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Welcome to the official website of the Muslim Football
League.
Tackle Football Optimized Zone Defense (10 on 10)
Most backyard football is played in a 10 vs 10 format.
I will assume this in the description of this defensive scheme. Over
the years, here is the defense that covers most offensive schemes.
INTRO: Defense is the best
part about football. Everyone loves offense and wants to be a "star",
but it's defense that wins championships, and defense that wins Mud and
Slush Bowls. If you don't love defense, please EXIT
now!
In backyard tackle football, it is extremely crucial that
everyone swarms to the ball. Why? If the first person misses the tackle,
or can
only hold him up for a second, the others have to "clean him up" (meaning
tackle him hard and bring him down). Defense in backyard tackle football
is very loose and not an exact science. There is a lot of
room to screw
up. It is more difficult depending on teh rules you play with. I am assuming
that you play, ten yards gained anyway will yield a first down. You may
play with unlimited QB sneaks, limited, or none.
Defense:
In this scheme, the cornerbacks (CB) are playing short zone coverage.
While the safeties (S) are playing deep zone. The linebackers (L)
in this situation are extremely crucial and are playing a modified
zone. The defensive line (X) is rushing the QB. Rush like mad!
In this scheme, everyone's role is as important as everyone
else's. Everyone has to know what to do in each situation. Especially
in backyard football. It's not about speed, size and strength, it's about
efficient tackling. You have to getthe guy down as soon as possible.
One or two missed tackles can result in a touchdown. You have to know
who to cover and when? Read to find out.
Corners:
Corners have to guard the short zone. That means if the wide receiver
is in the zone, cover him. If a motion comes to your side, cover it.
If the quarterback decides to sneak to your side, cover him. Your job
is to contain the QB if he likes to take off running. Cut off the outside
of the field, go as lateral as possible and force him back inside.
If the RB is running to your side, cut off teh outside as well. Force
him back in, where your teammates can getto him. It's a very difficult
job, but stay short and stay on your side. If
the WR
you
are covering
goes to the middle, leave him for the linebackers. If your player goes
deep, let the safeties deal with him.
D-Line:
If you want 3 D-line, take one of the linebackers (L) and move him up.
Rush the QB like mad. The linebackers (L) may also line up with you
and
pretend
to rush,
but
will ultmately
drop
back
to cover
the
QB,
RB,
TE or any lineman that release for a pass (assuming your rules allow
lineman to go out). The linebackers may blitz, consult with safety
and other linebackers. The linebacker may also line up as a lineman
and rush the QB on every down. Use stunts and trick plays to screw
up teh
offensive
line.
There
is no reason why the offensive line should be able to stop good defensive
line and linebacker stunts. You should pressure the QB on every down.
If the QB is right handed, rush him from your left side,
force him to roll out to his left. It will be very difficult for him
to throw accurately running this way. If he throws left handed, rush
him from the opposite side.
Switch the D-line players often if you have subs. Their
job is tiring, and
having
fresh
legs
is wonderful.
Every
two downs, is optimal for subbing D-line players. Being fast and fresh
is the key. No O-line or QB will be able to take this type of punishing
pressure down after down. Let them get tired, not you.
Linebacker:
As linebackers your jobs should be divided up properly. You are responsble
for the QB, RB, TE, and any lineman that go out (if your rules allow
it). You have to cover teh middle of teh field. Roll to the right when
the QB does, and cut off all running lanes. If the RB is running to
your
side,
you
got
the
inside
track
on him, while the CBs will try to keep him from bouncing outside. In
backyard football, the QB may run,
and if
no one is watching, the QB will get a lot of yards on you. The Linebacker
will also have to pick up offensive linemen that go out for a pass.
If the TE goes out, a linebacker has to go with him, until he gets
into another zone. If the TE goes deep middle, leave him for safeties.
If he fades to a side or does an out, let the short CBs get him. If
he stays around the middle, he is all yours.
Danger: The QB may fake
a run out to one side, drawing the linebacker with him, and then an offensive
lineman releases for a pass on the other side.
The
safety will have to be watching this, and run up to make the play.
Linebackers and safeties have to know their positions, coordinate and
talk to each
other. The game will be won or lost by the play of the Linebackers and
Safety. Safety:
The Safeties in this coverage have to cover deep routes. The CBs will
cover short routes out in the flats, while the linebackers cover short
middle, RBs, TEs, and QBs. The safeties have to cover deep. If a wide
receiver is getting open deep, the safety on that side covers. Never
let an
player
get
behind you. Keep them all in front of you. Watch the QBs eyes to know
where he is looking. If the QB goes for a run, don't bite hard until
he crosses the line of scrimmage and is committed to running. Then
go after him. If an offensive lineman goes out, the linebacker will
cover him short, while teh safety picks him up deep. If the linebacker
sees a nice blitz opportunity, he can tell a cornerback to
blitz, while
he picks up the slack. If a corner blitzes, the linebacker covers
the
now open wide receiver short, and safety covers him deep. Can a safety
blitz? Sure, because he is the extra guy, but be careful in zone.
Let the other safety know, so he can watch both sides.
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