A Study of Defensive Football Formations
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A STUDY OF DEFENSIVE FOOTBALL FORMATIONS
A T h e sis P rese n ted to th e F a c u lty o f th e D ep artm ent o f P h y s ic a l E d u c a tio n C o l l e g e o f W i l l i a m an d M ary
In P a r t i a l F u lfillm e n t o f t h e R e q u i r e m e n t s f o r t h e D e g re e M aste r o f A rts
hy H a r r y W i l l i a m C au g h ro n A u g u s t 1950
ProQuest Number: 10614761
All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is d e p e n d e n t upon the quality of the copy subm itted. In the unlikely e v e n t that the a u thor did not send a c o m p le te m anuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if m aterial had to be rem oved, a n o te will ind ica te the deletion.
uest ProQuest 10614761 Published by ProQuest LLC(2018). C opyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C o d e M icroform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 4 8 1 0 6 - 1346
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
T h i s s t u d y o f d e f e n s i v e f o o t b a l l f o r m a t i o n s was made p o s s i b l e t h r o u g h t h e c o o p e r a t i o n o f t h e c o a c h e s o f t h e l e a d i n g d e f e n s i v e f o o t b a l l te am s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s f o r th e y e a r 1 9 4 9 * The w r i t e r w i s h e s t o e x p r e s s h i s s i n c e r e t h a n k s t o t h e m embers o f h i s c o m m i t t e e , M r. B e r n a r d E. W i l s o n , D r . R. Lee M a r t i n , an d Mr. Howard M. S m ith f o r t h e i r h e l p f u l s u g g e s tio n s and g u id a n ce d u r in g th e c o u rse o f t h i s stu d y .
The w r i t e r a l s o w i s h e s t o e x p r e s s h i s a p p r e c i a t i o n
t o h i s w i f e , C a th y C a u g h ro n , f o r h e r u n f a i l i n g e f f o r t s i n h e l p i n g -him t o c o m p le te t h e s t u d y .
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
INTRODUCTION............................................................................... The p r o b le m
......................................
D e f i n i t i o n o f te rm s
1
. . . . . . .
Scope an d L i m i t a t i o n s
Procedure
....................
4
...................................
5
..................................................
6
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
1 3
S ig n ific a n c e o f th e stu d y Sources o f d a ta
1
O rg a n iz a tio n o f re m a in d er o f
th e t h e s i s
. .
6
II.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL....................
9
III.
A BRIEF REVIEW OF DEFENSIVE FOOTBALL....................
14
In tro d u c tio n
..........................................................................
How names o f f o r m a t i o n s a r e d e r i v e d S ta n d a rd d e fe n s iv e fo rm a tio n s
..............................
F o rw a rd p a s s d e f e n s e
IV .
. . . .
. . . . .
14 15 16 18
S h i f t i n g d e f e n s e ................................................................
21
D e f e n s i v e c o o r d i n a t i o n .................................................
23
PRESENTATION OF D A TA ..........................................................
26
I n t r o d u c t i o n ..........................................................................
26
D e f e n s e s a g a i n s t s i n g l e w in g ...................................
26
D efenses a g a in s t th e T
28
........................
D efense a g a i n s t T f e a t u r i n g s tr o n g p a s s in g a tta c k
..............................................................................
30
CHAPTER
PAGE D efense a g a i n s t T f e a t u r i n g s t r o n g ru n n in g a t t a c k ...................................................................................
30
D e f e n s e a g a i n s t s i n g l e w in g f e a t u r i n g stro n g p a ssin g a tta c k
.............................................
30
D e f e n s e a g a i n s t s i n g l e w in g f e a t u r i n g s tro n g ru n n in g a tta c k
.............................................
31
D efense a g a i n s t s p e c i a l o f f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s .......................................................................... F o rw a rd p a s s d e f e n s e ......................................
31
33
S p e c i a l d e f e n s e s ................................................................
34
D efenses p ro v in g m ost s u c c e s s f u l a g a i n s t
V.
te a m s p o l l e d .....................................................................
37
RECOMMENDED DEFENSIVEFORMATIONS.................................
39
6- 2- 2 -1 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t u n b a la n c e d s i n g l e
w in g f o r m a t i o n ................................................................
40
6- 2- 2 -1 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t b a la n c e d s i n g l e
w in g f o r m a t i o n .............................
40
5- 3 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t
Tf o r m a t i o n
. . . .
5 -3 -2 -1 d efen se a g a in s t
s p l i t Tf o r m a t i o n
42 .
43
6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t d o u b le w in g b a c k
f o r m a t i o n ..........................................................
45
6 - 2- 2 -1 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t s h o r t p u n t
f o r m a t i o n ...................................................................
45
CHAPTER
PAGE 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t u n b a l a n c e d w in g e d T f o r m a t i o n ..........................................................
47
6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e fe n se a g a i n s t u n b a la n c e d deep w in g f o r m a t i o n .................................................
48
6 -2 -2 -1 d e fe n se a g a i n s t u n b a lan c e d T fo rm atio n
......................................................
5 -3 -2 -1 d efense a g a in s t sp read fo rm a tio n
50
.
50
.........................
52
Goal l i n e d e fe n s e a g a i n s t u n b a la n c e d s i n g l e w in g f o r m a t i o n
G oal l i n e d e f e n s e a g a i n s t b a l a n c e d s i n g l e w in g f o r m a t i o n
.
............................
53
G oal l i n e d e f e n s e a g a i n s t T f o r m a t i o n . . .
55
G oal l i n e d e f e n s e a g a i n s t s p l i t T f o r m a t i o n ............................................................... ....
.
55
B IBLIO G RA PH Y.............................................................................
58
APPENDIX A
..................................................................................
60
APPENDIX B
..................................................................................
65
V I T A ............................................................
67
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1.
PAGE
D ia g ra m
o f 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 D e f e n s e A g a i n s t U n b a la n c e d
S i n g l e Wing F o r m a t i o n ...................................................... . 2.
D ia g ra m
o f 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 D efen se A g a in s t B alan ced
S i n g l e Wing F o r m a t i o n ................................................ 3.
D ia g ra m
o f 5 -3 - 2 -1 D efense
4.
D iag ram
o f 5“ 3 - 2 - 1 D e f e n s e A g a i n s t S p l i t T
F o rm atio n 5.
D ia g ra m
D ia g ra m
A g a in s t T F o rm atio n .
...........................................
D ia g ra m
. . . . . . . . . . .
D ia g ra m
D ia g ra m
. . . . . . .
D ia g ra m
D ia g ra m
D iagram
51
o f 5 - 3 - 2 - I D e fe n s e A g a i n s t S p r e a d ..........................................................
51
o f G oal L in e D e f e n s e A g a i n s t U n b a la n c e d
S i n g l e Wing F o r m a t i o n .......................................................... 12.
49
o f 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 D e f e n s e A g a i n s t U n b a la n c e d
F o rm atio n . . . . . . 11.
49
o f 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 D e fe n s e A g a i n s t U n b a la n c e d
T F o r m a t i o n .................................................................................. 10.
46
o f 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 D e fe n s e A g a i n s t U n b a la n c e d
Deep Wing F o r m a t i o n ................................. - 9.
46
o f 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 D e fe n s e A g a i n s t S h o r t P u n t
Winged T F o r m a t io n 8.
44
44
F o r m a t i o n .............................................................. 7.
41
o f 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 D e f e n s e A g a i n s t D ouble Wing
F o r m a t io n 6.
41
54
o f G oal L i n e D e fe n s e A g a i n s t B a l a n c e d
S i n g l e Yfing F o r m a t i o n ...........................................................
54
FIGURE 13.
PAGE
D ia g ra m o f G o a l L i n e D e fe n s e A g a i n s t T F o r m a t i o n ...................................................................................
14.
57
D ia g ra m o f G o a l L in e D e f e n s e A g a i n s t S p l i t T F o r m a t i o n ...................................................................................
57
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION THE PROBLEM The p u r p o s e s of* t h i s
stu d y a r e :
(1) t o d e t e r m i n e
t h e b a s i c d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s i n u s e by l e a d i n g c o l l e g e s and u n i v e r s i t i e s t h r o u g h o u t t h e n a t i o n ,
( 2 ) to a n a ly z e
t h e s e d a t a i n o r d e r t o d e t e r m i n e common e l e m e n t s and t r e n d s , a n d ( 3 ) t o recommend s o u n d b a s i c d e f e n s i v e f o o t b a l l fo rm a tio n s f o r use a g a in s t th e v a rio u s o ff e n s iv e fo rm a tio n s i n use to d a y . DEFINITION OF TERMS D e fe n siv e f o o t b a l l fo r m a tio n .
A d e fe n siv e f o o t
b a l l f o r m a t i o n i s t h e a r r a n g e m e n t o f e l e v e n p l a y e r s on t h e f i e l d t o s t o p t h e o f f e n s e fro m a d v a n c i n g t h e b a l l . D e fen siv e l i n e .
The d e f e n s i v e l i n e
p l a y e r s l o c a t e d on t h e l i n e
c o n s is t of
o f scrim m ag e t o m e e t th e
o f f e n s iv e l i n e a t th e i n c e p t i o n o f th e p la y . S econdary d e f e n s e .
The s e c o n d a r y d e f e n s e c o n s i s t
o f p l a y e r s l o c a t e d b e h in d th e d e f e n s iv e l i n e t o m eet p la y s t h a t g e t b e y on d t h e l i n e o f scrim m age by r u n , p a s s o r k i c k . S h iftin g d efen se.
In a s h i f t i n g d efense th e re i s
2
a c h an g e o f p l a y e r s on t h e l i n e
o f d e f e n s e an d a c o u p l e t e
ch an g e i n t h e d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n b e f o r e o r a f t e r t h e b a l l i s snapped.
An e x am p le w o u ld be s h i f t i n g fro m a 7 - 1 - 2 - 1
d e f e n s e i n t o a 6 - 2- 2 -1 d e f e n s e . forw ard pass d e f e n s e .
A forw ard p a ss d e fe n se i s
t h e r u s h i n g o f t h e p a s s e r a t t h e i n c e p t i o n o f t h e p a s s and th e g u a rd in g o f a l l e l i g i b l e r e c e i v e r s seco ndary.
The o b j e c t i v e s o f t h e d e f e n s i v e p l a y e r s a r e t o
i n t e r c e p t o r b a t down t h e b a l l th e r e c e i v e r
o f a p a s s i n th e
( i f i n th e a i r )
or ta c k le
( i f p a ss i s c o m p le ted ).
M a n -fo r-m a n d e f e n s e .
A p a s s d e f e n s e w here' e a c h
d e fe n d e r h as a d e f i n i t e a ssig n m e n t to co v er a p a r t i c u l a r o p p o n e n t who i s e l i g i b l e
to r e c e iv e a forw ard p a s s ,
w h e r e v e r he g o e s . Zone d e f e n s e .
A p a s s d e f e n s e w h ere e a c h d e f e n d e r
h a s a c e r t a i n a s s i g n e d d e f i n i t e zone o r t e r r i t o r y
to
p ro te c t a g a in st p asses. -C o m b in a tio n d e f e n s e .
A p a s s d e f e n s e w h ic h c o n s i s t
o f a c o m b i n a t i o n o f t h e m a n - f o r - m a n d e f e n s e an d zone d efen se. The 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e .
A d e fe n siv e fo rm atio n
composed o f s i x l i n e m e n , two l i n e b a c k e r s , two h a l f b a c k s a n d
3 a s a f e t y man. The 7 - 1 —2—1 d e f e n s e .
A d e fe n siv e fo rm atio n
composed o f s e v e n l i n e m e n , one l i n e b a c k e r , two h a l f b a c k s and a s a f e t y . The 7 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e .
A d e fe n siv e fo rm atio n
composed o f s e v e n l i n e m e n , two l i n e b a c k e r s a n d two h a lfb a c k s. The 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e .
A d e fe n siv e fo rm atio n
composed o f f i v e l i n e m e n , t h r e e l i n e b a c k e r s , two h a l f b a c k s and a s a f e t y man. The 6 - 3 - 2 d e f e n s e .
A d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n composed
o f s i x l i n e m e n , t h r e e l i n e b a c k e r s and two h a l f b a c k s . The A -A -2-1 d e f e n s e .
A d e fe n siv e fo rm atio n
composed o f f o u r l i n e m e n , f o u r l i n e b a c k e r s , two h a l f b a c k s and a s a f e t y man. The 8 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e .
A d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n com posed
o f e i g h t l i n e m e n , two l i n e b a c k e r s an d two h a l f b a c k s . is p rim a rily a goal lin e defen se. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS T h is stu d y i s f o o tb a ll fo rm a tio n s.
c o n c e r n e d o n ly w i t h d e f e n s i v e I t i s f u r t h e r l i m i t e d t o th e
T h is
4 d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s i n u s e by t h e t h i r t y
le a d in g c o lle g e s
an d u n i v e r s i t i e s i n t o t a l d e f e n s e f o r t h e y e a r 1949*
T hese
to p t h i r t y
d e f e n s i v e te a m s w e re l i s t e d
in th e o f f i c i a l
sta tistic s
r e l e a s e d by The N a t i o n a l C o l l e g i a t e A t h l e t i c
B ureau. T h ro u g h t h i s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e
g ro u p t h e w r i t e r h a s
b e e n a b l e t o d e t e r m i n e t h e m o s t p o p u l a r an d s u c c e s s f u l b a s ic d e fe n se s b e in g u sed a g a i n s t th e v a rio u s o f f e n s iv e fo rm a tio n s. The l i n e an d b a c k f i e l d s p a c i n g i s d e fe n siv e fo rm atio n p r e s e n te d .
shown f o r e a c h
The s t r o n g p o i n t s and
w eaknesses of each d e fe n se a re l i s t e d .
The m o s t s u c c e s s
f u l p a s s d e f e n s e b e i n g u s e d i n t h i s ag e o f t h e m odern p a s s i n g game i s a l s o p r e s e n t e d .
The s t u d y c o v e r s t h e
m o dern t r e n d s i n d e f e n s i v e f o o t b a l l . A b r i e f h i s t o r y o f A m e ric a n f o o t b a l l i s i n c l u d e d i n t h e s t u d y i n o r d e r t o fo rm a p r o p e r b a c k g r o u n d f o r t h e stu d y . SIGNIFICANCE .OF THE STUDY M odern f o o t b a l l , i n t h e p a s t few y e a r s , h a s d e v e l o p e d fro m s t r a i g h t pow er and b r u t e f o r c e i n t o a game o f d e c e p t i o n and s p e e d .
D u r in g t h e d a y s o f po w er f o o t b a l l
t h e 7 - 2 - 2 box d e f e n s e o r t h e 7 - 1 - 2 - 1 diam ond d e f e n s e was
5 ■used, a l m o s t u n i v e r s a l l y , " ^ b u t i t
could, n e v e r m e e t t h e
n e e d s o f m o d e rn day f o o t b a l l . The day o f u s i n g o n ly one d e f e n s e t h r o u g h o u t t h e s e a s o n o r e v e n t h r o u g h o u t one e n t i r e
game i s o v e r .
