34

Defense
Fundamentals and
Techniques
ToddFairlie
HeadFootballCoach
TheEpiscopalAcademy
NewtownSquare,PA
Tfairlie@EA1785.org
4844241497

Episcopal Academy
SmallcoedindependentschooloutsideofPhiladelphia
PreK 12th grade
500studentsinhighschool

InterAcconference
Highacademicstandards
About50playersonroster(9th12th grade)
Everyplayeroncurrentrosterplaysmultiplesports

EA Defense
Gapcontrolscheme
Highenergy,playfast
3basefronts
60%cover3
ZonePressure
Staff

DL NateHiggins
OLB C.JYespelkis
ILB ScottTaylor
DBs ZachRichards

Why 34?
Abilitytoplaywith3DefensiveLineman
AbilitytoplaywithundersizeDL
Balancelook nobubblesforrungamechecksattheLOS

Wedoaligninashadeandevenfrontaswell
Allowsustogetourbestathletesonthefield
Allowsustoadjusttooffensivesets
Wecaneasilyshiftthefrontfromsidetoside

Why cover 3?
EyesonQB
Allplayerswillseerun/readgame
Easiestcoverageforcornerstoplay
Toughtofindcorners
8inthebox
Toppriorityistostoptherun
Easytodisguise
Limitstheopponentsbigplays
Allowsustoadjusttooffensivesets

Personnel

H
BC
FS

E
W

N
M

E
SS

FC

Practice
Daily
Indy
7v7
Team
Weekly
Inside
Outside
TacklingCircuit
TurnoverCircuit
Goalline
Shortyardage
2minute
EndGame safe
Review/walkthrough

Bonus
Pursuit
Groupwork
Tempo
doublecount
sugar
hurryup
TechniqueCircuit
Situations
4minute
Obackedup
Changeofpossession
Overtime

3 Keys to Success
Contain
Controlcutback
Nothingoverthetop
*Endgoalistolimitbigplays

Containing the run 1

Havetosettheedge!
Dontgiveground,Dontcatch
Dontgiveupyourchest
Alignment
Stance

SettheedgeontheirsideontheLOS

video

Containing the run 2

Containread/optiongames
GetbeyondLOS
Sinkhips,lowerlevelandGETSQUARE!
Slowplay Dontmakedecisionforthem

video

Containing the run 3

Keepcontainwhentakingonblocks
DontCatch gothroughdefender
Extendarms Keepoutsideleverage
Thumbsup,Headup,Chestup

video

Containing the run 4

Bonussupportplayers(secondary)contain
Dontavoidblockandsacrificeleverage
Playfast
Dontcatch
PlayDownHill
Properangle(pursuit)

Controlling Cutback
Stalkballcarriersbackhip(onemanbehind)
StaySquare Shuffle
Donotturnandrununtilplaybreaks
Tacklethroughplayersinsidenumberwithhead
across

video

Nothing over the top

Everyone'sJob TeamEffort
Needproductivepassrush
Disruptroutes
Keepleverage Stayonpath
Collision Gethandson
DontChase

DeepDefenders

Readthroughrunand3step
Bailtomidpointofzone
ReadQBsfrontshoulder
BreakonQBsfronthand

Containing the pass 1

Passrushers
OutsideContain

AttackOLoutsidehalf dontgiveupchest
AttackQBsbackshoulder
Dontleaveyourfeet
Insidearmup,outsidearmforcontain

InsideRushers
Equallyresponsibleforcontain
DontcreaterunninglanesforQB
Stayonpath
video

Containing the pass2

Coverage UnderPlayers

Alignforsuccess
Opentoyourthreat(knowyourthreat)
3step 1stepingun=getflat,rightnow!
Reachfor12yards
Keepleverage
Gethandson!Collision
Dontchase somethinggoesaway,somethingwillcome
back
Stayonpath
Findwork
Deepasthedeepest
Runthroughplayer

video

Containing the pass 3

Coverage Deepplayers
Identifythreats
Readstepsthroughrun/3step
Bailtomidpointofzone
Outside1/3=turnandrun
Deep=backpedal

Gaindepth,dontwatch
ReadQBsfrontshoulder=weave
BreakonQBsfronthand=toWRsupfieldshoulder
Deepasthedeepest

Breakonball
Breakonreceiver'supfieldshoulder
Backarm securetackle
Frontarm throughball,throughWRhands
video

QUESTIONS?
ToddFairlie
HeadFootballCoach
TheEpiscopalAcademy
NewtownSquare,PA
Tfairlie@EA1785.org
4844241497