Don Dobes | Defensive Coordinator, Dartmouth College
Presented by Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation
The Art of Defensive Preparation
There’s no sThere’s no shortcut to a great defensive game plan. For Don Dobes, veteran Defensive Coordinator at Dartmouth, Defensive Preparation is the foundation of every successful performance. His approach to defensive strategy is structured, deliberate, and repeatable — a process that has produced disciplined defenses year after year in the Ivy League.
“We’re really trying to divulge what makes them tick,” Dobes said. “It’s about finding the patterns that define who they are and when they’re going to do it.”
Each week, Dobes and his staff rebuild their understanding of the opponent from the ground up — analyzing personnel, backfield sets, formations, play selection, and situational tendencies. This consistent level of defensive preparation helps the Big Green play with speed and confidence.
1. Start with Personnel and Backfield Sets
Every effective defensive game plan starts with personnel. Dobes focuses not just on player names but on roles, skills, and tendencies.
He asks: Are they a team that features a Wildcat package? Do they bring in an extra tight end or a sixth offensive lineman in short-yardage? These details determine the defensive front and personnel groupings before the first snap.
Next comes the backfield structure:
Is the back offset weak or strong? Are they a pistol or a true shotgun team? How deep is the quarterback from the center?
Each answer adds layers to the overall defensive preparation, revealing how offensive tendencies connect to formations and play calls.
“Once we know their backfield tendencies, we can start to see what’s run, what’s pass, and how that carries over to formation and motion,” Dobes explained.
2. Study Formation Personality
After understanding backfield structure, Dobes shifts his defensive study toward formation identity.
He identifies whether the opponent is primarily a two-by-two or three-by-one team and looks at how multiple tight ends are used — as true Ys or H-backs. Those alignment choices define offensive intent. A team that motions its H-back into the backfield might signal zone insert or lead concepts, while a three-tight-end “13 personnel” package often signals short yardage or goal line.
Dobes also studies how teams reach their formations — lining up directly, motioning, or shifting pre-snap. Recognizing those sequences strengthens defensive game planning, helping players anticipate changes and disguise coverage more effectively.
3. Identify Top Concepts — Run and Pass
Once personnel and structure are charted, Dobes focuses on play selection — the heart of Defensive Preparation.
For the run game, his staff identifies the five most frequent concepts that define an opponent’s offense — inside zone, outside zone, toss, power, counter, and split-zone. They study when and where those runs appear and from which formations.
For the passing game, the same process applies:
- Drop-back and quick game concepts
- Sprint-outs, nakeds, and boots
- RPOs and screens
By organizing this information early, Dartmouth’s defense practices with a clear, simplified picture of what to expect. This form of structured defensive study eliminates guesswork and gives players a faster reaction time.
“What we’re looking for are the five top things we have to prepare for,” Dobes said. “Once we know that, we can start to fit our answers and pressures around them.”
4. Divide the Work then Synthesize
Dobes divides the workload across his staff — one coach studies the run game, another handles drop-back and quick game, a third tracks gadgets, and another focuses on RPOs. This collaborative model strengthens defensive game planning while keeping everyone engaged and accountable.
After collecting data, the staff merges all breakdowns into one hit chart. That unified chart becomes the backbone of Dartmouth’s defensive strategy for the week.
“It’s a good asset to spread it around and keep everybody involved,” Dobes said. “Every coach has a piece of the breakdown — and that creates shared ownership of the plan.”
5. Master Down-and-Distance Situations
Situational awareness completes the process of Defensive Preparation. Dobes studies how opponents behave in every down and distance:
- P & 10: The first play of a series often reveals the offense’s core identity.
- Second Down: Divided into short, medium, and long, depending on field position and play-caller tendencies.
- Third Down: Broken into short (1–2), medium (3–5), long (6–11), and long-long (12+).
- Fourth Down: Studied in depth, with emphasis on short and medium distances.
This level of defensive study ensures players are ready for every possible situation.
“It’s about understanding how quick we can get to the hit charts and formation charts,” Dobes said. “Once we have those, we can teach it cleanly to our players and play fast.”
Key Takeaway
Defensive Preparation combines discipline, structure, and curiosity.
By systematically studying backfield structure, formation personality, play selection, and situational trends, Don Dobes and his staff transform information into clarity. Their defensive strategy doesn’t rely on guessing — it’s built on organized answers that help players react faster and play with confidence.
“Preparation gives us confidence. Confidence lets us play fast.” —Don Dobes
Related:
Stronger Together: How Don Bosco Built a Team Ready to Finish
Accelerate Everything – Defending Condensed Sets – Brian Vaughn, LB Coach, West Texas
More on Coach Don Dobes
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