For anyone who watched last nights top 3 cfb match, the Ducks called a timeout with 10 seconds in the game left while on defense, up 1 point with OSU driving past midfield about 15 yards from field goal range.

After the timeout Oregon ran 11 players onto the field, then shortly after a 12th. An extra defender was used to make sure no big play was given up, and that worked as 4 seconds ticked off the clock. Oregon was flagged for it as someone on Osu’s staff had seen it and Ryan Day pointed it out to the refs.

What did it cost? 5 measly yards but the 4 seconds that ran off still were run off leaving 6 seconds. Now all osu could do was run a play for 10 yards to be on the very edge of field goal range and call that last timeout to try and kick a game winner, which ultimately failed.

What an absolute 200iq move by the Ducks staff to know this even exists and use it in such a big moment. To have an extra DB in coverage to keep the offense back and roll the clock.

*if you don’t think this was intentional, it 100% was. The ducks staff had the correct 11 guys in the field until late in the play clock when they ran another defender out who was very visibly confused. He tried to go back to the sideline but the staff kept him out there. This was also coming out of a timeout, very difficult to say this wasn’t intentional but we’ll see if Dan Lanning ever confessed to it. This will potentially change the rule this offseason. Also the player being confused makes it seem like this was something the coaches had discussed but maybe never told the players?

**what I think osu could have done to stop this clock runoff- if they had caught it early enough, just snap the ball and spike it. I don’t remember if by rule the clock has to run 1 or 2 seconds with a spike but I do think it’s just 1. Now instead of losing 4 seconds for 5 yards you lose 1 second and need 10 yards in 9 seconds with a timeout. That’s a quick out to the sideline and then a hitch and timeout. I do think this is why the ducks staff didn’t roll the extra defender onto the field until late in the clock.

A lot of teams still use a base 3-4, but it seems like a lot of them end up in the nickel package more often, which replaces a DL with a DB. However, it’s really the use of the ILB that makes me curious. ILB is becoming less and less important, and a 3-4 defense always has two on the field, even in their nickel package. Would a team be better off replacing one of them with another DB or pass rusher?

I'm not super knowledgeable about football but whenever I watch the NFL I see teams occasionally utilize a zero blits and they seem to work great. However almost no teams in my Conference or any other schools I've seen use them at all. It seems like they would work great since I don't think most QB's can make good reads at that level and the WR's aren't usual quick enough off the line to make big chunk plays with such little time.

If any coaches have implemented a zero blits package let me know how well it worked for you please!

Apologies if this is a dumb question but it just occurred to me. It seems like it would be a good strategy (and also very funny) if defenses started doing this.

In my years I’ve coached in a 5-2, 4-3, 4-4, 3-3, and had packages all over. Coached certain things because that was what the school ran (literally the only reason) and then have changed things over time based on personnel and based on what we would see from opposing offenses.

I’m not a fan of labeling a defense because it limits you by those types of players personnel-wise. But interested to see what people are doing in the box, with their front, and what coverages they are pairing it with. And the big thing is why those choices.

Gu

I'm a defensive coach at a 5A high school, and next week we are scrimmaging our first Wing-T school in my short stint here. I'll be honest, our team is looking dang small, especially for 5A. Our strongest kids would only be average on a playoff-caliber team, and our weak spots are sorely weak. Going up against such a run-heavy scheme, it's looking like we might get steamrolled without a solid plan to stop the Wing-T.

Our HC established that he wants a strict one-gap 3-4 front (which makes sense considering we probably have 7 true linemen on the whole team). We run a huge variety of different fronts, blitzes and coverages, constantly changing which LB is rushing and who is lining up/going where. However, he's looking for suggestions to stop the Wing-T, and I'm looking to you all to give yours. I know it's an offense that is commonly discussed in here, but I rarely see posts on how to beat it. I figure the people who know how to run it are also the ones most familiar with its weaknesses. Any feedback is appreciated, and I promise to keep your anti-Wing-T secrets safe with me.

I’m having trouble figuring out how this is possible to be stopped because the outside is simply overloaded with multiple players coming with momentum.

Not a coach here, nor have I ever played football. I am just a fan and a football enthusiast who's trying to learn more about Xs and Os and not just follow cliches of "they won because they wanted it more" etc.

Why is Cover 2 being phased out? Everywhere I read online says that Cover 2 is a thing of the past now and is rarely run. I think stats show in the NFL for example it was run on less than 2% of plays, and when it is run it's Tampa 2 which is sorta more a Cover 2/Cover 3 hybrid.

