Eagle and Stack Defense by Vanderlinden

Football’s Eagle & Stack Defense by Ron Vanderlinden

Eagle Defense

• Used Primarily vs 2 backs to stop the run• Basic alignment vs Pro Set

– Eagle Family/Pod • Rush End (R), Eagle Tackle (T), Eagle LB (E), and Strong Safety (SS) align to the call

– R = 7 or 5 tech; T=3 tech; E= 30 tech

– Bubble Family/Pod• Defense End (DE), NT (NT), Inside Linebacker (B), and Sam LB (S) align opposite the call

– DE = 5; NT= 1 tech; B=30 tech; S=9 tech

– FS aligns to the wide side or strength when in MOF– CB alignment strategy not specified. Could be

• Field/boundary• Left/right• Eagle pod/bubble pod

X

DE N T

FSS E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

2 x 1 Eagle to Field


Coverages• 3 zone coverages are used primarily (non-blitz or pressure)

– 3 deep with 4 under (Cover 3)– 2 deep with 5 under (Cover 2 and 7)

• Cover 7 has the SS playing the curl with the FS and the CB away from the call as the half players. Sam is the flat player away from the call

• Cover 2 has the SS and FS as the half players

– Quarter-Quarter-Half deep with 4 under (Cover 4 and 5)• Cover 5 has the SS playing the curl/flat to the call side with the FS and C as quarter players.

– SS aligns over detached #2– CB and FS play with inside leverage and align 8-10 yards– Boundary CB aligns 10-12 near the hash– Sam “walks” vs a detached #1

• Cover 4 has Sam playing the curl/flat to the call side with FS and C as quarter players.– Sam aligns over detached #2– Field CB and FS play same as Cover 5– Can play SS near LOS like Cover 2 Invert w/ CB ½ player - called “cheated half” or align traditional with SS as deep half player

X

DENT

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Cover 5 Cover 4

Cover 7 Cover 2

X

DE N T

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B


Setting the Front

• 5 Calls are used to set the front.• The Eagle family goes to the call and the Bubble family goes opposite

– Field sets the Eagle family to the field

– Short set the Eagle family to the boundary

– Strong sets the Eagle family to the passing strength

– Weak sets the Eagle family away from the passing strength

– Split sets the Eagle family away from the Tight End

• Coordinating Coverages– Coverages are called separately

– Odd numbered coverags (3, 5, 7 are used when the FS and SS are aligned to the passing strength)

– Even number coverages (2 and 4) are used when the FS and SS are opposite each other


Fronts and Recommended Coverage Calls

• Field Eagle 5 – Sets Eagle to field regardless of formation - good for zone blitz– Utilizes boundary as additional defender

X

DE N T

FSS E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B


Fronts and Coverage Calls

• Strong Eagle Cover 3– Recommended when in the middle of the field as a replacement for Field Eagle 5 because of better

coverage away from the Eagle

• Strong Eagle Cover 5 – Best for matching numbers to the offensive’s passing strength regardless of position on the field

X

DE N T

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Strong Cover 5

Strong Cover 3


Fronts and Recommended Coverage Calls

• Short Eagle Cover 4– Eagle family set into the boundary with ¼ - ¼ - ½ coverage– Can play “cheated half” on short side to get another defender in/near the box.– Good for zone blitz regardless of offensive formation

• Short Eagle Cover 2– Eagle family set into the boundary with 2 deep coverage

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

BShort Cover 4

Short Cover 2X

DENT

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

cheated half


Fronts and Coverages

• Weak Eagle Cover 4– Set Eagle away from passing strength– Assured of ¼ - ¼ - ½ in the middle-of-the-field

• Weak Eagle Cover 2

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

BWeak Cover 4

Weak Cover 2X

DENT

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

cheated half


Fronts and Coverages

• Split calls require a dual call because you can not predict where the eagle is going– Even coverage when SS goes opposite passing strength– Odd coverage when SS goes to passing strength– Allows defense to always align Sam to TE side

• Split Eagle 4-3– Conservative call

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Split Cover 4

Split Cover 3



• Split Eagle Cover 4-5– Provides ¼ - ¼ - ½ coverage making sure TE is covered by Sam

X

DENT

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DE N T

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Cover 4

Cover 5


Front and Coverage Calls

• Split Eagle Cover 4-7– Provides good run support– Plays hard corner vs twins (passing strength away from TE) and quarters to TE when TE is to

passing strength.

