SPARTA

FOOTBALL
2014

4-2-5 DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE TACKLES AND ENDS
Defensive Tackles (T & N)
Big and strong; able to defeat any offensive lineman, stalemate a double team, and
never get driven off the line of scrimmage
Athletic; able to pursue down the line of scrimmage, chase down a running back, and
never get reached by the offensive lineman
Disciplined; able to never over penetrate and allow an easy trap block, read the
blocking scheme and diagnose the misdirection, and recognize screens and draws

Defensive Ends (E)
Tall; able to maintain leverage on an offensive tackle or a tight end, and knock down a
pass at the line of scrimmage
Athletic; able to rush the passer, make an open field tackle on a running back, cover a
running back releasing out of the backfield on a swing route
Disciplined; able to always get inside any lead blocker never getting kicked out or
trapped, read their keys to recognize the offensive blocking schemes, screens and
draws
Athletic ability is more important than size at this position
LINEBACKERS AND DEFENSIVE BACKS
Linebackers (S & M)
Strong; able to defeat offensive linemen and fullbacks attempting to isolation block
Athletic; able to run to the football, cover running backs and slot receivers down the
field, tackle anyone in the open field, and rush the passer
Disciplined; able to make defensive front, stunt, and blitz calls, read flow and fit any
openings along the front, and diagnose the offensive scheme

Safeties (SS, WS & FS)
Strong; able to never get stalked or cracked on the perimeter by a wide receiver
Athletic; able to tackle anyone in the open field, cover wide receivers down the field,
and rush the passer
Disciplined; able to make coverage calls, read keys to diagnose the offense scheme,
and Not to Go Until They Know!

Corners (C)
Strong; able to take the ball away from a wide receiver or tight end
Athletic; able to cover wide receivers down the field, chase down a running back
Disciplined; able to stay in coverage when the passer leaves the pocket, read keys and
diagnose the route combination

FRONTS
TIGHT sets the 3-technique tackle to the tight end side of the formation. The nose aligns in
a weak shade on the offensive center.

TIGHT G sets the front the same as TIGHT with the exception of the nose who aligns on an
inside shade on the offensive guard.

TIM sets the defensive tackle and the nose on an inside shade of the offensive guards.

OUTLAW sets the defensive tackle and nose on an outside shade on the offensive guards.

BUMP moves the linebackers away from the strength call.

SLIDE moves the linebackers toward the strength call.

WIDE moves the linebackers outside over the offensive tackles.

TIGER sets the strong side defensive end in a 9-technique on the tight end.

POWER brings the SS into a 9-technique and kicks the tackle opposite
5
TIGHT
N E T E
M S
BASE DEFENSIVE FRONT
The 3-technique tackle aligns to the tight end side of the formation. If there is no
tight end, then the 3-technique will align to the running strength of the formation.
Sam linebacker is responsible for calling the strength by making a RIP or LIZ call.

End 6-tech; head-up on TE; key OT
Tackle 3-tech; outside eye of OG; key OG
Nose shade C; key C
End wide 5-tech; outside edge of OT; key OT
Sam - 30-tech; over OG at 5 yards; key flow
Mike 30-tech; over OG at 5 yards; key flow
6
TIGHT - G
N
E
T
E
M S
DEFENSIVE FRONT ADJUSTMENT
Nose shifts alignment to the inside eye of the guard leaving the center uncovered.
The 3-technique tackle and the defensive ends do not change their alignment.
The G is an automatic adjustment when the offense aligns with 2 tight ends. The
G adjustment helps prevent the G from climbing up to the linebacker on the weak
side isolation and in zone blocking schemes. Versus strong side running attacks,
the G technique gives the Nose a better shot at the center who must block back o
him.

Nose 2i-tech (inside eye of the Guard); key OG
7
POWER
N E T E
M S
DEFENSIVE FRONT ADJUSTMENT
SS plays a 9-technique on the tight end and the defensive tackles shift opposite
the strength call. This is essentially an under front.

