PHS 4-3 DEFENSE

COACHES MANUAL
 2010 Generals Defense- No Excuses… Nobody Cares
QUALITIES OF THE PITTSFIELD DEFENSE
1- Aggressive
2-Attacking
3-All about Attitude ( No Excuses)
GENERAL PHILOSOPHY
-Scheme that fosters aggressive play:
1- Easy to learn
2- Takes advantage of our personnel
3- Lets the players play not think
4- W.I.N. -What’s Important Now
a. Great Practice Habits
b. Fundamentals (Block destruction, tackling, takeaways)
c. Relentless Pursuit
d. Attitude
 2010 Generals Defense- No Excuses… Nobody Cares
2010 KEYS TO WINNING
- Eliminate all attitude problems
- Team-Unselfishness
- Take Nothing For Granted
- Great Leadership
- Great Discipline
- Compliance without Complaint (Team Rules)
- Accept the responsibility of Winning and Losing
- Make winning Important and Losing Intolerable
- Great Conditioning
- Improve Fundamentals
-Practice Like Play to win--With great Emotion -Effort- Execution
-Accountability- Hold Myself and My Teammates Accountable to the team
 2010 Generals Defense- No Excuses… Nobody Cares
6 FUNDAMENTAL MUSTS FOR THE PHS DEFENSE
1- SHOULDERS SQUARE
2- GAPSIDE ARM AND LEG FREE
3- PADS OUT OVER YOUR TOES
4- KEEP A BASE
5- PENETRATE, JUMP THE BALL WITH A LOW PAD LEVEL
6- HIT WITH YOUR HAT, HANDS, AND SHOULDERS
 2010 Generals Defense- No Excuses… Nobody Cares
LEARNING THE DEFENSE
- Understand general concepts and principles of the defense I.e. front,
coverage, pursuit, blitzes etc… Terminology is built using categories or
families of words. If you can understand the general concepts, it will
enable us greater flexibility when game planning or adjusting within a
game.

QUALITY CONTROL
- Tackling
- Pursuit
- Takeaways
- Total defense
 Focus Areas for 2010
 MULTIPLE-3 primary fronts ( Shade, Under & G) & 2 coverage
systems (2 high-1 high shells)
 AGGRESSIVE- Be very aggressive but cover your
assignment first. Trust your teammates!
 Tackle-Tackle-Tackle. Pursue-Pursue-Pursue
 SIMPLE-Our attacks & defense will be multiple, the # of
techniques learned will be limited.
 SOUND- Each defensive scheme will maintain Gap integrity,
Contain & logical distribution of responsibility
 GOALS- To improve collectively and individually every day
(TOUGHNESS/ENTHUSIASM/CONFIDENCE)
 Pittsfield Football Manual
 PURSUIT
-Pursuit is our # 1 priority
-Pursuit is a team concept. Eleven guys ( and coaches) are
responsible to get to the football
-Pursuit is an attitude, a skill that can be practiced by anyone
-Without Pursuit we will be (at best) the status quo.
-Pursuit is non-negotiable, we will not accept a lack of effort
 Pittsfield Football Manual
 TAKEAWAYS
-Turnovers are the most important correlation with winning
football games
-Takeaways are a team concept. Eleven guys (and coaches) are
responsible for Takeaways, not just the skill guys
-Takeaways is an attitude, a skill that can be practiced by anyone
-Without Takeaways we will be (at best) the an exciting,
impressive team that can’t win big games
-The better we execute as a defense the better we will be at taking
the ball away from our opponent
 Pittsfield Football Manual
 GAMEDAY
-Takeaways = points
-We will play the guys who do the best job executing their
assignments and giving us the best opportunity to taking away
the football
- Pursuit is the key to the success of the scheme
-No Excuses get to the football make the tackle
 Pittsfield Football Manual
 PRACTICE
-Every position will start practice with their fundamental drills
-Every positional period will incorporate a demanding
competitive drill. Competition must be an intricate part of each
practice period
- Lack of Pursuit and takeaways will result in post practice
takeaway and pursuit conditioning drills
-No Excuses get to the football make the tackle
-Making the tackle is the issue- FIND A WAY
Before the Ball is Snapped…
 there must be discipline in the huddle.

 everyone huddles on the ball.

 the defense is called.

 everyone watches the “O” huddle break.

 linemen get down on one knee.

 MLB and FS gives the run and pass strength call.

 communicate, communicate, communicate!

 get off the ball and hit someone!

 Between Play Responsibilities
 MLB: Receives call from sidelines and communicates it to
the defense.
 MLB: Keeps order in the huddle.
 OLB: Checks and communicates down and distance to the
huddle.
 FS: Assists MLB with the call from the sidelines and
communicates the pass coverage.
 Everyone: Prepare mentally for the next play. Focus!

