defensive philosophy

Our Defensive Philosophy will be based around a few simple objectives. We will begin by ensuring that this philosophy is in line, and continues to enhance the development of our Trust, Attitude, and Effort Foundation. We will play with an attitude and confidence on defense that the opponent does not belong on the same field as us. Whether we are in a 3-4, 4-3, 4-2-5, or some new scheme the constants that can make all of them excel are attitude and confidence. Secondly, we will set a few clear objectives that we will be about as a defense. We will start every game plan with stopping the run, stopping the big plays, and trying to create turnovers.

Make the Offense Beat Us

This sounds simple, but it is important for us to eliminate our mistakes, and force the opposing offense into making them. No single defensive scheme can stop everything. It is important to us to have a defense that knows where they are vulnerable, and can change that point each play. Few teams are discipline or patient enough to complete fifteen plays in a drive to march the field on a consistent basis. Everyone will know their assignment, technique, and play with great effort.

Stop the Run

This will be done by being gap sound at all times. We will be great tacklers by tracking the ball keying the carrier’s near hip, and wrapping up the thighs. Our first priority pre-snap on every given down is to assume that run is coming and know where our fit should be. Players on defense will be selected based on their ability to stop the run first. We will create an attitude on defense that you will not run on us.

Stop the Big Play

We will stop the big play by having a clear understanding, as a secondary, who is over the top on each play. Scouting reports give you a good view of a team’s preferred “big Plays” each week. Our film study needs to prepare us for these plays. The second major factor in stopping big plays is flying to the ball and being solid tacklers. A great deal of big plays happen as a result of missed tackles. We will be sound tacklers.

Create Take Backs

Our statistic that holds true when discussing team success is the turnover margin. We will generate take backs. As with any skill on the field you will get what you teach. If you do not stress it, practice it, and make a big deal about it they will not happen. Deflecting a ball in the secondary is great. An interception on that play may have changed the entire game. As we stress ball security on offense we will stress creating opportunities on defense. It is our ball and we will take it back.

Disguise Everything

Our defense will have a few base shells. Out of those we will be able to get to several different looks post snap. With the emergence of the one-look offense it has become increasingly more productive for teams because the coach can get the offense to a good play once the defense declares. We will place a priority on giving the same looks, bluff looks, and bait looks pre-snap. It is hard to stop a punch if you do not know where it is coming from.

Fly to the Ball (Finish)

We will fly around. There is no excuse for not flying around. We will fly around for 48 minutes each and every game. Working Hard is one of the foundations of our program, and this should be easily demonstrated to people by simply showing them a clip of our defense. While we try to be perfect in our assignments, mistakes do happen. There is no greater eraser for mistakes on a football field than flying around with great hustle. We want our opponent to come off the field with a sense that we had twelve or thirteen guys out there.