ONE OF THE MOST critical and tough-to-defend areas of the field is the 10-yard area in the red zone between the 20 and 10 yard lines. On the average, a defense will face a red-zone situation at least three times a game.

Before a defensive coordinator can game plan to counter an offensive attack in this area, he must first understand an offense’s goals and objectives. Once an offense gets to the 10-yard line or closer they take on a different mindset, therefore we’ll leave defending the 10 to the goal line to another article.

Before you can begin to develop any defensive game plan, you must first analyze and break down an opponent’s kicking game. Offensive strategy in the red zone relies heavily on the quality of their kicker and field-goal team. Teams with poor or mediocre field-goal units may consider the red zone to be four-down territory. This would obviously affect their play calling, which in turn impacts your defensive response.

Red-Zone Mindset
Play-selection in the red zone may be limited to avoid any plays that have a high potential for loss of yardage.
Most offenses make a conscious effort to play up-tempo when they get into this area of the field and they’ll often seek to attack the defense while it’s tired and reeling from giving up a series of first downs.
Offenses also seek to run the ball in this area. They usually feature their best running plays, especially if they’ve had success with them earlier in the game.

Many teams feel that this area of the red zone (20 to the 10) is a great place to run different plays from the same formations used in the “free-wheeling” zone (from the 20 to the 20). Some offenses will feature their option package, especially if the defensive team likes to stunt between the tackles. Your defense must be sound against the option or your team will struggle in the red zone.

Red-Zone Formations
Between the 20- and 10-yard lines in the red zone, an offense’s formation tend to include more tight ends or running backs. Many teams prefer closed formations with wings to expand the defensive front. You must plan and prepare your defense to face two-TE sets.

Teams will also try to use motion to get a desired match-up or to disrupt your defense. If the opposing QB is athletic, he must be accounted for and you must have your defenders watch for any keeps out the backdoor. QB keeps and naked run must be expected.

Personnel Considerations
Your opponent’s passing game may include roll-outs or sprints, especially if the opposing QB is athletic and mobile. The scrambling ability of the QB is a critical factor to account for when preparing your red-zone defense. Spy responsibilities may have to be assigned.

Other personnel considerations should include the receiving ability of the RBs and TEs. You must make sure that there aren’t any mismatches in the offense’s favor. Many red-zone passing games — especially between the 20- to the 10-yard lines — try to match up tall receivers vs. shorter DBs. Also be aware that a common tactic against man coverage in the red zone is a throw back to the QB.

Red-Zone Play Calling
Teams may be reluctant to take deep drops for fear of a sack. To guard against this, many red zone offenses go to a quick passing game.

The closer an offense gets to the goal line, the more confined the field becomes. As a result, some offensive coordinators may consider a throw to the end zone while they still have a little operating room and will hope to draw an interference penalty.

Should the ball be thrown vertically in the red zone, most teams prefer corner or fade routes. These routes are harder to intercept since they are thrown high and outside. As the area becomes more compressed vertically, an offense often resorts to crossing or pick-type routes, especially against man-to-man coverage.

Many offenses resort to using multiple receivers who align within a close proximity of each other. Bunch-style formations are highly effective in this area of the field.

Your force assignments must be clear and precise since play-action passes can be devastating to undisciplined secondaries.

Defensive Tips
Common defensive actions in the red zone should include loading the box to shut down the running game. Should the defense decide to make something happen with pressure packages, the defenders must be aware of the possibility for crossing or pick-type routes. For this reason, many defensive coaches take a more conservative approach and play zone to nullify pick or rub-type routes.

Other defensive strategies include trying to force offenses into third-and-long plays by taking away their favorite running plays on first down. In passing situations, you should alternate aggressive and conservative calls. A five under, 2-deep zone is good here. Disguise is a must and your defensive calls should be interchangeable.