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2011 Derek A. "Coach" WadeNo part of this material may be reproduced or sold for profit, in collection or otherwise, without the express

written consent of the author.

Kestrel Heights Football

Defensive PlaybookThe mission of the Kestrel Heights Defensive Unit is to regain possession of the football!

Fear is a reflex. Confidence is a choice.

Derek A. "Coach" Wade, Defensive Coordinator,Kestrel Heights High School

Durham, NC253-583-6360

[email protected]


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Hawk the ball!

-i- 2011 Derek A. "Coach" Wade

No part of this material may be reproduced or sold for profit, in collection or otherwise, without the expresswritten consent of the author.

Table of ContentsKESTREL HEIGHTS DEFENSIVE FOOTBALL PLAYBOOK 1

OVERVIEW 1

ALIGNMENT,ASSIGNMENT,AGGRESSION 1MISSIONSTATEMENT 2DEFENSIVEEXPECTATIONS 2BASICRESPONSIBILITIES BYPOSITION 3

KESTREL HEIGHTS DEFENSIVE OBJECTIVES 4

OVERVIEW 4FOCUS 4TRACKING 4

DEFENSIVE TERMINOLOGY 5

OVERVIEW 5SWAPPING 5

BASIC ALIGNMENT RULES 6

OVERVIEW 6FRONTCALLS 6ALWAYSRULES FORALIGNMENT 8ALIGNMENTDEPTHS ANDPOSITIONS 9FRONTPOSITIONRESPONSIBILITIES 9

BLITZ PACKAGE 13

OVERVIEW 13ALWAYSRULES FOR STUNTS 13

COVERAGES 17

OVERVIEW 17ALWAYSRULES FOR COVERAGE 17MAN-TO-MANCOVERAGE 18ZONE COVERAGE 20COBRA (TRIPS COVERAGE) 22

PURSUIT 23

OVERVIEW 23APPROACHING THEBALL 23DEFENSIVELINEANGLES 24LINEBACKERANGLES 25DEFENSIVEBACKANGLES 26TEAMPURSUIT 27

INDEX 28


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Kestrel Heights Defensive Playbook Rev 1.03/21/2011

-1- 2011 Derek A. "Coach" Wade


Kestrel Heights Defensive Football Playbook

Overview

The Kestrel Heights Defensive system is a hybrid of the Gap-8 for goalline situations and

the 4-4 split for "normal" situations. It is predicated on four simple concepts:

We will use shifting alignments to confuse the offensive blocking.

We will stunt with the intent to make a play.

We will pressure the passer.

We will swarm to the ball.

Additionally, there are four more points of emphasis that underpin the defensive system:

The purpose of the defensive unit is to regain possession of the football.

We will eliminate the opponent's three best running plays and two best passingplays, forcing them to rely on more unfamiliar selections of their playbook.

We will force the opponent to rely on riskier passing plays by taking away therunning game. This will give us a greater opportunity to force a turnover.

We will not give up the cheap score.

The defense aligns in a Gap-8 to begin each defensive play. On quarterback's second

sound of cadence, after determining that the play is not a short yardage or silent countattempt, Lion (left inside linebacker) will make a "Jump! Jump!" call and the defense willshift to one of the Pre-Called Alignments. In short yardage, Lion will make the jump call,

but the defense will remain in the Gap-8.

Alignment, Assignment, Aggression

All defensive players must begin the play in the proper alignment, and proceed from

there to cover the correct assignment. Only when these two aspects of defensive play areproperly performed can we expect them to play with the proper aggression.


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Mission Statement

All defensive coaches must commit the Kestrel Defense Mission Statement to memoryand use it as the focus of their coaching throughout the season.

The mission of the Kestrel Hawks Defense is to regain possession of the football. We will

aggressively separate the ball carrier from the ball. We will advance every fumble. We

will return every interception. We expect to score.

Defensive Expectations

We coach the turnover. We expectone turnover per every three opposingoffensive possessions. We will refer to this as Hawking the ball.

