How to Defend the Spread Option Offense | FBCP S21E07

Learn how to defend the spread option without rebuilding your defense for one opponent. Joe Daniel and Daniel Chamberlain explain how umbrella run fits naturally account for the dive, quarterback, and pitch, how simple tags can influence option reads, and how to prepare your scout team to give defenders realistic looks without trying to perfectly recreate the opponent's offense.

• 6:41 - Scout Team Building From Base Blocks
• 16:54 - Umbrella Run Fits for Option Defense
• 19:35 - Natural Gap Exchange Without Tags
• 24:16 - Defending Pistol Flexbone Triple Option
• 28:35 - Stopping Spread Option From Base Defense
• 30:49 - Dictating Quarterback Reads With Q Tags
• 35:49 - Blitz Packages Against Spread Option
• 43:25 - Scout Team Preparation for Spread Option
• 49:03 - Practice Drills for Spread Option
• 50:56 - Formation Splits and Film Study Keys

Defending the Spread Option

Step 1: Build Your Defense Around Umbrella Run Fits

Start with a run fit system that gives every defender a consistent responsibility against the dive, quarterback and pitch. Spill, force, alley and stay in coverage should remain intact regardless of the option scheme or formation you face.

READ: Coach the Umbrella Principle to Get Perfect Run Fits for Your Defense

Step 2: Learn to Stop Any Run Scheme Without Changing Your Defense

Apply those same run fit rules against different formations and schemes instead of installing a new defense every week. Your players should be able to recognize their keys and execute their base responsibilities whether they see zone read, power read, triple option or a traditional run scheme.

LISTEN: We Can't Stop the Run | FBCP S18E05

Step 3: Control the Quarterback Instead of Chasing Him

Learn how gap exchanges, fronts, tags and pressure can influence the quarterback's read while keeping the structure of your defense intact. The goal is to dictate where the football goes and put your defenders in position to handle the quarterback without creating new assignments for everyone else.

LISTEN: We Cant Stop Dual-Threat QBs | FBCP S19E08

Step 4: Build a Defensive System That Can Adjust Without Starting Over

Organize your fronts, coverages, run fits and adjustments into one system so you can handle option offenses with small changes instead of installing a flavor-of-the-week defense. Your answers to unusual offenses should already exist inside the structure your players know.

DOWNLOAD: What You Need to Know to Build the Ultimate Defensive Football Coaching System

Step 5: Turn the Option Responsibilities Into Individual Drills

Take the run fits off the board and teach players to execute them through their normal key reads. Progress the Umbrella Drill to include the opponent's backfield alignment, pitch phase, bubble action and other option looks your force and alley defenders will see that week.

READ: The Most Important Football Drill for Coaching Safeties

Step 6: Progress Those Skills Into Group Run Periods

Combine the individual skills into half-line, inside run, outside run and 9-on-9 periods. Use these periods to let defenders chain their key reads, block reactions and run fits together before asking them to execute everything during full team work.

LISTEN: Practice Planning: Group Run Drills for Skill Progression | FBCP S21E05

Step 7: Give Your Scout Team the Right Look

Do not ask your scout offense to become a spread option team in three days. Recreate the formations, blocking reactions, quarterback actions and other keys your defense actually needs to see, then script those looks so your players can execute the same rules they have practiced all season.

​LISTEN: Our Players Don't Execute on Game Day | FBCP S18E21