Nebraska LB, DL Defensive Drills and DB Clinic

I got to the chance this Christmas vacation to watch Nebraska practice in Orlando, FL before their bowl game against Georgia.  Nebraska has a pretty sweet deal where they also do a free Coaches Clinic wherever they are at for their bowl game since they recruit nationally.  I took some video of a few LB and DL drills and I got some of Terry Joseph's DB clinic talk.  Nebraska led the nation in pass defense this year and Coach Joseph does a nice job of explaining the fundamentals of DB Play.

Nebraska Def Drills and Clinic 12-29-12 from Barry Hoover on Vimeo.

4-3 vs. the Flexbone - OLB play

Introduction

The OLB position vs. the Flexbone has a lot of keys and reads compared to other positions in the 4-3 Defense, so I got a great coach to explain it.  My next guest writer is a man who needs no introduction.  He is an outstanding football coach that has taught me a ton about football and technology over the years.  He is the author of one of the best articles written on defense (here), and he has the best football coaching blog on the Internet (here).  His site has more posts than days of the year and they contain a wealth of information for fellow football coaches.  Let me introduce the one and only Brophy...  

PREMISE

Stopping Option, much less Flexbone, requires an entire team performance; no part is greater than the sum.  Each position must function together within the supporting framework of the front and coverage. The Option attack will stress a defense’s fundamentals; therefore, there must be clearly defined assignments of Dive (FB), Quarterback, and Pitch, with disciplined backside gap support.

With the other front positions expertly covered by the other coaches, I will provide an overview of preparing the Outside Linebacker against the Flexbone Option offense.  The ‘easy’ part of this equation for the Outside Linebacker is that he is supported and protected by the coverage.  With a 2-high shell, he is afforded the luxury of being a perimeter defender without being the Force player.  The 7 man box of the 4-3 means that the Corner will be force in Cover 2, the Safety will be Force in Cover 4, or if indeed, the Outside Linebacker is the Force player it will be against the weak side of the offensive formation (no Tight End) and be some type of Quarter-Halves variation (coverage rolled away from this backer).  This allows him to be free from interior fast-read trash (allow him to process the offense response) and position himself for leverage for block destruction. 

By not acting as the Force player, the Linebacker isn’t pressured with the ‘don’t get reached’ mantra and is allowed to be more aggressive in attacking the ball and blocks.  The area of importance for the Outside Linebacker will be flow-to C gap and flow away A gap (strong) or D gap and B gap weak respectively.  This short-area focus allows him to efficiently act as a fulcrum between the Force defender and the interior mass of the front.

WIN - WHAT'S IMPORTANT NOW?

What do you have to stop against the Flexbone and how does it relate to the role of the Outside Linebacker?  The focus of this series has been about stopping the Option with the 4-3, so we will begin there.  However, the drills and training used for this will also support the complimentary plays of Flexbone: Power, Buck, and Counter.

The immediate threat to the Outside Linebacker’s position is the Outside Veer or Quarterback-to-Alley phase of the Option.  To reduce the focus and create confidence in assignment, the Outside Linebacker should be trained to react to the initial steps of the end man on the line of scrimmage (EMOL), coupled with the nearside Wing.

This training is done with respect to provide the player with focus and avoid succumbing to a “looming effect” due to the bone’s heavy use of misdirection and pre-snap motioning of Backs.  I will reiterate the importance of stressing this player to think of himself as a short-area player, this way his movement is deliberate and efficient for leveraging the ball.

With each bread-and-butter play you will generally get a consistent picture provided to the defense.  The movements the Linebacker should be proficient in identifying and correctly stepping with are:

Wing Motion TO (the Linebacker)

If the Wing remains to the side of the Linebacker, he usually will be involved in blocking the perimeter on runs (or twirl motion back inside for Iso). He should assume he will be threatened immediately and fast-read the EMOL’s first step and pad level.

