How to Win in the Red Zone by Challenging All Outside Routes - Clayton Carlin

The game speeds up in the red zone--as if it isn't fast enough already!  Clayton Carlin's philosophy is to stop the run while still challenging all routes to the outside.  Coach Carlin is the Defensive Analyst at the University of Louisiana.

The video walks you through their "Red" Red Zone Package.  They also have "Green" and "Black" packages.  Those two are detailed in "Winning in the Red Zone: Coverages out of a Multiple 4-2-5 Defense."  That clinic is available on Glazier Drive.

When this was recorded, Coach Carlin was the Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Sam Houston State.

Red Zone Defensive Philosophy

🏈 The goal in the Red Zone is to hold the offense to a field goal attempt or less.

🏈 Need to stop the run while still challenging all routes on the outside--the quick hitters.

🏈 Things happen faster in the red zone, so your players must be prepared for that.

🏈 They start Red Zone defensive game planning with base down calls.

🏈 They carry some extra six-man Red Zone pressures.

"Red" Red Zone Coverage

🏈 Field Zone Coverage +16 to +8

🏈 Pattern matching based on the initial releases (not spot dropping)

🏈 4 man rush with Defensive Line games.