SS
8
TIM
Both defensive tackles align on inside shades on the offensive guards
N
E
E
M S
T
N E E
M S
T
OUTLAW
Both defensive tackles align on the outside eye of the offensive guards
9
FLIP (pre-snap)
Both defensive tackles change their alignment right before the ball is snapped
N
E
E
M S
T
N E E
M S
T
FLIP (post-snap)
10
BUMP
Both inside linebackers adjust their alignment away from the strength call
N
E
T E
M
S
SLIDE
Both inside linebackers adjust their alignment to the strength call and the weak safety walks down
into the box
N
E
T
E
M S WS
11
WIDE
Both inside linebackers align over the offensive tackles
N
E
T E
M
S
TIGER
The tight end side defensive end adjusts his alignment to an outside shade on the tight end
N
E
T
E
M S
DEFENSIVE LINE TECHNIQUES
3-Technique:
Align on the outside eye of the offensive guard with the inside hand down and the inside foot
back. Attack the offensive man delivering a solid blow attempting to knock him backwards.
Key the movement of the offensive man.
If he attempts to base block, fight pressure with pressure
If he attempts to reach block, maintain outside leverage
If he releases inside, bend inside and expect either a trap or a down block from the tackle -
wrong-arm the trap and get up the field under the down block
If he pulls inside, bend inside and defeat the offensive center
If he pulls outside, stay on his hip and expect a down block by the tackle - get underneath
the down block of the tackle
If he pass sets, attack his outside shoulder and use a pass rush move

Shade Technique:
Align on the outside eye of the offensive center with the inside hand down and the inside
foot back. Attack the offensive man delivering a solid blow attempting to knock him
backwards. Key the movement of the offensive man.
If he attempts to base block, fight pressure with pressure expecting a double team to come
from the offensive guard - defeat the double team by whipping the offensive center
If he attempts to reach block, maintain outside leverage
If he attempts to back block, rip across his face and get into pursuit
If he pass sets, attack his near shoulder with speed

DEFENSIVE LINE TECHNIQUES
2i-Technique:
Align on the inside eye of the offensive guard with the outside hand down and the outside
foot back. Attack the offensive man delivering a solid blow attempting to knock him
backwards. Key the movement of the offensive man.
If he attempts to base block, fight pressure with pressure
If he attempts to reach block, maintain outside leverage
If he pulls inside, bend inside and wrong-arm the offensive center
If he pulls outside, stay on his hip and expect a down block by the tackle - get underneath
the down block of the tackle
If he pass sets, attack his inside shoulder and use a pass rush move

6-Technique:
Align head-up on the tight end with the inside hand down and the inside foot back. Attack
the tight end delivering a solid blow attempting to knock him backwards. Key the movement
of the offensive tackle
If the tackle blocks out, fight pressure with pressure and compress the gap
If the tackle blocks down, bend inside and expect either a down block by the tight end or a
kick-out block by either the guard or the fullback - get under the down block and wrong-arm
the kick-out blocks
If the tackle pass sets, get up the field and pressure the passer maintaining outside leverage


DEFENSIVE LINE TECHNIQUES
5-Technique:
Align on the outside eye of the offensive tackle with the inside hand down and the inside foot
back. Key the movement of the offensive tackle. Attack the offensive man and deliver a
solid blow attempting to knock him backward.
If he base blocks, fight pressure with pressure
If he reach blocks, maintain outside leverage
If he blocks down, bend inside and expect a kick-out block by either the guard or the fullback
- wrong-arm the kick-out block
If he pass sets, get up the field and pressure the passer maintaining outside leverage

Wide 5-Technique:
Align on the outside edge of the offensive tackle with the outside hand down and the outside
foot back. Key the movement of the offensive tackle. Attack a spot 2 yards behind the
outside leg of the offensive man. Beat the offensive man to that spot.
If he blocks out, fight pressure with pressure
If he reach blocks, maintain outside leverage
If he blocks down or releases off the line off scrimmage, bend inside and expect a kick out
block from the inside - wrong arm any lead blocker
If he pass sets, get up the field putting pressure on the passer and maintain outside
leverage
DEFENSIVE LINE MOVEMENT
Technique
Concentrate your weight on the foot opposite the direction of the stunt
Jab step in the direction of the stunt with the near foot pushing off the far foot
Key the movement of the offensive man toward whom you are stunting
If he attempts a kick-out or trap block, wrong arm the blocker
If he attempts to reach block, get up the field and maintain outside leverage
If he moves away, get in his hip pocket and pursue flat down the line of scrimmage
If he pass sets, attack his near shoulder and use a pass rush move

Far Gap
If the defensive lineman is shaded opposite the direction of the stunt, he must rip
across the face of the offensive man using his outside arm.

