Base 3-3-5

and
Wing 5-3-3

Defensive Package

“11 Relentless Tigers to the Ball”

Defensive Philosophy: We are an attacking, gap-control defense that will blitz at least
one player on every down. These blitz’s are designed to work well against both the run
and pass with the emphasis on sacking the quarterback and forcing all run plays towards
the sideline- where we are able to run and pursue the football with all 11 players at full
speed. Our defense is also designed to give offenses multiple looks up front and in
coverage without being overly complex. Each position is given a set of rules to follow
for alignments, coverages and blitz’s; once these basic rules are learned the players are
then able to run any aspect of the scheme without over-thinking responsibilities or
alignment. Players in this defense are able to line-up easily and attack on every play
without allowing the offense to dictate responsibilities or reads. An emphasis on
stripping the football, sacking the quarterback and turning all turnovers into touchdowns
is an important aspect of this defense. All collisions on the quarterback are viewed as
strip opportunities, all fumbles get “scooped and scored” and all interceptions are
returned with the intention of becoming touchdowns. This same philosophy spills into
our special teams units and allows our players to be aggressive and relentless on every
down.

Defensive Lineman: We use 3 defensive linemen in every package and scheme. The
basic alignment is head-up on the center and tackles. Defensive lineman must be able to
line-up in both right and left-handed stances. We emphasis beating the offensive lineman
off the ball and attacking the next man’s half-body or gap depending on the call. Each
defensive lineman must not allow the man that he is lined up on to block him and must
also not allow the lineman that he is moving towards to block another defender. We use a
“dip and rip” technique in which the nose and ends “rip” to avoid being blocked by the
man that they are head-up on and a “dip” in order to occupy the adjacent gap. His read is
always on the offensive lineman that he slanted towards. If the lineman pulls- he gets in
his “hip-pocket” and runs; if the lineman blocks down on him- he fights across his face
not getting pushed off the ball; if the lineman pass blocks- he pass rushes his gap at full
speed and if the lineman goes to attack another defender he must cut him off.

“Slant”

E N E
Defensive lineman know which direction to “dip and rip” towards in one of two ways.
The first way is a direct call in the huddle- these calls include “slant”, “angle” and “gap”.
In the “slant” call the lineman move towards the tight end call made by the linebackers in
the “angle” call they move away. In the “gap” call the lineman shift towards the tight end
call and occupy the gap taking-on and reading which ever lineman attacks them. The
second way in which a lineman knows to move in based on the blitz call. If the linemen
are not given a direct call in the huddle, they simply move in the direction away from the
nearest blitz. For example if we have a strong side “A” gap blitz (“Tight Go”) call- the
nose goes weak “A” and the ends move towards the tight end or imaginary tight end.
Imaginary TE “Tight Go”

E N E

M
In the diagram above you can see that the lineman simply moved away from the blitz.
Whenever a defensive lineman moves towards an imaginary tight end he has contain rush
and run responsibilities. He also has quarterback vs. option and should initially read his
near back to pick up his run or pass read. Imaginary tight end movement will also give
that defensive lineman reverse control and boot responsibilities if he gets flow away from
him. If a defensive lineman is moving to his right he should be in a right-handed stance
and if he is moving left he should be in a left-handed stance. This stance enables him to
rip his on lineman and get his body moving into the gap.

Linebackers- In this scheme linebackers stack directly behind each of the defensive
lineman (the backer to the tight end will line up on the tight ends inside eye) and always
have gap responsibility opposite of the lineman in front of them. For example: if we have
a slant call the linebackers will be responsible for their gap away from the tight end.