Opponents call passing plays only to give us an opportunity to sack them orforce a turnover. We expectone sack per every four passing attempts.

Ballcarriers are targets for us to intimidate. We expectto leave one on the turfafter collision in each game. (We hit to hurtbut not to injure.)

We take pride in impact. We expectno fewer than four tacklers to make eachplay.

We are game winners. We expectto score in every game. If we score and werefuse to let the opponent do so, the pressure is off our offense. We have already

won.

We live for defense. We expectto meet at least seven of our DefensiveObjectives in each game.


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Basic Responsibilities by Position

Defensive Line

Defensive linemen are charged with establishing a push to force the offensive line to settheir blocks, penetrating and securing assigned gaps, and providing an initial pass rush in

the event of a pass read. No defensive lineman can ever allow themselves to be blockedby fewer than two offensive players. Defensive linemen must always continue to gain

ground into the offensive backfield.

Linebackers

Linebackers are responsible for securing alternate gaps to the defensive linemen, forcovering running backs in man-to-man pass coverage (Cover-1, Cover-0), covering the

short zones in zone pass coverage (Cover-3, Cover-2), and for providing secondary passrush in the event of a blitz. Outside linebackers are responsible for outside contain, and

must never allow the ball to cross their outside shoulder. Inside linebackers areresponsible for taking away the inner running lanes and must keep the ball on their inside

shoulder at all times. Inside linebackers are also responsible for watching for screens anddraws on passing downs.

Defensive Backs

Defensive Backs are the primary source of pass coverage downfield and a secondary run

support. As such, they will not be charged with any blitzing or pass rushingresponsibilities. They must roll towards the ball once it heads to the sideline, and provide

outside-in leverage on the ball to force it back to the interior defenders. The Free Safetyis the final line of defense and must play to keep all members of the offensive unit in

front of him at all times.


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Kestrel Heights Defensive Objectives

Overview

It is our team philosophy that meeting or exceeding 70% of these objectives in each game

will result in a win. Therefore we will strive at each practice to focus on the skills andtechniques that will allow us to succeed in each of these objectives.

Focus

We are a swarming, gang-tackling, pursuit defense that never gives up, never gives in,

and never quits. We do not allow the opponent to tell us what they will run. We tell theopponent what we will allow them to run.

The Kestrel Heights Defense WILL:

1. Hold opposing offense to 10 points or less.

2. Not allow our opponent to get more than 25 yards on a single play.

3. Hold opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing.

4. Hold opponents to fewer than 150 total yards.

5. Hold opponents to fewer than 10 first downs.

6. Cause and obtain at least 4 turnovers.

7. Score a touchdown or safety on defense.

8. NEVER allow the opponent to score from the 5 yard line.

9. Hold opponents to 3 or fewer completed passes.

10.Allow no more than 3 consecutive first downs.

Tracking

These metrics will be tracked by the defensive coordinator and posted outside the lockerroom each week.


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Defensive Terminology

Overview

Since defensive terminology can be confusing, the following basic abbreviations anddescriptions will be used.

Player "Nickname" PositionSwapsside?

Strong End/SDE Strong Defensive End Yes

Sam/ S Strong Outside Linebacker Yes

Strong Tackle/SDT Strong Defensive Tackle No

Lion/L Left Inside Linebacker No

Ram/R Right Inside Linebacker No

Weak Tackle/WDT Weak Defensive Tackle No

Will/W Weak Outside Linebacker Yes

Weak End/WDE Weak Defensive End YesLeft Corner/LC Left Defensive Corner Maybe

Right Corner/RC Right Defensive Corner Maybe

Free Safety/FS Free Safety No

To conserve space on diagrams, the defensive tackles and corners will usually beindicated with a single character: T or C.

