How to Defend the Flexbone

This session explores defensive strategies against the option from a two-high alignment, focusing on denying the dive and forcing the ball laterally. Coach Brian Vaughn emphasizes reading blocking schemes rather than assigning rigid responsibilities, ensuring defenses adapt to the strengths of Flexbone offenses. He highlights the importance of varying perimeter looks, teaching option responsibilities within every defensive call, and connecting these concepts to defending modern RPOs.

Practical insights on practice planning (spring, camp, bye weeks, and Friday reviews) illustrate how to keep players prepared year-round while maintaining alignment with a team’s defensive identity.

Defend Option With 1-High Safety:

This course presents the philosophies behind defending with 1-high safety. Learn from Head Coach Brian Vaughn on denying dives, reading block schemes, and getting the ball pitched.

Get coaching tips on teaching players the option responsibilities in all base calls; know the tips on practicing flexbone, spring, and fall camp. Combine your defensive identity with flexbone and other playbook elements.

Facing a 3-4 Defense?

Attack the C-Gap!  Run Off Tackle behind the Tight End.

Every Defense has a Weakness....

And GREAT defensive coordinators recognize this and has answers.

College DC and owner of Blitzology website, Brian Vaugn ANSWERS is to use his Outside Linebacker in different alignments and alignments

ANSWER #1

• OLB head up on Tight End
  • what's your answer if TE arc releases?
  • Down blocks?
  • Reach Blocks?
  • Cutoff block on backside
  • And college coach Vaughn shows you the technique to use when the TE is bigger & stronger than your OLB

ANSWER #2

• OLB inside shade on Tight End
  • Why on earth would you put him inside the TE??
  • arc release or reach block
  • down block or cutoff block
  • Base blocks your OLB

ANSWER #3

• OLB jams the TE from outside shade

Vaugn backs all this up with over 30 minutes of game film

Coach Adam Gaylor presents strategies for using stems and pre-snap movements to disrupt and confuse Flexbone offenses. The course emphasizes keeping rules clear and defined so players can react quickly, while also varying fronts and responsibilities to prevent predictability. Practical insights include stacking linebackers, adjusting alignments, and using simple stems to change targets, all designed to limit what Flexbone teams can run and give defenses a tactical edge.