Caleb Padilla's 4-2-5 Defense

with Caleb Padilla,
Luther College Head Coach;
former Defensive Coordinator at Luther College;
led the Iowa Conference in Pass Defense in back-to-back years (2016-17)

The Run Pass Option (RPO) has become widely used around the nation. In this video, Coach Padilla breaks down the 4-2-5 defense and the approach it takes when scheming against a spread offense that utilizes a strong RPO system. Padilla takes you through the keys and responsibilities for each player and the discipline that is needed in order to avoid getting exploited by the RPO.

Coach Padilla begins with the philosophical approach to his 4-2-5 defense, plus overall team goals and visions. He then takes you through various adjustments made versus formations that are commonly used when creating RPO situations. He shows his no-huddle procedure, which is vital because most RPO teams run a lot of no-huddle throughout a game.

Stopping the Run Game

Typical RPO teams will try to run an abundant amount of plays in order to break your players down mentally and physically. The defensive philosophy is centered on defending the middle of the defense, spilling the ball to the outside, and getting an extra defender at the point of attack. Padilla explains the different roles each player has and how those roles can adjust against multiple formations and personnel. He covers which players become the:

• Spill player
• Extra player
• FPB
• Launch player
• Shuffle Squeeze player

Next, Padilla breaks down the run game - with simple adjustments to multiple formations - into Zone, Gap, inside run, and outside run schemes.

Both sideline and end zone game film gives a clear picture of each play. All formations and looks are covered as Coach Padilla does an excellent job of coaching you through the different formations, sets, and plays in the RPO offense.

Slowing Down the No-Huddle

A common approach for RPO teams is to run no-huddle. Padilla covers how he coaches his system to adjust versus no-huddle, including the communication process pre- and post-snap. It will help your defensive line get lined up immediately and then look for signals. Meanwhile, your inside backer will get the front call and your safeties will get the coverage/pressure calls while the corners stay outside the hashes.

Stay on the cutting edge with Coach Padilla as he breaks down the essential components to stop the RPO spread system!

"This video has all of the terminology anyone could ask for as well as reasons why Coach Padilla has emphasized some of these points. This video can really help some coaches avoid the trial and error phase when implementing the 4-2-5 for the first time." - Customer Review

122 minutes. 2018.

with Caleb Padilla,
Luther College Head Coach;
former Defensive Coordinator at Luther College;
led the Iowa Conference in Pass Defense in back-to-back years (2016-17)

Do you want something different for your defense? Are your players smaller than what traditional power defenses require? Then this is the defensive scheme for you! The 4-2-5 allows you to play aggressive defense even if your athletes are smaller than the average team.

The 4-2-5 defense allows defensive coordinators to send players each play and blitz from all angles of the field. Using diagrams and film, Caleb Padilla focuses on the blitz package that is built into his 4-2-5 scheme and how to work with various coverage schemes. He discusses the vital communication that is needed to eliminate mistakes while telling players where they need to be.

Coach Padilla illustrates how he hides the blitzer based on where the ball is placed, the offensive formation, or the wide side of the field. This creates an advantage for the defense as the offense won't know who's coming. He also breaks down how to blitz versus run/pass teams and power teams.

4-2-5 Blitz Schemes

Coach Padilla breaks down various blitz techniques and responsibilities, including:

• Smoke Blitzes - Brings edge pressure with a safety or corner. A simple call system allows you to pressure the offense based on either field position or formation sets. The Double Smoke blitz is a good pressure to use to bring six defenders, especially in the red zone or short yardage situations.
• Bullets Blitz Package - Brings one of the inside backers to disturb the run game. It adds another defender in the blitz and is effective against 21 personnel, especially if they are run heavy.

Both sideline and end zone game film gives a clear picture of each blitz in action.

Coach Padilla also shows you his middle of the field coverage, "Magic." This allows you to bring the free safety down as the strong safety blitzes, and rotate the backside safety over the top. With the Magic coverage concept, it's man coverage when it needs to be man, and zone coverage when it needs to be zone.

If you're looking for an aggressive defense that will allow you to create pressure from all angles of the field, this video from Coach Padilla is a great resource!

59 minutes. 2018.

with Caleb Padilla,
Luther College Head Coach;
former Defensive Coordinator at Luther College;
led the Iowa Conference in Pass Defense in back-to-back years (2016-17)

The 4-2-5 defense is built to defend the spread offense, as it presents more coverage schemes and coverage players to defend the full length of the field, side to side. The coverages are vital to the success of the 4-2-5 as it looks to defend the perimeter and passing game of the spread offense.

In this video, Coach Padilla focuses on the his pattern read and match coverage concept that is built into his 4-2-5 scheme, plus how it works with various run fits and blitz schemes. When offenses try to manipulate the defense by exchanging their players with alignment or routes, it's imperative that the secondary of a defense can keep their leverage. This is where the pattern read and route matching scheme works the best. Padilla explains the coverage responsibilities and adjustments that are made from each position of the 4-2-5, whether you are covering an outside receiver or slot back.

You'll see Coach Padilla break down the coverage structure of the two deep safety coverage, and he also explains single high coverage looks. The approach to these schemes focuses on the quarterback drop backs you'll see in any offensive scheme.

Quarters Coverage

Coach Padilla like to run quarters coverage because it provides easy adjustments versus formations or wide receiver splits, allows for a "plus one" in the run game, matches four vertical routes with ease, and gives safety help to the corners.

You'll see how Padilla uses a "Slot" call versus a 2-by-2 set when the number one and two receivers are in a split that allows the safety to get over the top of any outside threat if the inside receiver runs a quick out. In "Slot," the corner rolls to the out with leverage and the safety expands to cover any vertical by the outside receiver. Words that begin with the letter "S" put the safety in force, and words that begin with the letter "C" put the corner in force.

Away side calls such as "Bronco," "Stay," and "Cone" complete the coverage package and give you tools to attack any offensive scheme.

The 4-2-5 defense separates itself from other defensive schemes through its multiple coverages. The ability to switch and disguise coverages lends a great advantage to a defense, which is why this defense typically finds its strength versus a spread offense. Learn how to implement it yourself with this fantastic video from Coach Padilla!

84 minutes. 2018.