Strategies for Defending 2 Tight-End Formations with the 3-3 JOHN RICE DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR CANYON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL MORENO VALLEY, CA (951) 537-9902 zacoach102@aol.com

Example of 2 TE Formations: “ACE” Double Tight I “Double Wing” “Trio”

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

Strategy Considerations How do we defend 8 gaps across the front? To load or not to load the Tight Ends? Playing the Counter & Trap: wrong arm? Defending 4 vertical threats vs. 1 back

Consideration 1:Defending 8 gaps Structure of the 3-3 handles all 8 gaps by base alignment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 R E N E B S L M C C F

Consideration #2: To Load or not to Load Tight End? Loading the TE: Walk Spur up to a 6 technique, and slants inside. Have a change up where he loops outside. Put Lion/Ram in a 6 tech, walk up Spur, bring both. Bring the Spur into a 9. Walk the strong side backer over the tight end Advantages include having a player aligned on the TE Disadvantages include losing a flat defender in pass coverage & a “hang” player for counter. Not Loading the TE: Maintain base alignment Spur play 1 yard off and 1 yard outside the TE. Read near foot for down, reach, base blocks. Spur play 2 yards off and one yard outside the TE

3-3 vs. 2 Tight Ends: Loading the TE(s). Loading the TE on either or both sides: Walk Spur up to a 6 technique, slant inside End slants inside as well Spur and Lion gap exchange; Lion becomes run force in cover 3 E N R B C F M S E L

3-3 vs. 2 Tight Ends: Loading the TE(s). Loading the TE on either or both sides: 2. Walk Spur up to a 6 technique, loop outside and maintain run force End and Lion gap exchange; End slants inside to C gap Lion backer maintains normal b gap responsibility E N R B C F M S E L

3-3 vs. 2 Tight Ends: Loading the TE(s). Loading the TE either or both sides : Put Lion in a 6 tech, walk up Spur into a loose 7, bring both. (Ram in 6, Bandit for opposite tight end side) “Smoke” (“Torch” to other TE) E N R B C F M S L E

Spill everything outside to the Spur & Bandit Strategy : Walk up Outside Backers into a 3 point stance & slant them inside (One or both sides). Smoke & Spur calls 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

3-3 vs. 2 Tight Ends: Loading the TE(s). Loading the TE either or both sides : Put Lion in a 6i tech, walk up Spur into a loose 7, Run a stunt where they gap exchange. (May run a mirror stunt with Ram and Bandit on other TE) “Smoke” (“Torch” to other TE) E N R B C F M S L E

3-3 vs. 2 Tight Ends: Loading the TE(s). Loading the TE either or both sides : Walk the Spur into a 9 Spur keys TE to near back S E N R B C F M E L Spur Reads: Down-squeeze, replace the TE, keeping shoulders square look for kick out block Zone step/Reach: mirror step, stay ON LOS, don’t get hooked. Cut off T (play away: play cutback, shuffle down LOS Pass: drop to top of numbers

3-3 vs. 2 Tight Ends: Loading the TE(s). Loading the TE either or both sides : Walk the Lion into a 6 or 6i (gap exchange with End) Lion and End slant inside Spur keys & technique are same as base “Anchor” (“Torpedo” to other TE) E N R B C F M L E S Spur Reads: Down-squeeze, replace the TE, keeping shoulders square look for kick out block Zone step/Reach: mirror step, stay ON LOS, don’t get hooked. Cut off T (play away: play cutback, shuffle down LOS Pass: drop to top of numbers

3-3 vs. 2 Tight Ends: Loading the TE(s). Loading the TE either or both sides : Walk the Lion into a 6 or 6i (gap exchange with Spur) End slant inside, Lion Loops to C gap; becomes run force player E N R B C F M L E S Lion Reads: Down-squeeze, replace the TE, keeping shoulders square look for kick out block Zone step/Reach: mirror step, stay ON LOS, don’t get hooked. Cut off T (play away: play cutback, shuffle down LOS Pass: contain rush

Play Base; Don’t Load the TE(s) 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!

