3 Non-Negotiables to Building a Championship Defense

As a defensive coordinator the first thing that needs to be done before you dive into the X’s and O’s is to establish your culture and defensive identity. The 3 Non-Negotiables to building a championship defense are all things that our players and our coaches have full control of. This isn’t about technique and scheme- this is about identity and how we want to play and coach as a defensive unit. These 3 non-negotiables are all tangible and measurable.

3 Non-Negotiables to Building a Championship Defense

Strong Body Language and Posture

We want our defenders to always stand tall. We want our kids to maintain good posture and always have good body language. This will actually help keep the kids feeling confident and locked in. Body language screams! It screams and everyone can see it! Body language is constantly sending messages to yourself, your teammates, your opponent, and the people in the crowd. No matter the game or practice situation, we always want to have good body language.

Why Body Language is Important

Locks your players in mentally and rubs off on teammates.
Always stand tall- look ready to go.
Good football stances, always ready to go.
Always be ready (aligned and in a good football stance) so you don’t have to get ready! We are always ready before the offense.

We grade our kids on body language every single week. ALL coaches need to hold these kids to this standard. ALL coaches need to be that standard themselves!

Body Language Never Whispers- It Screams!!!

Run to the Football- Swarm the Ball Carrier

If our players aren’t able or willing to run to the ball carrier on every run and pass play, they won’t be playing very much defense for us. It’s that simple. When we turn on the game film we want to see all our defenders around the football once the whistle is blown. We want to be that defense that is known for their relentless pursuit and swarming of the ball carrier. Running to the football is one of the best things that you can do from a defensive standpoint. It’s just as important as technique and scheme. When your defenders run to the football good things happen for your defense.

Why Swarming the Ball Carrier is Important

When your defenders consistently run to the ball carrier you give up less big plays- you have numbers around the ball carrier.
You will naturally generate more turnovers- you will have the numbers around the ball carrier when he fumbles (more likely to recover the fumble).
It demoralizes the offense. It demoralizes the opposing coaches.
Even if you lack talent / skill on defense- relentless pursuit to the ball carrier will help be an equalizer.
Do the pursuit drill every single practice- that’s were this swarm mentality is really instilled.

When we watch game film we count how many defenders are near the ball carrier when the whistle blows. We tell our kids that you been be in the video frame by the end of the play. This is a standard that needs to be practice. Kids need to be held accountable to this standard by ALL coaches.

A player’s commitment to his team’s defense is judge by how fair he is from the ball carrier once the whistle is blown.

Play Defense with Enthusiasm

Playing defense is fun! We want our players to be excited when we’re on defense. We want our kids to have good body language, we want them running to the ball carrier, and we want them to be excited! If a player makes a big play, let’s get excited about it! If our teammate makes a big play, let’s get excited about. If one of our players makes a big play, our sidelines and coaches need to be excited about. We will also grade our players on enthusiasm. We want our players to be excited to be there and excited to play defense.

Why Enthusiasm is Important

Enthusiasm boosts motivation and effort.
Enthusiasm rubs off on teammates, coaches, and parents!
Builds a fun and positive environment.
Improves focus, engagement, and coachability- all of which will lead to you playing better defense.

Enthusiasm is contagious! Players need to be excited to play defense and coaches need to be excited to coach defense.

These 3 Non-Negotiables to Building a Championship Defense apply not only to players, but to coaches as well. We all have control of these 3 things- let’s do them well.