*PHILOSOPHY

TABLE OF CONTENTSPAGEPHILOSOPHY---------------------------------------- 2-5BASIC REMINDERS--------------------------------6SUDDEN CHANGE----------------------------------72 MINUTE PROCEDURE-------------------------- 8VICTORY DEFENSE-- -----------------------------9DEFENSIVE PRINCIPLES------------------------10-11TURNOVERS------------------------------------------ 12-13PURSUIT-----------------------------------------------TACKLING/BLOCK PROTECTION-----------HUDDLE PROCEDURE----------------------------14-1618-2021-22

*MOTIVATION Are you Motivated to do the things necessary to win? Are you hungry to win? Are you committed to Hard Work?

TEAM FIRST ATTITUDE Are you SELFISH or SELFLESS? Winning is more important than individual accomplishments.

MENTAL FOCUS. Play Smart. Know your defensive responsibility. Eliminate Missed Assignments.

TRUST IN TEAMMATES Missed assignments will cause break downs in Team Defense and a loss of trust in the player or players that miss them.

SOUND TECHNIQUE. Perfect your Individual Techniques so you can play fast

TREMENDOUS WORK ETHIC. In meetings, practice and in games.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL TOUGHNESS. Consistently play at a high level regardless of the situation.

INTENSITY. Play every rep like its your last.

AGGRESSIVENESS. Defensive football is a test of contact and courage.

TEAM ENTHUSIASM. Celebrate as a team not as an individual.

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A GREAT DEFENSE

*2009 SEASON GOALS#1 SCORING DEFENSE IN CAA.

LEAD CAA IN TAKEAWAYS.

LEAD CAA IN SACKS/TFLS.

2009 CAA CHAMPIONS !!!

DOMINATE vs. The Run.INTIMIDATE your opponent physically!COMPETE Every Play and Every Rep! PLAY FAST Every Play and Every Rep!PLAY WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM! (Have Fun)

To REACH OUR 2009 GOALS WE NEED TO

*

KEYS TO VICTORY

ELIMINATE EXPLOSIVE PLAYS.

ELIMINATE MENTAL ERRORS.

ELIMINATE FOOLISH PENALTIES. (Zero Tolerance)

ELIMINATE MISSED TACKLES. (Gang Tackling)

WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE. At least 3 per game.

MAKE PLAYS FOR LOSS. At least 5 per game.

WIN THE CRITICAL SITUATIONS. (Goal Line / 2 Min / Sudden Change)

MAKE 3RD DOWN STOPS.

NO RED ZONE TOUCHDOWNS.

SCORE OR SET UP A SCORE FOR THE OFFENSE.

Winning is not a sometime thing its an all the time thing. You dont do things right once in a while , you do things right all the time. -Vince Lombardi

*

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM YOUR COACHES

1. To be loyal to you in all areas.

2. To be fair, honest and consistent in all matters.

3. To be prepared.

4. To provide the leadership and training necessary to achieve our goals.

5. To challenge you mentally and physically every time you step onto the field.

6. To treat you as a man.

7. To make all decisions predicated on what is best for the team, than what is best for the individual.

8. To help you grow and mature as a man.

9. To assist you in any way possible, now and after you graduate.

10. To help you reach your goals.

*BASIC REMINDERSMEETINGSEVERYONE will be on time for all meetings and Practices. EVERYONE will report to all meetings with note pad and pen or pencil.NO ONE will wear head phones in meeting rooms. EVERYONE will turn off their cell phones in meeting rooms.NO ONE will be excused from any meeting except by their position coach. It is your responsibility to inform your position coach of any problems.NO ONE will leave trash in the meeting rooms.

PRACTICEEVERYONE will be dressed in the gear of the day as directed by the head coach.NO ONE will wear Flip Flops to any practice or Walk-Thru.HELMETS will be worn at all times with chinstraps buckled during all drills. If on the sideline during team drills, helmets can be removed but do not put them on the ground.TEMPO OF ALL DRILLS IS FULL SPEED unless told otherwise by coaches.EVERYONE WILL RUN on and off the Practice Field.BASIC RULE IF YOU ARE ON FIELD TURF YOU ARE RUNNING!!

