General coaching points on Rabbit Drill

I have been asked about the drills that we run when preparing for a spread team. We see only two scenarios for spread. In the first, there are two Up Backs (UB) and in the second there is only one UB.

We line up the same for both with our defensive ends on the outside of our linebackers.

The intent of this formation is to take away the run and make the offense one dimensional. Statistically, we faced teams that ran some form of the spread in over 50 games the past six years. Only three gained more than 100 yards rushing and more than half had less than 25 yards rushing or negative yards rushing. Here are the key coaching points that are mentioned in these videos explaining our basic concepts.

• Feet alingment. DE with outside foot back

• LBs never head up on the center

• DE must stay 45 degrees (never with back to sideline or horizontal to the line of scrimmage (LOS)

• Playside DE must set the edge (1% chance he should make the tackle if everyone does their jobs)

• LB should be flat and mirror the RB. He should not give ground

• Backside DE is unblocked and should make most of the tackles

• LBs only engage on a hard sweep and first step is forward.

• Playside DE can not get cut and keep the blocker inside him at all times

• Trailing DE must close and should let the RB cut back to him

• DE must break down when rushing the SB at least 5 yards before getting to him

• We want to catch the hard sweep at or just behind the LOS

• Toss the ball directly to RB in the drills. Take away the pitching problems for better reps.

• Start by letting the D know which way the play is going and then work toward mixing it up.

• Rush the SB with no blockers, 1 UB and then 2 UBs.

• Run these drills without pads, in shells and full pads.