Bullets Four Front Defense

Aaron Kunz
kunz@wcusd15.org

Overview of Clinic Talk

(Installing the 4-4/4-2-5)

Introduction
Base Defense Positions
Overview of D-Line and Linebacker Play
Base Defense Fronts and Stunts
Cover 3
Defending 2x2 and 3x1 with Base Cover 3 and
other 1 high safety looks

Influences 4-4 and 4-2-5 Defense

Mainly High School Coaches
Tommy Buzzo Liberty Virginia
The Attack 4 4 Defense Series (3 videos)

Neal Taylor Sacred Heart Griffin Springfield IL

Jim Huffman New Berlin High School IL

College Influences
Brian Collins C.W. Post

Introduction Aaron Kunz

Graduated New Berlin High School Home of
the Pretzels
Went to Eastern Illinois University. Math Ed
and Phys Ed
Taught 1 year at New Berlin Coached Football
under Jeff Harres for 2 years
Next year I headed to Williamsville.

Introduction Aaron Kunz

Williamsville - for the past 17 years.
Advanced Mathematics Teacher
Pre-Calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus

Coaching at Williamsville
1 year as freshmen coach and helped the varsity
defense
3 years as Varsity Assistant. 1 year as defense
assistant and 2 years as the Offensive
Coordinator.

Introduction Aaron Kunz

Previous head coach Paul Jenkins started the
football program at Williamsville in 1971
In 2001, I met his daughter, Liz, and she was a
college student at ISU.
2 years later we were married and I was named the
head football coach at Williamsville High School.
2003 - Head Coach, Offensive and Defensive
Coordinator (1-8)
2004 - 2005 Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator
(14-6)

Introduction Aaron Kunz

2006-2013 Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator
(69-20)
2014 - 2015 Head Coach (18-6)
2003-2014 (102-40)
11 playoff appearances
5 conference championships
4 quarterfinal appearances
1 Runner Up

Two Kids
Seth (10)
Elyse (5)

Introduction Williamsville
Bullets
Growing school district that is made up of two
communities north of Springfield Sherman and
Williamsville.
Started at Williamsville we had about 375 (2A)
students. This past year enrollment was about 475
(3A).
Affluent community with pretty much great support.
Majority of students and players work hard and are
great kids.

Introduction Williamsville
Bullets
Started the program there were 37 total players (6
seniors, 8 Juniors, 17 sophomores, 6 freshmen)
Success and growing enrollment has really helped
numbers. In 2014 we had our highest numbers at 84
total players (18, 11, 21, 34)
Next year we are looking to have close to 90 out.
Our best players will play both ways. Normally QB
does not. With lineman if they do play both ways we
try to get them breathers of the time on 1 side of the
ball.

Introduction Williamsville
Bullets
If a player is a two way player, no special
teams.
Running backs normally split time between
two backs throughout the season.
Offense spread no huddle. We try to go fast.
Use a wristband and code words.
Defense multiple 4 front

Introduction Williamsville
Bullets
Offensive Coaches
Adam Ibbotson
Coordinator and QB coach
Trevor Compardo
Receivers and Special
Teams
Robbi Howard Offensive
Line and Strength Coach
Kody Kirkpatrick
Freshmen Offensive
Coordinator

Defensive Coaches
Josh Patrick Coordinator
and Linebackers
Adam Kershaw Defensive
Line
Aaron Kunz Dbacks
Will Peters Freshmen and
Helps with Outside
Linebackers once the
freshmen season ends.

Bullet Defensive Techniques

Outside Shades (Odd Numbers)
9

Head Up Techniques (Even Numbers)

4

Inside Shades (Where it gets a little weird)

7

4i

2i

2i

4i

Bullet Defensive History

1999 2002 (Assistant Coach)
Split 6 Defense primarily
15 23 Overall record
25 Points per game allowed

2003 2008
5-2 Monster Base Defense (Very Multiple)
32- 27 Overall record (1-4 playoff record)
20.1 Points per game

Bullet Defensive History

2009
4-4 Defense(Under)/5-2 Monster (Over)
92: Co-Conference Champs
11.3 Points per game allowed

Bullet Defensive History

2010 2014 (44-1 in conference 56-6 overall)
4-4 Defense/Bear Front/4-2-5 vs Spread Pass
56-6
44-1 in conference play
4 Conference Championships
4 Quarterfinal Appearances
1 Class 3A Runner Up
QF Loss Points Given up: 13, 16, 10, 38
In this 5 year stretch 38 only time in 30s. Only gave up
more than 20 or more 6 times in 62 games)
8.6 Points per game allowed (many given up by JV)
In 2012 8 of 11 games were shutouts and we allowed 2.9
points per game

Bullet Defensive History

2015 (5-5)
Lost more starters on defense then we in any
other year in my tenure as coach.
Two small classes back to back
Weight Room that year
New defense was going to struggle early
Gave Up 21 points in first half Week 1 game
Gave Up 27.6 points per game
As bad as it was we were still in every game.

