defenses at the youth level

Malcolm;

Last weekend I attended a clinic where I purchased a book by Rex Ryan, son of Buddy Ryan. On the subject of pass coverages in the 46 defense, here's what Coach Ryan (the alive one, not the dead one) had to say:

The most effective coverage scheme in the 46 is the man-free coverage, or what we call "single" [Cover one, man under, bump possible ~D.]. In theory, the man-free coverage scheme allows for a 5-man rush. However, practically speaking, the man-free scheme allows for either a 5-man 6-man, or 7-man rush without the need for a specific supplimental blitz call. In fact, versus a full 'max-protect' scheme, with the tight end and both backs staying in to block, the single scheme gives you an eight man pass rush. We find this simplicity much easier to install and perfect than traditional landmark zones [Three deep, four under zone based coverages ~D.].Page 115.

Coach Ryan elaborates further on page 128:

Given the need for multiple- yet SIMPLE [My caps. ~D.]- adjustments, the man-free scheme is not a soft, pass specific scheme. The man-free scheme can provide you with superior run support, particularly against tight formations exhibited by the Wing-T attack, Power-I, and Full House-T offense. In the case of facing tight formations, the man-free coverage scheme gives you far better run support than the chalkboard three-deep zone. The reason for this vastly improved run support from the single scheme is the quicker run read. The quicker run key results from the technique of the defender focusing on his receiver. If the receiver blocks, the defender gets an immediate run read, and is subsequently able to attack the line of scrimmage to provide run support. In a zone scheme, the defender is commonly taught to look into the offensive backfield for the quarterback's action. Against tight formations, particularly a decepting Wing-T attack [Don't forget the Double Wing! ~D.], the zone coverage defender's run support is usually slower than a man-coverage defender. Not only does the man-free scheme provide better run support against a tight formation, it actually is a MORE EFFECTIVE PASS DEFENSE AS WELL. WHENEVER A DEFENDER LOOKS SOLELY AT THE RECEIVER, INSTEAD OF THE BACKFIELD, HE AVOIDS THE POSIBILITY OF BEING MESMERIZED BY THE BACKFIELD ACTION AS A RECEIVER RUNS FREE BEHIND HIM. [Caps are my own ~D.]

Earlier in the book, Coach Ryan had this to say about zone pass coverages as taught by damn near everyone from peewee to pro:

Shown in diagram 9-1 [Picture shows a 46 defense against a split back "pro" offensive formation. Four linebackers are shown dropping to underneath zones: outside taking curl-to-flat inside taking hook-to-curl. Both corners and the free safety are dropping to deep 1/3s of the field. ~D.] , landmark drops result in the coverage personnel dropping to a field landmark. In the landmark drop philosophy, the cornerbacks, free safety, and underneath coverage personnel focus entirely on ball movement. DROPPING TO LANDMARKS HAS EXTREMELY LIMITED VALUE. WHILE THE CONCEPT IS EASILY ONE OF THE SIMPLEST TO COACH AND MASTER, THE PRINCIPLE OF DROPPING TO COVER THE FIELD INSTEAD OF THE RECEIVER PATTERNS IS EXTREMELY VULNERABLE TO A WELL-COACHED AND TALENTED QUARTERBACK AND RECEIVER CORPS. LANDMARK DROPS SURRENDER SUBSTANTIAL PASSING YARDAGE TO EVEN THE SIMPLEST OF PASSING ATTACKS. IN FACT, THE ONLY THING LANDMARK DROPS ARE GOOD FOR IS NOT GETTING BEAT DEEP. [Again, caps are my own ~D.] Page 88.

So, while I agree with you, and always have, that zone coverage has its uses, and I think Calande is dead-on when he says talent has to in part dictate your scheme, I'll trust Rex Ryan's thoughts on the ability of man-free coverage over zone defense.

Admittedly, Coach Ryan doesn't talk much about other forms of zone coverage, such as sky and inverts, but his opinion of the technique seems to be pretty clear, and since just about every coach in this forum that uses a zone-based scheme will also use landmark drops, their pass defenses will simply not be as effective as they could be.

The name of the book is "Coaching Football's 46 Defense". The authors are Rex Ryan and JeffWalker. ISBN is 158518234-6. Cover price is listed at $17.95, but I purchased it from www.coacheschoice.com , who had a booth at the clinic and were selling everything for 15% under cover. They should have the book if anyone is interested.

It has some rather complex stuff in it that I'm still digesting, although I've read it twice since I bought it last weekend. Took me about three hours to get through, and I think it could be simplified pretty easily for the youth level, although it IS much different than the DC-46.

~D.