The Bandit Defense by Peter Tos
(Head Coach of the Bondi Raiders, Sydney NSW)
The Raiders have been running the "Bandit Defense" since 1993. Since that time our club has won 4 Championships from 6 appearances. What I have outlined below is the base front and responsibilities, which have seen some refinements and adjustments since it's introduction. There are a number of adjustments that we have had to make verses the Option, different formations etc., but the main philosophy remains the same. I believe the message is that Defense is as much a team concept as Offense and when designing a defense it is important to know how all the parts fit together and most importantly, a coach must know where his weaknesses as well as his strengths lie. I understand that every Offensive Coach who reads this will say, "I know how to beat this", but as stated earlier, this is not the whole package and there hasn't been a Defense yet that is unbeatable.
The BANDIT DEFENSE
The BONDI RAIDERS’ BANDIT DEFENSE gets its name from the fact that we have a Bandit player or a Rover who plays the roles of both an extra Linebacker and Free Safety. It is basically an inverted 4-4 Defense with 4 down Linemen, 2 Inside Linebackers and 2 Outside Backers. The secondary consists of 2 Cornerbacks and our Bandit player. We mainly run ZONE pass coverages with some man-to-man coverage in Blitzing situations. lt is a strong Defense against the run, with 8 defenders in the Box and against the pass we have the ability to have good pass coverage with 3 deep and 4 underneath zones.
BANDIT DEFENSE GOALS:
· PREVENT OUR OPPONENTS FROM SCORlNG (If our opponents can’t score, they can’t win)
· GIVE OUR OFFENSE THE BALL IN GOOD FIELD POSITION
· BE STRONG AGAINST THE RUN
· TAKE AWAY THE LONG PASS (If our opponents are always forced to throw the short pass, we have more chances of an interception or the Quarterback making a mistake. Nothing demoralizes a defense more than a quick strike)
· FORCE TURNOVERS (Turnovers win games)
· ATTACK THE BALL IN THE AIR (Our Defense has the same right to the ball as our opponents. Being in Zone coverages, it will be easier to attack the ball, as we will have both the Quarterback and the Receiver within our sights)
· PROVIDE A GOOD PASS RUSH (Force the Quarterback to throw a bad pass, reset or throw before he wants to)
· HAVE THE WHOLE TEAM MAKE EVERY TACKLE (We must hustle to the ball and have as many players making the tackle as possible. - Remember to play the whistle
· PLAY THE UP GAME - MAKE THE BIG PLAY - NEVER GIVE UP AND ENJOY PLAYING WlNNING FOOTBALL
3 GOLDEN RULES:
BANDIT 50 ALIGNMENT
DT’s: Line up with inside shade on Offensive Guards, in 4 point stance, outside foot back. (2-i technique)
DE’s: Line up with outside shade on Offensive Tackles, in 3 or 4 point stance, inside foot back. (5 technique)
SE Strongside: align 3-5 yards outside T.E., in 2 point stance, inside foot back.
WE Weakside: line up 3-5 yards outside of Offensive Tackle and 3 yards off the L.O.S., 2 point stance, with inside foot back.
S & W: Align 5 yards off the L.O.S., between the Offensive Guard and Tackle, 2 point stance, inside foot back. (B-gap)
Corners: Line up with inside shade on Receivers, 6 to 8 yards off the L.O.S., inside foot back.
Bandit: Line up head-up over the Center, 6-8 yards off the L.O.S., in 2 point stance, with power foot back. In obvious passing situations, he may line up 10 yards off the L.O.S.
Techniques
To identify the alignment of our Defensive front we use the techniques below. It makes alignment and adjustments easier and quicker to coach both at practice and in games.
DEFENSIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
DEFENSIVE TACKLES (DT) 2-i Techniques. On the snap of the ball the DT’s fire out into both A-Gaps, through the Offensive Guards. They must make sure they do not just shoot the gaps, but go through the inside shoulder of the Guards and take control of their Inside arm. This will help - protect our Linebackers from being blocked and free them up to make the tackle. Once 1 yard into the Offensive backfield, the DT’s must read the play and move laterally to pursue the ball carrier and take on any lead blockers. Do not leave your area until you are sure of where the ball is going. If your Offensive Guard pulls away from you and down the L.O.S. this will key a sweep or trap play. You must follow him down the line and look for the ball carrier or trap block. If the Offensive Guard blocks out, be prepared for the Offensive Tackle blocking down on you. If the QB drops to pass, PURSUE the QB and either tackle him or force him to reposition himself. This will give the other Defensive players time to make the tackle.
REMEMBER YOUR RULES:
DEFENSIVE ENDS (5-Techniques)
On the snap of the ball, step first with your inside foot and drive through the Offensive Tackle, in much the same manner as an Offensive Lineman blocks, jamming him into B-Gap. Always maintain outside leverage on the Offensive Tackle (C-Gap) so that you may pursue any play to the outside. We want to fill B-Gap with the Offensive Tackle and force the running back to change his point of attack. This also helps to protect our Linebackers so they are free to make the tackle. DE’s must not shoot inside unless there is a Blitz or Stunt call or if he has dive responsibilities verses the option. The DE on the strong side must also be prepared for the cross block or down block by the TE. The Offensive blocking scheme may also call for the TE and 0-Tackle to double team our DE. When confronted by a double team, the DE must fight through the block or drop to the ground causing a pile at the L.O.S. By maintaining your positional relationship with the other defenders, on sweep or pitch plays, you will be looking to beat your blocker and pursue the ball carrier, as he tries to cut back into a running lane.
SAM & WILLY LINEBACKERS
The ILB’s stand 4 yards from the L.O.S. in a 2 point stance with their inside foot back. On the snap, they take 1 step forward to play the run and key the Offensive Tackle on the weak side and the Tightend on the strong side. They must maintain their initial relationship with each other as they scrape to the ball.
The strong side ILB (SAM) keys the TE. If the TE blocks out, the ILB must hold his ground and expect a run play Off Tackle, over him or to his inside. He must play tough and only pursue the play when he is sure of where it is going. lf the TE blocks down or double teams our DT, the ILB must come up hard to meet what will probably be a sweep play or off Tackle run. In the case of an off Tackle run he should be expecting a lead blocker, in which case he must take on the blocker and use him to clog up C-Gap to block the hole and force the ball carrier to find another running lane. If the play is a sweep play, he must pursue ’inside out’ and tackle the ball carrier as the OLB forces the play back inside. If the TE releases Sam must key the backfield and listen for the ’RUN/PASS’ call from the Bandit and react accordingly. If it is a pass play the ILB’s should drop to the Hook to Curl Zone with his head on a swivel and affect any receiver running through his zone. When the ball is thrown, attack the ball.
The weak side ILB (WILLY) keys the Offensive Tackle to his side. If the Tackle releases outside, he should expect a weak side Off-Tackle run or sweep. He must come up hard and look to make the tackle on the running back as he is forced back, inside by the Weak End (WE). If the Offensive Tackle takes inside position on our DT, he should expect a run play over him, or inside him. He must control his area and pursue the play only when he is sure of where it is going. On a pass read from the Offensive Tackle, WILLY must drop the Hook to Curl zone with his head on a swivel and affect any receiver who passes through his zone.
STRONG END (SE)
The strong side End, aligns himself 3-5 yards off the L.O.S., and 3-5 yards outside the Tight receiver to his side. He is in a 2 point Defense with his inside foot back.
WEAK END (WE)
The weakside End, aligns himself 3-5 yards outside the Offensive Tackle, 3-5 yards off the L.O.S., in a 2 point stance with his inside foot back. Both Ends key the extreme outside men on the Offensive Line. (ie. Strong End keys the tightend, Weak End keys the Offensive Tackle).
On the snap the Strong End (SE) must step up with his inside foot and attack the Tight receiver and bump him to the inside. NEVER ALLOW HIM TO RELEASE OUTSlDE. If the TE is releasing on a pass route, this bump will also slow him up and put off the timing of the TE and QB. At the same time the SE must read the Offensive Tackle to QB for a run or pass key. If the SE reads run to his side, by the TE blocking hard to the inside, he must come up to force and maintain his outside position and be prepared to take on a lead blocker or pulling Lineman to force the play back inside to his team mates who will be pursuing from inside out. By maintaining outside position, SE will also be able to avoid being hooked by the TE. A hook or outside release by the TE would key a run play to the outside or possible pass play. The Strong End’s second read is always the QB. If he reads pass from the QB, he must drop back and out to cover the Flat zone keeping his head on a swivel to jump on the quick inside routes.
The Weak End (WE) must step up first to play the run as he keys the Offensive Tackle to his side. If he reads run, he must penetrate into the backfield and take on the lead blocker keeping outside arm and leg free. He is the force man. If the Offensive Tackle shows Pass, he must drop back and out to the flat zone, keeping his head on a swivel, looking to jump on the quick inside routes. If he reads flow away from him, he must make sure that there is no counter play or reverse, before leaving his area to pursue the play.
CORNERBACKS (C)
The Cornerbacks align themselves 8 to 10 yards from the L.O.S. with an inside shade on the widest receiver to their side. They should be in a two point stance with their inside foot back no further than the instep of their outside foot. On the snap they must push off their front foot and keep the receiver in their peripheral vision, whilst keying the Offensive Line and Quarterback. Never jump on a Receiver’s first outside move. Just ease down and be prepared to plant and attack if the ball is thrown. If the Offensive Line shows run, the Corners come up hard to the outside in run support. If the Offensive Line shows pass, the Corners keep the receiver underneath and cover the deep third zone. The Cornerbacks must keep reading the QB whilst keeping the receiver in their peripheral vision, and attack the ball when it is thrown. If the receiver goes in motion and/or looks to be blocking down hard to the inside, the Cornerback must yell ’Crackback’ to alert the END to be prepared for the Crackback block. If a run shows the Corners must then come up in run support to the outside, as secondary force.
BANDIT (B)
The Bandit is the rover of the RAIDERS’ Bandit Defense. He has the responsibilities of playing Free Safety, but also is in a position to provide secondary run support. The Bandit’s alignment is 8 yards off the L.O.S. directly over the Offensive Center. He must be in a 2 point stance, with his power leg forward. On the snap the Bandit will backpedal for two steps as he keys the Center. The Center will show run if he fires out or blocks down on our DT’s., and show pass if he backs up to pass protect. The Bandit MUST PLAY THE PASS FIRST and the RUN SECOND. This will prevent him from being beaten by the deep pass and falling for Play-action. If the Center fires straight out at him he must keep the blocker off his legs and look for an inside run. If the Center fires out on an angle to cut off the Bandits pursuit, he can expect an Off Tackle Run or a sweep play. If the Center shows pass, the Bandit must backpedal to cover the deep middle third and keep all receivers underneath him. If he has 2 threats eg, one down each hash, he should work to position himself between the 2 and be able to break to the ball. He must watch the receivers with his peripheral vision whilst reading the QB. When the ball is thrown, the Bandit must attack the ball.
Note: Our Defensive players in passing situations must adopt the attitude that the ball is being thrown to them and not the receiver. Develop the mentality that the QB is throwing you the ball and aggressively GO AFTER IT!
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