Alright, so we’ve been mucking about with different defensive setups for a while now, and honestly, it felt like we were overcomplicating things. You know how it is, you try to be clever, and sometimes you just end up confusing your own guys. We were seeing too many missed assignments, guys looking hesitant. That’s why we decided to strip it back, go with a solid 4-man front again. Get back to basics, let the lads play fast.
Figuring Out Who Goes Where
First thing we did, even before hitting the practice field, was just sit down and really look at our players. You can’t just plug guys in and hope for the best with a 4-man line. You need specific types. We had to ask ourselves some hard questions about who we had.
- Who are our real run-stoppers for the tackle spots? Guys who can eat up blocks and not get moved.
- Who’s got the motor and the bend to be a proper defensive end? Someone who can get after the quarterback but also play the run honestly.
That took a bit of shuffling. Some players were in spots that, frankly, weren’t their best fit in the old system. So, we had some honest chats. Told them the plan, what we expected. Most of them were up for it, keen to have a clearer role, I think.
Hitting the Practice Field: The Nitty-Gritty
Once we had a rough idea of personnel, it was all about drills. And I mean lots of them. Repetition, repetition, repetition. We started with the absolute fundamentals.
For the defensive tackles, it was all about their stance, their first step. Getting off the ball. We spent ages on hand placement, how to control the offensive lineman. Lots of one-on-one work in close quarters. Then we started working on recognizing run plays, filling their gaps. Nothing fancy, just solid, fundamental stuff. If they can’t win inside, the whole thing falls apart.
Then the defensive ends. Their job is a bit different, of course. We really hammered home the importance of setting the edge. Can’t let runners get outside you. So, lots of drills on taking on blocks from tackles and tight ends, keeping that outside arm free. And then, naturally, pass rush. Working on different moves, but mostly just getting off the ball and having a plan. We emphasized that even if you don’t get the sack, pressure is key. Make the QB uncomfortable.
Putting It All Together (Slowly)
After individual work, we started bringing it together. Line stunts, twists – just simple ones to start. Making sure the communication was there. That was a bit of a mess at first, not gonna lie. Guys bumping into each other, wrong gaps. But that’s practice, right? You iron out the kinks.
We ran a lot of plays against our scout team offense, just focusing on what the front four were doing. Didn’t worry too much about the linebackers or a full 11-on-11 at first. Just wanted those four guys to get comfortable playing next to each other. It’s about building that unit cohesion. They need to trust the guy next to them is going to do his job.
One thing we really had to work on was run fits. With a 4-man line, the linebackers have to read it differently. So, we spent time making sure the defensive line understood how their actions affected the ‘backers. If a tackle gets washed down, that opens up a huge lane. They started to see how it all connected.
Where We’re At Now
Look, it’s not perfect. It never is. There are still days when things look a bit ragged. But overall, I feel a lot better about it. The guys seem more confident. They know their assignments. We’re seeing more penetration, more disruption at the line of scrimmage. The run defense has definitely tightened up, which was a big goal.
We still have a ways to go. Need to get better at finishing plays, especially in the pass rush. And we need to see how it holds up when the real bullets start flying in games. But going back to a 4-man front, simplifying things, it feels like the right move for this group. We’re building something solid, brick by brick. It’s a process, always is in football.
