The fifth guard picture is also easily recognizable. Frequently our messengers will call out “pass” based on a tipster’s stance as related in chapter 9. When the guard shows pass, the linebacker must yell “Pass, pass” as he retreats in zone coverage or presses a receiver in man.
Draw is also a strong possibility with this guard look. We teach our lineback- ers to keep vision on the guard as they
retreat in coverage. Most opponents set their guards briefly to show pass and then release them to block the draw. We train daily the linebacker’s reaction to pass and quick-set draw. They will learn to differentiate the two similar reads.
Once he recognizes draw, the line- backer yells it out to alert defensive linemen to retrace their steps to the line of scrimmage. At the same time the linebacker accelerates to the blocker’s outside shoulder and forces the ball car- rier back inside (see figure 11.8) to B1.
In 1985, we had a turnaround season at Colorado, going to our first bowl
game under Bill McCartney and demonstrating our first dominant defense in Boulder. We consistently failed, however, to defend the draw. We sought the advice of other college and NFL experts, but the best advice came by studying our cut-up tapes of all the draws from that season. We discovered
• that the pass rushers had to retrace their steps directly to the line of scrimmage when they heard “draw,”
• that the backside linebacker was unblocked far more frequently than any other defender, and
• that the frontside linebacker had to turn the ball back to the free defender. Many opponents will attempt to make play-action pass blocks look like run blocks. This is an arduous task, especially for a 300-pound lineman. Even guards engaging other linemen on pass must be softer and higher to be effec- tive pass protectors.
Down
The down block begins a series of three gray blocks, so termed because they initially look similar to the linebacker. They are not “clean” like the
FiguRe 11.8 G shows quick set and
draw. B2 must turn drawn back to B1.
N B1 E B2 B3 T E6103/Tepper/fig11.8/483089/alw/r1-pulled
five previously described. How a coach teaches these three determines the confidence of the guard-read linebacker.
When the guard blocks down on the noseguard, attack the open 3 gap with outside leverage on the blocker. Usually this is a lead blocker, such as a fullback, on the isolation play. A linebacker must dominate fullbacks. Many players feel satisfied to trade one for one when engaging a burly fullback. Our linebackers grade positively only when they tackle the running back or force him wide to another defender. A collision with the lead block derailing the runner is our goal. We seek penetration and to run through fullbacks (see figure 11.9).
With today’s one-back offenses, a down block is accompanied by a lineman leading on the inside linebacker. We do not run through linemen but instead settle on our base as shown in figure 11.10.
N
B1 E
E6103/Tepper/fig11.9/483090/alw/r1-pulled
FiguRe 11.9 G down block on isolation.
B1 runs through FB. FiguRe 11.10 G down on linebacker trap play. B1 settles on inside foot versus trapper.
N B1 E T B2 E6103/Tepper/fig11.10/483091/alw/r1-pulled
Veer
The veer is a gray block because within it is a down block. Initially the two blocks look identical. They are frontside schemes, and most opponents use both. Defenders must practice these two each week.
The veer block is, perhaps, the prime reason coaches deepened their lineback- ers in the 1960s. Before that, linebackers played tighter to the line of scrimmage. Obviously, it was an advantage for the linebacker to be closer to the fullback when defending the isolation play (see figure 11.9). When the offensive tackle also blocked down, the linebacker now got blindsided.
In reaction, coaches set linebackers 4 yards deep and emphasized to the defensive ends a need to jam the offensive tackle when he veered inside. Now the linebacker could react forward to the guard key, but when he saw the 3 gap closing with those two big bodies veering inside, he would slide outside.
Our linebackers find this reaction very natural. The depth allows them vision, and they wouldn’t penetrate the 3 gap anyway when they see it closing. The defensive ends now take control of the 3 gap. The linebacker is responsible
32 Technique 135
for the 5 gap, including the quarterback versus veer-block option teams (see figure 11.11).
The veer scheme is a versatile fron- tside block. Teams use it for trapping wider-playing ends and as the frontside design for powers, counters, and many forms of option.
Scoop
The final gray block also has the guard engaging the noseguard, but rather than being a frontside block, this is a favorite backside pattern. The guard and center attempt to work together to pin the nose and linebacker away from the play (see figure 11.12).
Quite often the guard will narrow his split so he can get closer to the nose- guard and get his helmet between the ball and the nose. Ideally, the linebacker will see that the guard’s helmet is flat and partially hidden from his view. If it were a down or veer block, the line- backer could plainly see the guard’s helmet as shown in figure 11.13. The guard would normally split wider with a down or veer scheme, too.
Unfortunately, with today’s larger and sometimes sloppier linemen, it is not always easy to detect a scoop from its frontside relatives, the down and veer. What do we do? Make it simple. Tell linebackers that when in doubt always play all gray blocks as an open 3 gap and attack. If wrong, as the defender moves forward and senses the
ball away, he can shuffle backside. That’s the beauty of 32 technique. There is no rush with flow away.
The reverse is not true. The athlete cannot shuffle backside on a down or veer block. He will be out of position to play the isolation (see figure 11.9) or a veer scheme (see figure 11.11) with false steps inside. Again, when in doubt the linebacker should play all gray blocks as frontside plays.
FiguRe 11.11 Veer block where B1 and
the defensive end trade gap duties.
N
B1 E
E6103/Tepper/fig11.11/483092/alw/r1-pulled
FiguRe 11.12 G and center scoop the
noseguard and linebacker B1.
N
B1
T E
E6103/Tepper/fig11.12/483093/alw/r2-pulled
FiguRe 11.13 Solid line shows path of
G’s down or veer block. Dotted line indi- cates G’s scoop block.
N B
When the center gets through to the linebacker on a scoop scheme as in figure 11.12 (dotted line), how does the shuffling backside linebacker react? He establishes his hit-and-shed base with his near foot, jams the center, and stays behind the ball for cutback. Nearly a quarter of a 32 technique linebacker’s tackles will come playing off a center’s scoop. He will be severely tempted to cross the center’s face. A linebacker can do that only when there is no threat of cutback.
Back in chapter 4 we stated that the longest running plays break behind the backside linebackers. No place is our strategy to prevent that more evident than having the 32 technique linebacker shuffle behind a scoop block. He must stay behind the ball.