Coach -

The Air Raid offense or a passing focused spread offense present explosive, potent attacks, especially if you allow them to hone in on your tendencies. Our own Coach Trent Kauffman (now at Wake Forest) curated some thoughts from some of the best defensive minds in the game who have presented at our clinics.

Coach Grabowski

Air Traffic Control: Defending the Air Raid and Spread Offenses

When playing and game planning a defense you have to decide how often to pressure, what coverage to play, and how to account for an offense's strengths and weaknesses. Planning for the Air Raid and Spread offenses are no exception. 

These pass-heavy schemes demand constant adjustments from the defense due to their reliance on throwing.  However, just like any offense, they have exploitable weaknesses and offer you a variety of ideologies and ways to attack. 

Leading off from a coverage standpoint and simply looking into how you may want to think through the concepts is Dave Aranda. 

Video: Force the Ball Down in Read Type Passing

Different points can be taken from the short clip, providing direct knowledge from Coach Aranda. More importantly, the idea of using coverage strategies to counter the opponent's concepts and designs is emphasized.

Don’t think at first how I can scheme my coverages to stop this offense but, first consider what would be needed to be stopped to beat this team. For some it may be the “upside-down umbrella” approach and for others it may come in different forms. 

Regardless, structure the coverage package around this idea. Anticipate the opponent's counteractions and be ready to direct them toward a position where you believe you can gain the advantage.

A vital piece of every coverage is having a solid attack at the line of scrimmage and that comes in the form of a pressure package. Brent Pry was one of the best in the nation when he was a DC at applying pressure. The thought process is the same now as the Head Coach at Virginia Tech. Linebackers Coach Shawn Quinn guides us through Virginia Tech’s pressures against the Spread.

Video: Pressuring the Spread

Disrupting the rhythm of the spread offense is critical for defensive success. Applying pressure speeds up the quarterback's internal clock, increasing the likelihood of inaccuracy and poor decisions, even without resulting in sacks. Pressure also clouds passing lanes, making it difficult for the quarterback to see clearly. By initially covering high and showing the short routes, the defense can then adjust to cover underneath concepts, aiming to force turnovers.

We must always be ready to adjust, and varying our pressure looks is essential. Coach Shane Dierking of the two-time Stagg Bowl Champions, North Central College, guides us in this clip.

Video: Empty Defense Sample 3

Mug looks and other pressure tactics are effective in confusing younger quarterbacks. By mixing up these pressures, you can disrupt the quarterback's thought process. Allowing linebackers to bluff or simulate pressures from various areas increases the chances of confusing the opposing QB and baiting them into turnovers. 

While the air raid offense is potent, its high-risk, high-reward nature often leads to mistakes. Many QBs and coordinators lack the discipline to sustain drives with short routes. Be prepared to exploit this, force errant throws, and create turnovers.

As Always,

Compete!

Coach Kauffman

PS. …… These clinic presentations are bundled together here for 40% off for a limited time.