Rover always goes to the side of the passing strength (not necessarily the TE side) or the Field side, and WHIP always aligns opposite the Rover. In basic terms, normal defenses feature corners playing man with safeties deep to help. The dominant defenses in Tampa Bay of the late 90's early 2000's allowed Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice to get up field as the method for controlling their gaps. Where and how they play, and personnel types preferred, are highly scheme dependent. While the 8 man front may be gone, the blitz pressures and coverages remain imbedded in today's Hokie D. The "Field Strong" basically is a 4 man defensive line, two middle linebackers, and the whip linebacker playing outside as a hybrid linebacker/safety almost exclusively to the boundary side of the field. If you have any questions, I will be sure to answer to answer them in the comments. ]~ .O}_JG7mn0 1.Wvn;m,Fv i>TFis endstream endobj 11 0 obj 433 endobj 17 0 obj << /Length 18 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream *U# N)qQ/y(H"hVt kf@^L;,R?P0;|v44 JFC=zYh AWEBYl5I[.X@v6UQV@_msY)Ng1KhZ/Y)va+XsM =_ewrr\|2Q)/zN]N}q_r{f-wvw)1,Z )$fy86g8@ZtqI,dX& ^twn*g$b{xoa.WwDWZflk1g,JIEfPO[h-H( ,AdYp[fuNP&SuhZs`um%?HSpQ1Y. The transition from James Anderson to Brenden Hill without skipping a beat showed two things (1) the coaches know how to put different type players in a position to succeed and (2) while better defined to defend against todays offensive systems, the Whip still is a hybrid position. At the time, there was a lot of discussion about the changes, both from the coaches directly and from others close to the program. Maddy is going to have to really step it up to be the starter. Game situation includes things like score, wind / weather conditions and time remaining on the clock. Spoilers). As for tight ends, teams that play tight ends usually end up with the rover or free safety covering them. Will having a healthy and complete team be enough? His number was 46. The offensive personnel or personnel group is the makeup of offensive skill positions for any given play. So we have a basic definition for each of the eleven puzzle pieces. The idea is the front 6 align based on front alignment rules. in the long run, if the giants dline continues to dominant with "defensive ends", i think it can be used to pitch to good dlineman. This aggressive nature of the defense led to years with incredible tackles-for-loss numbers. I will touch on this more when I write my column on the secondary play, but I think because Hokies safeties have been victimized in man coverage so much, that Foster is looking at his safeties having less run support responsibility and being better at coverage, hence the change of putting converted corners at safety. How many Hokies have become elite corners in the NFL? Meanwhile, the defensive linemen must be quick enough and flexible enough to slant heavily (sometimes 2 gaps) each way, which lends itself to short, stocky defensive tackles whocan get to a spot then hold their gap responsibility. Upvoted. Eventually, the kids who see the NFL in their future realize that going to such a school hurts their chances. And stopping the run was (and still is) the #1 goal of Bud Fosters defense. Miami has completely destroyed GT the last few years (if i remember correctly), and they do that by blowing up the GT OL at the LOS. Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster, who announced Thursday he would be retiring at the end of this his 33rd season, is the longest continually tenured assistant at the same school in . What may not be as obvious is that football is equally challenging mentally. I foresee a TON of blitzes on 3rd and long. That gets us to the pre-snap look for second down. With the quick passing game made popular through the concepts of the west coast offense, offenses could beat blitzes by going with quick passes to hot receivers and allowing them to use their athletic abilities to gain significant yardage after the catch (YAC). From this base set, the Hokies can play any number of man and zone coverages while still getting to an 8-man front on any play by rotating the Rover up closer to the line of scrimmage just prior to the snap. BTW, I dont think I've ever seen a gif used as a legit educational tool and not just an lol. On the other side, teams could get favorable running game match-ups by running to the boundary. Bud, a divorcee, married Jessie in February on Super Bowl Sunday, about four months after the hospital scare and around the time discussion began about him retiring. So obviously if it doesn't work the scheme breaks down because it also means not being able to pressure the offense and the QB into poor decisions. 