Near Gap
If the defensive lineman is shaded to the stunt, he will fire into the gap and read
the next offensive lineman.

16
SLANTS
N E T E
TANK
N E T E
ARMY
N E T E
AIM
N E T E
TORO
Tackle and Nose slant away from
the strength.
Tackle and Nose slant to the
strength.
Defensive linemen slant away from
the strength.
Defensive linemen slant to the
strength.
17
STUNTS
N E T E
BLOOD
N E T E
SPIKE
N E T E
TAG
Tackle slants into the A gap.
End stunts into the open C-gap.
End stunts into the open B-gap.
N E T E
TAKE
End and tackle stunt into closed B and
A-gaps.
18
SPLIT FIELD COVERAGE
Pass coverage to each half of the field is called separately by the
safeties. The free safety identifies the passing strength, or wide side of
the field, and makes either a reading left or a reading right call. The
free safety and strong safety travel together to the read side of the
formation. The weak safety travels to the away side of the formation.

The free safety calls the coverage for the read side defenders (strong
safety, corner, and linebacker). Base coverage for the read side of the
formation is Cover 2 (Robber).

The weak safety calls the coverage for the away side defender (corner
and linebacker). Coverage to the away side of the formation can be
Bronco (Man), Blue (Quarters), Sky (Invert), or Cover 5 (Squat-Half).

Front, read side coverage, and away side coverage calls are all made
independently.
19
COVER 2 - Robber Coverage
SS
FS
C
S
Free safety:
Alignment - 10 yd deep over the G to a closed side or splitting the difference between the
offensive center and the #2 receiver to an open side
Run/pass key - OL
Run to - fit the front, press the hip; of the ball carrier; Option - quarterback
Run away - fit the alley
Coverage key - #2 receiver; Robber Rules
#2 vertical release - call PUSH cover all of 2
#2 outside release - call WHEEL rob 1
#2 inside release or stay - call RAT rob 1
Coaching Point - Stand flat foot at a depth of 10 yards and dont go until you know
20
COVER 2 - Robber Coverage
SS
FS
C
S
Strong Safety:
Align at 5 yd on outside eye of #2 receiver or 3 x 7 off a tight end
Run/pass key - EMLOS
Run To - set the edge, force the ball back inside
Option - defend the pitch
Run Away - bootleg, counter, cutback, reverse
Pass - drop on #1 receiver; defend the flat; handle any short route by #1 receiver; cover a
deep swing by #3 receiver
21
COVER 2 - Robber Coverage
SS
FS
C
S
Corner:
Align 1 x 7 inside #1 receiver
Drop for depth and defend the deep inside 1/2 of the field with a Man-Clue on #1 receiver
Make a CHINA call if #1 receiver runs a hitch route; continue dropping for depth
Make a RAT call if #1 receiver releases inside; continue dropping for depth
Free safety calls:
PUSH - match #1 receiver; no help from free safety
WHEEL - defend deep 1/2 of the field
RAT - match #1 receiver
22
COVER 2 - Robber Coverage
SS
FS
C
S
Linebacker:
Alignment - Front Call
Key - Offensive Lineman to Flow (running back)
Run - Fit the run; press the inside hip of the ball carrier
Pass - Middle dropper; open up on #3 receiver; wall any crossing route; set the edge versus
rollout passer
23
COVER 2 BLACK - Man Coverage
SS
FS
C
S
Cover 2 Black is essentially the same as Cover 2 with one difference. The free safety is
locked up on the #2 receiver on any inside release in addition to any vertical release. This
means the corner cannot expect any help with #1 receiver when the #2 receiver releases
inside. This is a good adjustment versus tight end / wing formations.

