Sequatchie

County
Indians
Defensive
Playbook
2008
 4-4 Indians on
the Raid!
Philosophy: Our defense is an aggressive
gap control defense. We are 11 hungry and
angry men. We should have 11 helmets
around the ball every play. We will pursue
relentlessly as an Indian after its prey. We
are an 8 man front team, who wants to force
the offense into mistakes.

Gaps/Alignment

D C B A A B C D
6 4 2 0 2 4 6
Shade
Shade

9 7 5 4I 3 1 1 3 4I 5 7 9

80 50 40 30 2 0 10 0 10 2 0 30 40 50 80

Line Backer Technique

A Gap – Center/Guard Gap

B Gap –Guard/Tackle Gap
C Gap – Tackle/Tight End Gap
D Gap – Outside Tight End
 Huddle Alignment

M
E N T E
C R W S C
F
M – Makes defensive call

R – Down and distance “Call, Coverage,

Call, Coverage,
Ready, Kill
F – coverage call

Mike makes front checks and blitz cancels

Free Safety makes all coverage checks.

Communication is the key. Everyone must talk

And hear calls and checks.
 Strong

E N T E

R W M S
C C

F
Pos Alignment Run Technique Pass Technique

N 1 Tech. Weak Side A gap weak/Pursuit Rush

T 3 Tech. St. Side B gap strong/Pursuit Rush
SE 7 Tech. C gap Strong/Trail Contain Rush
WE 5 Tech. C gap Weak/Trail Contain Rush
M 0 Tech. A gap strong/Flow Coverage Called
W 30 tech. B gap weak/Flow Coverage Called
R 80 Tech. Weak side D gap/Force/BCR Coverage Called
S 80 Tech. Strong Side D gap/Force/BCR Coverage Called
C 6X1 off #1 Secondary Force/LMP Coverage Called
F 12 yard St. A Gap Alley Coverage Called
 Weak

E N T E

R W M S
C C

F
Pos Alignment Run Technique Pass Technique

N 3 Tech. Weak Side B gap weak/Pursuit Rush

T 1 Tech. St. Side A gap strong/Pursuit Rush
SE 7 Tech. C gap Strong/Trail Contain Rush
WE 5 Tech. C gap Weak/Trail Contain Rush
M 30 Tech. B gap strong/Flow Coverage Called
W 0 tech. B gap weak/Flow Coverage Called
R 80 Tech. Weak Side D gap/Force/BCR Coverage Called
S 80 Tech. Strong Side D gap/Force/BCR Coverage Called
C 6X1 off #1 Secondary Force/LMP Coverage Called
F 12 yard St. A Gap Alley Coverage Called
 Even

E N T E

R W M S
C C

F
Pos Alignment Run Technique Pass Technique

N 2 Tech. Weak Side Slant A/B gap weak Rush

T 2 Tech. St. Side Slant A/B gap strong Rush
SE 7 Tech. C gap Strong/Trail Contain Rush
WE 5 Tech. C gap Weak/Trail Contain Rush
M 20 Tech. A/B gap strong/Flow Coverage Called
W 20 Tech. A/B gap weak/Flow Coverage Called
R 80 Tech. Weak Side D gap/Force/BCR Coverage Called
S 80 Tech. Strong Side D gap/Force/BCR Coverage Called
C 6X1 off #1 Secondary Force/LMP Coverage Called
F 12 yard St. A Gap Alley Coverage Called
 Split

E N T E S

R W M
C C

F
Pos Alignment Run Technique Pass Technique

N 2 Tech. Weak Side Slant A/B gap weak Rush

T 2 Tech. St. Side Slant A/B gap strong Rush
SE 7 Tech. C gap Strong/Trail Contain Rush
WE 5 Tech. C gap Weak/Trail Contain Rush
M 20 Tech. strong A/B gap-slant/Flow Coverage Called
W 20 Tech. weak A/B gap-slant/Flow Coverage Called
S 9 Tech. Strong Side D gap strong/Force/BCR Coverage Called
R 80 Tech. Weak Side D gap weak/Force/BCR Coverage Called
C 6X1 off #1 Secondary Force/LMP Coverage Called
F 12 yard St. A Gap Alley Coverage Called
 Over

E N T E

R W M S
C C

F
Pos Alignment Run Technique Pass Technique

N 1 Tech. Weak Side A gap weak Rush

T 3 Tech. St. Side B gap strong Rush
SE 9 Tech. D gap Strong/Trail Contain Rush
WE 5 Tech. C gap Weak/Trail Contain Rush
M 20 Tech. strong A/B gap/Flow Coverage Called
W 20 Tech. weak A/B gap/Flow Coverage Called
S 50 Tech. Strong Side C gap strong/Force/BCR Coverage Called
R 80 Tech. Weak Side D gap weak/Force/BCR Coverage Called
C 6X1 off #1 Secondary Force/LMP Coverage Called
F 12 yard St. A Gap Alley Coverage Called
 Under