 All other defenders should keep their eyes and ears open.
Look to their sidelines for player substitution keys. Listen for
calls they may communicate that could help us. Check to see
if the QB is focusing towards certain players in the huddle.
Etc.
2010 Generals Defense- GOALS
1- LEAD THE LEAGUE IN TOTAL DEFENSE
2- WIN THE 4TH QUATER
3- WIN THE CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
4- WIN BERKSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
5- WIN WESTERN MASS. PLAYOFF GAME
6- WIN THE D2 SUPER BOWL
HOW?
1- FUNDAMENTALS AND TECHNIQUES
2- BIG PLAYS- NEED PLAYMAKERS AT EVERY POSITION
3- AGGRESSIVE PLAY
4- DEPENDABILITY- ( NO EXCUSES…NOBODY CARES)
5- CONSISTENCY (CONCENTRATE ON EVERY PLAY)
6- LOVE YOUR TEAMMATES AND HAVE FUN
 2010 DEFENSIVE HAND SIGNALS

FRONTS
SHADE: TWO FINGERS POINTS TO EYES.
UNDER: PUSHING DOWN TOWARD THE GROUND
G- POUNDING OF CHEST

COVERAGES
1- 1 FINGER
2- 2 FINGERS
21- 2 FIST OUTSIDE FRAMEWORK OF BODY
3- 3 FINGERS
3 WEAK- 3 FINGERS BOTH HANDS FACING THE GROUND
3 STRONG- 3 FINGERS BOTH HANDS POINTING TO SKY
4- 4 FINGERS
5- OPEN HAND 5 FINGERS
 2010 DEFENSIVE HAND SIGNALS

5 BLITZES
MIKE- POINT TO MLB
MAN- 2 THUMBS TO EARS (THIS GUY)
MAT- RUB FEET ON GROUND
WILL- CHICKEN WING
WIN- POINT AT SCOREBOARD
WITCH- BARKING ACTION WITH SOTH HANDS
SAM- 1 ARM FLEX
SWITCH- LIGHT SWITCH ACTION
SHOOT- MAKE A PISTOL WITH HAND
STING- 1 HAND DOWN LIKE A HAMMER
STUNG- 2 HANDS DOWN LIKE A HAMMER
FLING-RAISED HAND UP MAKING CIRCLE
FLUNG- 2 HANDS UP RAISED MAKING CIRCLES
COBRA- ELBOW PIRTCHED IN HAND
KILLER- THROAT SLASH
 2010 DEFENSIVE HAND SIGNALS

6 BLITZES
FAST- 2 HANDS CLASPED TOGETHER ABOVE HEAD
STAFF- GOLF SWING
WAM- BASEBALL BAT SWING
MAS- PRAYER
SAW- SAWING WOOD
SWEEP- BROOM PUSH
SAMWITCH- BOTH HAND S TOO MOUTH EATING
7 BLITZES
SWARM- PUSHING ARMS FORWARD
SWIM- SWIIMING MOTION
TRIPLE- STACK WITH HANDS
 2010 DEFENSIVE HAND SIGNALS

STUNTS
NAT- HAND WAVING INFRONT OF FACE
TAN- RUBBING LOTION
STRONG- PULL HANDS APART
WEAK- FINGERS IN EARS
DOUBLE- TWO FIST EXTENDING OUT
PINCH- TWO HANDS PINCHING WAIST LINE
TEX- TAKING COWBOY HAT OFF
NEX- RUB BEARD
 Defensive Communication Before and During a Play
RUN STRENGTH CALL: The LBs make the strength call to the tight end – “Strong left, strong left”.
PASS STRENGTH CALL: The FS/SS makes the strength call to the two-receiver side – “Pass right, pass right”.
BACKFIELD SET CALL: If necessary, backers and Dbs will call the formation or backfield – “Bone, bone” or
“Ace, ace”.
MOTION: When a receiver or back who you are covering goes in motion or motions your area - “Motion, motion”.
COVERAGE CALL: If we need to change our coverage to the current offensive formation, the FS will make the
call – “Trips, trips, check zero, check zero”.
RED CALL: Those times when we need to get out of running a stunt, the LBs will make the call – “Red, red”.
RUN/PASS CALL: When a defensive player reads the play, he will let everyone know by making either a run or a
pass call – “Pass, pass”.
BALL CALL: If a player sees that the ball is either on the ground or in the air, he will make a ball call – “Ball,
ball”.
PLAY CALL: Anyone who reads the play will yell out the type of play – “Reverse, reverse” or “Draw, draw”.
CROSS CALL: When LBs see receivers running crossing routes under our coverage, they will give a cross call –
“Cross, cross”.
ROUTE CALL: The DBs call out the receiver’s routes to the under coverage – “Post, post”.
BINGO CALL: Anytime we intercept a pass, we give a “Bingo” call to the closest sideline – “Bingo left, bingo
left”.
PRE-SNAP RESPONSIBILITIES: Before each down, all defenders will communicate with those close to them
their GAP, their PASS responsibility, and their OPTION responsibility – “I’ve got D, flats, and pitch”.
 3 Levels of Backfield Flow
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Straight ahead Off-Tackle Sideline

