VM Girls Flag Football Defensive Manual and Schematic Guide

MEG/MAN Defensive Scheme: 2x2 Formation

• Conceptual Overview: This defensive alignment is designed for a 2x2 offensive set (two receivers on each side of the ball). The primary goal is to employ MEG (Man Everywhere she Goes) coverage while utilizing zone help from the Mac and Safety positions.

• The Shade System:

  • Color Coding: Positions are color-coded to identify the specific girl a defender will be covering the most.
  • Outside Outline: The outside outline on diagrams indicates which players can affect your specific job.

• Position Alignment and Assignments (2x2):

  • Safety (S):
    • Alignment: Located at $12\,yds$ depth at the midpoint of the two secondary options (the 2's).
    • Assignment: Acts as the Post Safety, covering the area from deep hash to hash. This player is "freed up" to go make plays.
  • Corner (C):
    • Alignment: Stationed at $5-7\,yds$ depth by $1\,yd$ width, aligned off receiver "1".
    • Assignment: Man to Man coverage (MEG). Receives zone help from the Mac and Safety.
  • Backer (B):
    • Alignment: Stationed at $4\,yds$ depth by $1\,yd$ width, aligned off receiver "2".
    • Assignment: Man to Man coverage (MEG). Receives zone help from the Mac in the middle.
  • Mac (M):
    • Alignment: Located at $5\,yds$ depth, positioned toward the Running Back (RB).
    • Assignment: Man to man coverage on the Running Back or the Center.
  • Blitzer ($):
    • Alignment: Located at $1\,yd$ depth, positioned opposite the Running Back.
    • Assignment: Acts as a full-time blitzer. The primary goal is to pressure the Quarterback (QB).

• Coach Notes and Adjustments (2x2):

  • Definition of MEG: MEG stands for "Man everywhere she goes."
  • Vertical Responsibility: High-level instruction states: "No vertical responsibilities."
  • Aggression: Defenders must be aggressive on run plays and shallow routes.
  • Prioritization: Coach prefers to lose a rep (play) on in-breaking routes rather than out-breaking routes.
  • Line of Scrimmage (LOS) Protocol: If the assigned receivers stay in to block (referred to as "no work"), defenders should play it out like a Base defense and play off the QB.
  • Physical Metric: A key question for defenders to consider: "How fast can you close $6\,yds$???"

MEG/MAN Defensive Scheme: 3x1 Formation

• Conceptual Overview: This alignment is tailored for a 3x1 offensive set (three receivers on one side, one on the other). It splits the field into an "x3 side" and an "x1 side."

• Position Alignment and Assignments (3x1):

  • Safety (S):
    • Alignment: Located at $12\,yds$ depth, midpoint of the 2's.
    • Assignment: Post Safety; must favor the x3 side. Rule of thumb: "Think help x3 side first."
  • Corner (C):
    • Alignment: Stationed at $9\,yds$ depth by $1\,yd$ width, aligned off WR1.
    • Assignment: Man to Man coverage (MEG). Receives zone help from Mac and Safety.
  • Backer (B):
    • Alignment: Stationed at $4\,yds$ depth by $1\,yd$ width, aligned off WR2/3.
    • Assignment: M2M (Man-to-Man) coverage on WR2 and WR3 utilizing inside leverage.
  • Mac (M):
    • Alignment: Located at $5\,yds$ depth, positioned toward the RB.
    • Assignment: M2M coverage on the RB or Center. Specifically stays on the left side of the Center.
  • Blitzer ($):
    • Alignment: Located at $1\,yd$ depth.
    • Assignment: Pressure the QB. Mandatory requirement: "Have to force the throw." This is identified as the "most important player on the field."

• Adjustments and Comments (3x1):

  • The x1 Side: The Backside Corner (x1 side) is described as being "on an island."
  • The x3 Side: Critical to find WR 2 and 3.
  • Vertical Guidelines: Defenders must ensure nobody is running free vertically and must remain aggressive on the run.
  • No Work Clause: If the assigned coverage girls stay in to block, revert to Base defense principles and play off the QB.

Offensive Motions and Terminology

• JET Motion:

  • Description: The Wide Receiver (WR) motions across the ball to line up on the opposite side and gets set.
  • Key Distinction: This is very similar to "Fly" motion, but the crucial difference is that the WR is reset on the other side of the ball before the ball is snapped.

• FLY Motion:

  • Description: The WR motions across the ball and the ball is snapped while she is still moving.
  • Key Distinction: Similar to "Jet" motion, but the WR does not get set; she is in motion at the point of the snap.

• ORBIT Motion:

  • Description: The WR motions and "bubbles" behind the Quarterback.
  • Timing: The ball will be snapped once the WR is directly behind the QB.
  • Utility: The team will utilize double passes and check-downs off this specific motion.

Overall Defensive Philosophy

• Primary Directive: "Do your main job first." If no receiver is running through a designated zone, defenders must play off the Quarterback and "find work" in their main zone.
• Successful Defense Criteria: Good defense is achieved through leveraging the receiver (1, 2, or 3) and "breaking off the QB's Throw."
• Under Coverage Rules: Players in under coverage should not "chase" routes. Instead, they should leverage receivers 2 or 3 through their specific zone.
• Deep Coverage Rules: Defenders must not let receivers run free. If a receiver moves up the field, the defender moves up.
• The Blitzer's Role: The blitzer's job is to force the throw; defensive backs must understand they do not have to cover forever. Coaches encourage taking chances: "Turnovers win football games."
• Effort and Execution:
  • Mandatory running to the football.
  • Break to the ball the moment it is thrown, regardless of field position.
  • Ceding a catch is acceptable if it means living to fight another play, as the QB will eventually make mistakes to capitalize on.

Zone Defense Structure

• Defense Type: The team will utilize a Base zone and a Man defense with variations. The complexity of the schemes will be limited to what the 7 active players can handle.

• Zone Categorization:

  • Inside Zone Defenders: Mac and Safety.
  • Outside Zone Defenders: Backer and Corners.
  • Under Zone Defenders: Backers and Mac.
  • Deep Zone Defenders: Corners and Safeties.

• Alignment and Leverage:

  • Inside Shade: Defined as being $1\,yd$ inside the assigned receiver.
  • Defenders must know their specific depth and leverage relative to WR1, 2, or 3.

• The Five Essential Questions for Every Player:

  1. Are you an Inside or outside zone defender?
  2. Are you a Deep or under zone defender?
  3. What is your main zone?
  4. Do you know where to align? (Depth/Leverage/Receiver proximity)
  5. What is your job?