*

THE SUDDEN CHANGE

Situation: There are 4 minutes left in the game. Our Offense has the ball on our own 25

Yard line and has been controlling the ball very well all day although the

score is now only 13 7 in our favor. It is 3rd and 3. We run off tackle,

gain 4 yards but we fumble and they recover. A Sudden Change.

This pressure situation may occur at any time the offense has the football.

What are your thoughts?

A. Are you waiting to Lose?

1. He always fumbles in a critical situation

2. I knew that would happen.

3. Why did we run that play?

4. Im tired and Ill have trouble playing full speed.

5. Weve been on the field the whole game.

6. If they score we lose.

7. How much time is left?

Or

B. This is an opportunity to show we are a GREAT DEFENSIVE TEAM!!!

1. We will not lose this game.

2. They cant score on us.

3. This is the game now.

4. If they dont score, we win.

5. Lets go TAKE the ball back and win on Defense.

C. What you must do:

1. Go right to the coach and huddle and get together as a confident defensive team.

2. Get necessary instructions on the situation as it presents itself.

3. Sprint on the field determined to make the big play to stop any score.

4. Get mentally vicious in your attitude to discourage any false confidence of the opponent

5. Prevent any big play.

6. Swarm the football and gang tackle.

Winning these key situations is the mark of a great defensive team. In addition to preventing a score and possible loss it very often changes the momentum of a game and demoralizes the opponent.

*2 MINUTE PROCEDUREWhat are we defending against TD or FG?Does the offense have any timeouts? If not, expect the ball to be thrown to the sideline.Is the QB a runner?Substitute only when the clock stops.The first play of a 2 minute series is often to the RB (Screen or Draw).It is always a 4 down situation unless FG attempt.With the clock stopped, Expect the Hard Count.

HOW TO USE THE CLOCKKeep the Ball Carrier in BoundsForce the ball to be thrown in front of you (No Cover Zone).Get off the pile slowly after a tackle or sack. The clock will continue to run on run play or completion in bounds that is short of a first down.

WHAT STOPS THE CLOCKPenaltiesFirst DownsDefensive InjuryDeliberate Delay of game by the defense. Keep your Poise.Measurement for a first down.

In a 2 minute Situation we will always huddle on the sideline before taking the field to confirm the calls and the personnel.We will Substitute only when the clock stops.We do not want to use a timeout but we can and will if we need to.Keep your poise and play confident!

*Call :STACK MISSILE TORCHVICTORY DEFENSE ( LAST PLAY)HZSQXMEFCBCHFSNTZNiATrailerJumperJumperBox OutDeepestContain2nd Contain

*CORE DEFENSIVE PRINCIPLESEYE DISCIPLINE

GAP CONTROL

SPILL THEORY

CONTAIN

PURSUIT

CHASE TECHNIQUE

RE-ROUTE

GANG TACKLE

TAKEAWAYS

SCORE ON DEFENSE

*PRINCIPLES OF RUN DEFENSEATTACK YOUR GAP AND CONTROL IT (GAP CONTROL)DO YOUR JOB BEFORE HELPING SOMEWHERE ELSESEE THE BLOCKER (EYE DISCIPLINE)SHED THE BLOCKER (BLOCK PROTECTION)LBS READ STUFF AND SHED OR RIP AND RUNDOWNBLOCK = SPILL (SPILL THEORY) STAY ON YOUR FEET FIND THE BALL AND SWARM TO IT (PURSUIT)ATTACK AND GANG TACKLE THE BALL CARRIERALWAYS KNOCK HIM BACKCAUSE A FUMBLE BY STRIPPING THE BALL FROM THE BALL CARRIER.CAUSE A FUMBLE BY KNOCKING THE BALL LOOSE WITH A BIG HIT ON THE BALL CARRIER.

