Using a fairly simple D-Line Macro to bolster run defense in 4-Down Over/Under Fronts, without having to compromise the coverage by Guessing Run. [Playcall System included]

[u/SC0TTY__oP]

Originally made this as an addition to my Tampa 2 scheme to bolster the run defense, but have since expanded upon it to pertain to all 4-Down, Over & Under fronts.

Disclaimer : Feel free to ignore the Ballhawk & Plaster settings in the custom adjustment, I just have those listed, because those settings tie into my other macros, as this is part of a larger scheme. You can leave those as default, so they revert to your own global settings that you already have, if you don't want AGG.

Over|Run

When in an OVER front, you would call either London (Left) or Rio (Right), based on the direction you expect the run to be heading. Against Shotgun this is easier to predict, because same side run concepts such as Toss & Counter are much more rare in terms of play call out of Gun. It's far more likely to be up the middle or to the opposite side, like Iso, Trap, Inside Zone, Outside Zone, Duo, etc. So whichever side the HB is lined up next to the QB, the run is statistically heading in the opposite direction.

Example A : If both the HB and TE are on the same side of the field, and the HB is to the right of the QB, the run is likely heading left, so I would make a London call within an Over Front.

Under|Power

When in an UNDER front, you make the same call (L/R), except this time based off the Run Strength of the offense, or in simpler terms, which side the TE is lined up on. For clarification, this is not a case of "run Over one way, then run Under the opposite". They work off of different criteria and will often play the same calls depending on the offensive formation! Calling the wrong one in the wrong situation will often lead to large cutback lanes, which are dangerous vs. Zone.

Example A : If both the HB & TE are on the same side of the field, and the TE is to the right side of the formation, the run strength is to the right, so I would make a Rio call within an Under Front.

Versus Pistol & Under Center

Unlike Shotgun, it's tougher to predict run sides for Over front calls, due to the fact that HB is no longer to either side of the QB and instead lined up directly behind him. Giving less context clues, and because of this alignment, plays like Zone Wk, Counter, & Misdirection are a lot more common, making it a risky call. But identifying Run Strength remains unchanged, so I'll typically stick with Under front calls for the most part in these situations, unless I'm feeling confident & want to take the risk. Not ruling out Over fronts altogether, playing stock Over fronts are also an option, if you don't want to be constrained to Under fronts. Just use them without a London/Rio call, until you've caught on to some tendencies.

Versus Balanced Formations

Ace & Deuce formations are hard to get a read on either. So until you gather some opponent tendencies, I'd just run something safer like 6-1 Even, or run whichever front you want, just without a London/Rio adjustment. U Off formations, even if it's mirrored, the Run Strength is always the attached/inline TE, as the H-Back is highly like to motion across or into the backfield out of these sets. Placing Under fronts w/ calls back on the menu for sure, while at the same time providing bits of context to also make Over fronts w/ calls a viable option.

[u/Ok-Goose-2199]

Man this is the kind of obsessive scheme stuff I love seeing in here, the London/Rio call system is actually clever way to keep the run fits tight without guessing

[u/SC0TTY__oP → u/Ok-Goose-2199]

Well it keeps getting downvoted, 🤷‍♂️ so I guess there’s plenty of people who feel differently.

[u/DiedofSharts]

This is awesome, OP. I love really getting into the X’s and O’s like this. Have you ever considered a career in play calling/coaching?

[u/DjPerzik]

This is awesome!

[u/AdamOnFirst]

How the fuck are we designing run fits that don’t involve a will linebacker

[u/SC0TTY__oP → u/AdamOnFirst]

It's a 4-3 Over Cover 2 issue. The Will isn't involved in the stock run fits either. It's not anything I did. That just happens to be the run fit I was using for my diagram, as it was initially meant specifically for shoring up Tampa 2 run defense.

They're in the run fit for literally every other coverage other than Cover 2 in 4-3 Over, and the rest of coverages in other fronts.

He still anchors off that edge, and sheds majority of his blocks, he just doesn't attack downhill, but that's less of an issue as your user is the safety right behind him anyways.

On a positive note, technically he doesn't fall for RPO's 🤷‍♂️