3-3 Defense: Defending Special Formations & Plays JOHN RICE DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR CANYON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL MORENO VALLEY, CA (951) 537-9902 zacoach102@aol.com

First, we will cover the following Trips Formations: “Trips Open” “Trey” “Tight End Trips” “Trio”

Next we will cover the following Quads Formations: “Quads Open” “Tight End opposite Quads” “Tight End Quads”

Next, we will cover the following Formations: “Unbalanced” “Bunches” “Stacks”

Finally, we will cover the following Formations: “Stack I” “Power I” “Double Wing” “Wing T”

Review of Gap Responsibilites M A B C E N E S B B L R

Review of base alignment rules “2 by 2 formations” “2 by 1 formations LBs slide ½ man over” “PULL Call; 3 by 1 Formations-LBs slide 1 man over” E S R L C M B F N E S C R L M B F N LB to side of trips split difference between #3 and OT S C B F R L M E N E N S L M R B C C F

Aligning to Trips Formations: 3 Shell 2 Shell Trips Open Box intact; FS adjusts “Pull” Call 2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts “Pull” Call E N E B E N E S B S L M R L M R C C C C F F E N E E N E S S C C C C L M R L M R F B F B Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

Quarters to trips side; Soft 2 to single side Strategy vs. Trips Formations: Quarters to trips side; Soft 2 to single side Quarters to trips side Soft Cover 2 Soft 2 to single cut side E N E S C C L M R F B Deep 1/4 Deep 1/4 Deep ½; Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

Man #1 Trips side; Soft 2 everywhere else Strategy vs. Trips Formations: Man #1 Trips side; Soft 2 everywhere else Soft Cover 2 Corner man #1 E N E S C C L M R F B Deep 1/4 Deep ½;

Aligning to Trey (TE Trips): 3 Shell 2 Shell “Trey” “Pull” Call Box intact; FS adjusts “Pull” Call 2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts S E N E N R L E C F M B S B L M R C C F E N E S B C L M R E N E S C B L M R F C F C Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

Aligning to TE Trips “Trey” Box intact; FS adjusts “Pull” Call 2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts 3 Shell 2 Shell E N E E N E B S B S L M R L M R C C C C F F E N E S C L M R C E N E S C L M R C B F F B Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

Aligning to Empty Formations 3 Shell 2 Shell “Pull” Call Box intact; FS adjusts 2 by 2 rules; R adjusts E N E S E N E S B B L M R L M R C C C C F F S E N E E N E S C C C L M R C L M R B B F F Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

Quarters to trips side; Soft 2 to single side Strategy vs. Empty Formations: Quarters to trips side; Soft 2 to single side Quarters to trips side Soft Cover 2 Soft 2 to single cut side E N E S C C L M R F B Deep 1/4 Deep 1/4 Deep ½; Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

Man #1 Trips side; Soft 2 everywhere else Strategy vs. Empty Formations: Man #1 Trips side; Soft 2 everywhere else Soft Cover 2 Corner man #1 E N E S C C L M R F B Deep 1/4 Deep ½;

Aligning to Bunch Formations 3 Shell 2 Shell “Tight Bunch” “Pull” Call Box intact; FS adjusts “Pull” Call 2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts E N E S E N E S B B L M R L M R C C C C F F N R L E C F M B S N R L E C F M B S C Coaching Point: Outflank bunches and POUND on the point man!

Man Point Man; Banjo the other 2 Strategy vs. Bunch Formations: Man Point Man; Banjo the other 2 Vs. Normal pick route Vs. Whip route Vs. Bubble (Bubble-n-Go) S S S C F C F C F

Man Point Man; Banjo the other 2 Strategy vs. Bunch Formations: Man Point Man; Banjo the other 2 Corner’s rule:Cover the widestOr the shortest route C S F Vs. route away from banjo leverage C S F Vs. route away from banjo leverage Vs. Smash S C F

Play a two shell behind it. Strategy vs. Bunch Formations: Play a two shell behind it. N R L E C F M B S

