The Evolution

2008---Blitz Based
14.8 points / game
Gave up 30 points twice
State Quarterfinals
8-4
2009---Read, Movement and Formation Based
6.1 points / game
8 defensive shutouts
State Champions
11-3 Record
One (1) 100 yard rusher
2010---Read, Movement and Formation Based
18.6 points / game
12-2 Record
Forced 44 turnovers (3.1 Turnovers / game)
State Champion Runner-Up
Why the Odd Front Defense?

Diversity, Flexibility, Adaptability

What we have to Defend:
Spread (3-5-3 / 3-4-4)
Empty (3-5-3 / 3-4-4)
Pro (5-3-3)
Unbalanced (5-3-3 Overload)
Trips Tight (5-3-3 Knock)
Double Tight, Double Wing (5-3-3)
 Principle Defense
1) Stop Run (don’t be afraid to use
extra people)
--forces you to be good in man coverage
2) Play Fast, Run to the Ball
3) Make Guards and TE’s care—force
double teams!
4) Hot –Cold Key Read / Open-Closed
Windows
5) Make Opponent one-dimensional
 Vs. Spread
Match Numbers
if QB is runner, we need 7 in box
if QB is passer / non-running threat,
we need 6 in box
nearly always zone trips / gives us
extra run support player
dump option vs. Trips / Single (1/4, ¼,
½)
 Alignment vs. Spread

B B B B B
C C
E N E
Video: Spread
Video: Spread (Trips)
Video: Spread
Video: Spread
Video: Spread
 Vs Empty
No blocking back
Six man box gives us extra hat against
run
Zone Trips
Man Two-Receiver side
Drop OLB and play 3-4 Cover 2 / 2 Lock
Bring Pressure: 1 more than they can
block
 Alignment vs. Empty

F C

B B B B B
C
E N E
 Alignment vs. Empty

SS F C
B B B B
C
E N E
Vs. Pro
 Alignment vs. Pro

F
B B B
C C
B E N E B
Video: Pro
Video: Pro
Video: Pro
Video: Pro
Video: Pro
 Vs. Unbalanced
Line-up Unbalanced, we simply
shift a man to strength.
– Define unbalanced as two players on
one side of center

We will often run a 5-4 Invert to

get another hat in box and even
numbers.
Alignment Vs. Unbalanced

C C
B B B F

B E N E B
Video: Unbalanced
Video Unbalanced
 Vs. Trips Tight End

Must take pressure off TE-side OLB

Move your front 1 technique to TE

side
Essentially, this front becomes a
4-3 Under look.
Alignment vs. Trips Tight End

C F
B B B
C
B E N E B
Video: Trips TE
Video: Trips TE
Video: Trips TE
Video: Trips TE
Vs. Double Tight / Double Wing
Roll into Man to Man
5-3 roll to fly motion w/ free safety
---secondary run support is imperative
--mirror load (Double Dive)
--Fill edge on down (buck, toss)
Alignment vs. Double Tight, Double
Wing
F
C C
B B B

B E N E B
Double Tight, Double Wing
Double Tight, Double Wing
 Tuscola Warrior Contact Information
• Rick Reinhart: Head Coach
• Pat Pierce: Co-Defensive Coordinator
• Andy Romine: Co-Defensive Coordinator
• Ted Minger: Defensive Line Coach
Tuscola High School
500 S. Prairie
Tuscola, IL 61953
(217) 253-2377