1) I have seen a ton of schemes and I can't remember one that repeatedly asks the defensive tackles to stunt across multiple gaps and still maintain gap fits. f endstream endobj 9 0 obj 55 endobj 6 0 obj << /Type /XObject /Subtype /Image /Name /I1 /Filter /DCTDecode /Width 32 /Height 27 /BitsPerComponent 8 /ColorSpace /DeviceGray /Length 7 0 R >> stream As mentioned earlier, that led to man-to-man match-ups of a linebacker or Rover against that third and fourth wide receiver. There are two inside linebackers in the 4-4 scheme sometimes known as the Mike and Buck linebackers. The number of wide receivers is derived from the combination of those two numbers. There are a ton of details that are critical for the defense to execute properly. First of all, they had a GREAT offensive line that was able to block at angles which cut off the stunts from Virginia Tech linebackers. Stud End (Tyrell Wilson): Pre-Snap, the S end lines up outside eye of the boundary side tackle. . The DB's align based on secondary alignment rules. The free safety fills play-side to clean up if the running back breaks through the play-side gaps. The "nickel" linebackers have almost no pass defense responsibility, and instead are used in a variety of blitz packages designed to outman the offensive line and force the quarterback to make quick throws, where the designed hidden coverages in the secondary await to pick off the pass. It was difficult for offenses to determine how many were blitzing and how many were dropping into coverage. It is even more stunning given how horridly Miami's D was against the Hokies. A London Fletcher or Brian Urlacher type linebacker would not be a good fit for the Hokies. While he misses the tackle, he allows enough time for the other players to secure their gap and then pursue to tackle the UVA tailback for a marginal gain. Based on the film that I have watched, either Bud Foster calls more middle linebacker run blitzes than any coach in the country, or the mike backer has almost zero pass responsibility. Anytime you see the mike backer dropping back, it is change up defense hoping the QB throws to a spot without seeing the mike. The offense goes through its gyrations to get a better pre-snap read and the defense adjusts accordingly. This is especially true for the Whip LB, who no longer drops back as a deep safety in any situation. Instead of slanting as much (because his DL had a tendency to lose gap control and his backer couldn't figure out how to be in the correct place), Bud reverted back to shooting gaps. And based on the history of Bud Fosters defenses, its likely that the play is stuffed. The talent of their front just is not what it once was. In the old 4-4, the rover was always opposite to the whip. Playing in a college system that emphasizes skillset diversity is actually a good thing. our dline is deep this season and will be dominant. The players have to be extremely strong, tough and physical and they have to enjoy full force contact against other guys that are just as big, just as strong, and just as tough. Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in bad humor. Not sure Tahj Boyd's skills are of the same caliber but he took advantage of us as well. In the diagram, Whitley (who the coaches called "the rover" last year) is lined up to the twins side, and he motions back to the middle of the field while Exum (who was the "free safety" last year) rotates up towards the line with the motion. If your slot recognizes it and runs a slant, the FS has to hustle to get there and take that away. Hopefully Logan will have improved his accuracy to be able to make them pay for it. The Hokies play a base 4-3-4 defense, meaning that there are four defensive linemen, three linebackers and four defensive backs in the base set. Often, a zone play to the right (which on a Madden diagram looks like it would go to the 6 gap) will actually cut back almost over the center. In-Depth Analysis of the Hokies' Bear Defense. Watkins is usually Fieldside. Note with that pre-snap look, it would be difficult for the QB to read the coverage (is it man or is it zone?). But the biggest thing is probably the QB ability to react quickly to the pressure (a key part of the Hokie D). Attack Defense Bud Foster Defensive Coordinator Virginia Polytechnic Institute Blacksburg, Va. Jim Cavanaugh Outside Linebackers Lou West Secondary Charlie Wiles Defensive Line Diagram 2 this is the best stuff and why i love TKP .. i know that teams use our schemes against us in recruiting but i love how the giants and their smaller, more athletic dline core, is being looked at by coach bud. It is generally made with a 2i-technique on the weakside (Wide 6) and a 3-technique strongside (Split 6), so its quite close to the Over front (1 tech weak, 3-tech strong). . That is a lot for the players to process isnt it? "My advice to you is to start drinking heavily. To the uneducated eye, the defense features two ends, two tackles, three linebackers, two safeties, and two corners just like a traditional NFL style 4-3, but