SwappingPlayers listed as swapping sides will adjust in response to the strength of the offensive

formation. Players listed as maybe may possibly be assigned to stick with a particularoffensive player (such as locking up the best cover corner on the best receiver) or may be

designated to play field or boundary depending on the scouting report.


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Basic Alignment Rules

Overview

After the shift on quarterbacks second syllable of cadence, the defense will adjust theiralignment to the front called from the sideline. The purpose of these shifting fronts isfourfold:

We will confuse opposing offensive linemen by altering our starting positionsafterthey have made their initial pre-snap reads, before the snap, and while theyare listening to the quarterbacks cadence.

The malleable front gives us the ability to shore up weaknesses in personnel oralignment by moving players as necessary within a sound defensive scheme.

Our sharp, disciplined shift will result in free yards when ill-prepared teams movebecause we do. Theres nothing better than putting an offense in an immediate

first and extra-long situation without even running a play. The simplicity of the front call and blitz package will give us the ability to

confuse our opponent while remaining straightforward for our players to execute.

Front Calls

Each defensive front will be called with a three digit code such as 226. These will be

signaled in from the sideline before each offensive play.

First digit: strong side defensive tackle

Second digit: weak side defensive tackle

Third digit: weak side defensive end.

All alignments begin with a determination of the strength of the offensive formationusing the following rules:

1. Strength of offensive line (tight end location.)

2. Strength of offensive backfield (two running backs on the same side)

3. Passing strength of offensive formation (trips set)

4. If the offensive set is balanced, the strong side may be determined to be thefield or based on offensive tendencies.

NOTE: For the purposes of this playbook the strength calls will be made to the left.


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Each digit in the code tells the defensive linemen where to line up using the followingchart:

A call of 226 corresponds to the following alignment:

Player Alignment Assignment

SDE Head up on tight end C-Gap

SDT Head up on strong side guard A-Gap

WDT Head up on weak side guard A-Gap

WDE Outside shade of weak side tackle

Which gives a defensive line front that looks like this:

The inside linebackers align using the following rules:

1. When the man in front of me is head up, I stackbehind him.

2. When the man in front of me moves to a shade, I shade the opposite way.

This is shown in the diagram of the 116 front, below:


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Lion has aligned in a 30 technique. He is shaded to 3, (outside shade of the guard)but is one level off the ball. (If the free safety aligns behind him, he would be considered

to be in a 300 alignment.)

And in the 136 front, the SDT is in a 1, WDT is in a 3, WDE is in a 6, Lion is in a 30, and

Ram is in a 10:

If the defensive linemen align properly, the linebackers can easily adjust to their correctposition.

Always Rules for Alignment

The following rules are always in effect:

1. The strong side defensive end will always align head up on the tight end (8)

2. All defensive players will always have responsibility for the gap in which they arealigned, unless changed by a stunt.

3. Defensive linemen will always have the inside gap when aligned head up, unless

changed by a stunt.

4. Linebackers will always have the outside gap when stacked, unless changed by astunt.

5. Defenders will always be responsible for only one gap. (We never play head upand two-gap.)


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Alignment Depths and Positions

Position Alignment Depth

SDE Head up on tight end, 6, OR on air-8 On LOS

Sam 1off LOS, 3 outside SDE's heels. 1yd or by D/D

SDT By front call On LOSLion By front call 3yds or by D/D

Ram By front call 3yds or by D/D

WDT By front call On LOS

Will 2 off LOS, 1 outside WDE's heels 2yds or by D/D

WDE 6, OR head up on 2nd tight end On LOS

LC By coverage call 6-7 or by D/D

RC By coverage call 6-7 or by D/D

FS By coverage call, usually 300 to strength 9-12 or by D/D

Front Position Responsibilities

Gap-8 (Goalline)

Position Alignment Responsibility

SDE 8 Jam TE, C-Gap, pressure passer

Sam On LOS, 1 outside SDE Contain, #2 on pass

SDT Center of A-Gap A-Gap, pressure passerLion Center of B-Gap B-Gap, pressure passer

