Featuring: DOUBLE EAGLE FLEX STUNTS 12 stunt strategies that win games 101 stunts and their check-offs versus aceback formations An overview of the double eagle flex, including personnel requirements, basic techniques, keys, and responsibilities 15 stunts aimed at defeating the four most common pass protection schemes used by aceback teams 21 guidelines for successful stunting 13 pass coverage variations, the stunts that enhance these coverages, and a detailed explanation of all the techniques and adjustments necessary to implement these coverages effectively 6 successful defensive tactics versus empty formations 101 3-4 Stunts 101 3-5 Stunts 101 4-3 Stunts 101 Aceback Bunch Plays Other books from Leo Hand: Leo Hand with granddaughters Faith Marie (left) and Hope Rene 101 Bear 4-6 Stunts 101 Fire Zone Blitzes 101 Split 4-4 Stunts Coaching Football s 3-3-5 Defense $17.95 HAND 101 DOUBLE EAGLE FLEX STUNTS COACHES CHOICE DOUBLE EAGLE FLEX STUNTS Leo Hand
101 Double Eagle Flex Stunts Leo Hand
2006 Coaches Choice. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of Coaches Choice. ISBN: 1-58518-943-X Library of Congress Control Number: 2005930389 Cover design: Jeanne Hamilton Book layout: Jeanne Hamilton Diagrams: Deborah Oldenburg Front cover photo: Getty Images Coaches Choice P.O. Box 1828 Monterey, CA 93942 www.coacheschoice.com 2
Dedication For Faith Marie and Hope Rene Dahozy 3
Acknowledgments Thanks to Joe Griffin, Tony Shaw, Howard Wells, and Allan Sepkowitz for giving me great coaching opportunities. Thanks to my defensive mentor, Jim Murphy. Thanks to the wonderful people of the Zuni and Navajo Nations who taught me much more than I taught them during the seven years I lived with them. Thanks to all of the splendid young men I have been privileged to coach and all of the great coaches that I ve been privileged to work with. Thanks to the wonderful football staff at Andress High School. Thanks to Joe Ruiz, Lloyd Smith, and Rick Molina for the many ideas they ve unselfishly shared with me throughout the years. Thanks to all of the great coaches I have been fortunate enough to work with and coached against. Thanks to the offspring whose ancestors endured the Middle Passage and the Long Walk for all of the contributions that they have made to the greatest game of all. Thanks to Herman Masin, editor of Scholastic Coach, for all of his help and suggestions during the past 30 years. Thanks to Dr. James A. Peterson and all the wonderful people at Coaches Choice for all of their help and encouragement. 4
Contents Dedication..............................................3 Acknowledgments........................................4 Introduction.............................................6 Chapter 1 Overview of the Double Eagle Flex Defense...................9 2 One Dozen Stunt Tactics that Win Football Games..............14 3 Basic Principles of Stunting................................22 4 Cover 1 Adjustments and Techniques.......................25 5 Cover 1 Variations and Stunts..............................34 6 Cover 1 Stunts.........................................50 7 Zero Coverage Stunts and Adjustments......................95 8 Strong and Weak S and R Coverages.......................123 9 Cover 3 Stunts........................................143 10 Adapting Stunt Strategies to Aceback formations..............159 11 Defending Empty Sets..................................177 About the Author......................................182 5
What s in This Book for You 12 stunt strategies that win games 101 stunts and their check-offs versus aceback formations An overview of the double eagle flex, including personnel requirements, basic techniques, keys, and responsibilities 15 stunts aimed at defeating the four most common pass protection schemes used by aceback teams 21 guidelines for successful stunting 13 pass coverage variations, the stunts that enhance these coverages, and a detailed explanation of all the techniques and adjustments necessary to implement these coverages effectively 6 successful defensive tactics versus empty formations Before You Begin The following terms are frequently referred to throughout the text: Strongside/Weakside Introduction The strongside is toward the tight end and the weakside is toward the split end. Strong defenders (example: strong tackle) are aligned on the tight end side, and weak defenders are aligned on the split end side. Gap Responsibilities will be given the letter designations shown in Diagram Intro-1. Alignment Numbering System is shown in Diagram Intro-2. Diagram Intro-1 Diagram Intro-2 6
Diagram Intro-3a Diagram Intro-3b Diagram Intro-3c Diagram Intro-3d Diagram Intro-3e Formation Names and Receiver Numbering System appear in Diagram Intro-3. The following names are given to various offensive formations: Pro standard flanker/split end, two-back set (Diagram Intro-3A) 7
Twin split end and flanker are aligned on the same side of the formation (Diagram Intro-3B) Aceback any offensive set with only one back in the backfield (Diagrams Intro-3C and 3D) Doubles a balanced aceback formation with two receivers on both sides of the center (Diagram Intro-3C) Trips an unbalanced aceback formation with three receivers on one side of the center and one receiver on the other side (Diagram Intro-3D) Empty an offensive formations with only the quarterback in the backfield (Diagram Intro-3E) Shotgun an offensive formation in which the quarterback is not positioned under the center but is catching the ball directly from the center. In addition to the empty formation, it can be used with any of the other illustrated formations. (Diagram Intro-3E) Personnel Designations Because a defense needs to be able to match up its personnel with the offensive personnel that is on the field, formations can also be referenced according to the type of personnel that is on the field. First, the number of running backs (0, 1, 2, or 3) is accounted for. Next, the number of tight ends (1 or 2) is used. With this system, the formations illustrated in Diagrams Intro 3-A, B, C, D, and E can be referred to as follows: Pro 21 personnel Twin 20 personnel Aceback Doubles 10 personnel Aceback Trips 11 personnnel Personnel Empty Shotgun Zero personnel 8