E N T E S

R W M
C C

F
Pos Alignment Run Technique Pass Technique

N 3 Tech. Weak Side B gap weak Rush

T 1 Tech. St. Side A gap strong Rush
SE 5 Tech. C gap Strong/Trail Contain Rush
WE 5 Tech. C gap Weak/Trail Contain Rush
M 20 Tech. strong A/B gap/Flow Coverage Called
W 10 Tech. weak A/B gap/Flow Coverage Called
S 9 Tech. Strong Side D gap strong/Force/BCR Coverage Called
R 80 Tech. Weak Side D gap weak/Force/BCR Coverage Called
C 6X1 off #1 Secondary Force/LMP Coverage Called
F 12 yard St. A Gap Alley Coverage Called
 Okie

T N E
R S
E M W
C C

F
Pos Alignment Run Technique Pass Technique

N 0 Tech. 0 Technique Rush

T 5 Tech. B/C gap/Pursuit Contain Rush
SE 5 Tech. B/C gap/Pursuit Contain Rush
WE Stack (50) B/C gap/Cutback Coverage Called
M 0 Tech. A gaps/Flow Coverage Called
W Stack (50) B/C gap-Cutback Coverage Called
S 80 Tech. Strong Side D gap strong/Force/BCR Coverage Called
R 80 Tech. Weak Side D gap weak/Force/BCR Coverage Called
C 6X1 off #1 Secondary Force/LMP Coverage Called
F 12 yard St. A Gap Alley Coverage Called
 53

R E N T E

W M S
C C

F
Pos Alignment Run Technique Pass Technique

N 0 Tech. 0 Technique/A Gaps Rush

T 5 Tech. B/C gap/Pursuit Rush
SE 9 Tech. D gap/Contain/Trail Contain Rush
WE 4I B gap/Pursuit Rush
M 0 Tech. A gaps/Flow Coverage Called
W 50 Tech C/D gap/BCR Coverage Called
S 60 Tech. Strong Side C/D gap/BCR Coverage Called
R 9 Tech. Weak Side C/D gap Contain/Trail Coverage Called
C 6X1 off #1 Secondary Force/LMP Coverage Called
F 12 yard St. A Gap Alley Coverage Called
 Goalline

R E N T E S

W M

C F C

Pos Alignment Run Technique Pass Technique

N 1 Tech. Weak Side A Gap/Pursuit Rush

T 1 Tech. Strong side A Gap/Pursuit Rush
SE 4I Strong Side B gap/Pursuit Contain Rush
WE 4I Weak Side B gap/Pursuit Rush
M 50 Tech. Strong Side C gap/Flow/Cutback Coverage Called
W 50 Tech. Weak Side C gap/Flow/Cutback Coverage Called
S 9 Tech. Strong Side D gap/Force/BCR Coverage Called
R 9 Tech. Weak Side D gap/Force/BCR Coverage Called
C 6X1 off #1 Man Coverage/ Secondary Coverage Called
Run
F 6X1 off #2 Strong Side Man Coverage/ Secondary Coverage Called
Run
 5 Man Pressure (Strong)

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

Mike Go Will Go

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

Snake Go Rover Go

E N T E
E N T E
R W M S
R W M S

Mike X Will X

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

Snake X Rover X
 5 Man Pressure (Weak)

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

Mike Go Will Go

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

Snake Go Rover Go

E N T E
E N T E
R W M S
R W M S

Mike X Will X

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

Snake X Rover X
 5 Man Pressure (Even)

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

Mike Go Will Go

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

Snake Go Rover Go

E N T E
E N T E
R W M S
R W M S

Mike X Will X

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

Snake X Rover X
 5 Man Pressure (Split)

E N T E S E N T E S

R W M R W M

Mike Go Will Go

E N T E S E N T E S

R W M R W M

Snake Go Rover Go

E N T E S
E N T E S
R W M
R W M

Mike X Will X

E N T E S E N T E

R W M R W M S

Snake X Rover X
 6 Man Pressure (Strong)

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

ABS Balls

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

(S/M) Smash (W/R) Wham

E N T E
E N T E
R W M S
R W M S

( R/M) Ram (R/S) Stud

E N T E

R W M S

(S/W) Switch
 6 Man Pressure (Weak)

