Comments on: Defending the zone-read: athleticism and the “scrape-exchange” http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange Analysis and strategy by Chris. Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:55:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: The Zone Play In The Pac-10 | UCLA Sports Talk http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange/comment-page-1#comment-4985 The Zone Play In The Pac-10 | UCLA Sports Talk Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:35:35 +0000 http://smartfootball.com/?p=229#comment-4985 [...] way that teams have begun to defend the zone read is to use what is known as a "scrape exchange". They will have the DE crash down every time to force the QB to pull the ball and have the LB [...] [...] way that teams have begun to defend the zone read is to use what is known as a "scrape exchange". They will have the DE crash down every time to force the QB to pull the ball and have the LB [...]

]]> By: SEC Bowl: Gators to roll over Tide « on college football http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange/comment-page-1#comment-2987 SEC Bowl: Gators to roll over Tide « on college football Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:35:51 +0000 http://smartfootball.com/?p=229#comment-2987 [...] schedule ran much option at all, very little from Kentucky nor Auburn so this is a great question. Option blocking doubles up the 3-4 playside end (or sometimes the OLB) and lets the QB make the call against the unblocked defender. Alabama has [...] [...] schedule ran much option at all, very little from Kentucky nor Auburn so this is a great question. Option blocking doubles up the 3-4 playside end (or sometimes the OLB) and lets the QB make the call against the unblocked defender. Alabama has [...]

]]> By: SEC Bowl Preview: Gator to roll over Tide | Fantasy College Blitz http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange/comment-page-1#comment-2986 SEC Bowl Preview: Gator to roll over Tide | Fantasy College Blitz Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:26:47 +0000 http://smartfootball.com/?p=229#comment-2986 [...] schedule ran much option at all, very little from Kentucky nor Auburn so this is a great question. Option blocking doubles up the 3-4 playside end (or sometimes the OLB) and lets the QB make the call against the unblocked defender. Alabama has [...] [...] schedule ran much option at all, very little from Kentucky nor Auburn so this is a great question. Option blocking doubles up the 3-4 playside end (or sometimes the OLB) and lets the QB make the call against the unblocked defender. Alabama has [...]

]]> By: Deconstructing: The grisly demise of ‘Tressel Ball’ | Newstion.com http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange/comment-page-1#comment-690 Deconstructing: The grisly demise of ‘Tressel Ball’ | Newstion.com Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:04:12 +0000 http://smartfootball.com/?p=229#comment-690 [...] take the running back while a linebacker would "scrape" to take the quarterback — a common defensive adjustment to the zone read. To counteract this, Rodriguez would line up with an H-back who would run counter to the direction [...] [...] take the running back while a linebacker would "scrape" to take the quarterback — a common defensive adjustment to the zone read. To counteract this, Rodriguez would line up with an H-back who would run counter to the direction [...]

]]> By: Deconstructing: The grisly demise of ‘Tresselball’ | Sports News Images and Videos http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange/comment-page-1#comment-685 Deconstructing: The grisly demise of ‘Tresselball’ | Sports News Images and Videos Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:11:34 +0000 http://smartfootball.com/?p=229#comment-685 [...] take the running back while a linebacker would "scrape" to take the quarterback — a common defensive adjustment to the zone read. To counteract this, Rodriguez would line up with an H-back who would run counter to the direction [...] [...] take the running back while a linebacker would "scrape" to take the quarterback — a common defensive adjustment to the zone read. To counteract this, Rodriguez would line up with an H-back who would run counter to the direction [...]

]]> By: Deconstructing: Setting Terrelle Pryor free against USC’s new D | Newstion.com http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange/comment-page-1#comment-607 Deconstructing: Setting Terrelle Pryor free against USC’s new D | Newstion.com Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:06:20 +0000 http://smartfootball.com/?p=229#comment-607 [...] Trojans have several ways to defend the zone-read, but with good formations Tressel should be able to spring Pryor or put his running backs in [...] [...] Trojans have several ways to defend the zone-read, but with good formations Tressel should be able to spring Pryor or put his running backs in [...]

]]> By: Deconstructing: Setting Terrelle Pryor free against USC’s new D | Sports News Images and Videos http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange/comment-page-1#comment-602 Deconstructing: Setting Terrelle Pryor free against USC’s new D | Sports News Images and Videos Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:00:31 +0000 http://smartfootball.com/?p=229#comment-602 [...] Trojans have several ways to defend the zone-read, but with good formations Tressel should be able to spring Pryor or put his running backs in [...] [...] Trojans have several ways to defend the zone-read, but with good formations Tressel should be able to spring Pryor or put his running backs in [...]

