DEFENSIVE PLAYBOOK

Curtis Vikings

“A Defensive Player’s Commitment To His

Team Is Measured By The Distance He Is
From The Ball At The End Of The Play.”
PHILOSOPHY/STRUCTURE

Curtis Vikings
Curtis Football
Defensive Philosophy

 Get the ball back !!!

 Play with great effort and emotion
 Be a great tackling team
 Stop the run. Get an unblocked player to the
point of attack
 Be sound in perimeter leverage and pass
coverage (eliminate big plays)
Defensive Positions

Anchor Nose Blood

Viking Rover
Sam Will

Mac
Free
Safety
Field Boundary
Corner Corner

Call Side
Lucky
2015 Viking Defense
Base Fronts Outside Blitz Inside Blitz
Bear/Bull Bronco Freeze Stallion Monsoon Stallion
(Blizzard)

Twister Stallion Fire Stallion

Rhino/Elephant Bronco

Short Yardage Goal Line Prevent

Bear/Bull Stallion Bear/Bull Mustang Bear/Bull Bronco Stay/Sink
Curtis Viking Defense
Day 1 Install

Bear/Bull
Bronco vs. 2 back Pro
Robber
Bunch Adjustment
Bull Bronco
Position Alignment Run To Run Away Pass
Technique

Sam/Will Stack DE Key OG Tough Fit Fold Hook Drop

on TE Squeeze C gap Trail Spy QB
Outlaw vs. wide #2 Squeeze C gap Fold
Anchor/Blood B gap Tilt Cancel B gap Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush

Nose Head up OC Flatten/Pursue Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush

“0” Technique
Mac Stack Nose 6-8 yds Key Run Strong Run Weak Fit Robber Vertical #2
weak OG Fit A gap out Inside/out
Robber tight #2 Area Seam
Area wide #2
Viking/Rover Press align #1 Contain D gap Fold Sink until flat is
Robber 4x4 threatened
Area Sink
Free Safety 8-10 Yds Outside B Fit Inside Out Cutback Robber Vertical #2
Key OG
Robber tight #2 Area Seam
Area wide #2
Corner 12yards Pass first Pass First Robber Vertical #1
Robber Split #1-Hash Crack Replace Cut off
Area on Hash Area Deep Hash
Bear
Lucky Call

S A N B
V
Tough Technique
R
Key OT
W

M Stack Technique
Key OG
FS

C C
Bear- Bump Adjust

Lucky Call

A N B W
V R
Bump adjust
S Tough Technique
Key OT
Stack Technique M
Key OG

Align outside
FS B gap
C Key OG C
Stack Align
Key OG
Bronco Coverage

Curtis Vikings
Bronco

Bronco is the base coverage for this defense.

 It provides both a sound coverage scheme against multiple

formations and outstanding run support.

 Because of the run fit possibilities of the Free Safety, this

coverage allows for a nine man front against two back
formations.

 Against the pass, Bronco is a zone coverage where each side

of the defense has a choice of combinations to best cover the
opponents receivers.
 Bronco vs. Pro Formation

S W
V
Hook R
Sink /Flat
Hook
Sink/Flat
M
FS
C Deep 1/2
Vertical #2 away
C
Split Middle Hole Split
Vertical #2
#1/Hash if no threat #1 /Hash
Vertical Vertical #1
#1
Robber Call Robber Call
 2 receiver side vs. Pro
Robber

Press
V
Pre-snap
alignment 4x4 key TE

FS
Vertical #2

C C

Split #1 and hash Pre-snap alignment

Vertical #1 12 yards deep on hash
1 Receiver side vs. Pro
Robber

R
#2 Vertical
Deep middle hole
M R Press
Pre-snap
If no #2 vertical
4x4 key OT alignment

C C
Pre-snap alignment
12 yards deep on hash Split #1 and hash
Vertical #1
Robber Wing adjustment
Bunch

