The 4-2-5 Study: Case 1

The Front Six Defenders – Keeping the Core

By Mike Kuchar

Senior Research Manager,

X&O Labs

Researchers’ Note: Once you finish reading Case 1 of this study, we would like for you to answer 5 survey questions.  The link to the survey questions are below.  The feedback you provide will go a long way to helping us provide you better research.  Thank you.

In this case study of our 4-2-5 special report, X&O Labs will present the various ways that the coaches that we spoke with utilize the front four in the 4-2-5 defense.  It’s important to note this is NOT a technique oriented report – you can find all you need on this topic by reading X&O Labs defensive line researcher Mickey Mays report on defensive line play (located in our Special Reports section).  Instead, this report is a synopsis of various pre-snap and post-snap movements by defensive lineman in the 4-2-5 scheme.

It’s a fact that 68.5 percent of coaches that run the 4-2-5 scheme call their front separate from their coverage.  This means that while the strength call for the front four may be in one direction, the coverage strength (which is usually predicated on the passing strength) could be called opposite.   An example could be a pro/slot set (Diagram 1).  While the strength of the front may be called to the tight end, the coverage strength would be set to the twin receiver side, it is the side with the most eligible receivers.

We’ll start our research with two ways to make a formation call and two ways to make a field and boundary call.

Tight Call: 3-technique aligns to the side of the tight end (Diagram 2).  Our research found 81.9 percent of coaches prefer to set their front this way.

Split Call: 3-technique aligns away from the side of the tight end (Diagram 3).

Field Call: 3- technique aligns to the wide side of the field (Diagram 4).  Our research found that 18 percent of coaches prefer to set their front this way.

Boundary Call: 3-technique aligns to the boundary side of the field (Diagram 5).

Note:  Any “G” call would tell the Nose Guard will line up on the inside shade of the Guard.

2i Technique vs. a Shade Nose

Using the “G” front is synonymous with 4-2-5 defenses.  Perhaps Bud Foster, the defensive coordinator at Virginia Tech, put the “G” technique on the map with some of the studs he had playing that position in Blacksburg.  While the Hokies made a living by using the 2i technique, not all 4-2-5 coaches use it.  When X&O Labs inquired about how and when to use the 2i technique instead of a shade on the Center, our research found that 67.8 percent play with a 2i technique while 37 percent will use a 2i technique with a strong weak side run tendency.

For Chuck Clemens, the defensive line coach at the University of Central Missouri, the use of the 2i technique proved advantageous in a number of ways.  “It gave the nose guard a much better leveraged position vs. the chip block with the center and guard on weak side run plays (Diagram 6),” said Clemens.   “In a shade technique, he could be fighting the Center, while the Guard is able to knock him on the angle and still get to the second level linebacker.

“The Center is always going to spend time on him, so now we can play aggressive on the inside shoulder of the guard in any zone schemes and if the Guard climbs we should be able to take the B gap and have the backer exchange gaps with us by playing the A gap (Diagram 7).”

“When we played with the shade technique, we’d get the true double team and the linebacker would stick his head in the B gap and get blocked.  “The Center would wind up overtaking our shade technique because he didn’t have a good leveraged position on him (Diagram 8). That 2i technique also gives the Nose a cleaner shot on the back block and pull by the guard on power (Diagram 9).  It gives him leverage to slam that Center on the back block rather than getting pushed up field.   The hardest thing we do as coaches is tell that Nose to switch from a 2i to a shade technique.  He should have to learn one spot so that the Guard only has one choice on combination double teams or gap double teams.

7-Technique vs. a 6-Technique Strong Side Defensive End

We all know the importance of a strong side defensive end in any four-down defensive front, but where that end aligns can differ based on the coach.   Based on our research, 45.2 percent of coaches play their weak side defensive end in a 7-tech on the tight end, including Virginia Tech.  For clarification purposes, a 7-technique defensive end aligns on the inside shade of the tight end (Diagram 10).  Dan Redding, the defensive line coach for perennial NCAA Division II powerhouse Carson-Newman College, strongly believes in the importance of changing up the alignment of his 7-technique in his four down front.  “We will play him heavy on the tight end, then have him move to inside number and even put him on the inside edge,” says Redding.  “We want to make the tight end think, keep him guessing.  It can depend on offensive scheme or game situation.”

The 4-2-5 Study: Case 2 

Question and Answer Session 

By Mike Kuchar

Senior Research Manager

X&O Labs

When we first compiled our research on the 4-2-5 defense, you (our readers) had specific questions. So we provided specific answers by going right to the source, selecting three of the more prominent coaches that run the scheme (all of whom you asked us to contact).  Mike Kuchar, X&O Labs’ Senior Research Manager, spoke exclusively with each of these coaches, asking them YOUR questions – their responses are below.  Our goal was to get a FBS coach, an FCS coach and a D-II coach.

