The 4-2-5 Base Defense

with Joe Woodley,
Drake University Head Coach;
Grand View University Head Coach from 2019 to 2024;
2024 NAIA National Champions;
In 2024, was named in ESPN's "Coaches Who Will Define the Next Decade" of College Football (the only NAIA level coach to receive the recognition):
2023 North Division Conference Head Coach of the Year;
North Division Conference Head Coach of the Year in 2019, 2020, 2022;
Grand View University Defensive Coordinator from 2008 to 2017;
2013 NAIA National Champions;
2013 Football Scoop Coordinator of the Year;
2011 Mid-States Football Association Midwest League Champions;
2009 Mid-States Football Association Assistant Coach of the Year;
played college football for Iowa State University

and Travis Johansen,
University of South Dakota Defensive Coordinator;
Grand View University Co-Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach from 2012 to 2018

In 2015, the Grand View defense was first in the nation in both total defense per game (237.5) and scoring defense per game (13.9). They were also second in the NAIA in both pass defense efficiency (90.4) and rushing defense per game (91.3). Grand View finished top 10 in the country in pass defense per game (4th-146.2), opponent fourth down conversions (4th-29.4), total sacks (7th-35.5), and opponent first downs (9th-178).

The 4-2-5 defense is one of the most common and effective defensive schemes utilized at the college level. Each defensive position has one clear key which determines run and pass, getting the defense to the ball with proper leverage quickly. By replacing a traditional linebacker with an additional safety, teams are able to more effectively defend today's spread offenses that feature more skill players.

Joe Woodley begins this video explaining his basic philosophy of defending the run: outnumber the offense at the point of attack and bounce all inside runs. Also, Coach Woodley explains how he tries to give each of his players one key to focus on to increase confidence and reduce conflicts the players may get from their keys.

Travis Johansen then discusses all of the keys and reads, as well as responsibilities in the split coverage for Grand View's Base Weak 80 defensive scheme. In split coverage concept, your defense is divided into two halves with each side independent in its coverage, which leads to fewer mistakes.

Base Run Defense

Coach Woodley diagrams the defense that he calls Weak 80. This defense aligns to the passing strength in order to get the nickel or "Stud" backer involved in the run game in the case of two-back formations. The "Stud" outside linebacker is put in a position to force the run and be at the point of attack on plays to the strength of the formation. He covers how to use the "BOB" call to shut down the open "B" gap in spread formations by having the defensive end cross face and kick out blocks by the offensive tackle.

Coach Woodley also describes how the weak safety, or the "Rover," will be involved in the game to the weak side in the case of a two-back run to the weak side. By utilizing the "Stud" and "Rover" players as primary run defenders, the defense can handle all two-back runs without having linebackers playing two gaps based on the flow of the backfield.

You'll learn the alignments, keys, and responsibilities for the front seven. Coach Woodley uses game and practice footage to show examples of the defensive alignment against two-back formations, and one-back 2x2 and 3x1 formations with and without a tight end. See how Coach Woodley defends the most common plays from these formations: Iso, Zone Read, Power, and Stretch Zone; and, learn two ways to adjust to a trips formation which are simple and don't change the front seven assignments.

Split Coverage

Coach Johansen diagrams Grand View's Weak 80 coverage against a variety of offensive formations. He demonstrates how the Rover will be the adjuster when the offense gets into a two-back set in order to create an eight-man front. Coach Johansen also diagrams and uses game footage to show the defense's alignment against a variety of one-back formations and how the defense will adjust to each formation without putting additional stress on the linebackers.

You will also see drops and responsibilities against twins, pro, and trips formations. The "Zip" call uses the Rover to "rob" and help with the third defender to the strong side

Coach Johansen also explains each secondary players' keys and responsibilities against both one- and two-back formations. He tells why the secondary players are responsible for fitting on their key if their key blocks on a run play. By teaching his players to fit on their keys, Coach Johansen can ensure that the defense won't be out-leveraged or out-numbered by the offense.

If you're looking for a 4-2-5 system that's easy to implement and easy for players to learn, this is the video for you!

122 minutes. 2017.