LEROY PANTHER FOOTBALL

DEFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY

Our defensive philosophy will center around a foundation of stopping the run. An
effective run stopping defense must form a TOUGH physical presence. We will expect
our defensive players to play hard to the whistle. I was once told that we are not all smart
and we are not all fast !ut we can all control how hard we play the game"

PLAYERS and COACHES MUST UNDERSTAND:
#I$%I&'I() $I*&'I%IT+ ),)%UTIO( - SUCCESS
%O($I$T)(%+ %O(.I#)(%) - SUCCESS
G/)AT #)*A(# G/)AT )..O/T - SUCCESS
DEFENSIVE THEORETICAL GOALS:
0. /)A# 1)+$ &U/$U) TH) 2A'' TA%1')
3. $TO& TH) /U( 4s5uee6e down inside force to alley7
8. GAI( &O$$)$$IO( O. TH) 2A''
9. HO'# O&&O()(T $%O/)')$$
:. $%O/) O( #).)($)
A defensive pa!e"#s va$e %& %'e %ea( )an and *i +e (eas$"ed +! 'is dis%an)e
f"&( %'e +a a% %'e end &f %'e pa!, -.&+ S%&&ps/ U &f O0a'&(a
COACHING DEFENSE
0. .U(#A*)(TA'$
Attac; *ove Tac;le
3. &O$ITIO(A' A'IG(*)(T $TA(%) A$$IG(*)(T
%hanges !y call
8. &)/$O()'' A2I'ITI)$
/eport changes in play and attitude
9. +OU/ W)A1()$$)$ A(# &O$$I2') A#<U$T*)(T$
%ommunicate thoughts to each other
:. $TU(T$ A(# 2'IT=)$
'i;e the !ac; of hand review when find extra time>rest period
1e *an% %& d& %'e )&((&n %'in2s/ $n)&((&n! *e3,
As a coaching staff we place our players through routines on a daily !asis. The o!?ective
!ehind those routines is to create confidence in each individual so they can play with the
greatest possi!le speed on the foot!all field. )ach coach will !e held responsi!le for
arriving at practice prepared to sell our philosophies to our ;ids. If you come unprepared
the ;ids will recogni6e that. This may lead them to second guess you which may lead
them to second guess themselves. +our preparation can help !uild your positional
players confidence.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS DURING EVERY DEFENSIVE PRACTICE SEGMENT:
0. *)(TA' $T/)(GTH
3. *A1) TH) 2IG &'A+
8. %/)AT) TU/(O@)/$
9. &'A+ TOG)TH)/ WITH )(THU$IA$*A T)A* GOA'
Leave as i%%e %& )'an)e as p&ssi+e3 P"epa"a%i&n is %'e 0e! %& s$))ess,
B Pa$ ."&*n
PANTHER DEFENSE GAME GOALS
0. WI( TH) GA*)
3. HO'# O&&O()(T$ TO U(#)/ 03 &OI(T$
8. HO'# TO U(#)/ 0CC +A/#$ /U$HI(G
9. (O 2IG &'A+$A /U($ O@)/ 0: +A/#$ &A$$ O@)/ 3: +A/#$

