TCU Defense Explained

It seems the one thing people want to see more of

is TCU’s split-field coverage principles. 

I don’t blame them.  It is an efficient system for distilling defenses down to their root element and provides a framework built-in to handle any offensive formation.  I’ll reiterate that WHAT they do is actually what all other defenses do.  It is the system that Gary Patterson and Dick Bumpas developed over the last two decades (through necessity) is what is important.

Since its just you and me here, I’ll let you in on a little secret…..but don’t tell anyone else, okay?


First 3 hours of Gary Patterson explaining how it all came about, how he installs it, and how it will be applied (with a film review of game and practices).



Previous entries:
TCU's 42 Nickel Coverage & Front Coordination
TCU's 42 Nickel Blitz & Coverage Concepts
TCU "2 Read": Adaptation to the Spread (2x2)
TCU "2 Read": Adaptation to the Spread (3x1)


** be sure to check out these blogs as well **


http://footballislifeblog.blogspot.com
http://www.coachhoover.blogspot.com

film study

have at it….[UPDATED 2013]
2010 Auburn O vs Oregon D
2010 Auburn O vs LSU D – 1st Half


2010 Auburn O vs LSU D – 2nd Half
2010 Texas A&M O vs La Tech D
2011 Baylor O vs TCU D
2009 Houston O – 1st Practice

2011 Baylor O vs TAMU D 2009 Alabama O vs LSU D

Justin Fuente: TCU Offense Key Concepts

After spending considerable time delving into the defensive approach of Gary Patterson at TCU, it would only be right that we spent a little bit of time on the other side of the ball. Since the Rose Bowl, offensive coordinator Justin Fuente has been a hot property, with unfounded rumors of him being approached by LSU for the same position.

In this post, we will take a look at a few key concepts TCU carried with them every week and explore how versatile they can be. With the help of these simple adaptations, since Fuente took over in 2009 TCU has ranked 4th and 5th in scoring in the nation (2010 and 2009, respectively).

Fuente, a former RB coach, was looking for a way that accentuated their run-heavy approach, with an emphasis on simplicity and efficiency. Without having a dominant receiver at the time, the challenge was trying to find the simplest way to get the ball into a variety of player’s hands without spending an inordinate amount of time diverting from their core offense.

DOUBLE PIVOT (trips to the field)

Usually run out of 5-wide, this 5-step concept features enough answers to afford the quarterback clear reads for a smart throw. While an adaptation of the standard Post-Dig run by everyone, Fuente uses this as an effective way to manufacture space to the field. By attacking/occupying inside underneath defenders with the double-pivots (pivot draws the inside linebackers outside, to open the dig), the combination of a deep dig-post creates a middle-of-the-field conflict for the safety.

This is a great play when you want to avoid the corners by creating an inside Hi-Lo going down the field (whip/dig/post) and feature your running backs in space. TCU is so confident in this concept that they don’t feel they don’t need a specific defensive look to run it, so when they run freeze / OC check tempo, they never have to check out of it.

The base concept features the boundary #1 receiver running a 14 yard dig with the #2 receiver aggressively attacking the alley defender (WLB here). Fuente’s coaching point for the whip/pivot player is to actually try to grab this overhang defender, as this exaggerates the separation for the routes the quarterback will be keying (“push in – whip out”). If this receiver gets “turned loose” by the defense (if defender drops), the receiver should just stop. As they say, “ if you’re open, stay open”.

The offense is looking to attack the WLB on the 2-man side whip and the MLB on the 3-man side whip. This combination will stretch these two inside defenders outside, chasing the receivers after they stick and break for the flat. By moving these two inside defenders, the dig opens behind them in the (middle) hole.

To the field, the inside receiver will run the same whip route being run by the boundary #2 to hold the safety or linebacker that could rob the dig. The #1 receiver will just run a ‘take-two’ route (fly) to coverage away from the dig and threaten the deep safety. Its crucial that this receiver takes an outside release or will risk defeating the defensive stretch in the middle of the field. The field #2 receiver runs a modified post, actually trying to get all the way across the other side of the field. This ensures that if the linebacker takes the whip and the safety takes the dig, you still have an answer.

Pre snap, the quarterback will find space to anticipate where the open grass will be (coverage shell / leverage alignment). At the snap, he will look to the field first and then to the boundary. The decision logic will look to qualify the vertical by #1. If he cannot make this throw, he will then go immediately direct his focus to throw the away-side whip outside.

