Defending the Spread

Chris Ash
I.

Stopping Zone Read

A. Call the blitz/strength to the side the RB is aligned (Lucky/Ringo call)
B. Make sure there is always a Dive/QB/Pitch player
1. Gut Player-QB Player
2. Seam/Flat-Pitch
3. B-Gap=Dive player
C. 3 Deep 3 Under Concepts-Better for Run
D. 2 Deep 4 Under Concepts- Better for Pass
E. Zone Blitzes- Snakes in the grass Never know when it will bite you. Limit the # of zone
blitzes you use
3 Deep 3 Under
Match
#2

S
C

B gap

M
N

Match #3.
Inside out to
the ball

A
gap

W
N

D
Match #2

2 Deep 4 Under

S
C
#2 WEAK- WALL

M
#2 STRONG-WALL

N
E

F. 2 DEEP- BS SAFETY ROTATE AT SNAP TO STRONG SIDE HALF COVERAGE

G. M & W- WALL PLAYERS. READ #2 TO THEIR SIDE (2-1 PROGRESSION). INSIDE HIP OF #2.
CARRY VERT UP TO 10-15 YDS. 3RD AND MEDIUM TO LONG RALLY TO THE CROSSERS.
H. CBS- CAN PLAY SOFT 2 READ OR HARD ROLLED UP 2.
I. DEEP HALF PLAYERS- DROP 12-15 YDS

3 DEEP 3 UNDER VS 3X1

W
C

D
E

II.

III.

COVERAGE PRINCIPLES
A. COVER 3
1. CB-LINE UP OUTSIDE GUY UNLESS HE LINES UP OUTSIDE THE #S
2. READ #2 WR. #2 OUT-MAN ON #1. 2 IN-MAN ON #1. 2 VERT-DIVIDE
3. VS VERTICAL SWITCH-NORMAL SPLIT- 2 OUT TAKE HIM. TITE SPLIT(5 YDS OR LESS)ZONE IT
B. COVER 2
1. CB-CARRY 4 VERTS TO 12-15 YDS ONLY TO PROTECT AGAINST RB CHECK DOWN.
HELP W/QB SCRAMBLE.
2. ALIGN OUTSIDE
3. 2 SLANT CALL- CB ALIGN INSIDE #1 WR. LOOSE MAN/ZONE-LOOSE MAN ZONEGOES VERT PLAY HIM. GOES UNDER-ZONE OFF
2 DEEP 8 UNDER
A. 3RD AND LONG
B. MIKE OPENS TO #3 UNLESS IT IS A RB INTO THE BOUNDARY THEN OPEN TO THE FIELD.
C. BS SAFETY SQUEEZE TOWARDS SIDE QB IS LOOKING TO
D. CB- #1 GETS VERT OUTSIDE, POST HIP, ZONE TURN, SINK EYES TO QB

N
C