:. .O/%) AT ')A$T 8 TU/(O@)/$
D. AT ')A$T .I@) TH/)) A(# OUT$
E. $%O/)
F. (O *)(TA' &)(A'TI)$
G. *A1) A'' H2IG &'A+I O&&O/TU(ITI)$
0C. WI( EC TO DCJ O. THI/# #OW($
If !&$ d&n#% inves% ve"! ($)'/ &sin2 *&n#% '$"% %&& ($)' and *innin2 *&n#% +e
ve"! e4)i%in2,
B Di)0 Ve"(ei
HUDDLE PROCEDURE
'20 '23
A T ( /
coach
% ) '28 H %
0. Tac;le and (ose sets huddle 8 yards from the !all
3. '23 will call down and distance once yard stic; is set
8. '20 will get the call from sideline
9. '28 will !e responsi!le for the strength call
:. Haw; will repeat the coverage call after huddle !rea; and strength call
LE ROY
5-6
DEFENSE
This is our !asic defensive alignment showing four down linemen three
line!ac;ers and four defensive !ac;. This front will !e called in the huddle as .ASE.
Our fundamental coverages will !e cover 3 and cover 8 which will !e discussed later.
We will also have front calls that will align us in variations of a :B3 and a 9B9 as it will !e
seen on the field. Our teaching progressions will start with the 9B8 front and progress
into !oth the :B3 and 9B9 variations with their techni5ues and ;ey changes.
O O
O O
O O O , O O O
) T ( /
$ * W
% %
) H
GAP RESPONSI.ILITY:
)ach player will !e responsi!le for a gap on the 'O$ !ased upon the huddle call.
The huddle call will align our players in techni5ues. The gaps and techni5ues areas
followsA
# % 2 A A 2 % #
O O O , O O O
E D : 9 8 3 0 C 0 3 8 9 : D E
.ASE 7 OUT 7 8 A a change of gaps for )(# and O'2 4strong>wea; call7. O'2 must
;now he is the wrong shoulder player. )nd moves from a Di to D
tech.
O O
O O
O O O , O O O
) T ( /
$ * W
% %
) H
.ASE 7 UNDER- 8A (O$) ta;es 3i to strongside T 8 tech. to wea;side *i;e ad?ust to
!ehind his (O$)
O O
O O
O O O , O O O
) ( T /
$ * W
% %
) H
.ASE 7 TIM 7 8 A '2Ks ta;e !ase alignment *I1) may need to cheat to strong 2 gap
#TKs !oth 3i tech. 4versus midline short trap 7
O O
O O
O O O , O O O
) T ( /
$ * W
% %
) H
.ASE 7 STG3 S9UEE:E 7 8A $A* wal;s up to E tech in hip poc;et of )(#. 4wea;
s5uee6e also with WI''7 &ossi!le HcrossI stunt explained later
O O
O O
O O O , O O O
) T ( /
$
* W
% %
) H
.ASE 7 .O; 7 8A )(#$ s5uee6e all pulls instead of wrong shoulder 4spill7 from
outside techni5ue. O'2Ks must fill % gap if window open. 4versus !oot or action pass
tendency7
O O
O O
O O O , O O O
) T ( /

$ * W
% %
) H
.ASE 7 1IDE 7 6<=: front 9 no change from 2A$) tech 4 can call U(#)/ or TI*7
control gaps spill traps to '2Ks. $ and * follow flow ;ey across % and T face to
playside. )agle and Will loo; for spill with flow to or cut !ac; with flow away

O O
O O
O O O , O O O
) T ( /

) $ * W
% %
H
STRONG SOLID 7 8A #TKs switch strength sides with ( in 0 tech and T in 8 tech
$O'I# side )(# in 9 tech with 2 gap responsi!ility if no game called 4games will !e
illustrated later7 E T)%H '2 to $O'I# side two 8 tech '2Ks. would li;e to send
)AG') 4$$7 opposite of $O'I# call 4%over 3 'oc; can !ring Haw;>)AG') to
'O$see diagram7
O O
O O
O O O , O O O
$ A ( T /

* W )
% %
H
1EA> SOLID 7 6 A notice how %O@)/ 8 call can !ring )agle closer to 'O$
O O
O O
O O O , O O O
A T ( / $

* W
% ) %
H
STRONG SOLID 7 TIM 7 8
O O
O O
O O O , O O O
$ A ( T /

* W
% %
H )
D.L3 SOLID 7 8
O O
O O
O O O , O O O
$ A ( T / W

*
% %
) H
STR3 SOLID HEAVY 7 8<6 4stg> wea;7 heavy tendency to run stg or wea;
O O
O O
O O O , O O O
$ A T ( /

* W
% %
H )
O O
O O
O O O , O O O
A ( T / $

* W
% %
) H
GOALINE<SHORT YARDAGE 7 HEAVY,
An extra #T will enter and the HAW1 will exit. The HH)A@+I lineman will
play a wea;side 8 tech. The huddle call will !e stg or wea; 0 tech for (O$) the
TA%1') will ta;e 9 tech to the strongside. A(%HO/ plays a E tech and will run games
with TA%1'). $A* and )AG') A/) 8 , : from the end of 'O$ and cover the L3Ks.
%orners cover L0Ks. WI'' and *I1) stac; over GKs ;ey flow cover !ac; to your side
and must ;now what games are played on strongside"
We will !e aggressive
&)()T/ATIO( TH/OUGH &)O&') ')@)/AG) #O*I(AT)
We will never avoid !loc;s in this situation
O O
O O
O O O , O O O
A T ( H /
)
* W 4wea;7
% $
4strong7 %
SOLID GAMES ?5 and @ %e)'A:
0. &I(%H
3. OUT
8. %/O$$
9. 'OO&
.AC>ER FIREA I'2 opposite (O$) will creep and !lit6 gap

DOU.LE CROSSA )AG') and $A* run cross stunts with #)Ks. #)Ks must cover the
L3Ks
T1IST STUNTS:
#T that goes first must cheat alignment. #T that twists must flex from the
'O$.