Base Alignment Vs. One Back Vs. Two Tight Ends & One Back Corner Spur Bandit End in 5 technique End in 5 technique Mike Ram Lion Free Safety

May Tighten Bandit and Spur 2 x 2 E N E 2 x 2 B S L M R C C Minor Change-Ups: Slant the line left and right Run 4, 5 & Pressure with INSIDE LBs & Spur F Watch out for: TE vertical releases Outside Zone Play Coaching Point: Free Safety must be the equalizer vs. run!

May 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

Cover 3 vs. One back E N E S B L M R C C F Deep Third Deep Third Coaching Point: Lion & Ram MUST drop into a position to alter the trajectory of the Qb’s throw on a vertical seam. “Make the QB put some air under it so the FS has a chance to break up the play.”

Cover 3 Double Seam Hash Drill F Deep Third Coaching Point: Lion & Ram MUST drop into a position to alter pass trajectory FS bp hard, read QB shoulders, break on the ball Add play action to keep LB’s honest

Another Strategy: Play a 3-4 w/Cover 2 Shell M R Nose becomes 2 gapper Slide Backers to right Stack Spur over TE Play cover 4 deep, Quarter-Quarter Half or 2 Deep coverage Spur and Ram in better position to prevent Clean vertical releases by Tight Ends F B

Strategy vs. Two Tight End “I” 4 x 4 E N E 2 x 3 B S L M R C F C

Strategy vs. Two Tight End “I”: Play Cover 0 4 x 4 E N E 2 x 3 B S L M R C Minor Change-Ups: Slant the line left and right Run 4, 5 & Pressure with INSIDE LBs & Spur May use TE “Load” Concepts discussed earlier F C Watch out for: ISO Option Weak Coaching Point: Free Safety must be the equalizer vs. run! Wrong arm the counter!

Strategy vs. Two Tight End “I”: Walk up Outside Backers and slant them inside on one or both sides &Play Cover 0 4 x 4 L E N E R 2 x 3 B S Watch out for: Counter Option Weak Toss M C F C Minor Change-Ups: Back off Spur & Bandit So they can play as fold Players for counter Coaching Points: Free Safety & Corner must be the equalizer vs. run! Spill everything outside to the Spur & Bandit Wrong arm the counter!

Strategy vs. Two Tight End “I”: Walk up Outside Backers, stack the Spur and Bandit. Play Cover 0 2 x 3 Watch out for: Counter Boot Option Weak Toss S M B C F C Minor Change-Ups: Use TE Load stunts And pressure Coaching Points: Free Safety & Corner must be the equalizer vs. run! Spill everything outside.Spur & Bandit adjust to motion. Wrong arm the counter!

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: Crash Spur & Bandit 4 x 4 E N E 4 x 4 S B L M R C C Minor Change-Ups: Spur & Bandit wrong arm pullers; spill it! 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 3 vs. Double Wing: Walk up Spur and/or Bandit; Play Base 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. Wrong arm pullers.

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. Wrong arm pullers.

Review: Play Base at normal depth Walk-up Spur & Bandit (2 x2, 1x1) Load & Stunt to the TE(s) (7 different options) Wrong arm the pullers; Spill it outside Ram & Lion MUST get deep hash drop to disrupt TE verticals Mix it up, keep the OL guessing Have the option of playing 3-4 with 2 shell vs. one-back Pay cover zero vs. 2TE “I” Formation Crash the Spur & Bandit vs. Double Wing, spill everything!

