Defending the Spread with the 50 Defense

with J.T. Curtis,
John Curtis Christian School (LA) Head Coach,
2006 USA Today National HS Coach of the Year;
21 State HS Football titles

Using a variety of assistant coaches, Coach Curtis begins with the base package for the 50 defense. In the Doubles Out of Under, the defense works to get the free rusher alone against the runner where he can make big plays. Also, it uses a combo concept if the receivers run crossing routes. Trips Out of Under and Trips Out of the Gun are different looks for the 50, which is diagrammed on the white board. Walking the ends out to space is the key to this defense. It gives you more options and different looks. In the nickel alignment, Curtis emphasizes lining up your free rusher to the running back's side. Defending the empty set is another emphasis of this base package. The blitz is an option but instead, Curtis changes the location of the rush. The hash mark game is also a favorite aspect of this defense. The goal is to shrink the area to the boundary from 17 feet to just 10 feet. Players must be athletic enough to be able to wall receivers to the boundary. When players understand general concepts, the added elements of the defense add to its strength.

45 minutes. 2007.

This item also belongs to the following series!

• J.T. Curtis 50 Defense 3-Pack

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