O O O , O O
A T ( /
An)'&" %*is% R$s' %*is%
$ * W
O O O , O O
A T ( /
Ta)0e %*is%
$ * W
O O O , O O
A T ( /
N&se %*is%
$ * W
CROSS and GO STUNTS:
With !oth types of stunts the moving '2 should start from a Hs5uee6eI alignment.
Inside rusher must spill everything and outside rusher must contain everything. 1now
down and distanceMwho are we tac;lingNN
O O O , O O
Sa( )"&ss A T ( / 1i )"&ss
$ W

O O O , O O
Sa( 2& A T ( / 1i 2&
$ W

.AC>ER .LIT:
#T rules for all of these HactionI !lit6esA false alignments and stunt into gaps away from
the !lit6ing $A* or WI''.
Opposite !ac;er may HsugarI *I1) may HcreepI also. %overage dictated !y formation.
1now down and distance to focus on whom to tac;le"

O O O , O O
A T ( /
SMASH Sa( and Mi0e

$ * W
4show7 4sugar N7
O O O , O O
A T ( /
1HAM 1i and Mi0e

$ * W
4sugar N7 4show7
O O O , O O
A T ( /

S1AT Sa( and 1i
$ * W
4sugar"7
SAFETY .LIT:ES: ;now down and distance to focus on whom we are tac;ling"
4peel7
O O O , O O
A T ( /

LIGHTNING 1i<Ha*0
$ * W
4sugarN7
H
Will creeps Will flushes Haw; and /ush feed
/ush must peel on /2 teach H6oneI !lit6 principle
4peel7
O O O , O O
A T ( /

THUNDER Sa( and Ea2e
$ * W
4sugarN7
) H
$am creeps $am flushes )agle and Anchor feed
Anchor must peel on /2 teach H6oneI !lit6 principle
Haw; must cover down for )agle
INSIDE .LIT:ES ?A GAPSA
Two '2Ks will !lit6 A gap. #TKs must ;now this false align and fill 2 gap on snap. #)Ks
must reali6e that the play will spill !e ready to contain and tac;le. 1now down and
distance and whom we should focus on tac;ling"
O O O , O O
A T ( /

MEMPHIS Mi0e and Sa(
$ * W
4showB C tech7
*i;e must go opposite of $am>Will
O O O , O O
A T ( /

MIL1AU>EE Mi0e and 1i
$ * W
4showB C tech7
*i;e must go opposite of $am>Will
SOLID STUNTS: /eg. $olid call 9 tech will drive inside shoulder to control 2 gap !ut
to not get washed down. '2Ks must ;now when to plug and when to scrape on
flow ;ey.


O O O , O O
OUT
$ A ( T /

* W
4plug7 4scrape7


O O O , O O
CROSS
$ A ( T /

* W
4scrape7 4scrape7


O O O , O O
LOOP
$ A ( T /

* W
4plug7 4scrape7
O O O , O O
Ta)0e %*is%
$ A ( T /

* W
O O O , O O
N&se %*is%
$ A ( T /

* W
O O O , O O
R$s' %*is%
$ A ( T /

* W
GOALINE PAC>AGE STUNTS:
Our goaline pac;age adds an extra #T and ta;es out the Haw; 4.$7. The front is our
strong $O'I# front with some personnel differences. The )AG') 4$$7 and $A* are
8 x 8 responsi!le for L3Ks.


