Coach ,

Jim Knowles just took the reins of the Tennessee defense after a championship run at Ohio State and an interesting year at Penn State, and he’s bringing his unique defense to the SEC.

While he’s known for a complex "brainiac" approach to game planning, his philosophy on using edge athletes is refreshingly simple: don't let them think.

Video: Edge Alignment

In his clinic "Playing Offense on Defense", Knowles broke down how he utilizes explosive athletes to neutralize the zone and power read—two concepts that usually give DCs headaches.

Here is how Knowles simplifies the game for his best athletes:

• Directed Intent: Instead of asking an athlete to play a "shuffle" or "sit" technique, Knowles tells him exactly who to take—the back or the quarterback.
• The "Bender" Strategy: Against a non-running QB, Knowles designates the edge rusher as a "bender." His only job is to crash and take the dive, forcing the ball into the hands of the player the defense wants carrying it.
• Finding a Home: Knowles specifically uses this role for the guys we all have—the "good football players" who might not grasp complex coverages but are explosive off the ball.
• The Tight End Influence: To make it work, Knowles uses "influence" calls. He’ll have a defender inside the edge rusher move to pull the tight end down, clearing a lane for the edge guy to hop outside or bend into the backfield.

By removing the "read" from the player and making it a directive from the sideline, Knowles allows his athletes to play with a level of speed and violence that reactive techniques just can't match.

You can find the full clinic HERE.

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