Short Yardage and Goal Line Defense

Installing the Bear into the 3-4 Defense

1. Bear Cover 0
2. Bear Strong Cover 0
3. Bear Weak Cover 0
4. 11 or 22i Tight Cover 0
5. 33 Nose Cover 0

When playing any of the following defenses in short yardage or goal line situations the defensive line will adjust their stances to get their shoulder pads underneath the pad level of the offensive linemen, this technique will be known as “Root Hog”. Once again, any time a defense is in this situation the defensive front can’t allow an offensive lineman to control pad level by getting underneath the defender.

Defense Called: Bear Cover “O”

 

Tight Safety 9 Technique;	Listen for right or left call and then align as a wide 9 technique. Contain with run to and chase with run away. With chase technique look for bootleg, reverse, zone cutback. Contain any trap your side.;
Callside Tackle 3 Technique	Callside 3 technique has “B” gap responsibility. Split the crotch with inside foot. Wrong arm any trap your side. Run away collapse and play through back door.
Nose 3 Technique	Backside 3 technique has “B” gap responsibility. Split the crotch with inside foot. Wrong arm any trap your side. Run away collapse and play through back door.
Backside Tackle 5 Technique	Backside 5 technique has “C” gap responsibility. Split the crotch with inside foot. Wrong arm any trap your side. Run away collapse and play through back door.
Sam 6i Technique	Align as a 6i technique with the outside foot splitting the crotch of the tight end, you hace “C” gap responsibility. Key near hip of tackle. Wrong arm any trap to you and chase vs run away. Play coverage called. Play in a 2 point stance.
Mike Linebacker	Align in a stack position behind the Will Linebacker who has dropped down as a “O” technique on the center. Play coverage called.
Will Linebacker 0 Technique	Align head up on the center playing in a 3 point stance. React to block with playside “A” gap responsibility. Don’t get reached, mirror step the center. Pass rush alley is nose on the quarterback.
Rover	Align 3 yards outside the backside tackle if no tight end, align at same depth as the Mike Linebacker. Contain with run to and play coverage called. Contain any trap or kick out.
Callside Strong Corner	Play coverage called, you have number one yourside. Alignment is dictated by the athletic ability of the receiver and defender.
Open Safety	Play cover called, responsibility dictated by coverage and formation.
Backside Weak Corner	Play coverage called, you have number one yourside. Alignment is dictated by the athletic ability of the receiver and defender.

Defense Called: Bear Cover “O”

Tight Safety 9 Technique;	Listen for right or left call and then align as a wide 9 technique. Contain with run to and chase with run away. With chase technique look for bootleg, reverse, zone cutback. Contain any trap your side.
Callside Tackle 3 Technique	Callside 3 technique has “B” gap responsibility. Split the crotch with inside foot. Wrong arm any trap your side. Run away collapse and play through back door.
Nose 3 Technique	Backside 3 technique has “B” gap responsibility. Split the crotch with inside foot. Wrong arm any trap your side. Run away collapse and play through back door.
Backside Tackle 5 Technique	Backside 5 technique has “C” gap responsibility. Split the crotch with inside foot. Wrong arm any trap your side. Run away collapse and play through back door.
Sam 6i Technique	Align as a 7 technique with the outside foot splitting the crotch of the tight end, you hace “C” gap responsibility. Key near hip of tackle. Wrong arm any trap to you and chase vs run away. Play coverage called. Play in a 2 point stance.
Mike Linebacker	Align in a stack position behind the Will Linebacker who has dropped down as a “O” technique on the center. Play coverage called.
Will Linebacker 1 Technique	Align as a callside 1 technique on the center playing in a 3 point stance. React to block with playside “A” gap responsibility. Don’t get reached, mirror step the center. Pass rush alley is nose on the quarterback.
Rover	Align as a backside 7 technique vs double tight ends. You have outside contain with ball to yoou and Chase on ball away.
Callside Strong Corner	Play coverage called, you have number one yourside. Alignment is dictated by the athletic ability of the receiver and defender.
Open Safety	Play cover called, responsibility dictated by coverage and formation.
Backside Weak Corner	Play coverage called, you have number one yourside. Alignment is dictated by the athletic ability of the receiver and defender.

