Zac Alley: Communication key on defense
West Virginia defensive coordinator Zac Alley believes helmet communication is a key tool on the defensive side of the football.
In practice, Alley has several of the linebackers wearing the technology in order to get them prepared in case they are required to do it in a game.
“So they get used to hearing me in their head so if they have to go in the game, it’s not the first time they’ve heard me yelling at them,” he said.
The coordinator tries to focus his communication with the defenders on what he is seeing on the field in order to help them. That includes the running back getting out, setting high to low, and setting the front to the field or the boundary.
“Some anticipation. I relay the call sometimes that way but we signal because we’re going fast and the corner needs the call as much as the MIKE linebacker does,” he said.
The communication aspect is critical for Alley as admittedly nothing drives him crazier than when he tells the linebackers to communicate something and it doesn’t occur.
“I’m trying to help you from the sideline. I can see it. That’s a big deal with me is the communication with both sides. The linebackers at the end of the day they’re responsible for getting everybody lined up,” Alley said.
And the communication piece can certainly help in that department.
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