3 Run Down Stop Calls Every Defensive Coordinator Must Have On Their Call Sheet

By Cody Alexander, Cornerbacks Coach, Lovejoy High School, Lucas, Texas, &
Author, Coaching Blog, MatchQuarters.com

The best option on the first play of a drive against most offenses is to line up in
your base and see how the offense is planning on attacking your defense for that
series.

The objective for any defense is to stay ahead of the chains on 1st down and
make the offense work for the rest. Its amazing to think how hard it is to get just
ten yards. Calling a defense is easy when the offense has its back against the
wall on 3rd and long.

It is the in-between downs (2nd down and medium, 3rd down and medium, etc),
however, is where a defensive coordinator earns his title.

The medium downs are truly the gray area of football. Blitzing on these downs
is crucial to staying ahead of the chains. Its a tough call if youre too
aggressive, your defense can give up a big play through the air if theres a
missed gap assignment. But if you stay too passive, a defensive coordinator can
stand by helplessly, watching as the opposing offense slowly trots down the field.
Like anything, there has to be a happy medium if you are to have success
defensively.

All blitzes are not designed the same. There is a blitz for every situation, and it is
YOUR ROLE as a defensive coordinator to call them at the correct time.

The focus of this article is to highlight three highly effective run-down stop calls
every DC must have on their call sheet.

No. 1: Full Line Movement

Full line movement is a great tactic on early downs. Just like using twists and
stunts on 3rd down to waste extra blockers (occupying three linemen with two
defensive linemen), full line movement is a great way to combat the run.
DIAGRAM 1: Full Line Movement Vs. (10) 22 Set. Notice that both OLBs are
allowed to cover down. Since the Defensive End is gone, the Mike LB takes the
QB versus a Zone Read.

The key with full line movement is to make sure the defensive linemen are
climbing over any block-back. This freezes the offensive line and doesnt allow
any of them to climb to the second level.

If done correctly, the defensive line creates a wall and funnels the play back to
the linebackers. The LBs essentially dont have to move. Even against a power
play, the line should overtake the block-backs and still create a wall. The LBs
need to be patient and wait for the cutback.

Note that this is NOT single-gap line movement. This is FULL line movement.
The Defensive End in the direction of the movement needs to take an out-step
and set the edge, boxing any play to him.

Versus the spread, this can create a pull read and allows the OLBs to stay in
their cover downs. Again, the point is to waste five with four. If done right this is a
great first down call as well. Remember, spread teams want to find the B-gap, so
change it.
No. 2: Gap Plug Blitz
The plug blitz is a great way to pressure run teams that pull guards in their run
scheme (acts as a natural Nose/Will LB if the Nose climbs over the block back
verse power).

DIAGRAM 2: Gap plug blitz vs (20) 21 set.

Its also good against the zone because it gaps out the offense, and the backside
end can hang for the cutback. Plugging every gap on a run play can be
problematic for the offense because a defense is sending more defenders than
the blocking scheme can handle.

The beauty in the plug blitz is that it translates easily into passing situations as
well. Even if the offense play-actions, the blitz still hits home because of the
numbers (6 on 5). If the offense decides to max protect, the Sam can insert
himself (add-in/delay) in the blitz as a plus-1 and the DS can become a free
player. Flexibility is another strength of the plug blitz.

A defensive coordinator can easily change the way the blitz hits every week,
without creating a new blitz. This can be done by adding single interior line-
movement (send the Defensive Tackle to the A-gap, or the Nose to B-gap), or
stunt both interior linemen at the same time. All that changes in this blitz is the
gap the LBs run through. Otherwise, the fits are the same.

This blitz can be run with man behind it, or as a zone blitz.

No. 3: Cross Dog Blitz

The age-old cross-dog blitz still holds its value in this modern era of the spread
offense.

DIAGRAM 3: Traditional cross-dog vs. an (11) 22 set.

Just as in the full line movement above, the cross-dog blitz tries and wastes
three offensive linemen with two defenders.

Against the run, the cross-dog can be confusing to an offensive line, as the Nose
rocks out and the Defensive Tackle works vertically through the B-gap.

Versus an 11 personnel set, the Defensive End to the TE-side aligns in a 9-

technique and holds the edge. The DS is in charge of the vertical of the TE as
well as the C-gap.
The crossing ILBs can be confusing for an offensive line as they work to the next
level, and may even completely eliminate a double-team block (quickly after the
snap, too).

Against single-back power, the cross-dog blitz can wreak havoc on the pull. As
the Nose Tackle crosses the pulling guardss face, he pulls the Center further
from the mid-point and allows the Mike LB to cleanly attack the strong-side A-gap
or adjust off the double-team of the Tackle (he essentially fits off the inside
shoulder of the guard), gaining penetration.

The Will LB can take the cutback, and hopefully, get penetration where the
offense wants it the least, which is right in the mid-line of the play.

If the RB hits it wide, the DS is untouched and should be able to make a one-on-
one tackle.

This blitz is also great against play-action and serves as a blitz that is flexible
enough to use on passing downs as well. Anytime a blitz call can be used on
multiple downs is a plus for your defense.

Traditionally, both A-gaps are attacked in this blitz, but you can also change and
adjust this blitz to attack one, particular interior linemen.

Just as in the gap-plug blitz mentioned before, this blitz can also be run with a
man behind or as a zone blitz.

Cody Alexander is the Cornerbacks Coach at Lovejoy High School in Lucas,

Texas. He is also the author of the coaching blog, MatchQuarters.com

Visit Website: MatchQuarters.com