The Art Of X

In this episode, I talk about:

* How would you define Patrick Graham’s philosophy after working with him and watching his film?

* How is Graham’s approach in ‘23 markedly different than previous years?

* How is Graham creating pressure in the passing game?

* How does the addition of iDL Christian Wilkins (Dolphins) affect the Raiders' defense's overall plan?

* What was the biggest reason for improvement during the season?

* What are the ...

In this episode, I talk about:

* Overall thoughts on the transition from Pete Carroll to Mike Macdonald

* The additions of Aden Durde & Leslie Frazier, plus the stability of Karl Scott

* Carroll-Adjacent defenses vs. what Macdonald might run in Seattle

* What is the Macdonald system?

* Analyze the Seahawks’ personnel a project what that might look like

* The loss of Quandre Diggs & Jamal Adams

* Devon Witherspoon as a Swiss army knife

* Ma...

In this episode, I talk about:

* A step-by-step process for creating and naming defensive plays

* Why it doesn’t matter what you call things

* Why you should create ‘buckets’ or specific families before you name them

* How to create signals for each of your calls

* Building an inventory and why you should do it

* I go through my simulated pressure, or QB ‘family,’ of calls and their signals

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» Articles on the above topics…

WANT MORE ON TH...

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In this episode, I talk about:

* Types of jargon

* Treat players as non-experts

* Context Clues & Visual Ques

* Building a system

* Technique over scheme

* Start small and build

* Creating an inventory

* Building an install

* Spring vs. Fall insertion

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» Articles on the above topics…

A Complete Guide to the Hybrid 4-2-5 (book)

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» For a comprehensive breakdown of how I teach & categorize my coverages, check out my full-length book on the topic...

In this episode, I talk about:

* 5-year coverage review

* Coverage trends

* Post-hiring cycle review

* Are we moving on from the Fangio System?

* The ‘new’ Ravens Defense

* Macdonald vs. Minter

* The rise of split-field coverages in the NFL

* Other thoughts - Will we see more Cover 1?

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» Articles on the above topics…

» Previous pod:

» MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe, like, and share articles.

© 2024...

In this episode, we talk about:

* How can the Chiefs design counters for the 49ers’ ‘static’ mentality on defense?

* What are some ways the Chiefs can attack San Fransisco’s defensive structure?

* Kansas City offenses run some of the highest rates of motion in the NFL and often use quick motion to create. We explain how the Chiefs use motion to set up plays.

* The Chiefs run the highest amount of split-field coverage in the NFL, focusi...

In this episode, I talk about:

* Hybridization on offenses, especially at the skill positions

* WRs at RB…?

* Offenses going heavier and defending 4-man surfaces

* Running 12p/21p packages while still leaning into the Spread passing game

* Problems within a movement-based scheme

* Deeper discussion on mobile QBs and the evolution of the game

* Non-Traditional Tampas (NTTs)

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» Articles on the above topics…

» Shawn’s article on the Shanahan o...

In this episode, I talk about:

* How Shawn & I became great friends

* The continued rise of the 2-high shell

* Why do we see fewer man-match zones in the NFL

* How mobile QBs are reshaping defenses

* How offenses are adjusting to more odd front looks

* Running the ball still matters

* Defending condensed sets

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» Articles on the above topics…

Shawn’s article on the Shanahan offense: Shanahan Schemes

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» Follow Shawn on Twitter: Syed Schemes

» ...

In this episode, I talk about:

* Building the language

* Creating Quarters tools in your Cover 3

* Buzz/Thumbs

* Match It!/Zone It!

* Route matches

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» Articles on the above topics…

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» For a comprehensive breakdown of how I teach & categorize my coverages, check out my full-length book on the topic, Match Quarters - A Modern Guidebook to Split-Field Coverages

» DB 101 Playlist full of quick clinics on techniques, drills, & fundamentals.

» La...

In this episode, I talk about:

* Coverage Expense Account

* Basic coverage rotations in Cover 3

* Creating a simple Match 3 (Rip/Liz or 3Y)

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» Articles on the above topics…

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» For a comprehensive breakdown of how I teach & categorize my coverages, check out my full-length book on the topic, Match Quarters - A Modern Guidebook to Split-Field Coverages

» DB 101 Playlist full of quick clinics on techniques, drills, & fundamentals.

» MatchQua...

In this episode, I talk about:

* Re-designing Cover 6 (QQH)

* Fangio’s “Zeus” call to target the best WR

* What is Tampa 2?

* Non-Traditional Tampas (NTTs)

* Different variations of NTTs with real-life examples

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» Articles on the above topics…

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» For a comprehensive breakdown of how I teach & categorize my coverages, check out my full-length book on the topic, Match Quarters - A Modern Guidebook to Split-Field Coverages

» DB 101 Playlist ...

In this episode, I talk about:

* Why Bracket is so prevalent at the high levels of football

* Bracket vs Cone & how to adjust the coverage to a stud WR outside

* Why Bracket is the key to modern coverages

* Trap coverage schemes & techniques

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» Articles/Links on the above topics…

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» For a comprehensive breakdown of how I teach & categorize my coverages, check out my full-length book on the topic, Match Quarters - A Modern Guidebook to Sp...

In this episode, I talk about:

* Different schemes used to defend Trips

* Solo/Poach Coverage

* Stress Coverage

* Special/Stubbie & Stump Coverage

* Different strategies for defending the backside WR

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» Articles on the above topics…

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» For a comprehensive breakdown of how I teach & categorize my coverages, check out my full-length book on the topic, Match Quarters - A Modern Guidebook to Split-Field Coverages

» DB 101 Playlist full of...

In this episode, I talk about:

* Foundations of coverage - Sky/Cloud

* Alignment, assignment, & techniques

* Formation adjustments

* Adjustments in coverage & different techniques

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» For a comprehensive breakdown of how I teach & categorize my coverages, check out my full-length book on the topic, Match Quarters - A Modern Guidebook to Split-Field Coverages

» DB 101 Playlist full of quick clinics on techniques, drills, & fundamentals.

Las...

In this episode, I talk about:

* Coverages are just shapes / The Geometry of football

* Six words I use to define roles within coverage

* Terms to know / Technique glossary - Split flow vs. Load Flow / Push & Tack-Back

* Defining verticals & Smash Rules

* Alignment basics - Safety spokes

» For a comprehensive breakdown of how I teach & categorize my coverages, check out my full-length book on the topic, Match Quarters - A Modern Gui...

» In this episode, I talk about:

- What is Odd and Even spacing

- Examples of 7, 8, & 9-man run spacing

- Examine different run-fit structures 7-man

Spacing Resources:

» Belly-Key

» Gap Exchanges

» MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe, like, and share articles.

© 2023 MatchQuarters.com | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

»» In this episode, I talk about how the 49ers:

- Eliminated Lamb

- Closed off the MOF

– Run-throughs

- Forced Dak to throw into contested windows

- Gave up the low throws & played top-down coverage

- Made the other WRs win the game

...& Fred Warner is an alien

© 2023 MatchQuarters.com | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

»» In this episode, I talk about:

- Ways to attack the Flexbone offenses using pressure

- Coverage Pressure - ILB "Pops"

- Field & boundary reductions

- Adjustments

Part 1: Defending the Flexbone

Part 2: Defending the Flexbone - Motions

© 2022 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.