Wing Motion AWAY (from the Linebacker)

With Wing motioning away from the Linebacker, he can condition himself to slow-play his reads, as in most situations the offensive play side will be away from the Backer.   With Wing motion away, it is easy for the offense to lull the Linebacker into a trance with the orbit motion, thinking that anytime the Wing motions, the play will be away from the Backer.  This is why we want to drill the Linebacker into making the ‘robotic’ 2-step shuffle into B gap (looking to A) to not position himself out of supporting a weakside / Counter run.  You will see in the Iowa clips vs. Georgia Tech, the Outside Linebackers executing this dogmatically ensuring they are always in position to make a play.  With motion away, his eyes should immediately snap to the EMOL.

Reading the EMOL

·         - TURN-OUT / BASE
    - DOWN
    - ARC / REACH

·       

TURN-OUT / BASE - If the EMOL quickly steps inside and turns his head (see his earhole) to get inside the Defensive End…with a Fullback moving inside or away, the Backer should 2-step shuffle (remaining square the line of scrimmage) and fit himself into his interior (backside) gap support.  He will also 2-step shuffle and fit inside if he sees the EMOL base block the Defensive End.
   

 

 

To the playside vs. Zone Dive, the NT has the A gap, the Mike and OLB both have the B gap, the DE has the C gap, and the Safety is the Force player and he has the D gap.  The OLB Fits on the Outside Half of the B Gap to allow the Mike LB to come free and make the tackle:

DOWN - If the EMOL blocks down hard with low pad level (can’t see the earholes) to wash down inside (down on 5 tech or TO the backer)….with a Fullback moving toward the Linebacker, the offense is setting up Power/Counter (the Wing motion really helps this out).  If the 9 tech DE is being loaded on, the Tight End will come down inside to get on top of the Linebacker.  The Linebacker should see this and attack it much like he would against an Isolation block, engage with the inside flipper and shed into the C gap. 

ARC / REACH - If the EMOL (TE) flattens his release outside, and Fullback heads towards the Linebacker, he will likely be heading upfield to block the Safety and/or Corner (depending if there is a crack block by the Corner) on an arc release.  The arc or reach block is a dead give-away to outside run-action.  The Linebacker should not be in a rush to get outside of the Tight End here, though (remember, he isn’t Force in C2/C4), but should maintain leverage on a leading fullback and/or a reaching tackle.  The Linebacker will want to spill the runner outside of him, therefore it is essential that he maintains leverage on the blocker while pressing the LOS until the runner clears.  The premise here is to string the runner outside to support and not allow him to cutback, maintaining enough position to still make the tackle on the ball carrier.

                                              

These looks can all be presented at a high rate of speed, and should simply just be 2-3 step reactions to the EMOL movements.  It is important that you reiterate the purpose of the drill (to give a conditioning look to build confidence in the linebacker’s assignment), to ensure the defender gains assurance in his responsibility and reinforce his ability to identify what is presented to him.  The ‘scout’ looks given should be exaggerated to make the identification simple (players will attempt to ‘trick’ each other with looks, which is counter-productive to drilling a response).

DRILLS

The simplest way to train the Outside Linebacker for the type of looks he will see against the Flexbone is through constant repetition against EMOL first steps.  During Individual / Pre-Practice periods, the Outside Linebacker should rep.  Using the same looks you used above from Pre-Practice / INDY, you can bring the exact same looks to a bigger picture, working all Linebackers at once to provide a complete picture of offensive looks and gap support.

You can put this altogether (with the entire Linebacker corps and/or Safeties, too) with the IN-AT-OUT drill.  Using this drill to represent the Bone, you really only need the relevant pieces, which would be the 3 Backs and 2 EMOL (2 TEs or 1 TE + 1 OT).  The offensive players can be scout defenders (backups) and just given play cards to quickly rep the motion and action to emulate.

