Hello coach how are you? My team plays 7v7 flag, our team needs some help on D. Our team has a mix of some smart football people and some... well not so much. Also for the most part we lack speed. Would you suggest man or zone an if zone what kind of formation? Any help will be very much appreciated.
Thanks for your questions. Most importantly, any defense will benefit from
increased pressure on the QB. So, whatever your strategy, laser in on "How can
we get the most pressure on the QB?"
If speed (or lack thereof) is the main concern with your team, consider making
your swiftest, most agile players rush the QB. This seems counter-intuitive, I
know. Usually those guys will play shutdown Corner. But the advantage is clear
- if your rush gets to the QB earlier, then your defenders have to cover for
less time. Shrinking the time of each play will make it easier to mount a real
defense, and it will disrupt your opposing Offense's timing, rhythm, and
confidence.
To complement this philosophy, consider using Zone coverage with the right
people in the right positions. With smart, slow people, Linebacker and Safety
are usually the best fit. With quick, not-so-bright people, Cornerback and
Defensive Line are good fits. So make sure your roster is aligned to your
strategy before you implement it.
As far as formations, it depends on what you're seeing from opposing offenses.
If you're playing Man coverage, line up head up and rush as many people as they
have in the backfield (including the QB). You'll always get pressure like that.
If you're playing Zone, try to conceal your coverage by rolling defenders into
their positions post-snap. You can practice this outside of the game by setting
cones at the drop points, and having players get that muscle memory of where and how quickly to race to the center of their zone. Disgusing zones can be a big
competitive advantage, but you have to drill it. It's very tough to just throw
that into the middle of a game without having worked on it.
I don't know your players' strengths and weaknesses, but I hope you've found some value in these ideas. Keep us posted on your progress!
Does your team have the same problem? Share your suggestions in the comments box or via Twitter @MyCoachArt, or on Facebook on the "Winning Flag Football" page.
increased pressure on the QB. So, whatever your strategy, laser in on "How can
we get the most pressure on the QB?"
If speed (or lack thereof) is the main concern with your team, consider making
your swiftest, most agile players rush the QB. This seems counter-intuitive, I
know. Usually those guys will play shutdown Corner. But the advantage is clear
- if your rush gets to the QB earlier, then your defenders have to cover for
less time. Shrinking the time of each play will make it easier to mount a real
defense, and it will disrupt your opposing Offense's timing, rhythm, and
confidence.
To complement this philosophy, consider using Zone coverage with the right
people in the right positions. With smart, slow people, Linebacker and Safety
are usually the best fit. With quick, not-so-bright people, Cornerback and
Defensive Line are good fits. So make sure your roster is aligned to your
strategy before you implement it.
As far as formations, it depends on what you're seeing from opposing offenses.
If you're playing Man coverage, line up head up and rush as many people as they
have in the backfield (including the QB). You'll always get pressure like that.
If you're playing Zone, try to conceal your coverage by rolling defenders into
their positions post-snap. You can practice this outside of the game by setting
cones at the drop points, and having players get that muscle memory of where and how quickly to race to the center of their zone. Disgusing zones can be a big
competitive advantage, but you have to drill it. It's very tough to just throw
that into the middle of a game without having worked on it.
I don't know your players' strengths and weaknesses, but I hope you've found some value in these ideas. Keep us posted on your progress!
Does your team have the same problem? Share your suggestions in the comments box or via Twitter @MyCoachArt, or on Facebook on the "Winning Flag Football" page.
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