O O O , O O O
OUT
A T ( H /

)
$ * W 437
437 4plug7 4scrape7


O O O , O O O
CROSS
A T ( H /

)
$ * W
4scrape7 4scrape7


O O O , O O O
LOOP
A T ( H /

)
$ * W
4plug7 4scrape7

O O O , O O O
.AC>ER
FIRE A T ( H /

)
$ * W
O O O , O O O
DOUL.E
CROSS A T ( H /
437 437
)
$ * W
4.I/)N7
NIC>EL PAC>AGE SOONER,
Our $OO()/ pac;age will ta;e out the (O$) and add a #2>'2 !ased on personnel
a!ilities. ( and W will ?am L3Ks and play curl>flat. %orners and safeties will play OKs
with cover 3 reads. If a T) is in the offensive formation shade ( to strength and )nds
will play Di tech. We will Hs5uee6eI T) with (>'2 4loose E tech7.
O O
O O O ; O O O
A T /
( W
$ *
% %
) H
&/)$$U/) &A%1AG)A
0. 'I=B3>8
3. /I&B 3>8
8. $OO()/B man
9. $A* TWI$T
:. *I1) TWI$T
%O@)/AG) %HA(G)$A
0. *A( U(#)/ B )AG') and HAW1 free
LI:- ( and W !oth creep left side !lit6
O O
O O O ; O O O
A T /
( W
$ *
% %
) H
4cover 3 techni5ue7
O O
RIPB ( and W creep right side !lit6
O O
O O O ; O O O
A T /
( W
$ *
% %
) H
O O 4cover 3 techni5ue7
SOONER all out !lit6 *i;e must cover middle and dog a L8 to either side we will man
up over the top. $am will !lit6 either A gap and must give the (O$) a call.
O O
O O O ; O O O
A T /
( W
$ *
% %
) H
$A* 4*I1)7 TWI$T$
O O
O O O ; O O O
A T /
( W
$ *
POSITIONAL TECHNI9UES/ FUNDAMENTALS/ DRILLS
STANCES AND STARTS
DEFENSIVE LINE
$TA(%)
0. 8 pt. $tance
3. covered foot !ac; and covered hand down
8. feet ?ust outside shoulders toeBto arch relationship
9. DC J of weight on hands
:. !ac; flat toes forward !utt slightly raised free hand out and ready to attac;
$TA/T
0. H&ower %leanI off the 'O$
3. !ac; foot replaces down hand
8. hands gra! outside num!ers get under chin lift"
LINE.AC>ERS
$TA(%)
0. 3 pt. ;nees !ent ?ust over GC degrees feet ?ust outside shoulders
3. weight on !alls of feet heals !arely off the ground
8. hands out in front of ;nees ready to ta;e on !loc;s
$TA/T
0. on ;ey step with foot to side of flow do not cross over no false step !ac;wards
3. wor; downhill to 'O$ into responsi!le gap
8. ta;e on !loc;ers with leverage and hands in num!ers and HcleanI the path to the
!all
DEFENSIVE .AC>S
$TA(%)
0. 3 pt. feet under shoulders
3. strong leg forward for safeties outside leg for corners
8. !ent ;nees athletic stance head up eyes on ;eys
$TA/T
0. drive off lead foot and exaggerate low movement in practice
3. chest should stay over ;nees
8. !utt should stay !ehind heels
FUNDAMENTALS
DEFENSIVE LINE
0. .))T HA(#$ ')@)/AG)
3. A'IG(*)(T 1)+$ /)A#$
8. H)A' 'I() &U/$UIT
9. TA%1'I(G
LINE.AC>ERS
0. .OOTWO/1 ')@)/AG)
3. A'IG(*)(T 1)+$ /)A#$ WI(#OW$
8. TA%1'I(G
9. 2A$)U(#)/TI*
:. $O'I# ./O(T
a. E T)%H .U(#A*)(TA'$
!. 8 T)%HK$ .U(#A*)(TA'$
DEFENSIVE .AC>S
0. .U(#A*)(TA' #/I''$
3. A'IG(*)(T #/O& =O()$ 1)+$ A(# /)A#$
8. %O@.3 8 : : A&A%H) 40>3 .I)'# .U'' .I)'#7
9. TA%1'I(G
LeR&! F&&%+a- Defensive Line D"is
Main C&(p&nen%s:
0. .eet and Hands
3. 'everage
8. Tac;ling
9. 1eys /eads and /ush
A. 2arrelsBstart each from 8 pt. And !all movement
i. /everse out
ii. In and outB rip across face
iii. $huffle punch
iv. $huffle rip
