Beyond 'Less is More' - Defensive Installations - Joel Elliot, Defensive Coordinator, Berry College

Coach and Coordinator Podcast

In this episode of the Coach and Coordinator Podcast presented by Vertical Raise, we dive deep into the strategic intricacies of coaching defense with Joel Elliott, the defensive coordinator at Berry College. Berry finished the 2023 season ranked as the #23 ranked team in NCAA Division III and the defense was #2 Team TFL (9.3/game) #12 Defense TD (4) #16 3rd Down Defense .286 #19 1st Down Defense (151) #25 Passing Defense Efficiency 104.08 #27 Total Defense 267.0.

Coach Elliott challenges the common belief of "less is more" and advocates for a comprehensive installation process during camp. He emphasizes the importance of preparing for various scenarios by installing various defensive calls and coverages, equipping the team with diverse answers for different game situations.

Coach Elliott highlights the necessity of ensuring players understand the rationale behind each defensive call, which helps simplify their decision-making on the field. He discusses the strategic approach to camp installations, advocating for a daily increment of new defensive calls, blending new installs with recall from previous days, and rejecting block learning in favor of a more holistic and flow-based learning approach.

The conversation also explores the practical implementation of technology in practice sessions, stressing the importance of acclimating players to in-game tech utilization. By simulating game scenarios with adjustment periods and instant replay analysis during practices, teams can optimize decision-making and strategic adaptations on the field.

Chapters

• Balancing Installation and Preparation
• Importance of Recall in Defensive Installations
• Maximizing Success with Pre-Installed Strategies
• Complexity for Defense, Simplicity for Players
• Consistency and Recall in Installation
• Popular Trends in Installation Formats
• The Flaws of Block Learning in Installations
• The Value of Daily Recall in Installations
• Applying Situational Awareness in Practice
• Practical Game Simulations in Practice
• Transitioning to Realistic Game Scenarios
• Utilizing Technology in Game Preparation
• Incorporating Adjustment Periods in Practice
• Winning Edge

Support Coach Elliott by purchasing his resource:

Using Fire Zones to Get the Offense Off Schedule

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