Posts in category Defense 62

Defensive Pursuit to the Football

Sep15
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Coach Jeff

How many youth football coaches actually work on pursuit to the football in practice? I have a feeling that many youth football coaches do not work on that in practice. In practice my team works the pursuit drill every day, some days more than others.

Great defenses Swarm to the Football! It helps to avoid giving up big plays because the whole defense is gang tackling the running back. It is also important that defenses does not over pursuit, taking the proper angles to the ball is vital. You must work on getting off blocks and “swarm” to the ball carrier with physicality and enthusiasm. Get all 11 players to the ball, attack!
Great Video on the Pursuit Drill

Gap positioning is also very important, especially with the defensive line. All defensive linemen must hold their gaps. If the defenders do not secure their gap there will be running space inside. Defensive linemen must secure their gaps- then get into their pursuit lanes. Teams that run a lot of misdirection in youth football will often catch defenses playing over aggressive. Misdirection is probably the most effective play in youth football. Defenses must be disciplined with gap assignments. They must penetrate, secure gap, and then pursuit to the ball.

If you do the pursuit drill comment on this!

Good Luck!

Posted in Coaching tips, Defense 53, Defense Misc - Tagged form tackling, pursuit drill, tackling, youth football defense, youth football tackling drills

Football Terminology- Defense

Apr03
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Youth Football Online

Youth Football Defense Terminology

Forcing Gap: Defender is blitzing or aggressively attacking his assigned gap. This goes for all defensive positions. Example; the middle linebacker is forcing the B gap-he is blitz on the snap of the ball through the B gap.

Inside Shade: Defender lines up on the inside shoulder of an offensive player, having “inside leverage”.

Outside Shade: Defender lines up on the outside shoulder of an offensive player, having “outside leverage”.

Containment Player: Defensive player that is responsible for not letting the ball carrier get outside. Must always turn the play back into the defensive pursue.

Squeezing: Pressing down onto offensive linemen that are pulling or down blocking away from you. This will deter any vertical space, voided gaps, and cutback lanes.

Rolling Coverage: The Safeties and cornerbacks rotate to assigned man or zone coverage because of a shift, pre snap read, or motion from the offense. Rolling coverage can also occur once the ball is snapped.

Press Coverage: Up close-bump and run with an eligible receiver.

Off Coverage: Also known as soft coverage. This means the defender is allowing cushion (distance) from an eligible receiver.

Perimeter: Also known as the edge of the defense. It is the outside of the defensive box.

Alley: Area of the field between the cornerback and the box.

The “Mike Linebacker”: The middle linebacker.

The “Will Linebacker”: The weak side linebacker, lines up on the weak side of the offensive formation.

The “Sam Linebacker”: The strong side linebacker, lines up on the strong side of the offensive formation.

Defense Front: Number of defensive linemen. Example; say there is 5 defensive linemen it is an odd front. Say there is 4 defensive linemen, it is an even front.

Secondary: Corners and safety.

Second Level: Linebackers.

Third Level: Secondary (corners and safeties).

Green Zone: the offense is inside you 20 yard line and driving.

Posted in Defense 53, Defense Misc - Tagged football terminology, football terms, youth football

Youth Football-Tips for Solid Defensive Line Play

Nov08
2010 2 Comments Written by Youth Football Online

Youth football -Defensive Line

If you control the line of scrimmage you will control the game. Youth football coaches sometimes over look defensive line play. Practicing proper defensive line technique/responsibilities are crucial to a successful youth football defense. There are four main aspects of defensive line play:

Youth Football Defensive Stance:

Linemen should have feet shoulder width, with your push off foot slightly back. Head needs to be watching the ball. One arm should be resting on the thigh; other arm/hand should be up in jolting/launching position. Have those hands in ready position to jolt/launch on offensive linemen.

Staying Low-Launching:

Staying low is vital for the youth football defensive linemen while firing out of their defensive linemen stance. Coming out high will allow offensive linemen to push you around. Engage blockers, launching into the blocker on the snap of the ball.

Squeezing:

Many youth football coaches do not teach their children how to squeeze or what squeezing is. Squeezing is pressing down onto offensive linemen that are pulling or down blocking away from you. This will deter any vertical space, voided gaps, and cutback lanes.

Getting off blocks:

Getting off blocks are key for defensive linemen. Rip, swim, club, and grab dip rip technique should be practiced every day. Getting off blocks is just as important as tackling. You cannot tackle the ball carrier unless you get off the block.

Gaps assignments

Each defender should have a gap to attack and defend. Say you’re defensive tackle is responsible for the B-gap (gap between guard and tackle) then the defensive linemen must attack inside shoulder of offensive tackle.

Posted in Coaching tips, Defense 53, Defense Misc - Tagged defensive linemen, gap control, youth football, youth football defensive line