Foster turns the 4-3 concept on its ear. The first number reflects the number of running backs and the second number reflects the number of tight ends. Clemson and Duke are really the only teams I can remember that have attacked Hokie corners and been successful. Most of the time, there is a safety/LB hybrid that is dropped into the box to create a true 8 man front. He must maintain gap control on the 6 gap and not allow the running back to get outside his outside shoulder. Also, because of the rather shorter depth of the Safeties, you can attack their run reads directly with a vertical route directly at them, like a Post or Go route up the seam. TechSideline.Com He was on a roll at the start of last season and his recovery is going really well. And then they all have to stay on the same page through a series of on-going adjustments just before the ball is snapped. Also, in goal line and short yardage, the backer and blitz the gap to try to blow the play in the backfield playside. On this play against UVA, the Hokies are playing a base front. After that Boyd was able to find quick check downs due to loose coverage. Today, a look at some of the pass rush and blitz packages utilized in Bud Foster's Gap Defense As discussed in "A Look Back at the Hokie Wide Tackle Six Defense" , Virginia Tech rose to defensive dominance running an 8-man front which allowed the Hokies to blitz from multiple angles. Normally, it will be one of the linebackers that will communicate any adjustments to the defensive front call or blitz call. They have to get depth immediately to play deep-half coverage. Instead he will look to plant and dive straight ahead for the inside of the 6 gap or the 4 gap, or he will plant and cut back to the center gap. We will look at the Hokies pass defense in more detail in a later post. The Backer disguises, looking like he is scraping play-side, but in reality, he is filling the interior of the 6 gap. Clear as mud right? WHIP might align himself like a FS, but hell come down over the middle into a hook zone instead of dropping for deep half-field coverage. Backers and Mikes must be adept at timing blitzes and taking on blocks. Next Up: All of those confusing pass coverages. Stanford understands that the whip most often will line up to the weak side of the defense. )jlOkD0 Nzlk}nGr(eancz#pC)vg`gd>fX&qb' h3L88ihTy%B|1ebUX9T ";*KM I think they use the same DE rotation as last year, with Wilson and McCray playing every 4th series and Marshall getting some snaps at tackle and end. but as mentioned, the type of dt's vt uses are small, quick guys so some guys that might be more nfl types wouldn't fit what bud is asking his guys to do. Behind the defense, the Hokies secondary plays a basic robber coverage on this play. Virginia Tech football's defensive coordinator, Bud Foster, has been on the job for 18 years now, but he keeps revealing new layers of brilliance to show why he's the best defensive boss in. What about that sign board with numbers like 21 or 11? Bud Foster received national recognition for the way his Bear defense surprised and shut down Urban Meyer's vaunted spread rushing attack in 2014. So, it's not surprising that the man's personality matches his philosophy when it comes to dual reads in offensive football. Look at Florida under Urban Meyer. We were tiny on D in 2010. When the 8th man entered the box, the passing game opened up. I broke the 4th wall of telestration. Its a bit like a Tampa 2 defense, where the MLB drops back deeper in zone over the middle with 2 safeties behind, except that here youre dropping the FS down instead of backing up the MLB. So, what does it look like when a Hokie fails to control a gap? Registered users can participate in the forum, post and vote on comments. All of those adjustments are made in real time by the players on the field. Worilds was moved to OLB and by the accounts of Steelers insiders, has struggled with the transition to a 3-4 look. The Hokies showed a blitz up front, and Jayron showed a cover 3 look by bailing out and back pedaling before the snap. Yet, unlike most stunts and blitzes where the defensive player is trying to shake loose to make a play, the Foster gap defense still requires the players who were stunting to maintain responsibility for their assigned gap. How did you think TCU was able to defeat teams like Wisconsin with their 4-2-5? If you can stop the run with six, the whip or backside safety doesn't have to commit so quickly. BLACKSBURG, Va. Even in retirement, Bud Foster casts a long shadow over the Virginia Tech football program. Great write up French! %PDF-1.2 % 8 0 obj << /Length 9 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream To the uneducated eye, the defense features two ends, two tackles, three linebackers, two safeties, and two corners just like a traditional NFL style 4-3, but Foster turns the 4-3 concept on its ear. It wasn't a