In
o r d e r - t o be s u c c e s s f u l i n m o d e rn f o o t b a l l a c o a c h m u s t be a b l e t o d e p lo y h i s d e f e n s i v e man i n t h e m o s t s t r a t e g i c p o s i t i o n to s to p th e g e a re d -u p o f f e n s e s i n use to d a y . One o f t h e t o u g h e s t p r o b le m s f a c i n g t h e c o a c h i s t h a t o f - a d a p t i n g t h e d e f e n s e t o t h e p a r t i c u l a r game a t 2 hand. Teams to d a y u s e a s many a s f o u r o r f i v e d e f e n s e s i n a s i n g l e game.
E v e r y c o a c h -s h o u ld h a v e a t l e a s t f o u r
s o u n d b a s i c d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s , fro m w h ic h he can make s l i g h t v a r i a t i o n s as th e need a r i s e s . SOURCES OF DATA The s o u r c e s o f d a t a u p o n w h ic h t h i s s t u d y i s b a s e d i n c l u d e r e p o r t s o f r e l a t e d s t u d i e s , p e r i o d i c a l s an d b u l l e t i n s , and a q u e s t i o n n a i r e . The r e l a t e d s t u d i e s u s e d a r e : ITotre Dame F o o t b a l l - The T F o r m a t i o n by F r a n k 'L e a h y ; C h a m p io n sh ip F o o t b a l l by Dana X. B i b l e ; F u n c t i o n a l F o o t b a l l b y John. D aG ro sa; 1 R o b e r t C. Z u p p k e , C o a c h in g F o o t b a l l ( I l l i n o i s : B a i l e y a n d H i n e s , 1930} C h a p t e r V I. 2 H e -rb e rt 0. C r i s l e r , " V a r i a b l e Team D e f e n s e s ” , S c h o l a s t i c C o ac h , 1 9 : 1 0 , F u n s , 1 9 5 0 .
6 P o a c h i n g F o o t b a l l by R o b e r t 0 . Z u p p k e ; M odern F o o t b a l l by H e rb e rt 0. C r i s l e r ;
Touchdown by Amos A. S t a g g ; F o o t b a l l
F a c t s a n d F i g u r e s by L. H. B a k e r ; F o o t b a l l by W. G-lenn K i l l i n g e r and F o o t b a l l by Lamont B u c h a n a n . The p e r i o d i c a l s a n d b u l l e t i n s u s e d a r e S c h o l a s t i c P oach and A t h l e t i c J o u r n a l . A q u e stio n n a ire
( s e e a p p e n d i x A) was s e n t t o t h e
t h i r t y l e a d i n g d e f e n s i v e te am s i n t h e n a t i o n t o s e c u r e t h e r e m a i n i n g i n f o r m a t i o n n e e d e d t o c o m p le te t h e s t u d y . PROCEDURE The p r i m a r y s o u r c e o f i n f o r m a t i o n f o r t h i s s t u d y i s th e q u e s ti o n n a ir e .
The i n f o r m a t i o n f o r C h a p t e r I I , A
B r i e f H i s t o r y o f A m e ric a n F o o t b a l l , was g a t h e r e d fro m re la te d
s t u d i e s w r i t t e n by l e a d i n g a u t h o r i t i e s i n t h e
fie ld . C h ap ter I I I in c lu d e s a re v ie w o f d e fe n s iv e f o o t b a l l a n d was a l s o o b t a i n e d fro m t h e w o rk s o f l e a d i n g a u t h o r s on A m e ric a n f o o t b a l l . A q u e s t i o n n a i r e was s e n t t o t h e h e a d f o o t b a l l c o a c h o f t h e t h i r t y m a j o r c o l l e g e s a n d u n i v e r s i t i e s who l e a d th e n a t i o n in t o t a l d e fe n se f o r th e y e a r 1 9 4 9 * In th is
q u e s tio n n a ir e ev ery o ff e n s iv e fo rm atio n in
u s e t o d a y was draw n up and t h e c o a c h e s w ere a s k e d t o i n s e r t t h e d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n b e i n g u s e d by th e m .
I n t h i s way
7 t h e e x a c t s p a c i n g f o r t h e v a r i o u s d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s was o b ta in e d .
S p e c i a l e m p h a s is was p l a c e d on th e 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 ,
5 - 3 - 2 - 1 an d g o a l l i n e
d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e ” TM, S p l i t T,
B a l a n c e d S i n g l e Wing a n d U n b a la n c e d S i n g l e Wing f o r m a t i o n . The c o a c h e s w e re a l s o a s h e d t o s t a t e
th e ir
d e f e n s i v e p r e f e r e n c e i n o r d e r a g a i n s t b o t h t h e s i n g l e w in g and t!Tn f o r m a t i o n .
They w e re a l s o a s k e d t o l i s t t h e i r
f a v o r i t e d e f e n s e a g a i n s t a s t r o n g p a s s i n g a t t a c k and a g a i n s t a s t r o n g r u n n i n g a t t a c k fro m b o t h o f t h e s e fo rm a tio n s. A ls o i n c l u d e d i n t h e q u e s t i o n n a i r e xvere q u e s t i o n s p e r t a i n i n g to s p e c ia l d e fe n se s such as th e o v e r s h if te d 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 an d s h o o t i n g l i n e b a c k e r s . asked to l i s t
The c o a c h e s w ere a l s o
t h e i r f a v o r i t e p a ss d e fe n se and a ls o th e
d e f e n s iv e fo r m a tio n s t h a t had p ro v en m ost sue c ess fill a g a in s t t h e i r o ffe n s iv e fo rm a tio n . T h ese q u e s t i o n n a i r e s w e re m a i l e d on May 1 9 j 1950 a nd t h e f i r s t r e t u r n was r e c e i v e d on May 2 4 , 1 9 5 0 . 4 , 1950 tw e n ty -tw o o f th e t h i r t y
By J u l y
q u e stio n n a ire s se n t out
had been r e c e iv e d , g iv in g th e w r i t e r a h ig h p e rc e n ta g e of re tu rn s. The q u e s t i o n n a i r e s w ere c a r e f u l l y s t u d i e d a n d t h e d a t a c o m p i l e d , s h o w in g t h e d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s b e i n g u s e d by t h e l e a d i n g c o a c h e s t h r o u g h o u t t h e n a t i o n . was p r e s e n t e d i n C h a p t e r 1 7 .
T his d a ta
The m o s t p o p u l a r and
8
s u c c e s s f u l d e fe n se s a g a in s t e a c h , o ffe n s iv e fo rm atio n a re liste d .
From t h i s d a t a t h e d e f e n s i v e t r e n d s a r e
d e term in e d . ORGANIZATION OF THE REMAINING CHAPTERS OF THIS THESIS A b rie f h is to ry i n C h a p t e r tw o .
o f A m e ric a n f o o t b a l l i s p r e s e n t e d
C h ap ter th re e i s
a re v ie w o f th e
d e f e n s i v e f o o t b a l l f o r m a t i o n s an d d e f e n s i v e f o o t b a l l i n g e n e ra l.
C h ap ter fo u r i s th e a n a ly s is of th e d a ta
o b ta in e d th ro u g h use o f th e q u e s ti o n n a ir e .
C h ap ter f iv e
i s a summary o f t h e c o n c l u s i o n s , and r e c o m m e n d a tio n s made a f t e r c a r e f u l stu d y of th e d a ta c o l l e c t e d .
CHAPTER I I
A BRIEF HISTORY OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL F o o t b a l l came i n t o t h i s
c o u n try w ith th e P ilg r im s
when t h e y l a n d e d i n New E n g l a n d and w i t h t h e c o l o n i s t s on th e i r a r r i v a l in V irg in ia .
I n New E n g l a n d , i n t i m e , i t
fo rm e d p a r t o f t h e T h a n k s g i v i n g Day f e s t i v i t i e s , b u t i n V i r g i n i a t h e game was p l a y e d o n ly s p o r a d i c a l l y .
N o t many
r e f e r e n c e s t o f o o t b a l l have been found d u r in g th e s e v e n te e n th and e i g h t e e n t h c e n t u r i e s .
I t is lik e ly th a t
k i c k i n g an a i r - f i l l e d b l a d d e r was done a s a p a s t i m e . s p o r t f o o t b a l l was a l m o s t n o n e x i s t a n t . little
As a
U n lik e E n g lan d ,
i n t e r e s t i n t h e game was shown by any o f t h e
e d u c a tio n a l i n s t i t u t i o n s . th e f i r s t
The a n s w e r t o t h i s may be t h a t
c o l l e g e s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s w e re a l m o s t
e n t i r e l y o f a t h e o l o g i c a l n a t u r e an d l i t t l e
tim e was
p e r m i t t e d f o r e x t r a c u r r i c u l a r a c t i v i t i e s s u c h a s s p o r t s . ' 1' From 1827 o n , H a r v a r d c l a s s te a m s p l a y e d an a n n u a l m a tc h b u t t h e s e became i n c r e a s i n g l y b r u t a l and d e g e n e r a t e d i n t o t h e " B lo o d y Monday" r u s h e s w h ic h b o r e no b o n a f i d e re sem b la n c e to f o o t b a l l .
Y a l e , P r i n c e t o n an d Brown t u r n e d
t h e i r h a n d s t o o c c a s i o n a l c o n t e s t s o f t h i s new s p o r t b u t t h e game t o o k on a v i o l e n t an d d e a d l y n a t u r e t h a t c a u s e d i t
lY .H . B a k e r , F o o t b a l l : F a c t s - an d F i g u r e s Y o rk : F a r r a r and R i n e h a r t , I n c . , 1945)> P* 9*
(New
10 t o bo a b o l i s h e d i n many p l a c e s .
T h e re xvere no s e t r u l e s
a n d t h e m a k e s h i f t ones a d d e d t o t h e c o n f u s i o n .
p
Many e x p e r t s c r e d i t W i l l i a m S. Gummere o f P r in c e to n , in 1868, w ith c o n c e iv in g th e id e a o f s t a r t i n g in te rc o lle g ia te
fo o tb a ll.
He s e l e c t e d t h e " A s s o c i a t i o n ”
code a s h i s g u id e a n d p r o c e e d e d t o a d a p t fro m t h a t a s e t o f r u l e s u n d e r w h ic h t h e f i r s t game o f c o l l e g e f o o t b a l l i n h is
c o u n t r y was p l a y e d - b e tw e e n P r i n c e t o n an d R u t g e r s on 3 N ovem ber 6 t h , 1 8 6 9 . E a r l y f o o t b a l l was n e i t h e r t o o i n t r i c a t e n o r t o o c o n siste n t.
The f i r s t r u l e s i n I 869 p r o v i d e d , among o t h e r
t h i n g s , no t h r o w i n g o r r u n n i n g w i t h t h e b a l l ; t w e n t h - f i v e p l a y e r s t o a s i d e a n d no h o l d i n g o f t h e p l a y e r s .
T h e re
w ere o t h e r r e s t r i c t i o n s e q u a l l y v u l n e r a b l e t o t h e o n s l a u g h t o f r e v o l u t i o n a r y c h a n g e s made d u r i n g t h e n e x t few y e a r s . The game t h a t em erg ed was s t r i c t l y
an A m e ric a n p r o d u c t ,
e v e n t u a l l y b e a r i n g no r e l a t i o n s h i p t o s o c c e r o r r u g g e r . t a c k l e o r , a s i t was known t h e n ,
" c o l l a r , ” an o p p o n e n t
w o u ld h a v e c a l l e d f o r a m o s t s e v e r e p e n a l t y im p o se d by an o f f i c i a l d o m t h a t , i n 1 8 6 9 , c o n s i s t e d o f f o u r j u d g e s and two r e f e r e e s .
L
2 Lamo'nt B u c h a n a n , B o o t b a l l (Hew Y o rk : S t e p h e n P a u l P u b l i s h e r s , 1 9 4 7 )? P* ! $ • 3 I b i d . , p . 1 9. 4 I b id . , p.
25*
To
11 The f i r s t r u l e s
c o n f e r e n c e was h e l d i n I 873 w i t h
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s fro m Y a l e , R u t g e r s and P r i n c e t o n a t t e n d in g .
They c o m p ro m ised on tw e n ty men t o a s i d e i n s t e a d o f
t w e n t y - f i v e , no c a r r y i n g o r t h r o w i n g o f t h e h a l l , f r e e k i c k s on f a i r c a t c h e s and no b a b y i n g , o r d r i b b l i n g , k ic k -o ff.
on t h e
L a t e r i n t h e s e a s o n a te a m o f E t o n i a n s p l a y e d
a t Y a le u n d e r m ix e d r u l e s , an d b r o u g h t w i t h them t h e i r E to n ia n p r a c t i c e
o f e l e v e n men t o a s i d e .
T h e r e a f t e r Y a le
h e l d o u t a n n u a l l y f o r e l e v e n men and won i t s p o i n t f i n a l l y
gOLLEGiE OF WILLIAM & MARV
i n 1 8 8 0 .5 By 1905 t h e h e a v y p i l e - u p s an d m ass p l a y s and w edges h a d b e g u n t o d i s a p p e a r .
The c l o s e f o r m a t i o n s w ere
a b o u t t o g i v e way t o m ore open f o o t b a l l an d f o r w a r d p a s s i n g was j u s t a r o u n d t h e c o r n e r .
E x p e r i m e n t s i n p a s s i n g w ere
c a r r i e d on a t a l l c o r n e r s o f t h e g r i d m a p .^ E a r l y members o f t h e B o o t b a l l R u l e s C om m ittee c r e d i t N a v y 's S k in n y P a u l D a s h i e l l w i t h b e i n g one o f t h e v e r y f i r s t t o p r o p o s e a new r u l e t o " p e r m i t t h e b a l l t o be p assed fo rw a rd .”
D a s h i e l l , b e c o m in g Navy g r i d c o a c h i n
’ 0 4 , was t i r e d o f s e e i n g Army f o o t b a l l e r s tra m p o f f th e f i e l d t r i u m p h a n t l y y e a r a f t e r y e a r w i t h " a n o t h e r " w in o v e r .A n n a p o lis u n d e r t h e i r b e l t s .
I n 1 9 0 6 t h e s t o r y was
5 Amo’s A. S t a g g , an d W esley W. S t o u t ; Touchdown (New Y o rk : Longm ans, G reen an d Company, 1 927)> P* 3A.
6 B u c h a n a n , o £.
c_i t . , p .
59.
12 d iffe re n t,
t h e M i d d i e s won 1 0 - 0 by u s i n g t h e f o r w a r d
pass. 7 In th e s o - c a l l e d d a rk ages o f f o o t b a l l , th e e a r l y years, l i t t l e
a t t e n t i o n was g i v e n t o u m p ir e s o r r e f e r e e s .
A l l t h a t r e a l l y m a t t e r e d was t h e w in n in g o f t h e game, a n d t h e p r e c i s e way t h i s
came a b o u t d i d n ’ t seem t o o i m p o r t a n t .
B u t a s t h e y e a r s p a s s e d i t was e v i d e n t t h a t t h e r e m u s t be m ore r i g i d s u p e r v i s i o n o f p l a y .
R u le s g o v e r n i n g o f f i c i a l s
w e re s t r e n g t h e n e d , t h e i r p o w e rs d e f i n e d , a l t h o u g h t h e i r e x a c t num ber c h a n g e d a l m o s t y e a r l y .
I n 1915 t h e f o u r man
l i n e u p we s t i l l h a v e t o d a y was p r e s c r i b e d . w e re r e f e r e e , u m p i r e , l i n e s m a n an d f i e l d
T h ese o f f i c i a l s
ju d g e .
O p in io n
was g ro w in g t h e n t h a t , a s i d e fro m s p e e d i n g up t h e game, c a r e f u l o f f i c i a t i n g was a f a c t o r i n a v o i d i n g i n j u r i e s .
8
As t h e t w e n t i e s e n d e d , f o o t b a l l h a d grown t h r o u g h i t s p e r i o d o f r o a r i n g a d o l e s c e n c e ; i t was c o l o s s a l - s i z e 9 now, b u t c a r r i e d i t s e l f w i t h new d i g n i t y . I n c o n c l u s i o n we may s a y t h a t t h e A m e ric a n game of f o o t b a l l a c t u a l l y d a t e s from I 8 7 6 , f o r I t was fro m t h i s p o i n t on t h a t r u l e s w e re f i r s t made t o f i t
th e v a r i a t i o n s ,
i n n o v a t i o n s an d i n v e n t i o n s t h a t b e g a n t o be i n j e c t e d i n t o t h e game i n t h i s c o u n t r y . 7 Ib id . , p.
60.
8 I b i d . , p . 97* 9 I b i d . , p . 128.
Brom 1 8 7 6 onward th e m e c h a n ic s
13 o f t h e game h a v e c o n s i s t e n t l y t e n d e d more to w a r d a " h a n d l i n g ” o f t h e b a l l , w i t h r u n n i n g and d e c e p t i v e t a c t i c s a s f e a t u r e s , and a s t h e y e a r s h a v e gone b y , l e s s e m p h a s is h a s b e e n p l a c e d on k i c k i n g a s a p rim e f e a t u r e .
The game
to d a y i s a d i s t i n c t d e v e lo p m e n t i n A m e r ic a , by A m e r ic a n s , w h i l e t h e E u r o p e a n game s t i l l r e m a i n s th e sam e, a t l e a s t fu n d a m e n ta lly , as in - t h e e a r l y n in e te e n th c e n t u r y . ^ 10 J o h n DaC-rosa, f u n c t i o n a l f o o t b a l l {liew Y o rk : A. S. B a r n e s an d C o m p a n y ., 1 9 4 6 ) , p . 4 .
CHAPTER I I I A BRIBY RBVIBW OR DBBRlTSIYd FOOTBALL i n t r o d u c t io n
U n lik e th e o f f e n s e , th e d e fe n se i s n o t r e s t r i c t e d by r u l e
in i t s
d e p lo y m e n t.
The o n ly r e q u i r e m e n t i s t h a t
t h e d e f e n s i v e p l a y e r s m u s t be on s i d e .
TJhile t h e a t t a c k i n g
te a m m u s t h a v e a t l e a s t s e v e n men on t h e l i n e o f s c r im m a g e , t h e d e f e n s i v e te a m may h av e s e v e n , f o u r , t e n o r n o n e .
T h is
l a t i t u d e en co u rag es v a r i a t i o n s in th e d e fe n s iv e p a t t e r n , an d in n u m e r a b l e a r r a n g e m e n t s , h a v e b e e n t r i e d down t h r o u g h th e y e a r s . Out o f t h e s e e x p e r i m e n t s c e r t a i n d e f e n s i v e p r i n c i p l e s a n d s t a n d a r d d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s h av e e m e r g e d . D e f e n s i v e p l a y e r s c a n n o t s a f e l y be d e p l o y e d h e l t e r - s k e l t e r . Some o f them m u s t be i n p o s i t i o n t o r u s h t h e p a s s e r and k i c k e r a n d t o s t o p r u n n i n g p l a y s on o r b e h i n d t h e l i n e s c r im m a g e .
of
Some m u s t be i n p o s i t i o n t o d e f e n d a g a i n s t t h e
p ass or k ic k .
T h e re m u s t be d e f e n s e i n w i d t h , t o c o v e r t h e
f i e l d l a t e r a l l y , an d t h e r e m u st be d e f e n s e i n d e p t h , so th a t i f
one l i n e o f d e f e n d e r s f a i l s
to
sto p
th e p l a y ,
a n o t h e r w i l l be i n p o s i t i o n t o do s o . 1 Dana X. B i b l e , C h am p io nship F o o t b a l l (Hew Y o rk : P r e n t i c e - H a l l , I n c o r p o r a t e d , 1947)> P» I 2 Loc.
c it.
15 L ike o f f e n s iv e f o r m a tio n s , each d e f e n s iv e arran g em en t has i t s
s t r o n g p o i n t s and. i t s
sh o rtc o m in g s.
The a v e r a g e m o dern team em p lo y s s e v e r a l d i f f e r e n t d e f e n s e s i n t h e c o u r s e o f a game and m u s t be t h e m a s t e r o f a t l e a s t tw o : a n a l l - a r o u n d d e f e n s e s u c h a s t h e 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 o r t h e 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 , and a g o a l - l i n e d e f e n s e .
It
s h o u l d a l s o be
p re p a re d to d e fen d a g a i n s t a sp re a d fo rm a tio n - a w id e , lo o s e o f f e n s iv e arrangem ent t h a t la c k s in h e r e n t s tr e n g th b u t may be f a t a l l y p rep ared fo r i t .
c o n f u s i n g t o a te am t h a t i s n o t
3
HOW HAM3S OP F0SI1ATI01T3
V3RTVED
The o u t s t a n d i n g and more p o p u l a r d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s a r e named a c c o r d i n g t o t h e number o f p l a y e r s i n each lin e
o f d e fe n se w ith in th e d e fe n s iv e fo r m a tio n .
If
s e v e n p l a y e r s i n t h e f i r s t l i n e o f d e f e n s e , one i n t h e second lin e
o f d e f e n s e , two i n t h e t h i r d l i n e o f d e f e n s e ,
and. one i n t h e f o u r t h l i n e d e fe n siv e fo rm a tio n .
o f d e f e n s e i t i s a " 7 - 1 - 2- 1 ”
D e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s a r e a l s o named
a c c o r d i n g t o th e f i g u r e t h e s e c o n d a r y r e s e m b l e s on th e f i e l d , p l u s t h e num ber o f p l a y e r s i n t h e l i n e d e f e n s e .
If
l o o k i n g a t t h e 7 - 1 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e on t h e f i e l d , we g e t a " d ia m o n d ” d e f e n s e , s e v e n -m a n l i n e . 3 I b i d . , p . 147.
I f a "Seven-m an L i n e ” ,
16 t o o b a c k e r s - u p a n d two ? / i n g s , we g e t a 7 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e o r a ’’b o x ” w i t h s e v e n -m a n l i n e . ^ STANDARD DkFk'.'BIVP! FORMATIONS The s t a n d a r d d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s a r e : 6- 2- 2 -1 d e f e n s e ;
(a) th e
(b) t h e 7 - 1 - 2 - 1 (d iam o nd ) d e f e n s e ;
t h e 7 - 2 - 2 (b ox ) d e f e n s e ;
(c )
(d ) t h e 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e an d ( e )
th e 6- 3 -2 d e fe n s e . The 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e i s g e n e r a l l y c o n s i d e r e d th e b e s t b a lan c e d d e fe n siv e s t r u c t u r e
o f any y e t d e v i s e d and
is
t h e one m o s t w i d e l y u s e d when t h e o p p o s i t i o n h a s a 5 w e ll-b a la n c e d a tta c k . I t i s composed o f s i x l i n e m e n , two l i n e b a c k e r s , two h a l f b a c k s an d a s a f e t y man.
The s t r e n g t h
o f th e fo rm a tio n i s i t s b a la n c e a g a in s t th e ru n n in g , p a s s i n g a n d k i c k i n g g am es.
I t is
stro n g a g a in s t o f f ta c k le
p l a y s a n d end r u n s ; a f f o r d s good r u s h i n g o f t h e p a s s e r and k i c k e r ; an d g i v e s a d e q u a t e p r o t e c t i o n a g a i n s t a q u i c k k i c k . The m a n - f o r - m a n , zone o r c o m b i n a t i o n p a s s d e f e n s e w i l l r e a d i l y f i t t h e f o r m a t i o n a n d t h e a l i g n m e n t c a n be e a s i l y c h a n g e d i n t o a 6 - 3 - 2 , a 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 o r a 7 -1 - 2 -1 - d e f e n s e . w eakness o f t h i s f o r m a tio n i s i t s
The
la c k of s tre n g th a g a in s t
l i n e p lu n g e s. " 4 J o h n DaG-rosa, f u n c t i o n a l F o o t b a l l (Hew Y o rk : A. S . B a r n e s an d Company, 1 9 4 6 ) , p . 222. 5 Be Ormond, ’D e f e n s i v e B a c k f i e l d P l a y , ” A 'fch letic J o u r n a l , 2 9 :1 0 , O c to b e r, 1948.
17 The 7 - 1 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e i s
composed o f s e v e n l i n e m e n ,
one l i n e b a c k e r , two h a l f b a c k s an d a s a f e t y .
T h is i s a
v e ry o ld d e f e n s e , u sed s u c c e s s f u l l y f o r y e a r s , and s t i l l is
f a v o r e d by many c o a c h e s .
T h is fo rm a tio n i s
a g a i n s t t h e r u n n i n g game a n d a q u i c k k i c k .
stro n g
I t i s good f o r
r u s h i n g t h e p a s s e r and i f a zone p a s s d e f e n s e i s em p lo y ed it
g iv e s a d e q u a te p r o t e c t i o n a g a i n s t p a s s e s .
From t h i s
d e f e n s e i t i s e a s y t o c h ang e i n t o a 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 and a 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 fo rm a tio n . The f o r m a t i o n i s weak a g a i n s t q u i c k o p e n in g p l a y s and l i n e p lu n g e s . i t is
lia b le
I f a p la y sh o u ld b re a k th ro u g h th e l i n e
t o go t o t h e h a l f b a c k s a s i t
one l i n e b a c k e r t o c o v e r t h e e n t i r e l i n e .
is d if f ic u lt fo r I ts g re a te st
w eakness i s p a s s d e f e n s e , e s p e c i a l l y i f th e m an -for-m an d e f e n s e i s e m p lo y e d ; i t i s p a r t i c u l a r l y v u l n e r a b l e t o f l a t passes.
The c e n t e r m u s t be a b l e t o d r o p b a c k a n d p r o t e c t
a g a in st p a sse s. The 7 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e i s
composed o f s e v e n l i n e m e n ,
two l i n e b a c k e r s a n d two h a l f b a c k s .
T his d e fe n se i s
e x c e p t i o n a l l y s t r o n g a g a i n s t r u n n i n g p l a y s an d i s good a g a in st f l a t p a sses. passer.
I t i s a ls o s tr o n g f o r r u s h in g th e
The f o r m a t i o n i s weak a g a i n s t l o n g p a s s e s ; i t i s
a lm o st im p o s s ib le to co ver th r e e r e c e i v e r s ru n n in g d eep. I t i s v u ln e r a b le to a q u ic k k i c k . The 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e i s composed o f f i v e l i n e m e n ,
18 t h r e e l i n e b a c k e r s , two h a l f b a c k s a n d a s a f e t y man. d e fe n s iv e form ation i s w idely used because of i t s a g a i n s t t h e r u n n i n g game a n d p a s s i n g game.
This strength
I t i s good
a g a i n s t a q u i c k k i c k an d c a n e a s i l y be c o n v e r t e d i n t o a 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 and a 7 - 1 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e .
The d e f e n s e i s v u l n e r a b l e
t o w id e p l a y s a nd i t i s d i f f i c u l t t o a d e q u a t e l y r u s h t h e passer. The 6 - 3 - 2 d e f e n s e i s composed o f s i x l i n e m e n , t h r e e l i n e b a c k e r s a nd two h a l f b a c k s .
I t i s a pow erful
defense a g a in s t a stro n g running a tta c k .
With t h i s
type
o f d e f e n s e a g r e a t d e a l o f p r e s s u r e c a n be p u t upo n t h e p a s s e r by r u s h i n g .
I t i s weak a g a i n s t a q u i c k k i c k a n d
a g a in s t long p a s s e s . FORWARD PASS PSE3NSS The e s s e n t i a l s
of pass defense a r e :
r e c e iv e r s w ith the o b je c tiv e
(a) G u a r d i n g
of i n t e r c e p t i n g th e p a s s ,
k n o c k i n g i t down o r t a c k l i n g t h e r e c e i v e r o f t h e p a s s i f the b a l l i s objective
caught,
(b) R u s h i n g t h e p a s s e r w i t h t h e
o f s p o i l i n g t h e p a s s e r ’ s a c c u r a c y or o f k e e p i n g
him f r o m t h r o w i n g t h e b a l l ;
(c) C h u g g in g o r d e l a y i n g t h e
r e c e i v e r s w ith the o b j e c t i v e of r u i n i n g th e tim in g of th e pass plays. 6 W. G l e n n K i l l i n g e r , F o o t b a l l B a r n e s an d Company, 1 9 3 9 ) ? p . 7 4 .
(New Y o r k : A. S.
19 Guarding R e c e iv e r s . In g e n e ra l th e r e a re th re e ty p e s o f d e f e n s e s , namely: th e man-for-man d e fe n se ; z one d e f e n s e a n d t h e c o m b i n a t i o n d e f e n s e .
the
Of t h e t h r e e t h e
l a t t e r i s p e rh a p s th e most p o p u l a r , b u t i t i s
common
k n o w le d g e t h a t no p a s s d e f e n s e h a s y e t b e e n d e v i s e d w h i c h w i l l d e fe n d p e r f e c t l y a g a i n s t e v e r y p a s s p l a y t h a t an o p p o n e n t may u s e .
A s u b s t a n t i a l ru le to follow i s :
I f the
d e fe n siv e p la n Is not adequate i n d efen d in g a g a i n s t the m a j o r i t y of p a s s e s l e t th e opponents complete th e s h o r t p a ss e s b u t n o t th e long ones. The M a n - f o r - M a n D e f e n s e r e q u i r e s e a c h p a s s d e f e n d e r t o c o v e r a p a r t i c u l a r r e c e i v e r w h e r e v e r he g o e s . The s t r e n g t h o f t h i s d e f e n s e l i e s i n t h e f a c t t h a t d e f e n d e r s know a t a l l t i m e s whom t h e y m u s t c o v e r .
The
d e f e n s e i s weak a g a i n s t c r o s s i n g e n d s w h i c h c a u s e t h e d e f e n d e r s t o c r o s s , a n d i t r e q u i r e s p l a y e r s t o move a g r e a t d i s t a n c e f r o m t h e i r p o s i t i o n i n o r d e r t o c o v e r t h e i r men. I t Is com paratively easy f o r a clev e r r e c e iv e r to o u tm a n e u v e r a d e f e n d e r who i s t h e l e a s t b i t s l o w e r t h a n t h e receiver. The Zone D e f e n s e r e q u i r e s e a c h p a s s d e f e n d e r t o p r o t e c t a d e f i n i t e zone o r t e r r i t o r y .
The d e f e n d e r s f a d e
b a c k w a t c h i n g t h e p a s s e r a nd when t h e b a l l i s t h r o w n t h e y move t o w a r d i t ,
p la y in g the b a l l , n o t the r e c e i v e r s .
d e f e n s e i s s t r o n g a g a i n s t m o s t t y p e s o f p a s s e s a nd i t
This d oe s
20
n o t r e q u i r e e x c e p t i o n a l s p e e d on t h e p a r t o f t h e d e f e n d e r s . I t I s weak a g a i n s t p a s s e s d e s i g n e d t o f l o o d a c e r t a i n zone a nd a t t i m e s t h e z o n e s become t o o l a r g e t o c o v e r . The C o m b i n a t i o n D e f e n s e r e q u i r e s e a c h p a s s defen d er to cover a p a r t i c u l a r r e c e i v e r o r a d e f i n i t e zone, s h i f t i n g f r o m one r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o t h e o t h e r to man-for-man or v ic e v e rs a ) the r e c e i v e r .
F o r example,
( f r o m zone
d ep en d in g upon th e p a t h of
the r i g h t d e f e n s iv e h a lf b a c k
may be a s s i g n e d t o c o v e r t h e l e f t o f f e n s i v e e n d o r t o p ro tect a d e fin ite
zone on h i s s i d e .
I f t h e l e f t e nd r u n s
down a nd o u t t h e h a l f b a c k w o u l d c o v e r him m a n - t o - m a n , b u t i f t h e e n d r u n s down a nd a c r o s s t h e h a l f b a c k w o uld r e m a i n a n d p r o t e c t h i s zone ( s h i f t f r o m m a n - t o - m a n t o z o n e ) .
This
i s an e x t r e m e l y s t r o n g d e f e n s e a g a i n s t a l l t y p e s o f p a s s e s ; i t s w e a k n e s s i s t h a t t h e d e f e n d e r s may become c o n f u s e d a s t o whom t o c o v e r a n d when t o c o v e r . n ecessary to e f f e c t iv e ly operate t h i s
A stro n g personnel is type of p a ss d e fe n s e .
R u s h i n g t h e P a s s e r . The f i r s t e s s e n t i a l o f a good pass defense is
c o n s i s t e n t , h a r d r u s h i n g o f t h e p a s s e r by
a l l linem en, e x c e p tin g those given o th e r a s s ig n m e n ts , such a s d r o p p i n g b a c k i n t o a zone o r c o v e r i n g a p a r t i c u l a r receiver.
A m e d i o c r e p a s s e r i f g i v e n t i m e w o u ld be a b l e t o
p a s s t o c o m p l e t i o n w h i l e a good p a s s e r m i g h t p a s s p o o r l y i f p u t u n d e r c o n s t a n t p r e s s u r e by t h e o p p o s i n g l i n e .
The e n d s
s h o u l d r u s h fr om a n o u t s i d e a n g l e , k e e p i n g t h e p a s s e r
21 a b r e a s t o f t h e i r i n s i d e s h o u l d e r s t o p r e v e n t him fro m r u n n i n g a r o u n d them on a f a k e p a s s .
The t a c k l e s a n d g u a r d s
should d riv e s t r a i g h t fo r the p a s s e r .
The r u s h e r s s h o u l d
n o t jump i n t h e a i r t o b l o c k t h e p a s s , t h e r e b y a l l o w i n g the p a s s e r t o fake a p a ss
and duck around
th e m , b u t s h o u l d
ta c k le the p a ss e r high in
an a tte m p t to e n c lo s e h i s arms.
Many a s u c c e s s f u l p a s s t h a t c o u l d h a v e b e e n s t o p p e d b y a h i g h t a c k l e , h a s b e e n made w i t h an o p p o n e n t h a n g i n g on t o the p a s s e r ’s w a ist or le g s.
I f the p a s s e r has th e b a l l
when a r u s h e r i s n e a r e n o u g h t o t a c k l e h i m , he s h o u l d be t a c k l e d and t a c k l e d h a r d ; t h e r u s h e r m u s t n o t be f o o l e d in to stopping h is
c h a r g e by t h e f a k i n g o f a t h r o w .
C h u g g in g o r D e l a y i n g t h e R e c e i v e r i s
the slow ing
up o r m o m e n ta ry d e l a y i n g
o f a r e c e i v e r by l e g a l d e f e n s i v e
u s e o f t h e h a n d s a nd arms
b e fo re the b a l l
i s in the a i r .
As f a r a s t h e d e f e n s e i s c o n c e r n e d , p a s s r e c e i v e r s a r e p o t e n t i a l b lo c k e r s u n t i l th e b a l l i s thrown; t h e r e f o r e d e f e n d e r s c a n u s e d e f e n s i v e m e a s u r e s t o w a rd th e m o f f . D e la y in g th e r e c e i v e r i s an e f f e c t i v e m easure i n d i s r u p t i n g t h e t i m i n g o f a p a s s p l a y a nd i n m a t e r i a l l y a i d i n g t h e d e fe n siv e backs in covering a f a s t ,
clever re c e iv e r.
Li ne m e n s h o u l d n o t be e x p e c t e d t o c h e c k a r e c e i v e r and a l s o e f f e c t i v e l y ru sh the p a s s e r . SHIFTING DJFJITSI A w e l l c o a c h e d t e a m t o d a y s h o u l d be p r e p a r e d t o
22
use the v a rio u s d e fe n s iv e fo rm a tio n s m entioned e a r l i e r in th is
c h a p t e r and s h o u l d know t h e i r v a l u e f o r c e r t a i n game
situ atio n s.
These v a r i o u s
game s i t u a t i o n s t h a t a r i s e a r e
s u c h t h i n g s a s l o c a t i o n o f t h e b a l l on t h e f i e l d , down a nd d i s t a n c e t o g a i n , t h e s c o r e a n d r e m a i n i n g t i m e t o be p l a y e d , c h a n g i n g o f f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s , t h e t h r e a t o f an o u t s t a n d i n g p l a y e r , o r t h e o f f e n s i v e t e a m Ts s t r o n g a t t a c k t h a t c o n t i n u e s i n one d e p a r t m e n t , s u c h a s a p a s s i n g a t t a c k , o r r u n n i n g t o one s i d e c o n t i n u o u s l y .
7
I n m o d e rn f o o t b a l l t h e d e f e n s e s a r e c o n t i n u a l l y 8 changing. S h if tin g defenses are very e s s e n t i a l to a d e f e n s e and a weapon a g a i n s t an y o f f e n s e b e c a u s e t h e y a l l o w the defense to s h i f t t h e i r l i n e s
of defense to meet the
o f f e n s i v e s i t u a t i o n e f f e c t i v e l y from p l a y to p l a y . e x a m p l e h e r e i s t h e down a n d d i s t a n c e t o g a i n .
An
I f I t is
t h i r d down w i t h one y a r d t o g a i n , t h e d e f e n s e s h o u l d be i n a s e v e n man l i n e ,
or i f n o t i n o n e , s h i f t i n g i n t o i t ,
s h i f t i n g t h e f i r s t a nd s e c o n d l i n e s probable p lay of the o ffen se
(run).
thus
o f defense to meet the If it
I s t h i r d down
w i t h n i n e y a r d s t o g a i n t h e d e f e n s e s h o u l d be p r e p a r e d f o r t h e a i r , by p a s s o r k i c k , a five
or six-m an l i n e , 7 D a G r o s a , 0£ .
o r w id e e n d r u n , a n d s h o u l d be i n
or i f not in one, s h i f t i n g In to c i t . , p. 127-128.
8 H e r b e r t 0. C r i s l e r , Modern F o o t b a l l (New Y ork : M c G r a w - H i l l Book Company, I n c o r p o r a t e d , " 19 49 ) , p . 1 0 2 .
one, th u s s h i f t i n g the l i n e s
of defen se.
9
The d e f e n s e t o be u s e d d e p e n d s a g r e a t d e a l on t h e l o c a t i o n o f t h e b a l l on t h e f i e l d .
I f the b a l l i s
l o c a t e d i n th e t e r r i t o r y o f the d e f e n s iv e 15-yard lin e )
team ( w i t h i n t h e
t h e r e i s no f e a r o f l o n g p a s s e s ,
or p u n t; t h e r e f o r e a f o u r t h l i n e o f d e fe n se is n o t needed.
(safety-m an)
S t r e n g t h i s n e e d e d on t h e l i n e
and i n th e second l i n e o f d e f e n s e
quick k ic k ,
o f s cr im m a ge
(linebackers).
d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s h o u l d be 7 - 2 - 2 - o r 6 - 3 - 2 .
The I f the b a l l
i s w i t h i n th e f i v e y a rd l i n e , th e n an 8 -2 -1 d e fe n se i s needed t o ru s h th e p a s s e r and s to p the ru n n in g a t t a c k . the b a l l i s
l o c a t e d i n th e t e r r i t o r y o f th e o f f e n s i v e team
t h e n a d e f e n s e s h o u l d be u s e d , to p lay fo r long p a s s e s , a ny op e n t r i c k p l a y s . lin e
If
such as 5 -3 - 2 -1 or 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 ,
q u ic k k i c k s , and r u n s , l a t e r a l s o r
A s a f e t y s h o u l d be b a c k a s a f o u r t h
of d e f e r s e to meet such p o s s i b i l i t i e s as t h e s e . ^ The s c o r e o f t h e game a t t h e t i m e o f s h i f t i s a l s o
very im p o rtant.
I f a t e a m i s l e a d i n g , w i t h a few m i n u t e s
l e f t to p la y , i t
should stre n g th e n i t s
secondary f o r p asses
( a e r i a l a t t a c k ) , because the chances of s c o r in g are g r e a t e r i n t h e a i r t h a n by r u n n i n g , a nd t h e te a m s h o u l d s h i f t i n t o 9 DaGrosa, l o c . c i t .
24 i n t o a 5 -3 -2 -1 or 6 -2 -2 -1 defense*
11
DEFaHSIVE COOHDBTATTOH I n a l l d e f e n s e s t h e r e m u s t be u n i t y a n d c o h e r e n c e among a l l p l a y e r s , r e s u l t i n g i n c o m p l e t e c o o r d i n a t i o n o f r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s a n d movements*
P l a y e r s s h o u l d be im
p r e s s e d w i t h t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f p r o t e c t i n g t h e i r own territo ry ;
t h e man who l e a v e s h i s t e r r i t o r y b e f o r e t h e p l a y
has developed w i l l f i n d the o ff e n s e t a k i n g advantage o f h i s m ista k e to the d is a d v a n ta g e o f the e n t i r e i n s t a n c e , i f an e n d i n s i s t s
team.
For
on c h a s i n g e v e r y p l a y m o v in g
away f r o m him he may be s u r p r i s e d by a n a k e d r e v e r s e o r some o t h e r d e l a y e d p l a y b a c k o v e r t e r r i t o r y be g u a r d i n g .
t h a t he s h o u l d
H a l f b a c k s s h o u l d n o t be c o n c e r n e d w i t h p l a y s
on t h e o t h e r s i d e o f t h e d e f e n s e u n t i l t h e y a r e s u r e t h a t t h e y ha v e a d e q u a t e l y d e f e n d e d t h e i r own t e r r i t o r y * The c o n t r o l o f t h e f i r s t y a r d o f t e r r i t o r y i s t h e foundation of defensive lin e p la y .
D e fe n s iv e linem en must
a v o i d b e i n g moved b a c k w a r d o r l a t e r a l l y . They s h o u l d 12 c a p t u r e one y a r d on t h e o p p o s i n g t e a m . A fte r gaining th eir
o b j e c t i v e and l o c a t i n g the b a l l
laterally .
c a r r i e r t h e y c a n move
The l i n e b a c k e r s s h o u l d w o rk a s a t e a m w i t h one
11 Loo'. c i t . 12 F r a n k L e a h y , H o t r e Dame F o o t b a l l - The T F o r m a t i o n (Hew Y or k: P r e n t i c e - H a l l , I n c o r p o r a t e d , 1949)> P* 199.
25 p l a y i n g t h e man c om in g t o h i s
s i d e who a c c e p t s t h e h a l l o r
f a k e , w hile the o th e r p la y s th e s p i n n e r back. p lay outside
A gainst a
o f t h e d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e , t h e l i n e b a c k e r on
th e s i d e of the p la y sh o u ld keep th e b a l l c a r r i e r d i r e c t l y i n f r o n t o f him, the o f f l i n e b a c k e r s h o u ld t r a i l th e p la y w a t c h i n g f o r c u t b a c k s , w i t h t h e h a l f b a c k on t h e s i d e o f t h e r u n m o v in g up q u i c k l y t o t h e o u t s i d e .
The s a f e t y
s h o u l d move up a n d t o w a r d t h e v a c a t e d h a l f b a c k p o s i t i o n a n d t h e re m ov e d h a l f b a c k s h o u l d move o v e r a n d b a c k w a r d , b e c o m i n g a s e c o n d s a f e t y man. inside
Any p l a y coming t h r o u g h
o f t h e d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e s h o u l d be m e t by a c o n v e r g
in g secondary.
CHAPTER
PRESENTATION OR DATA INTRODUCTION The p u r p o s e o f t h i s inform ation, form ations,
chapter i s
to p r e s e n t the
concerning c u rre n t d efen siv e f o o t b a l l o b t a i n e d fr o m t h e r e t u r n e d q u e s t i o n n a i r e s .
The f r e q u e n c y o f u s e o f e a c h d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n w i l l be p r e s e n t e d , a lo n g w ith the s p e c i a l d e f e n s i v e t a c t i c s and p a s s d e f e n s e b e i n g u s e d by t h e c o l l e g e s a nd u n i v e r s i t i e s in th is study. DEFENSES AGAINST SINGLE TING The h e a d f o o t b a l l c o a c h o f e a c h s c h o o l was a s k e d to l i s t
the d e f e n s iv e f o r m a tio n s In th e 'order o f h i s
preference. listed
Of t h e t w e n t y - t w o c o a c h e s a n s w e r i n g , s e v e n t e e n
the 6 -2 -2 -1 defense as t h e i r f i r s t p re fe re n c e
a g a i n s t th e s i n g l e wing f o r m a t i o n .
Three coaches l i s t e d i t
a s t h e i r s e c o n d p r e f e r e n c e a nd one c o a c h l i s t e d i t a s h i s t h i r d c h o i c e w h i l e t h e l a s t c o a c h p l a c e d I t f o u r t h on t h e list.
This co u n t p la c e d th e 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n as
t h e numb er one d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e s i n g l e w i n g o f f e n s i v e form ation.
Ten c o a c h e s c h o s e t h e 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e a s t h e i r
s e c o n d c h o i c e a g a i n s t t h e s i n g l e w i n g b u t n o t one o f them
27 p r e f e r r e d i t as f i r s t
ch o ice a g a i n s t th e s i n g l e wing.
T h r e e c o a c h e s p l a c e d i t a s t h i r d c h o i c e , one a s f o u r t h and f i v e as t h e i r f i f t h c h o i c e . The 6 - 3 - 2 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e s i n g l e w in g was given as f i r s t
c h o i c e by two c o a c h e s , s e c o n d by t h r e e
c o a c h e s , t h i r d by f i v e c o a c h e s , f o u r t h by e i g h t c o a c h e s and fifth
c h o i c e by tv/o c o a c h e s . The 7 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e s i n g l e w in g was
s e le c te d as f i r s t
c h o i c e by o n l y one c o a c h .
c h o s e n a s s e c o n d by one c o a c h , t h i r d by by f i v e
c o a c h e s , f i f t h by t h r e e
sis
c o a c h e s and
I t was a l s o coaches, fo u rth s i x t h c h o i c e by
one c o a c h . The 7 - 1 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e s i n g l e m n g was r a n k e d f i r s t by two c o a c h e s , s e c o n d by f o u r c o a c h e s , t h i r d by t h r e e
c o a c h e s , f o u r t h by two c o a c h e s and s i x t h by f o u r
coaches. The 4 - 4 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e d i d n o t p r o v e p o p u l a r a s a d e fe n s e a g a i n s t th e s i n g l e wing.
Only one c o a c h named i t
a s s e c o n d c h o i c e , one a s t h i r d ,
fo u r as f i f t h and
seven
coaches picked i t as t h e i r l a s t c hoice. From t h e s e s t a t i s t i c s we f i n d t h a t t h e 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e i s by f a r t h e m o s t p o p u l a r d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e s i n g l e wing.
The 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e r a n k e d s e c o n d i n
p o p u l a r i t y , th e 7- 2-2 d efense ranked t h i r d ,
th e 6- 3-2
d e f e n s e r a n k e d f o u r t h and t h e 4 - 4 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e r a n k e d l a s t .
28
DSH1 HSHS a g a i n s t t h e t The 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e i s
g e n e r a lly considered the
b e s t d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e T f o r m a t i o n . ' * ' The r e s u l t s
of t h i s
s t u d y show t h a t s i x t e e n o f t h e t w e n t y - t w o c o a c h e s p r e f e r r e d th e 5 -3 -2 -1 defense as t h e i r f i r s t choice a g a i n s t the T form ation.
I t was r a n k e d s e c o n d by t h r e e c o a c h e s , t h i r d
by one c o a c h , f o u r t h by one c o a c h and f i f t h by t h e l a s t coach.
Hour c o a c h e s s e l e c t e d t h e 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e as t h e i r
f i r s t preference.
I t was r a n k e d s e c o n d by n i n e c o a c h e s ,
t h i r d o f f o u r c o a c h e s , f o u r t h o f two c o a c h e s and f i f t h by o n l y one c o a c h .
The 6 - 3 - 2 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e T was t h e
f i r s t preference
o f o n l y one c o a c h .
selected i t th ird
Th r ee c o a c h e s
as t h e i r second c h o ic e , t h r e e coaches as t h e i r
c h o i c e , f o u r c o a c h e s a s t h e i r f o u r t h c h o i c e , one a s
f i f t h a n d t h r e e p l a c e d i t l a s t on t h e i r l i s t . The 7 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e d i d n o t p r o v e p o p u l a r a s a T defense.
I t was n o t s e l e c t e d a s f i r s t p r e f e r e n c e by any o f
the c o ac h e s. choice.
Only t h r e e c o a c h e s p r e f e r r e d i t a s s e c o n d
I t was r a n k e d t h i r d by f i v e
coaches,
f o u r t h by two
c o a c h e s , f i f t h by f o u r c o a c h e s a n d l a s t by f o u r c o a c h e s . The 7 —1 —2—1 d i d n o t f a r e any b e t t e r t h a n t h e 7 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e . I t f a i l e d t o r e c e i v e a f i r s t pla.ce v o t e a nd o n ly two
1 Dana X. B i b l e , C h a m p i o n s h i p f o o t b a l l P r e n t i c e H a l l , I n c o r p o r a t e d , 1947)> P* 157*
(New Y o rk :
29 c o a c h e s p la c e d , i t a s high, a s second, c h o i c e .
I t was r a n k e d
t h i r d by f o u r c o a c h e s , f o u r t h by one c o a c h , f i f t h by fourc o a c h e s and l a s t by f o u r c o a c h e s . the f i r s t
The 4 - 4 “ 2-1 d e f e n s e was
c h o i c e o f one c o a c h , s e c o n d o f two c o a c h e s ,
t h i r d of four coaches,
f o u r t h of s i x c o a c h e s , f i f t h
o f one
c o a c h an d t h e l a s t c h o i c e o f o n l y one c o a c h .
From t h e s e s t a t i s t i c s we f i n d t h a t the f a v o r i t e d e f e n s e s a g a i n s t the T f o r m a t io n and the s i n g l e wing f o r m a t io n s are r e v e r s e d .
The 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 d efense i s by f a r
t h e l e a d i n g d e fe n se a g a i n s t the T f o r m a t io n whi le the 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e r a n k s s e c o n d a g a i n s t t h e T.
th ird in p o p u la rity ,
the 4 - 1- 2-1 ra n k ed
7 - 2 - 2 a nd 7 - 1 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e s r e c e i v e d
the
The 7 - 2 - 2 was
f o u r t h a nd b o t h t h e h i g h e s t number o f
v o te s f o r f i f t h and s i x t h plaices. The 5~3“ 2 - l d e f e n s e i s t h e l a t e s t and n e w e s t d e f e n s i v e i n n o v a t i o n i n f o o t b a l l and h a s t a k e n i t s p l a c e among t h e mo de rn f o o t b a l l d e f e n s e s .
It
is a radical
d e p a r t u r e from t h e t im e - h o n o r e d s i x - a n d
seven-man l i n e
d e f e n s e s , i n t h a t i t u s e s o n l y f i v e men
on t h e l i n e o f
scrimmage.
I t a l s o c o m b in e s o r t h o d o x and u n o r t h o d o x f o o t
b a l l i n i t s v a r i a t i o n s o f p l a y , w h e r e a s s i x - m a n and s e v e n raan l i n e d e f e n s e s a r e a l w a y s p l a y e d i n t h e o r t h o d o x m a n n e r . The f i v e - m a n l i n e
i s a v e r y good d e f e n s e t o d a y a g a i n s t any
kind of forward or l a t e r a l p a s s in g a t t a c k . t h e good and bad f e a t u r e s o f t h e f i v e - m a n ,
In diagnosing s i x - m a n , and
30 seven-man l i n e s ,
i t w i l l be f o u n d t h a t t h e f i v e - m a n i s t h e
m o s t i d e a l l y s u i t e d t o cope w i t h a l l t h e s t y l e s 2 u s e d m m o d e rn f o o t b a l l .
of p l a y
DNTONSN AGAINST T FEATURING STRONG PASSING ATTACK The 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e was s e l e c t e d by t h i r t e e n c o a c h e s a s t h e i r number one d e f e n s e a g a i n s t a s t r o n g p a s s i n g a t t a c k by a T f o r m a t i o n te a m . s e le c te d the 6 -2 -2 -1 defense in t h i s
Only t h r e e c o a c h e s situation.
DNTONSB AGAINST T FEATURING STRONG RIMMING ATTACK The 6 - 3 - 2 a nd 7 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e s l e a d i n p o p u l a r i t y a g a i n s t a s t r o n g r u n n i n g a t t a c k fr om t h e T f o r m a t i o n . wer e s e l e c t e d by s i x c o a c h e s .
B ot h
Rive c o a c h e s p r e f e r r e d t h e
6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e fe n s e w h i l e only t h r e e p r e f e r r e d th e 5 - 3 - 2 -1 d e fe n se a g a i n s t a s t r o n g ru n n in g a t t a c k from th e T form ation. DBTONSE AGAINST SINGLE LING TOATTIRING STRONG PASSING ATTACK The 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e p r o v e d t o be t h e m o s t p o p u l a r d e f e n s e a g a i n s t a s i n g l e w in g o f f e n s e f e a t u r i n g a s t r o n g passing a tta c k .
I t was p r e f e r r e d by t w e l v e c o a c h e s .
The
5 -3 -2 -1 d e fe n se ra n k e d second as th e choice o f s i x coaches. 2 J o h n D a G r o s a , F u n c t i o n a l F o o t b a l l (New Y or k: A. S, B a r n e s a n d Company, 1946)» P •241*
31 The v a r i o u s o t h e r d e f e n s e s f a i l e d
to receive a vote.
DEFENSE AGAINST SINGLE WING FEATURING STRONG RUNNING ATTACK The 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e a n d t h e 6 - 3 - 2 d e f e n s e r e c e i v e d e i g h t and s e v e n v o t e s r e s p e c t i v e l y a s t h e f a v o r i t e d e f e n s e s a g a i n s t t h e s i n g l e w in g f o r m a t i o n f e a t u r i n g a s t r o n g running a tta c h . DEFENSE AGAINST SPECIAL OFFENSIVE FORMATIONS The 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e p r o v e d t o b e t h e m o s t p o p u l a r d efen se a g a i n s t the double m n g o f f e n s iv e fo r m a tio n . coaches p ic k ed t h i s defense as t h e i r f i r s t
choice.
Nine Next i n
p o p u l a r i t y was t h e 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 a n d 5 - 2 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e s , e a c h r e c e i v e d two v o t e s w h i l e t h e 7 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e r e c e i v e d o n ly one v o t e . The c o a c h e s we re e v e n l y d i v i d e d i n t h e i r c h o i c e o f d e fe n s e s a g a i n s t the s h o r t p u n t f o r m a tio n .
The 6 - 2 - 2 - 1
d e fe n se and th e 5 -3 - 2 - 1 d e fe n se each r e c e i v e d e i g h t v o t e s . One v o t e e a c h w e n t t o t h e 7 - 1 - 2 - 1 and 5 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e s . The 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e was u s e d a l m o s t u n i v e r s a l l y a g a i n s t t h e d e ep w in g f o r m a t i o n .
Twelve c o a c h e s s e l e c t e d
t h i s d e f e n s e a s t h e i r f i r s t p r e f e r e n c e a g a i n s t t h e deep wing.
The 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e r e c e i v e d two v o t e s a s d i d t h e
6-3-2 defense.
Only one c o a c h u s e d t h e 7 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e i n
t h i s s i t u a t i o n , a n d one c o a c h p r e f e r r e d t h e
odd 5 - 2 - 3 - 1
32 defense. The p o p u l a r i t y o f t h e 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e was a g a i n shown a s f o u r t e e n c o a c h e s s e l e c t e d i t a s t h e i r f i r s t c h o i c e a g a i n s t t h e w in g e d T w i t h i m b a l a n c e d l i n e .
The f o u r
re m a in in g coaches s e l e c t e d the 5 -3 -2 -1 d efen se a g a i n s t t h i s form ation. The 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e a n d t h e
5 - 3 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e were
a g a i n t h e l e a d i n g d e f e n s e s a s t h e y r e c e i v e d e i g h t a nd s e v e n v o te s r e s p e c t i v e l y a g a i n s t th e T fo rm atio n w ith unbalanced lin e.
The 7 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e , t h e 7 - 1 - 2 - 1 and t h e 5 - 4 - 2 d e f e n s e
r e c e i v e d one v o t e e a c h . The 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e was t h e l e a d i n g d e f e n s e a g a i n s t the spread fo rm atio n as i t re c e iv e d nine f i r s t place v o te s. Hie 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e was s e c o n d i n p o p u l a r i t y w i t h f i v e votes.
The 6 - 3 - 2 d e f e n s e , 7 - 1 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e , 6 - 1 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e
and t h e 5 - 2 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e e a c h r e c e i v e d one v o t e a s f i r s t p re fe re n c e a g a i n s t the spread fo rm a tio n . T hr ou gh t h e s e s t a t i s t i c s we a g a i n f i n d t h e 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e l e a d i n g i n p o p u l a r i t y as an over a l l d e f e n s e .
The
5 - 3 - 2 - 1 was c l o s e b e h i n d w h i l e t h e v a r i o u s o t h e r d e f e n s e s were s e l d o m u s e d a g a i n s t t h e s p e c i a l o f f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s . Four coaches f a i l e d to i n s e r t t h e i r d e fe n s iv e fo rm atio n s a g a i n s t th e s p e c i a l o f f e n s iv e fo rm a tio n s w ith the e x p l a n a t i o n t h a t t h e d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n u s e d w o u ld de pe nd e n t i r e l y upon t h e i r own p e r s o n n e l and t h e p e r s o n n e l o f t h e i r
33 opponents.
The w r i t e r c a r e a s i l y s e e how t h i s
c o u l d he
tru e. FORWARD PASS DEFENSE The c o m b i n a t i o n p a s s d e f e n s e r e q u i r e s
c o o l n e s s and
q u i c k t h i n k i n g on t h e p a r t o f d e f e n d e r s t o a v o i d c o n f u s i o n . Once m a s t e r e d , i t pass re c e iv e rs .
3
i s t h e m o s t e f f e c t i v e m e th o d o f g u a r d i n g This stu d y i n d i c a t e s t h a t the com bination
p a s s d e f e n s e i s by f a r t h e m o s t p o p u l a r p a s s d e f e n s e i n use today.
N in e tee n of th e tw enty-tw o coaches answ ering
p r e f e r r e d the com bination p ass d e fe n se .
The t h r e e
re m a in in g coaches s e l e c t e d i t as t h e i r second ch o ice. The zone p a s s d e f e n s e was s e c o n d i n p o p u l a r i t y , a l t h o u g h r e c e i v i n g o n l y two f i r s t p l a c e v o t e s . s e c o n d c h o i c e o f s i x t e e n c o a c h e s and t h e t h i r d
I t was t h e choice of
two c o a c h e s . The r a a n - f o r - m a n p a s s d e f e n s e was t h e l e a s t p o p u l a r of the th r e e pass d e fe n se s.
I t r e c e i v e d one f i r s t p l a c e
v o t e and one s e c o n d p l a c e v o t e . it
as t h e i r l a s t
only the
choice.
E ig h tee n coaches s e le c te d
One c o a c h i n d i c a t e d t h a t he u s e d
c o m b i n a t i o n p a s s d e f e n s e , g i v i n g no c o n s i d e r a t i o n
w h a t - s o - e v e r t o th e zone and man-to-man p a s s d e f e n s e s . This study s u b s t a n t i a t e s the w r i t e r s b e l i e f t h a t t h e c o m b i n a t i o n p a s s d e f e n s e i s t h e m o s t e f f e c t i v e scheme 3 B ible,
0£ .
c i t . , p. 151.
34 t h a t c a n b e employed, i n d e f e n d i n g a g a i n s t a w e l l c o n c e i v e d a n d p r o p e r l y c o - o r d i n a t e d and e x e c u t e d t y p e o f p a s s a t t a c k . A l t h o u g h p a s s e s may be c o m p l e t e d , t h i s
d e f e n s e makes i t
more d i f f i c u l t f o r them t o g e t away f o r l o n g g a i n s , b e c a u s e it
s t r e s s e s the fo llo w in g o f th e b a l l .
I n t h e zone d e f e n s e
t h e b a c k s a r e h e l d i n p o s i t i o n by t h e n a t u r e o f t h e d e f e n s i v e p l a n , w h ile i n th e case of the man-to-m an s t y l e o f d e f e n s e t h e b a c k s may be drawn o u t o f p o s i t i o n by decoys.
The c o m b i n a t i o n o f b o t h d e f e n s e s , w i t h s p e c i a l
emphysis
on k e e p i n g t h e e y e s on t h e b a l l r a t h e r t h a n on t h e
ma n, m ak es f o r a s o u n d e r d e f e n s e . ^ * SPECIAL DEFENSES The most p o p u la r
o v e r s h i f t e d 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e fe n s e proved to be the of the s p e c i a l d efen ses being used to d ay .
N in e te e n of the tw enty-tw o coaches use t h i s d e fe n s e .
In
the o v e r s h if te d 6 -2 -2 -1 defense th e e n t i r e d efen siv e l i n e o v e r s h i f t s a f u l l man t h u s g e t t i n g t h e r e s u l t s o f a s e v e n - m a n l i n e t o w a r d s t r e n g t h a nd t h a t o f t h e f i v e - m a n 5 l i n e to the s h o r t s id e . The u n d e r s h i f t e d 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e a l s o p r o v e d t o be v e r y p o p u l a r .
F i f t e e n coaches use t h i s s p e c i a l d e f e n s e ,
” 4 R o b e r t C. Z u p p k e , C o a c h i n g F o o t b a l l ( I l l i n o i s : B a i l e y and H i m e s , P u b l i s h e r s , 1 9 3 0 ) , p . 288,. 5 DaG-rosa, 0£ .
c i t . , p.
250.
35 I n tl ie u n d e r s h i f t e d 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e t h e l i n e s h i f t s a f u l l man t o t h e weak s i d e o f t h e o f f e n s e . i s e q u i v a l e n t t o a seven-man l i n e five-m an l i n e
The u n d e r s h i f t e d s i x
on t h e s h o r t s i d e a n d a
on t h e s t r o n g s i d e . ^
I f the s c o u t r e p o r t s t h a t th e o p p o n e n ts ’ s t r o n g s i d e a t t a c k i s much b e t t e r t h a n t h e i r weak s i d e a t t a c k , t h e c o a c h may d e c i d e on a n o v e r s h i f t e d 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e .
On t h e
o th e r hand, i f the o p p o s itio n ’s sh o rt side a t t a c k i s esp ecially feared, 6-2-2-1 defense. the
th e a n sw e r may be an u n d e r s h i f t e d When t h e
l i n e s h i f t s i n one d i r e c t i o n ,
l i n e b a c k e r s c o m p e n s a t e by s h i f t i n g i n t h e o p p o s i t e
d irectio n .
The h a l f b a c k s p o s i t i o n t h e m s e l v e s d i r e c t l y
b e h i n d t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e e n d s , w h i c h means t h e y s h i f t w i t h the l i n e .
7 The o v e r s h i f t e d and u n d e r s h i f t e d s i x e s may be u s e d
h a n d i l y a s s i d e l i n e d e f e n s e s i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h th e reg u lar six: the
o v e r s h i f t t o t h e l o n g s i d e o f t h e f i e l d when
o f f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n i s s t r o n g t h a t way; u n d e r s h i f t
to
the
l o n g s i d e o f t h e f i e l d when t h e o f f e n s e i s s t r o n g 8 toward th e s i d e l i n e . The s l a n t i n g d e f e n s i v e l i n e was u s e d by f i f t e e n coaches,
th u s p roving i t s p o p u la rity as a s p e c ia l d e fe n se . 6' B i b l e , op_. c i t . , p . 1537 Loc. c i t . 8 Loc.
cit.
36 The s l a n t i n g d e f e n s i v e l i n e
i s a c o o r d i n a t e d l i n e and
l i n e b a c k e r mov em en t, w i t h t h e e n t i r e l i n e c h a r g i n g a t an a n g l e ; t h e l i n e b a c k e r s moving o p p o s i te t o th e d i r e c t i o n of the l i n e
charge.
The p u r p o s e o f t h i s m a n e u v e r i s t o co n
fuse offensive b lo ck ers.
The w e a k n e s s o f t h i s p l a n l i e s
i n t h e f a c t t h a t i f one man f a i l s i n h i s a n g l e c h a r g e o r is
c u t o f f by a b l o c k e r , a l a r g e h o l e i s c r e a t e d i n t h e
defensive l i n e .
Such a d e f e n s e i s v u l n e r a b l e t o w e l l
d e s i g n e d c u t p l a y s a nd v e e r p l a y s . The l o o p i n g d e f e n s i v e l i n e d i d n o t p r o v e t o o p o p u la r as only n in e coaches used i t .
This i s a maneuver
e x e c u t e d by t h e l i n e m e n t a k i n g a l a t e r a l s t e p p a r a l l e l t o the lin e
of scrimmage, th e n c h a r g in g fo rw a rd , the l i n e
b a c k e r s m o v in g i n t h e o p p o s i t e d i r e c t i o n o f t h e i n i t i a l s te p of the linem en.
T h i s m a n e u v e r a l s o p r o v e s t o be
co n fu sin g to the o f f e n s iv e b lo c k e r s .
I t i s weak a g a i n s t a
q u i c k t h r u s t a n d p r o v e s e s p e c i a l l y da ma gi ng i f t h e i r i s l a c k o f u n i t y i n the charge of the l i n e . S h o o t i n g l i n e b a c k e r s p r o v e d t o be t h e s e c o n d m o s t popular s p e c ia l d efen se. of defense.
S i g h t e e n coaches u sed t h i s type
In t h i s defense the lin e b a c k e r s charge through
th e o f f e n s i v e l i n e w i t h th e snap of th e b a l l .
They u s u a l l y
p e n e t r a t e i n t o t h e o p p o n e n t s b a c k f i e l d and b r e a k - u p t h e play before i t
can f o r m .
This type of maneuver has proven
more s u c c e s s f u l a g a i n s t t h e s i n g l e w i n g f o r m a t i o n .
The
37 q u i c k h a n d - o f f i n t h e T f o r m a t i o n makes t h e u s e o f t h i s m a n e u v e r u n w i s e a g a i n s t t h e T. G r o s s - c h a r g i n g l i n e b a c k e r s was t h e l e a s t p o p u l a r o f a l l the s p e c i a l d e f e n s iv e m aneuvers. use t h i s type o f d e f e n s e . the o ffe n s e ,
i t is
Only s i x c o a c h e s
W hi le i t may p r o v e c o n f u s i n g t o
t o o much o f a gamble t o b e u s e d o f t e n
i n sound d e f e n s i v e f o o t b a l l . D35SNSSS PROVING MOST SGCCiSSSFOL AGAINST ThAUS POLLED Ten o f t h e c o a c h e s r e t u r n i n g q u e s t i o n n a i r e s u s e d t h e s i n g l e w in g o f f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n .
When a s k e d what
d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n h a d p r o v e n t o be t h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u l a g a i n s t t h e i r t e a m , s e v e n c o a c h e s u s i n g t h e s i n g l e w in g listed
th e 6 -2 - 2 -1 d e fe n se as the most s u c c e s s f u l .
Two
coaches p ic k e d th e 5 -3 “ 2-1 d e fe n se w h ile the re m a in in g coach found t h e 6 -3 - 2 d e fe n se as th e most d i f f i c u l t . The t w e l v e r e m a i n i n g c o a c h e s a n s w e r i n g u s e d t h e T form ation.-
S ix of th e se coaches picked the 5-3 -2 -1 defense
a s th e most s u c c e s s f u l d e fe n s e a g a i n s t t h e i r T coached team s.
The 7 - 2 - 2 d e f e n s e r e c e i v e d two v o t e s w h i l e t h e
6 - 3 - 2 d e f e n s e , t h e 7 - 1 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e , t b s 4 - 4 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e and t h e 5 - 3 - 3 d e f e n s e r e c e i v e d one v o t e e a c h ,
h e r e we s e e t h a t
odd d e f e n s e s a r e much more p o p u l a r a g a i n s t t h e T f o r m a t i o n th a n a g a i n s t the s i n g l e wing.
T h i s i s due t o t h e f a c t t h a t
coaches a re s t i l l e x p e rim e n tin g w ith d e fe n se s a g a i n s t the
3S modern T f o r m a t i o n .
The one b i g s i g n i f i c a n c e h e r e i s t h e
f a c t t h a t t h e 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e was n o t m e n t i o n e d by a s i n g l e coach.
Erorn t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i t may be ass ume d t h a t t h e T
fo rm a tio n coaches p r e f e r t o p la y a g a i n s t th e 6 -2 -2 -1 defense.
CHAPTER Y RECOMLEIJDSD DETE1TSIYE FORMATIONS The p u r p o s e o f t h i s c h a p t e r i s t o p r e s e n t t h e recommended, b a s i c d e f e n s e s s e l e c t e d a f t e r a c a r e f u l s t u d y of the re tu r n e d q u e s ti o n n a ir e s .
Only t h o s e d e f e n s e s t h a t
p r o v e d t o be t h e m o s t p o p u l a r d e f e n s e a g a i n s t a p a r t i c u l a r o ffe n s iv e fo rm atio n are p re s e n te d . The d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s a r e diagra mme d and a p p lie d to the v ario u s o ffen siv e form ations w ithout c o n s id e r a tio n as to m a t e r i a l , p e rso n n e l, or t a c t i c a l situ atio n s. E a c h o f t h e e l e v e n d e f e n s i v e p l a y e r s h a s a more o r l e s s s p e c i f i c a s s i g n m e n t on e v e r y p l a y d e p e n d i n g on t h e type of d e fe n se b e in g used.
Some .of t h e f a c t o r s t h a t w i l l
i n f l u e n c e an i n d i v i d u a l d e f e n d e r ’ s a c t i o n s a r e t h e d e f e n s i v e a r r a n g e m e n t and p l a n ;
the o ffe n s iv e fo rm a tio n ;
t h e t a c t i c a l s i t u a t i o n s u c h a s down, y a r d a g e t o go , p o s i t i o n on t h e f i e l d , field ;
ti m e and s c o r e ;
c o n d itio n of the
s p e c i a l d e f e n s i v e p l a y s ; a nd t h e known a b i l i t i e s
of
t h e o f f e n s i v e team."^ Due t o a l l t h e s e v a r i a b l e f a c t o r s a f f e c t i n g i n d i v i d u a l a c t i o n s , th e w r i t e r w i l l n o t atte m p t to give the 1 Dana X. B i b l e , Ch am pi on sh ip F o o t b a l l (Hew Y o rk : P r e n t i c e - H a l l , I n c o r p o r a t e d ^ 1917) ~P• 137*
40 i n d i v i d u a l a ssig n m en ts in the v a r io u s d e fe n se s p re s e n te d . 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 DEFENSE AGAINST UNBALANCED SINGLE NING FORMATION The s p a c i n g o f t h e v a r i o u s d e f e n s i v e p l a y e r s i n t h e 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e i s shown i n F i g u r e I . two y a r d s f r o m t h e i r t a c k l e s .
The e n d s p l a y
The s t r o n g s i d e t a c k l e p l a y s
on t h e o u t s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e e n d .
The weak s i d e t a c k l e
p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e e n d .
The s t r o n g s i d e
g u a r d p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e r i g h t o f f e n s i v e tack le.
The weak s i d e g u a r d p l a y s i n t h e gap b e t w e e n t h e
c e n t e r and t h e l e f t o f f e n s i v e t a c k l e . The s t r o n g s i d e l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r o f h i s own d e f e n s i v e l e f t t a c k l e .
The weak s i d e
l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r o f h i s r i g h t defensive ta c k le .
B o th l i n e b a c k e r s p l a y t h r e e y a r d s d e e p .
The h a l f b a c k s p l a y d i r e c t l y b e h i n d t h e i r e n d s a b o u t s e v e n to te n yards deep.
The s a f e t y p l a y s t e n t o t w e l v e y a r d s
de ep an d i n l i n e w i t h t h e o f f e n s i v e f u l l b a c k .
On k i c k i n g
downs he n a t u r a l l y p l a y s much d e e p e r . 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 DEFENSE AGAINST BALANCED SINGLE 'TING- FORMATION The i n d i v i d u a l s p a c i n g i n t h e 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e b a l a n c e d s i n g l e wing i s shown i n F i g u r e I I . e n d s p l a y two y a r d s fr o m t h e i r t a c k l e s .
The
The s t r o n g s i d e
t a c k l e p l a y s on t h e o u t s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e r i g h t o f f e n s i v e
Ul 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 DEFENSE AGAINST UNBALANCED SINGLE WHIG FORMATION
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6 - 2 - 2 - 1 DEFENSE AGAINST BALANCED SINGIE WING FORMATION
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The weak s i d e t a c k l e p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r o f
th e l e f t o f f e n s iv e end.
The s t r o n g s i d e g u a r d p l a y s on
t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r of t h e r i g h t o f f e n s i v e t a c k l e .
The
weak s i d e g u a r d p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e l e f t o ffe n s iv e guard. The s t r o n g s i d e l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r o f h i s own d e f e n s i v e l e f t t a c k l e .
The weak s i d e
li n e b a c k e r p la y s alm ost d i r e c t l y - b e h i n d the r i g h t defensive ta c k le .
B o th l i n e b a c k e r s p l a y t h r e e y a r d s d e e p .
The h a l f b a c k s p l a y d i r e c t l y b e h i n d t h e i r e n d s a b o u t s e v e n to te n yards deep.
The s a f e t y p l a y s t e n t o t w e l v e y a r d s
d e e p a nd i n l i n e w i t h t h e o f f e n s i v e c e n t e r . 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 DBF.aiTSS AGAINST T EOPJvIATION The 5“ 3“ 2 - l d e f e n s e p r o v e d t o b e t h e m o s t p o p u l a r defense a g a i n s t the T form ation.
The recommended s p a c i n g
f o r t h i s d e f e n s e i s shown i n F i g u r e I I I .
The l e f t
d e f e n s i v e end p l a y s one y a r d t o t h e o u t s i d e o f t h e r i g h t o ffe n s iv e end.
The l e f t d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e p l a y s d i r e c t l y i n
f r o n t o f the r i g h t o ffe n s iv e t a c k l e . directly
The g u a r d p l a y s
in f r o n t of the o ffen siv e c e n te r.
defensive ta c k le plays d ir e c tly offensive ta c k le .
The r i g h t
i n f r o n t of the l e f t
The r i g h t end p l a y s one y a r d t o t h e
o u t s i d e o f th e l e f t o f f e n s i v e end. The two o u t s i d e l i n e b a c k e r s p l a y d i r e c t l y b e h i n d
43 t h e i r d e f e n s i v e ends a b o u t t h r e e y a r d s deep.
The c e n t e r
lin e b a c k e r p la y s d i r e c t l y behind the d e fe n s iv e guard about two a n d o n e - h a l f y a r d s d e e p . the o u tsid e
The l e f t h a l f b a c k p l a y s on
s h o u l d e r o f h i s l e f t e nd w h i l e t h e r i g h t
h a l f b a c k p l a y s on t h e o u t s i d e s h o u l d e r o f h i s r i g h t e n d . B o th h a l f b a c k s p l a y e i g h t t o t e n y a r d s d e e p .
The s a f e t y
p l a y s t e n t o t w e l v e y a r d s d e e p a nd i n l i n e v j i t h t h e c e n t e r lin eb ack er. 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 DEIFNBF AGAINST SPLIT T FORMATION The s p a c i n g o f t h e d e f e n s i v e p l a y e r s i n t h e 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e s p l i t T f o r m a t i o n i s shown i n F i g u r e IV.
The two d e f e n s i v e e n d s p l a y one y a r d t o t h e
o u ts id e of the o f f e n s i v e e n d s. play d i r e c t l y
The two d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e s
i n f r o n t o f t h e two o f f e n s i v e t a c k l e s .
The
guard p la y s d i r e c t l y in f r o n t o f the o ff e n s iv e c e n t e r .
The
l e f t d e f e n s i v e l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e l e f t d e f e n s i v e end a b o u t t h r e e y a r d s d e e p .
The c e n t e r
lin e b a c k e r p la y s d i r e c t l y b ehind the d e fe n s iv e guard about two an d o n e - h a l f y a r d s d e e p .