The drill is credited to Jeff Walker, author of “Coaching the 40 Nickel Defense” (who now runs a 33 defense).  It is simple and effective, just set up the ball and appropriate landmarks / necessary offensive players as needed.  The necessary components are the Wings, Fullback, and EMOL; these are the only players needed to provide the looks for the linebacking corps.  The action presented will only attack 1 of the 3 areas.  The Linebackers should then appropriately step-react to the looks given, and end up in their gap fit.  This can be a full-speed or a ¾ speed drill.  Tackling isn’t what is being reinforced here, it is proper footwork and leverage. When repping the 1-step reactions, you want to ensure your defenders are using correct movements, with this drills you should be hammering away at your players to be in the correct (gap-fit) leverage position.  Never forget that this is a muscle-memory exercise.  I should note that the success of this drill will depend on how mature your Linebackers are.  Use the minimal amount of stimuli possible and add offensive players as your Linebackers become more proficient.  Starting out, you could actually just use a Fullback (path) as the reactionary stimulus (if Fullback takes this path, fit here….if Fullback takes this path, go here).  You want the end product being your Linebackers being able to key off a pattern and not fixating on one player (i.e. the Wings).

With the Triple Option, the look is provided in the graphic below to give you an idea how this works.  Once the EMOL steps down inside, the Fullback veers toward the AT gap, the SLB would squeeze down to fit into the Quarterback-to-Pitch relationship on the option.  With the backside Wing orbiting away from the WLB, he should execute the backside shuffle technique.  This provides continual reinforcement of the 1-on-1 drills you used earlier to bolster the confidence of the Linebacker.  The entire picture will be supplied during your TEAM periods. 

With a Midline look, the Linebacker would be given an set block by the EMOL with the Wing heading inside, the Fullback attacking the cylinder of the A gap.  Since Fullback is IN, the near Wing is IN, the Linebacker would execute his backside 2-step shuffle technique and look to maintain his outside shoulder free, squeezing parallel to the line of scrimmage.

As an addition, the Outside Veer will present itself similar to the Triple, with the Fullback attacking the AT and the Wing arcing.

With Speed Option, the reach block is presented by the EMOL with the Wing arcing reaching with the EMOL.  It is important here for the SLB to not give ground, to attack the Wing with his inside arm (engage the blocker first), and explode his hips to separate when the Quarterback appears.  It isn’t important if the SLB makes the tackle here, if he forces the Pitch within 2 seconds (and forcing the ball into an area he is not responsible for; “OUT”) he has ‘done his job’.  Again, reinforce the short-area premise we spoke of before.

With the extreme reach block presented by the backside EMOL and the Wing in motion, the WLB here should “get width/ get depth” as he is now in a backside support role.  He movement should be gaining depth while squeezing inside to the ball, in a steady, parallel shuffle , but never cross the A gap.

This type of ‘controlled vignette’ environment helps tremendously overcome the distraction of multiple moving parts your players will see prior to TEAM practice against the scout offense.  Building your players reps piece-by-piece, in digestible amounts is essential to build a TEAM defense approach against an attack as complete as Flexbone.

CONCLUSION

I have provided a basic overview for developing your Linebackers to face the Flexbone Option attack.  The simplicity of the Bone is part of its charm and sophistication.  With a few base plays, Flexbone offenses typically adapt new wrinkles and blocking adjustments that run counter to how an opponent would actually defend them (adjusting who the read defender will be; blocking the same play 5 different ways).  As such, it is important for the defensive staff to thoroughly game plan and appropriately rep the looks the specific opponent will give.  You may have to face 2 or 3 Flexbone offenses in a season, yet prepare for each in a different fashion.

Good luck next season!

OLB Keys vs. Flexbone from Barry Hoover on Vimeo.

