Monthly Archives: September 2015

Key Plays: Alabama vs. Ole Miss

Today, we look at two plays from the Ole Miss – Alabama game on Saturday night.  Both plays showcase Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze’s offense, his innovation and understanding of the game.  He must be a nightmare to coach … Continue reading

Posted in Concepts, News, Schemes | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Key Plays: Alabama vs. Ole Miss

Gridiron Glossary: X receiver

The X receiver is the designation traditionally given to the split end. Naming of positions varies to some degree from coach to coach, but the split end is usually the X receiver.  Note that split end is separate from wide … Continue reading

Posted in Concepts, Glossary | Comments Off on Gridiron Glossary: X receiver

Bielema was (Almost) Right

Bret Bielema “got his ass kicked twice in a row” according to Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury. Kingsbury apparently took umbrage with some comments that were attributed to Bielema in the off season. Bielema reportedly stated that “if you don’t … Continue reading

Posted in News, Opinion | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Bielema was (Almost) Right

The Pride and The Shame: Week 3

The Pride.  Northwestern.  There isn’t a lot of chest thumping from the Big Ten this week.  Ohio State and Minnesota survived scares against lesser opponents, and many of the other teams played uninteresting games as well.  In the high profile games … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Pride and The Shame: Week 3

Gridiron Glossary: Slide Protection

Slide Protection is a pass protection scheme where the offensive lineman each block a gap to the same side. Slide protection is a little like zone blocking for a pass.  Each lineman blocks the same direction, left/right or strong/weak, whatever … Continue reading

Posted in Concepts, Glossary | Tagged | Comments Off on Gridiron Glossary: Slide Protection

Run Fits with South Carolina’s Jon Hoke

Everybody has to worry about run fits. New South Carolina defensive coordinator Jon Hoke mentions them each week when he is interviewed. After practice on Friday he was asked to explain some more for the less technically savvy fan. Here’s … Continue reading

Posted in Concepts, Schemes | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Run Fits with South Carolina’s Jon Hoke

Gridiron Glossary: Nickel

The nickel is a defensive formation feature five defensive backs. Standard defensive formations have four defensive backs: two safeties and two cornerbacks.  A nickel is a variation where a fifth defensive back is inserted into the game, usually in place … Continue reading

Posted in Concepts, Glossary | 1 Comment

How Notre Dame Can Stop Georgia Tech’s Option

After the season opening blowout of Texas and survival against Virginia, Notre Dame’s pre-season expectations seem less like hype and more like reality.  They will take that hype to Atlanta to play Georgia Tech.  The Yellow Jackets are off to … Continue reading

Posted in Concepts, News, Schemes | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on How Notre Dame Can Stop Georgia Tech’s Option

Gridiron Glossary: Scrape Exchange

Scrape Exchange is a defensive technique where a linebacker and defensive end exchange their responsibilities. Usually a defensive end lined up wider than a linebacker will have contain responsibility, meaning it is his job to make sure the ball carrier … Continue reading

Posted in Concepts, Glossary | Tagged | Comments Off on Gridiron Glossary: Scrape Exchange

Gridiron Glossary: Swinging Gate

The Swinging Gate is a football formation, usually used on PATs, where the linemen line up away from the center to the side as shown. There are variations on the formation, but the idea is the same: create advantageous match … Continue reading

Posted in Concepts, Glossary | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Gridiron Glossary: Swinging Gate