How to Follow an Offense in Football by Watching the Guards

Video Transcript

"Coach Rudy, Big Ten Alumni. One of the important things about becoming a really good defensive player is learning how to key on specific players. For instance, watching the guards. Again, as a linebacker, if I'm watching the guards, I'm looking for the action with the football. For instance, if the guards are blocking down, then I know that they're trying to create a hole around the outside of the guard, and I'm going to fill that, looking for a collision with either the fullback or the ball carrier. If the guard pulls, then I know that the plays either going around--I'm watching to see if the tackle blocks down. If the guard pulls and the tackle blocks down, then that's a trap play. So the defensive player in front of the guard will wander up field and then get cleaned up, and there'll be a huge hole there. As a linebacker I've got to fill that hole. That's called a trap play. If the guard pulls, and the tackle reaches for the guy in front of him instead of blocks down, and I know that my pursuit now has to be towards the outside of the offensive formation. As a defensive back, I have to learn how to see with my peripheral vision, and watch the receiver in front of me--if they try to block me take them on, and go and provide run support. I'm watching the guard if he blocks down, then I know that I'm watching to see if the quarterback hands off the ball, that's a running play. I'm coming, have the collision, and then try to make the tackle. If the guard pulls, and I know that the quarterback wheels outside, then I'm looking for the quarterback to either throw it to my guy so I have to keep the receiver in front of me, right, make sure he's not running a route, and then if the quarterback keeps the ball, then I try to come up and create that support that's going to force him back into the linebackers. If he pitches, same thing--I've got to have the collision with the receiver, come up and provide run support. And if he--if the receiver tries to block me, and the quarterback pitches the ball, I still need to be cognizant that it's a run, because if I commit to fast, the receiver releases, and the running back now throws the ball over my head--that's a really good play. So, keys to watching the guard is, yes, I get an adjustment and a little bit of a heads up on my responsibility, but I don't abandon and try and guess at what's happening. I watch, maintain my responsibility, and fulfill my job, rely on my teammates to do their job. Learning how to watch the guards--yes, that's something I commit to. But, I also maintain my commitment to my coach, and I do what he tells me to do. So should you."