OLB Keys

1.  Clear Read / Slot Fold

2.  vs. Uncovered Guard Coming Right at You

3.  vs. Rocket

4.  vs. Run Action Away

5.  Cover 3 (Backside of Trips): You are Force Player

6.  vs. Twirl Motion

7.  vs. TE - Keep Outside Leverage

OLB Mistakes vs. Flexbone from Barry Hoover on Vimeo.

OLB Mistakes

1.  Slow Read / Poor Read

2.  Not Slow-Playing Pitch

3.  Unless Slot Folds Inside, You Don't Need to Fill B gap When You are to 3 Tech Side

4.  QB to Pitch Player Must Stay Outside QB

5.  Coming in Too Far vs. Twirl Motion

6.  Not Keeping Outside Leverage vs. TE

7.  Must Fit Outside of TE Fold Block Like You Would vs. a Slot

4-3 vs. the Flexbone - Schedule of Posts
Wed. January 12 - DT Play

Sat. January 15 - DE Play

Wed. January 19 - Mike Play

Sat. January 22 - OLB Play

Wed. January 26 - FS/SS Play

Sat. January 29 - CB Play


The Ph.D. of PowerPoint, Andrew Coverdale, is on the Coaches Corner show to talk about Spacing and the quick passing game.  Click here to go and listen the podcast.

4-3 vs. the Flexbone - Mike play

Introduction

I have learned a lot about 4-3 defensive fundamentals from my next guest writer.  He has tremendous knowledge and experience on defending the Flexbone from the 4-3, and he has been amazingly gracious and patient enough to answer all my questions over the years.  The keys for Mike LB play in the video are simple enough, but the position requires a high level of instincts, physical ability, and fundamental skills to execute effectively, as my friend from the "Darkside" will discuss. 

Mike Fundamentals 

I have always been an Over front guy, and in particular, the old Miami style of the Over front.  Offensively, the Flexbone and the Triple Option has always been my staple in terms of what I have run as an offensive coordinator.   The Over front, and its play of the Triple Option, is what sent Triple Option football back to the dark ages in early to mid-80’s in college football.  I am going to discuss the nuisances of how the “man in the middle” of the Over front, can lead to huge success when playing any Triple Option style of offense.

                 

The Middle Linebacker, in most coaches’ Over front, is usually the best defender on the field.  Without going into specifics, if he isn’t, you had better find your best defender and put him here, especially vs. the Flexbone.  In my early years, I played the Flexbone the traditional way—all the linebackers at their standard depths, and keying 1 thing, the Fullback.  The Middle Linebacker had 2 responsibilities all game, and that was to check for Dive leakage (Defensive End not tackling the Fullback), and he had inside half of the Quarterback, or what some would call cutback.  Later on in my career, I learned a newer approach of deepening the Middle Linebacker, to help keep him out of the “wash” by the Offensive Line.  This is how I play it today, and this past bowl season I witnessed this very same technique when Iowa defeated Georgia Tech. 

                

The Middle Linebacker, or Mike Linebacker as I call him in our defense, will align six to seven yards deep, over the Center, or in the A gap opposite the Nose Guard.  This is based on the Middle Linebacker’s ability to see his key, the Fullback.  The Middle Linebacker moves in relation to the Fullback at all times.  The only time he changes direction is when a Guard pulling goes opposite of the Fullback’s path.  Against the Inside Veer, the Middle Linebacker’s responsibility is to check Dive, to inside half of Quarterback.  He does this by mirroring the Fullback’s steps, and staying on the inside hip of the Fullback.  As he mirrors, if there is an open window, the Middle Linebacker fills this window immediately.  This is basically the “Zone Dive” portion of the Flexbone offense.  There will be an open B gap window, because the Tackle and Guard are zone blocking.   

vs. Zone Dive, Mike sees an open window and will fill it immediately: 

 

vs. Midline, Mike sees a closed window and will scrape over the top:

 

vs. Inside Veer, Mike sees an open window initially, so he will check Dive first:

 

 

Now the window has closed, with the DE executing his Block-Down-Step-Down technique.  Mike will scrape over the top for the inside half of the QB:

Common Mistakes

Some common mistakes by the Middle linebacker are that he overruns the ballcarrier and allows for the cutback.  Most Flexbone teams like to run the Zone Dive at the 3 technique so the ballcarrier can cut back.  The Middle Linebacker has to be patient here and respect the Fullback’s ability to cut the ball back into the A gap.  If the Middle Linebacker gets a closed window, or cloudy read as some call it, he is to continue to scrape downhill, keeping himself on the inside hip of the Quarterback.  As he does this, he may encounter the Offensive Tackle along the way.  The depth of the Middle Linebacker helps to make this a tough block for the Offensive Tackle; however, the Middle Linebacker must be able to rip across this block and get his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage to prevent the Quarterback from cutting back, or cutting up in the option Alley.  

A costly mistake by the Middle Linebacker is to align too shallow to fight across this block, getting caught up in the B gap.  This now has the defense with two players playing the same gap: the Defensive End and the Middle Linebacker, and nobody in the C gap to take the Quarterback.  Another common mistake is overrunning the ballcarrier, or not staying on the backside hip of the ballcarrier.  This allows for the cutback by the ballcarrier and can lead to very big gains for the Flexbone Offense.

                 

Vs. Counter Option, or “G” option, the Middle Linebacker has to step and honor the path of the Fullback, but then must redirect, once he reads Guard pull, to once again play the inside half of the Quarterback.  Again, the depth of the Middle Linebacker helps in this case, as does the play of the Defensive End on the Offensive Tackle.  The Middle Linebacker should redirect, and rip across the block of the Tackle, staying on the inside hip of the ballcarrier at all times. 

                 

Some other common errors Middle Linebackers make when defending this offense are slow reads.  Slow reads get a Middle Linebacker blocked, which leaves 1 phase of the Triple Option offense unaccounted for.  This is why I recommend utilizing what we call Perimeter Drill weekly during the season.  Flexbone teams commonly use a drill called Half-Line to get as many reps against the defense as they possibly can.  Perimeter drill is the defense’s Half-Line drill.  Set up half of your defense with a Tackle, End, Outside Linebacker, Middle Linebacker, Safety, and Corner and have your scout team run the Inside Veer at your defense.  The easy part of this drill is that you do not use a football.  This eliminates false reads and miscues when players see the football handed off or pulled.  Now the players have to execute based on reads and keys that should already be built into your defense.

In a nutshell, the Middle linebacker’s job against the Flexbone Triple Option offense is an extremely important one.  He has to be able to fill an open window and plug up the inside gap on the Zone Dive, as well as being able to read a closed window and scrape outside for the Quarterback.  He also needs to be able to see the offensive lineman pulling opposite of the Fullback’s path, so he can help defend on the “G” Option.  All these reads and keys must be practiced weekly for the Middle Linebacker to understand his reads and his role in the defense.  I highly recommend practicing these keys and reads weekly, as game week is too late to begin training your middle linebacker, for what is ultimately his toughest test.  

Mike Keys vs. Flexbone from Barry Hoover on Vimeo.

Mike Keys

1.  Clear Read - Fill

2.  Cloudy Read - Run Over the Top

3.  vs. G Load Option

Mike Mistakes

1.  Slow Read / Poor Read

2.  Not Getting Over the Top of OT

3.  Not Staying on Back Hip of Ball Carrier / Not Coming Tight Off of Cloudy Read

4.  False Step

5.  Not Aligned Deep Enough

4-3 vs. the Flexbone - Schedule of Posts
Wed. January 12 - DT Play

Sat. January 15 - DE Play

Wed. January 19 - Mike Play

Sat. January 22 - OLB Play

Wed. January 26 - FS/SS Play

Sat. January 29 - CB Play

Also, Deuce has a blog at: http://footballislifeblog.blogspot.com/

4-3 vs. the Oregon Spread - LB / Nickel Play

Introduction

How you defend the Spread formation depends on what kind of Spread formation you are facing.  Some teams are better at throwing the ball than running the ball.  The Oregon Spread of 2010 is a more dangerous beast than earlier versions in that it can beat you both running the ball and passing the ball.  Still, the explosive Oregon run game is what opposing DCs must stop first.  Most 4-3 teams play Quarters coverage vs. the Oregon Spread to help to defend the run.