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

ABS Balls

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

Smash Wham

E N T E
E N T E
R W M S
R W M S

Ram Stud

E N T E

R W M S

Switch
 6 Man Pressure (Even)

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

ABS Balls

E N T E E N T E

R W M S R W M S

Smash Wham

E N T E
E N T E
R W M S
R W M S

Ram Stud

E N T E

R W M S

Switch
 6 Man Pressure (Split)

E N T E S E N T E S

R W M R W M

ABS Balls

E N T E S E N T E S

R W M R W M

Smash Wham

E N T E S
E N T E S
R W M
R W M

Ram Stud

E N T E S

R W M

Switch
 Strong Adjustments

E T N E

S M W R
C
C F Twins

E T N E
C
S M W R

C F Trips
2/3 1/3

E N T E
R S
C W M C

F Man/Free
Quads

E N T E
R
W M S
C

C F 2 Tite
 Strong Adjustments

E N T E

R W M S
C
C F Unbalanced

E N T E S
R
C W M C

F Wing T
 Weak Adjustments

E T N E
S M W R
C
C F Twins

E T N E
R
S M W C

C F Trips

E N T E
R S
C W M C

F Man/Free
Quads

E T N E
S M W R

C
F C 2 Tite
 Weak Adjustments

E N T E

R W M S
C
C F Unbalanced

S E T N E
R
M W C
C
F Wing T
 Even Adjustments

E T N E
S M W R
C
C F Twins

E T N E
R
S M W C

C F Trips
2/3 on roll 1/3

E N T E
R S
C W M C

F Man/Free
Quads

E T N E
S M W R

C
F C 2 Tite
 Even Adjustments

E N T E

R W M S
C
C F Unbalanced

S E T N E
R
M W C
C
F Wing T
 Split Adjustments

S E T N E

M W R
C
C
F Twins

S E T N E
R
M W C

C F Trips
2/3 on roll 1/3

E N T E
R S
C W M C

F Man/Free
Quads

S E T N E
M W R

C
F C 2 Tite
 Split Adjustments

E N T E S

R W M
C
C F Unbalanced

S E T N E
R
M W C
C
F Wing T
 Goal Line Adjustments

S E T N E R
W
M
C F C
Twins

S E T N E R
W F
C M C

Trips

S E T N E R
W
M
F
C C

Man/Free
Quads

S E T N E R

C M W
F C
2 Tite
 Goal Line Adjustments

R E N T E S
W M
C F C
Unbalanced

R E N T E S

W M C
C F

Wing T
 Defensive Line Reads

3 Technique- Outside shade of the guard. He will attack the V of the neck of
the guard. He reads the guard’s block. He is responsible for B gap. He will
wrong shoulder the trap, chase a pulling guard, cross face pressure or
backdoor a down block, and will not get hooked by the guard.

1 Technique- Inside shade of the guard. He is responsible for A gap. He reads

the center’s block and feel the pressure of the guard.

5 Technique- Outside shade of the tackle. He will read the block of the tackle.
He will squeeze if tackle releases inside and will string out reach. He is
responsible for C gap.

7 Technique- Inside shade of the tight end. He will key the tight end and feel the
tackle. C gap responsibility.

Stance

We will use a 3 point stance. Inside hand down and inside foot back toe to
instep. We will take a six inch read step with the gap foot and play our
responsibility.
Defeating Blocks

We will not spin. We will rip across, crossface, or , as a last resort, back door a
down block. We cannot get washed. We will attempt to split a double team , if
unsuccessful we will create a pile.
 Defensive Tackle Technique

1 Technique- Inside shoulder of the guard

1. Attack the inside shoulder of the guard with your outside hand keeping your
inside hand and arm free. You are responsible for the A gap.
2. If the guard tries to block down on you fight across his face, or if you cannot
do that get skinny and run behind the block.
3. Do not let the center reach you.

3 Technique- Outside Shoulder (3 Technique)

On the snap of the ball (read the hands and feet of the offensive line) attack the
outside shoulder of the guard with your inside hand, keeping your outside
hand and arm free. You are responsible for the B gap.

1. If the guard tries to block you fight him off with your hands and move to the
outside. You cannot let the guard block you.
2. If the guard pulls, get in his hip pocket and follow.
3. If the tackle tries to block down on you, attack him and fight across his face
to the outside.
4.If double-teamed by the guard and tackle, attack the inside knee of the tackle
and make a pile (if you can sit out, do it).
5. If no one blocks you, crash the gap closed and be prepared to trap the
trapper.
6. On pass rush the passer.