Combinations 3
Boot
2
2
Belly Option
3 3

2 1
2
1
 QB LEVEL READS
4 - 7 yards = pass

2 - 3 yards = run

1 - 2 yards = option

GAP TECHNIQUES

7 6 6i 5 4 4i 3 2 2i 1 0 1 2i 2 3 4i 4 5 ,. 6i 6 7
A head up alignment is an even number from the inside out.
An outside alignment is an odd number from the inside out.
An inside alignment is an even number with an “i” attached.

Gaps

D C B A A B C D
 FRONTS
• SHADE
– ADJUSTMENTS
• UNDER
– ADJUSTMENTS
• GOALLINE
– ADJUSTMENTS
 SHADE VS PRO

E N T E
C W S C
M

FS SS
 SHADE VS WING T

E N T E S
SS
W M C
C
FS
 SHADE VS TWINS

E N T E
C W S
M
C
FS SS
 SHADE VS 3 WIDE

E N T E
C W M S
C
FS
SS
 SHADE VS DOUBLES

E N T E
C SS W M S
C
FS
 SHADE VS TRIPS

C E N T E
W M S
C
FS SS
 SHADE VS TRIO

E T N E
S M W
C C
SS
FS
 SHADE VS EMPTY

E T N E
S M W
C C
SS
FS
 UNDER

E T N S/T E
W M
C
C SS
FS
 UNDER VS WING T

E T N S/T E C
SS W M
C
FS
 UNDER VS TWINS

C E T N S/T E
W M
C SS
FS
 UNDER VS 3 WIDE

E T N E S
W M
C C
SS FS
 G VS PRO

C SS E N T E S FS C
W M
 G VS POWER I

FS C E N T E S SS
W M C
 G VS TRIPS

FS E N T E SS
C S C
W M
 G VS ACE

FS E N T E S SS
C C
W M
 COVERAGES
• COV 1
• COV 2
• COV 21
• COV 3
• COV 3 Weak
• COV 3 Strong
• COV 4
• COV 5
 COVER
1

E N T E
W C
Man on 2 weak
M S Combo 3 strong

SS
Combo 3 strong

C
FS
 COVER
2

E N T E C
C
W
Fade to
Fade to flat
Hook/Curl
M S Flatt
Midle Hole Hook/Curl

FS SS
Deep
Deep 1/2
1/2
 COVER
21

E N T E C
C W M S
Man#1Strong
Man #1 Weak
Man # 2 Weak
Man # 3 Man #2 Strong

FS SS
Deep 1/2
Deep 1/2
 COVER
3

E N T E
SS
Flat
W M S
Hoo/Curlt
C
C
Hook/Curl
Deep 1/3 Flatrl Deep 1/2

FS
Middle 1/3
 COVER
3 WEAK

E N T E
W C
Hook/Curl
M S
Hook/Curl Flat Deep 1/3

FS
!TE!

SS
Deep

C 1/3
Deep Middle 1/3 !TE!
Flat
 COVER
3 STRONG

E N T E
C C
Deep 1/3 W M S Flat
Flat
Hook/Curl Hook/Curl !TE!

FS Middle 1/3
SS
Deep 1/3
 COVER
4

E N T E
W M S
Hoo/Curlt
C
C
Hook/Curl
Deep 1/2
FS
Hook/Curl
SS Deep 1/2

Flat

Middle 1/3
 COVER
5

E N T E S
Flat

W M
C
Hook/Curl
Hook/Curl

FS SS
Deep 1/3

C Deep
Deep Middle 1/3 !TE!
Flat1/3
 5 BLITZES

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
MIKE
MLB ATTACKS STRONG A

E N T E
C W S K
M

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
MAN
MLB ATTACKS WEAK A-N ATTACKS STRONG A

E N T E
C W S K
M

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
MAT
MLB ATTACKS STRONG B -T ATTACKS STONG A

E N T E
C W S K
M

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
WILL
WILL ATTACKS WEAKSIDE B GAP

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
WIN
WILL ATTACKS WEAK A-N ATTACKS WEAK B

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
WITCH
WILL ATTACKS WEAK C –E ATTACKS WEAK B

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
SAM
SAM ATTACKS C GAP

E N T E
C W S K
M

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
SWITCH
SAM ATTACKS D -E ATTACKS C

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
SHOOT
SAM ATTACKS STRONGSIDE A GAP

