DO'S & DON'TS OF DEFENSE

Do's & Don'ts of Defense

 

1. Football is a personal war to begin with; as a football player you are part of a team, but as a defensive player you must be tough, rough, and aggressive, with a burning desire to destroy the opponent’s offense.

2. The name of the game is hit. To do a great a job, you must hit at full tilt with your entire strength on every play.

3. Be in exact position on each defense. You are placed in this position for a reason and that is to protect your territory properly. You cannot do this and be out of position.

4. Keep you head up - eyes open - keep your shoulders square and lower than your opponents.

5. Strike your opponent and destroy his block immediately. Play the head tough and fight pressure as your contact is made.

6. Get free of your opponent’s block as quickly as possible - work for lateral movement.

7. Keep your feet on a parallel plane. Keep your knees bent and behind shoulders. Keep opponent away from your legs.

8. Pursue! We live by pursuit. Pursuit is desire, hustle, and pride in defense. If the ball is in your immediate area, move laterally to the ball. If the ball is away from your area, be sure you take the correct angle of pursuit to get to the ball.

9. Gang tackle! This helps to demoralize a ball carrier. We want every player we have to get to the ball as quickly as possible and arrive in a nasty state of mind.

10. Be alert for things that will help you such as pulling guards, offensive linemen or backs pointing, etc.

11. Play your position first, then support other areas as quickly as possible.

12. Second effort! Constant hustle! These are the marks of a good defense.

13. Be tough, aggressive, and quick! You can improve all of these things plus your reaction and speed by hard, diligent practice.

14. Destroy - pursue - gang tackle! Make this your motto.

Don’ts of Defense

 

1. Don’t catch the block of your opponent. (you hit him)

2. Don’t play around your man. (play through him)

3. Don’t watch the backs for they will deceive you. (read your key and find the ball.)

4. Don’t bury your head on the ground. (head and eyes up at all times)

5. Don’t make up your own defenses or stunts. (you have all you can do to play the ones the coaches select for you.)

6. Don’t Lose your poise. (a hot head only defeats himself.)

7. Don’t fool around with your man. (destroy his block and get rid of him.)

8. Don’t assume the play is over. (be sure - hustle until the ball is dead)

9. Don’t ever relax on defense. (be ready as soon as the offensive center comes out of the huddle.)

10. Don’t ever be buried. (you have a personal war with your man - destroy him.)