Meet the Coaches Interviewed:

Bud Foster (BF): Regarded as one of the top defensive minds in the game, Bud Foster enters his 26th season at Virginia Tech. The 2006 Broyles Award winner has helped mold nationally ranked defenses on a yearly basis during his 17 years as a coordinator.  Foster, who was a finalist three previous times (1999, 2001, 2005) for the award given to the nation’s top assistant football coach, has gained a well-deserved reputation as one of the nation’s most respected defensive coaches.

Mickey Matthews (MM):During his 13 seasons, Mickey Matthews has firmly established James Madison University football among the nation’s leading Football Championship Subdivision programs. While becoming the winningest coach in JMU football history, he has led the Dukes to an NCAA championship (2004) and to five other playoff appearances (1999, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011).  Matthews three times has been National Coach of the Year (1999 Eddie Robinson Award by The Sports Network; American Football Coaches’ 2004 award; 2008 Robinson Award and an award by Liberty Mutual) and was Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in 1999 and CAA Coach of the Year in 2008.

Chris Brown (CB):  Chris Brown enters his second season as head coach of Fort Hays State in 2012. Brown came to Fort Hays State from Washburn University, where he served as the defensive coordinator and defensive secondary coach from 2002-2010 and assistant head coach in 2010.  Before coming to Hays, Brown helped Washburn compile a 62-41 record in his nine-year span with the program, which included two NCAA playoff appearances and two bowl wins. In his time at Washburn, Brown coached the 2009 and 2006 MIAA Most Valuable Defensive Players and guided two players selected in the NFL Draft (defensive tackle Trey Lewis – 6th round 2007, and cornerback Cary Williams – 7th round 2008). Brown also coached six All-Americans, 20 all-region and 41 All-MIAA selections at Washburn. His defense led the MIAA in turnovers gained in three of his final four seasons there, including a school record-tying 23 interceptions in 2007.Brown learned the scheme from sitting down with Jerry Kill, now the head coach at the University of Minnesota and with studying what Bud Foster was doing at Virginia Tech University.  And to take it a step further, Brown is a three-time All-American at Free Safety in the 4-2-5 defense as a collegian at Pittsburg State University.

Questions & Answers: 

Mike Kuchar (MK):  What has changed most in the 4-2-5 defense today from when it was a 4-4 defense?  How has it progressed?

Bud Foster, Defensive Coordinator, Virginia Tech.

Bud Foster (BF):  We’ve gone around and around with this.  The Whip position (Field Safety) has become more of a hybrid for us.  The Rover (Boundary Safety) and Free Safety haven’t changed a lot for us.  We’re playing more with a true safety type guy. We’d like him to be physical enough to force the end run, but with the way offenses are designed now, you can play some man coverage with him and not put up a “red flag” by changing personnel and brining it a Nickel package.  This way, you’re always playing with a Nickel package.  Offenses now just spread you around and match up.  Those outside backer/safety players are most important. 

Mickey Matthews (MM):  We went from a 4-3 to a 4-2-5 because of all the one-back sets we’re encountering now.  It’s easier to adjust with a 4-2-5 than a 4-3.  If you’re in a 4-3, one of your outside backers must become an adjuster, so it ends up being a 4-2-5 anyway against spread sets. 

Chris Brown (CB):  The game on offense has changed; it went from a ‘ground and pound’ philosophy to more of a pass happy game.  Now we have smaller, outside linebackers/safety types that play that position.  Years ago, those players were true rush linebackers with hardly no coverage responsibility.  Now these guys are safeties that can still play man-to-man coverage, play half field coverage and set the edge in the run game. 

MK:  Describe the personnel types of your three safeties.

BF:  When we recruit our Whip’s (Field Safety) those are a variety of skill sets.  We look for guys that can run and have some toughness because you want them to be able to blitz and force the run.  You’re looking for a big safety or a running back in high school because those are your better athletes.   We’d even look for QB’s because those are some of your smarter players and better athletes.  We’ve even had receivers in the past play that position for us.  We spill everything to them, so they need to be open-field players and have the ability to cover people in space.  Our Free Safety is a flat foot reader and alley player.  He must carry number two in the seam as well as play the Drag and Dig routes.  He needs to also be a factor in the run game.  We try to have one more defender than they have a blocker.  Our free hitter must be the Rover, Whip or Free Safety.

