A flexible 4-deep stunt package.

A simple defensive secondary call system that enhances pass coverage and run support

One of the most important aspects of any defensive package is its ability to cover the pass and provide adequate run support, when necessary.

We have been doing this with a four-deep secondary scheme that affords very complicated coverages as well as very simple stunt combinations between our ends, corners, and safeties.

As the offense approaches the line of scrimmage, we have to determine what kind of pass defense to use and then have our safeties inform the corners about flat coverage and run support.

The safeties do this with a "me" or "you" call. On the "me" call (Diag. 1), the safety will either rotate toward the action side into the flat or be responsible for run support to the play side.

Besides the "me" or "you" call, the safety (or corner) must make a color ("black" or "red") call to inform the end on his side to contain or pinch down hard and stuff the off-tackle hole.

Diag. 2 shows the safety making a "me-black" call. The "black" informs the end to shoot out hard and anchor the outside position, while the safety provides inside run support.

Diag. 3 shows what happens when we encounter difficulty stopping the off-tackle play. Our safety may choose to have the end pinch down inside while he (safety) covers the outside for run support. The safety's call is "me-red."

When facing a one or two tight-end offensive alignment, our safety has the option of utilizing the stunt package from the corner position. As shown in the next two diagrams, the safety will call "you" and the corner will become responsible for a "black" or "red" call.

In "you-black" (Diag. 4), the corner comes down hard and stuffs the inside tackle hole while the end anchors the outside position.

In "you-red" (Diag. 5), the corner and end exchange responsibilities.

The offensive tight end or split-end formation cannot always determine whether we are going to support with the safety or corner, and we have been using either of our combination calls with equal success.

The alignment of the formation (split end or tight end) doesn't always determine whether we are going to support with the safety or corner. We have achieved about the same success with either combination.

An important key to emphasize in teaching this phase of the defense is that the calls have to come from both safeties and that the safety or corner has to let the defensive end know his responsibility as quickly as possible.

It is also important to emphasize that the calls apply only to the side of the formation where the action is taking place. If the play is being executed away from the safety's side, he will be expected to rotate into his deep third area.

This simple but effective scheme can be used against the veer, power-I, wing-T and pro formation type offenses. Adjustments can be made very easily on the field by your athletes, and you can give the offense several different looks without altering or changing your base defense.