What's the mindset behind playing off of the receivers when quick passes are knocking off five yards a pop??? I'm no defensive coordinator, but it looks like there is little confidence in the db's. Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased with week one but o the joy to have the '99 defense with this offense!
Defensive Strategy
- Thread starter abcdefg
- Start date
Many defenses work on the basic principle of containment... or an "outside-in" focus. A defenses strength is focused in the middle of the field, not so much around the sidelines... so here are some things to think about:<div>
</div><div>1. Those outside throws... particularly the ones we give up (3-7 yards) are very tough throws to make for quarterbacks. They can't usually be lobbed, so that forces quarterbacks to make very hard, accurate throws. </div><div>2. These throws can (and a lot of times are) taken away with the pass rush. This is where the "outside-in" becomes important. Defenses want to focus the offense towards the middle of the field where most of the help is (safeties, linebackers, zone blitz... etc). In containing the pass, it is sometimes encouraged to give up tougher throws to ensure you can keep yards after the catch to a minimum (the basis of "prevent" and "zone" defenses), or strategically place the rush to take away throws that leave outside defenders particularly vulnerable. This concept is usually true along the sidelines in that 3-7 yard range.</div><div>3. Safeties are USUALLY not in a position to help on these throws. If you will notice, there were several 10+ yard throws we were able to take away because of the corner positioned on top and the safety in position to either make a hit or make a play on the ball. This option is a lot of times not there under 10 yards because there is no way safeties can make a play before the ball gets to the receiver.</div><div>4. With the previous point in mind, this forces corners to play almost in "no-man's-land." These outside throws are isolated throws and force corners to make plays by themselves. So if you were a coordinator, how would you instruct him to play? Play back and make sure he doesn't get yards after the catch (because if he breaks free down the sidelines, that USUALLY results in a big gain or score), or instruct him to try to make plays on the ball with the HOPES of making a play on it, but if not, potentially giving up a lot of yards? We have a strong, experienced defensive backfield, but I do not think we have the lock-down (they can probably lock down on receivers, but can they CONSISTENTLY defend the pass and keep the ball from going to these receivers? That is what I mean by "lock-down") corners to play a more aggressive strategy than we play. </div><div>
</div><div>It seems to me that although those throws seem to be ourAchillesheel, we choose to "play safe bets" on those throws by giving up the catch, but taking away yards after the catch by being in good position to make a clean tackle or force the receiver out of bounds. Now, if there is a bad throw and our corner is in a position to make a play on the ball, sure, let him have at it... but a lot of times, a quarterback is taught to make sure those throws miss away from defenders, so that is usually not an option. </div><div>
</div><div>*this is not the end-all, be-all... nor do I claim any expertise on our particular defensive strategies...these are simply my observations on these type plays.
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</div><div>1. Those outside throws... particularly the ones we give up (3-7 yards) are very tough throws to make for quarterbacks. They can't usually be lobbed, so that forces quarterbacks to make very hard, accurate throws. </div><div>2. These throws can (and a lot of times are) taken away with the pass rush. This is where the "outside-in" becomes important. Defenses want to focus the offense towards the middle of the field where most of the help is (safeties, linebackers, zone blitz... etc). In containing the pass, it is sometimes encouraged to give up tougher throws to ensure you can keep yards after the catch to a minimum (the basis of "prevent" and "zone" defenses), or strategically place the rush to take away throws that leave outside defenders particularly vulnerable. This concept is usually true along the sidelines in that 3-7 yard range.</div><div>3. Safeties are USUALLY not in a position to help on these throws. If you will notice, there were several 10+ yard throws we were able to take away because of the corner positioned on top and the safety in position to either make a hit or make a play on the ball. This option is a lot of times not there under 10 yards because there is no way safeties can make a play before the ball gets to the receiver.</div><div>4. With the previous point in mind, this forces corners to play almost in "no-man's-land." These outside throws are isolated throws and force corners to make plays by themselves. So if you were a coordinator, how would you instruct him to play? Play back and make sure he doesn't get yards after the catch (because if he breaks free down the sidelines, that USUALLY results in a big gain or score), or instruct him to try to make plays on the ball with the HOPES of making a play on it, but if not, potentially giving up a lot of yards? We have a strong, experienced defensive backfield, but I do not think we have the lock-down (they can probably lock down on receivers, but can they CONSISTENTLY defend the pass and keep the ball from going to these receivers? That is what I mean by "lock-down") corners to play a more aggressive strategy than we play. </div><div>
</div><div>It seems to me that although those throws seem to be ourAchillesheel, we choose to "play safe bets" on those throws by giving up the catch, but taking away yards after the catch by being in good position to make a clean tackle or force the receiver out of bounds. Now, if there is a bad throw and our corner is in a position to make a play on the ball, sure, let him have at it... but a lot of times, a quarterback is taught to make sure those throws miss away from defenders, so that is usually not an option. </div><div>
</div><div>*this is not the end-all, be-all... nor do I claim any expertise on our particular defensive strategies...these are simply my observations on these type plays.
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Personally, I never thought of it that way, but it makes sense. Another thing to note is that since we give up outside throws, it is a longer throw to make since the quarterback has to not only throw ~10 yards downfield, but to the sideline as well(unless they've rolled out). This give the secondary and linebackers time to react and move to the ball to make a play.
Do this early in the game, when Auburn is trying to establish the short game. Even better, have the CB play soft, and then the Safety move up to cut off the short out pass.
And all the different strategies, formations, and assignments vary on the play, the down, distance, and what kind of blitz (if any) the defense wants to bring. I guess I was speaking more of general strategy, but the conditions of the play itself or the type of defensive play can bring in help to take away those throws.
Great analysis. Most folks don't realize that most defenses cannot stop EVERYTHING an offense can do. A DC makes choices about what risks is he is/is not willing to take with his personnel and the other teams strengths and tendencies. I think you've hit the nail on the head re: State's basic defensive strategy.
From an offensive standpointyou can't come out & make those throws everytime because sooner or later one will be going to other way. Broomfield has taken a couple like that back - and should have taken one back against AU last year. Also, a bad throw can result in losing yards (the throw is behind the receiver or he bobbles it and ends up getting tackled behind the line of scrimmage).
So I think it just seems more aggravating that it really is. A team makes 4 or 5 of those throws, picks up a couple of first downs, and we begin to think there's no way we can stop it. But we forget later in the game when a pass drops at the receivers feet or he's run out of bounds after picking up 1 yard. There were times when Memphis missed on those passes & it put them in 3rd & long.</p>
So I think it just seems more aggravating that it really is. A team makes 4 or 5 of those throws, picks up a couple of first downs, and we begin to think there's no way we can stop it. But we forget later in the game when a pass drops at the receivers feet or he's run out of bounds after picking up 1 yard. There were times when Memphis missed on those passes & it put them in 3rd & long.</p>
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Both of these are examples of throws like we are talking about. A screen or throw in the flats usually doesn't cross the line of scrimmage (screen passes CAN'T cross the line of scrimmage or you would have a ****-ton of ineligible receivers downfield or illegal blocks downfield... or a combination of both). These are throws to the outer part of the field (at our outside the numbers) to receivers 3-7 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.
I think that you produce more interceptions in zone coverage because the QB may not realize wherea defender will come from. </p>