Defense Called: Bear Weak Cover “O0”

Tight Safety 9 Technique;	Listen for right or left call and then align as a wide 9 technique. Contain with run to and chase with run away. With chase technique look for bootleg, reverse, zone cutback. Contain any trap your side.
Sam 6i Technique	Callside 6i technique has “C” gap responsibility. Split the crotch of the tight end with outside foot. key tackle and Wrong arm any trap your side. Run away collapse and play through back door.
Callside Tackle 3 Technique	Callside 3 technique has “B” gap responsibility. Split the crotch with inside foot. Wrong arm any trap your side. Run away collapse and play through back door.
Nose Backside 3 Technique	Backside 3 technique has “B” gap responsibility. Split the crotch with inside foot. Wrong arm any trap your side. Run away collapse and play through back door.
Backside Tackle 5 Technique	Backside 5 technique has “C” gap responsibility. Split the crotch OT with inside foot. Wrong arm any trap your side. Run away collapse and play through back door.
Rover 7 Technique	Align as a 7 technique with the outside foot splitting the crotch of the tight end, you hace “C” gap responsibility. Key near hip of tackle. Wrong arm any trap to you and chase vs run away. Play coverage called. Play in a 2 point stance.
Mike Linebacker	Align in Callside “A” gap and dog, don’t allow any backs to cross your face with out making contact.
Will Linebacker 1 Technique	Align as a backside1 technique on the center playing in a 3 point stance. React to block with playside “A” gap responsibility. Don’t get reached, mirror step the center. Pass rush alley is nose on the quarterback.
Strong Corner	Play man on the number one receiver, don’t let him inside and look for the fade to be thrown. Alignment is dictated by the athletic ability of the receiver and defender.
Open Safety	You have man caverage on the number two receiver yourside.
Weak Corner	Play man on the number one receiver, don’t let him inside and look for the fade to be thrown. Alignment is dictated by the athletic ability of the receiver and defender.

Goal Line: 22i Tight Cover “5”

Tight Safety 7 Technique;	Listen for right or left call and then align as a wide 7 technique. Contain with run to and chase with run away. With chase technique look for bootleg, reverse, zone cutback. Contain any trap your side.
Sam 5 Technique	Callside 5 technique has “C” gap responsibility. Split the crotch with inside foot. Wrong arm any trap your side. Run away collapse and play through back door.
Frontside End and Nose 2i Technique	Frontside Tackle and Nose 2i technique has “A” gap responsibility. Split the crotch of guard with outside foot. Wrong arm any trap your side. Run away collapse and play through back door.
Backside End 5 Technique	Backside 5 technique has “C” gap responsibility. Split the crotch with inside foot. Wrong arm any trap your side. Run away collapse and play through back door.
Rover 7 Technique	Align as a 7 technique with the inside foot splitting the crotch of the tight end, you have outside responsibility. Use contain technique on any kickout or trap to you and chase vs run away. Play coverage called. Play in a 2 point stance.
Mike Linebacker	Alignment depth determined by yards needed by offense. React to block with playside “B” gap responsibility. Check counter with run away. Spy near back watch for screens, draws and flare passes.
Will Linebacker	Alignment depth determined by yards needed by offense. React to block with playside “B” gap responsibility. Check counter with run away. Spy near back watch for screens, draws and flare passes.
Strong Corner	Play Man coverage called, you have number two yourside. Alignment is dictated by the athletic ability of the receiver and defender.
Open Safety	Play cover called, responsibility dictated by coverage and formation.
Weak Corner	Play coverage called, you have number one yourside. Alignment is dictated by the athletic ability of the receiver and defender.

 

About the Author of this post:

Jerry Campbell has over 30 years of high school and college coaching experience. He has experience as a head coach, offensive coordinator, and various position coaches. He has written numerous football coaching articles in various publications, is the author of over 30 books on coaching football, and has produced 12 coaching video series. Additionally, he is a nationally sought after speaker on the coaching clinic circuit.