Aligning to Quads Formations: 3 Shell 2 Shell Quads opposite TE Box intact; FS adjusts “Pull” Call 2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts “Pull” Call E N E B E N E S B S L M R L M R C C C C F F E N E E N E S S C C C C R L M R L M F B F B Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

Aligning to Quads Formations: 3 Shell 2 Shell Quads Open Box intact; Bandit Over/ FS adjusts/ “Pull” Call 2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts “Pull” Call Bandit Over E N E S E N E S B B L M R L M R C C C C F F E N E S E N E S C C C L M R L M R C F B F B Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

Aligning to Quads Formations: 3 Shell 2 Shell TE Quads Box intact; Bandit Over/ FS adjusts/ “Pull” Call 2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts “Pull” Call Bandit Over E N E S E N E S B B L M R L M R C C C C F F E N C E E N E S S C C L M R L M R C F B F B Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

We will cover the following Formations: “Unbalanced” “Bunches” “Stacks” “Empty”

Defending a Stack “I”

Base 3-3 Alignment vs. Stack “I” R C C F

Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3 *Extremely challenging to defend this play E N E S B L M R C C F

Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3 Playside End technique vs. Counter RB must change Course; crease doesn’t exist E N E S End wrong arms the puller off the rear end of the Tackle’ block. B L M R C C Corner is secondary force; Usually unaccounted for & can Make the tackle for a loss or short gain F

Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3 Backside End technique vs. Counter RB must change Course; crease doesn’t exist E N E S B L M R End chases pulling Tackle; if he encounters FB, he must rip through his block and pursue down the line C C Corner is secondary force; Usually unaccounted for & can Make the tackle for a loss or short gain F

Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3 End technique vs. Counter Built in calls: Pinch Anchor Torpedo Smoke Torch Slants Right Left E N E S B L M R C C F

Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3 Corner, Spur, & Free Safety Technique vs. Counter “Alley” Spur keys TE; Read BP step; On TE down, plant, drive to force with outside in-leverage. E N E S B L M R FS keys uncovered linemen; Read BP step; plant, drive to alley with inside-out leverage. C C F C keys TE; Read BP step; On TE down, plant, drive to alley with outside in-leverage.

Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3 Lion, Mike, & Ram Technique vs. Counter E N E S B Playside outside LB (Lion or Ram): Key guard to near back; on any DOWN block on nose (even if split-flow), attack B gap, play opposite the End/pulling lineman’s collision; if you feel pressure from TE, fight pressure with pressure. L M R C C F

Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3 Mike Technique vs. Counter E N E S B L M R C Mike Key Center-guard to near back triangle; on any DOWN block on nose (even if split-flow), play opposite A Gap, then shuffle to fit; Rip under OT’s block C F

Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3 Backside Linebacker Technique vs. Counter E N E S B L M R C Mike-Key Center-guard to near back; on any PULL away, step up, secure B Gap, then shuffle to fit; Rip under OT’s block if necessary. C F

Defending Power “I”

Base 3-3 Alignment vs. Power “I” C C F

Base 3-3 vs. Power “I” Lead E N E S B L M R C C F

Technique vs. Power “I” Lead Check to Bear Front Slant to TE Corner fast fill on run read FS fast fill on run read Bandit contain Blitz; and Squeeze hole! E N E B S L M R C C F

Defending the Double Wing

Base 3-3 Alignment vs. Double Wing R C C F

Strategy 1 vs. Double Wing: Play Base. 4 x 4 E N E 4 x 4 S B L M R C C Minor Change-Ups: Slant the line left and right Run 4, 5 & Pressure with INSIDE Linebackers Watch out for: TE vertical releases Outside Zone Play F Coaching Point: Free Safety must be the equalizer vs. run!

