O ur topic, Stemming and Stunting, can

best be approached by answering the

question, why? Stemming is used in our
Diagram 3: Wing Adjustments
Over 4/Zorro
Stemming & Stunting

system as a way we can change gap con-

trol on the backside of our defenses. In
doing so, we can adjust to an extra gap or
blocker that the offense is trying to use to
gain an advantage. Our goal is to out num-
ber the offense so we can control the run-
ning game. Over 4/Zorro Carl Reese
Stemming will also force the offense into
going on first sound and they will not be Defensive
able to use their audible system. Coordinator
* If the offense goes on first sound, try-
ing to catch the defense stemming, we will University of
fire to our work which will add a slant or Texas
angle look to our defense. At times, slanti- Diagram 4
ng and angling will get some unexpected Austin, Texas
penetration for our lineman. Stunts: All positions 3 Way Go.
Defend man
Stemming will, at times, confuse the
Defend gap to either side of man.
offensive linemen in their blocking assign-
Why Stunt?
ments and make them hesitate a little. We
Change gap control.
don’t want them to screw their cleats into Run/Pass
the ground and come off the bal (see 2 man/3 man
Diagrams 1, 2 & 3).
Stunts in our base fronts, are an Under G Tex Sam 1
exchange of gap control between linemen Hardee McCrary
or linebackers (see Diagrams 4 & 5).
Defensive Ends
Diagram 1

Stemming
Why Stem?

• Change gap control on back side Diagram 5

of defense.
Under Ed Sam 1
• Force offense into first sound.
No audible system
Fire to gap control Mike Tolleson
(Slanting)
• Confuse Offensive Line Defensive Line

Diagram 2: Stem Theory Under Stunt 4/Zorro

Over 4/Zorro

Duane Akina
Hardee McCrary, Defensive Ends
Over 4/Zorro & Mike Tolleson, Defensive Line
Defensive Backs
Defensive Line Play
The defensive scheme that we will
employ is one that we feel permits us to keep
responsibilities and alignments on simple
levels, but still give us range and flexibility to
face any problems an offense may confront
us with from a defensive standpoint.

• Proceedings • 79th AFCA Convention • 2002 •

 Each player must play within our defen- Alignment (Three-Tech)
10 Commandments of
sive framework if we are to be successful. Base
Defensive Line Play
1. Stance our defensive linemen must be the best -Inside foot of the DT should split the
technicians on the field. crotch of the Guard
Pre snap
2. Alingment Essentials in Defensive Line Play:
football I.Q.
1. Stance Diagram 9
3.Assignment
2. Alignment
4. Get Off 3. Keys
4. Ball Get/Off
5. Target 5. Pursuit/Containment
6. Cloth Technique 6. Pass Rush

7. Separate Type of Personnel

8. Escape
9. Pursuit
Effort
10. Tackle
Diagram 6: Bring It “Liz
Diagram 7: Under
Diagram 8: Over
All of our defensive lineman alignments,
responsibilities and techniques will remain
simple to allow our defensive linemen to play
in a highly emotional fashion. Thought
process should be very limited in our defen-
sive scheme.
Every defensive lineman and player in our
scheme must be polished in the techniques
taught to execute the proper responsibilities
and assignments described to him in order
for each defensive call to excel.
We feel that our defensive linemen must
be mentally and physically tough and
aggressive people by nature and personal - Light
ity. Overpowering physical size is not an all- -Inside foot of the DTon the outside foot
important consideration, but quickness and of the Guard
ability to adapt to the mechanical stresses
of the position are essential. Our defensive Diagram 10
linemen must have good to excellent short
range of explosion with shoulders and
hands.
They must be able to get and maintain
shoulder pad level and integrity versus the
offensive blocker and, as a result, control
his charge. Upper body and leg strength
are paramount considerations.
Our defensive linemen must be flexible Defensive Line Stance
with active feet. Attention to detail and We employ an elongated three-point
refinement of technique are constant caus- stance. We use this stance to allow maxi-
es for concern for defensive lineman peo- mum ball get-off and explosion.
ple and they must be extra effort people. Allow for individual differences. We want
our defensive linemen to be explosive yet
Defensive Lineman comfortable.
The following are some very important Elongated Stagger-Run Stance-prefer
principles and characteristics a person toe to in-step, no deeper than toe to heel.
should posses to play on the defensive line
at Texas: Diagram 11: Defensive Boxes
1. Have a burning desire to be success-
ful to be part of a great Texas defense.
2. Play with great effort and desire.
3. Play with a high degree of consisten-
cy and intensity.
4. Be a master of individual techniques.
5. Strive to improve daily. (Never make
the same mistake twice.) BGO
6. Play with discipline. (Huddle, Alignment
Assignment
Alignment, Responsibility, Execution.)
Adjustment
7. Keep your feet active. Pass Rush Lane Integrity
8. Play with poise. Blitz Review
9. Be in great condition, both mentally
and physically. Proper Mechanics of Stance
10. Be a sure tackler. 1. Feet Shoulder Width Apart
2. Weight on Inside Balls of Feet
Change Ups for Defensive Line 3. Knees in-heels out
1. Alignments 4. Hips flexed-butt extended
2. Stems 5. Shoulders Square-Back Flat
3. Slants 6. All Fingertips Contacting Ground

