Coach ,

The red zone requires some thoughts and adjustments on both sides of the ball.  For the offense, vertical space is decreasing and causes them to adjust their route concepts.  They look for formations and routes that help them get free of tight coverage like bunch or stacks. In the run game they look to add hats especially as a defense commits more to the run.  

The defense must adjust and stay out of situations where the offense is picking off defenders and getting a receiver wide open.  The defense needs to be able to react quickly and commit to stopping the run.

This week we share Michigan LB Coach Chris Partridge strategies and methods for defending in the Red Zone. While he talks about things he did as the DC at Ole Miss, there’s definitely things that can help you as we get later into the season.

Note: Michigan is #1 in the Red Zone allowing only three scores from that area all year long which includes two field goals and just one touchdown.

Bracket Coverage

It’s a formational alignment defense that allows you to match personnel very easily.  He emphasizes knowing where you are on the field and specifically that you must understand what routes will be run in the red zone.

He explains it in this video:

Video: Terminology

Tools for Non-Condensed?

Coach Partridge likes to have tools to handle a receiver no matter where he is aligned.  He explains “Ace,” “Indy,” and “Ohio” in this video.  They allow the defense to bracket a single receiver, an #2 receiver or a #3 receiver.

Video: Non Condensed Bracket

Adjustments to Condensed Splits

It is very common in the red zone for an offense to condense their splits in order to defeat tighter coverage.  It creates space for routes to break into and it can create rubs which knock defenders off their receiver.  Coach Partridge likes to use bracket concepts against this and he explains it here:

Video: Adjustment to Condensed

The Big Ten is shaping up to have some of the best defenses so far this season with Penn State #1 in Total Defense,  Michigan #3 and OSU #8,  and in scoring defense Penn State #1, Michigan #2 and Ohio State #3.

The big match-ups are looming, so we will see how it all plays out in the coming weeks.  It will be fun to watch!

Have a great week of preparation.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S. Here are our defensive presentations from Penn State, Michigan, and Ohio State:

Penn State:

Penn State Leverage Tackling - Manny Diaz, DC

Penn State Defensive Circuit Drills - Terry Smith, CB

Defensive Back Fundamentals - Ola Adams, Analyst

Organized Chaos - Ola Adams, Analyst

Zone Pressures - Rick Lyster D Analyst

Michigan:

Safety Play by Chris Partidge, LB

3rd Down and Red Zone Bracket by Chris Partridge, LB

Ohio State:

LB Fundamentals - Jim Knowles, DC

Playing Offense On Defense - Jim Knowles, DC