VIDEO CUT-UPS

Websites books, & articles about or with content dealing with the 3-3 defense Coaching Nickel & Dime Defenses Defending the Spread Offense *Both have sections on the 3-3 defense Books by John Rice http://www.coacheschoice.com Coaching Football’s 3-3-5 Defense By Leo Hand and Rick Molina 101 3-5 Stunts By Leo Hand http://www.coacheschoice.com Manual by Jerry Campbell http://www.jcfb.com/ 30 Stack Forum (Coach Jerry Campbell Website) www.jcfb.com MULTIPLE 3-3-5 DEFENSE ...HARDING UNIVERSITY STYLE By Ronnie Huckeba, Defensive Coordinator/Defensive line, Harding University http://americanfootballmonthly.com/Subaccess/Magazine/2004/feb/multiple_335_defense.html Articles online: Georgia Military College’s Devastating 3-5 Defense By Bert Williams, Head Football Coach http://www.americanfootballmonthly.com/Arena/NS_Magazine/Current/GMC.html SHARKS IN THE WATER COACHING LINEBACKERS TO ATTACK IN THE 3-3 DEFENSE By Ron Roberts http://americanfootballmonthly.com/Subaccess/Magazine/2005/mar/delta.html Command of the Line Georgia Military College’s Applications of the 3-5-3 Defense By Taylor Burks Defensive Coordinator, Georgia Military College http://americanfootballmonthly.com

3-3 Media Resources Video by Buck Roggeman (Pacific Grove High School (CA) coacheschoice.com DVDs by Vic Shealy, formerly of Air Force Academy http://www.championshipproductions.com/ DVD by Jeff Casteel, WVU http://www.championshipproductions.com/ Series of eight videos By Georgia Military staff http://www.championship productions.com/ All seven John Rice 3-3 defense video programs on one DVD. Includes 3-3 Defense: Understanding the Basics, 3-3 Defense: Applying Pressure, 3-3 Defense vs. The I formation, 3-3 Defense vs. Spread Formations, 3-3 Defense vs. Empty Formation 3-3 Defense vs. Two-tight End Formations, and 3-3 Defense vs. Defending Special Formations and Plays. Also available individually on VHS www.coacheschoice.com   30-Stack videos by Todd Graham, Head Coach, Rice University (formerly of Tulsa). Call (918) 595-7945 ASK FOR PENNY GRAHAM.

3-3 Coaching Resources A partial list of coaches who either run the 3-3 now or have experience running it Joe Lee Dunn, Def. Coor. U of Memphis Contact: : 901-678-2341 Charlie Strong, Asst Head Coach, Florida Contact: 352-375-4683 x4100 Todd Graham, Head Coach, Rice University Contact: 713 348-6900 Bronco Mendenhall, Head Coach, BYU Contact: 801-422-2916 Dean Campbell, DB Coach, Air Force Contact: Dean.Campbell.ctr@usafa.af.mil Rocky Long, Head Coach, New Mexico Contact: 505-925-5700 Vic Shealy, Defensive Coordinator, UNLV Contact: vic.shealy@unlv.edu Jeff Casteel, Defensive Coordinator, WVU Contact:  (304) 293-5621 Dave Doeren, Defensive Coordinator, Kansas Contact: ddoeren@ku.edu Taylor Burks, Def. Coor, Georgia Military Contact: (478) 445-2690 Richard Bell, Def.Coor., Air Force Academy Contact: Richard.Bell.ctr@usafa.af.mil Brad Lambert, Linebacker Coach, Wake Forest Contact: lamberbl@wfu.edu Ron Roberts, Def. Coor., Delta State U (MS) Contact: rroberts@deltastate.edu Paul Golla, Head Coach, Bakersfield HS, Bakersfield, CA Contact (661) 324-9841 John Rice, Def Coor.,Canyon Springs HS, Moreno Valley CA Contact: zacoach102@aol.com Jerry Campbell, HC, Victoria Memorial HS, Victoria, Texas jerry.campbell@visd.com. George Contreras, Def Coor, Rio Mesa HS, Oxnard, CA gcontre@ouhsd.k12.ca.us