Utilizing_the_Free_Safety_as_a_Primary_Run

John RiceDefensive CoordinatorSantiago High School

Corona, CA

Utilizing the Free Safety as a Primary Run Defender and “Blitzer”

Agenda

• Our Defensive Scheme• Philosophy behind utilizing the FS as a

primary run defender• Keys and Reads• Run fits• Drills• FS blitzes• Video Cuts

Our Defensive Scheme• 3-3, 30 Stack, 3-5-3

Philosophy behind utilizing the FS as a primary run defender

1.Rarely accounted for by offensive blocking schemes and FS is often unblocked

2. Tight alignment makes it very difficult for slot receivers to block FS on inside runs

3. Best athlete able to go sideline to sideline4. Tight alignment allows faster alley support for

option schemes5. Creates overloads in blocking schemes; if FS is

blocked, another defender is freed up6. Tight alignment allows him to be included in

pressure scheme

Free Safety Run Fit From 3 Shell

FS

QB R

"FILL TO FIT"

Coaching Points for Free Safety1. Read Guards; they will take you to the ball!2. Maintain inside-out leverage on ballcarrier3. Don’t overpursue!4. On pass read; execute your assignment Based on your read-progression

Looks from a 3-Shell:1. Cover 3 (vs. 2 back sets)2. 1 Free3. Cover 1 with FS on #3 to his side4. Cover 0 “Target (FS on back)5. 0 with FS as low-hole defender6. 0 with FS blitzing7. Cover 2 with defenders other than FS Responsible for deep halves

Other Schemes with FS up in the box

ENE R

FSM

L

QB

C

R

C B

S

Bear/’46’/Double Eagle

ENE

RFS

ML

QB

C

R

C BS

30 Stack as a ‘Spy’ on QB

ENE

RFS

ML

QB

C

R

CBS

3-4 with various coverage

ETE

M

FS

ST

QB

C

R

CWSS

4-3 with various coverage

Drills for Free Safety• Guard Read Drills

LG

FS

RG

FSFS

LG

FS

RG

FSFS

LG

FS

RG

FSFS

LG

FS

RG

FSFS

Drill

Coach Coach

CoachCoach

Drills for Free Safety: Inside Run Period

ETE

M

FS

ST

QB R

W

’43’ Inside Run Drill

ETE

FS

ST

QB R

W

‘4-4’ Inside Run Drill

‘3-3’ Inside Run Drill

ENE

R

FS

ML

QB R

ENEW

FS

MS

QB R‘3-4’ Inside Run Drill

FS Blitzes• Why pressure with the FS?

1. Coming from 3rd level (secondary), he will most likely not be accounted for in pass pro

2. Gives a very quick and agile athlete to use his athleticism to get to the QB

3. Gives opposing Offense something they must prepare for; takes practice time away from something else they could be doing.

4. He will usually get a clean shot on the QB resulting in more:• Hurried or errant throws• Big hits from blind side causing fumble• Sacks• Fear factor established

Considerations when planning a FS Blitz

• From where will he come? (field/boundary/strength/weakness)

• Will he use a peel technique if back is hot?• From what depth will he come? LOS/2nd

level/secondary• Will he time the blitz to be at LOS at snap?• Is he delay blitzing?• Is he key blitzing?

FS Blitzes; From 33• “Fire” Series

FS Blitzes; From 33• Double Safety Blitz

FS Blitzes; from ’34’ or ‘3-2-6’ Dime

Coaching Points1. Run in conjunction with an inside Linebacker2. Can be run with multiple coverages3. Our “designations”• “Abby” Fire: run away from the single back• “Toby” Fire: run to the single back• “Field” Fire: run to the wide side of the field• “Boundary” Fire run to the short side of the field• “Strong” Fire: run to the strong side of the formation• “Weak” Fire: run to the weak side of the formation

“Fire”• Double Fire

FS Blitzes; ’34’ or ‘3-2-6’ Dime • 3-4 Double Fire

FS Blitzes: ’34’ or ‘3-2-6’ Dime3-4 “Tornado” Blitz

FS Blitzes: ’46’ or Double Eagle

FS Blitzes/ “Fox” Blitzes

Tags for “Fox” Blitzes:• From Field “Field Fox”• From Boundary “Short Fox”• Away from back “Abby Fox”4. Formation Strength “Strong Fox”5. Formation weakness “Weak Fox”6. To side of slide protection “Tosi Fox”

“Fox” Blitz Category: Free Safety blitzing OUTSIDE as Contain rusher

Ensure Tackle

Video Cuts

JOHN RICEJOHN RICEDefensive CoordinatorDefensive CoordinatorSANTIAGO HIGH SCHOOLSANTIAGO HIGH SCHOOLCORONA, CACORONA, CA(951) 537-9902(951) [email protected]@gmail.com

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