A COMMONLY OVERLOOKED aspect of defending an opponent’s passing game is defensive reaction to a quarterback scramble. Many big plays result when the QB scrambles on any given play.
Bill Walsh once wrote that 1 in 5 drop-back passes end up with the QB scrambling. Well prepared defenses commit practice time to work on defensive reactions when the QB is forced to scramble. It’s imperative that defenses know how to react when the QB leaves the pocket.
Scramble Guidelines
Before you can tailor a defensive response to a scrambling QB, you must first understand an offense’s basic rules or guidelines for a QB scramble.
The following are some general offensive rules that defenses must understand before they can plan to defend a scrambling QB. Defenses must learn that scrambling QB are instructed to:
- Look “deep to short.”
- Look to the near sideline.
- Avoid leading receivers. Instead, most are told to throw to a spot.
- Avoid throwing across the body.
- Avoid throwing late down the middle.
- Take a little off the throw because a ball thrown while on the run has added velocity.
- Be aware that receivers will show up in the QB’s line of sight.
- Be aware that receivers will move in the same direction as the QB. If a receiver gets close to the sideline, he will work to uncover the sideline.
- Be aware that RBs will work parallel to the QB and look for an open spot.
- Know that if receivers were initially assigned a deep route, they will come back toward the QB.
- Know that if the QB scrambles away, the receiver is instructed to break parallel toward the QB. He will try to stay on the same yard line and work horizontally.
- Be aware that if receivers were assigned a short route, they are instructed to try to convert it to a deep route in case of a scramble.
- Know that if the receiver is to the side of the scramble, he will almost always go deep.
- Be aware that receivers will remain stationary if they are open toward the side of the scramble.
- Be aware that receivers are instructed to go toward the ball while it is in the air.
- Remember that if he crosses the line of scrimmage, he must give a “Go!” call to alert the offensive line that it can cross the LOS. This also informs backs and receivers that they have the green light to begin blocking for the scramble. (All defenders should be alert to listen for the “Go call.)
If defenders are aware of those offensive guidelines for scrambling, they’ll better understand all of the things that may occur on any time that a QB begins to scramble.
Defending QB Scrambles
When you’re facing a team that has a QB who’s good at scrambling, there are several things that your defenders must be aware of.
- They must know the direction that the QB likes to scramble.
- They must know whether the QB scrambles to run or if he scrambles to throw. There’s a big difference.
- On any QB scramble, all deep defenders must stay deep.
- On any QB scramble, all pass defenders must stay disciplined and stick to their primary assignment. DBs must never turn the receiver loose and must not come up until they hear a “Run!” call from a teammate.
- Pass rushers should disengage and take sharp pursuit angles.
- Front-side linebackers, if not in man coverage, must supply front-side run-through help on the QB.