This document outlines ways to improve any defense from Gregg Smith, the defensive coordinator at Mishawaka High School. It discusses the importance of practicing with purpose through effective drills that teach pursuit, dipping and ripping off blocks, open field tackling, interceptions, and creating turnovers. It emphasizes teaching through film study, scouting reports, and setting goals and points of emphasis each week. The defense aims to have high enthusiasm with smart emotions, work ethic, and no loafing or missed tackles by establishing clear expectations.

1. WAYS TO IMPROVE ANY
DEFENSE
Gregg Smith
Mishawaka High School
Defensive Coordinator
smithg@mishawaka.k12.in.us
574.254.7442

2. Biography
Mentors along the way
Head Coaches
• Gale Smith (My Dad)
• Al Smith 52-28 .650% 1987-1993
• Jim Aldrich 92-60 .605% 1998-2007
• Bart Curtis 129-73 .639% 2007-present
• Henry Wilk –Penn High School
Assistant Coaches
• Lance Beehler (MHS)
• Jerry Horban (MHS)
• Dave Kindig (MHS)
• Joe Szajko Clay High School
• Bill Roggeman Elkhart Memorial High School
• John Kovatch-Penn High School

3. Mishawaka Defensive Game Plan
PRACTICE WITH PURPOSE
DRILLS + TEACHING + EXPECTATIONS
1. Pursuit 1. Film Study 1. High Enthusiasm
2. Dip & Rip 2. Scouting Report 2. Smart Emotions
3. Open Field 3. P.O.E.’s 3. NO Loafs
4. Turn Over 4. How to Practice 4. NO C.O.S
5. Osky 5. No Second Mistakes 5. No Missed Tackles
= POSITIVE RESULTS
• Promotes and Develops a Team Defensive Mentality
• Develops a blue collar attitude and a sense of “Team Pride”
• Promotes a feeling of ownership “owner or renter”
• Makes for a well conditioned Defense
• Increases stats which in turn will increase Wins!

4. Cavemen Defense
Team Drills
• Pursuit Drill (PDOS)
• Dip & Rip Drill
• Open Field Tackling Drill
• Osky Drill (Interception Drill)
• Turn Over Circuit

5. Pursuit Drill (PDOS)
ALL 11 PLAYERS GET TO THE BALL!
What Pursuit Does:
A. Eliminates long TD's - (The big play).
B. Discourage your opponents - (especially, the ball carrier)
C. Makes US a physical, faster, more athletic defensive unit.
D. Develops Mental Toughness
What it Takes to Pursue:
A. Pursuit is, first, a mental process (if you want to, you can)
B. Visualize pursuing and making great plays. ("big play guy")
C. Physical conditioning is necessary so you can have great pursuit.
D. Speed (think fast and quickly we can improve our speed and quickness by
good technique)
How to Pursue:
A. Play your responsibility first and take correct course to the ball.
B. Promote the Desire to get the ball. (mental)
C. Go full speed to the end of the whistle. (Never assume the ball carrier is
down).

7. Pursuit Drill (PDOS)
ALL 11 PLAYERS GET TO THE BALL!
• Key Coaching Points
– TD Saving
– Sets the “tempo”
– Discourages selfishness
• Don’t screw your team

8. Dip & Rip Drill
What Dip & Rip Does
A. Teaches all defensive players to fight off & how to counter blocks.
B. Decreases C.O.S.’s and missed tackles
C. Reps form tackling, Promotes correct tackling technique
What it Takes to Dip & Rip
A. A mentality & desire to go through a block. (Not under or around)
B. Correct visual & mental reading of the keys. (Correct technique)
C. A lower “PAD LEVEL” (Center of gravity)
How to Dip & Rip
A. Read Visual Keys
B. Take correct path, perform a “violent” rip technique though blocker.
C. Lower pad level and perform correct tackling technique.

10. Dip & Rip Drill
• Key Coaching Points
– Do NOT go under/around blocks
– HUSTLE: everyone is moving!
– Coach TECHNIQUE!

11. Open Field Tackle Drill
What Open Field Tackling Does:
A. Improves tackling in space. Very helpful against spread teams.
B. Builds situational confidence.
C. Reps form tackling.
What it Takes to Open Field Tackle:
A. Desire and mentality to make the sure tackle.
B. Discipline
C. Ability to perform correct technique
How to Open Field Tackle:
A. Play fast with “controllable” speed.
B. Find visual key and lock in. (discipline)
C. Pursue, break down, grab cloth, and perform correct tackling
technique.

12. Open Field Tackle Drill
• Key Coaching Points
– Visual target
– Break/Motor Down….under control

14. Osky Drill
What Osky Drill Does:
A. Increases defensive scoring.
B. Takes advantage of a turn over situation.
C. Reps pass drops
D. Helps with team conditioning and unity.
What it Takes to perform the Osky Drill:
A. Players able to make Interceptions
B. Ability to locate QB and intended receiver.
C. Set up the wall. No LOAF’s No C.O.S.
How to perform the OSKY Drill :
A. Secure the football
B. Closest defensive player blocks intended receiver.
C. Play side DT & DE must block locate and block QB.
D. All other defensive personnel locates the ball and set up the wall to the closest sideline.
E. Take the ball to the wall down the sideline.
F. SCORE or at the very least set up a SCORE.

15. Osky Drill
• Key Coaching Points
– Secure the football!
– Communicate
– Get to the sideline

17. Turnover Circuit
What the Turn Over Circuit Does:
A. Reps coachable situations
B. Makes a mental reminder
C. Increases turnovers
D. Produces smart and well conditioned football players
What it Takes to perform the Turn Over Circuit
A. Hustle and speed by everyone (including coaches)
B. High intensity, high enthusiasm, motor never stops.
How to perform the Turn Over Circuit:
A. Break into three groups (large triangle)
1. Osky Drill 2. Strip Drill 3. Fumble Drill
B. Rotate to each drill, No Walking! High
C. Perform proper technique per drill per situation.

18. Turnover Circuit
• Key Coaching Points:
– TEMPO!
– HIGH ENERGY
– TIMING…….MOTIVATOR

20. Teaching
• Film Study
• Scouting Reports
• Points of Emphasis/Goals

21. Film Study
• What you see on film is what you are
coaching. -Bart Curtis
– Watch film as a “player” not a fan.
• Watch individual position
– Have films available for players.
• Upcoming opponents
– View coachable moments (past films)
• Good Coaching (no 2nd
mistakes)
– Be a student of the game
• Use as a tool to improve

22. Goals and POE’s
• Goals
– 1.) SHUTOUT…..CAN’T LOSE IF THEY DON’T SCORE.
– 2.) Cause 3 Turnovers.
– 3.) 11 players to the ball on every play.
– 4.) No LOAF’s or COS
– 5.) 7 or Less missed tackles

23. Points of Emphasis
• Examples:
• Cause 3 Turnovers
– Strip
• First player there secures tackle
• Second player works on strip
• 3rd
Downs
– Money Down Call
– Increase defensive efficiency

24. Scouting Reports
• KISS Method
• Player Reports
– Top 5 runs
– Top 5 passes and routes
– Trick plays
– Tendencies
– Specials and objectives
– Goals/POE’s

25. Scouting Reports
• Coaches Reports
– Personnel report
• Communication from the box
– Blocking schemes and pass protection (OLR)
• POA
• Schemes
– Position and game specific objectives.
• Drills to improve

26. Expectations
• High Enthusiasm with Smart Emotions
• Work Ethic & Mentality
• No LOAF’s or COS’s

27. Expectations
• High Enthusiasm
– Play, & practice with a high level of enthusiasm.
• Smart Emotions
– Don’t get caught up in all the crap. Stay focused.
(bad emotions)
– Change of Possession
• No Loaf’s and Changes of Speed
– Recordable Defensive Stat
– 11 players to the ball

28. Expectations
• Work Ethic & Mentality
– 100% all the time.
• Attendance, drills, school work.
• Must enforce this with every player.
– Go hard or start practice over.
• Should only take one to two times.
• Develops practice tempo.
– Blue Collar Mentality
• Practice is the work
• Games are the paycheck