Bullet Defensive Principals

Front four multiple (Stem and Stunt)
Very simple/ Gap control
No confused players = faster players
Easy to adjust to multiple offenses

Strong side and weak side players

Players get a great deal of reps in familiar
technique

Bend dont break not a huge blitzing team

Stress Great Communication
Majority zone coverage with some man

Bullet Defense Positions

Strong Side

Tackle: Inside lineman

End: Outside lineman
Mike: Inside linebacker
Sam: Outside linebacker

Weak Side

Nose: Inside Lineman

Anchor: Outside lineman
Will: Inside linebacker
Rover: Outside linebacker

Defensive backs do not have strength

Right corner, Left corner, Free safety

Base Defense (Over)

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Tackle
Normally a 3 tech (over front)
Sometimes a 2i tech (under front)
Anchor of Defense Sometimes best dlinemen. Often Biggest. Hole Plugger.
Must be able to take on double teams, fight off
base blocks and down blocks.
Often takes on inside trap.
Maintain Gap Responsibility

Nose
Normally 2i tech (Over)
Also 3 tech (Under)
Doesnt have to take on many inside traps
More Explosive (Quicker) of the Interior
Lineman
VS Spread Teams we sometimes use
undersized quick penetrator at nose
More of a penetrator (if gameplan calls for
that)

End

Often a 7 tech player

Bigger Stronger of our Ends
Must Play Heavy
Often Fights Down Blocks from TE, Base Blocks
from Tackle or Double Team from Both

Anchor
Normally 5 tech
Will often play at stab technique ghost 7
tech just outside the reach of the offensive
tackle.
Faster of the two ends.
Plays more aggressive
The 2014 Anchor is all time sack leader with
20.5 in career. Had 11.5 his senior season.

Mike

Normally aligned in a 20 I tech (over)

Also align in 30 tech (under)
Calls the Offenses Strength
Reads strong side guard to backfield
Heavier of Inside Backers
Plugger
Never Leaves Box

Will

Normally Lines up in 30 tech (Over)

Also Lines up in 20 I (Under)
When 2 high will align in 50 tech
Faster and More Athletic of 2 linebackers
Very Important in Coverage
Majority of Time Read Guard to Backfield

Sam

Bigger Stronger of 2 outside linebackers.

Normally Plays TE Side
Must be an excellent communicator.
Calls Offenses Backfield
Flat/Seam Player
Alignment dependent on strength of
opponent. Strong Run plays closer to LOS.
Strong Pass play closer to receivers. Different
Alignments and Coverages will also dictate
alignment.

Rover
Position has changed a great deal since started
running our 4 front. In past this was our worst
player now one of our best.
Most ideal situation one of most athletic
players on the team
Must be able to play outside linebacker and
safety both
Must be a great tackler this past year our
second leading solo tackler as vs spread teams
will be crucial to success against run

Defensive Backs
Corners
Most often guys that have tried to be receivers in
our system that need a new position.
Smart very coachable only play defense.

Safety
Good athlete. Cover guy first and run stopper 2nd
Does have to play the Alley

Strength Call
Made by Mike
Normally based on the following in this order:
Men On LOS
# of Receivers
# of backs
Wide side of field
Everything Equal Based on QBs Arm

Will change based on scouting report

Base Defense (Over)

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Over Call
Right Strength

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Under Call
Right Strength

A N
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Stack Call
Out of a stack call we will either stack
strong (over) or stack weak (under)

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Tight Call
Possible to run a tight under or tight stack.
Usually run to a TE side with no outside rec.

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Front Stems - Bounce

Bounce Call Tackles Bounce
Over bounce: Tackles stem from over to under
Under bounce: Tackles stem from under to over
Notice that the End and Ancor do not stem. The
end will Slam into five tech because of his
partner.
Start in This

A
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Stem to This

Over Bounce

A N
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Front Stunts - Tag

Tackles cross face of lineman on snap of ball

Over Tag (under) Shown Below
Under Tag (over)
End will Slam into 5 tech because partner is
slamming into 2i.