1 Overview of the Double Eagle Flex Defense The Base Defense Many variations of the Double Eagle Flex exist. Diagram 1-1 illustrates the version that most coaches would probably identify as the base. All of the stunts in this book will be illustrated from this alignment. Diagram 1-1 9
Double Eagle Flex Personnel Stud This player is both a linebacker and defensive back. Hopefully, he is a hybrid who not only can defeat the block of a big tight end or fullback and effectively shut down an opponent s power running game, but also can leave the box and cover a swift wide receiver. When a team is not blessed with a hybrid, consider the following guidelines: Use a defensive back versus 10, 20, or zero personnel. Use a defensive back in an obvious passing situation versus any type of personnel. Use a defensive back when you plan to blitz Stud from the edge. Use a linebacker in all other situations. Stud will line up in a loose 8 technique (3-3 is normal) and assume a two-point stance with his outside foot back. His primary key is the tight end, and his secondary keys are initially the nearest back and then a pulling lineman. Stud must be able to instantly read and react to the tight end s movements. Versus a run in which the tight end blocks the 7 technique, Stud must close the seam between himself and the tight end and force the ballcarrier to bounce the play outside. When the tight end releases, Stud must jam the tight end and simultaneously read the near back. If the near back s movements indicate run, Stud must restrict the D gap and force the play outside. If the play is a pass, his technique will vary depending upon the coverage. Because cover 1 is the primary coverage of the Double Eagle Flex, Stud will usually cover the tight end by jamming him and aggressively funneling the tight end into the free safety. Strong End The strong end lines up in a 7 technique, in a three- or four-point stance on the inside eye of the tight end. His feet should either be parallel or slightly staggered, with the outside foot back. He will jam the tight end by stepping with his outside foot and attacking the tight end s inside number with the heel of his outside hand. After jamming the tight end, he will immediately get his eyes back inside. The strong end s keys are the tight end, the near back, and pulling linemen. When flow is toward him, the strong end is responsible for controlling the C gap. He must hang tough in the C gap and not be crushed inside or driven backward by the tight end. He will take on all other blocks (i.e., from the near back or pulling linemen) with his outside forearm (wrong arm). Versus pass he will contain the quarterback (unless coverage assignment differs), and when flow is away, the strong end will chase the play along the heel line and check for a counter, cutback, or reverse. 10
Strong Tackle The strong tackle will line up in a 3 technique (outside shade of the offensive guard). He will assume a three-point stance with his inside hand down. His feet should be slightly staggered with his inside foot back. The tackle s primary key is the guard and his secondary key is the offensive tackle. His first step should be with his inside foot. He will aggressively attack the offensive guard s outside shoulder with a violent hand shiver and attempt to knock the guard backward as he takes his first step. The tackle is responsible for controlling the B gap; he can never allow himself to be hooked by the guard. When confronted by a turnout block, the tackle will squeeze the A gap with the guard s body, maintain outside leverage, and squeeze the play inside. If the guard blocks inside and the tackle reads trap, he will quickly close inside and wrong arm the trapper. When flow is away, the tackle will collapse the backside and pursue along the heel line. Nose The nose lines up in a 0 alignment with his feet parallel as he assume a three- or fourpoint stance. His primary key is the center and his secondary key is both guards. It is important that he remembers that pulling guards indicate point of attack. The nose will employ a crush technique; he will attack the center with his hands (inside lockout) and take a short jab step in the direction of the play. It is important that he keeps his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage as he pursues the ball from an inside-out position, and it is absolutely vital that he jams the center and prevents him from releasing to the second level to block a linebacker. Weak End The weak end should be the team s best pass rusher. He will line up in a two- or threepoint stance one-and-a-half yards outside of the offensive tackle. At the snap of the ball, the weak end will penetrate to the heel line of the offensive tackle. He must control the C gap and cannot be hooked or pushed outside by the offensive tackle. When the offensive tackle blocks inside, the weak end will close inside and either chase along the heel line when flow is away, or wrong arm any blocks by a pulling lineman or running back when flow is toward him. Versus pass, the weak end will contain the quarterback. When confronted by two tight ends, the weak end s techniques and responsibilities are identical to those of the strong end, and versus no tight ends, the strong end will play as the weak end does. Rover Rover is a hybrid defensive back/linebacker. Versus two-back formations, Rover becomes a linebacker who lines up five yards deep and slightly inside of the offensive 11