E N E

B M B
Therefore, in this scheme every gap on every down versus every formation will either
have a lineman in it- a linebacker responsible for it- or a linebacker blitzing it at all times.
Linebackers must not run away from their gap responsibility too soon. They must always
use the “read step, shuffle, and lateral run” progression on every snap in order to be
successful. Linebackers read their gap responsibility only with their peripheral vision.
Their true read is in the back field. Linebackers always read their near back. In man
coverage this will also be the back that they are responsible for in coverage. In split
backs the “Mike” or middle linebacker reads the back to the tight end side. Linebackers
have basic back read rules as follows:
 B M B

B M B

TE

B M B
At least one linebacker will blitz on 80% of downs in this scheme. The “Mike”
linebacker has calls that can send him to the “A” or “B” gaps. The right and left
linebackers have calls that can send them to the “A”, “B” or “C” gaps. These calls are
based on formation or field position. “Field” or “Short” calls send the backer to blitz his
gap based on hash marks the “Tight” or “Open” calls are based on the tight end call.
Only “Field” and “Tight” calls are made once the offense lines up the “Open” and
“Short” calls are assumed. The “Go” and “Blast” calls send the Mike to the “A” and “B”
gaps respectively. The “Backer” call sends the Right and Left to the “A” gaps. The
“Exit” call sends them to the “B” gaps and the “Loop” call sends them the “C” gaps. The
calls can be put together in any combination. For example:
“Tight Go Open Exit”
 E N E

B M B
“Open Backer Tight Loop”

E N E

B M B
These calls can be put together in any combination desired as long as they keep with the
rules of the scheme. Another call that can be used is a “Dawg” call. This call is used
with and “Angle” or “Slant” call. This call simply sends the linebacker to the opposite
gaps that their defensive lineman moved towards. All calls can also be made in doubles.
For example: “Angle Dawg” or “Double Exit”:
“Angle Dawg”
 E N E

B M B

“Double Exit”

E N E

B M B
When blitzing, linebackers are to rip the lineman to the blitz side and not just shoot the
gap without contact. Their eyes should also be reading their back read responsibility as
they go. These blitzes are designed to hit the line of scrimmage at about the same time
that the ball is snapped. When a “Dawg” call is used- a “Stay” call can be added. This
call tells the Mike backer not to blitz. This is usually used in man coverage and allows
for the Mike backer to cover the back out or to spy quarterback.

Spurs- The most difficult position to play in this defense is the Spur. This position calls
for the football player to act as a combination safety, linebacker and defensive end. The
Spurs are used as coverage “adjusters” in pass and outside contain men vs. the run. This
player must be able to run with receivers in man coverage, play the quarterback in option,
contain the outside run and rush the passer when asked to blitz. Great size is not needed
to play this position but the player must be able to run and be a great open field tackler.
Alignment for the Spur position is referred to as “logical alignment”. Simply put, the
Spur lines up wherever would be the logical place for him based on his assignment and
coverage. The Spurs are the players that give this scheme the most pre-snap variation
and cause the defense to look at times like a 4-4, 5-3, 4-3 or 3-3 defense to the offense.
Spurs will never “flop” sides. The alignment is based primarily on the coverage call but
they also have two different blitz calls. These calls include the “Smoke” or the “Streak”
call:
“Open Smoke 3”
 E N E
$
B M B $

“Tight Streak 3”

E N E
$
$ B M B
When moving on a “Smoke” blitz the Spurs must be very aware of aiming points and
down and distance. This blitz can be used against both run and pass and is primarily used
in conjunction with the basic cover 3. Aiming point should be the toes of the nearest
running back. When going on a “Streak” blitz the Spur uses the same technique as a
linebacker moving on an “Exit” blitz.

Cover 3 rules are simple. The Linebackers to the “Smoke” side drop flat and hook to curl
in the direction of the blitz, in essence replacing the Spur. The same in true for
Linebacker blitzes. The “Mike” backer knows to always drop back towards the direction
of the blitz playing hook to curl and the right and left backers always drop hook to curl to
their side unless they have a “Smoke” which sends then sends them to replace the Spur in
the flat.
Open Smoke 3
 E N E
$ $
B M B
C C
1/3 FS 1/3
1/3