A
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Front Stunts - Slam

End (and Anchor if 2 TE) slam from 7 tech to 5
Becomes a Tight Front

A
R

Front Stunts -Cross

End (and/or Anchor) cross the face of the TE
Normally done with a OLB Blitz (Shown Below)

A
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Combinations Stem and Stunt

Over Bounce Tag (Over) Shown Below
Under Bounce Tag (Under)
Under Bounce (Over) Slam
Many Possibilities
Start in This

A
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Bounce to Under - Then Tag

A N
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Other Fronts and Stunts

Pinch Double 1 Techs
Stack Pinch Tackle and Nose start in 2 techs
and pinch to A Gap
Head End plays 6 technique
Strong Tag Only Tackle Tags
Weak Tag Only Nose Tags

Blitzing
Blitz linebackers numbers or small words with their
names in it.
1: Sam 2: Mike 3: Will 4 Rover
Multiple Guys: 13 Sam and Will (Sew)
Fire: all guys go
Linebacker(s) called to go blitz their gap.
Instead of naming stunts, we basically tell the kids exactly
what to do.
Possibilities are endless.
Limit to a small number each week depending on game plan.
Practice against 2nd scout team

Examples of Blitzes
Over Tag 2

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Under Tag 13 X

A N
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Communication from Coach to the

Players- One Method - WB
1, 21

Over Tight

11, 31

2, 22

Over Slam

12, 32

Over
Over Sam X

3, 23

Under Bounce Slam

13, 33

Over Rover X

4. 24

Over Tight Strong Tag Mike

14, 34

Over Strong Tag MaSh X

5, 25

Und Bnce Tite Str Tag Mike

15, 35

Under Bounce SoaR

6, 26

Stack Strong Tight Mike

16, 36

Over ROB

7, 27

Over Tight MoW

17, 37

Over LOB

8, 28

Stack Weak Tight Mike

18, 38

Under Bounce Strong Tag Mike

9, 29

Over Bounce Slam

19, 39

Stack Weak MaSh X

10, 30

Over Tight Bounce Will

20, 40

Stack Weak Will

Communication from Coach to

Player Main Method Signals
We No Huddle
Signals are basic and easy for the kids to
understand
New signals are made up by the kids

Mike backer gets the call and relays it to the

defense
Secondary looks for the coverage signal
Sometimes, we just yell it out to them

Communication Is Key
Pre-Snap Communication
Alignment of Receivers/TE Corners (Echoed by
Safety)
Alignment of Backfield Sam
Strength - Mike

Communication is Key
Post Snap
OLB Read Tackle - Pass/Run
ILB Read Guard Pass/Run
Corners Read Tackle Pass/Run
Safety Read Center Pass/Run
These Reads are object to change based on
formations and scouting report

Communication is Key
Pass Routes
Out (Quick Out/Hitch by 1 within 5 yards)
Under (Quick In (Shallow) Routes under ILB)
Dig (Deep in 7+ yards)
Dog (Deep Out 7 + yards)
Cross (Receiver crosses 1 deep zone into another)
Vert Vertical Route

Communication is Key
Run Game
Mike and Will
Pull: Guard Across Center
Belly: Guard Outside

Sam and Rover

Counter if Tackle Pulls

Other calls based on Scouting Reports

4 4 Alignment to Pro-I

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4 4 Alignment to Doubles

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4 x 4 Alignment to Trips

E T
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4 x 4 Alignment to Wing T

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Pass Coverage Cover 3

Primary Coverage
Played from our base 4-4
First coverage we teach
Would play it on every snap if we could
2 Backs Play it almost exclusively
Spread Teams if they are run first
Played from 1 High

Cover receivers in area /Dont cover empty

space

What we like about Cover 3

Very Multiple Can be played vs everything

Allows us to keep at least 6 guys within the box
Allows defenders to keep eyes on the
quarterback No reads!
Simple to teach.
Can be ran from a two high look with roll.

Why not cover 3 to everything!

Tough against 4 vertical concepts
Tough when teams flood the curl flat areas.
Tough to defend some trips concepts.
Tough to defend empty.
Vs wing-t and double wing teams, we need an
additional player in the box if we can get away
with it.
When we blitz it opens up a hole in the zone.

Zones to Cover - Cover 3

Shallow

Flat

Curl

Deep 1/3

Flat

Hook

Hook

Deep 1/3

Curl

Deep 1/3

Cover 3 Rules Defensive Backs

Corners and Free Safety:
On Snap slow pedal as you read your read man to
the quarterback
If it is run react to the run.
Corners Secondary Contain
Free-Safety Ally Player

If it is pass, your pedal will increase in speed.

Defend the deepest man in your deep 1/3.
2 men in your zone stay in between and read QB
Corners you will cheat a bit to the hash vs 4 vert
Read QB Shoulder and front hand.

