MJ Zone Defense Design

[Michigan Joe]

Originally Posted by steelerfan

Great post, I love the picture with description and arrows. Now if you were on offense how would you attack this defense?

Here's one play that I like on the big board...an outside run setup with the lead blocks out of the back field. Here I show one trick where the QB can be the first audible and his position in the audible creates a situation where he redirects the lead blocking RB to the outside as well (essentially two players are affected by the one pivot/angle). The second audible is a pivot of the RB #20 to the outside hole. The play is run #20 (LET THE BOARD RUN BABY)

Typically rules allow the defense 2 angles/pivots to match the offense audibles. Other rules such as the mid-ohio rules allow +1 (pivot) to the defense (to counter challenges of front of base tackling requirement for defense instead of "any touch")...in other words 3 pivots to the offense 2 pivots. here you can see I have marked the picture with three potential defensive adjustments.

[Michigan Joe]

Here is a simple pass play out of this formation.

(1) Audible: The outside reciever on an arcing TTC pivots inward at a sharp angle

(2) Audible: RB #20 pivots to chip block the rushing DE (looper) and releases for a flat pass.

(3) The QB is stationary for a pocket pass (free move in most rule sets)

The key to this play is the first audible. The split end is on an arcing Round front TTC and he redirects the very fast slot reciever to the post pattern (again...two players affected by one pre snap audible). This move eliminate the head on bump and run contact that the defense typically sets up for...allowing the WRs a cleaner release off the line of scrimmage. A rather hard arcing TTC redirects his route back to the outside, even if the corner opposing him is also pivoted in to "puch him further inwards". The slot reciever is a very fast (but weak) base looking for any opportunities to avoid head on contact so he can get down field.

[Coach K-LO]

I like the concepts Joe.

Can you "frame out" the results of you diagrams so that we can see how the adjustment worked??

I like the coverage you have on the outside where you run off into zone with a CB, and the other in 'bump-n-run'. I would use the upfield CB to lockup both WR's based on your pivots.

I wouls also send the ILB to the flats to assist on the outside and cover the RB that hits the flats underneath.

[detroitchild]

...open space for OLBs (loopers) to disrupt the play whether it's a pass or run.

[Michigan Joe]

Originally Posted by detroitchild

...open space for OLBs (loopers) to disrupt the play whether it's a pass or run.

Thats what you try to make the defense think but really the defensive set up is extremely vulnerable to the outside run since the RBs are so deep in the backfield. Here are a couple more great offensive plays to run against this tight deefense.

1) All you have to do is run right at the speedy loopers as shown by run play 1 (to RB#20).
2) Another play is a simple option play where you can angle #32 to run to the outside (outside of the OLB towards the WR #1) and the QB to run right at the OLB. Then the OLB has a decision to make, cover the RB or go after the QB. Offensively you read the OLB and the play is an option where you run the RB if the OLB goes for the QB or a QB keeper if the OLB chases the RB. The QB keeper is a great risk/reward play for front of base tackling rules because of the large space the the ILB has to cover to make a clean tackle on a TTC running QB.
3) Roll left dive/pass option play. Roll the QB left and if the right OLB chases him run the ball with #20, if the OLB stays in for the run then your QB is in great shape to get outside and buy some serious time for #4 and #9 to get open (or to keep it and run to the outside).
4) Angle the tackles to block the OLBs and you can run the simple dive to either RB or pass from the pocket. (I love this rule in the mid-Ohio where O-line is eligable for audible!)

Bottom line, I feel a good offensive scheme can dictate the action. The key to good defensive setup is to create confusion so the offense can't simply pick them apart. Good talking miniature football with you!
Joe

[the french guy]

thank you for the explanation and theoric stuff ! It's usefull, especially with the schemes and pics

[detroitchild]

Thought this would be a great topic for the newer guys.

[sweetka]

This is the strategy you devised when you handed me my hat. I have the defensive adjustments for this concept. Maybe I can find time to diagram counters defensively.

Great concept Joe. It made me change my defensive scheme.

[detroitchild]

Hey Ken,

We miss your input and diagrams in this section as well. (As you can see...I pay attention)


D

[sweetka]

Originally Posted by detroitchild

Hey Ken,

We miss your input and diagrams in this section as well. (As you can see...I pay attention)


D

You would see my counter. I really owe to you to show you first hand!

Seriously. Working on my editing.