Free Football Video Search! Enter Your Topic Below:

HUDDLE 9-Holding the Line

The general design of all your defensive patterns should be such that your team is ready for any type of offensive play. Each man on the team must know exactly what is expected of him. Each will have certain maneuvers to perform. The failure of any one man to properly execute his assignment can mean the failure of the whole defensive pattern.

The basic assignments given to each man are primarily designed to stop the other team's running attack. However, it is necessary that you be flexible enough to adjust your movements quickly to meet any sudden passing pattern.

Defense Against Running Plays — In the Line

Linemen on defense are usually arranged in a six-man line. This means that you have six players evenly spaced along the line of scrimmage facing your opponents. The next most popular defensive-line arrangement is the five-man line.

In either of these defensive formations you, as a lineman, are responsible for first, protecting your area; and second, making every effort to force your way to the ball carrier. There are many fundamentals for you to learn in carrying out this double assignment. Remember, your team's line is only as strong as its weakest lineman!

THE STARTING POSITION for defensive linemen is the same as the offensive "three-point stance," except that your right foot goes farther back and you put more forward pressure on the hand that is on the ground. The linebacker (the black-jerseyed player to the left) takes up a somewhat crouched stance behind the line. He should have a good bend in his knees and just enough bend in his hips to bring the upper part of his body forward. A deep back should place himself in a stance in which he feels most alert and well-balanced, ready to move in any direction.

Here are the fundamentals which can make you the strongest lineman!

1. Whether you are a center, guard, tackle, or an end, you assume a "three-point stance." It is just like the offensive "three-point stance" we discussed in the "First Half," except that you put more forward pressure on the hand that is on the ground and your right foot goes considerably farther back of your left foot.

2. From this stance you take a short step with your right foot. At the same time you bring your hands up to protect your body from offensive blockers. If you receive a blocking attack from your right side, step to the right with your right foot. Use your right forearm and right shoulder to ward off the blocker and prevent him from moving you from your position. On an attack from the left, step with your left foot, use your left forearm and left shoulder.

3. Always "look through" (that is, beyond, or past) your opponent on the line. At the same time, keep the ball in sight out of the corner of one eye. You must develop good timing and the ability to move at the exact instant the offensive center snaps the ball. This must become a natural reflex action.

4. Good footwork is vital in evading offensive blockers. You must add a clever bit of trickery. Appear slightly stupid! Make your opponent think that he has a good shot at some part of your body. Just as the ball is snapped, and the blockers making his charge, shift quickly with your feet, going backwards or to either side. The blocker will end up where you were!

5. Probably the greatest asset a lineman can develop is the proper use of his hands. In the early days of football, opposing linemen, on the snap of the ball, often stood toe to toe and slugged it out until one of them went down. They also used their elbows, knees, and feet as weapons on each other! Our good sense has eliminated such actions. Now, only the defensive man can use his hands. They must be open, not clenched fists, and you can use only a pushing or pulling action. Learn how to combine the action of your hands with your footwork. As you side-step an onrushing blocker, you can also guide his body away from you with your hands.

6. In addition to your hands, you must also be able to use your forearms, shoulders, hips, and knees in legal fashion. The forearms and shoulders will help in holding off a blocking attack and in maintaining your position. When you are under pressure from more than one blocker, you can use either knee or either hip to protect yourself. Let's say you are under attack by two blockers. While you hold off one with your hands and forearms, pivot and "whip a hip" into the other one.

7. The one thing you must guard against is being the victim of a "mousetrap." This is an offensive maneuver used on linemen who too often direct their offensive charges squarely through the line. The offensive linemen let you come through the line. Then, you are neatly wiped out with a "crossbuck," a block by an opponent moving into you from the side. Sometimes you can take advantage of this situation.
If you sense or recognize that the offense has set up a trap for you, go into it prepared to give the opposing blocker a powerful movement from your forearm and shoulder to the side from which he approaches you. If you succeed in stopping his block, you can usually get a good shot at the ball carrier. All defensive linemen will meet up with this situation from time to time.

Defense Against Running Plays — A Linebacker's Job

Linebackers are the key to successful defensive team play!

In backing up the line, you have many responsibilities. You must protect your own designated area. With the offensive running play under way, you must move quickly into the path of the ball carrier. If good blocking has taken place on the line and the ball carrier is threatening to move through it and into your defensive secondary, you must move to close up the hole.

1. As a linebacker, you need to be quick and light in your movements. You need to be able to move with good speed. You must possess the ability to sense and size up quickly the offensive play. This requires a well-rounded knowledge of all types of offensive patterns. The only way to acquire this knack is by much study of various offenses in action in regular games.

2. The positions for linebackers will range from areas immediately behind their own linemen to the areas outside the end men on the line. Additionally, linebackers are often moved directly onto the line of scrimmage. This is done when the offense is expected to attempt a running play at that specific point in the line.

3. As a linebacker, you will usually take up a some what crouched stance behind the line. Your feet should be spread so that you have a feeling of perfect balance. Your knees should have a good bend. Bend your hips enough to bring the upper part of your body forward. You must be ready to move smoothly and quickly forward, backward, or to either side. Keep your hands and arms free and ready to use against any offensive blockers coming through the line toward you. You use your hands in the same manner as we described for the linemen.

4. Linebackers also have to be alert for pass plays. This means developing additional abilities which we will go into in the section on a linebacker's duties on pass defense. (See page 109.)

Defense Against Running Plays — A Deep Back's Job

Those backfield men who play in the defensive secondary are known as the "third line of defense." With them rests the final responsibility for preventing a long yardage gain, or a touchdown run.

1. Generally speaking, as a deep back, you will play six to ten yards behind the line of scrimmage. The distance depends on the position of the ball on the field, the down, the yardage needed, the type of offensive pattern, and the score of the game.

2. The stance to take as a deep back is simply one in which you feel alert and well-balanced. The exact positioning of the feet, hands, and arms depends on the individual. However, you should always have a slight bend in your knees and just enough bend at your hips to bring the upper part of your body slightly forward. Balance your body's weight on the balls of your feet. Be ready for immediate movement in any direction. You have a wide area to protect. Your exact location within that area depends on your team's over-all defensive line-up.

3. A deep back needs better than average speed. You should spend lots of practice time on running drills. Develop your ability to move quickly from a standing start to various spots in front of you.

4. Playing in the defensive secondary, you have an excellent view of the entire offensive line-up. You should make a thorough study of all offensive formations so that you will have the ability to recognize quickly any type of play the instant it starts into its pattern. You should be able to "peg" a play with the snap of the ball! There are many little "tips" that will tell you what the offense is about to do. For instance, if you spot any one of the interior linemen, that is, guards, tackles, or the center, starting to move into your defensive secondary, it means a running play! There can be no passing play because the rule states that no interior linemen can move into the defensive secondary before the ball is thrown. Be careful! Be sure you know what type of play is coming up before you make your move. Making the wrong move can mean a score for your opponents.

5. Some people in football's ranks feel that a deep back should move to stop a running play only after the runner has penetrated the line of scrimmage and passed the linebackers, or has made his turn upfield from an end run. It seems a better policy for a deep back to move quickly to meet the ball carrier as soon as possible. Many times you can stop the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage with a fast move. Remember, you have the jump on the play because of your position, which shows you the play's pattern with the snap of the ball.

6. Be alert for offensive linemen who are assigned to make a rapid move downfield to block or screen you out of the play. Your faking ability and footwork will determine how successful you will be in outmaneuvering the would-be blocker.

Defense Against Passing Plays — In the Line

1. Since defensive linemen are mainly concerned with stopping running plays, they always take up the same "three-point stance," even when passing plays are expected. Many offensive patterns are so designed that although they start out giving the appearance of passing plays, they are really delayed running plays. This is done to draw the defensive linemen into the offensive backfield. It is important that as a defensive lineman, you be able to determine for yourself in a split second whether the opponents are going to run the ball or pass it. Once you are positive that it will be a pass, you should make an all-out charge to rush the passer.

2. The first thing you have to do is get rid of the offensive blocker. You do this with your hands and good footwork. Your footwork and body balance must be such that after you dispose of the blocker, you can quickly shift into high gear and make your charge for the passer. Rush him hard!