X

DE N T

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Cover 4

Cover 7

X

DENT

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B



• Split Eagle Cover 2-7– Assures Cover 2 and provides good underneath pass coverage

X

DE N T

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Cover 2

Cover 7

X

DENT

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B


Summary of Fronts and Coverages

Call Front Coverage

Field Eagle to Field 5

Strong Eagle to Passing Strength 5 or 3

Short Eagle to Boundary 4 or 2

Weak Eagle Away from Passing Strength 4 or 2

Split Eagle Away from TE 4-3, 4-5, 4-7, 2-7


Common Alignments vs 21 Personnel with Passing Strength to Field

X

DE N T

FSS E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DE N T

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Field Eagle 5Strong Eagle 5

Field Eagle 5Strong Eagle 5Split Eagle 5

Split Eagle 5Short Eagle 5Weak Eagle 5

Short Eagle 4Weak Eagle 4

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Pro Set to Field Twins to Field

cheated half


Common Alignments vs 21 Personnel with Passing Strength to the Boundary• Preferred Adjustment is to check to Cover 3, especially in passing situations• Prefers Cover 3 whenever SS is placed into the boundary• OK to stay in quarters to the boundary in running situations

X

DENT

FS

SER

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DE N T

FS

S E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Short Eagle 4 or check 3Strong Eagle 5 or check 3

Field Eagle 5 or check 3Weak Eagle 5 or check 3

Split Eagle 5 or check 3Field Eagle 5 or check 3Weak Eagle 5 or check 3

Short Eagle 4 or check 3Strong Eagle 3Split Eagle 4 or check 3

X

DENT

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DE N T

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Pro Set into Boundary Twins into Boundary


Adjustments for 2x2 Formations

Check Cover 3• Defend 4 verticals by collisioning with overhangs and having LB drop with depth down the weak seam• If Sam is to the TE side

– Can play him in a walk position, shifting the DE into a 7 tech and the NT into a 2i on the guard, especially in passing situations - this is a “wide” call

– Keep them in their regular positions (9-5-1 techs) when anticipating run• Vs Detached 2x2 check Cover 3 with no special adjustment by Sam

X

DE N T

FS

S E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Short 4 check 3Weak 4 check 3

Field 5 check 3Strong 5 check 3Split 5 or 7 check 3


Adjustments for Trips 3x1 with 11 and 10 Personnel• Prefers Cover 3

– Underneath coverage should “flood” the underneath zones by dropping to strong flat, strong curl, strong hook and weak curl/flat.• Vs TE Trips to the Eagle defense should check to a 4-3 Over Cover 3 (Stack Cover 3)

– Rush End becomes a 9 tech, Eagle LB goes to a 50 tech, LB goes to a 10 tech• Vs Open Trips to the Eagle, the eagle LB must widen out near #3 while still maintaining his run fit

– If the Eagle LB widens more than 3 yards past the Rush End, he should make a “G” to the Eagle tackle so he loops into A gap. Now the Eagle LB’s run fit is B gap which is closer to him

• Vs TE Trips and Trip Open away from the Eagle, the FS will become the low safety and the SS will become the deep middle safety – Unclear if Eagle LB should widen and call a “G” to send the Eagle Tackle inside

X

DE N T

FS

S ER

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Field Eagle 5 check 3Strong Eagle 5 check 3

Short Eagle 4 check 3Weak Eagle 4 check 3Split Eagle 4 check 3

X

DENT

FSSE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DE N T

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Field Eagle 5 check 3Strong Eagle 5 check 3Split Eagle 5 check 3

Weak Eagle 4 check 3Short Eagle 4 check 3


Adjustments for 3x1 10 Personnel with Passing Strength into the Boundary

• Automatic check to cover 3

• Eagle LB should widen vs single WR and make a “G” call to the Eagle Tackle

X

DENT

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DE N T

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DE N T

FS

S E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Field Eagle 5 check 3Weak Eagle 4 check 3Split Eagle 4 check 3

Short Eagle 5 check 3Strong Eagle 5 check 3

Short Eagle 5 check 3Strong Eagle 4 check 3Weak Eagle 4 check 3Split Eagle 5 check 3

Field Eagle 5 check 3Strong Eagle 4 check 3Weak Eagle 4 check 3

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

“G”


Adjustment to 22 Personnel

• Prefers “loaded” coverages (cover 5 and 4)– Strong Eagle 5 – Weak Eagle 4 (SS free to blitz off edge)

• Can check cover 3 with passing strength into the boundary

DENT

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

BDE N T

FS

S

E

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Field Eagle 5Strong Eagle 5

Short Eagle 5Weak Eagle 5Split Eagle 5


Stack Defenses: 4-4-3 and 4-3-4

• Two Types– Stack 4-4-3

– Stack 4-3-4

• General Alignment and Placement Rules– Automatic Tight call

• Rush End and Eagle Tackle go to the TE side• Eagle LB always goes to field; strength in MOF


Stack 4-4-3• Alignment

– Rush End: 6, 7, or 9 tech based upon preference– Eagle Tackle: 3 tech– NT: 1 technique (shade on center)– Defensive End: 5 technique– Eagle LB: 30 tech to field– LB: 30 tech to boundary