24
BLUE (ALERT) - Read 2 Coverage
WS
C
M
Weak Safety:
Align at 9 yd on or near the hash marks
Key - EMLOS
Run To - set the edge; Option - pitch
Run Away - counter, cutback, reverse
Coverage Key - Read #2 receiver
#2 releases vertical - man/man #2
#2 releases outside, inside or stays - eyes snap to #1 receiver


25
BLUE (ALERT) - Read 2 Coverage
WS
C
M
Corner:
Align at 7 yd outside leverage on #1 receiver
Coverage key - #2 receiver
#2 releases outside - squeeze #1, match #2 but do not leave #1 until you have to
#2 releases inside, under, vertical or stays - man/man #1
Deep swing of #2
Wheel route of #2




26
BLUE (ALERT) - Read 2 Coverage
WS
C
M
Linebacker:
Alignment - Front Call
Key - Offensive lineman to the flow
Run - fit the run, press the inside hip of the ball carrier
Pass - vertical pass drop; wall off any crossing route; get under the curl of #1





27
SKY - Invert Coverage
WS
C
M
Corner:
Alignment - 1 x 7 inside #1 receiver
Pass - defend the deep inside 1/2 (same technique as Cover 2)

Weak Safety:
Alignment - 5 x 5 off the offensive tackle
Run - set the edge; cut back, counter, reverse, bootleg
Pass - flat defender, deep swing of #2 (same as SS technique in Cover 2)

Linebacker:
Pass - wall off any crossing route; set the edge on rollout passer





28
BRONCO - Man Coverage
WS C
S
Corner:
Alignment - inside leverage on #1 receiver
Pass - all vertical routes of #1receiver

Weak Safety:
Alignment - outside leverage on #2 receiver
Key - EMLOS
Run - set the edge; cut back, counter, reverse, bootleg
Pass - all vertical routes of #2 receiver

Linebacker:
Pass - wall off any crossing route; set the edge on rollout passer





29
BANJO - Man Coverage
WS
C
S
Corner:
Alignment - inside leverage on #2 receiver
Pass - all of whichever receiver releases vertically

Weak Safety:
Alignment - outside leverage on #1 receiver
Key - EMLOS
Run - set the edge; cut back, counter, reverse, bootleg
Pass - all of whichever receiver releases outside

Linebacker:
Pass - wall off any crossing route; set the edge on rollout passer





30
FIDDLE - Man Coverage
WS
C
S
Corner:
Alignment - inside leverage on #1 receiver
Pass - all of #1 receiver releasing vertically

Weak Safety:
Alignment - 5 x 5 off EMLOS
Key - EMLOS
Run - set the edge; cut back, counter, reverse, bootleg
Pass - all of #1 releasing outside

Linebacker:
Pass - wall off any crossing route; set the edge on rollout passer





31
COVER 5 - Squats and Halves
WS
C
M
Corner:
Alignment - 5 yards off or press #1 receiver with outside leverage
Key - #2 receiver; squeeze #1 receiver to the inside while focusing eyes on #2 receiver
Run - set the edge
Pass - if #2 releases outside, match #2; if #2 releases elsewhere, sink with #1

Weak Safety:
Alignment - 10 yards on hash mark
Key - #2 receiver; gain depth and defend deep 1/2 of the field
if #2 releases outside, underneath or stays, then all of #1 vertical
if #2 releases vertical, all of #2 vertical


32
COVER 5 - Squats and Halves
WS
C
M
Linebacker:
Alignment - 5 yards on offensive tackle
Key - offensive lineman to the flow
Run - fit the run; press the inside hip of the ball carrier

Pass Key - wall #2 receiver
#2 releases outside - under #1 receiver
#2 releases inside - wall #2 receiver
#2 releases vertical - collision #2 listen for CHINA call
#2 releases dig - match #2
#2 releases inside - wall #2
Deep 1/2
33
TRIPS CHECK #1: SOLO
WS
C
M
Read Side:
C, SS, FS - Cover 2
Linebacker - drop on #3; wall #3 crossing; #3 goes outside wall #1 or #2 crossing

Away Side:
WS - make a SOLO call telling the corner to man-up #1; cover the final #3 receiver vertical
C - all of #1 vertical
Linebacker - wall #1 crossing; deep swing of #2

S
SS
C
FS
Cover 2 Solo
34
TRIPS CHECK #2: KEEP 3
WS
C
M
Read Side:
C, SS, FS - Cover 2
Linebacker - drop on #3; keep #3 vertical

