Coach ,

We continue to roll through the season and focus on areas we can improve with adjustments and strategies. This week we focus on attacking specific defensive strategies and defending specific offensive concepts. There’s plenty of ideas in this one. Be sure to check out what the other side of the ball is up to as well.

Offense

On the offensive side of the ball, let’s take a look at the passing game and how to utilize it to attack coverages.

Branch as a Stick Variation

The stick has become a staple in many offensive playbooks. It’s still a tried and true principle. The offensive coordinator at Fayetville High School, Jay Wilkinson, utilizes a closely related concept to Stick, which he calls “Branch.”  

It’s a concept he likes against any coverage. It gives a quick rhythm rocker-throw to the inside receiver and if he doesn’t like it, he has a slot fade to attack the outside part of the coverage. He explains here (click image for video):

Multiple Coverage Answers with Quick/Boot

The Quick/Boot concept has been around for some time. It’s a concept that allows for quick throws with a movement pass option if the quick is not there. It creates a concept that is excellent against multiple coverages.

If you have quick game and a boot or naked concept in your offense, it is an easy addition. Head Coach at Beaumont HS (CA) Jeff Steinberg illustrates the concept against man coverage here (click image for video):

Option Route vs Pattern Match

Pattern match coverages can very quickly cover down routes and leave a QB with small or no windows to throw into.  

Josh Herring, OC/QB Coach at Jones County HS (GA) likes utilizing a 2 or 3 man option route concept which he calls “Goofy” as an answer.  

Because it looks like the stem of other routes, it can allow the receivers to break into voids and allow the QB to have a space to throw into. Coach Herring takes you through it here (click on image for video):

Curl/Flat Adjustments to Man Coverage

The Curl/Flat combination is a favorite to attack flat defender in any version of cover 3, but it’s not good against man.

Head Coach of Saguaro HS (AZ) Jason Mohns has an answer built in to handle man coverage if that’s what the defense gives him.

By building in a speed cut dig and a swing or check/swing to the backside of the Curl, the QB has a place to throw the ball. Coach Mohns illustrates it (click on image for video):

Defend ____

On the defensive side of the ball, we look at defending a specific offense, play concept, or formation.  

Defend mesh

The mesh has made its way into many non-Air Raid offenses because it is great against man answers to stop RPO and it is effective against zone as well.

Pine-Richland HS (PA) Head Coach Eric Kasperowicz has answers for Mesh out of all of his coverages which include Man, Quarters and Cover 2. He explains how he likes to defend against those picks and how a “Rat” can help as well (click on image for video):

Nub Adjustments

For defenses built to stop the spread, the use of a tight end-wing can put defenders in unfamiliar positions.  

Head Coach at Garces HS (CA) has an adjustment to stay sound in numbers and leverage as well as not getting out-personnel-ed by bigger blockers. He explains his nub adjustments here (click on image for video):

Line movements vs Triple Option

Though it’s not his favorite way to defend the triple option, the defensive coordinator at Washington and Jefferson University Vince Luvara does see teaching line movements as a good option to cause issues for a triple-option offense. Here he illustrates his “pinch” and “charge” movements and coaching points (click on image for video):

Defend Wing-T Buck Sweep

If you are playing the wing-t offense, you will see the buck sweep. Coach Rick Stewart, likes stacking the guards to give the offense problems. He explains how they utilize the head up defensive lineman and their reactions (click on image):

Defend Empty

Jacob Gill, the defensive coordinator at Shiloh Christian Academy (AR) likes to utilize the Mint front with a 3-safety defense to defend spread. He shows the base lineup as well as an adjustment with the Mike and the Dime in this video (click on image for video):

Unique formations

​​Offensive coordinators like to make you line up against unique formations because the adjustments that you use might not be common in your defense.  

It forces defenders into uncomfortable positions or things they are not used to. Chris Wolfe, head coach at Male HS (KY), explains how they do this with their hybrid linebacker (click on image for video):

Special teams

KOR counter

In special teams, most teams hang their hat on a single return. When you’ve been hitting teams with that again and again, adding a counter to it can provide that explosive play you need to gain an advantage. Coach Riley Newcomber explains how a few simple adjustments to the scheme come together to create their “Bounce” return.

Good luck as you progress through the second half of your season. We will be here along the way to provide more ideas, wrinkles, and adjustments.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski