Running the Football, Part II - Defending it!

[RooMorgans]

So ... now we have a good thread here about running with or without the fullback - which even if you have been playing for several years (like me), you are bound to learn something (like I did) from posts like Lomax's.

That said ... let's look at this from another dimension. How do you stop the run?

Now, consider I'm not talking about having a team with Allison Engines under them all slamming into the opposing team's barriers and sending them back 12 yards and saying, "Hey, I stopped yo run."

No ... I'm talking from a tactical perspective. Assuming a newish player (3 months to 18 months in the game) is playing - and he probably doesn't have any engines on his team (or maybe one - you tend to find one by accident). ... Given standard running formations (I, offset-I, pro set), what should newer coaches think about when they are trying to stop the run ...

... and perhaps more important in the estimation of veteran coaches ... what's the number-one mistake they make?

Roo

[Coach K-LO]

Well, I don't know if I should let the cat out the bag........

let me think about this one..... I will get back on it.

one mistake I do see is the stack defense.... is fine for ATT (any touch tackle) but is less effective for FOB.

Depending on the speed rushers from the outside....can be neutualized and made a non-factor in the running game....

Good question, Roo! In all of my years of playing, I can honestly say I DESPISE playing mirror-imaged Defense. It goes against everything FOOTBALL stands for.

In REAL life - and THAT'S the #1 problem in this hobby - if the Defense has 8 guys in the box, the Offense DOESN'T run! If there are 7 defenders on the O's left, then they most likely will run right. Otherwise, it's just a smash 'em up, crash 'em up rugby scrum. YUUUUCCKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!

Also, Running with or without a FB and Defending the run starts with "Which style?"

I started to go into a step-by-step, but decided that the easiest way to defend the run is to let your players play their positions! DL have to keep the OL off the LBs and DBs gotta clean-up what the LBs miss. If you play the laughable 10-1, then that cannot be achieved. Actually playing recognizable 4-3s and 3-4s and layering the LBs and DBs will give anyone a good starting point.

When an OL is left unchecked, he creates a gap/hole for an LB or S to plug. It also weakens the scrumline a tad.

Since we all play differently, I would say to practice against that one or two run plays that seem to give you the most trouble. Find the chink in the armour and learn to crush it when you see it again! Orrrrrrrrr, run the same play against the other guy and see how he stops it!

Gimme a specific play and I can break it down for ya more specifically. But for now, here's an example of a dominating LDE being double-teamed, which frees up the LB to make the play. Click on the link below. :rolleyes:

IF Urlacher didn't fill, Deuce was gone!!!

[detroitchild]

I'm picking up some great stuff going through these old threads. BTW, good point made on d-strategy Jimbo.

Anyone else have something to add?