Layering Your Defense to Limit Explosive Plays
Jul 17, 2024 2:20 pm
Coach -
We all have heard the analytics of explosive plays and the effect of limiting them and it’s correlation to a successful defense.
In the realm of defensive football strategy, the ability to limit explosive plays can be a game-changer. Jesse Currier, the defensive coordinator at Minnesota State University, Moorhead (MSUM), has devoted significant effort to developing a defensive philosophy that emphasizes layering the defense to prevent these game-altering events.
Through meticulous statistical analysis, Currier discovered that drives without explosive plays resulted in a mere 0.3 points per drive for the opponent, while a single explosive play increased this to about a field goal, and two or more led to over five points per drive.
This analysis was not only true for MSUM but also held up when examining the best defenses in their league and other successful programs like Baylor. This discovery has since become the cornerstone of Currier's defensive philosophy.
He explains his philosophy and how it came about in this video:
Video: Layering Your Defense to Eliminate Explosives
Currier's Defensive Philosophy: The Three E's
Jesse Currier's defensive philosophy is distilled into three core principles known as the Three E's: Effort, Enthusiasm, and Execution.
- Effort: This encompasses both physical and mental effort. Players are encouraged to strain physically to get to the football and to be mentally prepared by recognizing offensive tendencies and staying locked in during games and practice.
- Enthusiasm: Currier believes that playing with passion and celebrating together as a team can create a unique and powerful energy on the field. This enthusiasm not only boosts morale but also fosters a tight-knit defensive unit.
- Execution: Regardless of the complexity of the defensive schemes, the ability to execute them precisely is paramount. Currier emphasizes the importance of practicing and perfecting these schemes to ensure that players can perform them effectively during games.
Key Principles of Layering the Defense
Currier's approach to layering the defense is built on three main principles: leverage, overlap, and layers.
- Leverage: Maintaining leverage on the football is crucial. This means keeping the ball inside and in front of the defense. If the defense loses leverage, the likelihood of giving up a big play increases significantly.
- Overlap: Creating overlap in the run game and the pass game is essential. This is achieved through stunts and vision-based defensive schemes. By ensuring multiple defenders can converge on the ball, the defense becomes more resilient against explosive plays.
- Layers: Establishing multiple layers of defense ensures that even if one layer is breached, subsequent layers can contain the play. This involves a strategic placement of defenders at various depths, creating a multi-tiered defense that is difficult to penetrate.
Implementation of Layered Defense
Currier's philosophy is not just theoretical; it is applied rigorously in MSUM's defensive schemes. Some of the key strategies include:
1. Mariners
The Mariners scheme is a five-man pressure designed to create layers and overlap through a combination of inside linebacker blitzes and shake stunts. The defense aligns in two techniques and five techniques, with defensive ends penetrating and defensive tackles wrapping. This scheme has been effective in limiting explosive plays by forcing miscommunication among the offensive line and creating multiple layers of defense.
2. Orioles
In the Orioles scheme, the blitz is directed at the open side of the formation. This involves the nose crossing the center's face and the defensive end employing a nail technique to penetrate. This scheme is particularly effective against teams that favor gap schemes or zone schemes, as it isolates offensive linemen and creates opportunities for defensive penetration.
3. Pick Front
The Pick Front is utilized primarily against spread run offenses. Aligning in four eyes and two eyes, the defense runs various stunts to prevent offensive linemen from climbing to the second level. This front has been successful in limiting runs to short gains and preventing explosive plays by ensuring multiple defenders can converge on the ball.
4. Tampa 2 Run Fit
In the Tampa 2 run fit, the defense creates a traditional four-layered structure. This includes four defensive linemen, two linebackers, a middle run-through linebacker, and a cornerback providing leverage. This alignment is particularly effective in maintaining depth and preventing big plays.
5. Tower Defense
The Tower Defense is designed to counter triple-option offenses. With a 4-I, 0, 4-I alignment and overhangs on both sides, the defense positions an inside backer as a tower linebacker. This player is difficult for the offense to block and is instrumental in making tackles for loss.
Conclusion
Jesse Currier's philosophy of layering the defense to limit explosive plays has transformed MSUM's defensive approach, making it one of the best in their league. By focusing on leverage, overlap, and layers, and implementing these principles through well-designed schemes, Currier has created a defense that is resilient and effective. This philosophy, grounded in statistical analysis and practical application, offers a blueprint for other defensive coordinators aiming to enhance their defenses and limit the impact of explosive plays.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski
P.S. Here’s a great resource for you if you are a Linebacker coach: