Schemes, Playbooks, Personnel talk

[Phobia]

3-3-5 Defensive Scheme

The 3-3-5 is a great base defense versus the spread offense. It gives you 3 defensive lineman, 3 linebackers, and 5 defensive backs. Creating pressure is very similar to the 3-4, with heat coming from the linebacker positions.

The defense is a great tool to use a Cover 2 Man base defense. Notice I said base defense, most don't understand the use of this term. This means it is what you will "Show" the offense. You as a coach, your job is to confuse the offense and get them thinking one thing when you are setting up another. So while the cover 2 gives you some early thoughts on your opponent. First it shows you how well you match up with them while not allowing the big play. The next thing it does is set your opponent up for those needed blitzes later in the quarter/half.


Running the 3-3-5 having the right personnel is a key factor on what kind of base D you want to pursue. For instance, having two star corners might give you the option of running a base Cover 1, allowing you to put more pressure on the QB, but still give you the comfort of having a true "cover corner" guarding those dangerous wide outs. This will also helps with what most coaches fear with the 3-3-5 and that it can be run on. Playing a cover 1 base will allow you to stack more men at the line and cover the run just as well as a 4-3.


Now for added run support with this defense you can swap out your third cornerback (or nickleback as it is referred) with a safety. This gives you more meat at the line but you lose a little in coverage. So picking up two star strong safeties might seem weird to some, but is a good way to add a run stopping option with a defense built to contain the spread offense. This kind of adjustment would be good for teams that run the spread but also like to run often and mix up their play calling.

The key personnel regions you want to focus on with the 3-3-5 scheme is at linebacker. They need to be able to rush the passer as well as play into coverage. Having decent corners is a must if you want to get risky with your play calling. Decent D-line is not a must but it greatly helps getting linebackers free and attacking the QB.

Pros

• Great at stopping the spread offense
• Allows room to interchange players
• Allows shifts to confuse offense
• Allows more freedom is blitzing the passer with out losing coverage help.
• One of the least risky schemes to use versus spread offense
• Is a every down scheme

Cons

• Losses some run stopping power
• Must have personnel to run scheme correctly
• Is not to be used near the redzone
• Needs more stars on defense to reach peak performance

Play call sheets
I think most people don't really understand the importance of a play call sheet. Every coach in the country uses a "Call sheet". It quickly outlines what to call in any situation and allows you to get to the line quicker so you can make adjustments at the line.

Here is a example of a quick play call sheet I drew up in Excel. Doing this for both the offense and defense will help you be more organized. As well as feel more like a true coach


Lets keep the information coming guys. Lets make a collective list of football knowledge and useful topics.

[FootballSchemer]

NICE MATERIAL!!!!

On my play call sheets I use for my HS team, we use colors...

Such as

Blue (Cover 2)
Hitch Corner (Smash)

Green (Cover 3)
Slant Flat (Dragon)

White (Man)
Roll Right Pass

ext...

but nice stuff, want me to post some of my scheme blogs in here?

[Phobia]

Quote: Originally Posted by FootballSchemer

NICE MATERIAL!!!! On my play call sheets I use for my HS team, we use colors... Such as Blue (Cover 2) Hitch Corner (Smash) Green (Cover 3) Slant Flat (Dragon) White (Man) Roll Right Pass ext... but nice stuff, want me to post some of my scheme blogs in here?

Oh yea dude, lets make a nice huge list worth while reading material.

[FootballSchemer]

Here's What I got so far...

GREEN (Cover 3)
"Mills"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/3259-homerun-cover-3-4-play/
"Aggie Z-In"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/3182-lets-work-the-seems/
"Cougar"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/3131-how-to-run-the-outside-comeback/
"Roll Right Pass"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/3057-the-play-that-works-everytime-top-secret/
"Tech Left"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/3056-easy-read-cover-2-3-beater/
"4984"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/3020-lets-beat-cover-3-deep/
"Y Hole"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/2974-lets-beat-cover-3/
"Dragon"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/2852-how-to-beat-cover-3/

BLUE (Cover 2)
"9229 H Option"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/3202-my-favorite-new-play/
"16D8 H Left"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/3156-one-of-my-favorite-plays-easy-reads/
"Roll Right Pass"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/3057-the-play-that-works-everytime-top-secret/
"Tech Left"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/3056-easy-read-cover-2-3-beater/
"Flood Right"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/2960-cover-2-home-run-play/
"Slow Go Corner" and "970"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/2705-how-to-beat-cover-2/

WHITE (MAN)
"Arrows"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/3226-beating-press-man-requested-by-ck/
"9229 H Option"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/3202-my-favorite-new-play/
"Roll Right Pass"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/3057-the-play-that-works-everytime-top-secret/
"Schemer"
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/2691-how-to-beat-man-coverage/


How to Pass in Spread Scheme
http://www.operationsports.com/FootballSchemer/blog/3038-calling-pass-spread-play-against-cover-2-3/

[Phobia]

Nice stuff Scheme. I also talked about the 3-3-5 on purpose because I knew would be one of the first to read and I want to put a end to your loved spread.

[JMP]

Quote: Originally Posted by Phobia

Nice stuff Scheme. I also talked about the 3-3-5 on purpose because I knew would be one of the first to read and I want to put a end to your loved spread.

I'm gonna try this out. That's my biggest weakness in the game--4-5 wide sets on 3rd and long. I can stop the run most times if I put my mind to it and I can handle regular passing attacks but it seems I still don't know what I'm doing vs. the spread. And everybody online runs 3-5 wide a good bit.

