Defense

The oldest trick in football is putting your overhang in conflict. You know the picture. The nickel is out over a twin set, and the

Most coaches think defending the triple option is a pre-snap math problem. Assign a dive player, a quarterback player, a pitch player, and you’re sound.

The two-receiver side of a split-field call mostly coaches itself. The single-receiver side is where the call lives or dies. A short split by the

The offense you face this fall spent all summer blocking a front you don’t play. Ryan Pugh’s line wants a nose, a three-technique, a five,

Last time, Coach Zangl showed you where the box lines up. This is what the box does the instant the ball moves. Those tight alignments

Most multiple defenses break at the install. Five fronts means five sets of rules, and the kid lining up is a half-step late because he’s

The double-team kills your defensive line before the snap. You know the picture. Power one way, counter the other. Either way, the playside guard’s hands

The vice tackle has help on the other side. The sideline tackle has help too. It’s just the sideline. The hardest version is when there’s

The RPO works because your DB is guessing. Bail and they hand it off. Bite up and they pull and throw the bubble or the

Man coverage closes the RPO. Tight windows. No conflict defender. No easy read. The problem is the matchup. Most defenses can’t play man every snap.