Coaching the nose guard in the 50 Defense.

In Sachem High School's innovative use of the 50 Defense, all 11 players are given a special assignment. If each player does his job, we are going to be very tough to beat.

The nose guard is a key figure in the defense. He must force a double-team and protect both of the "A" gaps. If he cannot force the double-team and lets himself be single-blocked, we are in trouble. We will have to find another nose guard or abandon the defense.

The nose guard does not have to be a massive player, but he must possess strength and agility and have the strength and fitness to handle double-teams. He must also have a "never relax attitude" and understand that though his ability may produce plaudits, his name will usually go unmentioned.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Our nose guard sets up in a balanced stance, with the feet shoulder-width apart, parallel with each other, and with the toes on a straight line. The hands are placed on the ground, slightly in front of the head. They form a finger bridge with the finger-tips touching the ground.

The head is up and pointing straight ahead, enabling the guard to see the center's face and the ball through the bottom of his eyes.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

BREAKING THE HUDDLE

When the offense breaks the huddle, the nose guard should already be kneeling over the ball. Once the center touches the ball, the nose should jump into his stance--aligning nose to nose with the center, with his hands about six inches behind the LOS. If he is slanting, he must remember to move farther back off the ball.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

On the snap, the nose guard must take a short power step. It doesn't matter which foot he steps with since he's in a balanced stance. On the first step, he brings his hands up and shocks the center. As the hands contact the center's breastplate, they must grab hold of the center's jersey.

The nose then takes his second step, squaring up his feet and shoulders to the LOS. The nose maintains his hold on the center and bench-presses him, using short, chopping steps to drive him one yard into the backfield.

From the time the ball is snapped until this point in the progression, the nose guard must be constantly aware of what the guards are doing. He must be aware of their blocking schemes so that he can force a double-team. He must additionally make sure to never get driven off the LOS.

DOUBLE TEAM (DIAG. 1)

Once the nose guard has shocked the center, he must hold on to him and read the different blocking schemes. If he sees a guard blocking down on him, he should collapse the leg nearest the man and roll toward him--still holding on to the center to pull him onto the nose's falling, rolling body.

This will create a pile where the back is trying to run. More importantly, the LB will now have a better chance of making the tackle because the offensive guard, center, and nose guard are lying in the hole and the offensive guard cannot block the LB.

REACH BLOCK (DIAG. 2)

The nose guard's progression is the same on all plays. Whenever a center tries to reach-block him, he must lock out his arms and step laterally to maintain outside leverage. If he loses his leverage and gets hooked, he must fight across the center's face and pursue to the ball.

The best way to fight across is to push the center with the playside hand, pull with the offside hand, and rip under with the offside fist. He must fight to get to the outside.

FOLD BLOCK (DIAG. 3)

The nose guard goes through his standard progression. When he sees the center drop-step to the outside, he knows right away the guard to that side is blocking down on him. The nose must plant his away foot and deliver a blow with his playside arm. Using his playside hand to push and his offside hand to pull, he rips across the guard's face, giving as little ground as possible. He cannot get moved away from the onside "A" gap.

DOWN BLOCK (DIAG. 4)

The nose goes through his standard progression. Whenever he sees the center block away from him, he knows that the guard from the opposite side is coming down on him. The nose guard must plant his away foot and deliver a blow with his playside arm. Then, using his backside arm, he must pull and rip across the guard's face, giving as little ground as possible. He cannot get moved away from the onside "A" gap.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

With more and more drill work, the nose guard must come to recognize the difference between a down block and a reach block.

In our defense, the nose guard must be able to master all these techniques daily to facilitate their use in a game.

PUNCH DRILL

Two-man sled braced against an immovable object (fence post). Teaches the fundamental techniques of punching and shocking an offensive player.

Procedure:

1. Align nose guards directly in front of pads in a good stance, with the coach holding a ball as near to the sled as possible.

2. On the movement of the ball, the nose guards use a two-handed punch to shock the pad.

3. As the players punch, they bench-press and extend their arms. The pads will rise off the ground.

4. The nose guards hold the pads up with their arms locked for a second. At the coach's whistle, the players drop the sled and two more nose men drop to their stances.

5. The drill continues with each lineman changing lines after each turn. (This provides a different view of the ball.)

CHARGE DRILL

Equipment needed: One four-feet high linemen's cage, with a mesh top. Teaches defensive linemen their initial steps and progressions, and how to play low.

Procedure:

1. Align a defensive lineman opposite a blocker under the cage.

2. Both players assume good stances.

3. On ball movement, the blocker attempts to drive the defensive man out of the cage.

4. Defensive player punches, shocks, benches, and drives the blocker back.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

5. On the whistle, the players stop.

6. Repeat the procedure as many times as you like or until time block is completed.

THREE-ON-ONE DRILL

Procedure:

1. Align three blockers side by side, one yard apart.

2. Align nose guard (or tackle) head-to-head on the middle blocker.

3. The coach stands behind the nose guard.

4. The coach points out the blocking scheme to the blockers, along with the snap count.

5. When the blockers move, the nose guard reacts and goes through his progressions.

6. The nose guard reads the blocking scheme, and then reacts with the proper technique.

7. Drill ends with a whistle and players shift positions--blocker becomes defender and defender switches to offense.

8. With each turn the coach changes the blocking scheme.

By Pete Lazzaro,

Former Defensive Line Coach

Sachem H.S.

Lake Ronkonkoma, NY