Michigan Football: Coach’s Corner — Playbook X’s and O’s — Using the Tight Ends

In MaizeMan’s excellent thread he talks about how Notre Dame uses their tight ends.

What we call flexing the tight end, or moving them three to five yards away from the offensive tackle. As most of you know I still email a former Notre Dame assistant coach and he helped us with this package. Lining him up in this matter has many benefits and (IMO) only one negative.

The Negative:

1. You don’t get the same type of gap or down block and it allows the defensive end to line up close to the ball.

November 17, 2012; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Devin Funchess (19) scores a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the third quarter at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 42-17. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

(more…)

Michigan Football: Coach’s Corner — Playbook X’s & O’s — Lets Talk Defending Option Football

With Northwestern and Air Force giving Michigan some problems with the option I thought we would talk about ways to defend it. Especially with Coach Meyer being one of the best option coaches around.

Defending the option is 100% assignment football. You have a defender assigned to each phase of the option. Like linebacker on dive back, defensive end on quarterback, and outside linebacker on pitch.

(more…)