However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a detailed, rigid plan to defend it. This doesn't account for the standard chaos that ensues at the catch point in a game setting.
#DEFENDING HAIL MARY FOOTBALL FULL#
One of my main issues with preparing for the Hail Mary is that it's not practiced at full speed because coaches want to prevent injury.
So, how should this work? Have a Detailed Defensive Plan Beyond that, the Lions opted not to use Calvin Johnson or even Eric Ebron, two huge bodies who would both have been the tallest players in the end zone.Īdd this up and the Packers winning play suddenly turns into a game of "500" on the playground during fourth-grade recess, with the Packers tight end basically walking into the end zone (uncovered) to finish for six.
So, why now? That allows the offensive players to box out, gain position and prevent anyone from knocking it down. However, why isn't there a defender running with Rodgers? And who is teaching this technique in the end zone? We should never see defenders playing behind the receivers in the end zone (guarding the end line), even in a normal red zone situation. So now it's on the back end of the Lions' defense to knock the ball down. OK, stuff happens, right? A three-man rush doesn't get there. Beyond that, the rushers didn't seem at all conscious of keeping Rodgers to the left so he is forced to throw at all across his body. They allowed Rodgers to break contain, which buys time for targets to get down the field and also creates a situation where Rodgers can set his feet and get in a comfortable throwing position (thus generating the power to launch the ball 60-plus yards in the air). A second flaw is that they used an aggressive three-man rush that was about getting a sack, not containment.
Instead, the Lions should have been preparing to play the Hail Mary based on their alignment and technique.īut that's just the start of the Lions' issues. With the ball at the 39-yard line and Rodgers' deep-ball arm strength, there is no need to defend the classic hook and ladder. Sorry, that's poor situational football, considering the field position and the scouting report on Rodgers. That's why we see two defenders hanging out around the 40-yard line and essentially covering a piece of turf (see diagram below).
#DEFENDING HAIL MARY FOOTBALL SERIES#
Instead of defending against a jump ball, the Lions were preparing to stop the short pass that turns into a series of laterals, according to head coach Jim Caldwell. Penn Manor escaped with the 30-28 win to boost its record to 3-1 on the season.Detroit's plan to defend the Hail Mary was set up to fail from the start due to a coaching decision. A tiny pump fake gave a slight moment of hesitation to an oncoming defender, just long enough for Warfel to release his throw before the ball could be tipped or the quarterback hit. He picked up a block from an offensive lineman and looked downfield at his receiving options as he jogged toward the left sideline. Feeling the defensive lineman closing in on him, Warfel spun around and headed to the other side of the field.
With just three seconds left and the ball near midfield, quarterback Eli Warfel took off to his right to escape pressure. The lords of the football world answered the prayer that was thrown up by Penn Manor (Millersville, Penn.) Senior High School on Friday night.Ī Hail Mary coming off a scramble in the backfield landed in the hands of wide receiver Clark Wagstaff and allowed the Comets walk off with a victory.
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