Defending Multiple Spread Formation, Motion,

Shift, & Tempo Offense

 Be Humble or Prepare to Get
Humbled.

 Great Competition is a Harsh Teacher.

 Must Love the Challenge of defending

great offenses.
 Multiple Formation, motion, & shifts.
 Hurry-up, no huddle tempo.
 Multiple huddle tempo & snap counts.
 Multiple unbalanced formation with
motions and shifts.
 Still must defend some Wing-T, Option
& traditional Power/ I formation.
• Limit calls: Play defense – not defenses.

• Know that no call or scheme stops

everything. Know our weaknesses.

• ABC: Always Be Communicating: (Defense

Terminology Power point).

• Create scenarios that closely resemble

the stresses and effects of the game.

• Run Fast – Hit Hard

 Organize scheme & Install with these
issues in mind.

 Consistent Terminology (List)

 Emphasis on Communication: Verbal &

Signals.

 Sense of Urgency in everything we do.

 Ask Questions – Encourage player input.

 Be more physical than offense

 Be gap sound & zone sound

 Keep passing game in front of you

 Fanatical effort – 4-6 seconds –

Point A to B – Full Speed.
Front Angles to Field – Quarters Coverage
Front Angles to Boundary – Coverage is 1/3s
“The single biggest problem
with COMMUNICATION is
the ILLUSION that it has
taken place.”
-George Bernard Shaw
 DEFENSIVE
COMMUNICATION

 Know the call – Know your job.

 Recognition: Formation, Splits, Stances, etc.
 Verbal Communication: Calls, Checks, etc.
 Hand Signals: See and Hear!
 Talk during the play!
 All Communication must be simple & clear!
 Offensive Formations, alignments, plays,
& routes.
 Defensive alignments, techniques, keys,
etc.
 Specific coaching points for tackling,
block destruction, pursuit, etc.
 Any other terms we use to communicate
what we want from our defensive players.
 Coaches continue to evaluate and update
to streamline communication.
 Boot: (Bootleg) Pass action where QB
fakes run one direction and sprints to run
or pass the opposite way.
 Spill: Block destruction technique where
defender attacks blocker with Outside
shoulder pad. Used vs. lead blocks from
backfield or pulling linemen.
 Nub: Side of formation with no split
receiver. Examples: Tight End, or Tight
End & Wing.
 All communication must be SIMPLE &
CLEAR.

 In order to be clear, you must be LOUD.

Cannot Text, Snap, or Tweet these calls.

 When communication is streamlined, we can

coach & players can learn faster.

 Check for learning with QUESTIONS.

“Training to high standards – using scenarios that closely
resemble the stresses and effects of the real battlefield –
is essential to victory and survival in combat. Merely
creating a situation for subordinates and having them
react does not induce the kind of stress required for
combat training. A meaningful and productive mission
with detailed constraints and limitations and high
standards of performance induces a basic level of stress.
To reach a higher level of reality, leaders must add
unanticipated conditions to the basic stress levels of
training to create a demanding learning environment.”
 Goal: Recognition, Communication

 Work SAKRAT vs. 11 offensive players.

 Coach is QB & aligns skill players. All take 3 full

speed steps.

 O-line gets signal from coach behind Lbers. Zone

Rt/Lt or pass. All take 3 full speed steps.

 Coaches must engage all, keep them all “On

Edge” with challenges and questions.
 Coach is QB & has formation organization.
Defense Offense
Nose Center
LB’s Guards
DE’s Off. Tackles
OLB’s TB/HB/TEs
Corners #1 RECs
SS #2 RECs/TE
FS Signal the defense
  C SS F E S N W E B FS C

Rotation:
-Lines to Offense
-Offense to Defense
F QB B
-Defense OUT

C
SS E S N W E C
E N E
F B
C S W
C

SS FS
  C SS F E S N W E B FS C
OLB Coach: Give
Signaler the call: DL Coach: Hustle players
Coach is QB
One of the defensive In & Out of drill
positions is the signaler. F QB B

C
SS E S N W E C
E N E
F B
C S W
C
ILB Coach: Give Offense
run/pass/direction
SS FS
DB Coaches:
CoachDBs: COMMUNICATION!
 Usually get 2-3 reps and rotate.
 Coach is QB and runs the formation. (No cards)
 All in lines on cones look at signaler and break
together.
 When installing, we usually focus on 1 or 2 calls
vs. base formations.
 DB coaches adjust the receiver splits to work
different leverage alignments.
 Coaches must keep pace – rotation – and
attention to detail high.
 When installing for JV, we put Varsity behind the
defense & help coach their position.
 A significant percentage of Unbalanced. 2 of
our better opponents run greater than 25%.

 Multiple formation combinations with shifts

and motion in and out of Unbalanced.

 Multiple tempo: Often run to line with quick

snap.

 We begin in summer install working our

communication, Front checks, coverage
checks, & common schemes we see.
 What: Any formation with the combination of
receivers to one side and running backs in backfield
equals 5.

 Why: Offenses want to “outflank” our defense by

overloading one side of the formation.

 Our Answer: Awareness, Recognition,

Communication. “Unbalanced” call & “U” signal.

 2 separate checks. Front & coverage.

 “FAT”: Term used to identify covered receivers that

are ineligible.

