

Make Defense Great Again
Coach Vass Football
A podcast hosted by Coach Vass for defensive coaches who want to learn intermediate to advanced level schemes and strategies. In-season podcasts will be Q&A style, and during the off-season, we will have long-form episodes focusing on one topic.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 14, 2020 • 1h 60min
S02E15: Developing a Coverage Menu for 1st & 2nd Down w/ Brian Vaughn (Blitzology)
Season 2 Episode 15 with Brian Vaughn, the author of the Blitzology Blog. We go through the process of selecting coverages for 21/12, 11/20, and 10 personnel for 1st & 2nd Downs in non-special situations, in the open field. SHOW NOTES: 5:36 PATREON! New Orange Package and Ron Roberts Q&A! 9:39 Welcome Brian Vaughn! 20:39 Overview of the Coverage Menu 26:13 Analyzing First Down 48:35 Hot Takes: No Cover Zone is Dead According to Vass 57:18 Defending 21/12 Pers on 1st & 2nd Down 1:07:59 Coverage Dictates the Front 1:26:57 Defending 11 Personnel 1:34:41 Defending 20 Personnel 1:38:52 11 Personnel w/ TE flexing Out to 4 Open 1:48:16 10 Personnel Calls 1:56:21 4 vs. 40 Rule Follow Coach Vaughn on Twitter @blitzologyblog and follow Coach Vass on Twitter @CoachVass and the podcast's account @MDGAPodcast. Come join us on Twitter to discuss the episode! To join the Coach Vass Football Patreon, go to www.patreon.com/CoachVass Visit our website at www.coachvass.com to view more information on the podcast, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, as well links to join Coach Vass' email list, and a form to contact him for off-season consulting. COACH VASS' COACHTUBE BUNDLE CoachTube "F the Coronavirus Bundle": https://coachtube.com/bundles/f-the-coronavirus-clinic-bundle-special?track=5df2f3bcaf46e634d1c9e18e8ce60ad5 COACHTUBE COURSE OF THE WEEK Ben Robertson - "Using Microsoft Visio to Draw your Playbook": https://coachtube.com/course/football/using-microsoft-visio-to-draw-your-playbook/11375324 JT O'Sullivan - "The RPO Framework: A Roadmap to Success": https://theqbschool.teachable.com/p/the-rpo-framework-roadmap-to-success ENTER CODE: VASS15 for 15% OFF! SPONSOR LINKS: www.glazierclinics.com www.coachtube.com www.hudl.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 25, 2020 • 2h 52min
S02E14: Creating and Refining your Defensive Install w/ Brandon Lechtenberg - LB Coach at UIW
Season 2 Episode 14 with Brandon Lechtenberg, Linebackers Coach at the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. Using the 4-2-5 as an example, Coach Lechtenberg and I talk about the philosophy of install for different times of the year (spring/summer vs. fall camp), install from a position coach's perspective, building confidence, as well as a day-by-day format and its adaptation for high school. This conversation weaves in and out of the topics below, so use the show notes as a general reference. SHOW NOTES: 8:28 Welcome Coach Lech! 11:24 The Philosophy of Install 33:03 Creating an Inventory to Install 52:31 Focusing on Opponents During Install 54:43 Practicing Against "Issues" 58:36 Installing as a Position Coach 1:06:45 Install: Scheme vs. Technique 1:12:58 Changing Your Environment to Change Your Thinking 1:15:14 Building Confidence 1:23:26 Day-by-Day Install 1:41:29 Spreading Out Problem Formations During Install 1:43:58 Learning Lessons through Pain & Misery 1:47:29 Don't Let Issues Hijack You 1:52:14 Installing Special Packages 1:59:40 Adapting the Install for HS 2:09:39 Simply to Evaluate Players 2:19:18 How Lech Would Adjust for HS 2:27:48 Replicating Game Conditions 2:30:18 Coach Lech Consulting Services 2:44:30 Who/What Do You Like to Study? Follow Coach Lechtenberg on Twitter @Coach_Lech and follow Coach Vass on Twitter @CoachVass and the podcast's account @MDGAPodcast. Come join us on Twitter to discuss the episode! To join the Coach Vass Football Patreon, go to www.patreon.com/CoachVass Visit our website at www.coachvass.com to view more information on the podcast, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, as well links to join Coach Vass' email list, and a form to contact him for off-season consulting. COACH VASS' COACHTUBE BUNDLE CoachTube "F the Coronavirus Bundle": https://coachtube.com/bundles/f-the-coronavirus-clinic-bundle-special COACHTUBE COURSE OF THE WEEK Eric Kasperowicz - "4-3 Bundle (Basic, Run, Pass)": https://coachtube.com/bundles/4-3-bundle-basics-run-pass JT O'Sullivan - "The RPO Framework: A Roadmap to Success": https://theqbschool.teachable.com/p/the-rpo-framework-roadmap-to-success ENTER CODE: VASS15 for 15% OFF! SPONSOR LINKS: www.glazierclinics.com www.coachtube.com www.hudl.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 5, 2020 • 1h 54min