LBs like Quarters coverage because it allows them to run and play fast.  The safeties will be involved in run support and they will take care of the cutback, which allows the LBs to attack and play downhill.  The Quarters Safeties will also take care of Gap Exchange and scraping to take the QB on the Zone Read play, allowing the LBs to only to focus solely on the RB and the Dive portion of the Gun Triple Option.

I had to do a good bit of research to write this piece to supplement the video.  I played Inside LB in H.S., but it is the one position I haven't ever coached.  Stuff I borrowed most from was from the 2008 Nike COY book, Pat Narduzzi from Michigan State's talk on The Flexible 4-3 Over Defense.  Also, I got good info from the 2009 Nike book, in talks from Mark Dantonio from Michigan State and Nick Rapone from Delaware, and from the 2010 book, Jay Bateman from Elon University, Mike Cassity from Marshall, and John Chavis from LSU.  I meant to look at Jerry Gordon's book for more info on Quarters coverage, but my 15 mo. old put it somewhere that I can't find it, lol.

Setting the Front

Having two high safeties means that not every WR will be covered by a LB/DB.  The LB can find himself in a catch-22—trying to be in the box to defend the run and out of the box to help defend the pass.  LBs must be able to run to do both vs. the Spread, but how you set the front can help your LBs to do their job.

The defensive call will be "Over 4."  Over sets the Defensive Line and Linebackers to the strength of the formation and 4 is Quarters coverage.  The strength will be set to the TE side.  If there is no TE, the strength will be set to the Field versus 2 X 2 sets (2 WR/TEs on each side).  The 3 technique DT, the 9 technique DE, and the Mike LB will always align to the strength call.   The 1 technique NT,  the 5 technique DE (Fox), and the Will LB will always align away from the strength call.  Arizona also lined up their strong-side DE in a 7 technique instead of a 9 technique quite a bit.

The Nickel/Sam LB will normally align to the Field (except for 3x1 Trips into the Boundary) and  vs. 2 WRs, he will walk out half-way between the #2 WR and the OT.  He is completely out of the box.  His width can be adjusted according to down-and-distance.  He can be walked all the way out over the #2 WR in passing situations or he can cheat in his alignment in running situations.  The Nickel/Sam LB will walk out halfway between the #2 and #3 WR vs. 3 WR sets.   

The Will LB is in the biggest position of conflict vs. 2 X 2 sets, and he will align into the Boundary, away from the strength call.  Setting the strength to the Field allows the Will LB to play the #2 WR and be responsible for the B gap instead of the A gap, so he doesn't have as far to go.  The Will LB doesn't have to walk out half-way to the #2 WR; rather, he can stay in the box to help vs. the Oregon run game.  The weakness of this defense is the Out route by the #2 WR.

Here are some ways to address this coverage weakness while staying gap-sound vs. the run.  The first thing a DC can do is the pinch the DE into the B gap so the Will LB now has the C gap.  I saw Boise St. in a bowl game a few years back actually align their Boundary DE in a 3 technique so their Will LB was able to widen all the way out to the #2 WR since he was a C gap player.  Personally, I prefer to pinch the DE on occasion because you don't give away what you are doing by alignment.  Also, the DE in the 3 technique every play will have a difficult time being the Contain rusher, much less getting a pass rush.

