I’ve been trying to learn more about add-ins.
That’s what this project is about, in all honesty. Me trying to learn.
I’ll write some surface area things here. That will get us started.
But the real value in this for me is hearing back from all of you about the different ways you’ve done things.
So, how do you deal with add-ins? Please comment below.
Here are some of my thoughts.
What are Add-Ins?
This is when the Offence decides to add extra blockers into the Run Game. Typically these are Receivers who initially lined up in the Slot or as Wideouts who have now entered the Box to block.
They could be blocking on the front side of a run, capping the back side of a run, or even pulling on a Gap scheme.
The Concept
There are no secrets here.
The Offence is attempting to test our Defensive Backs in their run stopping ability.
At the same time, conversely, we get to see if their Receivers can block.
The Motion rules in our great Canadian game allow for these late changes of Offensive numbers in the Box.
So how should we match up?
Man-to-Man Coverage
Numerically, if you happen to be in Man-to-Man Coverage on the play, you could simply add when they add.
That is to say, if your coverage-responsible player adds-in to block, you add in as well to handle the new Run Gap.
In this sense, a large dose of Man-to-Man calls can be a good tactic if you are expecting to play a heavy add-in opponent.
Zone/Match Coverage
It gets a little more complicated when Zone or Match Coverages come into play.
With a Low Zone Player, you can typically stick with the “they add, we add” philosophy. That is to say, on a Hold Side, if they add the #2 Receiver, we add the Halfback.
This works great until you run out of Low Zone players.
Or what about on a Cut Side, when the Halfback has Deep Zone responsibilities? Does he come all the way down to add? Do you try to add the Corner? Do you play it light?
I’d love to hear some of your thoughts, readers, on this particular defensive challenge.
Fit
Once you match numbers, you’ll next have to decide on your Fit.
What type of leverage should your add-in player use?
Are you spilling the play? In other words, when the Receiver adds-in onto your Defensive End, will your Defensive End try to work INSIDE or OUTSIDE of that block?
The add-in player will then fill the remaining Gap.
Your add-in defender must have a great understanding of your Run Fits and work to keep the proper leverage on the play.
In the clip above, we see the Offence add TWO additional blockers to the back side of a Run Play. Each time a blocker adds, a Defender adds as well.
Also, we see the Defence SPILL the new blocker each time.
Final Thoughts
That’s it.
As I said, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
My contact info is listed below, or you could comment on this post.
All the best,
Jon Svec
Defensive Coordinator
St. Francis Xavier University
X-Men Football
IG: @jonsvecx
Twitter: @jonsvecx
Jon Svec is the author of the e-book Canadian Football Chalk Talk: Defensive Basics.