Harvard Defensive

Overview
Philosophy
Organization
Inventory
Unit

Drills

You have to have a Philosophy!

What?
Why?
When?
Who?
How Much?

Fast Ball, Change Up, & Curve

Need a defense that we can hang our hat on,

get aligned vs multiple formations, conceptually
adjusts with substitute defense(4 down vs 3
down). Defends the Schedule. Adaptable.
A compliment defense that can create conflict
but is easily understood.
A Blitz Package that can dictate to the Offense,
keep them honest, and disguises w/previous
packages.

Coaching Philosophy
Put players in position to be successful!
Maximize their strength and minimize
weakness. Be demanding but not going to
lose sleep over what a player cannot do,
ie. cover corner, run stopper
Flexibility within package to simplify and
expand.

3 Ways to get Beat

Beat yourself with mistakes. Simple!
Beat by opponent by being too predictable
and easy to attack. Multiple (2 to 3)
Beat by lacking talent(recruiting),
fundamental techniques(coaching), &
belief in a system(selling).

3 Ways to Win
Win with Fundamentals (Tackling, Block
Destruction, Takeaways)!
Win by Playing Fast within a scheme,
Good Vision, Pursuing to the ball, and
arriving with an Attitude!
Win by playing Smart situational football!
Mixed Downs, Pass/Draw/Screen Downs,
Red Area

The 3 Musts
No Big Plays (Runs >12, Pass >18) 07
stats were 10 Runs, & 21 Passes.
Get Off the Field (10 Take Aways a
Game).
Great Situational Defense (Red Area
(75%), Sudden Change (100%), 2 Minute
(100%), Overtime (100%), 4th Down, Last
Throw, 4 Minute)

07 Stats

2007
HARVARD DEFENSE
IVY CHAMPIONS
Nat. Rank Conf. Rank
Actual
Total Defense
5
1
275 ypg.
Scoring Defense*
5
2
15.6 ppg.
Rushing Defense
3
1
78 ypg.
Pass Defense Eff.
1
1
89.42
3rd Down Defense 1
1
22.3
Turnover Margin
1
1
+1.8
Interceptions
4
1
+21
Sacks 12
1
1
2.8 spg.
*Harvard Defense surrendered only 12.8 Points per Game.
1st Team All Ivy Defensive Players 6 (3 DBs)
All-American 1 (S. Williams - CB)
Academic All American 1 (A. Berry - CB)
National Players of the Week 2 (S. Williams - CB, D. Hewlett - FS)
Ivy League Player of the Week 4 (All DBs)
Harvard All Time Interception Leader Steve Williams (CB)

Run Inventory

Vs 2 TE & 2 Backs 10 Man Front with Sub or

Base Personnel (Robber)
Vs 1 TE & 2 Backs 9 & 8 Man Front. Robber,3,
Man free.
Vs. 1 Back & Broken 2 Back Sets 8 Man Front
with Sub/Base Personnel(3 Deep/Man Free) and
7 Man Front (2 Forms of Cover 2).
Vs Empty 2 Calls.

Adjustments

2 Ways (Safetys or LBs)

X
A
W
C

B
$

S
T
F

Additional Thoughts

Need a 1 word communication system in order to check from 1

concept to another. Formation or QB Audible can trigger a
Defensive Reaction.
You cannot practice entire package vs everything. Introduce what,
why, and when. Teach concepts from Day 1.
Build flexibility within the concepts that can fit the experience of your
personnel. Keep adjustments to the front 7 to a minimum.
The key to being multiple is to have players understand pursuit
responsibility and how it fits within a scheme. Our terms : Force, Fill,
Spill, Cutback, Counter Point, Chase, Clamp, Easy.

Coverage Inventory

Flexible Route Conscious 2 Deep. 56 Snaps.

Landmark 2 Deep(1 Back/Pass Downs). 13 Snaps.
3 Deep with Tags (All). 222 Snaps.
Man Free with Tags(All). 140 Snaps.
Man. 66 Snaps.
3 Deep/3 Under. 94 Snaps.
2 Deep/4 Under. 65 Snaps.
Note: Important to have a coverage that Safetys do all
the Adjusting.

Front Inventory
X
Base w/3 Tags
B
N
T
Change up w/1 Tag.
3 Down Package specific to long yardage
or passing situations.
Goaline (?)
Note: Keep LB Reads Clean & Consistent

Stunt Inventory
Flow Defense Reduction & Expansion to
TE Side, Reduction to SE Side, Inside
Twist or movement TE or SE.
Single Gap Defense Inside Twist, Inside
Movement TE,SE, to or away from
Backfield.

Games (Pass/Draw)
E & T or T & E (2 Tempos)
Wild (Give Top Rushers 2 Way Go)

We want to get good vs all protections (slide, man, max)

Pressure Inventory
3 Deep/3 Under (Field, Boundary, Middle)
2 Deep/4 Under
Man/Max Pressure with Ability to Show
and Play Max Coverage.
Man Free Change Ups (Sub Package)

Unit Drills & Goals

3 to 5 Minutes at beginning of Indy
Work Period
Focus on Technique, Effort, Attitude,
Fundamentals, the Little Things

Get Better Periods

Gun Option Rapid Fire

Q

Blitz Take Off

Boot Drill vs Air

N
M

B
S

Practice Organization

Meeting (Unit or Indy)

Walk Thru
Form Run
PAT/Block
Special Teams Circuit
Special Teams
Stretch
Unit Drill (Takeaway, Pursuit, Circuit)
Indy
Interior/Deep Ball, 1 on 1, 2 on 2
Perimeter (Other)
Skelly/Pass Rush
Team Pass vs Offense (Blitz/Bluff Emphasis)
Team Period vs Scout
Team Situation 1 vs 1
Frosh/JV Scrimmage

40 Min.
10 Min.
5 Min.
5 Min.
5 Min.
10 Min.
10 Min.
5 Min.
10-15 Min.
10-15 Min.
5 Min.
10 Min.
5 Min.
20-30 Min.
5-10 Min.
5-10 Min.

Production Chart (Points/Plays =

Index)

Tackle (+2)
Assist (+1)
Interception (+5)
Fumble Rec. (+5)
Force Fumble (+5)
Sack (+4)
Hurry (+2)
PBU (+2)
Screen Saver (+4)
BLT (+1)
EP Bonus

Missed Tackle (-2)

Loaf (-5)
Mental Error (-2)
Missed Assignment (-3)
OTL (-5)
Foolish Penalty (-4)
Poor Technique (-1)
Missed Opportunity (-3)
Knocked Down (-2)

Questions/Video
The coachessource.com
Simple Man Free Coverage
Tweaking Cover 3