You cannot talk about a coverage scheme without talking about force responsibilities. The primary force man can be the safety, corner or backer, depending on the front and the coverage.
There are four key elements of defending the end run:
1. FORCE the description of the responsibility for outside leverage vs. an end run. The force man meets the end run in its formative stage, forcing the cutback or driving the ball carrier deep so he is vulnerable to pursuit. The force man must always squeeze the width of the running lane, minimizing the area between himself and the next inside defender (the fill man).
- Responsibility for force is designated by:
- SKY Safety Force
- CLOUD Corner Force
- BACKER Linebacker Force
2. CUTBACK the description of responsibility for the middle position between the force and pursuit. When the force man successfully contains the end run, the fill man will be at the point of attack, usually with two gap responsibility. The fill man must control the fill area by whipping the blocker and maintaining position at the L.O.S. The fill man can be the backer, safety, or defensive end.
3. PURSUIT the description of responsibility for the inside leverage or cutbacks vs. an end run. (Usually handled by an inside backer or defensive lineman and backed up by the free safety). All pursuit must maintain an inside-out attitude when approaching the ball carrier. While pursuing, all defenders must have awareness for the ball location to avoid overrunning the ball, losing inside-out leverage.
4. SECONDARY SUPPORT the description of the responsibility for secondary outside leverage if force leverage is lost. Secondary support assumes outside leverage responsibility allowing the fill and pursuit players to carry out their assignments. The secondary support defender is always responsible for the HB pass and must replace vs. crack back blocks on the force man.
- If a receiver releases downfield and the play shows a definite run read, this player does not have to react to the run until the ball crosses the L.O.S. Play for the run pass!
SAFETY FORCE (SKY) STRONG SIDE
Strong Safety Primary force man he will take an alignment that will allow him to beat the crack back. If pass responsibility will not allow this position, he must call cloud (10 yards or under). Read progression, react to run, and meet lead blocker as quick and tough as possible. Force ball carrier to make a sharp cutback to the inside. If the ball carrier continues wide, drive deep and string it out to the sideline. To accomplish this he must stay on his feet.
SAM Cutback read block progression. Attack blocker (TE, pulling blocker) at his depth, and control him. Two-gap responsibility/do not commit to a side until the runner commits. If the TE blocks on and releases for run/pass, stay with him man to man (usually short yardage situation).
Strong Corner Run/Pass or Secondary Support Pass first, see the backfield and receiver, if he releases, cover him. If he cracks on strong safety, support to contain end run (replace). If he stalk blocks you, attack stalk block. Play off blocker and get to the ball.
Free Safety Play pass first, run second key triangle. On sure run, get to fill point as quickly as possible and pursue inside out.
SAM Cutback read block progression. Attack blocker (TE, pulling blocker) at his depth, and control him. Two-gap responsibility/do not commit to a side until the runner commits. If the TE blocks on and releases for run/pass, stay with him man to man (usually short yardage situation).
Strong Corner Run/Pass or Secondary Support Pass first, see the backfield and receiver, if he releases, cover him. If he cracks on strong safety, support to contain end run (replace). If he stalk blocks you, attack stalk block. Play off blocker and get to the ball.
Free Safety Play pass first, run second key triangle. On sure run, get to fill point as quickly as possible and pursue inside out.
CORNER FORCE (CLOUD) STRONGSIDE
Strong Corner Primary force man read progression. If receiver blocks on you, take inside and force at an angle quickly. Shrink the running lane. Meet lead blocker as quick and tough as possible. Force the ball carrier to make a sharp cutback to the inside. If ball carrier continues wide, drive deep and string it out to the sideline. Must stay on your feet.
SAM Cutback read block progression. Attack blocker (TE, pulling blocker) at his depth, and control him. Two-gap responsibility/do not commit to a side until the runner commits. If the TE blocks on and releases for run/pass, stay with him man to man (usually short yardage situation).
Strong Safety Run/Pass or secondary support pass first. When there is a run read, pick up Z for run/pass. If Z blocks corner, support from outside-in where needed.
Free Safety Play pass first, run second key triangle. On sure run, get to fill point as quickly as possible. Pursue inside-out.
NOTE: Strong safety may call Cloud when Z cuts split to 10 yards or less.
SAM Cutback read block progression. Attack blocker (TE, pulling blocker) at his depth, and control him. Two-gap responsibility/do not commit to a side until the runner commits. If the TE blocks on and releases for run/pass, stay with him man to man (usually short yardage situation).
Strong Safety Run/Pass or secondary support pass first. When there is a run read, pick up Z for run/pass. If Z blocks corner, support from outside-in where needed.