The r i g h t d e f e n s i v e l i n e
b a c k e r p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r o f h i s r i g h t d e f e n s i v e en d a b o u t t h r e e y a r d s d e e p .
The two h a l f b a c k s p l a y on t h e
o u ts id e s h o u ld e r of t h e i r ends about seven to t e n yards deep.
The s a f e t y man p l a y s d i r e c t l y b e h i n d t h e
l i n e b a c k e r t e n t o twelve y a rd s deep.
center
5 -3 -2 -1 DEFENSE AGAINST T FORMATION
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5 - 3 - 2 - 1 DEFENSE AGAINST SPLIT T FORMATION
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45 6 -2 -2 -1 DEFENSE AGAINST DOUBLE TOTG BACK FORMATION The 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e a g a i n showed i t s p o p u l a r i t y i n b e i n g c h o s e n a s t h e number one d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e double wing back f o r m a t i o n . t h is defensive form ation i s
The s p a c i n g o f t h e p l a y e r s i n shown i n F i g u r e V.
The
d e f e n s i v e e n d s p l a y one y a r d t o t h e o u t s i d e o f t h e w i n g backs.
Hie s t r o n g s i d e t a c k l e p l a y s p r a c t i c a l l y i n f r o n t
o f the r i g h t o f f e n s iv e end, b u t f a v o r the o u ts id e s l i g h t l y . The s t r o n g s i d e g u a r d p l a y s I n f r o n t o f t h e o f f e n s i v e r i g h t guard. center.
The weak s i d e g u a r d p l a y s s t r a i g h t on t h e o f f e n s i v e The weak s i d e t a c k l e p l a y s d i r e c t l y i n f r o n t o f
t h e l e f t o f f e n s i v e end* The s t r o n g s i d e l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s b e t w e e n h i s l e f t d e f e n s i v e e nd and t a c k l e .
The w e a k ' s i d e l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s
on t h e o u t s i d e s h o u l d e r o f h i s r i g h t d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e . Both l i n e b a c k e r s p l a y t h r e e y a rd s d e ep .
The h a l f b a c k s p l a y
on t h e o u t s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e i r e n d s a b o u t s e v e n t o t e n yards deep.
The s a f e t y p l a y s t e n t o t w e l v e y a r d s deep and
in l in e w ith the in s id e sh o u ld er of the o ffen s iv e fu llb a c k . 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 DEFENSE AGAINST SHORT PUNT FORMATION The s p a c i n g o f t h e I n d i v i d u a l d e f e n s i v e p l a y e r s i n t h e 6- 2- 2 -1 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e s h o r t p u n t f o r m a t i o n i s shown i n F i g u r e V I.
The d e f e n s i v e e n d s p l a y two y a r d s fro m
the defensive ta c k le s .
The s t r o n g s i d e t a c k l e p l a y s on t h e
16 6 -2 -2 -1 DEFIN3F AGAINST POUBLB WING BACK FORMATION
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A A
Figure V 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 DBFBN3F AGAINST SNORT PUNT FORMATION
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A A A A A A F ig u re VI
47
o u ts id e s h o u ld e r of th e r i g h t o f f e n s iv e end.
The s t r o n g
s i d e g u a r d p l a y s i n t h e gap b e t w e e n t h e r i g h t o f f e n s i v e t a c k l e an d g u a r d .
The weak s i d e g u a r d p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e
s h o u l d e r of t h e l e f t p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e
o ffen siv e guard.
The weak s i d e t a c k l e
s h o u ld e r o f the r i g h t o f f e n s i v e end.
The s t r o n g s i d e l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s b e t w e e n t h e d e f e n s i v e l e f t t a c k l e and g u a rd .
The weak s i d e l i n e b a c k e r
p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e r i g h t d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e . Both l i n e b a c k e r s p la y t h r e e y a rd s deep.
The l e f t h a l f b a c k
p l a y s on t h e o u t s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e e nd a b o u t s e v e n t o te n yards deep.
The r i g h t h a l f b a c k p l a y s d i r e c t l y b e h i n d
t h e r i g h t d e f e n s i v e e nd a b o u t s e v e n t o t e n y a r d s d e e p .
The
s a f e t y p l a y s t w e l v e t o f i f t e e n y a r d s deep a nd i n l i n e w i t h the o ffen s iv e
center.
6 - 2 - 2 - 1 DTTdk'SB AG-AIKST U1TBALANCED UIBGFD T FORMATION The 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s i v e s p a c i n g a g a i n s t t h e u n b a l a n c e d w in g e d T f o r m a t i o n i s p r e s e n t e d i n F i g u r e 7X1. The d e f e n s i v e e n d s p l a y two y a r d s f r o m t h e i r d e f e n s i v e tack les.
The l e f t d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e p l a y s d i r e c t l y i n f r o n t
of the r i g h t o ffen s iv e end. directly
The l e f t d e f e n s i v e g u a r d p l a y s
i n f r o n t of the r i g h t o f f e n s i v e g u a rd .
The r i g h t
d e f e n s iv e guard p la y s d i r e c t l y in f r o n t of the o f f e n s iv e center.
The r i g h t d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e p l a y s d i r e c t l y
o f the l e f t
o ffe n s iv e end.
in fro n t
48
The s t r o n g s i d e l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s b e t w e e n h i s d e f e n s i v e e nd an d t a c k l e a b o u t t h r e e y a r d s d e e p . s i d e l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s on t h e
in s id e s h o u ld e r of the
d e fe n s iv e r i g h t t a c k l e about t h r e e y a rd s deep. h a l f b a c k p l a y s on t h e
The weak
The l e f t
o u tsid e s h o u ld e r of the l e f t
d e f e n s i v e e nd w h i l e t h e r i g h t h a l f b a c k p l a y s d i r e c t l y b ehind the r i g h t d e f e n s i v e e n d . to te n yards deep.
B o th h a l f b a c k s p l a y s e v e n
The s a f e t y p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r
of the l e f t d e fe n siv e guard about te n to tw elve yards deep. 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 DFFFIJSB AGAIITST ITIfBALAL'CHD DhkP Y7HTG FOPJhATTOil
The recommended s p a c i n g f o r t h e 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t th e u n b a la n c e d deep wing f o r m a t i o n i s p r e s e n t e d i n Figure Y III.
The two d e f e n s i v e e n d s p l a y two y a r d s f r o m
t h e i r defensive ta c k le s .
The two d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e s p l a y
d i r e c t l y i n f r o n t o f t h e two o f f e n s i v e e n d s .
The s t r o n g
s id e guard p la y s i n f r o n t o f th e r i g h t o f f e n s i v e
g u a r d and
t h e weak s i d e g u a r d p l a y s d i r e c t l y i n f r o n t o f t h e offensive c e n te r. The s t r o n g s i d e l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e sh ou ld er o f the l e f t d e fe n siv e t a c k l e . lin e b a ck e r plays defensive ta c k le .
The weak s i d e
on t h e o u t s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e r i g h t B o th l i n e b a c k e r s p l a y
th re e yards deep.
The l e f t h a l f b a c k p l a y s on t h e o u t s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e l e f t d e f e n s i v e e nd w h i l e t h e r i g h t h a l f b a c k p l a y s d i r e c t l y
49
6 -2 -2 -1 DSKSISTSaS AGAINST IMBALANCED T/IKGJD T FOEIvIATION
o o A
A
A A
A A A
A F ig u re VII 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 D3FI1TSE AGAINST UTTBALAHCSD DSIP TOTG FORMATION
o
n °
A A
A A A
A
A A A A
A F ig u re V III
50 behind the r i g h t d e fe n siv e end. to nine yards deep.
Both h a l f b a c k s p la y seven
The s a f e t y p l a y t e n t o t w e l v e y a r d s
deep and i n l i n e w i t h t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r o f th e s t r o n g side guard. 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 DEFENSE] AGAINST UNBALANCED T FOBIvlATION The 6 - 2 - 2 - 1 d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e u n b a l a n c e d T f o r m a t i o n i s p r e s e n t e d i n F i g u r e IN.
The two e n d s p l a y
two y a r d s fr o m t h e i r d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e s .
The two t a c k l e s
play d i r e c t l y in f r o n t of the o ffen siv e ends.
The l e f t
d e fe n s iv e guard p la y s i n f r o n t of the r i g h t o f f e n s iv e guard w hile the r i g h t d e fe n s iv e guard p la y s d i r e c t l y in f r o n t of the c e n te r . The l e f t l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s b e t w e e n t h e l e f t d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e a nd g u a r d w h i l e t h e r i g h t l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s betw een t h e . r i g h t d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e and end. lin e b a c k e rs p lay th re e yards deep.
B o th
The two h a l f b a c k s p l a y
d i r e c t l y behind t h e i r d e fe n s iv e ends about seven to te n yards deep.
The s a f e t y p l a y s b e t w e e n t h e two d e f e n s i v e
guards about te n to tw elve y ard s deep, 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 DEFENSE AGAINST SPREAD FORIEATION The 5“ 3“ 2 - l d e f e n s e p r o v e d to b e t h e m o s t p o p u l a r d e fe n siv e arrangem ent a g a in s t the spread form ation. i n d iv id u a l spacing fo r t h i s defense i s
The
shown i n F i g u r e X.
6 - 2 - 2 - 1 DEF2BSH AGAINST TOIBALAI-ICED T EORi.TATIOil
O O o A A
A A
A A A
A
F i g u r e IX 5 - 3 - 2 - 1 HSFSHSE AG-AHTST SPREAD FORMATION
O
0
A A A
0
0
8
O
0
A A A A F ig u re X
A
A A A
52 The l e f t d e f e n s i v e e nd p l a y s one y a r d to t h e o u t s i d e o f the r i g h t o ffen siv e ta c k l e .
The l e f t
f r o n t of the r i g h t o f f e n s i v e g u ard .
tack le plays in The d e f e n s i v e g u a r d
i n t h e f i v e man l i n e p l a y s d i r e c t l y i n f r o n t o f t h e offensive
center.
The r i g h t t a c k l e p l a y s one y a r d t o t h e
o u ts id e o f the l e f t o ff e n s iv e g u ard .
The r i g h t e n d p l a y s
d i r e c t l y in f r o n t of the l e f t o ffe n s iv e end. The l e f t l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s on t h e o u t s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e r i g h t o f f e n s i v e e nd a b o u t t h r e e y a r d s d e e p .
The
c e n te r l i n e b a c k e r p la y s b e h in d the d e f e n s iv e guard about two a n d o n e - h a l f y a r d s d e e p . on t h e
The r i g h t l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s
o u ts id e s h o u ld e r of the l e f t w ingback about th r e e
yards deep.
The l e f t h a l f b a c k p l a y s b e h i n d t h e l e f t
l i n e b a c k e r about seven to te n y a rd s d eep .
The r i g h t
h a l f b a c k p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e r i g h t l i n e backer about seven to t e n yards deep.
The s a f e t y p l a y s t e n
t o t w e l v e y a r d s d e ep a n d i n l i n e w i t h t h e l e f t o f f e n s i v e ta ckle• GOAL LIITA DAFANSA AGAI1TST UlffiAXAiTCAD SIHGLA TING FORIALTION The g o a l l i n e d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e u n b a l a n c e d s i n g l e w in g f o r m a t i o n i s shown i n F i g u r e X I .
There a re
s e v e n l i n e m e n , two l i n e b a c k e r s a n d two h a l f b a c k s i n t h i s defensive form ation. defensive ta c k le s.
The e n d s p l a y two y a r d s fro m t h e The s t r o n g s i d e t a c k l e p l a y s on t h e
53 o u ts id e s h o u ld e r of the r i g h t o ffe n s iv e end.
The s t r o n g
sid e guard p la y s in f r o n t of the r i g h t o ffe n s iv e ta c k l e . The d e f e n s i v e c e n t e r p l a y s on t h e i n s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e r i g h t offensive, guard.
The r i g h t d e f e n s i v e g u a r d p l a y s i n
t h e g a p b e t w e e n t h e l e f t o f f e n s i v e t a c k l e and c e n t e r .
The
r i g h t t a c k l e p l a y s on t h e o u t s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e l e f t o ff e n s iv e guard. The s t r o n g s i d e l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s b e t w e e n t h e l e f t d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e and g u a r d w h i l e t h e weak s i d e l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s on t h e o u t s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e r i g h t d e f e n s i v e tackle.
Both l i n e b a c k e r s p l a y t h r e e y a rd s deep .
The two
h a l f b a c k s p l a y on t h e o u t s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e i r d e f e n s i v e ends about fo u r y ard s deep. G-OAL LIKE DEFENSE AGAINST BALANCED SINGLE WING FORMATION The recommended g o a l l i n e d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e b a la n c e d s i n g l e wing f o r m a tio n i s p r e s e n t e d i n F ig u re X II. The two e n d s p l a y a b o u t , two y a r d s f r o m t h e i r d e f e n s i v e tackles.
The s t r o n g s i d e t a c k l e p l a y s on t h e o u t s i d e
sh o u ld er of the r i g h t o ffe n s iv e end.
The s t r o n g s i d e g u a r d
p lay s in f r o n t of the r i g h t offensive
t a c k l e , l i n i n g up on
h is outside ear.
The c e n t e r p l a y s i n t h e gap b e t w e e n t h e
r i g h t o f f e n s i v e g u a r d and c e n t e r .
The weak s i d e g u a r d
p la y s d i r e c t l y i n f r o n t of the l e f t o ffe n siv e guard. weak s i d e t a c k l e p l a y s i n t h e gap b e t w e e n t h e l e f t
The
54 GOAL LIKE DEFENSE AGAINST UNBALANCED SINGLE WING FORMATION
C> Q A
A
A A A A
A
A
A A
F i g u r e XI GOAL LINE DEFENSE AGAINST BALANCED SINGLE WING FORMATION
O
O
A A A A A A A A A A
F ig u re X II
55 o f f e n s i v e t a c k l e and en d . The l e f t l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s i n t h e gap b e t w e e n t h e l e f t d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e and g u a r d .
The r i g h t l i n e b a c k e r
p l a y s on t h e o u t s i d e s h o u l d e r o f t h e r i g h t d e f e n s i v e tackle.
Both l i n e b a c k e r s p l a y t h r e e y a rd s deep .
The
h a l f b a c k s p l a y a b o u t one y a r d t o t h e o u t s i d e o f t h e i r d e f e n s i v e e n d s and a b o u t f o u r y a r d s d e e p . GOAL LINE DEFENSE AGAINST T FORMATION The d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n , a s shown i n F i g u r e X I I I , i s t h e recom mend ed g o a l l i n e d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e r e g u l a r T form ation.
The d e f e n s i v e e n d s p l a y a b o u t one y a r d t o t h e
o u tsid e of the o ffe n siv e ends.
The d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e s p l a y
i n t h e gap b e t w e e n t h e o f f e n s i v e end and t a c k l e .
The
g u a r d s p l a y i n t h e seam b e t w e e n t h e o f f e n s i v e t a c k l e and guard.
The d e f e n s i v e c e n t e r p l a y s d i r e c t l y i n f r o n t o f t h e
offensive c e n te r. The l e f t l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s b e t w e e n t h e l e f t d e f e n s i v e e n d a nd t a c k l e w h i l e t h e r i g h t d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e p l a y s b e t w e e n t h e r i g h t d e f e n s i v e t a c k l e a nd e n d . lin e b a c k e rs play th re e yards deep.
