How does a defense which is outweighed by an average of fifty pounds on the defensive line slow down or stop an offense that makes its living pounding the ball with a power running game?
The blueprint was demonstrated by the Florida State defense led by defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews in the 2008 Champs Sports Bowl game against the Big 10’s Wisconsin Badgers. The Badgers were led by an offensive line which averaged 6’6” in height and weighed an average of 319 pounds. The offensive line was not only physically intimidating, but very experienced. Combined, the linemen had 158 starts. Wisconsin also had three running backs who had gained significant yardage. One back had gained over 1,000 yards, another had rushed for 845 yards, and a third had contributed over 300 yards.
At the end of the day, the Seminoles had given the Badgers their worst bowl defeat in 38 years, 42-13. The Seminole defense forced three turnovers and scored two defensive touchdowns. The centerpiece of the Seminole defense was an eight-man-in-the-box scheme which is illustrated in this article.
Andrews had made the decision to play a lot of man coverage and load the box, even in long yardage situations. Florida State was still in man coverage in the fourth quarter with a 29-point lead. Diagram 1 illustrates the centerpiece of the Seminole defensive game plan. In this scheme the corners had match coverage on the wide receivers. The Will (W) took the tight end with the Mike (M), Sam (S), and the Free Safety (FS) having trio coverage on the two running backs. Diagram 2 shows Flow run fits in this scheme. Flood run fits are illustrated in Diagram 3.
This eight-men-in-the-box defense allowed the Seminoles to get an unblocked defender to the point of attack on running plays. Other advantages of this scheme include getting a body on body with a hole player vs. the Badger’s play action pass game. The Wisconsin play action pass game is obviously a big part of their offensive attack because it feeds off their devastating running game. Diagram 4 breaks down responsibilities for Flow passes while Diagram 5 illustrates assignments for Flood passes.
Flow Pass Responsibilities:
Corners – man on WRs (match coverage)
Will – man on TE
Mike – man on FB
Sam – man on TB
FS – Plugger. Drops 10 – 12 yards looking
for crossers
SS – Hole
Flood Pass Responsibilities:
Corners – Man on WRs (match coverage)
Will – Man on TE
Mike – Plugger. Drops 10 – 12 yards looking for crossers
Sam – TB
FS – FB
SS – Hole
An additional advantage to this strategy is if the offense motions to the core of the formation for a running play it brings an extra defender with it. Diagram 6 highlights this concept.
Another beauty of this scheme is the defense gains extra pass rushers on the QB on play action passes. Mickey Andrews was quoted during the week leading to the game as saying Florida State couldn’t match Wisconsin’s power and size but Wisconsin couldn’t match Florida State’s speed and quickness. He may have added “our defensive scheme either.”
Q & A
Is it advisable to run this coverage scheme on long yardage downs or late in the game when your team has the lead?
If the DC feels he has better athletes at the skill positions it would certainly be appropriate to run it. Understand that the reason the offense is in long yardage is precisely because of this scheme. Outnumbering the offense and getting unblocked defenders at the point of attack will put the offense behind schedule. Having a big lead late in the game makes it more palatable than having a slim lead where a defender slipping in man coverage might lead to an easy touchdown. Also, the head coach must be onboard as to the philosophy. Many head coaches play soft with a lead late in the game. Evidently, Coach Bowden did not feel that way.
How would you handle motion?
It would be advisable to lock on and not bump coverage. “Once yours, always yours” should be the philosophy. However, with Mike, Sam , and the Free Safety executing trio coverage it would be advantageous to have the Free Safety handle any two-back motion.
Can you stunt out of this scheme?
Certainly. You can easily insert Mike, Sam or the Free Safety into the rush. Since those three have trio coverage on two backs stunting, one man places the other two on a one-on-one basis with no sorting out of responsibilities based on the distribution of the backs. Sam would be the prime stunter because he is the middle man in the configuration. This would place Mike or the Free Safety on the fullback on a play-action flat route which they could easily do based on their strategically placed position.
About the Author:
Kenny Ratledge is the DC at Sevier County High School in Sevierville, Tennessee. He has been a DC for 29 years. His defense led the state in scoring in 1997, as Sevier County reached the state semi-finals. Sevier County won the state 5A Championship in 1999, setting a state record with five INTs in the championship game.