Defensive Line: Run & Pass Concepts

with Keenan Carter,
College of William & Mary Defensive Line Coach;
former Howard University Defensive Line Coach;
former Bridgewater College Defensive Line Coach

The defensive line can make or break a defense. With a strong one, the offense will have fewer options in their playbook with less time to throw and fewer holes to run through. With a weak one, the rest of your defenders will be scrambling to pick up the slack on the back end.

Keenan Carter, the College of William & Mary defensive line coach, covers his range of teaching methods for the defensive line in this video. You will learn defensive line fundamentals to use against the run and the pass, as well as drills to improve the skills of your individual athletes.

Run Defense Fundamentals for 3-4 and 4-3

Coach Carter's presentation begins with an explanation of his philosophy for defensive line play with regards to playing both a 3-4 and 4-3 defense. He covers a variety of topics, and with several game and practice video clips, demonstrates several drills that teach the finer points of defensive line play against the run. You'll see:

• The stance and initial step that Coach Carter teaches his players.
• Keys and responsibilities for each position in both the 3-4 defense and the 4-3 defense.
• The Run Gauntlet drill, which ties together several of the fundamentals of run defense.

Fundamentals of Pass Rush

Carter concludes with a detailed explanation of pass rush fundamentals. He touches on pass rush lanes and how to teach the concept from both a 3-man and 4-man pass rush. You'll come away with tactics to rush the passer in order to limit QB scramble yards, drills that teach necessary landmarks for coordinating your pass rush, and adjustments to pass rush lanes to contain the QB while only rushing three players.

Coach Carter gives a detailed look at all elements of defensive line play for both the 4-3 and 3-4 defense. This is truly a great addition to any defensive coach's library!

36 minutes. 2020.