PRINCIPLES OF PASS DEFENSEPRESSURE THE QB INTO THROWING AN INTERCEPTION OR TAKING A SACK.SEE YOUR COVERAGE KEY OR PROGRESSION (EYE DISCIPLINE)DISRUPT TIMING OF ROUTES (RE-ROUTE)FIND THE THROWN BALL AND SWARM TO IT (PURSUIT)ATTACK AND GANG TACKLE THE RECEIVERCAUSE A FUMBLE BY STRIPPING THE BALL FROM THE RECEIVER.

*FORCING TURNOVERSCAUSE A FUMBLE BY STRIPPING THE BALL FROM THE BALL CARRIER.CAUSE A FUMBLE BY KNOCKING THE BALL LOOSE WITH A BIG HIT ON THE BALL CARRIER.PRESSURE THE QB INTO THROWING AN INTERCEPTIONCOVER RECEIVERS TIGHT TO MAKE THE QB HOLD THE BALL AND BE SACKED AND TOMAHAWK STRIP THE BALL.

ONCE THE BALL COMES OUT , THE BETTER THE PURSUIT THE BETTER THE CHANCE THAT WE RECOVER!!WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLETurnovers change momentum in a game, energize your teamand demoralize your opponent. If you Win the Turnover Battle it often means you will Win the Game. On Defense this means aggressive, ball conscious tackling and winning the fight for the ball in the air or on the ground.Creating a turnover and scoring on Defense is the greatest contribution the Defense can make to winning.

*TURNOVER CIRCUITGL302010STRIP DRILLTOMAHAWK DRILLSTATION # 1 TOMAHAWK DRILL COACH HETHERMANSTATION # 2 TIP DRILL - COACH CLARK STATION # 3 STRIP DRILL - COACH DAVISSTATION # 4 INTERCEPTION DRILL COACH FORCUCCI

ALTERNATE DRILLSSCOOP & SCOREFUMBLE RECOVERYSCOOP WITH TRAILER*GROUPS WILL ROTATE CLOCKWISESTATION # 1STATION # 2STATION # 3TIP DRILLSTATION # 4INTERCEPTION DRILL

ALL PLAYERS THAT ARE NOT INVOLVED STAND 5 YARDS BEHIND THE DRILL.

EACH GROUP WILL BE GIVEN A CALL.

SIGNAL CALLER, MAKE THE DEFENSIVE CALL LOUD AND GET ALIGNED QUICKLY.

YOU WILL BE GIVEN A CADENCE BY THE QB. KEY THE BALL.

BALL IS SNAPPED:

COACH WILL SIMULATE A TOSS TO A RUNNING BACK EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT.

RUNNING BACK WILL RUN TOWARDS THE NUMBERS AND DOWN THE FIELD.

THIS IS NOT A CONDITIONING DRILL (ITS TEAM DEFENSE).

POINTS OF EMPHASIS: CALL PROCEDURE GETTING ALIGNED QUICKLY EXPLOSIVE REACTION PURSUIT ANGLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES EFFORTTO COMPLETE THE DOWN FINISHING THE DRILL FULL SPEED YOUR GROUP CAN AND WILL BE CALLED BACK IF POINTS OF EMPHASIS ARE NOT EXECUTED.PURSUIT DRILLNTESWZMHCFCRED LEFTTOSS LEFT

PURSUIT DRILLNTESWZMHCFCRED RIGHTTOSS RIGHTALL PLAYERS THAT ARE NOT INVOLVED STAND 5 YARDS BEHIND THE DRILL.

EACH GROUP WILL BE GIVEN A CALL.

SIGNAL CALLER, MAKE THE DEFENSIVE CALL LOUD AND GET ALIGNED QUICKLY.

YOU WILL BE GIVEN A CADENCE BY THE QB. KEY THE BALL.

BALL IS SNAPPED:

COACH WILL SIMULATE A TOSS TO A RUNNING BACK EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT.

RUNNING BACK WILL RUN TOWARDS THE NUMBERS AND DOWN THE FIELD.

THIS IS NOT A CONDITIONING DRILL (ITS TEAM DEFENSE).