Ram Center of B-Gap B-Gap, pressure passer

WDT Center of A-Gap A-Gap, pressure passer

Will On LOS, 1 outside DE, OR 1 outside WDEs heels Contain, #2 on pass

WDE 8 or 6 if no TE Jam TE, C-Gap, pressure passer

LC On #1, 6-7 yds depth #1, force on run

RC On #1, 6-7 yds depth #1, force on run

FS 300 to strength, 9yds depth Flow, #3 on pass


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226 (Base Front)



Sam 1off LOS, 3 outside SDE's heels. Contain, #2, Curl-to-flat

SDT 2 A-Gap, pressure passer

Lion 20 B-Gap, #3, draw

Ram 20 B-Gap, #3, draw

WDT 2 A-Gap, pressure passer

Will 2 off LOS, 1 outside WDE's heels Contain, #2, Curl-to-flat

WDE 6 Jam TE, C-Gap, pressure passerLC On #1, 7-9 yds depth #1, deep 1/3, force on run

RC On #1, 7-9 yds depth #1, deep 1/3, force on run

FS 300 to strength, 9-12 yds depth Deep 1/3, TE on 0, or lock

116 (Pinch Front)






Ram 30 B-Gap, #3, draw

WDT 2 A-Gap, pressure passer


WDE 6 Jam TE, C-Gap, pressure passer

LC On #1, 7-9 yds depth #1, deep 1/3, force on run




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336 (Fan Front)




SDT 3 B-Gap, pressure passer

Lion 10 A-Gap, #3, draw

Ram 10 A-Gap, #3, draw

WDT 3 B-Gap, pressure passer






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136 (Under Front)












316 (Over Front)




SDT 3 B-Gap, pressure passer

Lion 10 A-Gap, #3, draw




WDE 6 Jam TE, C-Gap, pressure passer

LC On #1, 7-9 yds depth #1, deep 1/3, force on runRC On #1, 7-9 yds depth #1, deep 1/3, force on run



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Blitz Package

OverviewEach defensive player is responsible for learning only two gap assignments: his baseassignment and his stunt assignment.All combo stunts are merely various

amalgamations of these two gap assignments for two or more players.

Always Rules for Stunts


1. A player not involved in a stunt always plays base against the offensive play.

2. Players will always stunt through their assigned gaps.

3. The weak side man always goes first when players cross.

4. Stunts will always be executed by linebackers. (We do not stunt the secondary.)


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Coverages

Overview

Each coverage assignment is designed to be as simple as possible and remain flexible.Coverages are generally determined by the stunt in front of them. In a base call (no

stunts), any coverage may be used. The exception to this rule is the Gap-8, which isalways a Cover-1 or Cover-0 lock

Always Rules for Coverage


1. Any stunt that sends Sam will always result in a Cover-0.

2. Any combo stunt sending four linebackers will always result in a Cover-0.

3. Any offensive alignment in Trips, including tight end trips and motion-to, willalways result in a Cobra.

4. Corners will always have #1 to their side.


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Man-to-Man Coverage

Man-to-Man coverage is designed to be simple and provide effective coverage for 2-4

seconds after the snap. It can be used from any defensive set and allows us to put extrapressure on the passer by stunting up to four linebackers. Coupled with the four linemen

this gives us the ability to put tremendous pressure on the passer.

The basic rules of Man-to-Man are as follows:

Position Responsibility

Sam #2

Lion #3, draw

Ram #3, draw

Will #2

LC #1

RC #1

FS Deep 1/3, TE on 0, or lock

At times, the Free Safety will be used to double cover an exceptional receiver. This willbe called from the sideline with a keyphrase like Cover-0, 88 where 88 is the number

of the opposing receiver. At all other times in Cover-0 the Free Safety will lock up withthe tight end or other #2 receiver otherwise covered by Sam. If the FS is called on for

double coverage he will align in a 500 technique to his mans side.

