A curl zone will defend against an expected tight end's corner route.
Let's suppose our opponent starts in the middle of the field. We know that either route from the tight end is a possibility
in this position--because there's ample space on both sides of the field. Using the same 4-3 DE Contain defensive call
changing the middle linebacker to a curl zone will defend against the corner route. Immediately after the snap our middle
linebacker begins making his way over towards the sidelines. As the ball approaches our middle linebacker is in solid
position for us to leap into the air and knock away the pass. Our linebacker's exceptional position on the tight end allows
us to easily knock away the pass.
While both the corner and the post route can be defended in a number of ways, other routes can be defended with only
a single pre-snap adjustment. Whenever you want to figure out what works best against certain routes just head into
practice mode. We would suggest running the route that you want to try to figure out how to stop over and over again
until you find a defense, or a defensive adjustment, that you know will work. Remember, the best changes on the field
are the ones that don't force you to sacrifice in other areas.
Threat Out of the Backfield
By: Kyle Cooper
The flat and angle routes are the two most effective ways for people to get their running backs involved in the passing
game. In this example we're going to take a look at how to guard against opponents who like to use angle routes out of
the backfield.
In this example we've called the Nickel 3-3-5 2 Man Under. We like this defense because everyone is manned up, we
have two deep safeties over the top, and we also have a middle linebacker that can be assigned to do anything we want
him to do.
The Green Bay Packers have come out in the I-Form Normal HB Middle, which is one of the most effective plays in the
game. This play not only has the ability to attack the flats, but it also supplies our opponent with an angle route over the
middle of the field. We know that our opponent likes to attack the flats often with his running backs coming out of the
backfield. Therefore, we call for press coverage on the remaining receivers to slow their progress up the field as much as
possible.
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