Brent Jackson, Defensive Quality Control, Indianapolis Colts

For Coach Jackson's entire Glazier Drive presentation, visit DB Tackling & Tracking

What is Tracking?

Tracking is closing the distance between the defender and the ball carrier. It's fundamental to tackling and just as important. The coach emphasizes that it's more than simply running to the player with the ball—proper tracking requires specific techniques to ensure the defender is in the right position to make the play.

Key Coaching Points:

• Eat up the grass: Close the distance with the ball carrier as quickly as possible
  
  
• Eyes on the near hip: Focus vision on the ball carrier's near hip to avoid overrunning the play
  
  
• Own your leverage: Keep the ball on the same shoulder (right or left) throughout the pursuit
  
  
• Maintain good pad level: Approach with proper body position as you close in

Common Issues with Tracking:

• Improper tracking angles
• Overrunning the football (allowing cutbacks)
• "Sitting in the chair" (stopping forward momentum and becoming reactive)

Importance of Simulation: The coach stresses that quality practice requires good simulation. When drilling tracking techniques, the player simulating the ball carrier is just as important as the player practicing tackling. Without realistic looks, defenders can't develop proper skills.

Tracking Drills Demonstrated:

1. 5-yard Tracking Drill:
   • Defender starts 5 yards from ball carrier
   • Ball carrier begins on stomach (creates timing and leverage advantage)
   • When ball carrier shuffles, defender must respond with "shimmy technique"
   • Shimmy involves getting the near foot forward to react to cutbacks or continue pursuit
     
     
2. 10-yard Open Field Drill:
   • Defender and ball carrier start 10 yards apart
   • Ball carrier gets one move
   • Defender must maintain proper leverage throughout pursuit

Coach Jackson reinforces these concepts with game footage examples showing how these tracking principles apply in real situations, demonstrating how proper tracking prevents cutbacks and explosive plays.

Brett Dietz, Head Coach, DePauw

Watch the entire presentation on Glazier Drive: Utilizing Fast Motion in the Spread Offense

Power Read Technique:

• Involves reading the defensive end - if he squeezes down, the ball is given to the motion player
• Uses various blocking schemes adaptable to opponents
• Guard pulls to block, but stays in the alley rather than chasing defenders
• Blocking assignments are split: linemen block for the quarterback while others block for the jet sweep player
• Can be effective with both smaller, faster players and larger tight ends who are harder to tackle

Motion Strategy Benefits:

• Creates defensive hesitation, particularly against teams worried about play action passes
• Can pull defenders out of position, creating running lanes
• Coach emphasizes how motion forces defenses to defend horizontally

Outside Zone with Motion:

• Unlike Power Read, this is a straight handoff to the motion player without a read
• Running backs are instructed to "fire their gun" as lead blockers - hit defenders hard rather than hesitating
• Motion players cut based on the block rather than blockers trying to make perfect blocks
• Used for both boundary and field sides
• Can be combined with inside zone runs for more offensive variety

Strategic Variations:

• "Ghost" motion serves as eye candy to distract defenders without involving the motion player as a ball carrier
• Team adjusts blocking assignments weekly based on opponents
• Uses both field and boundary variations of these plays
• Creates multiple threats defenders must account for simultaneously

Coach Dietiz emphasizes that this offensive approach has evolved over time, with the team continually refining these concepts to create more effective misdirection and exploit defensive reactions.

Brent Dearmon, Head Coach, North Alabama

This video segment is from 20 & 21 Personnel Run Pass Options: How to ID Defensive Run Fitters & C-Gap RPOs on Glazier Drive

Summary

Basic Gap Defense Structure

• 4-2 defense (six players) handling C-gap to C-gap coverage
• Defensive ends serve as C-gap defenders
• D-gap responsibilities fall to apex players (SAM linebacker, nickel Sam, boundary safety/Rover)

Robber Coverage

• Appears as single-high safety but functions differently
• 4-2 box structure with C-gap defenders (defensive ends)
• Free safety reads the tackle and inserts from distance as a D-gap fitter
• Designed to stop intermediate RPO plays
• Creates vulnerability to vertical passing concepts

Split Field Coverage

• Field is cut in half for quarterbacks to read
• "Robber" coverage to the field side
• Cover-2 to the boundary side
• Creates confusion as each half operates independently
• Requires offensive adjustment with vertical routes or split adjustments

Double Robber/Mini Coverage

• West Georgia example with 4-man front but only one linebacker
• Creates illusion of light box
• Both safeties play inside roles similar to outside linebackers
• Defense creates 4-3 fit using safeties
• Tailback alignment influences defensive safety fits

Complex Coverage Variations

• Southern Utah example showing two-safety shell that transforms
• "Double invert" with corners playing inverted halves
• Cannot simply teach quarterbacks to read one specific defender
• Different looks require systematic offensive solutions

Matt Mitchell, O-LB Coach, Wisconsin

Visit Glazier Drive to watch Coach Mitchell's entire presentation on O-LB Run Game Fundamentals & Drills

Summary

This video demonstrates techniques for outside linebackers (OLBs) to handle different types of blocks. Coach Mitchell breaks down three main blocking scenarios with corresponding techniques:

Base Block Technique:

• Start with proper alignment and take first step based on visual key
• Create separation ("difference") from blocker with proper hand placement
• Use long arm extension with outside arm
• Keep eyes down the line of scrimmage to track the ball
• Get heels across the line of scrimmage, but don't go too far upfield (prevents "inverted seams")
• When ball direction is clear, use tight arm over technique to shed block
• Step through with outside foot while "cutting the tricep" with opposite arm

Reach Block Technique:

• Maintain proper hand position: hairline under chin, wrists/elbows together, thumbs up
• Create separation with good leverage ("speed to lock, ass back")
• Track ball location and shed block when ball moves outside
• Use lateral rip-through while keeping shoulders square
• For veteran players: option to come underneath overreach blocks while maintaining ball leverage
• Key coaching point: "If you're going to take it, you got to make it"

Down Block Technique:

• Position with inside foot back, stepping at shoulder of visual key
• Close down the line of scrimmage to identify threats
• Function as leverage/box players in base defense (not spill players)
• Use "low shoulder leverage technique" against pulling guards
• Goal is to slow down pullers by putting shoulder/deltoid into blocker's midsection
• Adjust technique based on scouting report of how aggressive opposing pullers are

Our four most recent video drops:

Master Run & Pass Fits with the Banjo Drill Every Coach Needs

Deep Threat Mastery: QB & WR Reads in the Modern Spread 4 Vertical

Eliminate Explosives: Defensive Strategies to Pressure QBs Against 10 Personnel 2×2 Sets

Gain the Upper Hand in Quick Game vs. Any Coverage with These Pre-Snap Reads

Stay tuned, we'll be adding more for next week!