Defensive Practice Planning and 50 Front Defense vs. the Spread

with J.T. Curtis,
John Curtis Christian School (LA) Head Coach,
over 623 career coaching victories;
the winningest American football coach in history;
28x Louisiana (LHSAA) High School Football Championships;
won 5 straight State Championships (LA) from 2004 through 2008;
2015 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Hall of Fame;
2012 Louisiana Class 2A State High School Champions (26 State HS Football titles total);
2012 High School National Champion;
2012 USA Today National HS Coach of the Year
2010 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee;
9x LFCA Coach of the Year;
6x LSWA Coach of the Year;
Most Consecutive Games Without Being Shut Out (303) (National Record);
1994 Louisiana Christian University Athletic Hall of Fame inductee;
1980s National Sports Foundation "Coach of the Decade";
as head baseball coach, was a 3x LHSAA Baseball State Championship winner;
played college football at Arkansas and Louisiana College;
1964 Parade High School Football All-American

Rarely do we get an opportunity to learn from a legend and almost never from a legend who is still coaching. The John Curtis football program has been one of the most successful programs in the country. Listening to J.T. Curtis, you will quickly see why he has accomplished the unthinkable. In this incredible video, he takes you through the practice preparation (defense) that has made his players so successful on and off the field. Coach Curtis expands his talk with an analysis of the adjustments he makes with his 50 front defense to respond to the ever-popular spread offense.

In a highly detailed presentation that uses overhead projection, Coach Curtis defines the intangibles he and his coaches use each season to create successful offensive, defensive, and special teams. He focuses his presentation on practice organization, while implementing defensive concepts and drills. He shares some of the drills used at the beginning of the season to build defensive pursuit to the ball carrier out of his 50 defense.

Coach Curtis continues his presentation with a discussion of the 50-front defense and the different ways it is used against various offensive formations. In order to have effective personnel on the field, all of the important position changes are analyzed. Coach Curtis identifies the mismatches a 50-front can create on the spread offense, and provides various blitzes that can be utilized.

Coach Curtis also shows the 4-3 front he uses, which gives multiple looks at his defense. His nickel package deploys the 4-2-5 look and he points out the importance of pass rush lane integrity by the defensive line. Coach Curtis also discusses the opportunity to bring five defenders from his 50-front and how the "bluff" position by his linebackers creates problems for offensive line protections. All of the adjustments and techniques are thoroughly demonstrated and explained.

For a successful season, make J.T. Curtis' proven method of organization part of your practice plans. Add in the 50 front adjustments to the ever-popular spread offense and create mismatches and havoc on opponents.

Produced at the 2013 Orlando Nike Coach of the Year Clinic.

62 minutes. 2013.