Linebacker Keys in The Odd Stack Defense

LINEBACKER KEYS IN THE ODD STACK DEFENSE
Our staff is currently entering our second season at Brunswick High School in South
Georgia. Previously, we were at Chester High School in Chester, SC. We have run the
Odd Stack defense for the last 4 years with a great deal of success. (2 Region
Championships, 1 State Runner-Up, 7 Shut-Outs in 2007) As we have used this defense
as a base, we have had to continually look at what we are doing and see if it
matches up with the offenses we face. Each year, we have tweaked different parts of
our defense, but one of the best things we have done is to develop a system LB keys
that we feel is simple and yet holds up against a variety of different opponents.
Like most 30 front teams, we do a great deal of blitzing. But we kept facing the
question, what do the LBs look at when they are not blitzing? We decided that
keying the backfield would be the most effective system for our players. The LBs
set their keys according to the backfield set and their own alignment.
LANDMARKS
A key feature of our system is that we set landmarks of responsibility as opposed
to specific gaps. We believe that our constant defensive line movement and the
blocking combinations that we see combine to cause our gaps to �move�. For instance
with a down block by the guard, B gap is not exactly where it was pre-snap. So
instead of gaps, we label Landmarks:
� From the inside foot of one guard to the inside foot of the other guard is Inside
Point (both A gaps)
� From the inside foot of the guard to the crotch of the tackle is Base Point (b
gap)
� From the crotch of the tackle to the outside foot of the TE is Outside Point (C
gap)
When a key tells the LB to attack a certain Landmark, the LB presses that area
looking for an �open window�. When he gets the �open window�, he attacks through
it, much like a RB running a zone play. So if his key says Inside Point, the LB may
press frontside or backside A gap�it depends on the blocking and where the opening
is. If his key says Base Point, the LB may press anywhere from in the crotch of the
guard to the inside shoulder of the OT, depending on the �open window�.
I Backs
Against the I formation, the MLB keys the FB and the OLBs and the SPURs key the TB.
We use the following keys out of our Stacked alignment.
� Vs hard flow (both backs attacking A or B gap right now)

----MLB mirrors FB and hits Inside Point
----OLB hard flow to = Base Point
----OLB hard flow away = Inside Point
----SPURs see hard flow in the box =Stack on C gap for cutback / reverse
� Vs fast flow (both backs attacking outside right now)

----MLB fast flow = Base Point
----OLB fast flow to = Outside Point
----OLB any flow outside the box = Get Over the Top!
----SPUR fast flow to = Cut It Off!
----SPUR fast flow away = Stack on C gap for cutback / reverse
� Vs angle flow (Fullback kick out , Tailback hit C gap)

----MLB angle flow = Base Point
----OLB angle flow to = Outside Point
----OLB any flow outside the box = Get Over the Top!
----SPUR angle flow to = Blow It Up!
----SPUR angle flow away = Stack on C gap for cutback / reverse
Some of our fronts call for us to go from a 3 LB stacked look to a 2 LB 50 front

look. We use the following keys out of our 30 alignment (over guards):
� Vs hard flow
----hard flow to = Inside Point
----hard flow away = Inside Point
� Vs fast flow
----fast flow to = Outside Point
----fast flow away = Base Point Away
� Vs angle flow
----angle flow to = Outside Point
----angle flow away = Base Point
Wing-T or Dbl Wingbacks

The formation that we see the most of is probably some form of Dbl Wing. We use the
following keys out of our Stacked alignment.
OLBs both key the opposite HB or WB:

� If the key comes to (motion or after snap) � Outside Point
� If the key stays away � Hit Inside Point looking for the FB Trap/Dive
The MLB keys both WBs (using peripheral vision):

� Keying the direction of initial flow (motion or after snap) �
Base Point Flowside
Shotgun One-Back
Against a shotgun, one back run game, we use the following keys:
OLBs key the opposite back (HB or QB)

� Flow to (Zone Run) � Outside Point
� Flow Away (Option) � Inside Point
The MLB keys and follows the most dangerous runner:

� Base Point Flowside
These are our basic keys which we install over the spring and summer. We will tweak
our keys against certain opponents based on what they are emphasizing. But we feel
like these keys give us a good starting point.

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LINEBACKER KEYS IN THE ODD STACK DEFENSE

� Vs hard flow (both backs attacking A or B gap right now)

� Vs fast flow (both backs attacking outside right now)

� Vs angle flow (Fullback kick out , Tailback hit C gap)

Some of our fronts call for us to go from a 3 LB stacked look to a 2 LB 50 front

Wing-T or Dbl Wingbacks

OLBs both key the opposite HB or WB:

The MLB keys both WBs (using peripheral vision):

OLBs key the opposite back (HB or QB)

The MLB keys and follows the most dangerous runner:

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