Cover 3 Rules Outside Linebacker

On snap get your eyes to your read key
Run to your side -Play your force/fence line
responsibilities
Run Away Play your cut back and reverse
responsibilities.
Vs Run only commit away from your side if you are
100% sure!
Pass
Get to the curl area
Swivel hips and run to the curl area at a 45 degree
angle. You want to keep you head on the QB.

Cover 3 Rules Outside Linebacker

Pass (Cont)
Gain depth as you retreat.
If there is someone in the flat, stay over the top of
them. Only jump the flat route if QB arm and shoulder
tell you too.
If no one in the flat continue to deepen in the curl
zone.
Vs Flood concept stay between the out and the dog.
Cheat towards the dog route. If they throw the dog,
the QB will have to put air on the throw. Hopefully we
make the qb throw the out and rally to the football.

Cover 3 Rules Inside Linebacker

On Snap, read your key.
Run read, play the run
Pass read
Start working to the hook zone to your outside.
Your eyes will work to the receivers to your side. If
they are running something not threatening you
zone, then continue to deepen. Get head on a
swivel and turn back to QB once you have gotten
10 12 yards deep.

Cover 3 Rules Inside Linebacker

If a receiver is running a route directly at you,
play the receiver.
If the inside receiver is running a deep route
(seam route), then you can turn and run
underneath of him.
If the receiver is running an under (shallow)
route, then you must slow your drop.
If that receiver stops in your area and QB
breaks arm and shoulder, play the ball.

Cover 3 Rules Inside Linebacker

If the receiver continues under you, call out
an under and deepen to the Dig (Deep In) Hole
in the zone. (Shallow Cross) You will pass the
receiver onto the other ILB.
If at anytime you get a under call from the
other side of the field, then you need to stop
your drop and pick up the under rec. You will
stay on top of him and react to QB. This will
take precedence over all other rules.

Cover 3 Inside Linebacker

Vs Trips
Mike Linebacker job isnt that different. He may
cheat a bit to the trips to help out with a hitch by
#3 receiver.
Will Linebacker will rob 3 vertical if he crosses
Tackle.

Overview of Cover 3
Cover 3 vs Doubles

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Curl/Flat
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1/3

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Shallow Away
Curl Flat
Dig to
Hook to Curl
On Roll To: Get to Curl
On Roll Away: Replace
F
1/3

C
1/3

Alignment: Corners: 1x7 Inside OBs: 1 X 5 inside #2 Free Safety: Split the two inside receivers.

Cover 3 Defending 4 verts Doubles

Defending 4 verts

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One of the most difficult routes to defend in cover 3. The 3 deep players will force themselves to be disciplined to stay in
their zone and stay between their two receviers in their zone. Corners will cheat to the hash as the throw to the sideline
is longer and the corner will have more time to react to that throw. Sam and Rover will deepen as there is nothing in the
curl flat. Mike and Will will run under #2 receivers. The 4 under cover guys main goal is to make the QB put air under
the ball so the 3 deep guys have time to react to the throw.

Cover 3 Defending 4 Verts Trips

Defending Verts vs Trips

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Rob #3

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Will will Rob #3. Vs Trips he will look for #3 for the under and a deep route that passes the 1/2 of field. Corner and
free to the trips side play 1/4 1/4 and the other Corner plays 1/2.

Cover 3 Defending Post Wheel Doubles

(Note Only 1 DB Behind Corner)

Defending Wheel/Post or Virginia Switch

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Sam and Rover have to stay over the top of the out and then run with the wheel. Corners have to stay in between
their zone cheating to the inside. They must give free the crosser call. Free stay in the middle of the field.

Cover 3 Defending Post Wheel Trips

(Note 2 DB Behind Corner)

Defending Wheel to Trips Side.

Rob #3 if he crosses!
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Once the out turns into a wheel the Sam needs to work back to the curl area. We have a
corner and a Free both on that side to take care of the deep 1/4.

Cover 3 Defending Shallow Cross

Defending Under Routes in Green!

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Mike and Will will play the under routes if they come from receivers from opposite side. If the under route comes from a receiver
you side then you should look to play a dig or something over the middle.

Cover 3 Defending Mesh

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F
If they run mesh (or two unders) then Mike and Will will both play unders and neither will drop back for something
over the middle. This is a real tough route to defend with cover 3. If a team runs this a great deal, this would be an
example of us needing to play 2 high.

Cover 3 Defending Flood - Doubles

Defending Flood

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Sam will stay in between the Dog and the under route. The Mike will pick up his responsibility of the under route. Will
will settle for the dig.

