It is hard to see the total stunt on TV without replay. However, I will do my best.
Most all of these stunts will be in our defensive playbook, and we will use them to varying degrees. Some we may use more than others, but there are only so many things the front 7 can do.
Basics
1. Slant - The whole defensive line will slant to one side (stunts can be to the strong side, the weakside, toward the short side of the field, to the wide side, etc.) When the DTs slant, they will shoot a gap, but may not be aiming for deep penetration. They may just want to slant to where they are right behind the offensive linemen, in a position to still shuffle and make tackles. If they slant strong, they will slant into the gap between the linemen toward the strength of the offensive side (the TE side, the two receiver side, etc.) The LBs may take a shuffle step away from the slant direction at the snap of the ball to help protect what has now become the weakside.
2. Fire stunt - Any LB can run a fire stunt. It is nothing more than the LB shooting a gap on or after the snap of the ball.
3. X Stunt/Loop stunt - Usually run by two DL. With LBs, the premise is the same. Either the outside guy (DE) will slam into the gap to his inside trying to occupy two blockers (the guy assigned to blocking him and the guy whose area he has just invaded) while the inside guy (DT) lets the outside guy go in front of him, then loops around and blitzes through the hole left by the offensive linemen who has vacated his area following the outside guy, or the inside guy slams outside first followed by the outside guy looping in. (I hope that made sense.) This is not a great stunt versus a quick hitting run. Therefore, it is primarily used in pass rush situations. This can be run between the two DT's, at DT and a DE, an OLB and a DE, and a MLB and a DT. Very versatile.
4. Pinch stunt - run by a unit (Left DT, DE, and LOLB). The DT and DE will slam the inside gap on the snap of the ball, while the OLB takes a shuffle step to the outside on the snap of the ball to protect more against the outside since the DE won't have much responsibility.
5. OLB stunt - I've heard called Blast, Strike and Whip (for Sam and Will), among other things. The OLB cheats out and up to the line, and comes on a direct pass rush (or deep as the deepest back) on the snap of the ball.
6. Pistol stunt - the OLB or Rover or SS comes through an inside gap on the snap of the ball. Much like a fire, but used more by outside guys coming in than outside guys going straight ahead through a gap. You will see this stunt in the Nebraska game this year, because it is a hard stunt for option teams to account for. It screws up responsibilities. For the most part, you will see more defensive stunts and games against Nebraska than anyone, IMO. Indecision kills there offense. That is, if they are still reading any of the options.
Each coach has other stunts that they feel are their own. Most stunts are some form or combination of the ones above (if I haven't left something out.).
You may also hear a term called a delayed stunt...this can be a post-read stunt by a LB. For example...
"DJ, your read is the nearest back. If the nearest back shows pass, pin your ears back and go. If the near back goes away, pursue as deep as the deepest back. If he comes toward you, step up to meet him. If he flares, you have him."
OR
A true delayed blitz is when the LB is not at the LOS showing his stunt but is playing off the line. The OL man up and pass blocking, and may lock on too much, allowing a LB to have a free lane to the QB.
Thanks for the tutorial coach. Just FYI, we had a Husker poster a couple of weeks back that said NU wasn't running a true triple option anymore. He said that what was normally the first option (hand to diving FB or keep) is called presnap. Anyway, I was wondering if the stunt you described as confusing for an option offense would still be disruptive if the only read the QB is making is pitch or keep.
Regarding the option -- I've always heard that "the way to defend the option (or was it just a triple option?) is for every defender to take a man and stay with him". This seems somewhat counter to the stunting approach you're advocating against Nebraska. Was I mistaken before?
The pistol stunt I described would be very effective against the pitch vs. keep read. It is an exchange of responsibilities between the Rover/OLB/SS (who usually has pitch responsibility in cov. 3) and the man who normally has QB responsibility. The QB sees the man normally responsible for him widening with pitch, so he decides to keep and turn up. Then he is met by the SS/OLB/Rover, who he didn't see coming. This can also be used to disrupt the dive/keep read, against teams who still use this (I don't know of any in D1). It works well against the midline option (which is one of Nebraska's bread and butter), because the QB turns up behind the tackle usually.
The best way to defend the option is for every player to have a responsibility. What makes it dangerous is that if one man fails his assignment, it can be devastating. However, the speed in college football these days is allowing DTs to not only play the dive, but still reverse field and make a play on the QB or even the pitch. LBs have the speed to play dive, keep, and pitch. It makes it tough on an offense to run the option. However, it can be successful at the HS level, where athletes aren't as quick across the board.
Imagine yourself as a HS DE...
1st play - you get double teamed by the TE and Wing.
2nd play - instead of getting double teamed, they blow past you, and you get blocked out by a pulling guard.
3rd play - no one blocks you and the fullback screams past you with the look of the ball in his belly.
4th play - the QB is coming right at you and fakes a pitch that you bite on. The QB tucks and turns upfield while you stand there.
Good HS option teams have the ability to run plays that give the DT, LB, and DE a completely different look every play. It is hard to focus on your assignment, when you don't know if you are going to be double-teamed by two mammoth OL, not blocked at all, or sideswiped by a pulling guard.
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