By Bob Knight, Assistant Football Coach, Preston High School, Kingwood, W.V.

Editor's Note: The following article is a continuation of an article that was run in the October/November 2001 issue of Gridiron Strategies. For a detailed overview of how "The Octopus" is run, check out the Oct./Nov. 2001 issue - order now!

IN THE 40 YEARS that I've coached high school football, I've worked with teams that were undefeated and those that won but a single game. Always, team's that were strong defensively did exceptionally well in the win-loss column.

Those teams were generally blessed with superior talent. However, from time to time I've helped coached teams with mediocre talent that still performed well defensively. To try to bridge the talent gap, we designed a defense called the Octopus. The Octopus, with its eight "tentacles" reaching out in all directions, is predicated on confusing blocking assignments, outnumbering offensive blockers and harassing the quarterback.

Bridge The Size Gap

At its inception the Octopus was developed to offset a tremendous differential in physical size. During the years we used this defense, our front eight averaged less than 150 pounds. Tackles weighing 140 pounds were the rule, rather than the exception.

The element of surprise helps greatly in the success of the Octopus. If your team is undersized and under talented, you might want to give this defense a try. If you don't want to use it as your basic defense, it would still be beneficial in goal line and short yardage situations and could be of great value in harassing opposing QBs during passing situations.

,Octopus In Zone Coverage

Here's a good look at how the Octopus works in zone coverage. Diagrams A and B show "62" zone coverage against a straight drop-back and a roll out passer.

(DIAGRAM A: "62" Coverage Vs Drop-back Pass - cover 3).

DEs: Step into offensive end, then drop to flat zone. Keep your eyes on the QB and watch for any receiver entering into your area. Try to achieve a position 10 yards off the intended LOS and 10-yards wide of your original position.

LBs: Take a step forward (in case of a run) then drop to inside zone to your side. Try to achieve a position 10 to 12 yards deep and 4 yards wide of your original position. Keep your eyes on the QB and be aware of any receivers entering your area.

DBs: Drop to outside deep third of the field. If a flankers or split end is to your side, you must move out to make your original position 2 to 3 yards inside of him. Original position should be 9 yards off the ball for both DBs.

Safety: Drop to the middle deep third. You're responsible for the alignment of the three deep defenders. They will line up on your original position, splitting the field into three passing zones. If the ball is near the center of the field, your original position should be 9 yards off the ball and heads up on the center. If the ball is near the hash mark, your original position should be 9 yards and 3 to 5 yards from the center position to the wide side of the field. You, as well as the DBs, should drop as deep as the deepest receiver in your zone.
,(DIAGRAM B: "62" Zone Coverage Vs Rollout - cover 2).

DEs: If the QB rolls to your side, rush him and try to force a pass. Don't let him stop and set up to throw. If the QB rolls away from your side, drop to shallow outside zone to defend against short throwbacks.

LBs: You have the same zone responsibilities as with a straight drop-back by the QB. You should slide slightly to the side the QB is rolling. Keep your eyes on the QB.

DBs: If the QB rolls to your side, you must come up to cover the flat area. If the QB rolls away from your side, you must rotate toward the center of the field and cover the back half of the field. If the QB pulls up and stops, you must be ready for a throwback to your side.

Safety: Rotate to take the outside deep half of the field.