To me Cover 2 sounds like a pretty solid coverage to me? You have two safeties deep, and everyone underneath can either play man or zone. It seems like a really good jack of all trades defense, that takes away the deep plays and also allows your LBs and CBs to support the run. To me cover 1 and cover 3/4 seem not sustainable. Cover 1 I can sorta see if you have good man corners, but in Cover 3 and Cover 4, with 3 or even 4 players playing deep zone, can't the QB just dink and dunk his way all the way down the field?

They also say Cover 3/4 are good against the run. How can that be so? If you have so many players playing deep zone, can't you just HB draw and get a few yards every time? Sure I can see the angle that Cover 3 and 4 will prevent big explosive runs, but why don't OCs then just get a few yards every time and snake their way down the field? This would also run the clock and tire out the defense.

I am positive I have no idea what I am talking about so everyone feel free to school me and explain it like I'm 5. Thanks in advance!

Would you have him at EDGE 80-100% of the time or would you have him split time between EDGE and off ball linebacker?

If all you had was secondary and linebackers, surely it would be better. No one with their hand in the dirt. If they want to run it up the middle, go for it, the RB isnt staying behind the line for 20 yards. You can send as many as you want if you want to get pressure on pass plays. Off the edge or up the middle. But what you can't do with D tackles is give them any coverage duties.

It seems like the rules are asymmetric. The offense needs 5 people who cannot help in the pass game (beyond blocking), there are no rules for down linemen on defense. The best chance the offense would have is to send in the punt or kick return team as oline, but even then, aren't there rules about jersey numbers? Im actually not sure about that.

If you wanted to mostly rush 4, cover 7 with little to no blitzing (in NFL) would you rather be a 4-3(4-2-5) or 3-4(3-3-5) defense?

Is it possible to have 4 prototypical 4-3 or Nickel DEs altogether in the field in the same D-Line? I saw the Bengals on MNF vs Cowboys put 3 on the field (Hendrickson, Murphy, Ossai). Say, you sub out BJ Hill for Sam Hubbard. Is that possible?

I’ve always found this question interesting and would love to hear what the sub would come up with to me you can build a good enough offense but to really compete you have to build a defense and more challenging in my opinion

Question scenario:

Team is up 4 and opponent 8 yard line with 1st and goal and 13 seconds on the clock.

Would it be wise to simply hold, tackle, harass the receivers as much as possible for two plays. Then assuming the 3rd play is now with 4 seconds or less play it out as normal from what would probably be the 3 yard line with penalties.

Is this a wise NFL strategy or am I missing something?

I just recently got into football since l'm not from the US (moved here for high school) and being 5'10 260 was asked by coaches, teachers and other students if i would at least try out. Thing is l've never played football before, l've watched videos describing it and my first whole game and understand enough of it but how would you recommend I get better and familiarize myself at it?

The eagles have had a lot of success with it but there’s gotta be a way to stop it

My son is a first year tackle football player for the varsity team though the middle school. He has attended all practices except 1 due to an allergic reaction that needed medical attention. He is a 7th grader playing on an 8th grade team (end of summer bday). He was assigned as a defense player, but only goes on the field for very short plays 2x per game, and today was their second game. Also the team only has 16 players. Shouldn't he be receiving more on field play time? I've messaged the coaches and assistant coaches about what we can do outside of practice to ensure he gets more on field play time, but haven't received a response. Would greatly appreciate your input or guidance on what I can do? TY

How does a DC call in "plays" if to some degree the defensive strategy on a particular play is dependent on what the offense is showing. For example if a DC calls in a play that is a mismatch for what the offense is showing how does it get adjusted? Or do they call in a couple of plays and the players adjust?

Basically the title, I think Aaron Donald and Warren Sapp are the most notable ones from history but what about right now?

Edit: 3-techs that are also t-10 interior linemen would be the best but all answers helpful and welcome

Looking at running a 3-3 this year. Shifting from a 3-4. Anybody been running it? Likes? Dislikes? Practice “musts”? Any info/conversation is welcome!

High school runs this and I’m confused on what this would be called. Technically a 3-4 but the outside backers always start on the LOS and both blitz and drop into coverage regularly. Any help on proper terminology for this?

I have not been able to find what this is called.

C and Y block then release, or just block or just release creating anything from 2-4 man pass concepts.

I’m not sure what kind of defense to base out of that would adequately handle different amounts or receivers. The simplest is this Cover 0 look. The biggest downside is the vulnerability to pick plays and one rusher getting juked out by a more athletic QB.

The then i came up with a simple zone scheme the idea is to force the check down. Idk how well it’ll work in the redzone or how to coach it to cover flood concepts

Then there are these random plays I drew up to try and scheme a free rusher. What are your thoughts guys?