Defensive Formation & Terminology

This drill introduces the defensive formation and terminology used in JDL Football.

• • Coaches should ensure that defensive players always line up properly as described herein.

• None

Defensive Alignment:

D-Guards line up head on the offensive guard in 3 or 4-point stance.

• • • D-Tackles line up head on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle 3 or 4-point stance

    • D-Ends line up at least an arm’s length outside the offensive end in a-two point stance facing in to the quarterback

    • D-Guards line up head on the offensive guard in 3 or 4-point stance.

    • D-Tackles line up head on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle 3 or 4-point stance

    • Outside linebackers are 3 yards off the line of scrimmage and outside the defensive ends in a “football ready” stance, with hands out and weight on balls of feet 

    • Middle linebacker lines up directly over the Center, 3 yards off the line of scrimmage, “football ready”, with hands out and weight on balls of the feet

    • D-Backs line up just outside and about 2 yards behind the outside linebackers in a “football ready”, with hands out and weight on balls of the feet

Defensive player initial reactions.

• • D-Guards--3 or 4-point stance --stay low—move on ball movement--fire across the line of scrimmage, shed blocker while staying in their lanes—look for the ball carrier

  • D-Tackles--3 or 4-point stance -- stay low—move on ball movement-- fire across the line of scrimmage, shed blocker while staying in their lanes—look for the ball carrier

  • D-Ends—2-point stance up-right facing in to the ball--at the snap of the ball the defensive end immediately steps at least 3 strides straight into the backfield (the words “defensive ends box” describes this movement) and looks for the ball carrier. From the box position he can pursue the quarterback or running back. He should not knife (move directly toward the quarterback.)

  • Outside linebackers—football ready position with hands out—on the snap of the ball the linebackers step up into the spot of the defensive end (called filling the gap) and look for the ball

  • Middle linebacker-football ready position with hands out—on snap of the ball watches ball movement and closes on the ball/ball carrier.

  • D-Backs--football ready position with hands out—on snap of the ball, steps up into the outside linebackers spot looking for the ball and alert to receivers coming into his zone.