Football Scheme Chalk Talk

Cover 2 Defense

2008-12-13T10:53:00.000-08:00

The cover 2 defensive scheme has become a base defense for many teams. It allows teams with less talent to simplify things while having an effective scheme work for them. Click on the image to get closer look.

Your corners do not have to be excellent athletes to excel in this scheme. I personally think this scheme was invented to aid the corners who had no cover skills. Only real corners play man-to man.

It is important to note that you must have a good pass rush to use this scheme effectively. You are vulnerable over the middle vs playaction. However the qb must be accurate.

The evolution of the cover 2 has made it easier for coaches as well. Coaches no longer have to teach their players how to play man coverage. Thus the decline in what used to be called "cover corner." Man coverage is simply not being coached too much these days.

There are advantages to using the cover 2. You won't have to worry about passes being thrown in the flats. It compresses the offense. You can get lots of turnovers if you have a good defensive line.

Actually all you need is a couple of REALLY good defensive ends to pressure the qb.

I will be talking about the cover 2 scheme on my website as well. Remember, you can get a scheme from anywhere. Accept they don't show you how or when to use it. I will not only give you the scheme, but I will show when and where to use it.

Footballscheme.com is the ONLY place to get the information to turn your program around!

Keeping the defense honest. (offense)

2008-12-01T18:18:00.000-08:00

Many coaches get into the habit of being predictable with their play calling. Often times they will come out with what they think is an unstoppable play and overuse it. Typical mistake of a rookie play caller.

You might be able get away with using the same scheme against a weaker opponent but not against the big boys. You must do things offensively to keep them honest. Perhaps you might want to use a few trick plays. Lots of coaches use gimmick plays to keep the defense honest.

You can't afford to let a good defense know what you are doing. They will adjust to you and make life hard for your offense. There are many ways to keep them honest.

You can run reverses, double pitch passes, screens, double reverses, flea flicker, or anything you can think of. I advise you to go with the trick plays early in the game. This way it won't be too costly if you make a mistake.

Using lots of formations is another way to keep them honest. By using multiple formations, your opponent will be forced to play it safe. Your opponent as a play caller is also the defensive coordinator. This is important to remember.

Before you design a set of trick plays for a particular opponent, you must first find out what their weakness is. For example, if the opponent's weakness is in the secondary, you might be better off designing pass plays for gimmicks.

Reverses are good to use against opponents that are really aggressive. Heavy pressure teams tend to overrun reverses. Screens are also good plays to use vs the blitz.

I once played against a team that almost beat us using the wr middle screen. The outside receiver would catch the screen in the middle of the field behind the center. They ran that play
5 or 6 times all for big yardage. This same team beat the #5 ranked team in the nation with the same play. They seemed to have an audible for it because they ran it at the perfect time. They kind of put you to sleep before they ran it again.

They were able to beat a highly ranked team by using a gimmick that was effective. They forced teams to get out of what they normally do defensively. I think the wr middle screen is an underused play in this day and age. Not many coaches are aware of it. You might be able to use it against your next opponent.

To be effective against a playoff team requires quite a bit of game planning. It is important to note that you should critique your own playcalling. You must look and see where you were predictable. Observe the situation in which you made the bad call. Did you panic? Was the moment too big for you? There are many reason we sometimes make bad calls. Prepare yourself for the situation in case a similar one arrives.

If you make a bad call in the game. Don't get down on yourself. We all make bad calls as coordinators. Don't regret making a bad call in a game. Just look at it as a learning experience. Then move on.

Visit my website for more information on football schemes.

How To Utilize Your Offensive Personnel

2008-09-22T18:30:00.000-07:00

Utilizing your personnel for situational gameplanning is another way to dictate the pace of the game. If you don't have a third down personnel package, you might want to consider getting one. These are the players that are good for this type of situation.

Maybe your starting running back is also your third down back. Although it helps to have that #2 back that is a utility guy. Maybe you have a third receiver you want to get the ball to. You can put him in a package that allows you to have him on the field. The key is to get your best players on the field.

Using different personnel packages forces the defense to be careful with their substitutions. The defense doesn't want to get caught in the wrong personnel. It could cost them a big play or possibly a touchdown.

One of the first things you want to do in the offseason is figure out what kind of personnel you have. Every season is different especially in high school. For example, you might not have that true every down back like you did the season before. You might have to use two backs to replace the one. This would change how you utilize your personnel. This will then change your play calling.

As the season goes on, your opponents will know your substitution packages. You can use this knowledge to your advantage. You can throw a monkey wrench in their plans. This is where you make a few minor tweaks on your packages. You must keep your opponents honest. If you don't keep them honest, they will keep you honest.

You can go to to my website to see more examples of schemes that you are free to install. You can be a step ahead of your opponents!

Situational Playcalling (Offense) Using a Play Call Sheet

2008-09-18T18:35:00.000-07:00

This is a good time to talk about situational playcalling. You have to learn how to call certain plays for certain situations. Using a goaline play on third and long is not the way to go. Just because a certain scheme works well between the 20's doesn't mean it will work on the goaline. You must include all schemes on your play call sheet.

A play call sheet is designed to keep the palycaller up to par on his scheme during the game. It is important to have at least 20 more plays than you think you are going to use. Coaches play sheets differ depending on how you want to set things up.

You can have plays for 3rd and long, goaline, 2nd and long, 1st and short, etc. You can also add plays that are for certain situations. I.E. having a few schemes ready for just about any situation you can possibly think of.

I would even try to think of plays I can use for say third and 20. Why not be ready for any situation you can possibly think of? You can also have what I like to call emergency plays. These are plays that you can use to break up the tension in a tight game.

It is important to note that you should also get into the habit of scripting your first 10-15 plays or so. This can give you the knowledge to gameplan for your opponent later in the game. That is if you utilize different formations in your gameplan. If you only use one or two formations, you will not be able to get a look at how your opponent adjusts. You will get the same look which makes it easy for the defense to disguise their scheme.

You must script out different plays with different formations. Your scripted plays should give you a good idea of how their going to play vs certain formations. This information dictates how you are going to attack them.

Once you have used all your scripted plays, you can then begin to call the game. You must anticipate adjustments by your opponent. Just because they give you the same look defensively, doesn't mean they are using the same scheme. You must call plays based on the situation.

Too many coaches are guilty of overusing a play regardless of the situation. It usually catches up to the them when they face a well coached opponent. They have not learned the art of situational playcalling. They're too predictable to beat a well coached team.

You can always go to my website for more information on football schemes.

How To Blitz The Spread Offense

2008-09-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

Many coaches want to know how to put pressure on the spread offense. Coaches are afraid to blitz the spread for fear of getting beat. They simply want to play it safe and send 4 and cover with 7. Don't fall into the trap! Teams are using the spread to try and get you to lay off a bit. Most coaches are caught up into thinking they need more coverage than pressure.

The team that applies the most pressure usually wins the game. I'm not saying to blitz them every down. You have to set your blitz package up. For example, if you start the game by showing them coverage, it will make it easier to send pressure with the same look. Of course if you keep sending the same blitz, they will adjust. You must come into the game with a variety of different blitzes to show the opponent. Too many coaches are guilty of using the same scheme over and over. You should always assume that your next opponent is watching. So be careful not to show your next opponent too much. If you are consistently losing to the same teams every year, you must take a closer look at what you are doing. Are you being predictable? How are you being predictable? How many plays do you actually use in a game? (I know many coaches that use the same defensive scheme the entire year)

You must come up with a variety of different defensive schemes. You should have at least 40 or 50 different schemes at your disposal. Use them strategically. Don't overuse them. If you mix it up properly, your opponent won't be able to figure you out. They will be forced to guess on their adjustments. Your opponent will often times throw right into your coverage if done right.

Don't be afraid to blitz your corners. This gives the offense something else to worry about. You will find that the protection schemes at the high school levels aren't geared toward block a blitzing corner. Be careful when doing so.

Every now and then you can blitz the "house." In other words, blitz all the line backers. You should be able to get away with this once a quarter. With this scheme you are leaving the middle of the field wide open. That is why I recommend using this scheme on third and long. Third and long is a good time to send heavy pressure. You must first start the game by showing coverage on third down. They will grow to expect coverage on third down. Once you switch it up, you will catch them off guard. Don't be surprised if the opposing qb throws right into your coverage. This can easily happen because they were caught by the surprise of the pressure on third down.

Now you have them scrambling. The qb will not be able to make the proper reads. He doesn't know where the pressure is coming from. He has to guess. Now he has problems.

The winner of the game applies the most pressure. If you can apply good pressure without having to blitz, that's the best. Ultimately, the more coverage you can have the better. Accept most teams don't have 3 or 4 solid defensive lineman. You will be lucky to have 1 or 2 but many teams have none. So they must be more creative with their blitz packages.

You can visit my site to get a better idea of a few schemes to use to stop the spread offense.

Defending The Spread Offense

2008-09-17T00:02:00.000-07:00

Many high school coaches around the U.S. are asking how to defend the spread offense. I have been asked this question many times over. It depends on your defensive system. From there you will be able to come up with a package to that is geared toward stopping the pass.

There are many different variations of the spread offense. Some versions of the spread employ the five receiver set. Some the four receiver look with one back etc. The spread is designed to create mismatches for the offense. Knowing this, we can use it to our advantage. Coaches are finding out the hard way that they can't use their base personnel to defend it. There are too many mismatches.

I believe it is best to use a dime package vs the five receiver look. This gives us six defensive backs to take away any mismatches. Some coaches think they won't be able to bring the kind of pressure they would like with the dime. I beg to differ. There are actually a ton of things you can do to bring pressure using the dime package.

If you don't have the depth to use a dime, maybe you might consider the nickle package. This package gives you another line backer to help stop the run. You still have 5 defensive backs to defend the pass.

You must remember to always pay attention to down and distance. You might not want to use a dime on third and one. It is best to switch your packages up throughout the game due to fatigue. You want your players to be fresh in the fourth quarter.

You can always visit my site to get more ideas.

3-3-5 Defensive Scheme

2008-09-03T17:50:00.000-07:00

I have been answering emails all summer about the 3-3-5 scheme. The 3-3-5 can be easily disguised. If used properly, it can confuse the best offenses. It gives you three defensive lineman, three linebackers, and five defensive backs. Depending on the personnel you have on your team, you can interchange your players to figure out the best fit. Most of the coaches that want to use the 3-3-5 are defending the spread offense. It allows you to have the freedom to apply pressure and have some coverage behind it. Be sure to click on the sample link above to see the plays better. I it shows how we match up vs the spread offense using the 3-3-5.

I believe the 3-3-5 gives us the best chance to defend an offense that is 50-50 run/pass with the spread. One of the safest schemes to use against a heavy pass team is man under with two deep safeties. No matter what defensive formation you use. I have been telling coaches that this is the best scheme to use to set the offense up.

Some coaches feel that the 3-3-5 can be attacked by running against it. This is their reason for not wanting to use it. This depends on the type of athletes you have on your team. You can make the nickle back a safety for run support (if you have the personnel). I have talked to many coaches that are happy with the success their having with the 3-3-5. A couple of coaches just switched to the 3-3-5 this season and are happy with what they have accomplished thus far. They are now competing with teams that they normally don't compete with because they are able to keep the game close.

When I draw a play up, it's in it's generic form. How well you disguise your scheme is another thing. I assist with all those intangibles by consulting with my clients. It is more important to get the concepts down first. I mean literally walk through the plays with your defense until they have an understanding of what you are teaching them.

There are so many ways to disguise the 3-3-5. You can make it look like a 3-4, 4-3, dime, or nickle. Depending on your alignment. Before you start thinking about using the 3-3-5, you should take a good look at your personnel. Your linebackers have to be studs. They are the key to this scheme. They must be athletic. Must be able to play the run as well as the pass. My website gives a few examples of the 3-3-5.

It is important to note that one should not use the 3-3-5 on the goal line. Too many coaches are guilty of over using a scheme to the point where the opponents catch up to them. This can cost you a game or two down the line. The loss COULD come at the wrong time i.e. the playoffs or something. Don't be that coach. Everyone has tendencies but this is just plain dumb. You must change it up. The 3-3-5 can be used as an every down scheme until you get to the goal line (meaning 5 yard line and in). Everyone has a different concept of where they no longer use the 3-3-5. Always have another package or two ready for your opponent. Something that that particular opponent has not seen you use.

I will be glad to answer any of your questions regarding anything related to football schemes. You can always go footballscheme.com for more information regarding football schemes.

Spread Offense

2008-09-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

It's amazing to see how many coaches are using the spread offense nowadays. I have been preaching about the spread set since 1992. When I brought my ideas to various coaches about my spread scheme, they practically laughed at me. Some of these very same coaches are now using the empty set. The point I'm getting at is the fact that I've been saying all along that it works. (visit footballscheme.com for more information)

The spread offense is now sweeping the nation. Many coaches like to put their best athlete at the Qb position to let him touch the ball on every play. That's just one advantage to using the spread offense. I like to put my best passer at the Qb position. This way defense will have to stay honest in their coverages. Defenses will have to be be careful with the blitz. Another advantage is the fact that it forces defenses to spread out leaving more running lanes for the running back. If the defense chooses to use their base personnel, we can create mismatches with the passing game. Many defensive coordinators are too busy teaching their players how to stop the run. They don't work on pass defense as much. This gives us an opportunity to create big plays in the passing game.

Now I get emails from coaches who want to know how to defend the spread offense. They finally realize that they can't defend it with their basic schemes. It took them over 15 years to realize this however.

When using the spread offense, you must first figure out how you are going set up your blocking schemes. I like to use either a slide protection or zone blocking. You should be able to incorporate your current blocking into the spread. The empty set can also be use in goal line situations as well. Many teams at all levels are using the spread the entire season.

This blog is about football in general but nowadays one must talk about the spread first I suppose. I will talk about how to stop the spread, defensive schemes that can defend the spread, and anything football related. You can always go to my website to get a feel for what I'm teaching. I try to target that coach out there who is looking for new ideas but don't know where to get it. My website is for coaches who are maybe on the losing end but want to turn things around. I have helped quite a few coaches at the high school level turn their programs into winners. If you continue to run the same ol offense expecting different results, it's not gonna' happen. It's time to mix it up a little. Remember, you can get as many schemes from anyone you want, that doesn't mean that you will know how or when to use them. My services offer more than just giving away plays. I provide concepts that lead to you coming up with schemes of your own based on what I assist you with. My site is an the first online assistant football coach ever made. Others will soon copy my format.