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
STING
SS ATTACKS STRONGSIDE C-E ATTACKS D

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
STUNG
SS ATTACKS STRONG SIDE D GAP

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
FLING
FS ATTACKS WEAKSIDE B GAP

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
FLUNG
FS ATTACKS WEAKSIDE C-E ATTACKS WEAKSIDE
B

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
COBRA
COBRA ATTACKS FROM EDGE

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 5 BLITZES
KILLER
KILLER ATTACKS FROM EDGE

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 6 BLITZES

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 6 BLITZES
FAST
FS ATTACKS WEAKSIDE C-E ATTACKS WEAKSIDE
B
SS-ATTACKS STRONGSIDE D

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 6 BLITZES
STAF
FS ATTACKS WEAKSIDE C-E ATTACKS WEAKSIDE
B
SS-ATTACKS STRONGSIDE D

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 6 BLITZES
WAM
WILL ATTACKS WEAK B-MIKE ATTACKS STRONG A

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 6 BLITZES
MAS
MIKE ATTACKS STRONG A-SAM ATTACKS STRONG
C

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 6 BLITZES
SAW
SM ATTACKS STRONG D-WILL ATTACKS WEAK B

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 6 BLITZES
SWEEP
SAM ATTACKS STRONG C-WILL ATTACKS WEAK C

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 6 BLITZES
SAMWITCH
SAM ATTACKS STRONG D-WILL ATTACKS WEAK C

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 7 BLITZES

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 7 BLITZES
SWARM
WILL ATTACKS WEAK B-MIKE ATTACKS STRONG A-SAM ATTACKS STRONG C

E N T E
C W S K
M

FS SS
 7 BLITZES
SWIM
WILL ATTACKS WEAK C-MIKE ATTACKS WEAK A-SAM ATTACKS STRONG C-E ATTACKS
WEAK B-N ATTACKS STRONG A-E ATTACKS STRONG D

E N T E
C W S K
M

FS SS
 7 BLITZES
TRIPLE
WILL ATTACKS WEAK A-MIKE ATTACKS STRONG B-SAM ATTACKS STRONG C-E
ATTACKS WEAK C-N ATTACKS STRONG B-T ATTACKS STRONG A-E ATTACKS STRONG
D

E N T E
C W S K
M

FS SS
 STUNTS

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 STUNTS
NAT
NOSE FIRST TACKLE SECOND

E N T E
C W S K
M

FS SS
 STUNTS
TAN
TACKLE FIRST NOSE SECOND

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 STUNTS
STRONG

E N T E
C W S K
M

FS SS
 STUNTS
WEAK

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 STUNTS
DOUBLE

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 STUNTS
PINCH

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 STUNTS
TEX
T 1ST ATTACKS STRONG C GAP-E SECOND LONG STICK TO STRONG A GAP

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 STUNTS
NEX
N GOES FIRST TO WEAK C GAP- E SECOND LONG STICKS TO WEAK A GAP

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS SS
 3-5 VOID PRINCIPLE
FS #5- SS #3 WILL REPLACE THE BLITZING LB
SINGLE DOG RUN BLITZ

E 5 TECH N T3 TECH E
C W S K
M

FS#5 SS#3
 MIKE
MIKE-VOID 3
SS REPLACES MIKE AFTER BLITZ ASSUMES HIS RESPONSIBILITIES

E N T E
C W S K
M

FS#5 SS#3
 MAN
MAN-VOID 5
FS REPLACES MIKE AFTER BLITZ ASSUMES
HIS RESONSIBILITIES

E N T E
C W S K
M

FS#5 SS#3
 MAT
MAT-VOID 3
SS REPLACES MIKE AFTER BLITZ ASSUMES RESPONIBILITIES

E N T E
C W S K
M

FS#5 SS#3
 WILL
WILL-VOID 5
FS REPLACES WILL AFTER BLITZ ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITIES

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS#5 SS#3
 WIN
WIN-VOID 5
FS REPLACES WILL AFTER BLITZ ASSUMES RESPONIBILITIES

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS#5 SS#3
 WITCH
WITCH-VOID 5
FS REPLACES WILL AFTER BLITZ ASSUMES RESPONIBILITIES

E N T E
C W S K
M

FS#5 SS#3
 SAM
SAM-VOID 3
SS REPLACES SAM AFTER BLITZ ASSUMES RESPONIBILITIES

E N T E
C W S K
M

FS#5 SS#3
 SWITCH
SWITCH-VOID 3
SS REPLACES SAM AFTER BLITZ ASSUMES RESPONIBILITIES

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS#5 SS#3
 SHOOT
SHOOT-VOID 3
SS REPLACES SAM AFTER BLITZ ASSUMES RESPONIBILITIES

E N T E
C W K
M S

FS#5 SS#3