Defense

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Todd Auer, Defensive Coordinator, Western Colorado uses practice video to explain his systematic tackling progression that builds from basic fundamentals to more complex techniques. Throughout all drills, Coach stresses the importance of proper eye discipline, avoiding excessive “hugging,” maintaining proper leverage, and executing with power and proper technique. His entire ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Josh Christian-Young, DB Coach, Houston, shows multiple examples from both rugby (showing the same techniques without helmets) and the team’s spring practices to illustrate each tackling method, emphasizing player safety while maintaining tackling effectiveness. You can check out his entire Glazier Drive presentation on their Tackling Techniques on Glazier ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Why manipulate gaps? Shane Dierking, DC/DB Coach of 2024 DIII National Champions North Central College (IL), believes: 10 Personnel: Relieve Stress on Conflict Players, Eliminate Easy Access Throws 11 Personnel: Can play zone coverages you want (Multiplicity), while being gap sound (Especially with Y Off) Make Offense React Post-Snap: QB RPO Reads, OL ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. This in-depth coaching tutorial from JJ Clark, Defensive Coordinator at UTEP, breaks down the critical details of some of their defensive pass drop techniques for linebackers and defensive backs. Coach Clark provides a comprehensive breakdown of how defenders should move.  For more information on: Comprehensive LB Pass Game Fundamentals. See ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Matt Mitchell, the Outside Linebackers Coach at Wisconsin shows practice film of some of their tackling techniques and drills.  The video focuses on how they teach their techniques, particularly emphasizing the “same foot, same shoulder” principle and leveraging body position. He breaks down tackling into several phases and ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Nick Pelham, Head Coach, White Knoll HS (SC), has several reasons that he likes to change between even and odd front on passing downs. Among his reasons are: The opponent must prepare to protect against even and odd fronts It allows you to take advantage of matchups Better for simulated pressures Allows you ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. North Central College’s run to the national championship run wasn’t just about talent – it was about solving the most challenging offensive formations in modern football. In this exclusive breakdown, Defensive Coordinator  Shane Dierking reveals the exact adjustments and techniques that neutralized the increasingly popular 10 Trips ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. The difference between winning and losing often comes down to third down, and having a pressure package that consistently creates chaos is essential for defensive success. In this video, we break down a devastating 3rd down pressure call – the Wide Iso Siccum Hot  to consistently ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Defensive line stunts can be the difference between a stagnant pass rush and one that consistently disrupts the backfield. In this comprehensive breakdown, Colorado D-Line Coach Chuka Ndule explores a series of coordinated D-line movements designed to create confusion among offensive line combinations while maintaining gap ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Bill Brechin, Defensive Coordinator, Miami (OH) holds the following beliefs about block destruction: It is a necessary technique to eliminate space between the tackler and the ball carrier. Reduce field space Play north and south Eliminate big plays Improve your tackling This video segment is from Coach Brechin’s Glazier Drive talk on DB Block Destruction ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. One of the drawbacks to the 4-3 is that it is static and that you are placing guys in gaps.  Offenses feel like they know where defenders will be.  They know where the big gap bubble is.  One of the reasons you need to get into ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Every successful defense is built on a foundation of consistent, well-executed team drills that develop both individual skills and group cohesion. In this video, Kasey Smith, Defensive Coordinator, Gainesville HS, GA shares five essential defensive drills that top programs rely on daily to build championship-caliber defenses – ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Skyler Cassity, Defensive Coordinator at North Texas, teaches Cover 3 as a complete vision coverage.  They do not look at routes, they read the quarterback’s shoulders and eyes and aim to make him throw into tighter windows. The video below was recorded when Coach Cassity was the DC at ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Adaptability is one key to shutting down complex offensive schemes. The FAST system—Force, Attack, Slam, Track—provides coaches with an easy to teach approach to run fits that can neutralize even the most dynamic multi-formation offenses Donald Davis, Head Coach, Mount Saint Joseph HS (MD), presents his system on Glazier ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. In this comprehensive video, Josh Christian-Young (DB Coach at Houston) breaks down five essential drills that will transform your safeties and ensure your Cover 2 scheme performs exactly as designed. The video includes practice