Mickey Matthews, Head Coach, James Madison University

The 4-2-5 Study: Case 3

Formation Adjustments and Split Field Coverages

By Mike Kuchar

Senior Research Manager

X&O Labs

Researchers’ Note:  Before reading any further a simple clarification must be made.  When referring to the 4-2-5 defense, we are referring to the PERSONNEL on the field, NOT the structure.  The 4-2-5 defense consists of four defensive lineman, two linebackers, two cornerbacks and three safeties.  Below you will see some examples of two-safety defenses, one-safety defenses and no-safety defenses, which we’ve found could be employed by using 4-2-5 personnel. 

Like most defensive structures, there are a myriad amount of coverage’s that a coordinator can play behind it, but we’ve found that to be successful coaches must subscribe to the “less in more” theory – get good at a doing a few things right (or playing only a few coverage’s).   Typically speaking, those that consistently use the 4-2-5 structure implement the following coverage’s on a weekly basis.  Because these coverage’s independently can be the subject of its own special report, we’ve decided just to give a brief overview and description of each before going into more depth later in the report.

Robber Coverage

Description:

Split safety coverage where both sides of the coverage relies on a “cheat half” principle by the corner, who will play a half-field principle.  The strong safety plays number two to the flat while the free safety handles number two vertical and “robs” the threat of number one on a curl route.   This is known as Cover 2 in Virginia Tech’s system.

Strengths:

• With the addition of the Free Safety, the ability to place up to nine defenders in the box against the run game.
• Direct support to the strong side flat with the presence of the strong safety.
• Good against short passing game such as the strong side hook to curl area because of the presence of the free safety.
• Excellent adjustment vs. Trey (Pro Trips) or Trio (Trips Open)

Weaknesses:

• Cornerbacks can be left one-on-one on an island with wide receivers.
• Weak side of coverage is vulnerable to flat area because strong safety is opposite.
• Vulnerable against double width (two wide sets) because of strong safety is opposite, weak side inside linebacker will need to have coverage responsibilities (which we detail later).

Base Rules:

• CBs: Play a “cheat halves” technique to your side. Our research found that 79 percent of coaches play their corners 1×7 (one yard inside, seven yards off) of the number one receiver.   They will be responsible for any deep post or vertical route of number one.  On the snap, flip hips to middle of the field and get on hash.  In in some systems we found, this player will play more of read principle and will handle the out route of any number two receiver, this includes the “wheel route” which 45.1 percent of the coaches we surveyed agreed that it was the best way to play it.  This will be detailed later in the report.

• Strong Safety: This player will play the flat responsibility or “swing deep of number three” meaning the out route of the number three receiver.  Our studies have shown that the majority of coaches (42.4 percent) align this player 4×4 (four yards outside and four yards deep) off the tight end.  Although some coaches train this player to handle ALL flat routes, in some coverages we found, he has his corner handle any flat breaking routes of number two with his strong safety playing all flat breaking routes of three.

• Weak Safety: This player will be responsible for the flat area if there are two backs in the backfield and no number two to his side.  If there is a number two to his side, most coaches will lock this safety man-to-man on number two, which can be a glaring weakness in this coverage.

• Free Safety: In “Robber Coverage” this player will handle the threat of number two vertical.  If he doesn’t have number two vertical, he helps the corner “rob” number one.  We’ve found that the majority of coaches choose to have him line up “inside the frame” of the number two receiver and play 10 yards deep.

• Strong side LB: This inside backer is the linebacker to the Robber side or the “read side” of coverage.  His job primarily is to match the vertical threat of number three and becomes the middle dropper.

• Weak Side LB: This insider backer is the linebacker to the weak side or the “away side” of coverage.  His job primarily is to match the vertical threat of number two, which can be an instant problem area in coverage, particularly in the play-action game.

To see the actual teach tape that Virginia Tech uses to install Robber coverages against various formations, click on the link below.

Video 1:

The 4-2-5 Study: Case 4

4-2-5 Pressure Packages

By Mike Kuchar

Senior Research Manager

X&O Labs

Now, we’ll start to explore perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the 4-2-5 defense (or any defense for that matter) the pressure package.  We’ve found that many 4-2-5 coaches will devise their blitz scheme around both offensive personnel and formation.  Some of these coaches check blitzes based on formation (such as the Tiger Cat package below) where some used “run as called” pressures, meaning the blitz does get run regardless of what the offense comes out in.

When we conducted our research on the 4-2-5 blitz package we found some interesting data on what formations coaches like to pressure and which players they like to pressure with.  The concluding data shows that (these are all majority numbers).