tackle. Versus aceback sets, Rover is the adjuster. He must therefore be capable of covering a wide receiver man to man. Versus a two-back formation, Rover is responsible for containment when flow is toward him. In a two-back situation, he should take two steps parallel to the line of scrimmage and then quickly scrape outside. He will attack all lead bocks with an inside forearm rip and strive to maintain outside leverage. When flow is away, Rover will take two steps parallel to the line of scrimmage, check for a counter or reverse, and then work downhill and pursue the ball from an inside-out position. Versus pass, his assignment is predicated on the offensive set and the coverage. Whip Whip should be the best linebacker on the defense. Versus two-back sets, he lines up five yards deep and slightly inside of the offensive tackle. Versus an aceback set he will remain in the box and either move to middle linebacker (cover 1 stay) or line up five yards deep and slightly inside of the offensive tackle toward the short side of the field (normal cover 1 adjustment). Versus a weakside run, Whip will shuffle two steps and then scrape outside and contain the play. Versus strongside run, he will shuffle laterally two steps, check for a cutback or reverse, and then work downhill and tackle the ballcarrier from an inside-out position. Versus pass, he will cover his near back. Mike Mike is a hybrid defensive lineman/linebacker who lines up in a two-point stance with his outside foot back. His toes should be slightly deeper than the heels of the nose. Mike must secure the B gap versus a weakside run and pursue a strongside run from an inside-out position. Mike will key the near back through the offensive guard. When the ball is snapped, Mike will step with his inside foot and read his keys. If the offensive guard attempts to block him, Mike will attack the guard s outside shoulder with a violent hand shiver. It is extremely important that Mike doesn t get knocked backward and either create a bubble or cut off Whip or Rover s pursuit. It is equally important that Mike maintains outside leverage and doesn t get hooked by the guard. If the guard blocks inside and Mike reads iso, he will attack the lead blocker with an inside forearm rip. If, on the other hand, the guard blocks inside and Mike doesn t read iso, the play is either a trap or a counter trey. Versus the trap, Mike will immediately close inside and wrong arm the trapper. Versus counter trey, Mike will work across the face of the offensive tackle s down block and tackle the ballcarrier as he bounces the play outside. When flow is away and the guard attempts to cut off Mike or execute an inside zone block with the center, Mike will pursue flat down the line in a good, low hitting position and maintain an inside-out position on the ballcarrier. 12
Free Safety The free safety will line up eight to 12 yards deep in front of the center when the ball is in the middle of the field and cheat to the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle toward the wide side of the field when the ball is on the hash. Because cover 1 is the primary coverage of the Double Eagle Flex, the free safety s primary technique versus pass is to drop to center field and provide deep help to the defenders who are funneling receivers inside (Stud, the boundary corner, and sometimes Rover are the funnel players). Versus the run, the free safety will come up quickly and play the alley, pursuing the ball from an inside-out position. Field Corner The field corner is the team s best cover player. He must cover the #1 receiver toward the wide side of the field with no help from the free safety (sometimes he will be assigned to cover an opponent s best receiver). The field corner will line up approximately seven yards deep, maintain inside leverage on the receiver he is covering, and employ a backpedal technique. Boundary Corner The ball is located on one of the hash marks about 80% of the time. When the ball is snapped from one of the hashes and cover 1 is employed, the boundary corner will usually line up to the short side of the field and cover #1 (this varies because against some offensive formations you may adjust to a corner-over alignment). The boundary corner s alignment will be approximately three yards deep and one yard outside of #1. He will maintain outside leverage on the receiver, jam the receiver with his outside hand, and funnel him into the free safety. When the ball is in the middle of the field, the boundary corner s alignment and techniques will be identical to that of the field corner. 13
2 One Dozen Stunt Tactics that Win Football Games Illusion Blitzes The term blitz refers to a stunt that employs a six-man pass rush. An illusion blitz is a specific type of blitz that gives the offense the impression that the defense is sending the house. When an illusion blitz is employed, seven or eight defenders will attack the line of scrimmage at the snap. Versus the run, these defenders will attempt to penetrate the gaps, control the line of scrimmage, force the ballcarrier out of his intended course, and ultimately stop the play in the backfield. Versus the pass, six of these defenders will continue to rush the quarterback and the remaining one or two fake pass rushers will spy the running back(s). Versus the pass, illusion blitzes hold the offense accountable for blocking all seven or eight defenders aligned in the box and thereby limits the number of receivers an offense can put into a pass pattern and safely protect its quarterback. Furthermore, these blitzes make pass protection a chaotic guessing game, because the spy defenders are often defensive linemen. Illusion blitzes not only cause offensive linemen to end up blocking air, they eliminate many protection schemes that require offensive linemen to double read defensive alignments. Illusion blitzes are employed with zero coverage. Diagram 2-1 shows an illusion blitz in which eight defenders are attacking the line of scrimmage at the snap, but as they recognize pass, 14