• Proceedings • 79th AFCA Convention • 2002 •

 7. Eyes Slightly Behind Hand Stem Technique beat the Guard’s block and stay on the
8. Head Up Slightly-Look Through Top 1. Stance and Alignment move if the tackle blocks down.
Bar of Mask • Three-point stance • When hammering as a three-tech-
9. Weight Slightly Forward •One-technique to the strength call, and a nique, beat the Guard’s block and stay on
10. Off Hand in Ready Position for Quick three-technique away from the call. the move if the center blocks back on you.
Strike • Tighten alignment toward line of • Rush passer in the proper lane.
Loose scrimmage 4/Zorro Coverage
-B-Gap Alignment * Hard Stunt -End lines up in a six-tech- Duane Akina, Defensive Backs
nique and steps to a five.
Diagram 12 2. Movement and Blow One of our lead coverages is 4/Zorro. It
• Key ball and helmet of guard and is a dual coverage call that insures we can
attack it. play an eight-man front with a Free Safety.
The basics of the coverage puts our
Diagram 15
Sam Backer on the Tight End and one of
the Safeties on the back of choice vs. a
two-back formation and cover-down vs. a
one-back formation. The other Safety plays
free. The two Corners will match up with
Slide the wide outs and our Mike and Will
-Inside shade on tackle Backers will work the other back.
You have the ability to play 4/Zorro in
Diagram 13 • Read on the move. different fronts. Here are some examples of
• Deliver the blow with your hat and hands. 4/Zorro vs. different formations.
3. Responsibilities This has been a great coverage for us
• Protect your gap. over the years at the University of Texas. I
• Keep proper arm and leg free. hope these concepts have stimulated some
• Rush passer in proper rush lanes. thoughts for you and your staff.
4. Coaching Points
Diagram 16
• Time out your stem. Get a feel for the
quarterback’s cadence. Pro (4 Call)
Tilt Technique • If you stem too soon, or the quarterback
1. Stance and Alignment starts to make a check-off at the LOS, stem
• Three-point stance, with your inside back to original alignment and start your work
leg back. Down hand should be on near again.
foot of center. • First sound, or if the ball is snapped prior
• Align to the outside tip of the pad of the to your steam, then use Fire Technique in
center in a 45-degree angle. order to get to your stem.
• Fire Technique is your Fail Safe in this
Diagram 14
technique. Diagram 17
Twins (4 Call)
Slant Technique (Hammer)
1. Stance and Alignment
• Tackles align in a three-point stance
about 12 inches away from your man.
• Align in a crotch split alignment ready
alignment ready to move right or left.
2. Movement and Blow 2. Movement and Blow
• Key ball and the center step with inside • Key ball and linemen you are stepping to.
foot. • Take a flat step toward your visual key
• Attack the “V” of the neck on the center with your lead foot. Diagram 18
with hat and hands. • At the same time, take your backside Pro (Offset Back)
• Keep your feet moving. arm back and rip it in the direction you are
3. Responsibilities moving.
• Keep tilt-side arm and leg free. • Stay on the move and cross face of all
• Flow to your (tilt side), Protect the A Gap down blocks. You must keep working to the
first, Squeeze backside AGap on Flow Away next defender so as not to open seams in
(Pump the Seam). Keep the center off the front.
backside linebacker. 3. Responsibilities
• Rush passer in proper rush lane. • When hammering as a one-technique,

• Proceedings • 79th AFCA Convention • 2002 •

 Diagram 19 Diagram 20 Diagram 21
Twins (Offset Back) Doubles Twins (Offset Back)

AFCA Guidelines
Regarding Probation
(Note: These guidelines have been prepared III. The coach who leaves an institution in
in conjunction with Article Nine of the AFCA good standing and moves to another institu-
Code of Ethics. It is meant to clarify the actions tion which has “major” probation problems
that are taken by the AFCA when a member’s not brought about by the new head coach:
institution is on NCAA or NAIA probation). The first two restrictions listed in Section I
will apply to the head coach, since any suc-
I. The coach that creates a “major” proba- cess his present team enjoys will be due in
tion problem at his present institution: part because of advantages gained by break-
The coach must abide by the following ruling ing NCAA regulations before his arrival.
until the major probation is lifted: The head coach can take part in the fol-
1. His institution is not eligible to be voted on in l o w i n g :
the USA Today/ESPN weekly football poll. 1. The coach is eligible to serve on the panel
2. The coach is not eligible for AFCA Coach of that does the voting on the USA Today/ESPN
the Year honors, and his name will not appear on weekly football poll.
such ballots. 2. The coach can serve on AFCA committees,
3. The coach is not eligible to serve on the speak at the AFCA national convention and con-
panel that does the voting for the USA tribute to AFCA publications.
Today/ESPN weekly football poll. 3. The coach can take part in all-star games.
4. The coach cannot serve on any AFCA com-
mittee, speak at the AFCA national convention or IV. AFCA probation is not affected by
contribute to any AFCA publication. delayed probation.
5. The coach cannot take part in any all-star If an institution cannot take part in televised
games. games, but gets its television penalties delayed a
year because of a previous television commit-
II. The coach that creates a “major” proba- ment, there will not be a delay from the AFCA. It
tion problem at his present institution and is our feeling that a coach would be punished
moves to another institution which is clear of instead. Therefore, the AFCA will have the televi-
that status: sion penalty go along with the probation period.
The restrictions listed in Section I will follow the
coach to his new institution, with one exception. His Failure to adhere to these standards shall
new institution is eligible to be voted on in the USA be grounds for probation, suspension or
Today/ESPN weekly football poll. expulsion from this organization.

• Proceedings • 79th AFCA Convention • 2002 •