V
4x4

C FS

Crack replace Fit

Wing
Robber Nub TE adjustment
Bunch

R
4x4

M
Fit C

Crack
replace
off of
TE
block
Monster/Corner
Techniques

Curtis Vikings
Robber Monster assignments

Run to Run to
Squeeze Squeeze

V
R

Run away
Pass
Fold
Sink until flat
is threatened Pass
Run away
Sink until flat
Fold
is threatened
Monster sink vs. verticals

Sink

C FS Vertical#2

Split #1/hash
Vertical#1
Monster sink vs. WR short routes

Sink
Drive on
QB Throw C
Split #1 /Hash
Take all verticals by #1
Monster sink vs. Smash

S
V
“China” call
Drive to #1
Sink
Call “China”
Drive on
QB Throw C

Split #1/Hash
 Monster sink vs. #2 out

Sink
Squat to #2
C Split #1/hash
vertical #1
Cover wheel
Linebacker/Free Safety
Techniques

Curtis Vikings
Sam/Will Alignments

#2

Stack Alignment
#2 in backfield DE

S/W
Tough Alignment
#2 TE

#2

S/W DE
Sam/Will Alignments

Easy Alignment
#2 TE

#2
DE
S/W

Outlaw Alignment
#2 wide
#2

S/W
DE
Start on #2 S/W

Split #2/Ball
Free Safety run fits
OG Read

Down
Inside /out Out
Fit Fit

Scoop/Pull
Cutback

FS
Mac run fits
OG Read

Down
Scoop/Pull Inside /out
A gap out strong Fit
M
Out
Fit
Inside Out
Free Safety run fits
TE/EMLOS Read (Jumbo Call)

Down

Reach

Backside scoop

FS

Fit
Linebacker
Pass Drops

Curtis Vikings
Robber FS/Mac
Pass drops

TE Out

TE Drag-
TE under backside S/W
vertical

Rob in-breaking FS/M Cover TE

routes by #1 vertical
Middle Hole
Cover TE
vertical
Bronco
OLB Drops

S
W

Hook
Hook
12 yards deep
12 yards deep
on hash
Bronco Banjo-spy

S
Redirect to seam W
Hook
Redirect to QB M

Throw back
FS QB scramble

Seam to hook
Curtis Viking Defense
Day 2 Install

Rhino/Elephant

Bronco vs. 2 back Twin

Bronco vs. 2x2 Formations
Area
Rhino/Elephant

Rhino Call

S A N B

Elephant Call

B N A S
W
Bronco Wide #2 Adjustment
Area

Curtis Vikings
2 Back Twin (Rhino Call)

S A N B
V Outlaw W R
Split Ball/#2
Hook Hook Sink/Flat
Sink/Flat
M

FS #2 Vertical
Deep Hash C Middle Hole C Split #1/Hash
if no threat
Seam
Area Call Robber Call
2x2 Area Call both sides (Rhino Call)

S A N B
V Outlaw
W R
Split Ball/#2 Hook
Hook Sink/Flat
Sink/Flat M
FS
Seam
Deep Hash C C Deep Hash

Seam
Area Call Area Call
Area Monster/Corner
Techniques

Curtis Vikings
 Area vs. verticals

V
Sink

Deep Hash
Break on
C QB throw
Area vs. Bubble Screen

V S

Read #2 Outlaw Hook

Attack #1

Over #1
Area vs. WR Hitch

V S
Outlaw Hook

Sink
Drive on
QB Throw
C
Deep Hash
Area vs. Smash

V S

“China” call
Sink Drive to #1
Call “China”
Drive on
QB Throw C
Deep Hash
 Area vs. #2 out

Sink
Squat to #2
C Split #1/hash
vertical #1
Cover wheel
Curtis Viking Defense
Day 3 Install

Snow/Wind
Stallion

Area vs. 3x1

Area vs. 3x1

Curtis Vikings
 Area
vs. 3x1

A N B
V S R
Outlaw
call W
Sink/Flat Sink/Flat
Hook M Hook
FS
In-breaking Routes C Deep Half
Outside 1/4
C Inside 1/4
3-to-2-to-1