As a change up to the ‘double pivot’ (and one that TCU uses a majority of the time now), and to feature a better receiver on the dig; the Y and the outside receiver can switch routes. Nothing will change for the QB, as the Hi-Lo occurs on the same 3 man side inside the hashes.

The first explosive play in the Rose Bowl this year (video) from TCU was Double Pivot Y and is a perfect example of what the running back on a linebacker matchup looks like.


PORSCHE (trips to the boundary)

This is TCU’s way to matchup with teams that are just better than they are by using rubs and leverage in the quick game. This cheap 3-step concept premised entirely on featuring a backside split receiver to the field. The backside receiver can be featured in whatever route he runs well (hitch, fade, speed out, etc), but commonly will run the slant because of its simplicity.

Fuente will run this out of 3x1 or 3x2, with the rationale being coverage will either be rolled to the 3 receiver side (away from the featured receiver) or be deficient in numbers against trips. As most defenses will respect the 3 receivers, with a single receiver split to the field, the space created provides a clear path to the ball/throw.

At presnap, the quarterback will qualify the receiver split to the field (is this throw viable? Is there an overhang defender in the path of this throw).

If there is no overhang defender and the corner has a sizeable cushion on the receiver, this is the throw the quarterback will make. If there is no overhang defender and no safety over the top and the corner is tight, the route will be converted to sluggo. If it is a press corner with a safety over the top (Cover 2), then the quarterback will work to the trips side as the defensive numbers cannot support covering 3 receivers into the boundary.

The 3x2 version of this includes an inside receiver to help divert the alley defender (having the #2 receiver immediately break inside across the face of the defender) away from the slant.

If the field receiver is disqualified, the quarterback simply diverts his attention to the curl-flat combo in trips. The trips combo features a hitch by #1, a hunt/In route (6 yards over the ball) by #2, and a flat by #3, into the boundary. They can achieve this look in many different ways and often times with motion to the trips with zone-read play action. Into trips is just a defender read over the #2 receiver;

• If the boundary linebacker still hangs and doesn’t chase the IN, then the curl is not open (throw the In route)
  
• If the boundary LB chases the flat, the curl is open

While not a successful play in the video provided, as you can see, its just a simple read off the cushion of the defender over #1 to the field. With as much distance established with the split receiver, there won’t be anything to challenge the short-inside throw (slant).

  CHEETOS 

The “cheetos” play is very similar to how many spread teams are using the quarterback as a between-the-tackles runner (Dash), when the passer isn’t the most gifted ball carrier. In 2009, Fuente called this play 40 times for a total of 400 yards. This play developed by mistaken (much like zone-read) and actually works better when your offensive line is struggling with blocking stretch. This is simply a 3x1 (power) zone read, “run backwards”. The back will run his stretch course (aiming at the hip of the tight end), but the offensive line will block power. This action provides a dual-threat, optioning off the playside defensive end.

• If the DE gets upfield, the QB goes upfield (keep)
  
• If the DE squats or squeezes, the QB gives

The severe angle of stretch angle (perimeter threat), the playside linebacker will usually fast flow with the defensive end, creating the wide path for the quarterback to run inside.
Where the defense comes in conflict is not just the defense end (C gap defender), but also the safety. Because the horizontal stretch becomes so great (one true inside threat plus a wide perimeter threat), the alley defender can be put into a bind as to the proper path to take on this action.

The beauty of this play is that there really are no additional concepts to be taught to the players (you’re just combining power and stretch) and it can be applied to Wildcat looks simply by changing the player taking the snap. The offensive line will simply down block into their inside gap-track, with the backside guard pulling for the playside linebacker (he’ll end up picking up the first man that shows on give).

TCU "2 Read": Adaptation To The Spread (3x1)

The robber rules of “2 Read” are rather simple and the biggest part understanding TCU defensive scheme is just coming to grips and accepting the split-formation concept they utilize.

Using the same “2 Read” technique rules we already covered, we plainly go over adding another receiver (3) to the read side.

To the trips side, the free safety and corner will be playing straight drop back and essentially end up in a split field ¼ match. The primary adjustment becomes the strong safety. He will be outside of the #2 receiver. He is going to play standard “blue” coverage rules, staying on #2 to prevent three verticals. He will still “Swing deep to 3” but he is not looking to jump the flats as he was versus 2 receivers.