Strategy 2 vs. Double Wing: Walk up Spur and/or Bandit 1 x 1 E N E 1 x 1 S B L M R C C Minor Change-Ups: Slant the line left and right Run all 4, 5 & 6 man pressure Watch out for: TE vertical releases Outside Zone Play F Coaching Point: Free Safety must Cover for Blitzing Spur or Bandit

Spill everything outside to the Spur & Bandit Strategy 3 vs. Double Wing: Walk up Outside Backers into a 3 point stance & slant them inside (One or both sides). 2x 3 2x 3 L E N E R B S M C C Watch out for: Counter Speed Option Quick Traps Minor Change-Ups: Back off Spur & Bandit So they can play as fold Players for counter F Coaching Point: Spill everything outside to the Spur & Bandit

Spill everything outside to the Spur & Bandit Strategy 3 vs. Double Wing: Walk up Spur and Bandit into a 9 Tech & Blitz them to wrong arm the pullers (One or both sides). S E N E B L M R C C Watch out for: Counter Speed Option Quick Traps Minor Change-Ups: Back off Spur & Bandit So they can play as fold Players for counter F Coaching Point: Spill everything outside to the Spur & Bandit

Defending the Wing-T (Based on Assignment Conflict)

Strategy: Corner & FS Key TE & Wing “Wing-t teams have traditionally had a great deal of difficulty attacking these defensive spacings because they have elected to stay in traditional wing formations with a tight end wingback on one side and a split end diveback on the other side. By doing this, offensive coaches are playing right into the defensive coaches hands. Why? Because the free safety favors the tight end side so that he can cover the tight end when the defense elects to blitz. As soon as the tight end blocks the free safety is in the run support and tile offensive coach has created another linebacker. The corner is also rolled up to the tight end wingback side and he is assigned to cover the wingback when they blitz. When the wingback blocks another additional linebacker has been created. By now the offense is hopelessly outnumbered but many coaches stubbornly continue to try to force the bucksweep and other tight end wingback plays into bad numbers.”-DENNIS CREEHAN Get your Strong Corner and Free Safety flying up to support the run when they get down blocks from the wing and tight end!

Base 3-3 Alignment vs. Wing-T We see: Buck-Sweep Boot Pass Jet Sweep Belly M N R L E S B C F

ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS 6 ½ THIS SIDE 4 ½ THIS SIDE 1/2 5 1 1 1/2 2 3 4 3 2 1/2 E N E S B 3 1/2 3 2 2 L M R 1 4 5 4 C C 1 F 6

1. ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS ½ THIS SIDE ½ THIS SIDE 1/2 1 2 1 1/2 2 3 4 3 4 1/2 E N E S B 3 1/2 3 1/2 2 2 L M R 1 4 1/2 4 C C 1 F 1/2

1.ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS ½ THIS SIDE ½ THIS SIDE 1/2 1 2 1/2 3 2 3 4 1 4 E 1/2 E B N S 3 1/2 3 C 1/2 2 2 L M R 1 1 4 1/2 4 C F 1/2

1.ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS ½ THIS SIDE 4 ½ THIS SIDE 1/2 1 1/2 1 2 3 4 2 3 E 1/2 E N S B 3 1/2 3 1/2 2 2 L M R 1 4 1/2 4 C C 1 F 1/2

PRE SNAP GUIDELINES TO DEFENDING WING T ADJUST TO ALL FORMATIONS AND MOTION; DON’T ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE OUTFLANKED DON’T PUT EVERYONE UP ON THE LINE (ANGLE DOWN-KICK OUT!) BEWARE OF MAN COVERAGE VS. THE OPTION! (EX: DOWN OPTION) KNOW YOUR KEY(S)

STRATEGY FOR PLANNING CHECK FOR FALSE KEYS FROM EACH OF THE 4 TRADITIONAL KEYS: WING/SLOT, FULLBACK, HALFBACK, LINE (& perhaps slanting to motion) IF YOU HAVE ONE WITH NO FALSE KEYS (OR VERY FEW), USE THAT PARTICULAR KEY UNTIL THEY MAKE YOU GET OFF IT

CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES IN DEFENDING THE WING T *IT IS A FOUR BACK OFFENSE 2 3 1 4

CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES IN DEFENDING THE WING T *IT HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF OPTION Down Option Arc Option Speed Option

UNDERSTANDING THE WING T COACHES HAVE TRADITIONALLY USED 4 “KEYS” IN DEFENDING THE WING T WING OR SLOT MOTION (PLAY TO THE MOTION) FULLBACK (IF HE IS NOT ON THE MIDLINE, HE USUALLY TAKES YOU TO THE DIRECTION OF THE PLAY) HALFBACK OFFENSIVE LINE Problems occur with these because of false keys!

