Looking for Defensive Playbooks That Don't Cede the Flats

Posts: 4002 |

5,930

I'm starting to question if some of my persistent issues on defense stem from limitations in my playbook. The one area of the field that requires an extraordinary number of pre-snap inputs and resources for me to defend is the flats. Even when I know that is being attacked, my defenders are always a step behind.

Are there playbooks with a variety of plays from defensive alignments that are more conducive to punishing opponents that don't come off stretch runs and passes into the flats? Particularly of interest would be formations with either 4-3 and Nickle personnel, and where the outside cornerbacks that guard the flats align near the line before the snap.

Posts: 20 |

115

It may not be the playbooks but the specific players you use. For example if I want my Lawrence Taylor to guard a Hard Flat he would do it considerably worse than if he was Jihaad Campbell. I run Jags D and I usually put one of my D-Lineman on a hard flat whichever side the rb is on (and I sub in Jihaad Campbell), ever since I subbed in someone who actually has coverage and speed it limits the gain. I think its all with the shading and coach adjustments or majority