Coach ,

It’s 4th of July and I am sure we will all see fireworks this weekend, and when it comes to this fall we’d love to be seeing explosives on the field.

In terms of explosive plays on defense, interceptions can be game-changing moments. But what if you could turn those interceptions into touchdowns? 

Brian Vaughn, linebackers coach at West Texas A&M, understands the importance of coaching the right mentality and rules for defenders to maximize the potential of an interception return. He coaches that through emphasizing situational awareness, ball security, and decisive decisions that can help transform chaotic situations into opportunities for huge gains.

It Starts with Mindset

The key to turning an interception into a touchdown lies in the mentality that every player should have when they have the ball in their hands. This mentality should be present in individual, group, and team periods, as well as in the playbook and film sessions. By coaching this mindset, players will be better prepared to capitalize on interception opportunities and turn them into points on the scoreboard.

One important aspect of this process is understanding that an interception return is essentially a punt return. The offense is not prepared for punt coverage, which creates chaos and opportunities for the defense. To take advantage of this chaos, defenders need to be coached on specific rules that will help them make the most of the situation.

He shares his philosophy here:

Video: House Call Philosophy

Situational awareness 

Situational awareness is also crucial when it comes to interception returns. While the goal should always be to score, there are times when it is more advantageous to take a knee, such as at the end of a game or when catching the ball in the end zone. Using good judgment and knowing when to take a knee can prevent turnovers and set the offense up for success.

Ball security

Ball security is another essential component of a successful interception return. Defenders should focus on catching the ball cleanly and securing it high and tight to prevent turnovers. Additionally, they should avoid switching the ball between arms and extending the ball for more yardage, as these actions increase the risk of losing possession.

A Plan for the Intercepter

Once an interception has been secured, the interceptor should make a decisive decision about where to go. By heading immediately to the nearest sideline, or "sidewalk" area (the area outside the bottom of the numbers to the sideline), blockers can set up their blocks effectively and create a clear path to the end zone. Staying on the sidewalk allows the interceptor to make cuts, avoid tackles, and force the offense to make a difficult open-field tackle.

He explains the Interceptor Return Rules here:

Video: Interceptor Return Install

Here’s an example of the plan in action:

Video: Interception Return

Coach Vaugh had his presentation put together with Coach Paint.  If you are looking for something that would be helpful in installing this with your defense, this certainly presents the visuals to make it clear.

Big plays all start with putting a focus on them and preparing for when they occur.

Enjoy the fireworks!

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S.

Coach Vaughn’s course is part of the 4th of July Sale.  See all of the O,D and Special Teams presentations that are a part of it. Check those out here.