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Bill sent the following question:
What does it mean when someone says an under or an over defense? Most high schools run defenses that keep eight men in the box. What do you feel we can do to run effectively against this?
Hi Bill,
Normally when coaches refer to an "over" or "under" defense, they are talking about the movement of a defensive linemen so that you have more defensive linemen from the center to one side of the ball than you have on the other.
This alignment may be based on the formation of the offense, the wide side of the field, or a pre-determined defensive play that the defense desires to run based on the field position of the offense and the down-and-distance situation.
For an "under" defense, you would move one of your defensive tackles (the one on the side of the TE) to a position directly in front of the center, and then have a DT on the guard and a DE outside of the offensive tackle on the side away from the TE (called weak side).
An "over" defense will be just the opposite. You would move one of your defensive tackles (the one opposite the side of the TE) to a position directly in front of the center, and then have a DT on the guard and a DE lined up on the offensive tackle on the side of the TE (called strong side).
There are a few ways of attacking an eight-man front. One is using deception with good ball handling like you find in most Wing-T attacks. This holds the backers and gives you a chance to get outside as the backers may be tackling the RB carrying out the fake. You can also incorporate short trap blocking to give you an extra blocker at the point of attack if your players are advanced enough to trap block.
If you plan on using any of the varied ways to run the outside option play, this can help you in that you do not need to block one of the eight defenders (the defensive player you are going to read to determine the pitch or keep). Normally, you will not block the defender who is on the line opposite the side of your option play, so this type of play results in you only having to block six of the eight players on the front.
The third way is to install a lead back running game (I-formation or offset the FB to the play side so that he can lead straight ahead). By using a lead back to attack through the hole, you automatically create an extra gap that most defenses will not have counted on defending. The key is for the ball carrier to always be thinking about cutting off the block of the lead back. The LB will usually take a side on the lead back, the lead back should block him in that direction and the ball carrier must cut the other way. If you do not have a back that can lead block, you might consider moving one of your smaller guards back there to do the job.
I understand your question was about running versus an eight-man front, but sometimes you need to consider using the pass to open up the running lanes for you to attack.
With this thought, one way is split out two receivers and utilize to a short passing game (4-yard pass routes - hitch, slant or quick out), a QB three-step drop-and-throw, and an inside gap pass protection scheme.
With this style of passing, you can start by keeping the TE and both backs in, so that you have eight offensive blockers, allowing you to have maximum protection and the knowledge that the QB will have time to throw the ball.
This quick passing attack can be used until the defense team is forced to spread out over the field to give help to the defensive backs. Once the defense is forced into spreading their defensive personnel, you will find that running lanes, previously filled up with a defender, are now available for you to attack.
I hope this gives you some ideas.
Coach Tom Bass
Coach Tom Bass, the technical writer and advisor for USA Football, is a 30-year NFL coach who has also authored several books, including "Play Football the NFL Way" - the first "how to" book ever authorized and published by the NFL. Coach Bass is happy to personally autograph his books to you. Book ordering information can be found at http://www.coachbass.com/.
