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

2. 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”

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

4. Statistics 2009 8-3 (Scoring 36.3 O vs. 20.8 D, 1 Shut-Out, +1 TO)4
Statistics
(Scoring 36.3 O vs D, 1 Shut-Out, +1 TO)
TOTAL YARDS
TOTAL RUSH
TOTAL PASS YDS int
(Scoring 36.9 O vs D, 1 Shut-Out, +9 TO)
TOTAL YARDS      
TOTAL RUSH    
TOTAL PASS YDS 131/ int
(Scoring 37.8 O vs. 5.8 D 4 Shut-Outs, +7 TO)
3rd Best Scoring Defense in Illinois State
Total Yards
Total Rushing
Total Passing 120/ INT
(Scoring 41.0 O vs. 7.6 D, 5 Shut-Outs, +33 TO)
+15 TO Playoffs
TOTAL YARDS
TOTAL RUSH
TOTAL PASS YDS 196/ INT

5. We Are MC!

6. 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

8. 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)

9. Pursue!

10. Nose The most important player on the field
2-Gap Scheme (30 - 0) 1-Gap Scheme ( )
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

12. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

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