film that illustrates the Houston Cover 2 philosophy, rules, and drills they use to ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. The most critical moment in tackling happens during the strike phase, where defenders can dictate the outcome by altering the ball carrier’s physical shape and momentum. In this video, UTEP DC JJ Clark breaks down proven techniques and practical drills that teach defenders to dominate this crucial ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Skyler Cassity, the Defensive Coordinator at North Texas, discusses his approach to implementing field pressure packages, emphasizing the importance of evaluating the offensive line, understanding protection schemes, and adapting to keep the offense off balance. Coach Cassity includes multiple game examples and focuses on the technical aspects ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Every championship defense is built on linebackers who can read and react with lightning speed. This proven drill from seven-time State Champion Coach Brian Nix of Alcoa HS (TN) has transformed hesitant players into confident playmakers. Through years of refining this technique at the high school level, ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Every defensive coordinator is searching for that perfect coverage to shut down modern offenses, but sometimes the answer lies in mastering a single, versatile alignment. In this coach’s clinic, we break down a game-changing Cover 1 alignment that can transform your defense. In our video, Clayton Carlin, ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Every defensive coordinator knows the sleepless nights that come with preparing for a well-executed Flex Bone offense. In this comprehensive breakdown, we’ll explore the critical gap control adjustments that will help your defense dominate the Flex Bone, turning a potential nightmare into a defensive masterclass. Greg Jones, ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Master the art of championship-caliber tackling with exclusive insights from Ferris State’s dominant defense that helped power them to three national titles in four years. In this video, we’ll explore the “Five Fights” system that has helped their defensive unit become an unstoppable force. You will see ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Tired of having trouble defending? Split field coverage is the game-changing defensive scheme that’s helping coaches shut down 2×2 formations at every level of football. In this breakdown, Coach Jason Bornn (HC, Saugus HS in California) explores the fundamentals, techniques, and strategic advantages that make split field ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Are you tired of watching your defense miss crucial tackles and give up big plays? These 7 elite near-shoulder drills will transform your spill defense, ensuring your players make consistent, bone-crushing stops that leave opponents reeling. The clinician is Spencer Leno, Defensive Coordinator, Massillon Washington High School ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Hard Cover 2 success hinges on your cornerbacks mastering the essential details and adjustments to react quickly. In this comprehensive guide, we’re breaking down five advanced EDDs (Essential Daily Drills) that will transform your corners into shutdown defenders who excel in Hard Cover 2 schemes. Coach David ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Eric Panasci, Defensive Coordinator at Springfield Central HS (MA) is a strong believer in blitzing with a purpose.  Some of his reasons to blitz are to attack the opponent’s schemes or tendencies, exploit a weakness in specific individuals, attack a blocking scheme, or attack protections. In the video below, ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Kenneth Gilstrap, Defensive Backs Coach, at UAB, believes that the jam in press coverage is over-coached and that the cut-off technique is under-coached in the leverage phase.  His philosophy is that the leverage phase of press coverage should be worked the most. The video that is included ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Aaron Brady, Assistant Coach at Ursinus College, shows some of his defensive line stunts, which create instant chaos, penetrate offensive lines, and confuse the Offensive line using his pinch and angle stunts. His entire 3-4 Okie Attack Defense System is only available on Glazier Drive. Stunts in the 3-4 Okie ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Ryan Hodges, Defensive Coordinator, Ferris State takes you through their base defense, which he calls 6-1, and how they defend runs against a 2 x 2 look.  The video shows game footage that Coach Hodges uses to discuss their responsibilities and alignments. Developing a Base Identity on ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Do your defensive backs know how to break up a pass if they are not in a position to make an interception? And can they get the PBU without getting called for pass interference? Northwestern Defensive Backs Coach Harlon Barnett has a drill he uses to teach ...

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog. Modern offenses have become increasingly sophisticated in their alignment strategies, using tight, compressed formations to create uncertainty and exploit defensive vulnerabilities. This video breaks down the critical techniques and strategic adjustments that will empower 3-4 defense coaches to anticipate, react, and shut down these challenging offensive formations. The ...