The Morningside Method: Stopping The Run Game In The Secondary

with Casey Jacobsen, Morningside University, Co-Defensive Coordinator;
2021 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year honoree;
2019 FootballScoop.com Coordinator of the Year;
3X NAIA National Championships (2018, 2019 & 2021);
18x consecutive years of making NAIA playoffs;
11x Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Championships

In this instructional video, Casey Jacobsen, the Co-Defensive Coordinator of 3-time NAIA National Champion (2018, 2019, 2021) Morningside University, presents an detailed outline for Safety play from a Cover 4 defense, featuring an emphasis on stopping the run. Option-based schemes, as well as RPOs, have made playing Cover 4 a necessity for a lot of today’s defenses. Utilizing white board diagrams and game-film video examples, Jacobsen explains how he teaches his Safeties to fit common run plays so that the defense can keep the numbers in their favor.

Defensive Alignments

Coach Jacobsen begins by diagramming his basic defensive alignment, while explaining how he utilizes the Outside Linebackers to keep leverage on the formation and uses his Safeties as a means to cancel any extra gaps in their Cover 4 scheme. In addition, Jacobsen also demonstrates how using Safeties to leverage extra gaps allows his defense to remain simple for the players to learn, while decreasing the advantages that multiple formations provide for an offense. 

As a further point of emphasis, Jacobsen demonstrates:

• How interior gaps are defended within a 4-3 alignment.
• Ensuring that the defense always plays with an overhang defender.
• Utilizing Safeties to cancel gaps created by an H-back.

Defending Multiple Formations

Coach Jacobsen then shows several clips of game video to show his defensive scheme against multiple offensive formations and a variety of offensive schemes. He also shares several video clips of 3x1 and 2-back formations to demonstrate how consistent each player’s rules remain. Adjustments are shown to nub formations, as well as 2 TE alignments. Jacobsen offers terrific insight on key subjects such as using overhang linebackers to defend RPOs and how to teach Safeties and Corners to become involved in the run fit, based on formation. Jacobsen also covers how he teaches his players to adjust to motion while maintaining consistency with their keys, reads and responsibilities.

Possessing the ability to play Cover 4 and utilizing Safeties to defend the run game is a necessity if you want to have a good defense in the modern game. Jacobsen’s video presentation showcases a simple, yet highly effective way to ensure that your defense is always sound against the run game and RPOs. 

With the information presented in this video, you will have your defense ready to dominate!

Coach Rating: 5 Out Of 5 Stars.‘This is a very good defensive video with lots of specific information that relates to schemes that most defensive coaches will encounter over the course of a season. Excellent content and presentation!’

41 minutes. 2022.