Pre- and Post-Snap Coverage Disguise
by Andy Merfeld
Description
We've all been on the wrong end of a game when the opposing QB was on fire, carving up the defense with impunity. You play coverage and he sits back and picks you apart; you pressure and he immediately diagnoses the soft spot and gets the ball out before you can get home.
To combat today's high-powered passing attacks, defenses need to try to use every possible advantage. One tool that I believe is underutilized is purposefully and systematically disguising your coverages. Properly disguising your intentions effectively makes your coverage better, your players faster, and your pass rush even more dangerous.
I have put a lot of thought into the question of how best to disguise one's intentions on defense, and I put all of my best ideas into this course. If you are interested in sharing ideas that you have, please contact me on Twitter and I'd be excited to discuss more.
In the first half of the course, I focus on the importance of pre-snap disguise: how to hold your coverage disguise, how to present coordinated looks, how to coach your players to disguise their intentions, how to easily build a disguise "language" into your scheme, and how to use your different disguise calls.
In the second half of the course, I dive into the topic of post-snap disguise. I present different ideas about disguising whether the coverage is man or zone, whether the middle of the field is closed or open, and which way the coverage is rotating. I also spend time discussing different positional techniques that can be used to disguise coverages, reading the boundary safety, and several specific coverages which allow the defense to effectively disguise.
I hope you enjoy this course and I look forward to opening a dialogue about disguise and other tools for defensive success!
Lessons
The Coach
Andy Merfeld has experience coaching at the small-college and high school levels and specializes in coverages, defensive back play, and special teams. His CoachTube courses focus narrowly on very specific topics, which allows coaches to effectively implement the strategies and processes he discusses.
He currently is the corners coach and special teams coordinator at Benedictine College (NAIA – KS) and previously coached at Upper Iowa University, the University of Minnesota Duluth, and Edgewood High School (WI). Relevant coaching achievements:
- Benedictine College (CBs). In 2019 the Ravens led all NAIA and NCAA schools with ten blocked punts, and also led the NAIA in punt return yards at the end of the regular season. In 2020 the team again led the NAIA in blocked kicks, and also finished sixth in punt return yards. The defense finished 3rd in the NAIA in sacks, 4th in interceptions, 2nd in rush defense, and led all NAIA and NCAA schools with four shutouts in ten games. In 2022 the Ravens blocked eight total kicks and were fifth in the country in kickoff return average. In 2023 Benedictine had the top special teams unit in the NAIA, again leading the country in blocked kicks (T-1st), finished 4th in the NAIA in gross punt, 4th in gross kickoff average, 5th in punt return average, and 9th in NAIA in KOR average.
- Upper Iowa (DBs). In 2017 the Peacocks finished second nationally in punt return touchdowns and fifth in punt blocks. They also finished 10th in the country in pass defense.
- Minnesota Duluth (Def. GA). In two years the Bulldogs compiled a 22-4 record, including three postseason wins and a #3 national ranking in the 2014 season.
- Edgewood High School (DC, strength and conditioning). In 2011 the Crusaders set the school record for wins and advanced to the WIAA state semifinals for the first time.
Ratings and Reviews (0)
This Course Includes
| 24 hours on-demand video |
| Streaming from mobile and TV |
| Lifetime access |
| Certificate of completion |
| 100% money back guarantee |
Course Info
| Rating: | (0) |
|---|---|
| Caterory: | Football/Coverage |
| Bookings: | 27 |
| Duration: | |
| Videos: | 14 |