POINTS OF EMPHASIS: CALL PROCEDURE GETTING ALIGNED QUICKLY EXPLOSIVE REACTION PURSUIT ANGLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES EFFORTTO COMPLETE THE DOWN FINISHING THE DRILL FULL SPEED YOUR GROUP CAN AND WILL BE CALLED BACK IF POINTS OF EMPHASIS ARE NOT EXECUTED.

*

SWARM TO THE BALL

*TACKLINGFundamentals of Tackling

PROPER LEVERAGE

CLOSE (PRESS THE MAN)

SOLID BASE (BALANCE)

EYES

SINK HIPS

CONTACT (BRING BACK SHOULDER)

CLUB ARMS (STRIP)

GRAB CLOTH

RUN YOUR FEETTackling DrillsAngle FormAngle TackleRun Balance Hit (Straight on)Run Balance Hit (Angle)Open Field (2-way go)SidelineMatt Tackle

Coaching PointsBe more Aggressive if you are the Primary Force player and have the proper leverageMake the Sure Tackle in the Open Field, not the big hit. Balance is the key.Save Player (Last Man) should bring the ball carrier down any way he can. Save the TD!Use the Sideline to your advantage. Use the proper leverage and force him out of boundsDrive the ball carrier back in a Clean-up situation. Move the Pile backward and think Turnover.

*TACKLING CIRCUITGL302010SIDELINE TACKLESHIMMY TACKLE

CUT TACKLESTATION # 1 CUT TACKLE COACH HETHERMANSTATION # 2 SIDELINE TACKLE COACH CLARKSTATION # 3 SHIMMY TACKLE - COACH DAVIS STATION # 4 VICE TACKLE (COMBO) COACH FORCUCCI

ALTERNATE DRILLSSHED TACKLEEYE OPENER TACKLEGL TACKLE*GROUPS WILL ROTATE CLOCKWISESTATION # 1STATION # 2STATION # 3STATION # 4VICE TACKLE (Combo)

*BLOCK PROTECTION CIRCUITGL302010PUSH - PULL - RIP

CUT BLOCKSTATION # 1 - CUT BLOCK COAC HETHERMANSTATION # 2 HIGH SHED COACH CLARKSTATION # 3 PUSH PULL - RIP - COACH DAVISSTATION # 4 CLUB THROWBY COACH FORCUCCI

ALTERNATE DRILLSHIGH LOW SHED*GROUPS WILL ROTATE CLOCKWISESTATION # 1STATION # 2STATION # 3HIGH SHEDSTATION # 4CLUB THROWBY

*Huddle And Huddle Procedure1.HUDDLE The Nose will line up on the Ball, the Tackle will be positioned away from the Husky call immediately following the completion of the previous play. He will position himself approximately 4 yards from the anticipated spot of the ball. It is necessary that we get in and out of the huddle as quick as possible. We must have the huddle call complete and communicated by the Mike and Free Safety before the offenseapproaches the LOS, so we can align correctly to the offensive formation . Huddle discipline is the keyto successful communication. The secondary will form a 2 deep shell 8- 10 yards off the ball. Immediately following the play everyone should get to their huddle positions and look to the sideline.

LOSS E N TZMWHuddle CaptainSituation CallerHBCFCFS2Situation Caller [ Zip ] While the huddle captain is getting the call, the situation caller will alert the defense to the situation.

Possible Considerations:1. Personnel in the game2. Down and Distance3. Alerts and tendenciesHUSKY LEFT

*3.Huddle Captain [ Mike ]

All players must look to the sideline for the defensive call immediately following the completion of the previous play. Get the entire defensive call before communicating the signal to the defense.

The sequence of the defensive call is as follows:

Defensive FrontStuntCoverage EAGLE ANGLE 3

4.HUDDLE DISCIPLINE AND BREAKHuddle discipline is vital. Once the situation caller gives the Defense the situation and the huddle captain gets the call from the sideline there will be no talking. This is done so goodcommunication is possible.

5.FORMATION STRENGTHS

Declaring which side of the formation is the HUSKY side must be determined as quickly as possible. The defensive package is dependent upon the declaration of the HUSKY call.The HUSKY will determine and declare a RIGHT or LEFT call. The defense will now move to their designated alignments.

*********************