The Riverboat Defense: Basics

with Anthony Pratley,
former Concordia University (Ann Arbor) Offensive Coordinator;
innovator of the Pistol Spread Option Offense

The Riverboat Defense is built to defend and stop the spread offense. With this video, you will learn a defense to stop the spread from Anthony Pratley, an innovator of the spread. This defense doesn't have a true label because it can morph into so many defensive looks, such as 3-3 stack, 5-3, 5-2, 4-3, and 4-4.

The Riverboat is a multiple formation system with positioning based on offensive alignment. It's designed to take away 80-90% of the best offensive plays for each offensive alignment by positioning players in the box to eliminate double teams and your opponent's running game. With a defensive backfield that's good with press-man coverage, and a free safety with the only responsibility "to find the football," this defense can dominate your opponents.

Coach Pratley walks you through the Riverboat Defense using an animated PowerPoint. He provides a color-coded schematic with explanation of each players' responsibility for the six categories of offensive alignments (2x2, 3x1, two backs, three backs, empty and quads). Learn simple and quick adjustments to balanced and offset formations that create multiple defensive looks. For example, you will see how Pratley positions the defensive lineman and middle linebacker so that they're responsible for stopping the run or creating a pass rush 100% of the time.

Pratley demonstrates formations and explains where personnel substitutions may be beneficial for providing better press-man coverage, coverage of the slot receiver, and having linebackers and safeties play on the line of scrimmage. An innovative coach can also build on this system by adding stunts, pressures and blitzes based on scouting reports of their opponents.

Eliminate your need to make adjustments to your defensive scheme based on your opponent's offensive system. This is a simple system that is easy to install and adjust to the strengths of defensive players on your team. Gamble this season and take the risk with the reward of the Riverboat Defense!

67 minutes. 2017.