Defending the Wing-T Speed Sweep Series.

Doing it with a base 4-3 front with quarters coverage

A RECENT INNOVATION popularized by Steve Spurrier has been giving defensive coaches nightmares from the pros on down to the high schools.

We refer to the speed sweep series. It has become very popular with the Wing-T genre, as it fits in nicely with the misdirection and illusionary theme of the offense.

How do you defense such a multifaceted offense?

You may find an answer in the way Sevier County High School upset a highly favored opponent in the Tennessee state championship game last December.

We attacked the opposing Wing-T with many of the basic rules of the 4-3 front with quarters coverage that we detailed in our book, Attacking Football's Wing-T Offense, and my article on "Linebacking the Wing-T Red Motion Threat" in this space last August.

I would now like to focus on how we defended the potent Wing-T Speed Sweep and Speed Trap as run both strong (toward the wing) and weak (toward the cheat back).

Though we run a multiple 4-3 defense with quarters (four across coverage), we play man coverage vs the Wing-T. Our three linebackers usually set up five yards deep with the Sam (5) in the middle, Bandit (B) opposite the strong-side C gap, and Will (W) as the weakside backer in the 40.

Against the Speed Sweep series, however, we do make alignment adjustments.

For example, Sam squirms down to three yards, Will aligns on the LOS to the cheat back side, and our Stud (S), our bigger, more physical end, aligns to the tight end-wing side. The other end (B) to the weak side or away from the wing.

The tackle (T) aligns to the call and the weakside tackle (our Nose man) aligns away from the wing.

Normally, our ends align in three-point stances, but we have them stand up vs the Wing-T to help them vision their keys.

Diag.1, vs Speed Sweep to the wing:

The accompanying diagrams show exactly how we defense the Wing-T-speed Sweep Series, as delineated in our Wing-T playbook.

Stud: Align in a two-point stance and key the FB (Base Wing-T Reads). With the FB down the midline away, step to the wing. Versus the speed sweep to the wing, you will probably be double-teamed. Do not allow yourself to be doubled off the ball. Make the ball-carrier run the hump.

Tackle: Penetrate; don't get reached by the center. Take the handoff on the G scheme. Make them pay for pulling the guard. Don't read the trap. Having two 2 techniques serves to protect Sam, who will step up with the FB down the midline.

Nose: Penetrate. Back-door the play.

End: (Base Wing-T reads). No pin, No pull lane, onside back away, search the QB.

Bandit: With the FB away and the guard pulling toward you, play sweep. (Base Wing-T reads).

Sam: Tighten down to three yards, key the FB. Match his angle. Play trap to sweep.

Will: Align on the LOS and run a tailback stunt that will take you into the backfield as deep as the deepest back. Should the cheat back motion away, loosen and key the FB through the guard. (Base Wing-T Reads). Play trap to sweep. Be conscious of counter.

Strong Corner: Man to man on wing. Key the wing/tight end area. When the wing blocks down on the Stud, force the play.

Strong Safety: Man to man on TE. Key the wing/tight end area. Fill where needed when the wing and tight end block down.

Free Safety: Man to man on TB. Go with motion. Check for handoff at the junction point. Play trap if you see the ball given to the FB. If the ball is given to the motion man, continue to the sweep area.

Weak Corner: Man to man on X. If the play is a run away, play cutoff. Last man.

Diag. 2, vs Speed Trap to the Wing:

Stud: If the FB is away, step out to the wing. If wing doesn't block down, settle and find the ball. If end base-blocks, lock out and hold leverage.

Tackle: Penetrate. (Alignment protects Sam)

Nose: Penetrate. Back-door the play.

End: (Base Wing-T reads). No pin, no pull lane, on side back away, search the QB.

Bandit: If FB is away and guard is rounding to Sam, play trap.

Sam: Match the FB's angle. Step up and taclde the FB. 2 techniques serve to protect you.

Will: With TB motion away, loosen and play trap to sweep. Key the FB through the guard.

Strong Corner: With the wing upfield, respect pass possibility.

Strong Safety: If TE bases Stud, look inside. If wing isn't blocking down, the play could be a trap, not a sweep.

Free Safety: Go with motion. Look at the junction point. If you see the ball handed off, play trap. Be certain!!!

Weak Corner: Man to man on X. If the play is a run away, play cutoff. Last man.

Diag. 3, vs Speed Sweep to the Split End:

Stud: With wing (red) motion, eye the QB. If you see his face on the snap, explode up field. This will serve to get the QB pulled up on the red waggle. You should see his face on the speed sweep and trap to the split end. Work up field and search the QB. (Base Red Rules)

Tackle: Penetrate. Don't get shoe-shined. Play the guard's block from the ground up.

Nose: Penetrate. Don't get reached.

End: Vs wing motion, look at the cheat back. If he threatens your outside shoulder, either hold leverage or cross-face the block. (Technique depends upon coach's personal preference and ability level of the end). We have done it both ways. (Base red rules)

Bandit: On wing motion, key the on side guard. If he steps away, play trap to sweep. (Base red rules)

Sam: Step up and play trap to sweep. (Base red rules)

Will: With wing motion toward you, execute a TB stunt. (Deep as deepest back.) Don't allow cheat back to reach you or guard to kick you out. Force the ball inside to the FS and the off corner.

Strong Corner: Follow motion. Check the junction point. With motion, bump coverage. Take the cheat back. The FS will not take the motion man. Fit up inside Will. He will be leveraging the ball to you.

Strong Safety: B gap to fold. Play trap to sweep.

Free Safety: Take the wing. If the ball is given to the wing, fill inside Will.

Weak Corner: Secondary support. Don't come up until ball has crossed the LOS. You must defend the play action pass.

Diag. 4, vs Speed Trap to Split End:

Stud: With wing motion, key the QB. You will see his face on this play. Explode up field. This will serve to search the QB on the speed trap. (Base red rules)

Tackle: Penetrate. Come back door.

Nose: Penetrate. Alignment serves to protect Sam.

End: Hold leverage vs base block.

Bandit: Follow red rules. When guard pulls away, play trap to sweep.

Sam: Step up and tackle the FB. The two 2 techniques serve to protect you. Match the FB's angle. (Base red rules)

Will: Run a TB stunt. Find ball when you see the wing doesn't have it.

Strong Corner: Chase motion. Check the junction point. If you see the ball handed, fall inside. Be certain!!

Strong Safety: B gap to fold. Play trap to sweep.

Free Safety: With no block on Will, look inside.

Weak Corner: Man to man on X. Cut off on a run away. Last man.