When the run game breaks open early, panic is a natural reaction. The instinct is to scrap the plan, dial up pressure, or shift into emergency mode. But disciplined defenses don’t live in chaos—they adjust with purpose. Great coaches don’t chase solutions—they follow a process. Run defense isn’t fixed by desperation. It’s fixed by alignment, technique, and clarity—one step at a time.
At North Central College, a Division III powerhouse with three national titles in five years, defensive coach Kalus Murphy explains how to approach run defense with patience and structure. In fact, Coach Murphy teaches a stepwise run defense adjustment process that simplifies decision-making and protects the integrity of the overall defense.
“What was kind of teaching us was… you get creased in the run game and immediately think, okay, I got to change something schematically. Instead… trust your scheme.”
— Coach Kalus Murphy (15:00)
Let’s break down this process—and how you can apply it at any level.
Step 1: Fix Technique Before Anything Else
Before you even consider adjusting alignments or coverage, evaluate whether the breakdown stems from poor fundamentals. Missed fits, poor pad level, or failure to spill the ball properly can create big plays regardless of the scheme.
Coach Murphy describes a typical mistake that seems schematic but isn’t:
“He’s not getting underneath the puller and spilling it out to speed. And that was the issue.”
— Coach Kalus Murphy (15:57)
In other words, the play was defended properly on paper, but execution failed. Review film and coach individual reps before altering the system.
Step 2: Adjust Fronts with Purpose
If the issue isn’t technique, then it may be time to adjust the front. Small tweaks in alignment can go a long way in helping your defenders gain leverage.
“Maybe it’s, hey, we got to cheat him to a four-eye and just over-cheat that front.”
— Coach Kalus Murphy (16:27)
Step 3: Use Coverage to Modify Spacing
When technique and fronts don’t get it done, coverage can help you change the math. Adjusting coverage isn’t just about the pass—it affects how many bodies you’ve got in the run fit and where they show up.
Rotate a safety down. Spin the coverage. Bump from two-high to one-high. Each call changes how the offense sees the box—and how you support it.
Murphy’s approach is subtle but effective. Reduce the end from a 9 to a 6 or 6i to get a stronger edge on counter. Shade the defensive tackle to gain better angles on zone. Small tweaks like these can close space without blowing up your structure.
Coach Murphy explains:
“In quarters… there are nine available players… Cover three… leaves you eight… Cover two… now you’re truly playing with seven-man spacing.”
— Coach Kalus Murphy (17:30)
This concept—how many defenders are “in the fit”—guides your coverage call. A quarter-based defense allows maximum run support. A move to cover three or cover two reduces that support but may increase pass protection or disguise. Knowing when and how to shift spacing is essential to defending versatile offenses.
Final Step: Apply Stunts and Blitzes—Last
Only after evaluating technique, fronts, and coverage should you consider movement games and pressures. Stunts like ET (end-tackle) or TE (tackle-end) can disrupt zone plays, while targeted blitzes can overwhelm protections—but they come with risk. Coach Murphy reminds us to build adjustments progressively, not emotionally.
“Even then you’re getting outgunned like that… that’s now a physical problem.”
— Coach Kalus Murphy (18:26)
Conclusion
Implementing stepwise run defense adjustments empowers your team to stay grounded and resilient. Instead of scrambling for answers mid-game, you’ll have a structured system that restores control—starting with fundamentals and ending with high-impact tactics only when necessary.
It’s not about how quickly you can change your defense. It’s about how confidently you can fix problems without abandoning your identity. Trust the process—and teach your players to do the same.
Related:
It’s All About Love and Teaching – Chad Murphy, Head Coach, Winton Woods High School (OH)
Defense with DC (Week 14): Fixing Issues, Zero Coverage, Gap Alignment