Limit the Damage with Robber Coverage Nat Zunkel Head Football Coach Mercer County High School IHSA Class 2A State Champions 14 - 0 nzunkel@mercerschools.org Limit the Damage with Robber Coverage

Defensive Principals Do What We Do – Believe In Who We Are Trust in the Process Constantly Adjust 0 = 14 Base 3 – 4 Robber – We got found out Transition to 4-3, 4-4, 5-2 – Hybrid Theory Own Your Gap Formation Recognition – “I Play Fastest When…” “Play the Next Play” “Be the Most Excited” – False Enthusiasm Works “Set the Edge” “Limit the Damage”

Coaches A Family Affair Trust & Loyalty No Micromanaging Expectations are set & Beliefs are met

Statistics 2009 8-3 (Scoring 36.3 O vs. 20.8 D, 1 Shut-Out, +1 TO) 4 Statistics 2009 8-3 (Scoring 36.3 O vs. 20.8 D, 1 Shut-Out, +1 TO) TOTAL YARDS 489 2291 4.7 TOTAL RUSH 365 1530 4.2 TOTAL PASS YDS 124 756 6.1 7 int 2010 9-2 (Scoring 36.9 O vs. 16.6 D, 1 Shut-Out, +9 TO) TOTAL YARDS 557 2388 4.3       TOTAL RUSH 426 1776 4.2     TOTAL PASS YDS 131/60 612 10.2 9 int 2011 11-1 (Scoring 37.8 O vs. 5.8 D 4 Shut-Outs, +7 TO) 3rd Best Scoring Defense in Illinois State Total Yards 577 1814 3.1 Total Rushing 457 1486 3.3 Total Passing 120/34 328 9.6 11 INT 2012 14-0 (Scoring 41.0 O vs. 7.6 D, 5 Shut-Outs, +33 TO) +15 TO Playoffs TOTAL YARDS 706 2680 3.8 TOTAL RUSH 510 1602 3.1 TOTAL PASS YDS 196/104 1078 10.4 16 INT

We Are MC!

Turnovers & Tackling Practice Set-Up Monday – Walk-Through & Film – No Pads Tuesday – Full Gear Offense Tackling Stations (5 or 6) Wednesday – Full Gear Defense Turnover Stations (5 or 6) Conditioning Incentives Thursday – Pro-Pads – “Thud” Friday – Game Day

Down Linemen – Ends THE SPILL Must own the B Gap (30 – 4 /50 – 3 Tech) Spill Man/Contain (40 – 5/7) Make plays 1st and foremost Never give up your gap or ground Hands Feet Hip into the double team Most important position on the field Squeeze and Squat when unblocked Getting Hooked is Fine – giving up ground is not Pass rush moves (20% sack/Interception/Pressure)

Pursue!

Nose The most important player on the field 2-Gap Scheme (30 - 0) 1-Gap Scheme (40 - 1) Must mess with the center Attack the snapping hand Punch and go Make plays 1st and foremost Never give up your gap or ground Hands Feet Hip into the double team

Linebackers Inside Backers Outside Backers 30/50 - Align head-up and read the guard 40 – Align head-up and read the center A gap to B gap to C gap Must be willing to be the man & take a pounding Must be willing to get in the Defensives Line’s ear when Offensive Line is getting a free release Outside Backers Hybrid players 30 - Split the difference to #2 read tackle 40 - Inside foot to outside foot of DL 50 - Align outside shade of TE on LOS Must play in space well - Must read well Must Squeeze and Squat when unblocked on LOS Advantage 5 man pass rush in coverage Get under the slant/Peel the back/give up the flats

Safeties Free Safety – Reading Tackle to #2 Makes all calls by formation Align 10 – 12 yards where comfortable (very important) Alley player Robber Rules “If #2 is a-blockin’…I come a- knockin’” Robbing #1 on bubble/out Wheel Issues Rover (Strong Safety) – Reading Tackle/TE to #2 Align at 7 – 9 yards (very important) Must be a playmaker in space Alley Player

Corners Corner – Align 2 x 7 Inside #1 Slide Shuffle to 9 at the Snap Must Stay on Top of and Inside #1 Wheel Call Vertical Route by #1 = Man to 17 Yards Eyes to QB for 3-Step “HOT” (Ball to Ear) If “HOT” Ready to Break 20% sack/interception

Adjustments Hybrid Defensive Theory Vary coverage & Fronts Robber & Cover 2 Cover 3 (Amigo)

Areas for improvement Team Discipline Academics & College Philanthropy Big Dreams Require Big Efforts