Tight Loop 3

E N E
$ $
B M B
C C
1/3 FS 1/3
1/3

In Cover 1 or man coverage the Spur always covers the #2 receiver against balanced
formations. #2 may be a tight-end- a slot receiver- or a back in the backfield. Once
again, logical alignment is used. The Spur must ask himself, “where is the best place for
me to align and cover this player man-to-man?” Against regular tight end trips, the Spurs
cover the tight-end and the #3 receiver. Tight-end trips is the only formation in which the
Spurs don’t cover the #2 receiver. Another coverage exception in cover 1 for the Spur is
vs. Trey and Spread Trips, in this case, the Spur will “Switch” with the Free Safety and
use his technique and the Free Safety plays man on the #3 receiver. Motion can put the
Spur and Free Safety in and out of the “Switch” call. The most difficult “Switch” takes
place when a team breaks the huddle in TE trips and then motions #2 across the
formation- we will switch and unswitch vs. that formation and motion. Corners run with
motion but spurs never do.
Cover 1 vs. Pro
 $ E N E $
C C
B M B

FS

Cover 1 vs. TE trips

$ E N E C
$ C
B M B
FS

Cover 1 vs. Trey

C $ E N E C
FS
B M B

$
“switch”
Cover 4 is yet another variation for the Spur. He must be able to play as a deep safety in
this coverage similar to his responsibility in the “switch” call. He will start in his Cover 3
alignment and then back-off to 7-9 yards deep and play quarters with the Corners. In
other words, he will cover deep 1/4 of the field. Linebackers in this coverage play the
same rules as Cover 3 with only 3 underneath. Therefore, the right and left backers play
hook-to-flat and the Mike backer plays the middle of the field if he’s not on a blitz. The
Free Safety plays the middle of the field vs. balanced formations and robs underneath vs.
trips formations of any kind. The Free Safety can also go on a “Fire” blitz which sends
him to the Open “A” gap.
Cover 4 vs. Pro

E N E
 B M B
C C
1/4 $ FS $ 1/4
1/4 1/4

Cover 4 vs. Trips

E N E
rob
B M B C
C $ $ 1/4
1/4 1/4 FS 1/4

Cover 4 vs. Trey

E N E
rob
B M B
C C
1/4 $ FS $ 1/4
1/4 1/4

Defensive Backs- Corners and Free Safeties in this scheme play traditional Cover 3 and
Cover 1 or Man coverage techniques. Corners will play outside leverage at about 6-9
yards in Cover 3 and inside leverage from 0-6 yards off in Cover 1. Free Safeties use a
basic triangle read and alignment- placing themselves half-way between the two widest
receivers in any formation and reading the triangle of wideout-to-QB-to-wideout in both
Cover 3 and Cover 1. Corners vs. option will go to pitch and the Free Safety runs the
alley from QB to pitch. Against any other run plays, corners are secondary contain for
the Spurs and the Free Safety will always run the alley cut-back lane.

alley alley
 triangle

FS

Cover 4 presents new techniques for the Defensive Backs. Corners are playing a
narrowed version of Cover 3, allowing them to be more aggressive with the #1 receiver in
short routes like outs, hooks, and slants. They have to be also aware of passing #1 on
sooner than they normally would to a safety. The Free Safety must be able to cover the
whole middle of the field from 8-14 yards deep against balanced formations and rob
against any triple formation. He must also be able to blitz the “Open A” gap in the “Fire”
call playing run or rushing the QB.

“Open Fire 4”

E N E

B M B
C C
1/4 $ $ 1/4
1/4 FS 1/4

Wing Package or 53- This scheme is a 5 man front used primarily against Wing-T, Fly
and Pro-Set Offenses. This package enables us to load up against the run and bring 8 to
10 defensive players into the box (depending on formation). We can use Cover 3, 1 or 0.
Cover 0 can only be ran against 2 back formations, when calling 0 in the huddle the
players must check into cover 1 if the offense presents or motions to a single back
formation. In Cover 3 we are unaffected by formation or motion of any kind. In this
package the Spurs walk up and become stand-up defensive ends or outside linebackers.
They will primarily rush the passer in this scheme. This package also enables us to put
some more size on the field and replace the Spurs with larger players such as Linebackers
or Defensive Ends. Against Wing-T teams the Spurs will use a “jam and replace”
technique on the wings keeping the outside arm free while taking on all pulling guards:
“Wing Slant”
 $ E N E $