• 38.6 percent of coaches use five man pressures in their blitz package – playing a three deep, three under coverage principle behind it.
• 36.7 percent of coaches will blitz the weak side inside LB more than anyone else in the defense.
• 34 percent will pressure two man surfaces (just a guard and tackle) more than any other offensive formation or place on the field (this includes field side blitzes and strong side blitzes)

We will present all of the variations of these blitzes in this report.

Three Under/Three Deep Pressures

Since this is the most popular blitz package of the coaches we surveyed, we’ll start here.  What better way to start than to analyze the Virginia Tech Hokies blitz package?  The way the Hokies classify their three deep/three under blitz packages are by field and boundary pressures.  But, before we get into who is blitzing, we should give a brief explanation of three-deep, three-under coverage before detailing the blitz.

We know as coaches that you must teach the coverage first, before dialing up the blitz.  This can be a common mistake in installation, particularly if coaches get trigger-happy (and this can happen) by dialing up all the variants of a zone pressure package.  

It is important to note below that these coverage players could be anyone, which is why it’s essential to teach the coverage behind the blitz first so that players understand the “concept” behind their coverage.  Of course, different coaches have different terminology behind their coverages, so our intent here is to provide you with a general rule for each of these coverage players.

Zone Pressure Coverage Responsibilities:

Deep Thirds Player: These two players, usually the corners, are responsible for (not surprisingly) the deep third of the field.  They can start from a press alignment and “bail out” pre-snap or can start in a regular off alignment (1×7 yards) off number one receiver.   This player can also be a safety on a corner blitz (which is shown below).  This player must handle and out-breaking routes, which can be an effective throw against zone pressures, as well as any sail routes down the hash.  They would not be responsible for post routes.

Middle Thirds Player: This player is responsible for the post-area of the defense.  He must be the “center fielder” of the defense and be able to leverage any seam routes down the middle of the field.  He has to make sure to stay deeper than the deepest of any vertical routes.  He can start in a two-deep rotation, but must end up as the middle thirds player once the ball is snapped.

Hot to 2 Players: These two players, most commonly referred to as “SCIFF” players, are responsible for Collisioning the Seam routes, Getting under the Curl routes, and Driving through the Flat routes.  Realistically, they are responsible for handling the number two receiver post-snap and must wall off any crossers.

Hot to 3 Player: This player is responsible for the number three receiver post-snap.  He will open up to the three-receiver side post snap, but end up matching the final number three which will usually be the running back in spread formations.

Zone Blitz Techniques

Before we detail the blitz, there are several specific techniques that must be explained, particularly used by the first level defenders or the defensive line.  Of course, it’s easy to draw up any blitz on paper, but it’s imperative that coaches explain the technique their players need to use to execute the blitz successfully.

Long Whip: This is used by a defensive lineman to the side of the blitz where he needs to get two gaps inside on the snap of the ball.  Usually, he’ll read the adjacent hip of the defensive lineman in the gap he’s aiming for.  If that hip comes at him, which means the gap is closed, he’ll redirect into the next open gap (Diagram 1).  If that adjacent lineman’s hip goes away, he continues to penetrate the intended gap (Diagram 2).  

• Pinch: This is simply a one-gap stunt to the side of the blitz.  Coaches will differ on whether they want a lateral or flat step used by the defensive lineman on the stunt.  Either way, it’s his job to get into the next adjacent gap (Diagram 3). 

• RAC (Rip across Center): This is mainly used by a defender to the side of the blitz whose job it is to get across the Center’s face to the opposite side of the blitz.  Sometimes it’s necessary to take a more lateral step as to not get knocked off course.  We’ve spoken to coaches who will monitor which way the Center sets because he is often the key in the slide protection scheme.  If the Center turns toward him, he will cross his face (Diagram 4) with usually a rip move.  If the Center steps away, the defender may stay on track in his gap (Diagram 5).  

• Loop: This technique is used by a defensive lineman to the side away from the blitz who is responsible for contain if pass develops.  This player must work to get depth post-snap to ensure the proper angle on contain.  If this is a Nose Guard, he will usually cheat to a 2i technique or a 3-technique can commonly get there from his original alignment (Diagram 6).  

• DL on Hot to 2 Player: This may be self-explanatory, but any first level defender that is responsible for coverage in zone pressure schemes MUST play run first by getting his run read first off the key he is on, which is the offensive lineman he is aligned on.  If that defender gives a run read, there is no reason for the DL to execute his pass responsibility, instead he should continue on his run technique (Diagram 7). 

Field Pressures

Whip Dog (Diagram 8)