It is critical that the strong side defensive end deny the tight end an inside release while

simultaneously disrupting his pass route for at least one second at the snap. Tight endsmustbe bumped at the snap to prevent a quick release.

In man coverages, Lion and Ram are assigned the #3 receiver to their side. In mostoffensive formations, this will result in them both trying to cover the same man. To

prevent this, and strengthen the defense against the draw, Lion and Ram cover FBO, orFirst Back Out, on their side.

This allows the remaining inside linebacker to float in a shallow zone and jump his eyesto the remaining offensive back, looking for draw.


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Zone Coverage

Zone coverage is designed to cover the field as broadly as possible while confusing

opposing quarterbacks. Because the emphasis in zone is more on coverage than pressure,we will usually use at least seven defenders in coverage and rush no more than four.

Zone defenders are given both a man key to follow and a zone to cover. In all cases, theman key is the offensive receiver most likely to threaten their zone. By spying him in

their coverage it allows us to anticipate the pattern and get into a cutoff position.

The basic rules of zone are as follows:


Sam #2, Curl-to-Flat

Lion #3, Hook-to-Curl, draw

Ram #3, Hook-to-Curl, draw

Will #2, Curl-to-Flat

LC #1, Deep 1/3

RC #1, Deep 1/3

FS Deep 1/3, Spy QB

As written, these rules provide a three deep, four under, Cover-3 landmark coverage.

A second coverage will be used to strengthen the middle of the field or widen thelinebackers on the perimeter:


Sam #2, Curl-to-Flat (Wide)

Lion #3, Hook-to-Curl (Wide), draw

Ram #3, Hook-to-Curl (Wide), draw

Will #2, Curl-to-Flat (Wide)

LC #1, Deep

RC #1, Deep

FS Creep to shallow Hook, Spy QB

This second coverage gives us the ability to rob the middle zones by sending Ram and

Lion in stunts while still keeping the short center of the field covered by the creepingFree Safety. By going to a 5-across look in the shallow zones, we also give the outside

linebackers an extra step to help them on the edge.

For the most part, the responsibilities do not change from the Cover-3 to the Cover-2

look. Sam and Will still have the edge zones, Ram and Lion still take the underneathcoverage, and the corners still play deep. The only change is the Free Safety attacking the

shallow center of the field.


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Cobra (Trips Coverage)

Special circumstances demand special coverages. With the prevalence of the spread

offense throughout football, some form of coverage adjustment must be used tocounterbalance the overloaded receiver sets.

At first glance, Cobra is almost identical to the Cover-3 look from a 316 alignment.


Sam Inside shade #2 Collide with #2, sit in flat

Lion 50 #3, Hook

Ram 30 #3, Hook, draw

Will 2 off LOS, 1 outside WDE's heels #2, Curl-to-flat

LC Outside shade #1 #1, Deep

RC Inside Shade #1 #1

FS 500 to trips side Deep , Spy QB

One of the few things that will change is the alignment and play of the strong end, whowill align as wide as necessary to have an unobstructed path to the quarterbacks setup

point (approximately three yards deeper than his starting position, although this willchange at the snap). He must adjust his path to keep the quarterback on his inside

shoulder at all times. As he presses upfield he must be alert to the possibility of a quickscreen and be prepared to knock down the pass if it materializes.


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Pursuit

Overview

One of the most important functions in team defense is trapping the ball. Proper pursuitangles before the ball crosses the line of scrimmage keeps running backs from breaking

free and after the line they can keep a breakaway first down from turning into atouchdown.

Approaching the Ball

When approaching a ball carrier, defenders need to be aware of where their help is.

Never give a ball carrier the choice of directions; approach him on an oblique that pre-selects his final direction. Ball carriers that are approached from the side will generally

react away from the tackler. If the tackler knows where his teammates are or the sidelineis, he can force the ball towards that assistance.

When approached

head up, the ball

carrier may cut in

either direction.

