In 2016 we played in the state semifinals for the first time in program history. We pulled in every favor we could to obtain film of our opponent, who had played 12 games at that point. Our OC told us that he couldn't find even one opponent they played who utilized a tight end in their offense on anything other than goal-line situations. We had also played 12 games at that point, and including the semifinal game we played 13 games against 13 different opponents and saw only two teams that used a tight end in their offense, and only one of those did so on more than 50% of the snaps. We saw mostly 10 and 20 personnel all year.
Fast forward to 2019. We played 11 games vs 10 different opponents and seven of those teams used a tight end in their base offense. We saw 11, 12 and 22 personnel on nearly a weekly basis. It seems that the tight end in the offense has found a resurgence in our area. So, this begs the question: how do we defend it? The game is not merely cyclical, it also evolves. The teams using a tight end are not reverting back to 21 personnel, I formation runs. No, it's very dynamic offenses using an additional gap to stress the defensive structure. Power Read, Gap Schemes with QB options and RPO's, and Zone Read are just some of what we had to gameplan against this season.
What is the offense trying to accomplish with the additional gap? This is the first thing you have to determine when setting your gameplan in place. Is it to out leverage the defense or to get a positional advantage on the C gap? We played a team that ran 11 personnel and would zone read the strong DE. They used the TE to widen the read path and make the QB's read easier. If the DE was going to chase the dive, he had to really turn his shoulders and fly because of the additional space he had to cover. If he was sitting for the QB, it was obvious early. Another team we played used the TE in gap schemes. If we played a 7 technique, they pinned and ran D-gap power or power read. If we played a 6 technique, they arc released and ran traditional 2 back power G. A nice changeup they utilized was arc releasing and kicking out with the pulling G and running a power read look from the backfield, which was window dressing for QB trap. To the DE, it's difficult to read the intentions of that pulling G - is he turning up, is he coming to kick me out? It was quite a cat and mouse game.
6 or 7? Most 4-2 college teams are going to tell you to play a 6 technique and slam the TE into the C gap if he tries to cross the DE face. Most high school coaches will tell you that's easier said than done. We have been true to a 7 technique since I returned to Groves in 2012. This year, however, I took the plunge and toyed with a 6 technique. I have a smart athlete at strong DE that made me look into this idea, and he was able to play both techniques (he has some room to grow, as do I in this regard, but he really relished the opportunity and it added a new element to our defense). So, what should you do?
Well, I've come to the conclusion that it depends on how you answer this question: How committed are you to OWNING the C-gap? A 7 technique alignment will own C-gap, regardless of offensive scheme. Pin and pull? DE is in C-gap. Gap scheme power? DE will wrong arm FB kickout and sit in C-gap. Zone scheme? You got it, DE is in the C-gap by alignment. The offense cannot run in the C-gap with a true 7 technique. They will have to adjust and run at another gap or bring an extra blocker (thus adding an extra gap). Is the base offensive scheme directed at C-gap? If so, you're best bet is to play the 7 technique DE.
But, what if the TE is window dressing or there to help the offense get the edge? Then, if you have the ability to, play a 6 technique. Pin/pull or outside zone? A 6 technique DE can fight across the TE face and be a two gap player, a true "plus one" in the run fit outside the TE. See a lot of sweeps or toss? A 6 technique is a great way to get that extra defender to the ball quickly. Here's where it gets fuzzy. What if a team does both outside and C-gap runs as their base offense (like us at Groves)? Well, there's where the chess match comes in.
My advice, have the ability to utilize both a 6 and a 7 technique strong DE and play both during the game. There are tells and keys that the DE can look for to change his alignment on his own if you trust him (and teach him). You can also dictate when he is in a 6 or 7 based on your data/tendencies from scouting if you want. Formations and RB alignments are also great tip offs as to whether the offense is running at C or D gap. Teach your end to look for tells and how to play both alignments, and trust him to make the right decision. If he's wrong, he's wrong. Not a huge deal, because the worst that can happen is if he aligns in a 6 and they run C gap he still has to squeeze the gap either with the TE or by fighting inside the TE's face. If he aligns in a 7 and they run wide, worst case is he's in his assigned gap and you lose the "plus one". But, if you trust him and he knows you've got his back if he's wrong, he'll feel empowered and he'll play his butt off to make you right. That's when coaching is awesome!
So, the tight end has been revived in high school football, at least in our area. But, it's not the pro-style I formations of years gone by. Today's offenses are dynamic, and require defenses to have multiple answers. Always have more than one answer to each thing an offense can throw at you. This must be rule number one!
#4and1 #KAI20
