{"id":11829,"date":"2025-10-20T17:37:49","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T17:37:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coachandcoordinator.com\/?p=11829"},"modified":"2025-10-20T17:37:53","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T17:37:53","slug":"defensive-preparation-don-dobes-dartmouth-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coachandcoordinator.com\/?p=11829","title":{"rendered":"Breaking Down the Opponent -From Backfield Sets to Down and Distance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Don Dobes | Defensive Coordinator, Dartmouth College
<\/strong>Presented by Lauren\u2019s First and Goal Foundation<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Art of Defensive Preparation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no sThere\u2019s 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 \u2014 a process that has produced disciplined defenses year after year in the Ivy League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re really trying to divulge what makes them tick,\u201d Dobes said. \u201cIt\u2019s about finding the patterns that define who they are and when they\u2019re going to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each week, Dobes and his staff rebuild their understanding of the opponent from the ground up \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Start with Personnel and Backfield Sets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every effective defensive game plan starts with personnel. Dobes focuses not just on player names but on roles, skills, and tendencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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?<\/em> These details determine the defensive front and personnel groupings before the first snap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each answer adds layers to the overall defensive preparation, revealing how offensive tendencies connect to formations and play calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOnce we know their backfield tendencies, we can start to see what\u2019s run, what\u2019s pass, and how that carries over to formation and motion,\u201d Dobes explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Study Formation Personality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After understanding backfield structure, Dobes shifts his defensive study toward formation identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2014 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 \u201c13 personnel\u201d package often signals short yardage or goal line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dobes also studies how teams reach their formations \u2014 lining up directly, motioning, or shifting pre-snap. Recognizing those sequences strengthens defensive game planning, helping players anticipate changes and disguise coverage more effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Identify Top Concepts \u2014 Run and Pass<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once personnel and structure are charted, Dobes focuses on play selection \u2014 the heart of Defensive Preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the run game, his staff identifies the five most frequent concepts that define an opponent\u2019s offense \u2014 inside zone, outside zone, toss, power, counter, and split-zone. They study when and where those runs appear and from which formations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the passing game, the same process applies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Drop-back and quick game concepts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Sprint-outs, nakeds, and boots<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • RPOs and screens<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    By organizing this information early, Dartmouth\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cWhat we\u2019re looking for are the five top things we have to prepare for,\u201d Dobes said. \u201cOnce we know that, we can start to fit our answers and pressures around them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4. Divide the Work then Synthesize<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Dobes divides the workload across his staff \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After collecting data, the staff merges all breakdowns into one hit chart. That unified chart becomes the backbone of Dartmouth\u2019s defensive strategy for the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s a good asset to spread it around and keep everybody involved,\u201d Dobes said. \u201cEvery coach has a piece of the breakdown \u2014 and that creates shared ownership of the plan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. Master Down-and-Distance Situations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Situational awareness completes the process of Defensive Preparation. Dobes studies how opponents behave in every down and distance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • P & 10:<\/strong> The first play of a series often reveals the offense\u2019s core identity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Second Down:<\/strong> Divided into short, medium, and long, depending on field position and play-caller tendencies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Third Down:<\/strong> Broken into short (1\u20132), medium (3\u20135), long (6\u201311), and long-long (12+).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Fourth Down:<\/strong> Studied in depth, with emphasis on short and medium distances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      This level of defensive study ensures players are ready for every possible situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u201cIt\u2019s about understanding how quick we can get to the hit charts and formation charts,\u201d Dobes said. \u201cOnce we have those, we can teach it cleanly to our players and play fast.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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