0 & 2 Technique- When aligned head up, take a hard charge into the offensive
player and take a gap (try to read the op’s head). LB will read you and fill the
other gap
 Defensive End Technique

5 Technique- Outside Shoulder of Tackle

On the snap of the ball (read the hands and feet of the offensive lineman)
attack the outside shoulder of the Tackle with your inside hand, keeping
your outside hand and arm free. You are responsible for the C gap.

1. If the Tackle tries to block you fight him off with your hands and move to
the outside. You cannot let the guard block (reach) you.
2. 2. If the tackle pulls, get in his hip pocket and follow.
3. If a TE or back tries to block down on you, attack him and fight across his
face to the outside.
4. If no one blocks you and tackle blocks down, crash the gap closed and be
prepared to wrong arm the trapper or kickout by back.
5. On pass rush the passer.

7 Technique- Inside shade of the tight end. He will key the tight end and feel
the tackle. C gap responsibility.

Assignment
1. On the snap of the ball take a step with the outside foot into the TE.
2. Jam the TE then step back down into the C gap.
Control that gap.
Reactions
1.If the TE tries to block you for a sweep, fight through the face of the TE and try
to drive him as deep into the backfield as possible. Pressure from
the inside out. The 7 tech will turn the play inside.
2. If the TE does not block you close down to a position one-yard behind the OT.
3. If the FB tries to kick you out, attack his inside shoulder, wrong arm him and
make the play spill to the outside.
4. If the OG tries to kick you out, attack his inside shoulder, wrong arm him and
make the play spill to the outside.
5. On option, attack the QB and force him to make a decision. You have QB.
6. If the OT tries to block you out, fight across his face.
7. On run away, pursue as deep as the ball checking for reverse, counter, or
cutback.
8. On pass, rush keeping outside contain.
 Linebacker Alignment and Keys

Mike – He will line up 4 yds off the ball and read the near back to guards. He
will use an attack step-shuffle technique to read. He will attack and defeat
blocks. Never going underneath or avoiding blocks.

Will – He will line up 4 yds off the ball and read near back to guard/tackle. He
will use a step/shuffle read step technique like mike

Snake – He will align 2X4 off the tight end. His read is near back, TE/T, guard.
He is force and BCR player.

Rover – He will align 2X4 off the tight end. His read is near back, TE/T, guard.
He is force and BCR player.
 Secondary

Corners – Align 6X1 to the inside of #1 receiver. They have their inside foot
back with a narrowed stance of the toe to instep. Nothing can get outside of
them. They are the last hope. First 3 steps are back to read QB #1 receiver.

Free Safety – Aligns 12 yds off ball in A gap of the passing strength or wide
side of field. He reads # 2 receiver to QB. If # 2 blocks he is in alley. He must
be a hitter.

Alignment and technique will also depend on coverage called

 Pass Coverage

Cover “0” Blitz-Man

E N T E

R W M S
C C
F

Corners – man to man on #1 receiver to their side.

Free Safety - #2 to passing strength
Snake - #3 to his side – unless blitzing
Mike - #4 to his side – unless blitzing
Will - #3 to his side – unless blitzing
Rover - #2 to his side – unless blitzing
 Pass Coverage

Cover 1 Man Free

E N T E

R W M S
C C

Corners – man to man on #1 receiver to their side.

Free Safety - #2 to passing strength
Snake - #2 to his side
Mike - #3 to his side
Will - #3 to his side
Rover - #2 to his side
 Pass Coverage

Cover 2

E N T E

W M S
R
C
Middle
Hook Hook

Curl/Flat C F Curl/Flat
1/ 2
1/2

Stronger Corner – Jam technique/curl/flat Jam/Funnel/Sink

Weak Corner – Weakside deep ½ 10/12 align on hash
Free Safety – Strong side deep ½ 10/12 align on hash
Snake – Hook Zone
Mike – Middle Hole
Will – Hook Zone 12-14 yds.
Rover - Jam technique/Weak Corner. curl/flat Jam/Funnel/Sink
 Pass Coverage

Cover 3 vs. Straight Drop

E N T E
R
W M S
C
Curl/Flat C
Curl/Flat
Hook Hook

F
1/3
1/3

1/3
 Pass Coverage

Cover 3 vs. Roll

E N T E
R
W M S
C
C

1/4
1/2

1/4
 Pass Coverage

Cover 3 vs. Trips

Straight Drop

E T N E
R
S M W
Curl/Flat
C
C
Flat H/C
Hook

1/4
1/2

1/4
 Pass Coverage

Cover 3 vs. Trips

Sprint Out

E T N E Flat

R
S M W

C
Hook Curl

C
Robber F

2/3 1/3