National Champ on Why Defending Empty Requires More Than a Standard Check
Feb 27, 2023 3:01 pm
Coach ,
A trend that we are seeing in offensive football is to get more five out into route concepts, and one way to do that is with empty.
That trend means on the defensive side, having multiple empty answers will be necessary. Empty use has evolved from just five wide receiver personnel to use of tight ends and wings because of the quarterbacks that are dual threats or even the most dynamic runners on the offense. Syracuse OC Jason Beck termed them Thorterbacks - Super hero or Thor like players.
Shane Dierking was named the 2022 Football Scoop D3 Coordinator of the Year. In his clinic for IHSFCA, he presented the multiple ways they attack empty formations. It all starts with asking and answering some critical questions as he explains here (click on image for video):
Video : Critical Questions When Defending Empty
Here’s an example of defending 5-wide personnel with a stack in the formation. He combines off man to the field with “top hat” to the stack. He explains it on game film here:
As we mentioned, the QB run game becomes a threat when extra blockers are in the empty formation. Here’s an example where they play “Palms” to field and press quarters to the boundary. He explains how they will get the extra hat into the run for a numbers advantage.
Empty Tight with QB Gap scheme teams require the defense to be more aggressive to get numbers into the box. He illustrates how they condense and constrict the run box with either fire zone or zero coverage behind:
As illustrated, empty has taken on many forms with offensive coordinators building their empty attack round the quarterback’s skill set. This will require more than a standard answer and Coach Dierking provides many from his 4-2-5 defense which he couples with a 3-3 stack package.
Coach Dierking will be speaking at the 3rd Annual Lauren’s First and Goal Virtual Clinic along with 130+ professional and college coaches. If you have attended this clinic, you know the coaches really step up and deliver for this great cause.
The proceeds from this clinic benefit families who have a child undergoing cancer treatment as well as pediatric brain tumor research.
LFGF is not a pass through organization. All of the proceeds go to those who need it and there are plenty. Marianne Loose and her team of volunteers work directly with the families.
Bring your entire staff to this clinic and please make other coaches aware of this opportunity to learn and help others.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski