1. Defending the spread offense with the 3-5-3/3-3-5
Thomas Cousins
2. What teams running the spread try to do.
• Get us to remove linebackers from the box and lose gap integrity.
• Rub or mesh our DBS when we are in man.
• Find holes in our zone coverage.
• Get us thinking pass and bust us with the run.
• Pick up our blitzes and give their QB time to throw.
• Reduce outside pressure by making our OLBS cover receivers.
3. What we try to do to teams running the spread.
• Force the QB to throw under distress.
• Maintain gap integrity.
• Confuse the QB by disguising and changing coverages.
• Force the QB to try and find the holes in our zone coverage.
• Shut down the run by maintaining gap integrity, and in turn making the offense one dimensional.
4. Our beliefs:
• We feel that we can dictate to the offense what they can and cannot run.
• We do not want to be counter punchers, we want the offense to stay off balance.
• We want the offense waiting to see what we are going to do next.
• We want to send as much pressure as possible.
• We will void zones in zone coverage.
5. Vocabulary
• Sky- tells us that we are showing cover 3, but rolling to cover 4 with the whip and free safety. Will ILB has
hook/curl/flats weak
• Banjo- when an OLB is called on to blitz but is responsible for a player in man coverage. The OLB will call
“banjo” to either tell the free safety to take his man or banjo the blitz to the inside linebacker to perform.
• Cover 1- man free coverage. We are man underneath and our free safety is playing centerfield.
• Cover 4- true quarters coverage.
• Cover 3- three deep zone coverage
• Man- true man to man coverage.
• Cat- tells the will linebacker to slide out to 4x4
• Sam and Will- our two inside linebackers
• Stud and Whip- our two outside linebackers
6. Coverages
• Cover 3
• Cover Man
• Cover 1
• Cover 3 sky
• Cover 4
7. Cover 3
8. Cover Man
9. Cover 1 (man free)
10. Cover 3 (sky)
11. Cover 4 (Quarters)
12. “Cat” Cover 4
13. Formation adjustments against the spread.
14. Shotgun spread W/TE
option 1.- stay in 3
15. Shotgun spread W/TE
option 2.- check to 1(man free)
16. Shotgun spread W/TE
option 3.- check to man
17. Shotgun spread W/TE
option 4.- roll to 4 (sky)
18. Shotgun spread W/TE
option 5.- check to “cat” cover 4
19. Shotgun spread trips W/TE
option 1.- stay in 3
20. Shotgun spread trips W/TE
option 2.- check man
21. Shotgun spread trio W/TE
option 1.- stay 3
22. Shotgun spread trio W/TE
option 2.- roll to sky(4)
23. Shotgun spread trio W/TE
option 3.- 1 (man free)
24. Shotgun spread trips open
option 1.- stay in 3
25. Shotgun spread trips open
option 2.- roll to sky (4)
26. Shotgun spread trips open
option 3.- 1 (man free)
27. Shotgun spread double twins
option 1.- stay in 3
28. Shotgun spread double twins
option 2.- check 1 (man free)
29. Shotgun spread double twins
option 3.- check to “cat” cover 4
30. Defending empty sets
31. Shotgun spread empty pro trips
option 1.- check to “cat” cover 4
32. Shotgun spread empty trips twins
option 1.- check to “cat” cover 4
33. Shotgun spread empty quads
option 1.- check to “cat” cover 4
34. Shotgun spread moose
option 1.- stay in 3
35. Shotgun spread moose
option 2.- check cover 1(man free)
36. Shotgun spread moose-trio
option 1.- stay in 3
37. Shotgun spread moose-trio
option 2.- check cover 1(man free)
38. Motion adjustments
• When in doubt, check to cover 3 and play football.
• Cover 4(quarters) is our “oh crap” coverage.
39. Defending the run
• Zone
• Sweep
• Trap
• Lead
• Power
40. Defending the zone
41. Defending the sweep
42. Defending the trap
43. Defending the lead
44. Defending the power
45. Blitzes we like to use
3 to the weak side
46. Blitzes we like to use
3 to the weak side
47. Blitzes we like to use
3 to the weak side
48. Blitzes we like to use
3 to the weak side
49. Blitzes we like to use
3 to the strong side
50. Blitzes we like to use
3 to the strong side
51. Blitzes we like to use
4 to the strong side
52. Blitzes we like to use
4 to the strong side
53. Closing
• We work very hard on not getting outflanked by formations.
• We work formation adjustments, motion adjustment, and checks everyday.
• As you can see, our adjustments are very simple usually only one or two people move.
1. Defending the Wing T with the 3-5-3
Thomas Cousins
2. What coaches running the Wing T try to do:
• Cause gap confusion
• Overwhelm defenses at the point of attack
• Catch defenses looking into the backfield
• Get defenses so worried about the run they forget about the pass.
3. The Wing T is built on:
• Blocking down
• Establishing the run
• Dive, Trap, Buck Sweep, and Belly
• Bootleg/waggle
4. Rules for defending the Wing T:
• Never look into the backfield.
• Read line keys and run inside out.
• Cause havoc with pulling guards with pressure in the A gaps.
• Create a surge up the field, but be under control.
• When someone leaves- replace him.
• Bounce the ball to the force player and run it down with pursuit.
• Most tackles will be made from the backside.
5. Wing T base formations
6. Right/ left
7. Slot
8. Trips
9. Slot/ Wing
10. Double Slot
11. Slot/ Wing Over
12. Wing T Buck Sweep
13. Wing T Buck Trap
14. Wing T Sucker dive
15. Wing T Fullback Belly
16. Wing T Wingback counter
17. Wing T TB Lead
18. Wing T Counter X
19. Wing T Speed Sweep
20. Wing T Speed Dive
21. Wing T bootleg keep
22. Wing T Bootleg
23. Wing T Waggle
24. Blitzes to beat the Wing T
25. Blitzes to beat the Wing T
26. Blitzes to beat the Wing T
27. Blitzes to beat the Wing T
28. Blitzes to beat the Wing T