S02E13: OLB Play in the 3-4 Defense w/ Cortney Braswell - OLB Coach at Appalachian State University
Season 2 Episode 13 with Cortney Braswell, the Outside Linebackers Coach at Appalachian State University. Coach Braswell and I talk the techniques necessary to play Outside Linebacker in such a diverse scheme as well as how to train them, and what he looks for in terms of physical traits needed to play the position. SHOW NOTES: 8:15 From HS to College Coaching 17:35 Desired OLB Physical Attributes - College and HS 25:55 Scheme Relevance 34:12 Cover 6 36:10 Planning Practice 48:08 Identifying and Teaching Techniques 50:58 Teaching the Foundation First 54:50 Differentiated Instruction 1:00:38 Motivating Your Players 1:05:31 Edge Rushing from Width 1:12:19 Pass Drops (General) 1:14:28 Quarter Drop Technique 1:17:20 Buzz-Flat Technique 1:22:03 Wall-Carry Technique 1:24:25 Playing Man Coverage 1:28:16 Tampa Coverage (Do Nothing Drop) 1:34:29 Dog Carrying the 2 in 3 Match 1:38:30 Players Working with Different Assistants 1:47:47 Calling the Defense in the MOF 1:53:46 Championship Question 1:56:15 Coach's Contact Information Follow Coach Braswell on Twitter @CortBraswell and follow Coach Vass on Twitter @CoachVass and the podcast's account @MDGAPodcast. Come join us on Twitter to discuss the episode! To join the Coach Vass Football Patreon, go to www.patreon.com/CoachVass Visit our website at www.coachvass.com to view more information on the podcast, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, as well links to join Coach Vass' email list, and a form to contact him for off-season consulting. COACH VASS' COACHTUBE BUNDLE CoachTube "F the Coronavirus Bundle": https://coachtube.com/bundles/f-the-coronavirus-clinic-bundle-special COACHTUBE COURSE OF THE WEEK Jeremy New - "Heritage 3-4 Rouge Total Defensive System": https://coachtube.com/course/football/heritage-3-4-rouge-total-defensive-system/2559882?SSAID=742098 JT O'Sullivan - "The RPO Framework: A Roadmap to Success": https://theqbschool.teachable.com/p/the-rpo-framework-roadmap-to-success CODE: Vass15 for 15% off! SPONSOR LINKS: www.glazierclinics.com www.coachtube.com www.hudl.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 27, 2020 • 1h 21min
S02E12: Cover 1, Cover 2, Brackets, and Belichick w/ Don Brown (University of Michigan)
Season 2 Episode 12 with Don Brown, the Defensive Coordinator at the University of Michigan. Coach Brown and I talk about 5-Man pressures, Cover 1, Cover 2 Pressures, and Bracket coverages, as well as discuss Bill Belichick, and the future of defense. SHOW NOTES: 3:58 BIG Announcement! 7:17 Playing with Maximum Effort 10:02 How Has Defense Changed? 12:45 Constructing 5-Man Pressures 22:34 Breaking Pass Protection 32:50 Cover 1 39:00 "Spinning" the Sniffer vs. Lever-Spill-Lever 46:06 Traveling the Viper 51:28 Cover 2 Zone Dogs 53:48 Take Back Rules on the Number 1 WR in Cover 2 55:30 5-0 Looks aka "Superman" 57:43 Defending 12 Personnel - Wing Twins 63:38 Defending Snug/Squeeze Formations 68:26 How Triple Option Changes Off-Season Prep 1:03:10 Tips on Defending the Triple Option 1:04:53 Hanging Out with Bill Belichick 1:19:07 The Future of Defense (and Offense) 1:21:38 Who Inspires You? Follow Coach Brown on Twitter @FBCoachDBrown and follow Coach Vass on Twitter @CoachVass and the podcast's account @MDGAPodcast. Come join us on Twitter to discuss the episode! To join the Coach Vass Football Patreon, go to www.patreon.com/CoachVass Visit our website at www.coachvass.com to view more information on the podcast, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, as well links to join Coach Vass' email list, and a form to contact him for off-season consulting. COACH VASS' COACHTUBE BUNDLE CoachTube "F the Coronavirus Bundle": https://coachtube.com/bundles/f-the-coronavirus-clinic-bundle-special?track=5df2f3bcaf46e634d1c9e18e8ce60ad5 COACHTUBE COURSE OF THE WEEK Cody Alexander MQ/MDGA Bundle (until 6/3/2020): https://coachtube.com/bundles/mq-mdga-bundle?track=999776152487c7fe3b98809ce8b5116f SPONSOR LINKS: www.glazierclinics.com www.coachtube.com www.hudl.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 12, 2020 • 1h 27min
