LB – Play and Run Fits

4-4/4-2-5 Defense
Williamsville High School – Illinois
Josh Patrick – Defensive Coordinator
Adam Kershaw – Defensive Line Coach
 Overview of Clinic Talk
(LB Play and Run Fits)
• Introduction
• Base Defense Fronts and Stunts (Quick Overview)
• Base Defense Positions
• Base D-Line Play ???
• Base LB Play
• 51/31 and Run Fits
– Power, ISO, Trap, Counter, Sweep, Veer, Midline, Belly
– (Any concepts out of the spread????)
 Bullet Defensive Principals
• Front four multiple (Stem and Stunt)
• Very simple/ Gap control
– No confused players = faster players
– Easy to adjust to multiple offenses
• Strong side and weak side players
– Players get a great deal of reps in familiar technique
• Bend don’t break – not a huge blitzing team
• Stress Great Communication
• Majority zone coverage with some man
 Bullet Defense Positions
• Strong Side • Weak Side
– Tackle: Inside lineman – Nose: Inside Lineman
– End: Outside lineman – Anchor: Outside lineman
– Mike: Inside linebacker – Will: Inside linebacker
– Sam: Outside linebacker – Rover: Outside linebacker

• Defensive backs do not have strength

– Right corner, Left corner, Free safety
 Base Defense (Over)

A N T E
R $
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C C

F
 Under Call

Right Strength

A N T E
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 Stack Call
• Out of a stack call we will either stack strong (over) or stack
weak (under)

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 Front Stems - Bounce
• Bounce Call – Tackles Bounce
– Over bounce: Tackles stem from over to under
– Under bounce: Tackles stem from under to over
– Notice that the End and Anchor do not stem. The
end will “Slam” into five tech because of his
partner.
Start in This Stem to This

A N T E A N T E
$ R $
R
W M W M
Over Bounce
 Front Stunts - Tag
• Tackles cross face of lineman on snap of ball
– Over Tag (under) – Shown Below
– Under Tag (over)
– End will Slam into 5 tech because partner is slamming into 2i.

A N T E
R $
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 Tackle
• Normally a 3 tech (over front)
• Sometimes a 2i tech (under front)
• Anchor of Defense – Sometimes best d-linemen. Often
Biggest. Hole Plugger.
• Must be able to take on double teams, fight off base
blocks and down blocks.
• Often takes on inside trap.
• Maintain Gap Responsibility
 Nose
• Normally 2i tech (Over)
• Also 3 tech (Under)
• Doesn’t have to take on many inside traps
• More Explosive (Quicker) of the Interior Lineman
• VS Spread Teams we sometimes use undersized
quick penetrator at nose
• More of a penetrator (if game plan calls for that)
 End
• Often a 7 tech player
• Bigger Stronger of our Ends
• Must Play Heavy
• Often Fights Down Blocks from TE, Base Blocks from Tackle or
Double Team from Both
 Anchor
• Normally 5 tech
• Will often play at stab technique – ghost 7 tech just outside the
reach of the offensive tackle.
• Faster of the two ends.
• Plays more aggressive
• This years Anchor is all time sack leader with 20.5 in career.
Had 11.5 this season.
 Mike
• Normally aligned in a 20 I tech (over)
• Also align in 30 tech (under)
• Calls the Offenses Strength
• Reads strong side guard to backfield
• Heavier of Inside Backers
• Plugger
• Never Leaves Box
 Will
• Normally Lines up in 30 tech (Over)
• Also Lines up in 20 I (Under)
• When 2 high will align in 50 tech
• Faster and More Athletic of 2 linebackers
• Very Important in Coverage
• Majority of Time Read Guard to Backfield
 Sam
• Bigger Stronger of 2 outside linebackers.
• Normally Plays TE Side
• Must be an excellent communicator.
• Calls Offenses Backfield
• Flat/Seam Player
• Alignment dependent on strength of
opponent. Strong Run plays closer to LOS.
Strong Pass play closer to receivers. Different
Alignments and Coverages will also dictate
alignment.
 Rover
• Position has changed a great deal since started
running our 4 front. In past this was our worst
player – now one of our best.
• Most ideal situation – one of most athletic
players on the team
• Must be able to play outside linebacker and
safety both
• Must be a great tackler – this past year our
second leading solo tackler as vs spread teams
will be crucial to success against run
 Stance of D-Line
• Defensive linemen use a three point stance
• Because we teach an aggressive first step into the gap, the
player should have a decent amount of weight (75% of body
weight) on their down hand.
• We teach our players to be able to come out of a right-handed
or left handed stance, depending on their alignment.
 Stance of D-Line
• Feet are slightly wider than shoulder width apart with a slight
stagger
• We leave this up to player preference, but they should not be
in a track stance
• Feet are staggered enough to take an aggressive, six-inch read
step into their man.
 Stance of D-Line
• The player will put his man hand down, and his man foot
back.
– Example: Defensive tackle is playing in a 3-tech of the (defenses)
right guard, he would put his left hand down and his left foot
back.
– Example: If Nose is playing in a 2i-tech of the (defenses) left guard,
he would put his left hand down and his left foot back.
– If his man is on his right he has right hand down and right foot
back, on left he has left hand down and left foot back.
• We teach man hand down so that the player’s initial, six-inch
step takes them into the offensive lineman’s shoulder and
helps them quickly get their hands to their aiming points.
• This stance allows them to immediately leverage the
offensive lineman and read their blocks.
 Stance of D-Line
• Player’s off hand should be up, not resting on a leg or stretched back at the
hip.
• We teach the players to keep their off-hand up so that the player can see the
hand out of the corner of their eyes.
• If we go to a stack front, their stance will change depending on call.
• If we are going to hold up the offensive line, they should use their dominant
hand.
• If we are slanting, they need to put their slant side hand down.
 Defensive Line Start
• On the snap of the ball, the player’s hands should snap from the
ground to their target.
• The player’s goal is to throw their hands on the aiming points of their
offensive lineman.
• The aiming points are the V of the neck and the outside tip of the
shoulder pads.
• We stress a six inch power step. From there, the player must read
the off. Lineman’s block and react
• In all our drills, we stress hip explosion and low leverage. The
defensive lineman’s hands should be above his eyes.
• If we are slanting (either from a stack front or because of a “tag”
call), the player will take a flat first step, then rip hard across the off.
lineman’s face. We stress a hard, high punch on the rip and a hard
kick with the knee.
 Pressure Key/Read Key
• We teach two types of keys for our defensive linemen:
– Pressure Key—this is a read based on what the lineman feels with his
hands.
– Read Key—this is a visual key. The player reacts based on what they
see.
 Defensive Ends
• 7 tech player – This is the most difficult read up front because
his pressure key and read key are different:
– Because he is lined up on the tight end in a 7 tech,
his pressure key is the tight end.
– His read key, however, is the offensive tackle.
– He must feel the tight end’s block, but read the
offensive tackle’s block.
• 5 tech player – This player often plays a “stab” technique. He
lines up in a ‘ghost’ 7 tech and penetrates to the offensive
tackle’s back hip.
– Because he is penetrating, we aren’t as concerned with a pressure key,
but he MUST read the offensive tackle’s block as he steps.
 Partnership of D-Lineman
• Tackle and End
• Nose and Rover
• 3 tech and 7 tech
• 2i and 5 tech
 Block Reads and Reactions
• Base Block—the off. Lineman fires directly out to drive
– It is key to have hands at aiming points.
– When he feels the drive, he “Turns the Bus,” pulling with his inside arm
and leveraging with his outside arm.
– We are trying to turn the offensive lineman’s hips as we stay planted firmly
in the hole.
– We stress collapsing the gap.
– If we get a stalemate, we win the battle.
 Block Reads and Reactions (Cont.)
• Down Block—the offensive lineman leaves the player alone, and
works to second level.
– The player is still trying to get his hands to aiming points,
so he should redirect the offensive lineman if possible.
• Coaching Point: Do NOT let the lineman turn his hips as he
tries to redirect.
– The key is to step and replace the lineman’s backside.
– Interior linemen—hunker down and stay square, be
ready for trap.
– Defensive ends—Step and replace, look immediately for
trap. If trap comes, WRONG ARM and CLIMB upfield
into the pocket.
 Block Reads and Reactions (Cont.)
• Down Block (Cont.)

• If no trap is coming, the player is most likely getting read in

some kind of option play.
• Up front, our rule is to always take first threat (or the inside
man).
• If no trap comes, the defensive lineman’s eyes should move
into the pocket to take the first threat.
• If a fullback comes to kick out the end, he will treat this
exactly like a trap. WRONG ARM and CLIMB.
 Block Reads and Reactions (Cont.)
• Pass Set—If the defensive lineman reads a pass set, he will
work to get to the QB.
• The steps are important here:
1. First Step—Hands to aiming point and read.
2. Second Step—Chop hands or throw (get the offensive
lineman off balance.)
3. Third Step—Release Move (Rip or Swim depending on
size/skill/situation.)
• Pull Away—The lineman should follow on the upfield hip,
ready to fight against back block
– STRESS not getting washed upfield.
 Technique of D-Line
• Wrong arm and Climb—typically, if a team is trapping a defensive end, they
want to run the ball immediately under the trap. Like many people do, we
wrong arm, or hit the inside of the pulling lineman, to take that away.
– The CLIMB is just as important as the wrong arm. The player must work
UPFIELD after hitting the inside of the lineman. Otherwise, they can be
easily logged.
• Interior linemen typically don’t have time to wrong arm, so we ask them to
stay square and hunker down.
 Linebacker Stance
• We are looking for a good hit position
– Feet shoulder width apart
– Toes pointed forward
– Z-bend in the hips, knees and ankles
– Hands in front of the body or on the hips. Never on the knees
– Neck is bulled and eyes are on the guard
 Linebacker Alignment
Mike and Will
• Heels at 5
• Over Front
– Mike 20i/Will is a 30
• Under Front
– Mike 30/Will 20i
• Both adjust with a Bounce call. When the D-line goes, they go.
 Linebacker Alignment
Sam and Rover
• Move more than any players on field
• Very Multiple depending on formation and coverage.
• Either play inside shade of #2 in twins.
• Apex between 2 and three vs trips.
• Vs wing t teams they will play much tighter to the LOS.
Normally 1 x 1 outside LMOLOS.
 Linebacker Technique
• When defeating blocks, we emphasize two
methods:
– 1: We SHOCK linemen. We use two hand shiver to
keep OL off of us. Take advantage of the agility
mismatch. Most often linebackers are smaller that
the lineman. Shock and extend, rip through.
Don’t let them hold you!!
– 2: We FILL on running backs. We use our inside
shoulder to attack and keep the outside arm free.
Low man wins! Usually no size mismatch. Close
the hole!
 Run Fits/Responsibilites
51/31 – Inside Linebackers
– Stole this from the Lou Tepper book: Complete Linebacking (1998).
He has a second edition that I now have to read. It is very detailed
and thorough! New edition just released.
– First number is gap for play to you.
– Second number is gap for play away from you.
• Example: 51
– 5 gap play to you
– 1 gap play away
 51/31
Over Liz

5 3 1 1 3 5

E T N A
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51 31

If you have the 3tech, you are the "51" player. Your 3 gap is
filled by the 3tech. If you don't have the 3tech, you are the
"31" player. Your 3gap is empty.
 51/31

Under Liz

5 3 1 1 3 5

E T N A
$ R
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31 51
 Mike and Will
• Guard Reads = Video
• Pull Rules
– Guard pulls across center = Blitz opposite A!
• If opposite A is full (Nose) scrape one more
– Guard pulls outside = Belly call, replace OT
• Veer/Inside Release = Replace defensive lineman that is closing
(Gap Exchange)
 Sam and Rover Rules
• Sam and Rover
– Read OT for run/pass
– Fence line players.
• Play to them outside: force inside
• Play to them inside: work fence line for bounce (fall in)
• Play away: cancel cutback gaps
– Both play pitch on option (Can switch)
– Base Cover 3 responsible for curl flats
 Sam and Rover

Fence Line Fence Line

Over Liz
Force Force

E T N A
Bounce
Bounce
$ R
Cutback M W
Cutback
 Sample Run Fits - POWER

Over Liz
Power

E T N A
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"Pull, Pull"

End will squeeze down on inside release. Mike sees double team
and scrapes to replace DE in C-gap. Will sees pull and blitzes
opposite A. Sam works fence line for bounce. Rover cancels
cutback gaps.
 Sample Run Fits - TRAP

Over Liz
Trap

E T N A
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"Pull, Pull"

Will backer gives a Pull call and blitzes opposite A. Mike sees
inside release of his guard and replaces the Tackle who is
squeezing down. End and Anchor squeeze down with inside release
of offensive tackle. Nose drives center into hole. Sam works
fence line and Rover cancels cutback gaps.
 Sample Run Fits – ISO Weak

Over Liz
Iso

E T N A
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Will backer sees down block by his guard, sees offensive tackle in
peripherial. Fills gap with inside shoulder keeping outside arm
free. Mike sees play away, goes opposite. Anchor pushes tackle
back into hole. Nose splits or maintains. Rover works the fence
line and Sam is cancelling cutback gaps.
Sample Run Fits – VEER WEAK

Over Liz
Veer Weak

E T N A
$ R
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Will sees down block by guard and release of tackle in

peripherial. Will scrapes to C-gap taking QB. Anchor steps down
with inside release and takes first threat, FB. Mike goes
opposite and plays FB. Rover sees option, takes pitch. Sam
cancels cutback gaps.
 Sample Run Fits - MIDLINE

Over Liz
Midline

E T N A
$ R
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Mike gets inside release by guard. He will replace the DT and

fill on QB. DT is closing down and taking FB. Will sees a
reach/double team and goes opposite. Sam is to pitch and Rover is
canceling cutback gaps.
 Sample Run Fits - BELLY

Over Liz
Belly

E T N A
$ R
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Mike sees guard pull outside and gives "Belly" call. Mike will
fit tight off of OT down block to cut angle of TE. Will hears
Belly call and now knows he is fitting in opposite A for belly
cut. Sam is working fence line to pitch. Rover canceling cutback
gaps. Free works QB to pitch.
 Sample Run Fits - Sweep

Over Liz
Toss

E T N A
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Sam forces the issue with his inside shoulder trying to bubble
runner or turn him inside. Mike sees reach and flow outside and
plays D-gap staying on inside hip of ball carrier looking for Sam
to make BC cut into him. Will sees reach, checks A-gap then
pursues. Rover cancels cut backs.