Defending the middle of the field in pass defense can be honestly the most difficult to defend.
There are three factors that really make defending the middle of the necessary. Let me say when talking of the middle field area that has to be defended, this is an area typical between the hashes which in college is 40' wide and 5 yds. past the line of scrimmage to 20 yds in depth. So really we are talking about covering an area of about 2400 sq. ft.
To defend this critical area it consist of 3 facets of the defense to minimize success in this area of the field.
First, QB's make these throws typical from the comfort of the pocket, so the first facet is to collapse the pocket with interior pressure. Not allowing him to step up and disrupting the timing of these throws. I think this is why Coach Pruitt mention they needed more inside push from the interior DLine before the season started. He knows this is a critical part of stopping inside throws.
Secondly, LB's and DB's have to play with slightly inside technique , so that not allow the receiver to face across the defender. In other words not allowing the WR to be between the DB / LB and the ball on slant routes. If the route is deeper such as a post or seam routes with TE's or slot WRs the LB's have to redirect the WR out to the hashes and maintain inside leverage under the WR to make the throw much more difficult.
Lastly, Defending the middle of the it is absolutely critical that LBs get depth within the middle zone to make the window between the LBS and safeties very small. This is why running the football well makes play action passes so much more successful in the middle of the field. One false step up of a LB in play action pass, will usually equate to about 5 to 7 yds. of a WR or TE behind the LBs with that one false step.
I hope maybe this was interesting to some and just wanted to share some of my past coaching knowledge with you guys. I know a lot of people just look at the result of the play and dont always understand all the facets it takes to be successful within a play.
Go Vols!!! Beat the Cats!!!
There are three factors that really make defending the middle of the necessary. Let me say when talking of the middle field area that has to be defended, this is an area typical between the hashes which in college is 40' wide and 5 yds. past the line of scrimmage to 20 yds in depth. So really we are talking about covering an area of about 2400 sq. ft.
To defend this critical area it consist of 3 facets of the defense to minimize success in this area of the field.
First, QB's make these throws typical from the comfort of the pocket, so the first facet is to collapse the pocket with interior pressure. Not allowing him to step up and disrupting the timing of these throws. I think this is why Coach Pruitt mention they needed more inside push from the interior DLine before the season started. He knows this is a critical part of stopping inside throws.
Secondly, LB's and DB's have to play with slightly inside technique , so that not allow the receiver to face across the defender. In other words not allowing the WR to be between the DB / LB and the ball on slant routes. If the route is deeper such as a post or seam routes with TE's or slot WRs the LB's have to redirect the WR out to the hashes and maintain inside leverage under the WR to make the throw much more difficult.
Lastly, Defending the middle of the it is absolutely critical that LBs get depth within the middle zone to make the window between the LBS and safeties very small. This is why running the football well makes play action passes so much more successful in the middle of the field. One false step up of a LB in play action pass, will usually equate to about 5 to 7 yds. of a WR or TE behind the LBs with that one false step.
I hope maybe this was interesting to some and just wanted to share some of my past coaching knowledge with you guys. I know a lot of people just look at the result of the play and dont always understand all the facets it takes to be successful within a play.
Go Vols!!! Beat the Cats!!!
Last edited:
