eplay - in pursuit of excellence by mark harriman

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In Pursuit

Of Excellence

by Mark HarrimanDefensive CoordinatorPrinceton University

chived Articles 2.4.1

GRIDIRON C

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In Pursuit of ExcellenceBy Mark Harriman

Defensive Coordinator

Princeton University

Simply stated,

we want all eleven

defenders to execute

their technique,

defeat any blocking

threat and run

to the ball!.

AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY we

spend a great deal of time

teaching fundamentals. Posi-

tionally we stress learning proper tech-

niques and then integrating this into

our defensive unit as a whole. One

portion of these unit fundamentals is

proper pursuit to the ball regardless

of play run. We expect each defender

to take pride in getting to the ballon every play.

Two keys to great defensive pursuit are

the proper body position and the ability to know where

your fellow defenders are. We explain these concepts to our

players in the following manner.

Whenever the ball is in front of our primary run defend-

ers (front eight) they move laterally with their shoulders

square to the line of scrimmage in the bent knee position.

By shutting off the point of attack and moving in this fash-

ion, we effectively limit the options available to the ballcarrier. The ball carrier is forced to either bounce the ball

outside or cut back into the squared shoulders of his pursu-

ers. Only when the ball is past a defender will he turn his

shoulders to the line of scrimmage.

Drills: The First SeriesWhen teaching proper and aggressive pursuit of the ball, we

utilize a variety of drills. The first series deal with run plays

versus a particular front and coverage. For simplicity sake,

all of these drills will involve a base eight man front and a

three-deep coverage. When introducing these drills, we will

walk through, and talk through all eleven defenders respon-sibilities including the force angles for the primary force

defender as well as pursuit angles for the rest of the defense.

Diagram one illustrates our strongside responsibilities

and pursuit angles. We do not assign our defenders specific

intervals down the field (i.e. cones placed on the sidelines)

because of the variables involved. The speed of the ball

carrier compared to the defenders speed and the possibility

of someone being hung up on a block and not getting to

their assigned area are two factors that can come into play.

Once the ball turns the corner, our players will not run

behind the same colored jersey. If this occurs, they must

adjust downfield. This gives us good distribution down the

field.

After we have walked through this drill, we will run it

versus various plays. These drills require a spacing tape, abackfield, and two shields.

1. Toss/ Sweep

In diagram two, the QB (coach) turns and tosses the ball to

a back who turns the corner and runs 35 yards downfield.

The force man will attack the shield while the remaining

defenders run to the sideline. We will then progress to a

cutback.

2. Option

The QB (coach) will run an option in either direction. H e

will either give, keep or pitch. The ball carrier will continuedownfield as shown in diagram three.

Dive: 10 yards

Keep: 20 yards

Pitch: 35 yards

3. Reverse

Next we will incorporate a reverse off either the sweep or

the option (see diagram four).

Variation

A variation of this drill is what we call find a way to the

ball. This drill emphasizes full speed pursuit along with abit of competition. Ten bags, two footballs, and a receiver

(on the sideline) are needed for this drill.

One bag is placed five yards by five yards from the tight

ends position in the offensive backfield. The remaining

bags are placed on the sideline at five yard intervals. On the

snap, the coach will lateral wave the defense in three direc-


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tions left, right, left. All eleven defenders will then hit theground. As they recover, the coach will throw the ball to the

receiver. The force defender will attack the bag stationed in

the offensive backfield. The remaining defenders will run to

the bags on the sideline and tackle them. Obviously, the last

man there does not have a bag to tackle. He performs 15

push ups for being last. Proper pursuit angle must be taken

by all defenders or the drill is repeated (see diagram five).

Diagram One

E

C

B

T

B

Ecutback

OLBreverse

C save atouchdown

SSprimary

force

T

FS

alley

Diagram Two

C

B BOLB

C

SS

FS

E T ET

5 yards

5yards

5 yards

5yards

shieldshield

C

Diagram Three

C

B B OLB

C

SS

FS

E T ET

C

pitch

dive

alley

diveQB

Diagram Four

C

B B OLB

C

SS

FS

E T ET

C

Drills: The Second SeriesThis series of drills emphasizes the pass game. The defensealigns as in the run drills.

1. Pass

On the snap, the QB (coach) drops back and the front four

will rush the passer. The linebackers and secondary will

drop to their respective zones. The QB (coach) will throw

the ball to the receiver (coach) positioned in various zones.

Everyone must sprint and break down around the coach

Diagram Five: Find A Way To The Ball

C

OLB

C

SS

C

E E

B

T

B

FS

T

5yds.

5 yards

5yards

R

Diagram Six

C

C

OLB

C

SS

E E

B

T

B

FS

T coach

coach

coach


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Diagram Seven

C

C

OLB

C

SS

E E

B

T

B

FS

T

Diagram Eight

C

C

OLB

C

SS

E E

B

T

B

FS

T

insidecage

outsidecage

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who catches the ball. A simple variation of this drill is to

throw the ball to a defender and concentrate on the inter-

ception returns (see diagram six).

We then add a draw play along with the pass (see dia-

gram seven). This is a good way to develop proper reactionfrom the coverage personnel as well as the pass rushers. We

would like to squeeze the ball outside in at the point of

attack forcing the ball to the sideline.

Pursuit from pass rushers is extremely important. When

they recognize draw, they must replace themselves through

their rush lanes. This along with the converging coverage

personnel will effectively cage the ball carrier.

Next we progress to the addition of a screen play. With

this addition, we want to teach recognition of a screen as

well as pursuit after the ball is thrown. We stress taking on

two blockers at the point of attack and making sure we

have an inside and outside cage man to contain the ball

(diagram eight). As with any play we want to force the ballback into our pursuit.

SummaryGreat defensive pursuit and swarming defense are integral

factors in the success of a defense. By developing the afore-

mentioned techniques through these simple drills, we feel

that our players are able to move to the ball with speed as

well as the correct position to make the play when they get

there.n


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