making the right defensive calls

Question
Dear Coach Louis,

I just started an assistant coaching job this summer and though Im primarily a line coach on varsity and jv, the varsity defensive coordinator would like me to try running the defense on JV.  

We are in a conference that is primarily made of power-running teams.  Teams that will run offenses such as the wing-t, triple-I, etc.  We run a 4-4 defense and we already have the calls installed.  I would just like to know what things I should take into considering when calling a defense.  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Dear Ryan:
Your question is,what things I should take into considering when calling a defense? Here are a list of things you should keep in mind when facing a fundamentally run only team.

The Mission of the run offense;

The run offense exists to gain 3.3 yards per play.

The run offense uses quick hitting and misdirection plays to keep a defense off guard.

The run offenses are very effective at the high school level

The run offenses have consistently won several state championships nation wide.

The run offenses are very difficult to defend because of their misdirection plays and power running.

The run offense runs well to the strong or weak side.

The run offenses are great ball control offenses.

The run offense will ware down your defense and your offense. Teams that have players that play on both sides of the football can get into big trouble after defending a long drive by a Run Offensive team. It is not uncommon for a defensive player to grow weary and to stop doing his job.

The run offense does not turn the ball over very much.

The run offense will run on third and short (1-4 yards) and punt on fourth down.


The run Offense Weakness:

The run offense is not a fast scoring offense卛n theory. They can break for a long run here and there but it is the exception to the rule not the rule.

The run offense does not like to pass.

The run offense has big receiver not fast receivers.

The run offense likes safe passes.

The run offense does not like trick plays.

The run offense must have good offensive linemen.

The run offense is not a good passing offense.

When I play a team that likes to run, I play a 4-deep secondary. This way I can have my corners come up and support the run defense. I also like to hit my opponent for a fast score. The run offense use a lot of clock time and are not good come from behind teams. If you can score on them, early or late in the game, they are in big trouble.

I like to stack-up the line of scrimmage on third and short. I will sometimes have up to 10-men on the line defending the run.

On third and long, I have my defensive players looking for screen passes, draws, swing passes, and other short and safe passes. Run offense teams will even run on third and long to get better field position after the punt. You also have to look for the quick kick. They like to punt on third and sometimes second downs to get better field position.

In other words they like to play it safe. Just play a sound defense and you will do all right. Stack the defense on first and second downs. And look for counter plays on those two downs. They only pass when they have too.

Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. I will be more than happy to do so.

Your friend, Coach Louis