 Easiest to see: All DB’s & OLB’s. Sam LBer directs

front check. SS is in charge of coverage check.
 Check out of pressure calls on passing downs?
 Default call: Front & Coverage?
 Multiple front & coverage checks per game? How will
you get in/out of each check?
 You check, then they shift out of unbalanced?
 Different personnel group in game? (Example: Goal
line or Nickel)
 We spend a significant amount of time teaching
recognition and communication.
 This is hard, it will not always be right. Make a call –
play the call. Ball snapped: Run Fast – Hit Hard.
 1 Word “Fastball” Calls: “Flash”,
“Bang”, “Dash”.

 Constantly coaching a Sense of

Urgency.

 Create Chaos and Ultra-fast tempo in

drills.

 “Fastball” Drill
 Goal #1: Create a chaotic pace and
tempo.

 Goal #2: Prepare defense for opponent

formations, plays, tendencies.

 Goal #3: Condition players for fast

tempo game situation.

 Goal #4: Force players to recognize,

communicate, and perform under
stressful conditions.
2 Offensive Scout teams aligned 30 yards apart, facing
each other, on same or opposite hashes.
A coach for each huddle has offensive play cards for
skill players only.
2 coaches stand facing the O-line just behind Lber
depth. They give O-line Zone Rt/Lt or Pass set signal.
A coach at each end is the signaler for the defense.
Players play a snap at one end, whistle blows and
immediately run to align at opposite end vs. other
offensive huddle.
 Coach with cards
for plays 1/3/5

Coach signals
plays 1/3/5

Coaches signal O-line

Coach signals
plays 2/4/6

Coach with cards

for plays 2/4/6
 Usually go 6-8 plays total. Repeat with #2’s.
 We try not to stop the drill: Goal#1.
 We make the pace faster than possible in a game.
 Coaches must create sense of urgency with
defense and scout offense players.
 Usually run the drill on same sideline so we get
reps from Right & Left hashes.
 Must be highly organized to be efficient.
“If you know your
enemy and you know
yourself, you need
not fear the result of
one hundred battles”.

-Sun Tzu
 The best offenses we face do not have
great tendencies.
 What are we going to practice defending?
 Our base calls & personnel vs. Theirs?
 Biggest challenges – what do we need to
work the most?
 Best 3 Players, Runs, Passes, Formations,
etc.
 Need extra work on? Tempo, scramble,
Dick’em plays, etc.
• Formation

• Hash

• Play Direction

• Down & Distance

• Backfield Set

• Motion/Shift

• Result
 Specific Coaches create
shared playlist/diagrams
for: Inside run, perimeter
run, passes.
 Each coach creates and
shares their Position
Scouting Report by
Monday morning & review
before Mon. practice.
 Share various playlists and
practice tape throughout
the week.
 Recognition, communication, alignment

 Accurate representation of opponent

 Efficient operation

 Quality Reps

 Enough Reps to be prepared

 Monday: Recognition, Game plan calls/checks.
 Tuesday: Script to lose. Challenge calls vs their
best. Situation: 1st & 10.
 Wednesday: Script to win & situations.
 Thursday: All situation, 2 minute, Goal line, etc.
 Friday: Pre-Game Walk-thru.
 Possible additions: Fastball drill, Scramble drill,
Other.
 Form Rec & Checks: All important and
different alignments, tendencies, our
calls.
 Inside: Best runs, mostly inside.
 Perimeter: Quick, Pocket, Roll.
 Possibly jet, option, & play action pass.
 Team: Perimeter run, screens, RPO’s, play
action and boots.
 Clear & vivid picture of the play. Give
offense every advantage possible.
 Color coded: Skill players, defense, O-
line, etc.
 Draw the defense with movement.
 Post-it notes for details. Specific
alignment, action, motion, snap count,
etc.
 Great players labeled with Dots.
 RUN
Big picture of blocking scheme
CARDS

Notes for snap count,

alignment, specific blocks, etc.
Defense alignment
& movement with
Pullers labeled.
•

• Specific QB action & steps.

 PASS Big picture of alignment,
CARDS spacing, routes, etc.

Hash & MOF cards

Depth of routes

Great Player
Highlighted

Timing & limited reads for QB.

 Prepare them. Film, power points, etc.
 QB is special. Toughest job on team.
Rewards.
 Snap a small cone. QB has ball.
 Help the Scout Team Coaches.
 Encourage questions.
 Rewards: Scout POW, Varsity Defense
respect.
 It is a privilege to be on the field.
 Respect the Scout Team.
 Get a call, SAKRAT, Run to the ball.
 Thud up at POA. Keep pursuing past the
whistle.
 Sense of Urgency: If you are out, get signal,
break call, watch your position.
 Ask Questions. Learn. Play the game.
 Goals: Recognition, Communication, Alignment,
Key, and 3 steps. (Run just like 11 lines drill)
 Easy to work multiple formations, motions, &
shifts. (Coach is QB & fewer moving parts)
 Opponent tendencies – Questions from coaches.
 We want reps. Coaching on the run.
 Can do this with fast tempo by turning defense
back to offense to get signal.
 Often work 1’s on defense, 2’s on offense and
switch.
FORM REC. &
CHECKS SCRIPT

This is play card

& script together.

O-line action

Highlighted Notes
for shift, motion,
tempo, etc.

Folds easily to
show 1 play at a
time to only 5 skill
players.
FORM REC. &
CHECKS SCRIPT

Defensive call & Checks

O-line action

All skill players

are color coded.

Highlighted Notes
for shift, motion,
tempo, etc.
If you are not “All In” for your assigned
task, then you are helping the other
team win. You are a TRAITOR.
Bart Bruner
St. Xavier High School
Louisville, Ky
[email protected]
Cell: 502 905-0114