Special Call Special Call

 Area vs. verticals

M
Sink
Middle Hole
FS Take any in route
From 3 receiver side
C

Outside 1/4 Outside 1/4

 Area vs. verticals #3 Inside

M
Sink
Middle Hole
FS Carry #3 vertical

Outside 1/4 Inside 1/4

Area vs. #2 Step Off

S
V

Read #2 Outlaw
Attack

Over #1 for “pump”

Area vs. #3 Bubble Screen

V S

Read #2 Outlaw Hook

Attack
bubble

Over #1 for “pump”

 Area vs. #2 out

Sink
Squat to #2
Cover wheel
C FS

Vertical #1 Seam
 Area vs. #3 out

Sink
FS
Come to #3
in flat on Seam
QB throw
C

Outside 1/4
Rhino/Elephant Snow/Wind Stallion
Position Alignment Run To Run Away Pass
Technique
Sam/Will Flex Align or Fit Fold Flat
Tough TE Squeeze C/B gap Trail
Outlaw Contain Blitz
Anchor/Blood B gap Cancel B gap Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush

Nose Titlt Flatten/Pursue Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush

A gap
Mac Stack Nose 6-8 Yds A gap out Fit Robber Vertical #2
Key weak OG
Robber tight #2 Area Seam
Area wide #2
Viking/Rover 4x4 Contain D gap Trail Area Sink

Free Safety 8-10 Yds Outside B Fit Cutback Robber Vertical #2

Robber tight #2
Area wide #2 Area Seam
Corner 12 yards Pass first Pass First Robber Vertical #1
Robber Split #1-Hash Crack Replace Cut off
Area on Hash Area Deep hash
Rhino Snow Stallion

S A N B
V
W R
Flat
M Hook Flat

Vertical #2
Middle Hole
FS
C
Vertical
#2
Split #1/Hash C
Split #1/Hash Vertical#1
Vertical #1

Robber Call Robber Call

Rhino Snow Stallion
vs. 2x2

S A N B

V W
Hook R
Sink M
FS Sink
Seam

Seam to Hook

C C
Deep Hash
Deep Hash
Area Call Area Call
Rhino Snow Stallion
vs. 3X1
Blizzard

A N B
S
V W R
Hook
Sink M Flat

FS
C
Seam to Hook C
Deep Hash
Middle Hole Split #1 Hash
In Breaking Vertical #1

Special Call
Special Call
Curtis Viking Defense
Day 4 Install

Outside Pressures
Freeze Stallion
Twister Stallion
Freeze Stallion
Position Alignment Run To Run Away Pass
Technique
Sam/Will Stack DE Key OG Fit Fold Flat
Tough TE Squeeze C gap Trail
Outlaw Blizzard vs. Contain Blitz
wide #2

Anchor/Blood B gap Cancel B gap Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush

Nose Head up OC Flatten/Pursue Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush

Loop A gap away
from call
Mac Stack Nose 6-8 Yds A gap out Fit Robber Vertical #2
Key weak OG
Robber tight #2 Area Seam
Area wide #2
Viking/Rover Blitz D gap Contain D gap Trail Contain Rush
Check Blizzard Area Sink
wide #2
Free Safety 8-10 Yds Outside B Fit Cutback Robber Vertical #2
Robber tight #2
Area wide #2 Area Seam
Corner 12 yards Pass first Pass First Robber Vertical #1
Robber Split #1-Hash Crack Replace Cut off
Area on Hash Area Deep hash
Freeze Stallion

S A N B
V
W R
Flat
M Flat
Vertical #2
Middle Hole
FS
C
Vertical
#2
Split #1/Hash C
Split #1/Hash Vertical#1
Vertical #1

Robber Call Robber Call

Freeze Stallion
vs. 2x2
Blizzard
Blizzard

S A N B

V W
R
Sink M
FS Sink
Seam to Hook

Seam to Hook

C C
Deep Hash
Deep Hash
Area Call Area Call
Freeze Stallion
vs. 3X1
Blizzard

A N B
S
V W R

Sink M Flat

FS
C
Inside 1/4 C
Outside 1/4
Middle Hole Deep Hash
In-Breaking

Special Call
Special Call
Twister Stallion
Position Alignment Run To Run Away Pass
Technique
Sam/Will Stack DE Cancel B gap Fold/Trail Pass Rush
Blitz B gap
Anchor/Blood C gap Cancel C gap Flatten/Pursue Contain Pass Rush

Nose Head up OC Flatten/Pursue Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush

Loop A gap away
from call
Mac Stack Nose 6-8 Yds A gap out Fit Robber Vertical #2
Key weak OG
Robber tight #2 Area Seam
Area wide #2
Viking/Rover Press Align #1 Contain D gap Fold Sink until flat is
Robber 4x4 threatened
Area sink
Free Safety 8-10 Yds Outside B Fit Cutback Robber Vertical #2
Key OG
Robber tight #2 Area Seam
Area wide #2
Corner 12 Yards Pass first Pass First Robber Vertical #1
Robber Split #1-Hash Crack Replace Cut off
Area on hash Area Deep Hash
Twister Stallion

A N B
S
V W R
Sink
M Sink

FS
C Vertical #2 away
No threat middle Hole
Robber C
Split #1/Hash
Vertical #1 Vertical #2

Split #1/Hash
Vertical #1
Robber Robber
Call Call
Twister Stallion
vs. 2X2

A N B
V R
S W
Sink
M Sink

FS
C
C
Seam to Hook Seam to Hook
Deep Hash
Deep Hash

Area Call Area Call

Twister Stallion
vs. 3x1

A N B
V S W R
Sink M Sink

C FS
C
Inside 1/4 Middle Hole
Outside 1/4 In-Breaking Split #1/Hash
Vertical #1

Special Call
Special Call
Curtis Viking Defense
Day 5 Install

SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Inside Pressure
Rhino/Elephant Monsoon Stallion
Fire Stallion
Goalline
Bear Mustang
Prevent
Bronco Stay/Sink Coverage
Rhino/Elephant Monsoon Stallion
Position Alignment Run To Run Away Pass
Technique
OLB away Stack DE Fit Flat
Tough TE Cancel C gap Blizzard Trail Contain Blitz
Outlaw Blizzard Blizzard blitz C gap
vs. Wide #2
OLB to call Stack DE Cancel B gap Check Counter Robber Vertical #2
Area Seam
DE away Head up OT Cancel A gap Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush
Long Slant to A gap
DE to call Head up OT Cancel C Gap Trail Contain Rush
Loop C gap
Nose Head up OC Cancel A gap Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush
Loop A gap to call
Mac Stack Nose 6-8 Yds Cancel B gap Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush
Blitz B gap away
Monster Blitz D gap Contain D gap Trail Contain Blitz
Away Area sink Area Seam
Monster To Press align #1 Contain D gap Fold Sink
call Robber 4x4
Area sink
Free Safety 8-10 Yds Outside B Fit Cutback Robber Vertical #2
Key OG
Robber tight #2 Area Seam
Area wide #2
Corner 12 Yards Pass first Pass First Robber Vertical #1
Robber Split #1/Hash Crack Replace Cut off
Area Hash Area Deep Hash
Rhino Monsoon Stallion

V S A N B
Slant to A gap R
Flat W Sink
M
FS
Vertical #2
Vertical#2 Middle Hole
C C
Split #1/Hash
Vertical #1 Split #1/Hash
Vertical #1
Robber Call Robber Call
Rhino Monsoon Stallion
vs. 2X2

Blizzard

S A N B
R
V Slant to A gap

M W
Sink
Sink

FS Seam to Hook

Seam to Hook
C C

Deep Hash Deep Hash

Area Call Area Call

Rhino Monsoon Stallion
vs. 3X1

Blizzard

S A B
N
V Slant to A gap R
W
Sink Sink
M

FS Middle Hole
C In-Breaking
C
Inside 1/4
Split #1/Hash
Outside 1/4
Vertical #1
Special Call
Special Call
Fire Stallion
Position Alignment Run To Run Away Pass
Technique
Sam Stack DE Fit Fold Robber Vertical #2
Outlaw wide #2
Area Seam
Will Stack DE Cancel B gap Check counter

