OSU’s Jim Knowles Keys to Achieving a Successful Stop Rate
Apr 19, 2023 2:31 pm
Coach ,
Today’s offenses put up lots of yardage and points. When you compare them to offenses even a decade ago.
The chart below from Fansided shows that both the mean average points per game (the bottom line) have been on the rise since the rules changed in 1912 to favor scoring touchdowns and to the point system we use today.
Stop Rate
The total offense yards per game are on the rise as well with the uptempo style of the game and more plays being run as a factor. Yards per game are not the best indicator of success. Points will always be the bottom line.
As those points continue to rise, we need to look at what numbers define a good or great defense.
In his talk at the 3rd Annual Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic, Ohio State Defensive Coordinator explained that “stop rate” is a better indicator of defensive success.
He shared, according to Max Olsen, senior writer for The Athletic, Stop rate is the percentage of a defense’s drives that end in a punt, turnover, or turnover on downs. This simple metric can offer a more accurate reflection of a defense’s effectiveness in today’s faster-tempo game than yards per game or even points per game.
Stop Rate is something Coach Knowles's defenses have been successful with. He shares what the stop rate is and the results in this video (click on image for video):
Every football play begins with stance and start.
For Coach Knowles, achieving a high stop rate starts with the fundamentals.
Stance is the most basic fundamental, but even at the highest level, it’s worked every day, and put together in a teach tape like any other technique. Coach Knowles shares the Buckeyes’ stance and start drills and game film in this video:
Disengaging Blocks without Contact in Practice
The method of training a tough, physical LB has changed. We used to have contact heavy drills and individual periods. That’s not necessary and in many cases, not desirable anymore. Coach Knowles points out that he wants to simulate full contact without going through contact. He shares examples of drills and how they translate to game day in this video:
Muckle - Linebackers Have to Stop the Pass
For the Buckeyes, “Muckle” is a made-up word. It means putting a body on a body in pass coverage. It’s a key technique in making linebackers good pass defenders. Coach Knowles teaches it so that the LBs can gain leverage on the route runner and keep it. It gives them a plan and approach to defending the route. It’s an aggressive technique that closes the space and also has in and out-of-phase components. Coach Knowles shares it in drills and game film in this video:
While you are busy filtering through all of the great schemes, blitzes, and coverages you’ve picked up this off-season, be sure that the understanding and application of fundamentals are a part of the plan. Even if it means creating your own terms to identify and define the technique, like the Bucks’ “muckle,” be clear about how it is drilled and especially that those drills translate to the game.
Thank you to Coach Knowles for this thorough presentation.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski