Fullbacks.
Though the position may have evolved over the years, Fullbacks are still alive and well in the world of Canadian football.
Here are a few starting points for defending Run Plays that involve a Fullback.
Defining Fullbacks
For the purposes of this article, Fullbacks will be defined as extra blocking backs lined up in the backfield.
It’s perhaps more common to see these players lined up as Wings or Tight Ends these days, but that’s a different topic for a different day.
Here we’re talking about true, old school, Fullback alignments.
Matching Numbers
Defensively, if we see a Formation with a true Fullback, we often want to match numbers.
This means we’ll need seven hats in the Box, often created by a 4-3 type of alignment.
The unique issue with a true Fullback is that we don’t know where the extra hat will be added in the Run Game. This is where our decision process comes into play for defending the extra Gap.
Option #1: Bump
One option for fitting off the Fullback would be to Bump the Linebackers.
In this option, it’s as if our Linebackers are tied together with a string. All three will work together to handle the new Gap created by the Fullback.
In the example below, the Fullback attacks the B Gap. In this case, the Sam Linebacker would fit outside the Fullback, and the Mike Linebacker would fit inside the Fullback.
Option #2: Track
A second option for Fullback run fits would be to attach one defender to the Fullback. This is typically the Sam Linebacker.
As we see in the image below, the Sam uses a little extra depth so they don’t get caught up with the Mike and Will Linebackers while flowing to the play.
In this option, the Sam tracks the Fullback wherever they go.
There is a second decision to make within this option.
Will everyone else Box or Spill?
That is to say, when one of the other defenders meets the Fullback, do they fit INSIDE or OUTSIDE?
The tracking defender will then fit off their teammate.
Here is an example of the Fullback crossing to the opposite B Gap. The defensive plan here is to Track and Spill. This means the Will Linebacker will fit INSIDE, and the tracking Sam will fit OUTSIDE.
Complete System
The key is having these rules apply to ALL the different Run Plays you might see with a Fullback.
I’ve drawn them up as ISO-type plays to illustrate the point, but the Fullback could add anywhere.
Perhaps he attacks the Defensive End on the Front Side or Back Side of a Zone Run? Or maybe he’s the first “Puller” of a Gap Scheme? Or capping the Back Side of a Counter Run?
The rules must hold up against all looks.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few standard options when it comes to Fullback run fits.
You could:
- Bump the Linebackers
- Track and Box
- Track and Spill
Once you’ve settled on a plan, it’s then time to test your Fits against all of the different types of Run Plays you might face.
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.