Mailbag question from Ed

Eroc and CoachBt,

I have a question for you guys. Defense is disciplined on the backside (gap integrity maintained), what does this open up?

What I am thinking here is that, a smart Big 10 Defensive Coordinator will look at the way Wally Burnham of South Florida schemed and shut down the WVU run game the past two years.

From what I understand, Burnham, with his Alabama and then Big 12 background, came to his approach to defending the RR/WVU zone-read option from a traditional defend-the-option background, which apparently gave him a leg up on analyzing the zone-read blocking/cutback schemes.

Thank you for sharing your expertise!

Ed
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Thanks Ed for the question.

Backside discipline, staying home, is a must if you are going to stop the third phase of the quarterback read option. One thing that makes this easier to understand is to look at the quarterback read, or spread option as a version of the split back veer. You have the inside zone as option #1, you have the option with slot as pitch back as option #2, and then quarterback keep as option 3. This offense is sometimes called triple option.

What it makes defenses do is stay home both to the backside, but also to the front side to stop the option. This allows the offense to out-man the defense, or at least get as many blockers as defenders in phase one. It also makes stopping phase one of the offense key to stopping the package. If the running back is able to gain yardage in phase the pressure on the backside to make plays becomes overwhelming. Same as in the split back veer, making that front side defensive end stay home and play quarterback with the running back chewing yards directly in front of him was almost impossible. Also sitting and playing that gap integrity also sets up the zone trap and counter inside the defensive end.

What the last Defensive Coordinator I have talked to about defending read option have talked about is defending read option similar to defending split back veer and Winged T offenses. Against veer you basically play assignment or man to man defense then certain defenders responsible for specific players on the offense. Linebacker has running back, phase 1, defensive end has quarterback front side, outside linebacker or safety has pitch man, etc. To combat the quarterback read you cross read with your outside linebackers.

written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine

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