By Richard Fodor, Head Coach, Bridgman High School, Bridgman, Mich.

Editor's Note: The following article is continued from an article that appeared on page 6 of the June/July 2002 issue of Gridiron Strategies. To read a complete listing of all of coach Fodor's time-tested tips for building a great defense, be sure to get a copy of that issue - order now!

TO DEVELOP A winning program, coaches must always consider defense as the heart of the game. Preach this philosophy to your players and design a system of teaching that emphasizes an aggressive, hard-hitting style of defense, regardless of scheme or personnel.

The following are some valuable tips to help you instill an unwavering defensive mind-set into your players.

* COMMUNICATE ON DEFENSE. Defensive team morale is built up when your players talk and chatter at each other. This doesn't mean that there should be aimless, meaningless chatter among your defenders, but rather "calls" or instructions that pertain to the play or situation.

* PUNTS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY. When the opponent is forced to punt, the advantage is always with the defense. Your defense now has an opportunity to block the kick or to set up a big return. Think of punts as a great opportunity to change the momentum of the game.

* WATCH THE PASSER. A basic strategy for solid pass defense is to have your defenders watch and play the ball. The passer is the most "honest" man in any passing offense. A receiver will use deceptive routes and steps to coax a defender out of position, but the passer will always step and look in the direction he's going to throw. QBs may fake, but more often than not, their fakes are ineffective.

By playing the passer, the defender is buying himself extra time to get to the ball.

* MAKE INTERCEPTIONS. Have your players play the ball and always try to intercept passes instead of knocking the ball down. Any time the ball is in the air, anyone can catch it. An interception takes away one punt and is as good as a blocked punt.

Tell your defensive backs to be alert, quick and on their toes. Have them foster a "When the QB throws, he's throwing at me!" mentality.

* DEVELOP FOOTWORK, AGILITY. A defender who has good footwork, the ability to stay in balance and who develops agility, becomes better than a player who depends entirely on speed.

* GOOD DEFENSE IS A MIND-SET. Desire, determination and confidence are 90 percent of the success of any defensive individual or team.

Each player on your defensive unit must possess confidence and truly believe that he can follow his assignment and get the job done.

* GET A GREAT JUMP. An initial charge on the ball is very important. On every snap, your defensive players must get a jump on the opponent.

* KEEP THE FEET MOVING. Good defenders always keep their feet moving. By constantly moving, it's difficult for an opponent to get their hands on your defenders and tie them up. Your players need to be quick, agile and should always play under control.

* SELL THE DEFENSE TO YOUR PLAYERS. Your players must believe in your defense, believe in themselves and buy into your defensive philosophies. Get them to believe that no opponent will ever make a long touchdown run or pass against them.

Pass-Rushing Philosophy

* PUT HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE QB. Teach your players to rush the passer with hands high in the air and force the QB to throw over the rusher's hands. After rushing the passer, the defender must hustle and get into position and make a play. Defenders should never stop pursuing until they hear the official's whistle.

Keys to rushing the passer are:
- Get your players to react to passing plays. Be sure every defender knows his assignment.
- Teach your players to "move with movement." Your rushers need to get going quickly and get a good
jump on the snap. Teach them to use head fakes, as well as fakes with their feet to draw the blocker out
of position.
- To get rid of the blocker, your player must control the blocker's head. Use the "same-foot, same-arm
method" to make contact. This will give your player extra leverage when he makes his move.
- Instruct your pass rushers to bring their hands up just as the passer cocks the ball. If they bring them up
too quickly (early) it'll hurt their rushing effectiveness.
If they bring them up too late, they'll have given up their best weapon for obstructing the QB. If the
passer has to throw over their hands, his efficiency is radically reduced.
- Teach your pass rushers to tackle the QB from the top down. Don't let them dive at the QB's legs.
- Once a pass is thrown, instruct your pass rushers to peel off toward the side where the ball is thrown
and be ready to make a block on any interception.

Pass-Coverage Philosophy

* STRESS FUNDAMENTALS TO YOUR DBS. Teach all your defensive backs the proper mechanics for covering receivers and defending passes. Some of the key teaching points for your DBs include:

- Have your DB cue on the offensive end and tackle. If both cross the line of scrimmage, it's definitely not
a pass. If only the end crosses the LOS, then your DBs would play it as a pass until they learn differently.
- DBs should line up with their outside foot back. Their first responsibility is to the outside.
- Your DBs should never run backwards, instead have them run sideways. They'll improve tremendously
at this through constant practice. A DB should never cross his legs over on steps and should use
heel-to-toe strides.
- Your DBs should always be thinking in terms of interceptions. However, there are rare exceptions in which
they should play to bat the ball down such as "Hail Mary" passes at the end of a game or at the end of the
first half.
- As soon as one of your DBs makes an interception, he should take two steps to the inside and cut toward
the nearest sideline for a return. Stepping to the inside, freezes opponents and gives blockers a chance to
form up and make some key blocks.
Utilize this return method for all interceptions except for passes picked off in the flat. For passes that are
intercepted in the flat, the player who intercepts the pass will take off as fast as possible down the sideline.
- When your other DBs see a pass being intercepted, they should immediately look for and block the nearest
opponent and try to give the interceptor a chance for a big return.