This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.
Looking for a way to improve how you defend 5 wide spread? Coach Will Christian of Lebanon High School (MO), has developed a system that allows them to keep the ball in front of them, play outside WRs physically, and be sound in the screen game.
The video below is a portion of how Lebanon defends 5 wide spread with a team that has a quarterback who is a running threat.
It comes from Coach Christian’s Glazier Drive video: Using 3 High Safety Concepts to Defend the 5 Wide Spread Offense out of a 3-4 Defense, Part 2
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Why / Purpose for Lebanon
- Not a Man coverage program (not a good fit).
- Allows us to keep the deep ball in front of us.
- Allows us to play the outside WR’s physically.
- Allows us to play the screen game soundly.
- Allows us a lot of stemming ability to mix up looks and attempt to confuse both the pre snap and post snap read.
- We are capable of running 4-7 looks from this concept.
- We want to make the windows as small as possible but commit one extra hat to the QB.
- We will commit 5 to the box and spill vs QB run scheme 3×2.
Practice Keys
- Install and practice beginning in June (don’t wait until game week).
- Break down into pods (Run fits / Pass Rush / Coverage).
- Incorporate half field for route execution.
- Daily work on scramble drill (adding a hat from the box into coverage).
- Prepare using tempo.
- Tackling drills should simulate fits from this scheme.
- Perimeter fit drills.