The document provides information on personnel and responsibilities in a 4-4 stack defense. It discusses the positioning and traits of defensive linemen, linebackers, and safeties. It then covers the defensive fronts, numbering system for units, basic responsibilities by position, alignment rules, and different blitz and stunt packages including the X stunt, gap stunt, slant stunt, and loop stunt. The document is an instruction guide for running a 4-4 stack defense.

1. “Bronco Nation”
44 Stack Defense
1

2. Table of Contents

Player Personal in the 4-4 Stack
page 2

44 Stack Numbering System and Stunts
page 3

Defensive Fronts
page 4

Basic Responsibilities by Position
page 6

Basic Alignment Rules
page 7

Blitz Package
page 9

Combo Blitz Package
page 11

Line Stunts
page 13

Coverages
page 15
2

3. Player Personal in the 4-4 Stack
Defensive Ends




should be the best athletes
main requirements are toughness and agility
take the best of the two defensive ends and place him on the left side of our defense
should be a strong tackler
Defensive Tackles


the largest players on the front four usually are placed at DT
their job is basically to control the area inside the offensive tackle
Linebackers


Outside linebackers
o position demands two of the squad’s best athletes
o they do not have to be large, but must be strong enough to meet an end sweep effectively
o outside linebackers will have to make adjustments to some offensive formations
o must have the ability to move quickly
Inside linebackers
o needs to be strong enough to help stop the inside running-play
o agile enough to cover the middle area whining playing zone pass defense
o does not have to be as fast as the outside linebacker
Safety Men


Left and right safeties
o main requirement is speed
o we like to use tall boys here when they are available
o they should be able to play a wide flanker or split end man-to man
o must learn the sideline tackle and how to make the sideline work for them and serve as a
“twelfth man”
o they should be sure if not brutal tacklers
Middle safety
o last man between the offense and the goal line
o chose this position with extreme care
o should be the most dependable tackler of the three safety men
o he should learn to “read the Play” quickly
o play pass defense first and run second
o he is the “center fielder”
o he should always point out formations
3

4. Quick review to help in the placement of personnel:
1. Get as much speed in the lineup as possible.
2. Look for aggressive players who can react well and are willing to get themselves emotionally ready to
play football.
3. Place the most agile of the front four players on the outside of the front four.
4. Place the larger and slower front four players at the two inside tackle positions.
5. Two of the best athletes on the squad should be placed at the outside linebacker positions.
6. Inside linebackers should be able to stunt quickly across the line of scrimmage and should be good
tacklers.
7. Speed is the key in selection safety men.
44 Stack Numbering System and Stunts






Each of the four stack units is numbered. The left outside front four man and the left outside
linebacker together make up un Unit 1.
The left inside front four man and left inside linebacker together make up Unit 2
The inside front four man and the right inside linebacker together make up Unit 3
The right outside front four man and the right outside linebacker together make up Unit 4.
Each Unit is responsible for covering two offensive gaps.
o Units 1 and 4 are responsible for the “C” and “D” gaps
o Units 2 and 3 are responsible for the “A” and “B” gaps.
Each unit can work separately or with another unit to protect those gaps.
Gap Responsibilities
“D”
O “C” O”B” O”A” X “A” O “B” O “C” O “D”
4

5. Defensive Fronts
“Stack” Front
“Over” Front
C
DE T
T
DE
W
L
T
DE
R
S
C
C
S
R
T
DE
C
C
W
L
FS
FS
“Pinch” Front
“Wide” Front
DE
T
DE
T
C
W
R
L
DE T
C
T
DE
C
C
S
W
L
R
S
FS
FS
“Strong Eagle” Front
“Weak Eagle” Front
DE
T
T
C
W
L
DE S
W DE T
T
L
C
R
DE
C
C
R
FS
FS
5
S

6. Defensive Fronts
“Double Eagle” Front
W DE T
T
L
“65 Goal Line” Front (inside 5 yard line)
R
C
DE S
C
W
C
T DE S
DE T
L
R
FS
FS
“65 Pinch” Front (Inside the 2 yard line)
“Prevent” Front
DE
C
W
C
T T DE S
W DE
L
R
C
C
T
T
L
R
FS
FS
6
DE
C
S

7. Basic Responsibilities by Position
Defensive Line
Defensive linemen are charged with establishing a push to force the offensive line to set their blocks,
penetrating and securing assigned gaps, and providing an initial pass rush in the event of a pass read. No
defensive lineman can ever allow themselves to be blocked by fewer than two offensive players. Defensive
linemen must always continue to gain ground into the offensive backfield.
Linebackers
Linebackers are responsible for securing alternate gaps to the defensive linemen, for covering running backs in
man-to-man pass coverage (Cover-1, Cover-0), covering the short zones in zone pass coverage (Cover-3,
Cover-2), and for providing secondary pass rush in the event of a blitz. Outside linebackers are responsible for
outside contain, and must never allow the ball to cross their outside shoulder at all times. Inside linebackers
are also responsible for watching for screens and draws on passing downs.
Defensive Backs
Defensive Backs are the primary source of pass coverage downfield and a secondary run support. As such,
they will not be charged with any blitzing or rushing responsibilities. They must roll towards the ball once it
heads to the sideline, and provide outside-in leverage on the ball to force it back to the interior defenders.
The Free Safety is the final line of defense and must play to keep all members of the offensive unit in front of
him at all times.
7

