3-5-3 defense

Coach John,
I’m a 7th grade Head Coach and Jr. High Teacher in PA. After a season utilizing a “hybrid” version of the Wide-Tackle-Six and the old Washington Huskies “G” defense (I learned by attending a coaching clinic), and prior to that I employed a 5-2 “monster” defense my first season coaching. This past season, after a lot of research, I committed myself to the Georgia Military College 3-5-3 defensive system. Here are the reasons why; 1) the system is 100% different (read also: the old blocking rules for the offense versus an odd front are obsolete utilizing this system) from the “Iowa 50” defense and the old Philadelphia Eagles Coach Greasy Neale’s “Eagle” defense. Many older Coaches dispute this thinking some young Coach is just “renaming the wheel” in order to sell a couple videos and books but I assure you the GMC 353 shares virtually no similarities in either Terminology or Strategy when confronting different Offensive Plans compared with the traditional systems. In fact, you can install simple “automatics” built into the core of the GMC Defense that are trouble-free for your players to remember (and example would be automatically checking to a “Robber-coverage” when encountering a certain offensive formation). 2) The “traditional tackles” (read also: your heaviest slow guy and your second heaviest slow guy) have been replaced by 2 of your better athletes (full back types or perhaps End types from a 4-man front) because they are no longer asked to become a “human traffic jam” like they were in the traditional 5 man front many High School Varsity teams utilize. In the same vein and of equal importance, the Defensive Ends have been replaced from the traditional “50” and exchanged with two strong- safety type players called “Dawgs” that are no longer mindlessly rushing in from the outside (D gap) every down. Instead, they are now part of a finely coordinated scheme along with your “Bats” (inside backers), and “Mike” (Middle Backer) in addition to your secondary.3) The 4 and 5 man stunts (and their corresponding coverage calls) are easy for your young players to remember (At Georgia Military College the players are only on the team for two seasons. As a result the Coaches made certain to have the calls easy to learn and comprehend so the players spend their time on the field attacking instead of standing flat-footed thinking.). 4) Adjusts easily off your base call “Stack”: moves easily into a “Weak Eagle” called “Under”, a “Strong Eagle” called “Solid” or if teams are having some success attacking the “C” gap (where many odd man fronts are suspect), with off-tackle powers and counters, it adjusts into the “Tuff” front which really puts some pressure on the offense. These four basic fronts are relatively easy to learn. Also, each stunt corresponds to one of the four front/ coverage calls. Basically, as a Coach, you would really have a tough time putting your players in a bad position to make a play. Finally, it is something fun and different for your players. During our final game last season the Defensive Coach for the opposing teams Varsity (who used to be a collogue of mine) watched our game from the opposite sideline. Afterwards, as I was standing at mid-field, he approached me and said plainly: “ Coach what defense were you guys running?” I looked at him sideways for a minute thinking he was simply joking but he repeated himself. He couldn’t figure out why my outside backers (Dawgs) were aligned the way they were. Or how we incorporated roll-coverage and corner blitzes without giving up any substantial gains (20+ yd. gain). We won that game 42-0 on the road. Their team was at least a helmet taller on their line and line-backing unit then mine. They had 3 runs that crossed the line of scrimmage the entire afternoon! Once you install the “prowling” aspect of the defense as a Tag- call (I recommend installing this last) your players will truly enjoy this defense and, of equal importance, have confidence in themselves as a Unit. I recommend installing the “Stack” and “Tuff” fronts first with no stunting. The Defense is balanced and adjusts extremely well to spread formations (the University of Florida has installed the “Stack” call as a third down defense for the upcoming 2005 season). Review the players option responsibilities in both position and team drills (use ¼ speed, ¾ and finally full speed w/ hand bags, helmet on proper side) at least twice every week (even if you don’t play an option team until late season, you’ll understand why very soon). You’ll want a nose-guard that is cut from the wrestler mold (read also: loves to hit AND get hit! Doesn’t mind seeing own blood or blood of others!, scrappy!, probably undersized) The Nose and Ends are moving in a direction every play so you’ll need to train them to explode out of their stance to cut-across opposing lineman’s paths. Train your Mike- Backer to make an Open/ Closed call (strength call) as the offense becomes set (this will provide the direction of the slant and the stunt for your D-Line/ Backer Unit). I also have my secondary identify the “Z” as well (establish good pre-snap communication between all three- core as early during pre-season as possible). When you incorporate the “Under” and “Solid” fronts (attacking 4-man “Eagle” fronts) and the various stunts to your own package you’ll have an extremely unfaltering and easily adjustable system/package. Last word; don’t let others tell you it’s to complex to be run effectively for your age group. We went on the road for our first game last season with only 2 fronts (“Stack” and “Tuff”) and 2 Stunts (“Open/Bob” and “Closed/ Bat”) installed and held the opposition (who were very big and physical) to 6 points for the game. I’m confident it can be utilized at any level of completion if properly installed, coached, and executed by your players. It’s a run stopping defense first (it is not the Air Force or West Virginia 3-3-5, both of which are very different from this system) and you need excellent athletes at the corners who can provide intense man to man coverage for at least 3-4 seconds every down (with the exception of long-yardage situations where you have the added luxury of calling anything from a corner –blitz (“Closed/Corner/Roll”) to a fake all-out blitz disguised as Cover-8 Zone (“Prowler/Cover8”). You can research this defense here www.americanfootballmonthly.com. Preview the various DVD/VHS instructional videos at this web address: www.championshipproductions.com you may need to type in “GMC defense” in the search box. If I can help you in any way don’t hesitate to write. - CoachWhiteTail