Defending Flexbone Option from 4-2-5 Structures

By Mike Kuchar
Senior Research Manager
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikekKuchar

Introduction:

The following research was conducted as part of XandOLabs.com special report on “Even Front Structures to Defend Flexbone Option,” which can be accessed in full by clicking here. 

Source 1: Northwest High School (OH)
Defensive Coordinator Robert Burke

Base Defense:
Northwest High School is a press quarters coverage team that will challenge receivers in the quick game. “Our main front is an under front, but we also use an odd at times.,” said Coach Burke. “Our philosophy is to spill everything to the sideline and let our athletes run it down. We are a squeeze and wrong arm team, which becomes important to how we defend these offenses. Our base coverage is quarters with a cover 3 check. Our coverage calls are dictated by the looks the offense gives us. We split the field in half and adapt to each so that no matter what the offense throws at us so we are not outflanked.”

Play of First Level:
The defensive end is taught to get hands on all down blocks. “This frees our inside linebackers up to make plays,” said Coach Burke. “Our end man on the line of scrimmage must also tackle the dive against the option. This dictates how we run fit the safeties and linebackers. Our DEs (and at times OLBs) must use this technique for us to be effective. Against these offenses and in our under front we play our Mike linebacker at 6 ½ to 7 yards over the ball. By squeezing down blocks we allow him to be an inside out player and flow downhill untouched.”

Play of Second Level:
Coach Burke will align his Mike linebacker at 6.5-7 yards over the ball. “By squeezing down blocks we allow him to be an inside out player and flow downhill untouched,” he said. “It is also important to point out that our coverage calls dictate our force and fill calls as well. When we split the field in half there must be a force, fill and pass only player on each side of the ball. When we discuss these calls note that against options teams the force player is pitch player and the fill player is the quarterback player.” Coach Burke explains these concepts below.