B M B
The defensive linemen in this scheme will primarily “Slant” or “Gap”. These two
techniques get them moving in the direction of the key offensive blockers in the Wing-T,
the offensive guards and the tight-end. Their primary job in “Wing” is to insure that these
offensive players do not block another defender. If the Spurs and Defensive Linemen do
their jobs effectively, this enables our Linebackers to play their back read techniques and
run free to the football on every down. Defensive backs align to wide-outs or directly
behind the Spurs in cover 3:

“Wing Gap 3”

$ E N E $

B M B C
C FS

The Spurs and Linebackers must also factor in the far-side wing in their back read
progression. For example: if both backs flow away the backside Spur and Linebacker
must move their eyes all the way to the far side wing to play the tackle trap and sally
counter plays in the Wing-T:
 $ $

B M B
Notice that in the diagram above, the backside Linebacker and Spur wind up reading all
three backs through their progression. Another important aspect of playing the run in the
“Wing” defense is the Defensive Back alignment. When the corner has a receiver split
out wide, the corner just plays his normal cover 3 rules. When playing against a single
width formation the DB’s align directly behind the Spurs and play “Stack” run read rules
with the Spurs:

$ E N E $

B M B
C FS
In the “Stack” run rules the DB’s play off the Spurs as secondary players. In other words,
if the Spur gets caught too far inside or up field the DB will replace him and play contain.
If the Spur gets knocked off the ball or runs too far outside, the DB will dump inside and
play tough on the run.

According to down and distance, a “Cover” call can be used that tells one of the Spurs to
play his normal cover 3 alignment anticipating pass:

Wing Slant Open Cover 3

 $ E N E

B M B $

C FS C
1/3 1/3 1/3

This alignment allows the Spur to help in coverage vs. the Wing-T roll-out pass plays that
send multiple receivers to the flat.

The 53 package can also be used against Fly offenses and 2 back sets in conjunction with
Cover 0 to give maximum pressure on run plays. This scheme can give us 9-10 players
in the box to play run. Cover 0 also allows us to blitz one of the linebackers on every
play giving us 6 rushers against the pass and not allowing the QB time to find an open
receiver.

Wing Gap Tight Exit 0

$ E N E $ C
C
FS B M B

If the offense motions to ace back or breaks the huddle in an ace back set, we must check
out of 0 and into cover 1. An automatic blitz will also be used to insure at least 5 pass
rushers. To keep the automatic simple we will use a “Slant Dawg Stay” call, as a result, 7
of the 11 defenders are unaffected by the ace back:

Wing Gap 0 (Check Dawg Stay 1 vs. Ace Back)

C $ E N E $ C
 FS B M B

Lemoore Tiger Football

Terminology Sheet

Open Tight
Short Field

imaginary TE
C B A A B C
Open- the side of the formation away from the “Tight” call
Tight- the strong call –based on tight end or multiple receiver side of the formation
Short- small side of the field or the boundary side based on hash marks
Field- wide side of the field
Go- Mike linebacker A gap blitz
Blast- Mike linebacker B gap blitz
Backer- Right and Left linebacker A gap blitz
Exit- Right and Left linebacker B gap blitz
Loop- Right and Left linebacker C gap blitz
Smoke- Spur edge or D gap blitz
Streak- Spur B gap blitz
Dawg- Linebackers blitz their run gap responsibility
Double- both backers or spurs run the blitz (loop or smoke for example)
Slant- Defensive lineman move towards the Tight call
Angle- Defensive lineman move away from the Tight call
Gap- Defensive lineman stem to the tight side gap nearest them and occupy that gap
Stay- Mike linebacker doesn’t run the blitz
Soft- sets the Defensive backs deeper into the chosen coverage
Play it- tells the defense not to run any auto-checks and to play the call in the huddle
Wing- tells the Spurs to walk-up and play outside linebacker and to rush vs. pass
Switch- tells the Spur and Free Safety to switch responsibilities in man coverage