Coach ,
Most innovative ideas start with a problem.
In football, whether it is offense, defense, or special teams, the problem can be caused by the need and desire to be multiple.
That was true for Dickinson State and the hybrid 3-4/4-2-5 defense that they put together. In their hybrid defense, they equally spend time in each structure and primarily use split field coverage with two high safeties. They also have the ability to play 1 high coverages as well.
In utilizing two distinctly different structures within one defense, they found that they had implemented a system that used to fit each structure differently which slowed players down dramatically.
Creating a Universal Run Fit System
Led by defensive coordinator Jason Thier, they sat down as a staff and put together a system to be able to have universal fits for their defenses and therefore allow their players to play fast.
It started with understanding what their overall philosophy was on defense. They defined it as follows:
In all situations, we will defend the inside or middle of the field first - defend the inside to the outside.
Against the run, we will not allow the ball to be run inside. We want to spill the ball to the outside.
Against the pass, we will not allow the ball to be thrown deep down the middle or the inside. We want to force the ball to be thrown short and/or outside.
This philosophy then helped them create their universal run fit system. It allowed them to better define player roles against RPO, created rules for their different 3-4-5-and 6 man rushes that can be applied to everything they might do from a schematic standpoint.
Coach Thier explains the philosophy and how they developed it here (click on image for video):
The system then is set up with terminology which defines how players will fit. The terms that they use are scrape, spill, and force. Each term gives a responsibility of how their defenders will take on blocks and fit their gaps. By defining and playing this way, they are able to constrict space and dictate where the ball will go allowing their players to fit properly.
Better Defending the RPO
Knowing that RPO will not be going away anytime soon, they also defined different types of players:
- Gap player - responsibility in the box only
- Bonus player - no responsibility in the box; can be used to take away specific things by game plan
- Conflict player- has a ga in the box but also has to hold off the RPO. Patience is the key for this player.
By understanding these roles they can game plan where each defender is in order to best stop the RPO.
Coach Thier explains how the gap conflict and bonus players work within the system here (click on image for video):
Video: When Conflict Players are Present
Handling Read Option Plays
Another thing that isn’t going away is the read-option game which has taken on many forms. Defining their run system has also allowed them to have universal techniques to handle shuffle read type plays like bash, power read or speed option. Their philosophy of defending inside-out comes into play here as well.
A benefit is utilizing these techniques can cause confusion at the mesh point and potentially create a turnover. On all of these types of plays, the defender is taught to attack the inside shoulder of the QB and push the ball to the perimeter where pursuit can help. Coach illustrates the technique in this video(click on image for video):
System Allows for Smart Adjustments
Having a system then allows for adjustments to make what appear as weaknesses strengths within the system. They have created adjustments that address issues:
- Short on numbers in the box
- Manipulating who the bonus player is, especially vs. RPO
- Two back teams or teams that use a wing
The Results
Dickinson State’s universal run fit system has been a major piece of a defense that over the last four years has averaged 16.6 points per game, 306 total yards per game, 29 takeaways per year, and a 31% win percentage on 3rd down.
The best part about this universal run system is it can be added to any defensive structure without having to change the rest of your scheme.
Takeaways from Coach Thier’s Clinic
Coach Thier delivered all of this in a comprehensive clinic on how their run fit system works. Here’s what they did that can be applied to any defense, and for that matter offense and special teams as well:
- Sit down as a staff and define and understand your philosophy
- Determine how your schemes fit within the philosophy. If they don’t, then figure out how to adjust the scheme so it is aligned with the philosophy
- Define terminology for the staff and the players which are easy to understand and allow for better coaching and faster play
- Address the things that give the schemes or structures issues by starting with the philosophy
- Define roles for schemes. It is what allows for multiplicity
- Once the system is in place, adjustments can be designed to be most effective and efficient.
- Set your system up with teaching and learning at the forefront.
Thank you to Coach Thier for sharing this clinic. He is donating 1/2 of the revenue made from his clinic to Brave The Shave, a group in his home state of North Dakota that helps children with cancer.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski
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