Anchor/Blood Head up OT Cancel C gap Trail Contain Pass Rush

Loop C gap
Nose Head up OC Flatten/Pursue Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush
Loop A gap away
from call
Mac Stack Nose Attack Flatten/Pursue Blitz A/B gap
Blitz OG
in or out
Viking/Rover Press align #1 Contain D gap Fold Sink until flat is
Robber 4x4 threatened
Area sink
Free Safety 8-10 Yds Outside B Blitz open gap Flatten/Pursue Blitz A/B gap
Blitz A/B
opposite Mac

Corner 12 Yards Pass first Pass First Robber Vertical #1

Robber Split #1-Hash Crack Replace Cut off
Area Hash Area Deep Hash
Fire Stallion

A N B
S
V W R
Sink Robber
Vertical #2
M Sink
FS Vertical #2
Middle Hole
C
C
Split
#1/Hash
Vertical #1
Split
#1/Hash
Robber Robber
Vertical #1
Call Call
Fire Stallion
vs. 2X2

A N B
V R
S W
Sink Seam to Hook Sink
FS M Seam to Hook

C
C
Deep Hash
Deep Hash

Area Call Area Call

Fire Stallion
vs. 3x1

A N B
V R
S
Sink
W
Seam to Hook M Sink

FS
C Middle
Hole C

Deep Hash
Split #1/Hash
Vertical #1
Area Call
Robber Call
Goal Line Defense

Bear Mustang
Bear/Bull Blizzard Mustang
Position Alignment Run To Run Away Pass
Technique
Sam/Will Tough on TE Squeeze C gap Trail Contain rush

Anchor/Blood Shift to B gap Cancel B gap Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush

Gap Charge
Nose Head up OC Flatten/Pursue Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush
Loop A gap away
from call
Mac Stack Nose A gap out Fit Seam
3-5 Yards
Key weak OG

Viking/Rover 1-2 Yds Outside TE Contain D gap Fold Flat

Outside Press
wide #2
Free Safety 3-5 yards Fit Cutback Seam
Outside B gap
Key OG
Corner Outside Press #1 Pass first Pass First Outside Press #1
Sink Crack Replace Cut off Sink
Bear Blizzard Mustang

C S A N B W
V C
R
Outside Press Flat
Flat Outside Press
Sink
FS M Sink

Seam Seam
Middle
Bear Blizzard Mustang
vs. 2X2

C S A N B W
R C
Outside Press V
Outside Press Outside Press
Sink
FS M Flat Sink
Outside Press
Flat
Seam Seam
Bear Blizzard Mustang
vs. 3x1

C S A N B W
V C
Outside Press R
Sink
Outside Press
Flat
FS M Flat
Outside Press
Sink

Seam Middle
Stay/Sink Coverage

Curtis Vikings
 Stay vs. Pro Formation

V S
R
Hard Squat Hook
W Hook
Hard Squat

M
Deep Hash
C Seam away
C
Deep Hash
Deep 1/2 FS

Seam
Area Call Area Call
Sink vs. Pro Formation

S W

Hook
V
Hook R

Sink M Sink
C
Seam away
Deep Hash FS C Deep Hash

Seam
Area Call Area Call
Stay vs. 2x2

R
V S W
Hard
Outlaw Hook Squat
Hard Outlaw Hook
Squat M
FS Seam
Seam
Deep Hash C C Deep Hash

Area Call Area Call

Sink vs. 2x2

S W

V Outlaw Hook R
Outlaw Hook
M
Sink Sink
FS Seam

Deep Hash C C Deep Hash

Seam

Area Call Area Call

Stay vs. 3x1

W
V S R
Hook Hook
Hard M Hard
Squat Squat
FS
Middle
Hole
Deep Hash C Deep Hash
Seam
C
Area Call Area Call
Sink vs. 3x1

W
S
M Hook
Hook
R
V Middle
FS Hole Sink
Sink Deep Hash
Deep Hash
Special

C
Seam C

Area Call Area Call

Punt Block

Swat
Swat
Position Alignment Run To Run Away Pass
Technique
Sam/Will Tough on EMLOS Squeeze C gap Trail Man on EMLOS
Hold up unless
out block by
EMLOS
Anchor/Blood Head up #3 Cancel B gap Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush
Hold up
Nose Head up OC Cancel A gap Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush
Loop A gap away
from call
Mac Edge rush away Contain D gap Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush
from call

