #2 is a TE, the CB can jump any 3-step routes
Checks (Motion/Formation)
Cov 3 Zone to trips, man principles backside
Man on Coverage across the board
Corner Jams/Funnels #1 inside and retreats to flat (10-12 yds. Deep)

107. Rules For Safety Safety: Alignment: Responsibilities:
10-12yds from LOS. Shade Strength
Can also motion to alignment pre-snap
Responsibilities:
Deep middle in straight Cover 3 Zone
Split the two with a shade to the QB’s hand vs. Spread
Make all checks based on the following:
Blitz/Stunt Call, Formation, and Motion

108. Basic Cover 3 Responsibilities vs. Pro/Slot
o o o o x o o o
C C
Deep 1/ Deep 1/ S
Shade Strength Deep 1/3
Corner Must Assess # of Threats to Zone
Example: If it is a Pro Formation with and X, Y, and Z, the corner may jump any route.
Corners are to take inside leverage

109. vs. Spread (Cover 3) o o o o x o o o o C C - Shade Strength Deep 1/3
( Jam to Flat) LB LB LB LB (Jam to Flat)
C C
Deep 1/ Deep 1/ S
- Shade Strength Deep 1/3
- Strength would be Hand of the QB
- Checks are Dependent on Stunt/Blitz call

110. vs. Spread (Cover 3 Buzz) o o o o x o o o o C C
LB LB LB LB
C C
Deep 1/ Deep 1/ S
- Looking to jump any quick routes with LB’s
- OLB’s start head up, ILB’s widen to make any easier run
- Sprint to zones on snap of the ball (no jam)
- Defensive tackles will not rush and look fro screen/draw

111. Split-Field Coverage (12)
o o o o x o o o o
C LB LB LB LB (MAN) C
Jam to FLAT MAN
FS (Deep 1/2)
Cover 2 to one side, Man to the other
We Like to use this to jump hitch/fade, smash, hitch/hitch

112. VS Empty o o o o x o o o o o C C S Man Coverage ALL IN MAN MAN
( Jam to Flat) LB LB LB LB (Jam to Flat)
C C
MAN MAN S
Man Coverage ALL IN

113. VS Sprint Out
All Defensive Backs check to Roll Coverage to the Sprint-Out side
CB Locks onto closest man
Safety locks onto crossing route
Backside CB Rolls over the top taking away backside post

114. Roll Coverage vs. Sprint Out/Boot
o o o x o o o o
C C S
Safety Jump Cross
Roll side CB Lock on
Backside CB Rolls over top (inside leverage of
backside post/crossing route

115. VS 3-Level F
o o o o x o o o
LB LB LB LB
C C S

116. VS Trips (13) o o o o o x o o o o o LB LB LB LB C C
Deep 1/ Man on Backside S
Shade Strength Deep 1/3
13 Check can be made if motion creates a 3x set or by straight formation
If there is a dead end side, CB has back out of Backfield

117. Drills: Basic o o o o x o o o
Threat Assessment Drill: By formation and Motion
o o o o x o o o
1- threat
C jump hitch and slant C
Deep 1/ Deep 1/ S
Shade Strength Deep 1/3 (play over top of TE)
Corners should be able to determine # of real threats to zone and make decision on how to cover their 1/3. (Show tons of formations)
Scout team will run route combinations to finish up drill (go over all possible route combos) Include “Cover 3 beaters”
TE is not a real threat (unless he is a mismatch). Safety will be responsible for TE over top.

118. Contact Info
Please feel free to contact me if you need anything.
I can send cutups as well