Both
The two h a l f b a c k s p l a y
two y a r d s t o t h e o u t s i d e o f t h e i r d e f e n s i v e e n d s a b o u t f o u r yards deep. GOAL LINE DEFENSE AGAINST SPLIT T FORMATION
56 The recommended g o a l l i n e d e f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e s p l i t T f o r m a t i o n i s p r e s e n t e d i n F i g u r e XIV.
The
d e f e n s i v e e n d s p l a y one y a r d t o t h e o u t s i d e o f t h e o f f e n siv e ends. tackles.
The t a c k l e s p l a y i n f r o n t o f t h e o f f e n s i v e The l e f t d e f e n s i v e g u a r d l i n e s up on t h e i n s i d e
e a r of the r i g h t o ffe n s iv e g u ard.
The r i g h t d e f e n s i v e
g u a r d l i n e s up on t h e i n s i d e e a r o f t h e l e f t
offensive
guard. The l e f t l i n e b a c k e r p l a y s b e t w e e n th e d e f e n s i v e e nd a nd t a c k l e a b o u t t h r e e y a r d s d e e p .
The c e n t e r l i n e
b acker p la y s d i r e c t l y in f r o n t of the o ffe n s iv e c e n te r a b o u t two a n d o n e - h a l f y a r d s d e e p . p l a y s betw een the r i g h t d e f e n s iv e three
yards deep.
The r i g h t l i n e b a c k e r t a c k l e a n d e nd a b o u t
The two h a l f b a c k s p l a y two y a r d s t o t h e
o u t s i d e o f t h e i r d e f e n s i v e e n d s a nd a b o u t f o u r and o n e - h a l f yards deep.
57 GOAL LIKE PSFSNSS AGAINST T FORMATION
ooo A A A A A A A A A A
A Figure X III
GOAL LINS DSFINSE AGAINST SPLIT T FORMATION
o o
A
o o o ® o o
A A A
A A A
A
A A A
F ig u re XTV
BIBLIOGRAPHY
59 A.
BOOKS
B a k e r , L. E . , F o o t b a l l : F a c t s a nd F i g u r e s . New Y o rk : F a r r a r and R i n e h a r t , I n c o r p o r a t e d , 1945. 732 p p . B i b l e , Dana X . , C h a m p i o n s h i p F o o t b a l l . P r e n t i c e - H a l l , I n c o r p o r a t e d , 1947*
New Y o r k : 275 PP*
B u c h a n a n , L a m o n t , F o o t b a l l . New Y o r k : S t e p h e n - P a u l P u b l i s h e r ' s , 1947* 255 PP* C r i s l e r , H e r b e r t 0 . , Modern F o o t b a l l . New Y o rk : McGrawE i l l Book Company, I n c o r p o r a t e d , 1949* 279 PP. DaG-rosa, J o h n , F u n c t i o n a l F o o t b a l l . New Y o r k : A. S. B a r n e s a n d Company, 19 4 6 . 341 p p . K i l l i n g e r , W. G l e n n , F o o t b a l l . Company, 1939* 141 p p .
New Y o r k : A. S. B a r n e s and
L e a h y , F r a n k , N o t r e Dame F o o t b a l l - The T F o r m a t i o n . New Y o r k : P r e n t i c e - H a l l , I n c o r p o r a t e d , 1949* 244 pp. S t a g g , Amos A . , a n d W e s le y W. S t o u t , Touchdown. Lon gmans, G r e e n a nd Company, 1 9 2 7 . 352 p p .
New Y o rk :
Z uppke, R o b e rt C . , Coaching F o o t b a l l . H a i m e s , 1930* 341 p p .
B a i l e y and
Illin o is:
B. PERIODICAL ARTICLES C r i s l e r , H e r b e r t 0 . , " V a r i a b l e Team D e f e n s e s S c h o l a s t i c Coach, 1 9 :1 2 - 1 3 ,5 8 - 6 2 , J u n e , 1950. De Ormond, M c L au gh r y , " D e f e n s i v e B a c k f i e l d P l a y , " A t h l e t i c J o u r n a l, 29:10-11-40, O ctober, 1948.
APPENDIX A
May 19, I9S0
Dear Coach; Congratulations on the outstanding defensive record compiled by your team during the 1949 football season. According to the official football statistics released by the National Collegiate Athletic Bureau your team ranked near the top in total defease. My purpose in writing to you is to ask for your cooperation in a study I am making of defensive football formations being used by successful coaches throughout the nation. Lam.a graduate student at the College of William and Mary and plan to write my thesis on the above topic. 1 have chosen defensive formations for my study because there Is nothing in football I enjoy more than watching a well coached and smoothly coordinated team defease in action. I realise the defensive formation used is determined by a great many things such as team personnel, game conditions, play situation, etc. la order to be as economical with your time as possible, I have made the enclosed questionnaire brief, and therefore, must lim it my study to standard basic defenses. I would appreciate it very much if you could find time to fill out the enclosed questionnaire and return it to me at your earliest convenience as 1 hope to complete *the study this summer. Xt should re quire very little of your time, but your answer w ill mean a great deal to me, as the study is limited to the top 30 teams in total defease for 1949. Without your help I will be unable to complete the study. I realise your time is valuable and, therefore, I would like to repay you in some way for your cooperation. If the returns are sufficient to enable me to complete the study, Xwill be happy to send you a mimeographed copy of the results if you should care for one. Any information you give w ill be kept strictly confi dential unless otherwise requested, in which case you will receive full recognition for information submitted. Thanking you in advance for your cooperation in this study, and wishing you continued success, 1 am Sincerely yours. HC/ie
Harry Caughron
flfftse in s e r t rfftfflnsiv* fownaM f>n» o o o o 00000
o
QGWJTOINAIHE DEFENSIVE FOOTBALL FORMATIONS Please cheek the correct statem ents in reference Guards and Tackles
(a) H it and hold u n til play i s diagnosed. (b) Crash, tearin g down in te rfe re n c e .
Ends
(a) Take regular step s and diagnose play, (b) Crash, tearin g down in terferen ce
Linebackers
(a ) Does not move u n til play is diagnosed, (b) Crash in to opponents backfield.
Guards and Tackles
(a) H it and hold u n til play i s diagnosed. (b) Crash, tearin g down in terferen ce.
Ends
(a) Take regular steps and diagnose play. (b) Crash, tearin g down in terferen ce.
Linebackers
(a) Does not move u n til play is diagnosed, (b) Crash in to opponents backfield.
Guards and Tackles
(a) H it and hold u n til play i s diagnosed. (b) Crash, tearin g down in terferen ce.
Ends
(a) Take reg u lar step s and diagnose play. (b) Crash, tearin g down in terferen ce,
Linebackers
(a) Does not move u n til play i s diagnosed, (b) Crash in to opponents backfield.
Guards and Tackles
(a) H it and hold u n til play i s diagnosed. (b) Crash, tearin g down in terferen ce.
Ends
(a) Take regular steps and diagnose play. (b) Crash, tearin g down in terferen ce.
Linebackers
(a) Does not move u n til play I s diagnosed, (b) Crash into opponents backfield.
Guards and Tackles
(a) H it and hold u n til play i s diagnosed. (b) Crash, tearin g down in terferen ce.
Ends
(a) Take regular step s and diagnose play. Cb) Crash, tearin g down in terferen ce.
Linebackers
(a) Does not move u n til play i s diagnosed, (b) Crash in to opponents backfield.
Guards and Tackles
(a) H it and hold u n til play i s diagnosed. (b) Crash, tearin g down interference.
Ends
(a ) Take regular steps and diagnose play, (b) Crash, tearin g down interferen ce.
Linebackers
(a) Does not move u n til play is diagnosed, (b) Crash in to opponents backfield.
6-»2-2**l Defense o o o 0 CO 0C Q O o
Defense O O O O O 90O O 0
Goal lin e defense O
O
O
10 0 0 ® 0 0
O
6- 2- 2-*! Defense
O
b O 0
D O O 0 O O O
5-3-2-1 Defense O
b O
p o o ® 0 0
0
t oal lin e defense
? « 8» 2
.
Please in s e r t A».Wiil5W«s4wfc esi«4mafr4/in.
~ O0°
O
0 00080 O
DEFENSIVE FOOTBALL FORMATIONS tle a s e check the co rre c t statements in reference to the defensive formation on t h r JLefi. Guards and (a) H it and hold u n til play is diagnosed. Tackles (b) Crash, te a rin g down in terferen ce, Ends
(a) Take regular steps and diagnose play, (b) Crash, te a rin g down in terferen ce.
Linebackers (a) Doss not move u n til play i s diagnosed, (b) Crash in to opponents backfield. A-2-2-1 Defense
0
o°
o
0 00090 0
5-3-2-1 Defense
oO O
O
000090 0
Goal lin e defense
o
o
o°
000900 o
Ml- 2-1 Defense
Guards and Tackles
(a) H it and hold u n til play i s diagnosed. (b) Crash, te a rin g down in terferen ce.
Ends
(a) Take regular steps and diagnose play, (b) Crash, te a rin g down in terferen ce.
Linebackers (a) Does not move u n til play i s diagnosed, (b) Crash in to opponents backfield. Guards and Tackles
(a) H it and hold u n til play is diagnosed. (b) Crash, te a rin g down in terferen ce.
Ends
(a) Take regular steps and diagnose play, (b) Crash, te a rin g down in terferen ce.
Linebackers (a) Does not move u n til play is diagnosed, (b) Crash in to opponents backfield. Guards and Tackles
(a) Hit and hold u n til play i s diagnosed. (b) Crash, tearin g down in terferen ce.
Ends
(a) Take regular steps and diagnose play, (b) Crash, te a rin g down in terferen ce.
Linebackers (a) Does not move u n til play i s diagnosed, (b) Crash in to opponents backfield.
Oo 0
000900 O
Defense
oO o
o
000900 0
Ssfii. lin e defense
Guards and Tackles
(a) Hit and hold u n til play i s diagnosed. (b) Crash, te a rin g down in terferen ce.
Ends
(a) Take regular steps and diagnose play, (b) Crash, te a rin g down in terferen ce.
Linebackers (a) Does not move u n til play i s diagnosed, (b) Crash in to opponents backfield. Guards and Tackles
(a) Hit and hold u n til play is diagnosed. (b) Crash, tearin g down in terferen ce.
Ends
(a) Take regular steps and diagnose play, (b) Crash, te a rin g down in terferen ce.
Linebackers (a) Does not move u n til play Is diagnosed, (b) Crash in to opponents backfield.
1, Please in s e rt the defensive spacing and i l lu s tr a te the lin e charge you would use against the following offensive formations: ............. 6 15... 6 --------O OO o ° o o
0 00090 0
Double Wingback 0 ° 0 0
0 00900 o
Short Punt
0000900
O00090 O
Deep Wingback O o O o
ttTw Formation Unbalanced Line O 0 ° 0
O
0 00090 O
Winged *T* Unbalanced Line
00090
Spread Formation
2, Please l i s t the following standard defensive formations in the order of your preference against the Single Wing, against the (a) 6~2~2“«1 (b) (c) 6“3*"2*. (d) 7»2**»2 (e) 7*-l~*2*-l (f) Defense against Single Ring Defense against the RT* ■1. 1. 2. 22* 3. 3. L.
3,
5.
5.
6.
6,
Please l i s t your fav o rite defense against: (a) "T* formation with strong passing attack (a) (b) wTn formation with strong running attack (c) S.W, formation with strong passing attack o) (d) S,W. formation with strong running attack (d) 4* Please l i s t the following types of forward pass defense in the order ef your preference 0 (a) The Man-for*4lan Defense (l) (b) The Zone Defense (c) The Combination S» Please check the fclic k in g sp ecial defenses used by your team. (a) Undersh ifted 6-2-2-1 defense (d) The Looping Defensive Line (b) Overshifted 6-2-2-1 defense (e) Cross Charging Linebackers (c) The Slanting Defensive Line, (f) Shooting Linebackers I# Please l i s t your offensive formation, followed by the defensive formation which has proven to be most successful against i t , (a) (b) 7* Please use the back of th is sheet to draw any defensive formation you wish to . add or to l i s t any fu rth e r information th a t may be of value to th is study. Please check onei 1 „ This information should be kept s t r i c t l y co n fid en tial, 2, You may use my name and school in th is study. Harry Caughron
O
APPENDIX B
66 DEFENSIVE RANKING- OF COLLEGE; FOOTBALL T3AUS FOR 1 9 4 9
The t h i r t y l e a d i n g d e f e n s i v e
te am s o f t h e n a t i o n
a s r e l e a s e d by t h e N a t i o n a l C o l l e g i a t e A t h l e t i c Bureau, f o r t h e 1949 s e a s o n a r e : U n i v e r s i t y of K e n t u c k y U n i t e d S t a t e s M i l i t a r y Academy U n i v e r s i t y o f Liaryland U n i v e r s i t y o f Wyoming V illa n o v a C ollege U n i v e r s i t y o f Oklahoma U n i v e r s i t y o f Texas U n i v e r s i t y of M innesota Louisiana S ta te U n iv ersity D ra k e U n i v e r s i t y U n i v e r s i t y o f N o t r e Dame U n i v e r s i t y of Georgia U n i v e r s i t y o f Tennessee T e xa s W e s t e r n C o l l e g e U n i v e r s i t y of M ichigan G e o rg ia School of Technology Baylor U n iv e rs ity Tulane U n i v e r s i t y Brovrn U n i v e r s i t y U niversity of V irginia R utgers U n iv e r s ity Duke U n i v e r s i t y U n iv e rs ity of Pennsylvania U n i v e r s i t y o f Alabama Boston U n i v e r s i t y 'Mi am i U n i v e r s i t y L a f a y e tte C ollege U n iv e rs ity of C a lif o r n ia Colorado A g r i c u l t u r a l and M ec ha nica l C ollege U n i v e r s i t y o f Oregon
67 VITA The a u t h o r was b o r n i n S e v i e r C o u n t y , T e n n e s s e e , J a n u a r y 7» 1 9 2 2 .
H i s e l e m e n t a r y e d u c a t i o n was r e c e i v e d a t
t h e M a r t h a W i l d e r G-rammer S c h o o l an d h i s s e c o n d a r y e d u c a t i o n a t th e S c ie n c e I i i l l High S c h o o l, Johnson C i t y , Tennessee. The w r i t e r e n t e r e d t h e C o l l e g e o f W i l l i a m and M a r y , W i l l i a m s b u r g , V i r g i n i a i n S e p t e m b e r , 1 94 2.
His
e d u c a t i o n was i n t e r r u p t e d i n F e b r u a r y o f 1943 by a t h r e e y e a r p e r i o d o f s e r v i c e w i t h t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s Army. The w r i t e r r e t u r n e d t o W i l l i a m a nd Mary i n J u n e , 1946 and r e c e i v e d th e B a c h e lo r o f S c ie n c e d eg re e w i t h a
m a j o r i n P h y s i c a l E d u c a t i o n i n J u n e , 1949*
On g r a d u a t i o n
t h e a u t h o r r e m a i n e d a t W i l l i a m a n d Mary a n d b e g a n h i s g r a d u a te work i n P h y s i c a l E d u c a ti o n w h ile s e r v i n g as a s s i s t a n t c o a c h i n f o o t b a l l and t r a c k .