Away Side:
WS - make the KEEP 3 call telling the linebacker to man-up #3; drop and defend deep 1/2 of
the field
C - the KEEP 3 call tells the corner to play press cover 5 technique
Linebacker - wall #1 crossing

S
SS
C
FS
Cover 5 Cover 2
35
TRIPS CHECK #3: SPECIAL ZERO
WS
C
M
Read Side:
C/FS/SS - man/man

Away Side:
WS - free; deep middle of the field
C - man/man

Linebackers:
Man/man the back out f the backfield to your side

S
SS
C
FS
MOF
36
CHANGE OF STRENGTH
WS
C
M
Only motion that changes the passing strength will require a COS call.

The free safety will change the strength by making a COS call followed by
Reading Right. The weak safety assumes the responsibilities of a strong safety.
The strong safety assumes the responsibilities of a weak safety. The corners
assume the responsibilities of the new coverage called to their side. The free
safety and strong safety must also make coverage calls to their respective side of
the formation.

S
SS
C
FS
E T N E
37
SINGLES PACKAGE
The objective of the singles package is to allow linebackers to exchange gaps
with defensive linemen and/or give linebackers a head-start into an open gap.
Singles are not blitzes.

Coverage:
Pass coverage for all singles is base coverage to the read side and some form of
man coverage to the away side.

Singles Terminology:
Mike - Mike linebacker rushes the open gap
Mike A - Mike linebacker rushes the A-gap
Mike B - Mike linebacker rushes the B-gap
MOE - Mike linebacker rushes off the edge
SAM - Sam linebacker rushes the open gap
SAM A - Sam linebacker rushes the A-gap
SAM B - Sam linebacker rushes the B-gap
SOE - Sam linebacker rushes off the edge
SAM OKIE - Sam linebacker exchanges gaps with the Nose
38
MIKE - 2 BRONCO
N E T
E
M S

C
C
SS
FS
WS
Mike linebacker attacks the open B-gap.

COVER 2
BRONCO
39
MIKE A - 2 SKY
N E T
E
M S

C
C
SS
FS
WS
Mike linebacker and nose tackle exchange gaps. The nose stunts across
the face of the offensive guard and keys his movement. The Mike
linebacker stunts behind the nose into the A-gap and keys the flow.

COVER 2
SKY
40
MOE - 2 BRONCO
N E T
E
M S
C
C
SS
FS
WS
Before the snap, the Mike linebacker creeps forward to the line of
scrimmage and then blitzes off the edge. The defensive end stunts
across the face of the offensive tackle into the open B-gap.

COVER 2
BRONCO
41
SAM B - 2 5
N E T
E
M S
C
C
SS
FS
WS
Sam linebacker and 3-technique Tackle exchange gaps. Tackle must get
across the face of the offensive guard and then read the movement of the
offensive center. Sam linebacker will attack the B-gap while keying the
flow.

The secondary will execute the called coverage.

COVER 2 COVER 5
42
SAM - 2 SKY
N E
T
E
M S
C
C
SS
FS
WS
Sam linebacker attacks through the A-gap will reading the flow. The 3-
technique tackle will fire into the B-gap and cannot get reached by the
guard.

Secondary execute the called coverage.

COVER 2
SKY
43
SOE - 2 BLUE
N E
T
E
M S
C
C
SS
FS
WS
Sam linebacker creeps toward pre-snap and then blitzes off the outside
edge. The end and tackle need get across the faces of the offensive
tackle and guard.

Secondary executes the called coverage.

COVER 2
BLUE
44
SAM OKIE - 2 - BLUE
N E
T
E
M S
C
C
SS
FS
WS
Sam linebacker and nose tackle exchange gaps. The nose must get
across the face of the offensive center and react to the movement of the
offensive guard. The linebacker must read the flow.

45
BLITZ PACKAGE
BULLETS: Both linebackers blitz through the open gaps or through gaps
tagged by the blitz call

SMOKES: Both safeties blitz off the edge

STINGS: Both safeties loop inside and blitz through the B-gaps and the
defensive ends loop outside and rush off the edge

THUNDER: Both linebackers blitz through the A-gaps and the safety to
the tight end side blitzes off the edge

DOGS: The safety and linebacker to the same side blitz
46
BULLETS B - 0
N E T
E
M S

C
C
SS
FS
WS
Both linebackers blitz the B-gaps while both defensive tackles penetrate
through the A-gaps.

