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Nick Saban’s Belichick-influenced defensive philosophy

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We posted this a few months ago but in keeping with our Patriots defensive schemology week we’re posting it again. Saban learned the ropes under BB so it’s safe to say that much of what you’ll read below is heavily influenced by the hoodie.

Saban has been coaching defense – and coaching it quite well – for decades. But there is no question that the defining period of his coaching career was 1991-1994, when he was Bill Belichick’s defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns. Just knowing that tells you a great deal about Saban’s defense: he (primarily) uses the 3-4; he’s very aggressive, especially on passing downs; he wants to stop the run on first and second down; he’s not afraid to mix up schemes, coverages, blitzes, and looks of all kinds; and, most importantly, he is intense and attentive to detail, which is the hallmark of any great defensive coach.

Now here is Saban’s defensive philosophy in his own words:

[Our] philosophy on first and second down is to stop the run and play good zone pass defense. We will occasionally play man-to-man and blitz in this situation. On third down, we will primarily play man-to-man and mix-in some zone and blitzes. We will rush four or more players versus the pass about ninety-percent of the time.

“In all situations, we will defend the inside or middle of the field first – defend inside to outside. Against the run, we will not allow the ball to be run inside. We want to force the ball outside. Against the pass, we will not allow the ball to be thrown deep down the middle or inside. We want to force the ball to be thrown short and/or outside.

“… Finally, our job is to take the ball away from the opponents’ offense and score or set up good field position for our offense. We must knock the ball loose, force mistakes, and cause turnovers. Turnovers and making big plays win games. We will be alert and aggressive and take advantage of every opportunity to come up with the ball … . The trademark of our defense will be effort, toughness, and no mental mistakes regarding score or situation in any game.”

NYT: Guide to NFL Defenses

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NYT: Guide to NFL Defenses

Another day, another article with insight into the 3-4 defense. Great stuff and really explains a lot in terms of why it’s so hard to find OLBs that could fit the Pats system.

The key to the success of Belichick’s style is flexibility of personnel. To be able to switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 to a dime defense and all points in between requires versatility at nearly every position. Players have to be able to run and cover and hit. Linemen have to be strong enough to hold the point in the 3-4, but get upfield in a 4-3. Defensive backs have to be very good in zone coverage but competent in man coverage when needed. It requires special skills, but also an above-average football IQ. Compared with the base Dungy-Kiffin scheme, which probably started with as little as three or four fronts and a couple of zone coverages, Belichick’s hybrid is a maze meant to confuse and confound.

Another important difference in Belichick’s defense is philosophical rather than playbook-oriented. Most coordinators identify the weaknesses of an upcoming opponent and game-plan to take advantage. Belichick specifically seeks to take away the strength of an offense, forcing it to operate out of its comfort zone. In a league where you may face a power offense one week and a spread offense the next, the versatility of the multiple front playbook is the only way to pull off such a philosophy.

Patriots defensive philosophy from Dean Pees

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Came across this on a messageboard, it appears to be notes taken by a coach after hearing Dean Pees talk about the things the Patriots preach on defense. It’s in bullett point form, wish it was a little more descriptive, but I felt it was worth sharing regardless:

Dean Pees Defensive Coordinator New England

The Patriots Defense

Defensive Laws:
Leverage
Attack
Wall
Square

Patriots ran 37 coverages and 17 fronts in 2007

Coach’s Fundamentals

Drill work- Does your drill work emphasize the player fundamentals that you want because practice must mimic game.

Evaluation-Does it works? Can your players do it? Does it fit your scheme?

3-4:

Defense must fit together to build a wall to force indecision in the running backs mind.

Separation in the defense creates a seam.

Must stay square if a guy turns sideways it creates seams.

From end zone, should be able to stand behind and see the back numbers of defenders, if you cannot then that player got turned.

Practice what kids are going to see.

Not as much penetration in base.

LBs must attack and come across square.

Press the offensive player and stay square.

Do not use a sled or bags because its not who you play against.

Goal is 3 yards a carry because two gapping penetration causes positive gains.

Never wrong arm anything. Face to face, never give self up. 

Make a play by staying square (two gap him). Do not cut offensive player because it causes seams.

Everybody pushes east and west, not north and south.

Safety reads the shoulders of backs-stay square.

Everything is read and react.

#1 coverage is quarters
#2 cover 3

PS: One of my former players (All-Pro ILB James Farrior) is the defensive Captain, & signal caller for the World Champion Steelers. Their 3-4 Defense operates on a different PHILOSOPHY. They try to spill (& wreck) EVERYTHING to the outside – to secondary run support, in their ¼, ¼, ½ coverage (S/S to quarter side, & W/C to half side). That is one reason Polomoleau makes so many tackles – he is a “heat seeking missle”!

MHR: The Modern 3-4 Defense

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MHR: The Modern 3-4 Defense

Keeping with the defensive scheme theme this week and we have another great article about the 3-4 defense.

The LBs can zone, man, or blitz.  That’s three things that each of four LBs can do.  Do the math to try to predict the number of variations.  Then, before patting yourself on the back, consider that each of those actions have further variations.  Man – which man?  Zone – zone where?  Blitz – through which lane?

Despite the fact that the Bullough can be confusing, the system relies on a lot of "bend; don’t break" thinking.  The system will often give up short yards in the run, and blitzes are not common.  The idea is that the longer the offense is on the clock, the longer it takes them to score, and the more plays the offense risks an interception, fumble, or a fourth down.

Ravens 3-4 Defense Coaching Slide Show

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Ravens 3-4 Defense Coaching Slide Show

Really interesting stuff here in the format of a slideshow that comes to us via current Jets DC Mike Pettine back when he was with the Ravens. While the Patriots and Ravens defensive systems are different there’s still plenty of interesting info to take from this. Highly recommended reading, and if you pay attention you’ll learn a lot about how NFL defenses work.

You might notice some defensive formations that the Pats saw a lot of out of the Jets last year. Especially the blitzes coming out of the Cover 0 looks.

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Bill Belichick considers his playbook a sacred text, and he doesn’t tolerate students who don’t share his devotion. So late on most Wednesdays, after the Pats have installed the bulk of their latest game plan, Belichick will mutter warnings like “You guys better get back in those playbooks, because I promise I’m gonna have some f-ing questions for you tomorrow morning.”

At the next day’s breakfast, Belichick will quiz his team about coverages, blocking assignments, blitz packages—even the opposing coach’s tendencies. “And if he calls on you and you’re wrong, there’s just silence,” says tight end Ben Watson, who drives to the team complex steering with his knees so he can squeeze in a few extra minutes of study. “It’s like school all over again.”

Belichick’s playbook is just like the man: precise, relentless, obsessive. It is color-coded-red for defense, blue for offense, black for coaches—and each player is given a bag to carry it in, along with a pencil, a blue pen and a yellow highlighter. Immediately after the team returns to the locker room following a game, the Pats collect the books from everyone, then lock them up, shred them or, knowing Belichick, incinerate them and blast the ashes into space.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/bill-belichick-considers-his-playbook-a-sacred/