When approached at

a slight angle, the

ball carrier can only

cut one way.


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Defensive Line Angles

When angling for pursuit, defensive linemen must take a path that puts them slightlyahead of the ball. During the last four steps before contact they should act to square

themselves as much as possible to the line of scrimmage to prevent the ball carrier cutting

back against the grain.

Position Cone Responsibility

Playside DE #1 Stretch the play, keep ball on inside ear.

Playside DT #2 Pursue, look for cut back.

Away DT #3 Pursue, force ball out of bounds.

Away DE Trail to #1Trail through offense at depth of deepest

back. Watch for reverse.


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Linebacker Angles

Playside linebackers should pursue with their shoulders square to the line of scrimmage

to prevent cutback. The playside outside linebacker is responsible for forcing the playback inside. The playside inside linebacker is responsible for filling underneath the balls

path and taking away the cutback route. Both away linebackers should delay slightly onflow away from them, switching their eyes to the away offensive back and planting their

away foot hard in grass to be prepared for a counter block. Once the ball approacheswithin two yards of the line of scrimmage they can release to their pursuit routes.


Playside OLB #1 Stretch the play, keep ball on inside ear.

Playside ILB #2 Pursue, look for cut back, and squeeze towards LOS.

Away ILB Delay #3Delay and cross key far back for counter, pursue and force ball

out of bounds.

Away OLB Delay #4Delay and cross key far back for counter, pursue and force ball

out of bounds.


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Defensive Back Angles

Defensive backs rotate their coverage towards the play. The nearest corner becomes a

force player, while the free safety replaces him in downfield zone coverage. Likewise, the

away corner replaces the free safety in the middle of the field.

It should be noted that man coverage only affects pursuit routes when the ball has crossed

the line of scrimmage. It is the responsibility of the eight linebackers and defensivelinemen to prevent that from happening.


Playside CB #1 Attack the play. Turn the ball back inside.

Free Safety #3Replace CB as deep 1/3 on play side. Pressure upfield keepingthe ball on your OUTSIDEear. Look to force ball out of bounds.

Away CB #4Replace FS as deep middle 1/3. Pull up if the ball does and keyany receiver in your area for throwback. Look to force ball out of

bounds if it makes it downfield.


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Team Pursuit

When properly executed, team pursuit to the wide play should close on the ball carrier

and take away his running lanes in a systematic manner, forcing him to make decisions

before he chooses to do so.


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-28- 2011 D k A "C h" W d

Index

1

116 (Pinch Front), 10136 (Under Front), 12

2

226 (Base Front), 10

3

316 (Over Front), 12

336 (Fan Front), 11

A

Alignment Rules, basic, 6Alignment, Always Rules for, 8

Alignment, Assignment, Aggression, 1Alignment, Standard Depths by Positions, 9Approaching the Ball, 23

B

Blitz Package, 13

C

Calls, defensive fronts, 6Cobra (Trips Coverage), 22Combo stunts, 16Cover-2, coverage rules for, 20

Cover-3, basic rules for, 20Coverage, Always Rules for, 17Coverages, 17Crossing stunts, 16

D

Defensive Backs, 3

Defensive Expectations, 2Defensive Line, 3

Defensive Objectives, 4Defensive Terminology, 5

F

Focus, 4

G

Gap Assignments, Base, 15Gap Stunts, Basic, 15

Gap-8 (Goalline), 9

L

Linebackers, 3

M

Man coverages, 19Man-to-Man Coverage, 18Man-to-man, basic rules for, 18

Mission Statement, 2

O

Offensive formation, strength of rules, 6

P

Pursuit, 23Pursuit Angles, Defensive Backs, 26Pursuit Angles, Defensive Line, 24Pursuit Angles, Linebackers, 25Pursuit Angles, Team, 27

S

Stunts, Always Rules for, 13Swapping, 5

T

Tracking, of defensive goals, 4

Z

Zone Coverage, 20

4 4 interceptor

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