Defensive Coaches I need your help…how to stop the spread?
How is the spread offense effectively stopped?
When I was very young the option was very prominent among college football teams. It was supposed to be indefensible because of all the problems it caused for defenses. We don’t see the option as much as we used to anymore but the teams that run it are still very successfull usually. Is the spread the next option? Is the spread the option only out of a shotgun?
I’m of the mindset that the spread is the passing version of the option in that you try to create misdirection but the reads are almost the same. Qb’s are taught to watch the ends to determine if they should hand off, keep it or pitch. Teams that run the spread well have mobile qb’s who can run and throw and are threats. Option qb’s back in the day were really not very good passers. The good passers didn’t want to play at option schools.
So I ask the question: how does a team stop the spread? What are some of the theories behind beating it? How can Oklahoma and Florida stop each other come Orange Bowl time?
I can’t help but think of how good USC was a few years ago with Leinart and Bush and how Vince Young and Texas beat them because USC couldn’t stop the spread run by Vince. USC is/was as talented as it gets but still gave up a ton of points that day. I know they had a plan but somehow it didn’t work very well.
When i played we didn’t have the spread offense so I didn’t know any better. When I played in the backyard we would practice the option because it was fun to practice pitching the ball right before getting hit. Are the kids today going to practice the shotgun fake handoff seam pass to a tight end? I wonder.
What I’m really wondering is if you can defend this offense or if in 20 years we’ll be back to the wishbone.
