In my 30 years coaching high school football, we learned a number of ways to disguise our defensive coverage and make the spread team throw early. That is, before the quarterback and receivers were in synch. One way is the 11 Walk Fire, another is the Walk Zone/Cover 3, and a third is the Walk Zone Quarters.
The Walk Fire (Diagram 1) was run by our high school defenses when we saw a spread passing situation. In this defense, the tackles line-up on the inside shoulder of the guards and pinch in towards the QB. The linebackers walk up to the tackles inside shade, jam the tackle, check run and rush upfield. The ends line-up in two-point stances with the outside foot back. They then rush to the outside shoulder of the quarterback. The corners and strong safety play quarters coverage or switch to man. The free safety in this alignment plays robber coverage. He drops down to 10 or 15 yards looking for slants or dig routes.
For the Walk Zone/Cover 3 (Diagram 2) the tackles’ and ends’ responsibilities remain the same. The linebackers walk up to the tackles inside shoulder, jam them, check for the run, and then drop to the curl zone. Generally the offensive tackles have to check the linebackers before they fold out to the end. This gives at least one of the defensive ends an unblocked rush to the quarterback or the fullback on a draw play. In this defense, the corners and safeties play either cover 3 or man free.
For Walk Zone Quarters coverage (Diagram 3) responsibilities are generally the same. However, in quarters coverage, the free safety plays robber coverage while the linebackers work the flat areas.
In practice and 7-on-7 drills, the linebackers should rep walking up to the line of scrimmage. Then, take a step and drop into coverage. The free safety should practice filling the run as robber coverage as well as covering digs and slant routes. This defense should also practice against fire release routes. All three defenses are disguised to make the offense think and be indecisive as the play is called. p
About the Author: Retired coach Martin Smith coached for over 35 years in high schools in southern California. He coached at Jefferson High School (1973-1984) and at Westchester High School (1985-2006). A 1970 USC graduate, Smith played fullback for the Trojans on John McKay’s teams in 1968 and 1969.