FirstDown PlayBook Spread Beaters
When offenses spread you out across the field it can mean a couple of things. It could be setting you up for a passing game fest. It could also mean that you are getting spread out so that gifted quarterback and running back can use their legs to attack you. This is why good Defensive Coordinators often counter with a spread beaters package.
The first thing on any defensive coordinator’s list is to get lined up to any and all formations that they throw at you. After that you can and should get a little creative.
Several years ago we sat down with a couple of SEC defensive coordinators and picked their brains about how they defended the spread offense. From those meetings the FirstDown PlayBook “Spread Beaters” section was born.
Related: Create Pressure Away From Rotation
The FirstDown PlayBook”Spread Beaters” section not only gives you three personnel driven approaches to stopping the spread but plenty of change ups off of each one. As is true with a lot of great defensive packages, it can seem complex for the offense but not the defense running it.
Always remember this. You can go in and edit and adapt all of these spread beaters to your defensive approach to stopping the spread! Here’s a sample below…
Call Side End:
Alignment: 4 Technique.
Key: Guard.
Run: If Guard Blocks You, Cross His Face. If Guard Blocks Nose, Come Off His Butt.
Pass: Stunt Into A Gap.
Away Side End:
Alignment: 5 Technique.
Key: Tackle To RB.
Run: C Gap.
Pass: Drop Into Coverage & Play Hook #3. Pass Key Is #3. Can Help With Near Receiver or Crossing Routes.
Tackle:
Alignment: 3 Technique.
Key: Tackle.
Run: If Tackle Blocks You, Cross His Face. If Tackle Blocks End, Come Off His Butt.
Pass: Outside Stunt To Contain Rush.
Nose:
Alignment: Shade 1 Technique.
Key: Center.
Run: If Center Blocks You, Cross His Face. If Center Blocks Tackle Or Goes Up to 2nd Level, Come Off His Butt.
Pass: Cross The Face Of The Center Into Opposite A Gap For Pass Rush.
Sam LB: ……Get the rest of these spread beaters coaching points and over 35,000 professionally drawn plays, defenses and special teams schemes just like this by clicking on the defense diagram above.
