Saban's Defense

[CVass]

Originally Posted by arsenal

he'll probably be able to answer better, but i know in a 3-4 every lineman has a 2 gap assignment... and the try to take on lineman rather than shoot the gaps... what this thread seems to be saying is we have a 2 gap NT but 1 gappers at the other spots on the line... which would make sense why we can use a smallish holliday as a 1 gap DT with traylor as the 2 gap NT...

Close, we have a 2 Gap NT, and a 2 Gap End who plays the Heavy 5 technique. The Heavy 5 is a 4 technique but slightly shaded. However, you're still playing a 2 gap technique.

And I got the playbook on EBAY.

CVass.
This has to be one of the best and definately the most informative posts of the year.
Awesome job!
Please continue to share

[dolphan117]

Originally Posted by CVass

I'm glad this has been at least entertaining and educational for you all to read. I get sick of coming to this site and reading the CUT RONNIE! CUT HOWARD! threads, so I thought I would add something a little different..

I am not grasping all this but many thanks for taking the time. I would rather try to understand an inteligent post(even if I dont grasp it all) than wast time in some threads.

[CVass]

You all are welcome. If there are any more questions interpreting this I could try and answer them. If I get enough feedback, I may put together a website to try to explain the entire thing so you guys don't have to jump from post to post within the thread.

Oh and by the way, Nasty, I can't receive your PM because I don't have 50 posts yet. Sorry!

[Mike13]

Originally Posted by CVass

That is close. First of all, Even numbered techniques are two gap techniques which mean you are lined right on an OL/TE, so you have to go either way. Odd numbers makes you responsible for just one gap... This numbering system is easy because you build your alignment in with your responsibility, instead of having two different things. This system was invented by Bear Bryant at Alabama and at different places, the 1 tech and 7 tech mean different things. I'll use the terminology from Saban's book.

Numbering Technique
0 Technique: Head up on Center
1 tech: Shade technique on Center (not directly over the center, the front dictates what side the shade is to)
2 tech: Head up on guard
2-I tech: Inside Shoulder of guard (I stands for inside)
3 tech: Outside shoulder of guard
4 tech: Head up on Tackle
4-I: Inside shoulder of Tackle
5 tech: Outside shoulder of Tackle
(Heavy 5 is lining up in a 5 technique but closer to a headup position)
6 tech: Head up on TE
(Crash 6 is headup on the TE but titled towards the QB. Since Taylor only lines up in this on the Under front, he is on the right side of the formation where there is no TE. Thus, he lines up over the imaginary TE and tilts himself
towards the OT and the QB)
9 tech: Outside shoulder of TE
8 tech: Two yards outside TE (Force)

The unique part of Saban's defense is that, the players' positions are dictated by Left and Right, but by assignments and techniques. Since we do not sit in a true 3-4 like the Pats, having a LE, NT, RE makes no sense. Most coaches preach about lining up players in the same position (either on the left or right side) to instill repetition and recognition from that specific side. But with the 2 gap, 1 gap defense Miami runs, we teach a player a specific technique so they can move around based on the defense.

For the Pats, all of their linemen have two gaps of responsibilities. But with us, the 2 gap side is declared by the Middle linebacker. In the Over Front, the Mike will declare the bubble side (30 side) away from the TE. In the Under Front, the Mike will declare the bubble side (30 side) to the TE. These are just the bases. There are defenses for hash tendencies and other adjustments where the NT tilts which means he lines up diagonally to the line and puts his butt in the way of guard to keep from being scoop blocked. Any other questions?

Thanks for the info and the explanation, I assume tou re a coach or a player or you were one.

[CVass]

Originally Posted by PatsSuck456

Thanks for the info and the explanation, I assume tou re a coach or a player or you were one.

Actually neither. I am a student at the University of Miami. I was collecting memorabilia and I came across a UM 1991 Defensive Playbook on EBAY. I received it in the mail and was fascinated by all the jargon. I became enthralled with defense and added a bunch of playbooks to my collection. To decode the terms, I purchased AFCA books on Defensive strategies and Defensive Back play. In the process, I have become serious about coaching football in the future. I have some friends that played at Notre Dame and still have some at Miami. (I really did teach Jon Peattie to play guitar lol). I didn't play in HS because of some family stuff and this has given me some set backs, but I love to learn about, if for nothing else, a hobby.

I am thinking about maybe offering to write a mini-column on the Dolphins defense and all the technical jargon to explain the game further to the casual fans. It makes watching the game so much more enriching when you can look at the finer details and completely grasp them; I know it did for me! What do you guys think?