Free Safety Play pass first, run second key triangle. On sure run, get to fill point as quickly as possible. Pursue inside-out.
NOTE: Strong safety may call Cloud when Z cuts split to 10 yards or less.
BACKER FORCE STRONGSIDE
Sam Primary force man on snap, mirror TE and see inside. Read block progression and determine sweep or off tackle. Contain sweep, spill off tackle.
Strong Safety Cutback Read progression If key blocks, react for run. On sweep, support inside Sam for cutback. Take on lead blocker with inside shoulder. Off tackle look for spill from Sam.
Strong Corner Run/Pass or Secondary support pass first, see the backfield action and receiver. If he releases, cover. If the cracks on strong safety or Sam, see block. Support from outside-in (replace). If he stalks you, attack stalk block. Play off blocker and get to ball.
Free Safety Play pass first, run second Key triangle. On sure run, get to fill point as quickly as possible. Pursue inside-out.
Strong Safety Cutback Read progression If key blocks, react for run. On sweep, support inside Sam for cutback. Take on lead blocker with inside shoulder. Off tackle look for spill from Sam.
Strong Corner Run/Pass or Secondary support pass first, see the backfield action and receiver. If he releases, cover. If the cracks on strong safety or Sam, see block. Support from outside-in (replace). If he stalks you, attack stalk block. Play off blocker and get to ball.
Free Safety Play pass first, run second Key triangle. On sure run, get to fill point as quickly as possible. Pursue inside-out.
BOX Used only vs. Trips or Double out. Linebacker must contain all blocks, defensive back is always cutback man.
BACKER FORCE WEAKSIDE
Will Primary force man read block progression and meet the lead blocker at his depth as quickly and as tough as possible. Force the ball carrier to make a sharp cutback to the inside. Shrink the cutback area.
Weak End Cutback read block progression, attack blocker and control him. Work out along the line of scrimmage. Do not overrun the ball.
Weak corner Run/Pass, secondary support pass first. See the backfield action and receiver. If he releases, cover him. If he cracks on Will, support to contain the end run (replace). If he stalks you, attack the stalk. Control the blocker and find the ball.
Free Safety Run/Pass or secondary support play pass first, run second - Key triangle. On sure run, get to fill point as quickly as possible. Pursue inside-out. Strong Safety and Strong Corner pursue or cutoff based on your support.
Weak End Cutback read block progression, attack blocker and control him. Work out along the line of scrimmage. Do not overrun the ball.
Weak corner Run/Pass, secondary support pass first. See the backfield action and receiver. If he releases, cover him. If he cracks on Will, support to contain the end run (replace). If he stalks you, attack the stalk. Control the blocker and find the ball.
Free Safety Run/Pass or secondary support play pass first, run second - Key triangle. On sure run, get to fill point as quickly as possible. Pursue inside-out. Strong Safety and Strong Corner pursue or cutoff based on your support.
SAFETY FORCE (SKY) WEAK SIDE:
Free Safety Primary force man read progression. Meet the lead blocker at his depth as quickly and tough as possible. Shrink the cutback area. If the ball carrier continues wide, drive deep and string out to the sideline.
Weak Corner Run/Pass or Secondary support pass first and see the backfield action and X. If he releases, cover him. If he cracks on Will or weak safety, see block. Support from outside-in.
Will Cutback attack blocker head up on his side of the line of scrimmage. Control him and be ready to react in or out. Make the play.
Weak Corner Run/Pass or Secondary support pass first and see the backfield action and X. If he releases, cover him. If he cracks on Will or weak safety, see block. Support from outside-in.
Will Cutback attack blocker head up on his side of the line of scrimmage. Control him and be ready to react in or out. Make the play.
CORNER FORCE (CLOUD) WEAK SIDE:
Weak Corner Primary force man read progression. Meet lead blocker as quickly and tough as possible. Force the ball carrier ball carrier to make a sharp cutback to the inside. Shrink the cutback area. If the ball carrier continues wide, drive deep and string it out to the sideline.
Will Cutback read progression. Attack blocker (X near, pulling lineman) at his depth and control him. Two gap responsibility do not take a side until the runner commits.
Free safety Run/Pass or secondary support pass first. When you read run, pick up the receiver for run/pass. No pass secondary support where necessary.
Will Cutback read progression. Attack blocker (X near, pulling lineman) at his depth and control him. Two gap responsibility do not take a side until the runner commits.
Free safety Run/Pass or secondary support pass first. When you read run, pick up the receiver for run/pass. No pass secondary support where necessary.
Join the discussion here.
Categories Widget (top-down)