IN TRYING TO develop a winning program, coaches must always consider defense as the heart of the game. Preach this philosophy to your players and design a system of teaching that emphasizes an aggressive, hard-hitting style of defense, regardless of scheme or personnel.
The following are some tips to help you instill an unwavering defensive mind-set into your players.
- Defensive Morale. Establishing an intense defensive morale amongst your team is the most important step in building a solid defense. Get your players thinking that they can be an unbreakable defense. Tell your players from Day 1, “We expect you to absolutely dominate the line of scrimmage. We expect you to carry on a defensive campaign in such an aggressive way, that there will be no doubt in anybody's mind as to who is master of the LOS.”
- Gang Tackling. This is the second most important aspect of defense. One player does not bring a good runner down to the ground. The second, third, fourth, fifth and others should be getting in on the tackle. Tell your defenders to keep going strong until the whistle blows. It’ll be the second and third tacklers who force the mistakes and turnovers that your defense is looking for.
- Proper pursuit. Proper pursuit is nothing more than the ability of a defender to get to a spot that will enable him to make a tackle with 100-yard, dash-type speed. The mark of a good defensive man is the ability to recover and pursue. Teach your players to pursue with correct angles and to get to their spot by sprinting — not loafing!
- Have an offensive defense. In its simplest terms, defense is defined as attacking an offense in order to gain control of the ball. An alert defense is one that’s ready to swing from its defensive role to an offensive role. You want your defense to be an aggressive one that will score points.
- Recovery after blocks. A defensive lineman may get blocked, but he should never stay blocked. Teach your defensive linemen that anytime they get blocked, they should know who hit them and what position that player plays. Good linemen have great field awareness.
- linebacker who gets knocked down isn’t a very good LB. At times, he may have to give ground or even be driven backward — but he must stay on his feet and play his position.
It’s a cardinal sin for any defensive back to ever get knocked off his feet. If he does, it opens the floodgates for a big play.
- Defensive attitude. Your defensive players should have confidence and attitude. Defensive backs should carry an attitude of "Throw the ball in my zone, I dare you," and your defensive linemen should be thinking "Run your best play at me, I dare you."
If an opponent scores, every player must believe that he was mostly to blame. The defense should always believe that they can get the ball and score.
- Defensive qualities. In order to play on your defense, a young man must have the following qualities:
- A burning desire and love to play football.
- Agility and quickness. You won’t always be fortunate enough to have large, talented players, but to be successful on defense, your players must be able to move.
- Confidence and poise.
- Be sold on your team’s defense and know his role in your defense.
- Aggressiveness and toughness.
- Defensive balance.
- Don’t be afraid of the pass. Teach your players two points of view toward an opponent’s passing game:
1. An opponent’s pass is an opportunity and an invitation for your defense to intercept and gain possession of the ball.
2. Never get down on yourself for giving up a pass completion. Concede that they might complete a few short passes, but one interception will nullify several completed short passes.
- Hustle after each play. Tell your players that at the conclusion of an offensive play, run — don’t walk — back to their defensive position. They should get their next defensive call, then rest. As soon as the opponent breaks the huddle, they should come to a ready position.
- Get tough in the red zone. The closer an opponent gets to your goal, the tougher it is for them to score. In the red zone, the advantage is always with your defense because your team has less territory to cover.
Goal line defense is dependent more on the player and their determination than anything else. The need for determination and courage is vital.
- Hit hard. Your defenders must give the offense a rough time. Make them pay for every inch of ground they gain. Your players should enjoy a physical play and remember that they can punish the other team much more when they’re on defense.
Editor’s Note: To read more of coach Fodor’s excellent philosophies on building a solid team defense, check out the Gridiron Strategies Web site at www.gridironstrategies.com and double click on the “Feature Articles” icon.