Virginia Tech’s Defensive In-Game Operations

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

Introduction

Last spring, X&O Labs Senior Research Manager Mike Kuchar spent three days with Bud Foster and his defensive staff studying the Hokies Bear Package, which the Hokies used on 54 snaps to hand Ohio State University its only loss last season. While the entire Bear study can be found here. Coach Foster also spend some time talking to Kuchar about what many feel is one of his biggest strengths as a defensive coordinator, his in-game adjustment ability.

Mike Kuchar (MK): What do you work off of in the game to relay your calls?

Bud Foster (BF): I have my call sheet which as the following components:

• First and ten to start a drive
• First and ten within a drive
• Second down and 11 or more
• Second and 7-10
• Second and 6 or less (which is just like first and ten)
• Third down variables by separating run vs. pass tendencies
• Third down and two or less
• Third and medium which is 3-6 yards
• Third and long
• What do they do after a first down run of three yards or less
• What do they do after a first down incompletion
• What do they do after an explosive play

I got that down on my sheet. But let’s say you got an offensive coordinator who likes to run nakeds on first and ten to start. After each series, I write down the plays they ran to see if they are starting with what I studied. Is he staying on track or is he changing? I’ve been doing it long enough where if he has a little wrinkle in somewhere, he is probably doing something to counter off of it, like a naked. If he is going to run naked on one of his big naked downs and he hasn’t run it on the first two first and tens, I’m probably going to bring pressure the third time. You’re playing the odds.

MK: What is something about first down that has recently changed in tendencies?

BF: Nowadays you’re getting coordinators who are 50/50 (run/pass) in early downs like first and ten. Sometimes you get guys that are 70/30 and then I get excited because it’s a tendency. But if you get 60/40 or 65/35, I consider that to be 50/50.