• Sam: 80 tech vs no TE; 9 tech vs TE• Coverages

– Cover 3 Sky (SS as 80 tech to field)• Can rotate to Cover 3 from 2 deep shell

– Cover 7 vs Twins

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Stack 3 Stack 3 check 7

X

DE N T

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B


Stack 4-4-3 Adjustments vs 2x2 with 11 Personnel

• If Twins to field– SS makes “I’m gone” call telling the LB that he is out of the box for run support.– Eagle and LB slide to the twins but are responsible for the same gaps

• If Twins to boundary– SS aligns near TE and makes a “box” call alerting the LBs that he is in the box and has C gap on run– LB makes an “Over” call which slides the Eagle and LB toward the twins– Sam aligns on the #2 receiver

X

DE N T

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B“I’m Gone”

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

“Box” “Over”

Twins to Field Twins to Boundary



• TE Trips– SS makes a “I’m gone” call and aligns over #2– Eagle and LB slide to trips– Flood drop (Strong flat, curl and hook, weak curl/flat) by underneath players

• Open Trips– SS makes an “I’m gone” call and aligns over #2– Eagle LB widens up to 5 yards outside DE and still has B gap on run. He can make a “Fin” call which

sends the DE into the B gap– LB slides to weak A gap– Flood Drop

X

DENT

FS

SER

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DE N T

FS

SER

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

“I’m Gone” “I’m Gone”


Stack 4-4-3 Adjustments vs 22 Personnel

• SS aligns 2 yards off the TE and makes a “Box” call to alert the LB that he is in the box and has C gap

• Eagle and LB align over the guards

• NT aligns as a 2i tech (inside shade of the guard)

• Cover 3

DENT

FS

SER

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Double TE Flanker


Stack 4-3-4• Alignment

– Rush End: 6, 7, or 9 tech based upon preference– Eagle Tackle: 3 tech– NT: 1 technique (shade on center)– Defensive End: 5 technique– Eagle LB: 50 or 30 tech to field or strength when in MOF– Inside LB: 10 tech– Sam: 50 or 30 tech to boundary or away from strengths when in MOF– FS aligns to field or strength when in MOF– SS aligns to boundary or away from strength when in MOF

• Base Coverages– Cover 44 (quarters)

• Play match-up underneath• Safeties force puts 9 in run support• CB play inside leverage to help protect post route off play-action

– Cover 2• CB are force

– Cover 3

Stack 44

X

DENT

FS

SER

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B


Stack 4-3-4 vs 21 Personnel

• Cover 44 – The Eagle LB will widen outside the box but will still be responsible for the B gap – Can play cover 2 on the single TE side that is into the boundary– If Twins are into the boundary, the preferred check is cover 3

• Cover 2– The Eagle LB will widen outside the boxbut will still be responsible for the B gap– If Twins are into the boundary, the preferred check is cover 3

X

DE N T

FS

SER

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DE N T

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Stack 44

Stack 2

Stack 2

Stack 44

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B


Stack 4-3-4 vs 2x2 with 11 Personnel

• Cover 2

• Cover 44

• The Eagle or Sam LB needs to widen outside the box to help with any twin formation to the field. He is still responsible for the B gap but can send the DE or R into the B gap with a “Fin” call (gap exchange) as it is easier to cover C gap.

X

DE N T

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Cover 44

Cover 2Cover 44

Cover 2

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DE N T

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B



• Cover 3 and flood underneath zones– SS rolls to align on #2 – Vs a detached #3 strong or #1 weak, the LB needs to widen for support but still play their assigned gap (C

or B)– Allows for more players in the box– Flood cannot cover weak hook and weak flat; call flood off if this is a problem

X

DENT

FS

SER

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DE N T

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Cover 3 Cover 3



• Cover 44 – Weak safety can “cheat” and cover #3 on any vertical route while weak CB plays #1 man on everything except crossing routes;

Sam covers the back if he releases weak

• Cover 2– Weak safety can “cheat” and cover #3 on any vertical route while weak CB plays #1 man on everything except crossing routes;

Sam covers the back if he releases weak

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DE N T

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DENT

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

X

DE N T

FS

SE

R

QB

C

H

C

TB

SS

Z

B

Cover 44 Cheat

Cover 44 Cheat Cover 2 Cheat

Cover 2 Cheat


Adding Stack to Eagle Defense

• Advantages Adding Stack 4-3-4 to the Eagle– Better vs Spread than Eagle

• Balanced formation vs spread (2x2) makes it easier to play 2 safeties• Easier to play Cover 2/4 and combinations• More 3X1 coverage options (3, 2 cheat, 4 cheat)

– Rush End is in 9 tech• Generate better pass rush as a 9 tech

– More separation from OT for speed rush– Easy for TE to slam the 7 tech before releasing

• Adds alley player vs TE trips compared to the 7 tech in an Eagle Cover 3

– Better zone blitz options w/ 3 LB

• Advantages of Adding Eagle to a Stack Defense– Better suited vs 22 Personnel

• Strong Eagle 5 puts both the SS and FS to the strong-side• Weak Eagle 4 puts SS on the weak edge for blitzing

Documents

Eagle and Stack Defense by Vanderlinden