So this year I will be running the 33SA with 6-8’s (Mostly 7+). It will be my first full year running it as we installed it late in the season last year. With that said, our league has very specific rules regarding how we must line up:
- Must line up head up on OL (no gaps)
- Cannot line up on center
- Must be in 3/4 pt stance between T’s
- DE/Outside Stacker must be head up or outside shade of TE (can use 2 pt stance).
- DE/Outside Stacker can line up where TE would normally be if moved out to slot.
- LBers cannot stack unless 3 yards off ball
- Anyone outside of DE/Outside Stacker must be three yards off the LOS.
With that said, I think the only things we will have to give up is the immediate pressure from the stacks, NT/MS, and the inability of the DOG to get right up on the line when blitzing/reading.
My plan is to run the 42 and 60 fronts in GUTS unless they prove that we need to back off. Which at this age group will probably not be a problem. I also figure that staying in 42/60 will allow me to develop some of the younger less experienced kids to be great DT’s.
Any thoughts or anything I might be missing with the rules.
—Brian
Being Capable, first begins with being Confident.
As much as I hate bastardized rules, regarding no Zero-Tech, nothing is lost defensively as long as the offense isn't allowed to run Wedge or QB Sneak. If they can't run there, it's one less gap you have to worry about defending. Advantage: You.
"DE/Outside Stacker must be head up or outside shade of TE (can use 2 pt stance)." --I don't know what constitutes an "outside shade." 6 inches? One yard? I like my DE/OLB at least 1 yard outside of the EMLOS. He's usually unreachable there, and if their EMLOS tries to reach him, we can send a LB through their C-Gap easily.
Requiring your D-Linemen to be head-up on a G or T makes it pretty easy to stunt with your LBs, especially if you tilt your defensive personnel towards a gap. Their O-Lineman will probably chase the tilt, opening a gap large enough for your LB to come through. Especially, if their O-Line isn't foot-to-foot (and who in the world even does that?)
--Dave
"The Greater the Teacher, the More Powerful the Player."
The Mission Statement: "I want to show any young man that he is far tougher than he thinks, that he can accomplish more than what he dreamed and that his work ethic will take him wherever he wants to go."
#BattleReady newhope
This Flex season is my first experience with mandatory defense rules. I have to say that I am not impressed. Many coaches simply ignore the rules. If they coach according to the rules, the players ignore them. The refs are absolutely clueless. I have to point out to the ref that they are in an illegal defense, which makes me feel like a whiner. Or, the ref argues with me and says, "He can line up anywhere he wants, coach."
Part of me thinks "shame on me" for not preparing my offense for these situations. Another part of me knows that I shouldn't have to waste practice time preparing for every way an opposing team will cheat.
Point is, run your D within he rules as you understand them and leave the interpretation up to the refs. That's their job.
I think you should have no problem going 42 and sending your guards into the A gaps. I have personal experience with stacking from up to 5 yards. It works better than you'd think. They will be trucking downhill with a full head of steam and it is a challenge for linemen to pick them up.
As for your Dogs . . . these rules make my head hurt. Are you required to have DE's? If not, line your DOGS up where ever you need to. If you MUST have a DE outside shade of the TE . . . I dunno, have him line up as wide as "outside shade" will allow, then play football. It will be tougher for him to cover the swings, bubbles and shallow flats, but if your league is determined to hancuff the defense without corresponding restrictions for offense . . .
The irony is that the brain trusts behind mandatory defenses probably use "getting them ready for 'real football'" as a justification.
When in doot . . . glass and oot.
As much as I hate bastardized rules, regarding no Zero-Tech, nothing is lost defensively as long as the offense isn't allowed to run Wedge
No QB sneaks through the G’s, but I have a feeling they will hate my wedge
Advantage: You.
--I don't know what constitutes an "outside shade. 6 inches?
Believe it’s worded head up or outside shoulder but I also believe that pertains to what they call a standard offensive set of TE to TE. Will need to get clarification, as a nasty split would be great if that’s where he has to line up
Requiring your D-Linemen to be head-up on a G or T makes it pretty easy to stunt with your LBs, especially if you tilt your defensive personnel towards a gap. Their O-Lineman will probably chase the tilt, opening a gap large enough for your LB to come through.
My hope is that we can stunt pretty effectively even with the 3 yard cushion. I’ve read some post where coaches think at the young ones it gives them a second to read downhill and not overshoot the play.
Especially, if their O-Line isn't foot-to-foot (and who in the world even does that?)
Ummmmm... We do!
--Dave
—Brian
Being Capable, first begins with being Confident.
I’m glad you mentioned stunting from 5 yards back as a plus since that was a major concern of mine. But that’s more a coaching aggression and pursuit than just giving them 5 yards.
As for the DOG alignment, you are not required to have a DE but anyone outside of the TE must be 3 yards if the ball. Which in its base formation is where we want DOGS anyway. So that should work.
My only thought and/or adjustment that is not in JJs manual would be to bring down the OS in a 9 tech against teams that are selling out to the sweep or pitches outside and just let the reaper and corners cover the C gaps. But that’s assuming we are getting beat bad outside by a jet or wide/deep sweeps.
—Brian
Being Capable, first begins with being Confident.
The irony is that the brain trusts behind mandatory defenses probably use "getting them ready for 'real football'" as a justification.
I doubt it. Probably the same as with all the other modifications: lack of practice time.
I’m glad you mentioned stunting from 5 yards back as a plus since that was a major concern of mine. But that’s more a coaching aggression and pursuit than just giving them 5 yards.
I'm a huge fan of stacking from depth ever since I ran that "Amoeba" zero front defense. It turned "meh" players into rock stars. O-lines had zero clue how to deal with 6 guys blitzing from depth.
As for the DOG alignment, you are not required to have a DE but anyone outside of the TE must be 3 yards if the ball. Which in its base formation is where we want DOGS anyway. So that should work.
I believe you are set at Dog. I'm also a fan of playing a force defender at depth. Wreaks havoc on FBs and pullers when their kick out refuses to show, shows up late, or isn't obvious.
My only thought and/or adjustment that is not in JJs manual would be to bring down the OS in a 9 tech against teams that are selling out to the sweep or pitches outside and just let the reaper and corners cover the C gaps. But that’s assuming we are getting beat bad outside by a jet or wide/deep sweeps.
I think it depends on your opponents. We see very few good off tackle teams, and every team we face lives and dies by the sweep. However, there's a UBSW team that would eat our lunch if we didn't play a traditional force.
—Brian
When in doot . . . glass and oot.
Latest Post: 2023 7th Grade Outlaws Our newest member: Johnnymop13 Recent Posts Unread Posts