[Phobia]

More against schemer

Well it seems like the name of the game in APF was the spread offense. Lobby players seem to build a spread based team only. This lead to the issue of the much debated "Defense is broken" threads. Which were mainly pointed towards the dreaded "out routes and Corner routes". Some of us still hold firm that anything in the game can stopped. That the defense is not broken by any means.

STOPPING THE SPREAD

Goals of the spread
1) Spreading the defense thin
2) Takes away secondary blitz
3) Empty the box, easier to run
4) Take what the defense throws at it. Deep or dink & dunk
5) Easy to see defense alignment

Weakness of the Spread
1) Less blocking for the QB & run game.
2) Clock control
3) INT prone
4) Big points or go home
5) Alot of pressure on the O-line

The whole goal of the spread is to allow their QB to have a easier time reading the defense and allow him to take what is thrown at him. If the defense presses at the line, he can easily hit a man up fade route. If the defense shows zone, he can pick the zone apart all game.

So how do we go about stopping the spread???? You don't!! You can only hope to contain it, force turnovers, and maintain the ball with clock management to give their offense as few downs as possible.

The spread is designed on speed. So matching Speed vs Speed is your first goal. If you can match their playmakers in the speed department you have just gave yourself a fighting chance. Next, you HAVE to win in the trenchs. If the QB does not get pressured, it will be a very long game. You have to have Gap Responsibility and Pursuit Discipline. Having a stud D-line to put pressure on the QB and force him out of rhythm. Force him to make throws early and give your corners and safties a chance at the pick. The one area the spread can really be brought to its knees, is with the D-line. Forcing the QB out the pocket, releasing the ball early, and sacking the QB are goals all spread stopping defenses should key on.

Next is sure tacklers. Most people are like, "what you mean sure tacklers?" Well most offensive schemes have taught defense to play "gang tackling" football. The spread removes this. From now on you need solid open field tackling. Defenders who can bring down that playmaker in the open field are HUGE! Without these guys you will see small dink and dunks turned into huge big plays. Building a team with a core of solid tacklers will greatly help in yards after the catch. The spread will force your defense to spread over the field with much more open space, so the chance of big plays after a missed tackle are that much greater.

I mentioned Gap Responsibility and Pursuit Discipline earlier. This also applies in the Zone run game. You might see a few spread teams coming out and using the zone run game to get the defense to over pursuit and cut it back for big games in the open field caused by the spread. You need a D-line who can completely shut down the run game. Forcing the ball in the air as much as possible. This makes clock management for them tougher.

On to clock management, I stated how you can't hope to STOP the spread. You can only hope to contain it. This is where the spread offense can be very weak against a "pound the rock" team. Clock control is going to be a big key of your designed offense to stop the spread. Wait, offense designed to stop the spread? Yup, thats right. Having a power back who can pick up those 3-4 yards per carry, slowly pounding the defense into a pulp and milking the clock. Will go a long way in giving that spread offense as few touchs as possible and giving you a much greater chance at limiting its chance of beating you.

So what kind of builds are we talking about? There is many many different builds one could come up with. I am going to give a few ideas. They won't be in depth, but will give you a idea of what you are shooting for in a build.

Air control
4 star corners - Playing Dime all game
2 Star DE's - Designed to get after the QB
2 star Safeties - Over the top help
1 Star HB - Big power back
1 Star FB - Big blocker for your back
1 Star MLB - Stopping the dink & dunk middle of field + run stopper

Clock Control
1 Star HB - Power back
1 Star FB - Big blocker for back
1 star TE - Good short yardage converter + blocker for HB
2 Star Guards - Open up those DT's and give holes for that HB
1 Star Center - Same as above
2 Star Corners - Stopping the star wideouts
2 Star safeties - Helping out with 4 WR's + over the top
1 Star MLB - Controlling middle of field

Additions welcome. I did not go in schemes, plays, fronts, adjustments, etc, etc. There is a wealth of info that can be thrown around. I am going to leave this area open, since all coaches have their own ideology of what to do to stop this and that.

Example of this would be something I like to do. Press the short side of the field WR on his inside shoulder, forcing him outside with much less field to play with. Then the far side WR, press on his outside shoulder forcing him towards the safety. Also shifting the backers over to the strong side of the field can also cut down on the open slant with the outside press. Thus limiting their WR's to as few open field areas as possible.

[Phobia]

I just noticed something. I am more interested in defensive schemes where Schemer is more the offensive type. Good mix here. I would like to hear CK come chime in with his 3-4 schemes.

[FootballSchemer]

Quote: Originally Posted by Phobia

Nice stuff Scheme. I also talked about the 3-3-5 on purpose because I knew would be one of the first to read and I want to put a end to your loved spread.

Ha well you have half my name in your thread

When facing the 3-3-5 you need to be able to run the spread under center and in shotgun and have a good mixture of mixing it up and even formation shift... (How I run my 90's Bills)

Number 1 weakness against the 3-3-5 is the up the middle run, might not get you a huge gain, but you will get yards. Trapping with your guards is a good idea to exploit the 3 down line man or just straight dives...

You establish a running game, linebackers start pinching in, then we can go to the play action and catch a wide open zone created by having a solid run game..

[jct32]

How do you get the 3-3-5 to work in APF? This was the defense I ran in high school and it would be awesome if I could get it in APF.