• Defense

    by Published on 06-19-2011 02:34 PM
    1. Categories:
    2. Defense
    Article Preview


    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!

...