KEYING HALFBACK TRUE KEYS (HB will take you to the ball) TAKES YOU TO THE BALL IN THE BUCK SERIES? SWEEP-YES GUT WAGGLE SHOVEL PASS BELLY SERIES SALLY COUNTER XX FALSE KEYS USED WAGGLE WAGGLE SHOVEL PASS BELLY BOOTLEG BELLY X BLOCK OPTION BELLY KEEP PASS LOAD SALLY COUNTER XX

KEYING FULLBACK FALSE KEYS USED BELLY BOOTLEG SALLY OR BELLY TACKLE TRAP COUNTER TREY BOOTLEG

KEYING THE WING OR SLOT: FALSE KEYS UTILIZED FALSE MOTION BY WING OR SLOT KEY PLAYS (AWAY FROM MOTION BY SLOT OR WING WAGGLE POWER OPTION (SPEED OPTION TO TE) SALLY (WING T SPRINT DRAW ACTION) COUNTER TREY (TO TE) DOWN (ON MOTION AWAY) SHOVEL PASS TRAP OPTION (ON MOTION AWAY)

Strategy: Corner & FS Key TE & Wing “Wing-t teams have traditionally had a great deal of difficulty attacking these defensive spacings because they have elected to stay in traditional wing formations with a tight end wingback on one side and a split end diveback on the other side. By doing this, offensive coaches are playing right into the defensive coaches hands. Why? Because the free safety favors the tight end side so that he can cover the tight end when the defense elects to blitz. As soon as the tight end blocks the free safety is in the run support and tile offensive coach has created another linebacker. The corner is also rolled up to the tight end wingback side and he is assigned to cover the wingback when they blitz. When the wingback blocks another additional linebacker has been created. By now the offense is hopelessly outnumbered but many coaches stubbornly continue to try to force the bucksweep and other tight end wingback plays into bad numbers.”-DENNIS CREEHAN Get your Strong Corner and Free Safety flying up to support the run when they get down blocks from the wing and tight end!

Strategies that put you at risk: 2. Man coverage vs. Jet Sweep *Offense can get into a compressed formation playside and run off the playside defenders with crossing routes. E N E S B L M R C C F

Strategies that put you at risk: Wrong arm technique by Spur or Bandit (vs. any load or lead scheme by HB) s c L M R B s c L M R B

3.BEWARE OF MAN COVERAGE VS. THE OPTION! (EX: DOWN OPTION). *Offense can run off playside defenders with drag routes F C B M L B s

ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS 6 ½ THIS SIDE 4 ½ THIS SIDE 1/2 5 1 1 1/2 2 3 4 3 2 1/2 E N E S B 3 1/2 3 2 2 L M R 1 4 5 4 C C 1 F 6

1. ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS ½ THIS SIDE ½ THIS SIDE 1/2 1 2 1 1/2 2 3 4 3 4 1/2 E N E S B 3 1/2 3 1/2 2 2 L M R 1 4 1/2 4 C C 1 F 1/2

1.ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS ½ THIS SIDE ½ THIS SIDE 1/2 1 2 1/2 3 2 3 4 1 4 E 1/2 E B N S 3 1/2 3 C 1/2 2 2 L M R 1 1 4 1/2 4 C F 1/2

1.ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS ½ THIS SIDE 4 ½ THIS SIDE 1/2 1 1/2 1 2 3 4 2 3 E 1/2 E N S B 3 1/2 3 1/2 2 2 L M R 1 4 1/2 4 C C 1 F 1/2