]]> By: Will http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange/comment-page-1#comment-345 Will Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:38:03 +0000 http://smartfootball.com/?p=229#comment-345 Anytime you are defending the option, you have the luxury of dictating the ballcarrier, though you have to be careful because the offensive guys always have another option play to counter any over-commitment. The difference between the shotgun spread-type option and the under center type is that when you dictate the ballcarrier you also dictate the direction of the play, so the whole defense knows where the play will go. As Chris points out, the offense's next move is to block the backside DE and run a called handoff, but then the defense can come back with a boxing end, to which the offense responds with a QB counter... Still, the direct snap option scares me less than the IV/OV/midline under center stuff, where the offense knows the direction of the play and the defense doesn't, rather than the other way around. Anytime you are defending the option, you have the luxury of dictating the ballcarrier, though you have to be careful because the offensive guys always have another option play to counter any over-commitment. The difference between the shotgun spread-type option and the under center type is that when you dictate the ballcarrier you also dictate the direction of the play, so the whole defense knows where the play will go. As Chris points out, the offense’s next move is to block the backside DE and run a called handoff, but then the defense can come back with a boxing end, to which the offense responds with a QB counter… Still, the direct snap option scares me less than the IV/OV/midline under center stuff, where the offense knows the direction of the play and the defense doesn’t, rather than the other way around.

]]> By: Mr.Murder http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange/comment-page-1#comment-331 Mr.Murder Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:48:15 +0000 http://smartfootball.com/?p=229#comment-331 Got some screaming ends and we plan on doing the exchange a lot. They fight being reached to playside but when the play comes their way it's about attacking the mesh from the heel line. Have to go from the same saying used to describe a two gap nose. "The nose is always right/the center is always right." The end is always right he'll take one of the two out every time and you have time to see and get around it. We will invert safeties off a shell coverage a lot in terms of the pitch force, the end will make the QB's mind up for him every time. On an inside track he's spilling and on a pitch he's fighting a reach. Backfield flow is a necessity key, so few teams effectively pull on our front that it's all about getting to the fullback lead and reading it off how wide the deep set halfback gets his hips. If he turns for a pitch and you're being reached at, fight it. If he's tracking down and you get past the heel line, spill it. Had the weakside end coming across three blocker's faces from a six tech, he just launches at the ball. Once we restrain some of that explosiveness he'll probably arrive at the heel line every time, with a lot of energy to spare. Got some screaming ends and we plan on doing the exchange a lot. They fight being reached to playside but when the play comes their way it’s about attacking the mesh from the heel line.

Have to go from the same saying used to describe a two gap nose. “The nose is always right/the center is always right.” The end is always right he’ll take one of the two out every time and you have time to see and get around it.

We will invert safeties off a shell coverage a lot in terms of the pitch force, the end will make the QB’s mind up for him every time. On an inside track he’s spilling and on a pitch he’s fighting a reach. Backfield flow is a necessity key, so few teams effectively pull on our front that it’s all about getting to the fullback lead and reading it off how wide the deep set halfback gets his hips. If he turns for a pitch and you’re being reached at, fight it. If he’s tracking down and you get past the heel line, spill it.

Had the weakside end coming across three blocker’s faces from a six tech, he just launches at the ball. Once we restrain some of that explosiveness he’ll probably arrive at the heel line every time, with a lot of energy to spare.

]]> By: Chris http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange/comment-page-1#comment-320 Chris Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:47:09 +0000 http://smartfootball.com/?p=229#comment-320 steve: I disagree about it it being totally different if it is IZ or OZ. You are right that it is a bit "easier" to squeeze the cutback, but then again on OZ it's not clear that you "need" the zone-read as much to control the backside DE. 2. This adjustment is better but is always susceptible to more key breaking. Pat White often would read the backside but instead of arcing back just cut it straight upfield. If the LB is the "thief" he can take himself out of position. Now, Sheri-Threet was not threat, so that gets to Patterson's point about the general need for guys who can handle speed in space. This is the point for someone above: if the DE can play both, then you don't need anything fancy. But that requires you to have a great and athletic DE, and the offense to have a QB who isn't very athletic. steve: I disagree about it it being totally different if it is IZ or OZ. You are right that it is a bit “easier” to squeeze the cutback, but then again on OZ it’s not clear that you “need” the zone-read as much to control the backside DE.

2. This adjustment is better but is always susceptible to more key breaking. Pat White often would read the backside but instead of arcing back just cut it straight upfield. If the LB is the “thief” he can take himself out of position. Now, Sheri-Threet was not threat, so that gets to Patterson’s point about the general need for guys who can handle speed in space.

This is the point for someone above: if the DE can play both, then you don’t need anything fancy. But that requires you to have a great and athletic DE, and the offense to have a QB who isn’t very athletic.

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