[Maynard the Hammer]

Originally Posted by CVass

Actually neither. I am a student at the University of Miami. I was collecting memorabilia and I came across a UM 1991 Defensive Playbook on EBAY. I received it in the mail and was fascinated by all the jargon. I became enthralled with defense and added a bunch of playbooks to my collection. To decode the terms, I purchased AFCA books on Defensive strategies and Defensive Back play. In the process, I have become serious about coaching football in the future. I have some friends that played at Notre Dame and still have some at Miami. (I really did teach Jon Peattie to play guitar lol). I didn't play in HS because of some family stuff and this has given me some set backs, but I love to learn about, if for nothing else, a hobby.

I am thinking about maybe offering to write a mini-column on the Dolphins defense and all the technical jargon to explain the game further to the casual fans. It makes watching the game so much more enriching when you can look at the finer details and completely grasp them; I know it did for me! What do you guys think?

i nominate you as finheavan's resident defensive analyst!

[ckb2001]

That idea about a mini-column to explain the technical stuff? Great idea. I rarely post, but this was too good to pass up. Do it will ya? (thanks)

[rafael]

Originally Posted by arsenal

he'll probably be able to answer better, but i know in a 3-4 every lineman has a 2 gap assignment... and the try to take on lineman rather than shoot the gaps... what this thread seems to be saying is we have a 2 gap NT but 1 gappers at the other spots on the line... which would make sense why we can use a smallish holliday as a 1 gap DT with traylor as the 2 gap NT...

I think you have that backwards. The 3-4 usually uses a 1 gap. The 4-3 uses a 2 gap. In Wanny/JJ's 4-3 those run stuffing DTs are the example. They didn't try to penetrate at all.

[steeda]

Originally Posted by ckb2001

That idea about a mini-column to explain the technical stuff? Great idea. I rarely post, but this was too good to pass up. Do it will ya? (thanks)

Same goes for me too. Where can I actully learn about all the finer details of the defense, I can grasp some of what you said, but a lot of this is still over my head.

[Boik14]

Originally Posted by CVass

You all are welcome. If there are any more questions interpreting this I could try and answer them. If I get enough feedback, I may put together a website to try to explain the entire thing so you guys don't have to jump from post to post within the thread.

Definitely write it up. I tape Phins games every sunday and review them sometimes 2-3x and I can break things down fairly well but anything that furthers my ability to do that Im all for.

As far as why Carter plays the 5 and gets stuck holding the fort in the middle I think some of it just comes down to simply him being strong enough to do so while at the same time being quick enough to provide a pass rush from the position. His versitility imo is a huge key to what we do. Im not sold Holliday or anyone else in this D could do it. From what I can tell the best players in the 5 technique are the DE's who probably arent fast enough to play DE in a 4-3 but are easily strong enough like Carter (at least in this point in his career).

Edit: By the way, great thread. As it was it was this thread has been informative and a nice break from the "Ronnie is a Bust threads" which are just pointless after 3 games.

[zodiak]

This stuff makes perfect sense to me,, my question is where did you find this info?
what Saban book?(is it available?)

[Boik14]

Originally Posted by zodiak

This stuff makes perfect sense to me,, my question is where did you find this info?
what Saban book?(is it available?)

If you read through the whole thread there was a post where he mentioned he got a 1991 Hurricanes playbook off of EBAY and then started collecting playbooks to possibly consider a career in coaching. Eventually he came across Saban's

[CVass]

Originally Posted by rafael

I think you have that backwards. The 3-4 usually uses a 1 gap. The 4-3 uses a 2 gap. In Wanny/JJ's 4-3 those run stuffing DTs are the example. They didn't try to penetrate at all.

That is not true. 4-3 Lineman are given one gap, hence why they are shaded. 3-4 Lineman are lined head-up on the lineman so they can go to either gap. In our system, the DTs didn't get much penetration because we had Taylor, Ogunleye, etc, and it had more to do with personnel. However, in many 4-3 systems, the Tackles get just as much penetration... I.E. Why Sapp was the sack master in Tampa with the one gap scheme and did nothing (stats wise) with the Raiders playing two-gap.

I have many playbooks and in none of them do a 4-3 lineman have a two gap responsibility. They are ALWAYS shaded to a gap. The only time one could stretch and say that they have a 2 gap responsibility is on Flow to and away. But even there, you penetrate your gap and if the play goes to the other side, you push your way into that area. This is also why 4-3 lines are considered attacking lines, where 3-4 lines are "read and react." You don't need to read and react in the 4-3; you read on the move fighting your way through the block.

[PhinsPhan]

Originally Posted by CVass

I am thinking about maybe offering to write a mini-column on the Dolphins defense and all the technical jargon to explain the game further to the casual fans. It makes watching the game so much more enriching when you can look at the finer details and completely grasp them; I know it did for me! What do you guys think?

This sounds like a great idea. Thanx for all this.