S02E11: The Hoover High School Pressure Package w/ Chad McGehee - DC at Hoover HS (Hoover, AL)
Season 2 Episode 11 with Chad McGehee, the Defensive Coordinator at Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama. Coach McGehee and I talk about 6-Man "Hot" pressures, Fire Zones, Zone Creepers, and when to use them. SHOW NOTES: 4:44 Introduction 9:42 Base Defense 22:56 2 Under/3 Deep Coverage Pressures 27:07 2U/3D Pressure: Bomb 29:04 Blaze & Flame Coverage 37:18 2U/3D Pressure: Dbl A Gap (Ammo Blaze) 41:04 2U/3D Pressure: Missile Flame 50:05 Eliminating Fire Zones in 2019 53:32 Zone Creepers Overview 54:20 Creeper: Fox 55:28 Creeper: Bear Bills 57:32 Creeper: Niners 58:58 Creeper: Bengals 1:00:04 Qtrs Field/Man Boundary Pressures 1:03:33 Qtr/Man Pressure: Whip Buffalo (w/ Pop) 1:05:12 Qtr/Man Pressure: Crash Buffalo (w/ Pop) 1:05:48 Qtr/Man Pressure: Buzzard Flash 1:09:40 Gameplanning the Pressures 1:16:43 Choosing the Right Blitz Paths 1:27:45 Championship Question Follow Coach McGehee on Twitter @CoachMcgehee and follow Coach Vass on Twitter @CoachVass and the podcast's account @MDGAPodcast. Come join us on Twitter to discuss the episode! To join the Coach Vass Football Patreon, go to www.patreon.com/CoachVass Visit our website at www.coachvass.com to view more information on the podcast, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, as well links to join Coach Vass' email list, and a form to contact him for off-season consulting. COACH VASS' COACHTUBE BUNDLE CoachTube "F the Coronavirus Bundle": shorturl.at/ektLO COACHTUBE COURSE OF THE WEEK Dante Bartee: Cover 3/6 1-High Zone Match Bundle: https://coachtube.com/bundles/dante-bartee-3-course-bundle-match-coverage SPONSOR LINKS: www.glazierclinics.com www.coachtube.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 snips
May 5, 2020 • 2h 15min
S02E10: Coaching Defensive Line w/ Ryan Osborn - DL Coach at University of Tennessee-Martin
Ryan Osborn, the Defensive Line coach at the University of Tennessee-Martin, brings a wealth of experience from coaching at the University of Florida and Mississippi State. He dives deep into defensive line techniques, exploring concepts like one-gap and two-gap strategies. Osborn emphasizes the importance of stance, hand placement, and striking techniques. His insights into adapting to various offensive schemes highlight the critical decision-making necessary for defensive success. The episode showcases both advanced strategies and the power of building relationships in coaching.

Apr 20, 2020 • 1h 34min
S02E09: "The East Coast 3-4 Defense" w/ Nate Woody - DC at Army
Season 2 Episode 9 with Nate Woody, the Defensive Coordinator at Army. We talk about his defensive scheme and the coverages associated with the activated rushers, as well as his philosophy of playing zone coverages. We touch on a lot of topics from dropping 8, to bringing 6! SHOW NOTES: 2:48 Introduction 10:58 History of the Defense 13:47 Scheme Overview 22:09 Boundary Rush 33:31 Zone vs. Match Coverages 43:21 Twisting w/ Man-Free (Don Brown) 1:03:08 Coverages by Rusher 1:11:54 Percentage of Calls 1:12:34 Drop 8 Coverages 1:13:45 Advice from Steve Spurrier 1:15:40 5-Man Pressures 1:18:24 Slanting to Over/Under 1:22:21 Looking for Quick Twitch 1:28:33 Pressure Package 1:30:25 #1 Pressure: Flood 1:33:22 Championship Question Follow Coach Woody on Twitter @CoachNateWoody and follow Coach Vass on Twitter @CoachVass and the podcast's account @MDGAPodcast. Come join us on Twitter to discuss the episode! Visit our website at www.coachvass.com to view more information on the podcast, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, as well links to join Coach Vass' email list, and a form to contact him for off-season consulting. If you are interested in donating to the GoFundMe for the Veronica Vasseur End-of-Life Expenses Fund, you can do so by going here: www.gofundme.com/f/veronicavasseur Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/coachvass CoachTube Bundle: https://coachtube.com/bundles/f-the-coronavirus-clinic-bundle-special?track=5df2f3bcaf46e634d1c9e18e8ce60ad5 Sponsor Links: www.glazierclinics.com/ www.atavus.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 6, 2020 • 1h 46min
S02E08: Bud Foster - The Virginia Tech Defensive System: Coverages, Pressures, and Evolution