8. Basic Alignment Rules
Overview
After the shift on quarterback’s second syllable of cadence, the defense will adjust their alignment to the front
called from the sideline.
Front Calls
Each defensive front will be called with a term. These will be signaled in from the sideline before each
offensive play.
All alignments begin with the determination of the strength of the offensive formation using the following
rules:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Strength of offensive line (tight end location.)
Strength of offensive backfield (two running backs on the same side)
passing strength of offensive formation (trips set)
If the offensive set is balanced, the strong side may be determined to be the field or based on offensive
tendencies.
Alignment
Players
Alignment
Assignment
SDE
Head up on tight end
C-Gap
SDT
Head up on strong side guard
A-Gap
WDT
Head up on weak side guard
A-Gap
WDE
Outside shade of weak side tackle
C-Gap
The inside linebackers align using the following rules:
1. When the man in front of me is head up, I stack behind him.
2. When the man in front of me moves to shade, I shade the opposite way.
8

9. “Always” Rules for Alignment
The following rules are always in effect:
1. The strong side defensive end will always align head up on the tight end.
2. All defensive players will always have responsibility for the gap in which they are aligned, unless
changed by a stunt.
3. Defensive linemen will always have the inside gap when aligned head up, unless changed by a stunt.
4. Linebackers will always have the outside gap when stacked, unless changed by a stunt.
5. Defenders will always be responsible for only one gap. (We never play head up and two-gap.)
Alignment Depths and Positions
Position
Alignment
Depth
SDE
Head up on TE
On LOS
Sam
1 off LOS, 3 outside SDE’s heels
1 yd or by D/D
SDT
By front call
ON LOS
Lion
By front call
3 yds or by D/D
Ram
By front call
3 yds or by D/D
WDT
By front call
On LOS
Will
2 off LOS, 1 outside WDE’s heels
2 yds or by D/D
WDE
6, OR head up on 2nd TE
On LOS
LC
Coverage call
6-7 or by D/D
RC
Coverage call
6-7 or by D/D
FS
Coverage call, usually to strength
9-12 or by D/D
9

10. Blitz Package
Overview
Each defensive player is responsible for learning only two gap assignments: his “base” assignment and his
“stunt” assignment. All combo stunts are merely various two gap assignments for two or more players.
“Always” rules for Stunts
The following rules are always in effect:
1.
2.
3.
4.
A player not involved in a stunt always plays base against the offensive play.
Players will always stunt through their assigned gaps.
The weak side man always goes first when players cross.
Stunts will always be executed by linebackers. (We do not stunt the secondary.)
Basic Stunts

“X” Stunt
o The most effective of our penetrating stunts.
o It involves both the front four man and the linebacker in the same unit.
o Linebackers will give a verbal command of “go right” or “Go left”
o The ”X” stunt can be run from the stack position or from many different unit positions.
o Two or more units may “X” at the same time.
There are two important coaching points to consider when teaching the “X” Stunt.
1. Make sure that the linebackers do not give away their intention to stunt by moving too quickly
towards their gap before the ball is snapped.
2. Make sure the units do not get patterns set up between the front four man and his linebacker.
Offenses will be able to pick up on this.

Gap Stunt
o The “Gap” is a stunt performed only by a front four player
o The “Gap” stunt is used when we want penetration of the gap, but we want the linebacker to
stay back. Do not penetrate past the ball.
o There are two calls
 The “Gap In” call means in toward the center.
 The “Gap Out” call means away from the center.
 The “All Gap out” call is an all gap out call
 The “All Gap In” call is an all gap to the side.
10

11. 


Slant Stunt
o This is an excellent way to keep the offensive tackles or center off our linebackers.
o Front four needs to line up a little deeper for this stunt.
o Step towards the offensive man with your lead foot and drive through the helmet of your
opponent’s helmet.
o Keep your feet wide
o We do not want penetration.
o Linebackers must loosen up slightly and move laterally away from the slant. This is because he
now has slightly more territory in his area to cover.
 calls are the Unit number and “Slant Right or Left” or “Slant Strong or Weak”
Loop Stunt
o Very effective in stopping the off-tackle play.
o If we are running a Loop stunt we will slant into the offensive tackle with our 1 and/or 2 Unit
front man.
o The Unit 2 and/or Unit 3 linebacker no fires off the tail of the Unit 1 and/or 4 front four man
and heads straight for the offensive off-tackle hole
Fire Stunt
o We use this to fire a linebacker across the line of scrimmage, but keep the front four man
playing Basic.
o Calls are the Unit number and “Fire In or Fire out” or “All Fire IN or All Fire Out.
o On this stunt we want the front four man in the firing unit to engage the man he is over and be
ready to move laterally.
11

12. Combo Blitz Package

In this blitz scheme we tell the linebackers where we want them to go by simply tagging the blitz with
an “In” or “Out” call.
13 “X” Out or 24 “X” Out (TE Side only)
Cover-0 when linebacker over TE blitzes
13 “X” In or 24 “X” Out
C
C
DE T
T
DE
W
L
T
DE
R
S
W
FS
FS
23 “X” In
23 “X” Out
C
C
DE T
T
DE
L
DE
C
C
W
C
C
S
R
T
L
DE
C
C
S
R
T
T
DE
R
S
C
W
L
FS
FS
23 “X” In Cross (2 goes first)
C
All “X” Out
C
DE
T
C
T
DE
C
W
L
R
DE T
C
T
DE
R
S
C
S
W
L
FS
FS
12
C

13. Line Stunts
“Pinch” Call
“Fan” Call
C
C
DE T
T
DE
C
L
W
R
T
T
DE
L
DE
C
R
S
C
S
W
FS
FS
“Twist” Call (LDT goes in front and 1st)
“Slant” Right, Left, Strong or Weak
C
DE
T
L
W
C
T
C
R
DE
C
DE
C
S
W
C
“Loop” Right
C
T
DE
R
L
S
FS
C
T
DE
R
L
W
“Loop” Left
DE
T
T
FS
C
C
S
C
DE
C
W
FS
T
L
FS
13
DE
R
T
S
C

14. “Double Loop”
C
DE
C
W
T
L
DE
R
T
S
C
FS
14

15. Coverages
Overview
Each coverage assignment is designed to be as simple as possible and remain flexible. Coverages are generally
determined by the stunt in front of them. In a base call (no stunts), any coverage may be used. The exception
to this rule is the 65 Goal line defense, which is always a Cover-1 or Cover-0 lock.
“Always” rules for Coverage
The following rules are always in effect:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Any stunt that sends Sam will always result in a Cover-0.
Any combo stunt sending four linebackers will always result in a Cover-0.
Any offensive alignment in Trips, including TE trips and motion-to, will always result in a “Cobra” call.
Corners will always have #1 to their side.
Man-to-Man Coverage
The basic rules of Man-to-Man are as follows:
Position
Responsibility
Sam
#2
Lion
#3, draw
Ram
#3, draw
Will
#2
LC
#1
RC
#1
FS
Deep 1/3, TE on O, or lock


At times, the FS will be used to double cover an exceptional receiver. This will be called from the
sideline with a key phrase like “Cover-0, 88” where “88” is the number of the opposing receiver.
At all other times in Cover-0 the FS will lock up with the TE or other #2 receiver otherwise covered by
Same
15

16. Zone Coverage
Zone defenders are given both a man key to follow and a zone to cover. In all cases, the man key is the
offensive receiver most likely to threaten their zone. By “spying” him in their coverage it allows us to
anticipate the pattern and get into a cutoff position.
The basic rules of zone are as follows:
Position
Responsibility
Sam
#2 Curl-to-Flat
Lion
#3 Hook-to-Curl, draw
Ram
#3 Hook-to-Curl, draw
LC
#1 Deep 1/3
RC
#1 Deep 1/3
FS
Deep 1/3, Spy QB
Cobra (Trips Coverage)
Special circumstances demand special coverages. With the prevalence of the spread offense thought foot,
some form of coverage adjustment must be used to counterbalance the overloaded receiver sets.
Position
Alignment
Responsibility
Same
Inside shade #2
Collide with #2, sit in flat
Lion
50
#3, Hook
Ram
30
#3, Hook draw
Will
2 off LOS, 1 outside DE’s heels
#2, Curl-to-flat
LC
Outside shade #1
#1, Deep ¼
RC
50 to trips side
Deep ¼, Spy QB



One of the few things that will change is the alignment and play of the SE, who will align as wide as
necessary (Smoke Tech.) to have an unobstructed path to the QB’s setup point.
He must adjust his path to keep the QB on his inside shoulder at all times.
As he presses up field he must be alert to a quick screen.
16

17. (Cover 1): Man (Free) Coverage
(2)
(3)
(1)
(2)
(1)
C
DE
C
(1)
W
T
L
(2)
T
DE
S
(2)
R
(3) Draw
No TE can
EVER release
Clean!
C
(1)
FS
Cover 0: Man Coverage
(2)
(3)
(1)
(2)
(1)
C
DE
C
(1)
W
(2)
T
L
T
R
(3) Draw
No TE can
EVER release
Clean!
DE
S
Cover-0 is
used when
Sam stunts
FS
(2) or by called
receiver number
17
C
(1)

18. Defensive call “Over Cobra”
(2)
(2)
(3)
(1)
C
Deep 1/4
(1)
S
Collide 2
Sit in flat
T
DE
L
Hook Left
FS
Deep 1/4
18
DE
T
R
W
Curl to flat
Hook
Right
C
Man on 1