PRE SNAP GUIDELINES TO DEFENDING WING T ADJUST TO ALL FORMATIONS AND MOTION; DON’T ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE OUTFLANKED DON’T PUT EVERYONE UP ON THE LINE (ANGLE DOWN-KICK OUT!) BEWARE OF MAN COVERAGE VS. THE OPTION! (EX: DOWN OPTION) KNOW YOUR KEY(S)

STRATEGY FOR PLANNING CHECK FOR FALSE KEYS FROM EACH OF THE 4 TRADITIONAL KEYS: WING/SLOT, FULLBACK, HALFBACK, LINE (& perhaps slanting to motion) IF YOU HAVE ONE WITH NO FALSE KEYS (OR VERY FEW), USE THAT PARTICULAR KEY UNTIL THEY MAKE YOU GET OFF IT

Base 3-3 Alignment vs. Wing-T We see: Buck-Sweep Boot Pass Jet Sweep Belly E N E S B L M R C C F

Strategy 1 vs. Wing-T Slant weak with Strong End and Nose. E N E S B L M R C C F

Strategy 2 vs. Wing-T Slant strong with Ends and Nose. E N E S B L M R C C F

Strategy 3 vs. Wing-T Wrong arm the pullers In Sweep, trap, and tackle B L M R C C F

Strategy 3 vs. Wing-T Wrong arm the pullers In Sweep, trap, and tackle B L M R C C F

Strategy 4 vs. Wing-T Belly (Option): Play Base Option Rules QB B Pitch L M R Dive Dive C C Alley- QB to Pitch F

Strategy 5 vs. Wing-T Belly (Option): Pinch Weakside End (swap option responsibilities) Pitch Dive L M QB R Dive C C Alley- QB to Pitch F

Strategy 6 vs. Wing-T Belly (Option): swap option responsibilities between End and Bandit Pitch S E N E B QB L M R Dive C C Dive Alley- QB to Pitch F

Strategy 7 vs. Wing-T Belly (Option): Pinch Weakside End (swap option responsibilities) Pitch Dive L M QB R Dive C C Alley- QB to Pitch F

Strategy 8 vs. Wing-T Belly (Option): swap option responsibilities between End and Bandit M N R L E S B C F Pitch Dive QB Alley- QB to Pitch

Strategy 9 vs. Wing-T Runs: FS is Flying up on Run Read off End Man on LOS B C F Alley- QB to Pitch S E N L M C F

Review of Successful Strategies Review the 4 base keys (fullback, Halfback, Wing, Slot). Check for false keys; If none or very few, utilize that key until they make you get off it. Check wingback trail motion for tendencies; if valid, use for a key Avoid man coverage vs. Option schemes Avoid wrong arm technique vs. Load scheme Avoid man coverage vs. Jet Sweep Corner & FS fill hard off run reads from wing and TE Slant to weak tackle with strong End and Nose Slant to Wing with strong End and Nose Slant strong with Ends and Nose Wrong arm the pullers in Sweep, trap, and tackle trap Mix up your option responsibilities Strategy 9 vs. Wing-T Runs: FS is flying up on run Read off end man on LOS

Defending Unbalanced Z Y X Z Y T X

Base 3-3 Alignment vs. Unbalanced Strategy: 3 by 1 sets invoke “pull” call in base package X Y Z E N E B S L M R C C F

Base 3-3 Alignment vs. Unbalanced Strategy: 3 by 1 set invokes “pull” call in base package Z Y T X E N E B S L M R C C F

Aligning to Unbalanced Formations 3 Shell 2 Shell “X over” “Pull” Call Box intact; FS adjusts “Pull” Call 2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts S E N E N R L E C F M B S B L M R C C F Z Y T x Z Y T x E N E S E N E B S B C L M R C L M R F C F C Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

Aligning to Empty Formations 3 Shell 2 Shell “Pull” Call Box intact; FS adjusts 2 by 2 rules; R adjusts E N E S E N E S B B L M R L M R C C C C F F S E N E E N E S C C C L M R C L M R B B F F Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him