Season 2 Episode 8 with Bud Foster, the former Defensive Coordinator and current Special Assistant to the Athletics Director at Virginia Tech. We talk about the evolution of his defense from an 8-man front, including changes in personnel and coverages, as well as his vaunted pressure package(s). SHOW NOTES: 3:40 Introduction 8:40 Playing Quarters vs. RPO 12:08 Structure/Personnel in the Defense 16:39 FIB Adjustments 21:58 Quarters Coverage 27:09 Defending 2x2 35:35 Mini Coverage 37:49 Gun Strong 3x1 38:51 Key Coverage & Bingo 42:53 Naming Coverages 49:30 I Suck At Naming Things 53:46 Intermission - A Message from Vass 59:50 Evolution of the G Defense 1:06:29 The Infamous Ohio State Game 1:12:34 Nickel Bear 1:23:10 Pressure Package 1:25:53 Top Pressure: Dog Check 1:28:02 Other Pressures: Cowboy. Cab. Rake, Rocket 1:37:16 Tampa 2 Drops 1:43:38 Championship Call 1:50:20 Housekeeping Follow Coach Foster on Twitter @coachfostervt and follow Coach Vass on Twitter @CoachVass and the podcast's account @MDGAPodcast. Come join us on Twitter to discuss the episode! Visit our website at www.coachvass.com to view more information on the podcast, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, as well links to join Coach Vass' email list, and a form to contact him for off-season consulting. If you are interested in donating to the GoFundMe for the Veronica Vasseur End-of-Life Expenses Fund, you can do so by going here: www.gofundme.com/f/veronicavasseur Sponsor Links: www.glazierclinics.com/ www.atavus.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 24, 2020 • 1h 47min
S02E07: Tackling from Various Positions on the Field w/ Rex Norris, Head of Football @ Atavus
Season 2 Episode 7 with Rex Norris, Defensive Coordinator at Tahoma HS in Maple Valley, WA & Head of Football for Atavus We talk about tackling from various positions on the field. SHOW NOTES: 1:25 News & Notes 8:57 Intro 11:26 Philosophy of Tackling 13:52 Teaching Situational Awareness 16:55 Types of Drills 25:52 Tackling with Force Players - Overhangs 30:56 Block Destruction 42:16 Tackling with Force Players - Corners 49:25 Inside Linebacker Tackling - Inside-Out 58:47 Inside Linebacker Tackling - Force Position 1:02:34 Drill Progressions 1:07:35 Tackling with Alley Safeties 1:17:26 Tackling with Defensive Linemen 1:27:16 The Benefits of Atavus 1:34:08 Tacklytics Follow Coach Norris on Twitter @Coach_RexNorris and follow Coach Vass on Twitter @CoachVass and the podcast's account @MDGAPodcast. Come join us on Twitter to discuss the episode! Visit our website at www.coachvass.com to view more information on the podcast, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, as well links to join Coach Vass' email list, and a form to contact him for off-season consulting. If you are interested in donating to the GoFundMe for the Veronica Vasseur End-of-Life Expenses Fund, you can do so by going here: www.gofundme.com/f/veronicavasseur Sponsor Links: www.glazierclinics.com/ www.atavus.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 4, 2020 • 1h 59min
S02E06: Pressure Packages out of the 4-2-5 w/ Jacob Gill - DC at Shiloh Christian (Springdale, AR)
Season 2 Episode 6 with Jacob Gill, Defensive Coordinator at Shiloh Christian School in Springdale, Arkansas. We talk about various pressures out of the 4-2-5, as well as some Odd front adjustments. If you're a fan of TCU's defense, you will recognize some of these calls! SHOW NOTES: 1:26 General Notes 4:29 Introduction 8:34 Smokes & Strikes Package 25:27 Smokes with Cover 3 29:51 Kyle Cogan = Oprah 34:20 Smokes with 2 Trap 41:36 Bullets Package 49:52 Bullets with 2 Under/3 Deep 55:46 7-Man Pressures 58:15 Dogs Package 1:15:51 Read Pressures: Rain & Hail & Various Notes 1:47:28 Mug Fronts 1:54:55 Championship Question Follow Coach Gill on Twitter @Coach_JGill and follow Coach Vass on Twitter @CoachVass and the podcast's account @MDGAPodcast. Come join us on Twitter to discuss the episode! Visit our website at www.coachvass.com to view more information on the podcast, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, CoachTube videos, articles from Coach Vass, as well links to join Coach Vass' email list, and a form to contact him for off-season consulting. If you are interested in donating to the GoFundMe for the Veronica Vasseur End-of-Life Expenses Fund, you can do so by going here: www.gofundme.com/f/veronicavasseur Sponsor Links: www.glazierclinics.com/ www.atavus.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices