Fixing Florida State’s Struggles Against Jet Motion and Gap Schemes

The Florida State defense has been facing early challenges in 2024, particularly against gap run schemes. However, an added complexity has been causing further breakdowns. Opponents are using “jet motion” by receivers into the backfield, and the Seminoles are struggling to adjust their alignment and assignments accordingly. This motion has often left the defense a man short when fitting gap schemes. In this article, we’ll break down specific examples of these issues and discuss strategies to quickly address them.

Gun Far Flex Lt Z-Jet GY Counter

In this first play, Boston College is in 11 personnel, lined up in a 2x2 formation with the tight end into the boundary. BC motions the boundary receiver to the field and then runs a same-side GY counter to the field. It looks like FSU is in zone coverage, which is the right call here. However, the issue arises with the linebackers. They’re aligned in 30 techniques but fail to bump into the box pre-snap when the motion occurs. The play side interior backer follows the jet motion fake, which leaves the backside linebacker in a vulnerable position, trying to defend from the 30 technique. This gives the offense a clear advantage at the point of attack.

If, on the motion, the linebackers had bumped into a play side 50 (outside shade of the tackle) and a 0 (head up on the center), they’d be in a much better position to defend the counter. This alignment would give the backside linebacker a fighting chance to work over the down block from the play side offensive tackle. Additionally, with the safety inserting on the weak side, it makes even more sense for the linebackers to be plussed strong.

On the front side, the defensive end complicates things by neither spilling nor boxing the puller. He appears unsure whether to play the counter or react to the jet fake. This indecision, combined with a wide defensive end and an exiting interior backer, opens up a massive hole for the running back to exploit.

Solution

The Seminoles aren’t a “spill” team, but shifting in that direction could simplify the defensive ends' responsibilities and allow them to play more aggressively downhill. By focusing on spilling the puller, the ends can dictate the play instead of reacting to it. Additionally, spinning the safeties with the jet motion—particularly in this set—would relieve pressure on the box to defend the counter, while the safety can handle the jet if it’s handed off. This adjustment would put the defense in a better position to handle both threats without over-committing.

Gun Near Train Lt Crazy Z-Jet Q Power Bash

The Seminoles face similar problems on this play, though this time they do spin strong. Unfortunately, the play side defensive end, linebacker, and safety all bite on the jet motion, leaving only five defenders in the box. This creates a favorable 5-on-5 matchup for Boston College in the quarterback run game, a scenario any offense would welcome. With FSU’s defense blocked man-for-man, the BC quarterback easily breaks free, leading to a big gain.

Solution

The first adjustment would be to move the corner into the box and bump the linebackers. Since the boundary side B and C gaps are already covered by defensive linemen and the end man on the line of scrimmage is ineligible, the cornerback isn’t needed outside. This allows you to release either the defensive end or the play side linebacker to handle the jet, giving you enough players in the box to defend the motion effectively.

For example, if you let the interior linebacker flow with the jet, the play side defensive end would spill the puller, likely resulting in a handoff to the jet. Alternatively, if you release the defensive end, the quarterback will likely keep the ball, allowing the play side linebacker to aggressively attack the puller, either spilling or boxing him to the other interior backer, who can flow over in support.

Gun Far Flex Lt Z-Jet GY Counter (Again)

This time, the Seminoles fit the Mike linebacker on the play side, and while the run fits aren’t terrible, the execution falls short. The Mike gets caught in the wash, and when he scrapes over, he drifts a bit too wide, allowing the running back to slip through for a big gain. Additionally, the backside Will needs to do a better job working over the top of the down block from the play side guard, as failing to do so creates a clear path for the offense to exploit.

Gun Far Flex Lt Z-Jet GY Counter (One More Time)

Boston College runs this play once more on a rush that seals the game. Although the outcome was already decided, there’s no excuse for poor run fits. On this play, the Seminoles are stunting their defensive line, and it backfires. The nose tackle gets washed to the back side, while the 3-tech stunts outside, taking himself and the backside defensive end completely out of the play. With the nose driven so down the line, the play side defensive end has a lot of ground to cover, and he doesn’t squeeze the gap fast enough—yet another reason why a spill technique could simplify things.

The play side interior backer does a good job filling quickly and boxing the guard, but the backside backer overruns the play, allowing the running back to break a long run. To add to the breakdown, the backside safety works to the post unnecessarily. With BC in clear run mode at this point, the safety should have been coming downhill immediately to make a tackle closer to the line of scrimmage.

Solution

The key here is to squeeze and spill at defensive end, ensuring the linebackers are filling downhill aggressively. Additionally, the safety needs to be more aware of the situation and come downhill immediately to make a play on the ball.

Conclusion

Despite what critics online or in the media might say, the defense isn’t getting physically bullied—they’re getting out-executed and out-leveraged at the point of attack. The solution is to simplify the run fits and drill them consistently from Monday through Friday. The players need to see these concepts—counter, power, and more—repeatedly, with and without motion, from different sets, and with various wrinkles, so they build confidence in their reads and execute their run fits properly. Ideally, the defensive staff is already addressing these issues, and we’ll begin to see the players’ football acumen and execution improve in the coming weeks.