St. Xavier (OH) HS Head Coach,
2X Ohio Division I State Champions,
USA Football Jr. National Team Defensive Coordinator,
ESPN's Elite #2 High School Team in 2007
This 3-3-5 defensive package has a simple philosophy of playing out of an odd front. The odd front is beneficial because you can angle and slant into a reduction. This defense also makes it easier to fit personnel into the scheme and allows you to adjust to formation. Ultimately, Coach Specht likes to keep it simple and play fast. With the 3-3-5 there can be five or six defensive backs in the game at all times. The base defensive alignment has the ends head up on the tackles with the backers stacked up behind the down lineman. The safeties will align 7 yards deep to the shade of the tight end. The secondary creates an illusion that you are five across and 7 yards deep. The key feature of this defense is the "adjuster," who moves around a lot and is usually the most complete player on the team. Against the Spread, the Jet and Will backer move on the line, giving it a five-man look. Other adjustments Specht covers are the 'Sparrow', 'Bluff', 'Falcon', 'I Bluff' and 'Ninja' front. This DVD is jammed with diagrams and teaching points for this highly effective defensive scheme.
53 minutes. 2007.
FD-02699B: with Steve Specht,
St. Xavier (OH) HS Head Coach,
2X Ohio Division I State Champions,
USA Football Jr. National Team Defensive Coordinator,
ESPN's Elite #2 High School Team in 2007
Coach Specht has had great successful with the 3-3 and his stunts and blitzes add strength to the system. The four-man game is coupled with the 'Storm' coverage and the five-man game is matched to the 'Fire' coverage. As the Strong Edge Storm is diagrammed, each player's role is discussed and adjustments in the 2-2 coverage are highlighted. 'Strong nasty' is a call where the end loops to the C gap while the jet blitzes underneath in the B gap. A coverage that has been successful in Cover 2 is called 'Sick Em Spy', which puts a lot of pressure on the quarterback. A pressure blitz package is available when six or seven rushers are needed to pressure the offense. On 'Iowa strong web' the will backer blitzes the B gap. The information presented on the rush and blitzes will bolster the basic 3-3 defense that has been a winning combination for Coach Specht's teams.
67 minutes. 2007.
FD-02699C: with Steve Specht,
St. Xavier (OH) HS Head Coach,
2X Ohio Division I State Champions,
USA Football Jr. National Team Defensive Coordinator,
ESPN's Elite #2 High School Team in 2007
Coach Specht wanted his defense to be able to leverage receivers, which is why he uses the 3-3 Stack system. This is a matching zone philosophy because all players play a match up zone. His 'Fire and Storm' coverages enable the defense to play tighter, outside leverage man coverage on the widest receivers while playing a tight match up zone underneath. It also allows additional pressure on the quarterback without putting too much pressure on secondary defenders. With the popularity of the spread offense, this defense makes it possible to play tighter coverage, but rushing only three or four defenders. Specht details the key teaching points of the Fire Coverage's rules and responsibilities. Other topics covered are 3 x 1 coverage adjustments, weak side blitz, 2 x 2 and 2 x 2 motion. Storm coverage is similar to Fire, except only four rushers are involved instead of five. Specht also discusses rules and responsibilities for Cover 2. In conclusion, progression drills are diagrammed and explained for this defensive system.
59 minutes. 2007.