STUNTING IS A successful way to confuse the offense. While many coaches preach a certain way or type of stunt in specific situations, we have developed a successful stunt, called the Storm, to be used no matter what kind of offense or what situation we are facing.
The Storm requires your defensive linemen to fight hard through the initial blocks of the offensive line. It also requires solid communication among all players but especially the Bandit (outside linebacker) with the strong safety and the Will (outside linebacker) with the free safety. If these two sets of players don’t communicate who is taking the tailback in a pitch or force situation, your team is going to get burned.
Timing also is critical in the Storm, which is evident when facing a variety of offensive formations.
Offensive formation, field position, down and distance don’t matter when using the Storm stunt. We have used this stunt as a goal-line defense and at the 50-yard line. We have used it in long-yardage situations as well as short. Plus, this stunt is adjustable as the scheme can be used against three backs, two back, one back or even a no-back series. It is adaptable to the shotgun, as well as the back-loaded power set. It is based out of the 4-3 defense to fit our needs but could be tailored to fit into other defensive systems as the basics and core responsibilities do not change drastically.
DIAGRAM 1: Base 4-3. The base 4-3 for the Storm stunt is just like any other 4-3 defensive alignment.
storm qB cover 1 tb Stunt
The Storm QB Cover 1 TB stunt scheme is designed to have the outside linebackers attack the quarterback or the tailback. If the OLB is on a QB angle, he gives a “You” call to the safety. This call tells the safety that he (the safety) has the pitch/force. If the OLB is on a TB angle, he gives a “Me” call, signaling he (the OLB) has the pitch/force.
DIAGRAM 2: Storm QB Cover 1 TB. As shown in the diagram, sometimes to confuse the offense further, allow the players to move into their final alignment with a “Move To” call. By adding a “Stem” call to this, players are on their own to move into final alignment rather than waiting for a uniform, coordinated movement.
In the Storm QB Cover 1 TB stunt call, the Stud (S on the line) uses a 7 technique “end it.” The “end it” involves the end taking an inside charge through the middle of the neck of the offensive tackle. The Stud takes the dive on option plays or will wrong arm any inside-out block. He also plays under a reach or pass block.
The tackle (T) uses a 3 technique “call A.” The “call A” technique has the tackle to take a parallel step with his inside foot and cross over with the outside foot while ripping his outside arm across the offensive guard’s face. The tackle goes under a reach, base or pass set. However, he does not try to beat a downblock. If he crossfaces too quickly, the OG could wash him down. If the OG blocks down, the tackle simply closes and replaces the OG.
The nose tackle plays a 1 or 2 technique according to the game plan. He is responsible for the weak A-gap.
The end (E) uses a 5 technique “end it.” He goes through the middle of the OT’s neck. The end goes under a reach, base or pass set. Similar to the tackle, the end tries not to beat the OT inside. You don’t want to trade one for one on a wash down.
The Bandit (B) runs an inside charge through the hip of the tight end. He takes the QB on an option play and goes under any inside-out block. He gives a “You” call to the strong safety ($).
The Sam LB (S) scrapes inside-out on an running play. Against the pass he takes the No. 3 strong.
The Will LB (W) gives a “You” call to the free safety (FS). On the snap, the Will goes through the hip of the OT. He takes the QB on any option play and goes under any inside-out block.
The strong safety takes the pitch on an option play and goes man-to-man on the TE on pass plays.
The free safety takes the pitch against an option play and takes the first back out of the weak side on pass plays.
The corners cover the receivers man-to-man. Against the run the corners have secondary support.
Storm TB
Cover 1 TB Stunt
This stunt is very similar to the Storm QB Cover 1 TB with the focus shifting to storming the TB.
DIAGRAM 3: Storm TB Cover 1 TB. In this stunt call, the Stud, tackle, nose, end, Sam LB and corner responsibilities are the same.
The Bandit’s role in this stunt is to set his aim point as deep as the deepest back. He gives a “Me” call to the $. The Bandit has the pitch/force. On a play away from him, he has the bootleg, counter and reverse (BCR) responsibilities.
The Will LB also makes his aim point as deep as the deepest back. He gives a “Me” call to the FS. The Will has the pitch/force and just like the Bandit, he has the BCR responsibilities on a play going away from him.
On an option play, the $ fits inside the Bandit and takes the QB. Against a pass, the $ takes the TE.
The FS fits inside the Will and takes the QB on an option play. Against a pass, the FS takes the first back weak.
adjustments to various sets
The Storm stunt easily is adjusted to face a variety of offensive sets or motions. The following four diagrams show the player responsibilities against a three-back power set, a one-back set, motion and the shotgun formation.
DIAGRAM 4: Storm Vs. Three-Back Power Set. Against a three-back power set your defenders aren’t spread so far apart but the responsibilities are about the same.
Just like in the other Storm stunts, the the responsibilities of the Stud, tackle, nose, end, corner (who is covering the split receiver) and Sam LB have not changed.
The Bandit takes the dive on a handoff to the FB to his side or covers the third back set to the strong side of the alignment.
The Will either pursues the FB if the FB takes the handoff and comes to his side or aims for the deepest back in other situations.
The $ fills the space left by the Stud while the corner who doesn’t have a receiver to cover to the outside, eyes the outside back.
DIAGRAM 5: Storm Vs. One-Back Set. The basic responsibilities remain the same when facing a one-back set. The responsibilities remain the same for the Stud, tackle, nose, end, Sam LB and corners (cover the WRs).
The Bandit takes the pitch/force on a running play to his side and has BCR responsibilities on a play going away from him. On a pass play he is trying to get to the QB. The same holds true for the Will LB on the opposite side.
Against a one-back set, the FS has man-to-man coverage against the WR in the slot.
DIAGRAM 6: Storm Vs. Motion. The basic elements remain the same again. The Stud, tackle, nose, end, Sam and corners keep their responsibilities.
Against motion, the Bandit and Will aim as deep as the deep man in the backfield. When that man goes in motion, the FS leaves his post to follow him, whether it be to the right side or left side of the field.
The Bandit gives a “Me” call to the $ to take pitch/force. The Will does the same on the other side of the field with the FS. If it’s a running play going away from him, the Bandit has BCR responsibilities and the same goes for the Will on the other side of the field.
DIAGRAM 7: Storm Vs. Shotgun. Against a shotgun formation, the ends convert an “end it” technique into a foot fake and an underneath pass rush. The end also has the option to spin underneath a pass block since he is “hot” due to the OLB’s contain rush.
The corners and FS have man-to-man coverage on the three WRs. The Bandit’s aim point is as deep as the deepest back. The same holds true for the Will LB on the other side of the ball. The Sam LB takes a slightly different path through the offensive line as the offensive line will be in pass-blocking mode. The $ replaces the Sam and covers the TE.
If the tackle can get by his initial hit, he should have a clear path to the QB with the center and the left OG double-teaming the nose tackle.
Stunting with the Storm is an easy way to throw an offense off its rhythm. With its responsibilities not changing drastically when the offensive formation changes, the Storm is easy to install into your defensive package. Make sure all players are on the same page, communication is stressed and linemen go strong to make this stunt work for you.