v. $pin and num!ers
2. 'everageB initiate with !all movement
i. B p%3 4hands high thum!s up roll hips through !ag7
ii. 5 p%3 S%a+ and G"a+ 4speed extension thum!s gra! LKs7
iii. S%ee" and Rip- stance and start
iv3 6 p%3
0. one step and press
3. one step and rip
%. Tac;lingB during E on E
i. .$e d$((iesB wrap !ase foot fire !all call
4straight ahead 9: degree right and left7
0. 8 stepB right and left shoulders
3. seat rollB H H H H
ii3 Hea ine
0. press and ripB strip tac;le
3. press and swimB strip tac;le
iii. H/allyI drill
#. 1eys and /eadsB
i. 6 &n C#sB vs run !loc;s 4also go 8 on 37B C d"&p 'and %& snap
0. all shaded C08:EG tech.
3. wor; on stem call HmoveI
8. !ase down pulls !oth ways dou!le teams etc.
). &ass /ush and $tunts
i. H&&ps 4speed7 and D$((ies 4?a!>swim or rip7
ii3 = !d3 fi2'%
0. speed > rip 4or7 ?a! > swimB #' choice
iii. twists
0. T ( Anchor /ush
LeR&! F&&%+a- Line+a)0e" D"is
Main C&(p&nen%s:
0. pursuit
3. hit and shed
8. tac;ling
9. coverage
F&&%*&"0<A2ii%!
A. 'ine drill 4single !ac;er7
i. $wivel hips down yardline 4eyes on coach7
ii. 2all up and '2 settles and shuffles to %oachKs eyes
iii. 9: degree !rea; on arm action
2. 9:Ks 4multiple !ac;ers7
i. rightBleftBsettleBshuffleB !rea; on shoulder action>draw
%. $huffleBAlleyB&ress
i. On yard lineB /2 ?ogBsprintB?ogBsprintB !rea; on you
ii. : yards awayB '2 shuffleB alleyBshuffleBalleyB press on !rea;
0. :CJ tac;leB head across wrap roll carry !ac; to line
and repeat across field
.a2s
A. Agilities
i. One foot in hole
ii. Two feet in hole
iii. 2ac;pedal and !rea; 4shiver !ag7
iv. 'ateral 4one way w>shiver !ag7
v. 'ateral 4multiple responseB !ac; and forth on coach7
vi. 'ateral shuffle !ehind up into windows 4shiver !ag7
2. 2oard 4!ags7 wor;
i. D pt.Bpower angles
ii. 9 pt.B sta! and gra!
iii. 3 pt.B Hfoot !efore fistI 4D inch step7
iv. 9 stepB 9: degrees with !oards or !ags
0. approach and fit
3. approach and press
8. machine gun
v. &ressBripBwrap 4!all7
Ta)0in2
A. )ye Opener
2. /ally #rill
Read 0e!s and C&ve"a2e
A. 2ase ;eysB whole group
i. 1ey to playside G
ii. Option 4!one T 7!last 4!one I7 wingBt responsi!ilities
2. &ositional 4$olid techni5ues7
i. E and : techni5ues 8 tech '2Ks
LeR&! F&&%+a- Defensive .a)0 D"is
Main )&(p&nen%s:
0. 5uic;ness
3. tac;ling
8. alignment coverages
F&&%*&"0 and A2ii%!
A. 8 ,Ks > W
2. Open hips drill
%. 2& GC &A$$ 2A'' %A''"
#. 2& post
). 2& fade see diagrams
.. $huffle GC
G. $huffle post
H. $huffle fade
I. 2p weave
<. 2p postBcorner turnover
1. Oh 1now" #rill
'. &ic; &oc;et
Ta)0in2
A. .orm Up
0. start toe to toe #2 !p /2 !ra;es right or left 9: degrees as
#2 gets to five yard line
3. E:J eyes up !ite !all drive chest through chest
8. coach drop !all for fum!le drill players yell 2A''"
2. $ideline Tac;ling
0. E:J eyes up !ite !all chest through chest
%. Alley Tac;ling
0. 0CCJ use !ags to tac;le in alley
3. use option draw reads
8. cov. 3 vs cov 8
9. add !loc; to shed
C&ve"a2es
A. cover the tree
i. 6one principle
ii. man principle
2. 0>3 field drill
i. cov. 3 and 8
ii. cov. %over : and : apache
iii. cov. 9 and man free