Coach -

When facing a potent passing offense, a defensive coordinator's mind becomes a chessboard. Analyzing film, identifying tendencies, and strategizing coverages are crucial in the battle to disrupt rhythm and stifle explosive plays. This journey into defensive game planning delves into the intricate process of anticipating the opponent's aerial attack, crafting a multifaceted defensive scheme, and ultimately, aiming to shut down the passing game and secure victory.

The topic's basis is set by Texas State Co-DC and Linebacker Coach Bradley Dale Peveto in this next video.

Video: Game Planning to Defend RPO

While the run game was once the unquestioned foundation of offensive success, the modern game has blurred the lines, making the passing game not just relevant but actively intertwined with the run. Instead of using the passing game as a changeup, there are now short pass plays acting as extensions of the run game for the offense. 

Analyzing tendencies is key, such as the frequency of passes based on field position (field/boundary), personnel groupings (2x2, 3x1), and backfield alignment (to the play side or away). By understanding these tendencies, particularly within the framework of the RPO (Run-Pass Option) game, defenses can anticipate situations where the run is less likely and prepare for the pass as a primary threat.

The world has changed defensively and the box is important but has to appear much different. Instead of being gap-sound, your plan now revolves around removing R/P conflicts and allowing athletes to avoid situations where their movement is wrong either way. 

Additionally, your passing defense now has to choose whether you would rather give up the run or a pass and play to the strength of your defense's personality. 

Building on this idea, is the thought that you have to train your players and play to their strengths because of the number of options within the game for the offense now. 

The best way to disrupt the passing game is through your rush especially if you can apply pressure with fewer rushers. 

Sharing thoughts on game planning your position alone specifically, the defensive line, is Coach Matt Edwards, now with the Buffalo Bills, sharing his thoughts in this video:

Video: Pass Rush Gameplan

In today's football landscape, meticulous planning extends beyond just schemes and formations. Game plans are now tailored to individual players and specific game situations. 

A deep understanding of an opponent's athletes - their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies - allows you to exploit mismatches and anticipate their actions. This focus on the individual within the larger system maximizes preparation. 

The more time you invest in detailed film study and comprehensive practice sessions, the better equipped your players will be. This knowledge translates directly to their ability to read cues, make fast decisions, and ultimately, achieve success on the field. Anymore this can be the difference in a game especially in the trenches.

But, ultimately you have to start somewhere, and having a coordinated list of details you will look at and break down is vastly important. This is the bread and butter of game planning. Terry Joseph of Texas shares his thoughts on what he looks for in the defensive passing game plan in this video:

Video: What Do We Look For

To become a defense that is to be reckoned with in today's game is to be as or more multiple than any offense. The impact of their looks and formations is as important as your own, a variety of packages are to be planned and the changeups and variance in coverage, technique, and alignment have a huge impact on how good you can be. The details for the defensive game plan are granular at this point. The more time the team and the staff spend with the film the better your chances of winning.

Offenses today want to appear complex yet be simple. There is too much to think about in a pro-style offense for coaches anymore and they want to run as many plays as possible on the other side. 

What this does is allow us to key into tendencies and begin to understand the personalities of coaches and players. These revealing tells are where the defense makes their money and the discomfort that the variety of looks and defenses presents allows for more opportunity to take advantage of this.

These clinics that the video clips were taken from provide tremendous value to a defensive staff as a whole.

As Always,

Compete!

Coach Kauffman

P.S. 

These clinics are bundled together here for you to save: Create a No Fly Zone