Gus Malzahn Discusses How to Attack Nick Saban’s Alabama Defense

Thursday, 24 May 2012 , by : Chris

This is from a few months back, but is one of the best one of these such segments I’ve ever seen. Malzahn does a really good job explaining exactly what his thought process was and would be in attacking Saban (and Kirby Smart)’s great Alabama defense:

(H/t RBR.)

Posted in the Category: gameplanning 6 comments
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  • http://profile.yahoo.com/HGBH5CSATUZZRZCZZQUTOFI4JE Ryan

    Thanks Chris- that was great… Malzahn comes across as clearly bright and straightforward- my biggest beef as a spectator is when coaches continually try to fit square pegs in round holes (ie, Mike Shanahan, Mike Martz) and don’t appropriately address the actual strengths and weaknesses of their team and the opposition.  I hate “system” guys, it just reeks of ego and lack of perceptual awareness.  I think that’s what makes Belichick so great, he is so flexible, and will adjust what he does based on opponent and sound assessment of his opponents.

    Ok, off my soapbox.

  • brjackson1121

    Chris

    A month or so ago,  you posted an article on the importance of pulling a guard during a play action.

    I noticed on the Cam Newton play action, Malzahn pulled a guard and it definitely had an effect on the safety that got beat.

    Everything that happened on offensive line and backfield said that was going to be a run.

    Good Stuff.

  • brjackson1121

     Chris

    A month or so ago,  you posted an article on the importance of pulling a guard during a play action.

    I noticed on the Cam Newton play action, Malzahn pulled a guard and it definitely had an effect on the safety that got beat.

    Everything that happened on offensive line and backfield said that was going to be a run.

    Good Stuff.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/MrMurder-Murphy/802155723 Mr.Murder Murphy

    Great Malzahn moment! You said that the speed sweep/jet action only requires one offensive lineman to block that way. The tackle, or whoever switches to take end man if he blocks down, which was Malzahn’s keybreaker vs. pattern read force.

    That means the rest of his line can block the power or guard pull for a play pass. On many speed sweeps the back side still has to honor Cam, and on the inside zone runs two guys wait to read Cam on one of their nice gains. You can see everyone(even slot force man) step down on some of those puller plays.

    Love how he discusses field vs. boundary, very simple objectives to establish formational leverage with. From there he knows in advance where the blitz comes from. Guess it would mean on early downs he actually tries to stay away from middle reads or tries to end up near the boundary, just to have clear reads on formational leverage so they can match the play call.

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