I t is a great honor to be selected by the
AFCA as the 1999 Division II Assistant
Coach of the Year. I would like to genuinely
thank the AFCA for their farsightedness in
granting this opportunity. It is also important
that I give thanks to the head football coach
at Kentucky State University, George M.
Small and Mr. Isadore A. Rich, the academic
advisor for athletics for such a impressive rec-
ommendation. It is equally important that I
thank our outstanding staff for their support
which consists of Scott Anderson, Chennis
Berry, Tim Edwards, William Jones III, and
David Patterson.
When a program has success, people
believe specific detailed information cata-
pulted the program to its moment of great-
ness. In 1995 we were cited as the No. 1
defense in all of NCAA Division II football
and the No. 1 pass defense in 1997. We
have had two defensive players drafted to
the National Football League and made
rosters. Also we won the 1997 Pioneer
Bowl against a high-powered Livingston
College offense. All of this came after tak-
ing over a program that had been futile for
nearly a decade. At Kentucky State
University, we enjoyed the previously men-
tioned success in the main due to our
uncompromising defensive philosophy.
Defensive Philosophy: We will stop
the running game first and not give up the
big play but making big play opportunities
for our offense by creating and converting
turnovers into possessions.
The basic premise of our defensive phi-
losophy is to devise simple schemes that
will allow all 11 players to react on the snap
of the ball rather than thinking which lets
them to swarm to the football and make
plays. Our motto, It takes no talent to hus-
tle, get to the football, supports this doc-
trine. We think there is nothing more enjoy-
able for the fans, frightening for officials, or
intimidating for offensive players and
coaches than a ball-hawking defense.
Our basic scheme is a one gap scheme re-
establishing the line of scrimmage on the
snap, ambushing and closing every gap while
spilling the ball to the perimeter. This prevents
the runner from getting square shoulders run-
ning north and south. We will be fast and
aggressive enough to beat you to the perime-
ter. Therefore, recruiting the right personnel to
fit this philosophy and scheme is fundamental.
Personnel
Our 43 attacking scheme features four
• Proceedings • 77th AFCA Convention • 2000 •
down linemen, three linebackers, two safeties
and two cornerbacks. The first thing we teach
the front seven is stance, alignment, reads,
Neutralizing the Run with
the 43 Attacking Defense
keys, reaction and assignment. The tackle Front Seven
and nose tackle stances are not as deep as
the end, their feet are more parallel. Further,
the stance will very according to down and
distance. The inside hand is down with the
inside leg back. This allows a great power
step attacking the offensive lineman at the V
of the neck getting great hand placement for
leverage, separation and escape. Ninety per-
cent of the defensive lineman’s weight is on
his down hand with his butt high resembling a
sprinter’s stance. While getting off and re-
establishing the line of scrimmage on the
snap, the defensive linemen must recognize
blocks on the run and defeat his block while
keeping a clean picture for the linebacker.
Defeating a Block
The defensive linemen must defeat the
blocker first, if he looks for the ballcarrier
before defeating the blocker, he will be eas-
ily defeated. He must be taught to be great
with his hands. This is the one advantage
he has over the offensive lineman, the use
of the hands fighting off blocks.
Diagram 1: Down Block Wesley McGriff
Defensive Coordinator
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, Ky.
Down Block
1. Get inside foot down close.
2. Eliminate block threats.
3. Wrong shoulder second blocker.
4. Determine flow. Look for the reverse
or the boot if no blocker appears.
Diagram 2: Drive Block
Drive Block: The offensive lineman dri-
ves the defensive lineman straight back with
his head and hands inside on the numbers.
1. Maintain hat in his gap.
2. Deliver a blow with palms of both
hands for leverage. Extend arms for sepa-
ration and escape.
3. Keep feet under hips driving with
short steps, driving the blocker.
4. Do not get wash. Control the gap.
Diagram 3: Hook/Reach Block
Hook/Reach Block: A hook block is
used when the offensive lineman attempts
to prevent the defensive lineman for getting
to the outside to his left or right. Offensive
line wants to establish the perimeter.
1. Redirect once the blocker moves lateral.
2. Get proper hand placement and fight
against pressure turning the shoulders of
the offensive lineman.
3. Keep your head gear in your gap
locating the ballcarrier.
Diagram 4: Double Team
Double Team: Play side by two adja-
cent line to get movement and one comes
off to block pursuing linebacker.
The weight, strength and size of the offen-
sive lineman makes it difficult to defeat. This
block is only successful if the defensive line-
man is driven off the line of scrimmage.
1. Get both hands on the drive blocker.
2. Take surface away from angle block-
er and split the double team.
3. Stay active.
4. Drop to a knee if upon pressure that
moves the defensive lineman off the line of
scrimmage.
5. Must NOT get high.
Trap Block: This block is used by a
pulling lineman to explode through a
defender at the point of attack, creating a
running lane. This block takes longer to
develop because of type of play and the
distance the blocker travels.
1. Treat guard release same as down
block.
2. Get inside foot down, read block pro-
gression, gather and commit.
• Proceedings • 77th AFCA Convention • 2000 •
Diagram 5: Trap Block Diagram 7
3. Wrong shoulder the pulling guard.
Diagram 8
Attacking the inside shoulder with the outside
shoulder and forearm then wheel up field.
4. Do not get kicked out by the blocker.
Pre-Snap Indicators: Assist the linemen
in determining the type of run block to expect.
1. Formation/Personnel Group.
2. Down & Distance.
3. Field Position.
4. Alignment and Technique.
Diagram 9
Linebackers: Must get their key and react
quick to the blocking scheme. They are
taught to get initial reads from interior uncov-
ered linemen. Linebackers should not be
looking for the ballcarrier. Instead they must
focus their eyes on the blocker coming to
block them and defeat him first. Knowing and
understanding the front four alignment assists
in determining types of blocks to expect.
Diagram 10
Stance: Feet remain shoulder width to
ensure balance and lateral movement.
Outside linebacker’s feet should be slightly
staggered. They should be flexed at the knees
with a straight back. Comfort and balance are
most important for good linebacker play.
Basic Rules
1. Read the uncovered lineman and 9. On the zone block, step to the uncov-
then flow. ered lineman’s release and attack gap
2. Identify backfield sets and recognize (Diagram 9).
flow as play progress. 10. Cut block. Extend his arms striking
3. Maintain a low hitting position. the blocker’s pads with open palms push-
4. Attack inside out to the perimeter. ing the blocker to the turf. At the same time
5. Take window (Cloudy or Clear Principle). keep feet back (Diagram 10).
The important thing for linebackers in a
Diagram 6
43 scheme is to focus on and defeat the
blocker before taking his eyes off of him.
However, he must identify the flow of the
backers as the play develops. Getting off of
blockers and making tackles is paramount
for the backers in this scheme.
It is also important that the linebackers
know the backfield set and the personnel
6. If window closes, flow comes, escape group before the snap.
outside. We believe at Kentucky State University
7. Pull block by uncovered lineman. that we must stop the run which gives us
Look for the ball in that direction, come the opportunity to neutralize offensive
down hill and play cut back (Diagram 7). schemes by keeping them off the field. If
8. Drive block. Attack it with square shoul- we cannot stop the run, we lose any
der at the line of scrimmage (Diagram 8). chance of winning.