The read side should be called to the side of the running back so that the
strong safety and the free safety can BANJO the inside receiver and
running back to that side.
BANJO
47
BULLETS B - 0
N E T
E
M S

C
C
SS
FS
WS
Both linebackers blitz the B-gaps while both defensive tackles penetrate
through the A-gaps.

If the running back is aligned to the away side of the coverage he
becomes the responsibility of the linebacker. The linebacker can make a
BLOOD call and blitz off the edge and use a SPY technique if the running
back releases.
BANJO
BLOOD
48
BULLETS A - 0
N E T
E
M S

C
C
SS
FS
WS
Both linebackers blitz the A-gaps

Coverage is man/man

Banjo coverage technique with the read side safeties on the #2 receiver
and the back out of the backfield

Note: The read side should be called to the running back side whenever
possible to allow Banjo coverage to be used.
BANJO
49
SMOKE - 0
N E T
E
M S
C
C
SS
FS
WS
Read side safety (SS) blitzes off the edge of the formation and must cover the
running back if he releases out of the backfield.

Away side safety must make a Switch call telling the linebacker to replace him in
the blitz because he must cover the #2 receiver.

Linebacker must make a Blood call to tell the defensive end to stunt across the
face of the OT into the B-gap because the B-gap will be left open by the linebacker
blitzing off of the edge of the formation.
FIRE
SWITCH
BLOOD
50
SMOKE - 0
N E T
E
M S
C
C
SS
FS
WS
The read side safety will make a Switch call to tell the linebacker to replace him in
the blitz.

The linebacker must then make a Blood call telling the defensive end to stunt
across the face of the OT into the open B-gap.

FIRE
BLOOD
SWITCH
51
THUNDER - 0 COP
N
E T
E
M S
C
C
SS
FS
WS
If the original pressure call had been SMOKE and the offense aligns in a closed
formation, the free safety will check the pressure to THUNDER.

The tight end side safety will must make a COP call telling the defensive end to
cover the tight end if he releases on a pass route. The the safety will blitz off the
edge. The linebackers will blitz the open gaps. The outside safeties will creep
down into the box and lock up on any running back releasing out of the backfield or
rob underneath routes.


COP
52
THUNDER - 0 COP
N
E T
E
M S
C
C
SS
FS
WS
The tight end side safety must make a COP call telling the defensive end
to cover the tight end if he releases on a pass route. The other safety will
creep down into the box and take any running back releasing out of the
backfield. The linebackers blitz through the open gaps and the 3-
technique tackle takes a wider pass rush.

COP
53
STING - 0
N E T
E
M S
C
C
SS
FS
WS
The away side safety will make a Switch call to tell the linebacker to
replace him in the blitz.
SWITCH
54
STING - 0
N E T
E
M S
C
C
SS
FS
WS
The read side safety will make a Switch call to tell the linebacker to
replace him in the blitz. The linebacker must make a Box call to tell the
defensive end to cover the running back releasing out of the backfield.

BOX
55
FIELD DOG - 0
N E T
E
M S
C
C
SS
FS
WS
The safety and linebacker to the field side will blitz

Coverage is man/man

The blitzing safety will SPY the running back releasing out of the backfield
FIRE
SPY
56
FIELD DOG - 0
N
E
T E
M S
C
C
SS
FS WS
The safety and linebacker to the field side blitz

Coverage is man/man

The away side safety must come all the way across the formation to cover
#3 receiver

FIRE
57
FIELD DOG - 0
N
E
T
E
M
S
C
C
SS
FS
WS
The Switch call tells the linebacker to replace the safety in the blitz; the
opposite linebacker to also get involved in the blitz; and the away side
safety to drop down into the box and cover the back out of the backfield or
rob the solo receiver

BLOOD
SWITCH
OKIE
58
BOUNDARY DOG - 0
N
E
T
E
M S
C
C
SS
FS
WS
The safety and linebacker to the short side of the field blitz

Coverage is man/man
FIRE
SPY