Cover 3 Defending Flood Trips

Defending Flood vs trips

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Rob #3

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Sam will play 50/50 cheating towards the Dog Route. The Mike and Free will work to the trips side as no one is
coming toward the other side of the field.

Cover 3 Adjustment to Rollout

Adjust to --
Corner to roll takes deep
Free adjust to roll side and plays deep
Corner away from roll plays backside
Middle Backer to roll Helps in Curl Zone
Middle Backer away from roll replaces other
middle backer in the Hook Zone. If anyone
crosses face, then the backer will stay home.
Mike and Will Must Communicate Roll Call

Cover 3 Adjustment to Rollout

Defending Flood

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Must get a Roll call from the ILB to the roll side. The ILB to the roll side will be aggresive the the Dog hole. The ILB
opposite the roll will replace the ILB to the roll side. The coverage will turn into 1/4 1/4 Half Coverage.

Practicing Cover 3
4 receivers in doubles formations
Work the following concepts (all summer
long)
4 verticals
4 Verticals with Switch Rounts
Post Wheel
Smash
Post Dig (Deep in at 10)
Any doubles route we see that week
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Practicing Cover 3
Cover 3 Drill

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Other Coverages with 1 High

Cover 5
Very similar to cover 3.
Outside Backers will read #2 and listen for #1.
If Corner gives an Out call Outside Backers will
play the flat.
If #2 runs out they will play the flat.
If #2 goes vertical then they will run with them
along seam.
If #2 goes under, they will look to help with #1
We really like to run this vs Double Slot look and
teams that run 4 verticals a great deal.

Other Coverages with 1 High

Cover 5

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Looks just like our alignment to cover 3. If #2 are in regular double formation then the Sam and Rover are
1X5 inside shade just like cover 3. Sam and Rover only go to the flat if taken their by #2 or if they get an
out call by Corner. We are really giving up the flat to # 1 receiver.

Other 1 high Coverages Cover 1

Play only as a change up or with a team that
passes the ball a great deal.
Our athletes have to be better than their receivers.
It looks a great deal like cover 3, except our OBs
line up on an outside shade. They have help to the
inside from the MLBs.
Many games we will match up like basketball and
put our best guys on their best, ect.
Also play Cover 1 bump where we align in bump
coverage on receivers

Other 1 High Coverages Cover 1

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Mike and Will will help out with shallow routes and quick slants. They will also take the back out of they
backfield if he leaves to their side. When in Cover 1 the Will will automatically like up to the backs side as
he is a better cover person.

Adjustments to Spread
Do we need to adjust?
Is a team in spread to run or throw?
Do we need to be 2 high? If so how often? Certain
down and distance, ect.
What are their pass routes?
Is 4 verticals a real threat?
How often do they run routes that cover three is not
good to defend.
Where are they throwing the ball?

Can we adjust? Are we good enough up front

to play with a man box or a weaker six man box

Adjustments to Spread
2 High Safety Alignment
If we feel that we need to be two high safety,
our Rover will move back to safety. We have
two ways to play that.
6 man box where the Will (or sometimes the Mike)
cheats to the weak side and plays more of a 50
technique.
5 man box where the Will plays outside the box
completely. We only do this if they are a real
heavy pass team.

Adjustments to Spread-Doubles

Changing to the 4-2-5

Alignment Changes

Corners align 5 -6 yards deep on an outside shade

of #1. They slightly turn their butt to the sideline.
Free and Rover are 12 yards deep on an inside
shade of #2.
Will is lined up in a 50 tech. If we are in the middle
of field, the Will might cheat outside the box a
little more depending on game plan.
Sam Aligned 1 x 5 inside shade of #2.

Adjustments to Spread-Doubles
Changing to the 4-2-5

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Adjustments to Spread-Trips

Changing to the 4-2-5

Alignment Changes

Corners alignment will vary depending on coverage.

Free will align to the trips side alignment will vary
depending on coverage.
Will is lined up in a 50 tech to the trips side (in a lot
of our game plans). If we are in the middle of field,
the Will might cheat outside the box a little more
depending on game plan.
Sam Apex between #2 and #3 often. This will
obviously vary.

Adjustment to Spread Trips

Wall With ISO
Wall ISO

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Questions
Aaron Kunz Head Coach, D-backs
kunz@wcusd15.org
Josh Patrick D-Coordinator, Inside Linebacker Coach
patrick@wcusd15.org
Adam Kershaw Defensive Line Coach
kershaw@wcusd15.org
Adam Ibbotson Inside Linebacker Coach
ibbotsona@wcusd15.org
Will Peters Outside Linebacker Coach
peters@wcusd15.org