3. As you charge toward the passer, from the front or his right side (assuming that he is a right-handed passer), raise your arms above your head and wave both hands. By doing this you blur his vision and cause him difficulty in spotting his intended target. Equally important, your hands will be up where you have a chance to block the ball if he attempts to throw it over you.

4. Now, if you are rushing the passer from his left side, you use a different action. You strive to make quick contact with him in a hard, driving tackle. Aim for either his hips, or the area slightly above his knees. Your intention is to throw him to the ground before he can release the ball, or while he is in the act of releasing it. If you hit him while he is in the act of throwing, his pass will certainly be less accurate. You may cause him to fumble. If he retains the ball, you will be able to tackle him for a large yardage loss.

5. Remember, your main concern is to stop any running plays through your assigned defensive area. If the passer is back to throw, but there is still some possibility that he might run, make your approach at a slower pace and keep between him and your area.

LINEMEN OR LINEBACKERS must know how to rush opposing passers. Against right-handed passers, raise your arms and wave your hands if you rush from his front or right side. From his left, try to tackle him.

Defense Against Passing Plays—A Linebacker's Job

1. We have previously discussed the general body position for linebackers and the areas these backs cover. It is vitally important that a linebacker be able to move from his original position with equal ability to meet a ball carrier or to cover against a pass. A linebacker must be skillful at moving to either side, or backwards, in a running motion, while remaining well-balanced.
2. As a really topnotch linebacker, you need to study and know pass patterns. There are certain pass patterns that are run from certain formations. Also, certain pass patterns will almost always be run in certain situations.

3. You should develop the knack of catching the ball. You will have many opportunities to intercept passes. The surest way to pluck the ball out of the air is with relaxed hands and fingers. It is necessary to keep one eye on the ball and one on the opponent you are covering.

4. There is another important movement linebackers must learn. It is one which prevents a pass receiver from breaking into the defensive secondary to run his proper route in the pass pattern. You will generally position yourself in front of an offensive end. As he starts to make his move, you attempt to control him with your hands and forearms. Try to force him off his stride and to the inside or the outside. As he moves into the defensive secondary, retreat with him, moving backwards from your original position. Constantly and continually bump him and annoy him. Slow him down! See to it that he becomes no problem whatever to your teammates who are playing the deep-back positions.

5. At times you will have the assignment of rushing the passer. You should never reveal to the offense that you intend to do this. Make them guess as to whether you will rush in or go back to cover one of their receivers.

Defense Against Passing Plays — A Deep Back's Job

1. The most important thing to impress upon you, as a deep back, is that you must never allow a pass receiver to get behind you! The offense sends one or more receivers deep downfield with that single intention. If two opponents enter the deep defensive zone, you and your deep-back team mates must act immediately to properly cover the receiver who comes farthest into your area. Under no circumstances should he be permitted to move into a position where there are no defenders between him and the goal line.

2. You have a considerable amount of area to cover as a deep back. You should make yourself extremely familiar with every possible route and pattern a receiver can run. Many times the intended pass receivers will be faster than you are. That is why they are sent downfield. Therefore, you must outthink, outsmart, and outmaneuver your opponent. You must be a good judge of whether the approaching receiver is running at top speed, or holding some speed in reserve with which to make a sudden spurt past you.

AS A DEEP BACK, you must never allow a pass receiver to get behind you, between you and your goal line! Stick with him! Be ready to snatch the ball out of his grasp! Have your hands up, fingers relaxed!

3. You take up the same stance we described in your defensive maneuvers against running plays. You must learn to work closely with your deep-back teammates. Call back and forth to each other and keep each other warned of potential pass receivers. Work together to cover your opponents.

IN RECOVERING FUMBLES, approach as shown (left) and make a dive for the ball with your arms outstretched. Cover the ball (right) with your arms and draw it into you, curling your body around it. Protect the ball with your body from opponents trying to get it.

4. Few deep backs develop good judgment as to the true flight of the ball, the true speed of approaching receivers, and which movements of these receivers are simply fakes. In the deep-back position you will have many opportunities to intercept passes. Keep your hands and fingers relaxed.

5. A good practice idea is to work against all the better receivers on your own team.

Are You Ready To Move Onto The Next Lesson? Click Here...