great "instinctual play" by Hosley, but a calculated play call and design by Foster. The middle backers have very little pass coverage responsibility, and spend significant time taking on blocks on the interior of a play. The "G" front is the base front, but here I have not adjusted to the formation. pdf yrs ago. More to come in my next post. Every defensive player in the front seven has a "gap" responsibility in every defense that is called. "#()%$%%! Here's the INT described at the end of the article. Several things are known at the end of the first play game situation, down and distance and ball position. The tackle will cross the face of the guard and the center, and fill the 2 gap, originally vacated by the Nose. I think the weakness that was exposed by Clemson is that if a team can set up play action by running the ball effectively, the whip and the safeties have to cover their gap fill responsibility before reacting to a pass route. Back to our play example. Foster's approach is more than just an alignment, as the long-time play-caller in Blacksburg has implemented his scheme across his entire unit, not just up front. In this installment of the series, we will cover the general concepts of Bud Foster's defensive scheme, including how offensive personnel and formation impact defensive alignments and responsibilities. I heard very little about McCray in the spring. 2) This defense also seems to point out a weakness for a athletic, good hands tight end (ex. Again, the tackle will rarely be in position to make the tackle, but must minimally plug up the gap, causing the back to look to cut back to the 1 gap. There are a number of factors that the coaches consider when setting the defense from play to play. They are not supposed to be playmakers (except in the pass rush) but they have to be adept at maintaining leverage while stunting. The 6 comes from the switches called between the LBs and the backfield. His initial spot is 3x5 off the TE, reading the #2 receiver. The Rover was a strong side outside linebacker in the 8-man front that would slide out as an additional corner / defensive back against 3-4 wide receiver formations. In the 4-3-4 base set, the Rover aligns as a defensive back, specifically as one of the two safeties. Ball position refers to the position of the ball relative to the hash marks. Most would call that 6 years. During a career that spanned over 3 decades Bud orchestrated some of the most physical and staunches defenses in the country. Former Coaching Staff: Where are they now? He doesn't believe in double-talking players, or as he continually referred to as "fork tonguing" them. Does the defensive scheme lend itself to this or did we have weaknesses in key positions? The nose tackle is a 1 technique, the tackle is a 3 technique. Down and distance is fairly obvious. 2) In a one gap 4-3, the DL wants to get up field and make plays. The running back will see that the Stud has contain, and will not look to pull a "David Wilson" and make a break for the 8 gap. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. OT: "The Mandalorian" S3 discussion thread (feat. h_k@vJbR The Gap Defense is grounded in a simple concept. The free safety is responsible for coverage adjustments and making sure that everyone is lined up properly. Your thoughts please. And then there was all the blitzing. getting after it down the LOS once it was clear the RB was not going for his gap. Remember that what I am describing in this series is at the 5,000 foot level. This plays out when you examine the Hokies players in the NFL. Clemson Basketball: 2014 Scholarship Roster. pretty cool to look back on it from time to time. For example, a corner will not follow a motioning receiver across the field, even if it is man coverage. What VT plays most against pro-style teams is Inverted Cover 2 Robber, but the deep cover guys are the Cornerbacks, not the safeties. In that AFCA presentation could you explain what Wiles means for h.(Under Defensive Line: 10 Commandments) Escape: Rip or wipe, push with power, pull with trail, step 45 and rip your gap. This post gave me a good chuckle. Access Exclusive Content and Financially Support The Key Play. 46 does not stand for 4 DL and 6 LBs, the name is derived from the player Buddy Ryan used to play one of the attacking LB positions. The offense makes the next move by setting their personnel group for this example, they have just removed one of their two running backs and sent in a second tight end. Virginia Tech Hokies football, basketball, athletics blog and forum featuring: unique columns, breaking news, film studies, in-depth analysis, recruiting, videos and jokes. It is actually a base 4-4 front. *:JZjz ? The consistent 3 stripes on white was a good look. I had to go back and read about the defense given how I did not understand all the roles. 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