Viking/Rover On #1 Pass first Pass first Press #1

Outside Press Crack Replace Cut off

Free Safety Edge rush to call Contain D gap Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush

Corner FC at return Pass first Pass First Deep 1/2

depth Crack Replace Cut off
BC at 10 yards
Swat vs. Spread Punt

FS S A N B W M
V
R
Outside Press
Sink Outside Press
Sink

C
Swat vs. Tight Punt

FS S A N B W M

V R

C
FG Block

Regular/Opposite
-Block into holder’s face
FG Block
Position Alignment Run To Run Away Pass
Technique
Sam/Will Tough on EMLOS Squeeze C gap Trail Man on EMLOS
Hold up

Anchor/Blood Head up #3 Cancel B gap Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush

Hold up
Nose Head up OC Cancel A gap Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush
Loop A gap away
from call
Mac Edge rush if call Contain Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush
side or scoop and
score

Viking/Rover On #1; Man #1 away Cancel D gap Pass first Press #1 away
from call; D gap Cut off Pass rush to call side
rush to call

Free Safety Edge rush to call; Contain Flatten/Pursue Pass Rush

scoop and score
opposite call
Corner #1 Man to call Pass first Pass First Man #1
side; Alley fit Crack Replace Cut off
player away from
call
FG Block

FS V S A N B W R M Scoop & Score

Man #2 Man #2 Man #1

C C C

Man #1 Split Field Pre-Snap Alignment

Pitch/Alley Fit
Kickoff
BASIC COVERAGE SCHEME

COVER IN 3 WAVES,
NOT TRADITIONAL LANES
FIRST WAVE
ATTACKS BALLCARRIER:

OUTSIDE MEN ON SHOULDER,

INSIDE MEN ON #
 R

3 2 1 2 1 K 1 2 1 2 3
SECOND WAVE
BREAKS DOWN 5-7 YARDS
FROM THE BALL IN THE
SAME RELATIVE POSITION
 R

3 2 1 2 1 K 1 2 1 2 3
1ST PHASE
• SPEED ZONE
▫ 20 Yards
 Cover ground
 Avoid contact
 Get back on track
2ND PHASE
• Reaction Zone
▫ 10 Yards
 Adjust waves to close on ball
 Dip and rip with inside arm
3rd Phase
• Contact Zone
▫ Converge on ball
▫ Maintain proper leverage
▫ All blocks must be engaged with inside arm and
shoulder
▫ Make sure tackle
 40
SPEED ZONE

50

40
REACTION ZONE

30

CONTACT ZONE
20

10

G
THIRD WAVE ARE SAFETIES -
FAST, SURE TACKLERS:
BREAKDOWN 10-12 YARDS FROM
BALL
SPEED (GAME SPEED) DETERMINES WHO
IS FIRST AND SECOND WAVE
 R

3 2 1 2 1 K 1 2 1 2 3
EACH WAVE MUST ADJUST TO
THE BALL AND MAINTAIN
PROPER LEVERAGE
 R

1 2 1 2 K 1 2 1 2 3 3
Coaching Points
• EACH MEMBER OF ALL • AVOID BLOCKS - ONLY TAKE
WAVES MUST BE IN THE ON BLOCKS WHEN IN A
PROPER RELATIVE POSITION POSITION TO MAKE A
(i.e. OUTSIDE SHOULDER, TACKLE OR WHEN BUSTING
OUTSIDE #) A WEDGE
• STRESS ATTACK ANGLES, • ALL CONTACT WITH
LATERAL MOVEMENT AND BLOCKERS MUST BE WITH
BREAKDOWN INSIDE SHOULDER
• ABILITY TO MOVE IN SPACE
AND GET BACK ON TRACK IS
KEY
DEFENSIVE PLAYBOOK

Curtis Vikings

“A Defensive Player’s Commitment To His

Team Is Measured By The Distance He Is
From The Ball At The End Of The Play.”