Another thing to do is to employ a "2 Read" concept to the Boundary.  "2 Read" can mean different things, so let me explain.  2 Read is actually Quarters coverage unless #2 runs an Out route, then the CB will break on #2 and the Safety will cover #1.  This is a dangerous coverage if it is only something you only run on occasion because of the risk  of mental busts and giving up big plays.  An easier way to prevent the Out route on 3rd and 4 is to run Cover 6 (Cover 2 to the Boundary and Quarters to the Field).  I personally don't feel that it's worth the risk of  busting a coverage and giving up a big play to stop a 5 yard pass, so I would rather show Cover 4 pre-snap and roll the Corner down to Cover 2 to the Boundary as a change-up to Quarters.

The LBs need to know that the strength call changes vs. Trips sets in 10 personnel (1 RB, 0 TEs).  Now, the strength will be set away from Trips into the Boundary to the 1 WR side.  This is done to help out the Will LB, who again is in the biggest position of conflict.  He must be able to match up vs. the #3 WR in Trips vs. the pass in addition to having gap responsibility vs. the run.  Setting the strength to the 1 WR side allows him to be a B gap player instead of an A gap player to shorten the distance he has to travel between the two responsibilities.

If the Offense lines up in a 2 X 2 set with two TEs, the strength is set to the Field. Trips Empty sets with a TE will still have the strength set to the TE side.  If there is one TE, the rule is to always set the strength to that TE.  

Trips Empty 3 X 2 sets will be the same as Trips 3 X 1 sets, where the strength call will be set away from Trips. 

Also, to the nub (TE only) side, I would check  to Cover 2,  making it Quarter-Quarter-Half or Cover 6 (Cover 2 to Boundary and Cover 4 to Field) to put the Force player, who is the CB, in a position to attack the offense at a 45 degree angle to better constrict our opponents' strongside running game.  I will show the video in the DB Play and Coverage Fundamentals post coming in a few days that shows the benefit of Cover 2 to the nub side.  Also, look at The Force article video I did recently for some good cut-ups of this.

Run Fits vs. 10 Personnel

Quarters coverage allows the LBs in the box to fast flow to the playside because they don't have to worry about cutback.  The Force players to each side (Nickel and FS) will take care of cutback on Full Flow (QB and RB in same direction) run away from them.  Also, vs. Split Flow or Triple Option, the LBs do not have to worry about gap exchange with the DE.  The LBs are only concerned with the RB and they are fast flow.  The FS will take care of the QB on the Option to either side.

Here is the video:

LB Play vs. Oregon Spread from Barry Hoover on Vimeo.

LB / Nickel Play

1.  Good LB Play
2.  Good Nickel Play
3.  Nickel - Force on Run to you, must cover Bubble Screen
4.  Nickel Mistake - Fit outside of RB
5.  Will vs. Power - Shoot thru first playside gap you see
6.  LB Mistake - Backside LB must shoot thru first playside gap he sees vs. Power
7.  LB Mistake - False step
8.  LB Mistake - Stay on feet
9.  LB Mistake - Missed tackle
10.  LB Mistake - No one in A gap
11.  Will LB Mistake - Must attack
12.  LB Mistake - Fill to wide vs. Power, must come tight off double team
13.  LB Mistake - Must get over top of double team
14.  Will LB Mistake - Stay in box, tight D gap

Also, Boise St. got some huge tackles for loss plays by blitzing their Mike LB to the A gap away from the RB.  He may have been just reading it really fast, too.  It was hard to tell.  Check out the cut-ups:

4-3 vs. the Oregon Spread - schedule of posts
Jan 1 - DL Play

Jan 3 - Zone Blitzes

Jan 5 - LB Play

Jan 7 - Defending Bash and Midline

Jan 9 - DB Play and Coverage Fundamentals

Jan 10 - (National Championship Game - Oregon vs. Auburn - 8:30 pm)

After the National Championship game, I will have an outstanding series of articles and videos with some terrific guest writers.

New blog I found: http://studentof-thegame.blogspot.com/