In the worst case scenario, “all verticals”, the corner will zone turn to bail and split the difference of #1 and #2 receivers. The free safety will backpedal weave leverage of the vertical #3 receiver. This is the ‘jailbreak’ option versus this coverage, if three verticals aren’t run to the trips side, the pattern distribution can easily be accounted for in the rules.

So if #2 receiver or #3 receiver is not vertical, now we're back to the manageable 2 receiver threat. If #3 runs a shallow out (for example) the free safety is no longer threatened in the middle of the field, so he will settle and look to rob any route by #2. The corner will have the post by #1 all day, so the free safety is free to look of #1.

Versus a standard trips flood (#3 shallow out, #2 sail, #1 is in), the corner would stick with his communication rules, call the “IN” by #1 and gain depth over the receivers. With the “IN” call, the strong safety will hang (on the curl) and break late on the out of #2.

This was just an overview of the split-formation coverage of TCU out of their robber package. Feel free to check out the RUNCODHIT articles on their usual 2x2 coverage (Blue/ Cover 5) that we’ll see a lot of in their push for National prominence this season.

TCU "2 Read": Adaptation To The Spread (2x2)

While exploring the defensive adaptations to offensive trends towards "the spread" (Va Tech in the 90s / Saban Cover 3 adjustments ), and not intending to repeat any of the fantastic coverage of TCU defensive tenets done at Run COD Hit, it would behoove us to at least go over how TCU would confront 2x2 / 3x1 formations out of their base split-field coverage, '2 read'.

TCU's 42 defense is based out of Cover 2 "Read", which is really just a robber + quarters read out of a MOFC look. TCU will typically not play ‘2 Read’ against any 1-back look (preferring Blue or Cover 5), so what we are presenting is just a ‘worse-case’ scenario against this coverage.

Since they are splitting the formation in half, they are just reducing the concept down to the 1, 2, or 3 receiver matching. Just like the Rip/Liz adjustment covered before, when facing a balanced 2x2 formation, the secondary would have to declare which side they are going to play as the 'read side' (where the FS will be robbing). If '2 Read' is called, versus a 2x1 formation, the FS would naturally rob the receiving strength (2 receiver side). With 2x2, you would have to declare "reading left" to communicate the 'read side' and the 'away side', alerting the away safety on how he will handle #2. To the 'read side', this is how zone distribution would essentially play out in a nutshell.

"2 Read" is the base coverage TCU bases out of (it really is just robber). They may not even run this coverage much after installation, but it remains the elementary foundation for all subsequent variations regularly employed.

To get down to brass tacks, the rules are relatively simple and outlined below:

Since they are splitting the formation in half, they are just reducing the concept down to the 1, 2, or 3 receiver matching. Just like the Rip/Liz adjustment covered before, when facing a balanced 2x2 formation, the secondary would have to declare which side they are going to play as the 'read side' (where the FS will be robbing). If '2 Read' is called, versus a 2x1 formation, the FS would naturally rob the receiving strength (2 receiver side). With 2x2, you would have to declare "reading left" to communicate the 'read side' and the 'away side', alerting the away safety on how he will handle #2. To the 'read side', this is how zone distribution would essentially play out in a nutshell.

"2 Read" is the base coverage TCU bases out of (it really is just robber). They may not even run this coverage much after installation, but it remains the elementary foundation for all subsequent variations regularly employed.

To get down to brass tacks, the rules are relatively simple and outlined below:

Read Left

• Read side Corner- 1x7 match deep vertical threat
• Strong (read) Safety - 5x1 force on run / pass read: open to flat "swing deep to 3"
• Free Safety- alley fit on run / pass use 'Robber rule' - vertical by #2 / no vertical by 2, rob curl-to-post of #1
• Strong Backer -match #2 - #3
• Weak Backer - match #2 weak vertical
• Weak (away) Safety -run force / pass curl-flat "swing deep to 2"
• Away side Corner-deep 1/2 (over post of #1)

Read Side Communication

Corner is 1x7 in press bail shuffle with a man-clue of the #1 receiver. Corners always 1x7 unless #1 receiver is outside of numbers (they never cross the numbers in robber). Corners always play inside leverage, always protecting the post (because you don’t know if you’re going to get help from the FS). The post-snap cushion is not enforced, and in fact, Patterson wants receivers to break the defender’s cushion so he’ll only have to play one side now. If there is only one receiver split, the corner will man-turn into the route. If there is more than one receiver split, he will zone-turn into the route. Because this is a robber concept, the corners are taught to make the post a priority and, if necessary, align as much as 4 yards inside the receiver to protect the middle of the defense. With these rules, Patterson essentially invites offenses to run the post-corner because he feels he can take everything else away and force this difficult throw. To get the most out of this coverage, a pattern-match communication system is utilized to hasten how the 3 key defenders respond. The corner will communicate pattern response to his area players (FS & read side safety). Of the read side calls he will make (and responses) are:

CHINA

If #1 is short/hitch the corner makes a “China” call. This flags man responsibility for the Strong (read) Safety. The read side safety will run under (to) #1 because the corner is sinking (on corner route) to match the first outside short threat (flat). A short #1 with a detached #2 receiver typically is going to give you a “smash” (or China) concept, with #2 continuing to press vertical. With #1 shallow, the corner will declare “China” and immediately look to match #2 over the top (and outside). The “China” call also help identifies that there is no post threat from #1 and that #2 is the only other possible threat vertical, so the Free Safety will look to aggressively jump the route of #2.

OUT

If #1 receiver breaks out (he’s no longer vertical) the corner will continue to sink and look to match #2. The ‘out’ call alerts the Strong (read) Safety to look to rob #1 underneath at 10 yards out. Since this overhang safety is always aggressively expanding to the flat, he won’t be giving up much separation on #1, so the throw (to #1) would have to be shallow and near the sideline for a completion.

IN

If the #1 receiver is not shallow (‘china’) but breaks inside at a depth greater than 8 yards (‘dig’ / ‘curl’) , the corner will communicate an “IN” call . This alerts the read safety that there is a threat coming inside over the top (of his drop). The safety should look to become an outside-in player (he’s going to the flat right now, because he’s got a curl player dropping - the FS).

Strong (Read) Safety

The (overhang) Safety aligns 5 yards deep on #2 (removed). Versus a standard tight end or pro look, he would align 3 yards deep and 7 yards widen (discouraging being reached on perimeter action). On EMOL high-hat pass read the target depth for his drop will be 8-10 yards. He is going to remain shallow on his drop with the intent to expand to the flat as quickly because the FS will be dropping inside of him in the curl (if that is what is threatened).

Don't get hung up on semantics - the 'read' safety "swing(ing) deep to 3" is essentially the standard 'curl-to-flat' responsibility, but an emphasis on staying shallow and man-conscious. This methodology helps the defender be less dogmatic and be an aggressive matcher in coverage ( if a man runs through his zone – he's got him vertical ). The rationale behind teaching it this way is to encourage the safety to open up and get to the flat (with no landmarks).

Free Safety

The alignment of the free safety will be 8-10 yards deep over the read side guard. This allows him to gain a clear read on an uncovered linemen and an quick response path to the inside vertical threat of #2.

Once the offense breaks the huddle, the free safety will identify the backs, determine the read side and communicate to the other defensive backs, “check 2 – read right” (coverage and what side is being matched). The response of the free safety is just like robber, with the #2 receiver as his pass key:

• #2 goes vertical, he matches all of #2 inside leverage.
• #2 does anything but vertical, he robs the curl/post of #1.

This vertical-clue will handle all routes deeper than 8 yards. If #2 is out (and under 8 yards), the free safety is communicating “WHEEL” to the corner (see the curl-flat combo illustrated above). This is essentially telling the corner, “you have an outside route by #2 - so you have curl-post help (from FS)”. This works even if #2 isn’t going to wheel that out route, but it lets the corner know he can now back off of #1 because of the help available.

When #2 is no longer vertical (out / out-up), the free safety then reads the hips of the #1 receiver. If #1 sinks his hips (for a break) the free safety will drive at the receiver’s break and step in front of him (interception point).

If the #1 receiver doesn’t sink his hips, the free safety immediately turns into the middle of the field (away from the receiver) to rob the post.

Inside linebackers
TCU's rules split-coverage rules mean they never have to displace the 6 in the box. The stacked (inside) backers would always match 2-to-3 regardless of formation with the other (away from final 3) being the rat in the hole. So if you’re a 4-2, its all relative if you play this with a 3-3; the numbers are the same. These players doesn't have to be anywhere fast, in fact, the slower they are at reacting the better, because they should be thinking draw or screen (off pass-action) initially.

For read side linebacker, once pass shows he is to middle drop vertical to find/match the final 3 receiver. This player is looking to defend his run gap first, then take away the hot (throw). By slow-playing pass action, he always tries to make #3 go over the top of him, and from there it just becomes a "man-to-man" zone as in basketball (boxing out #3 deep).

For the away side linebacker, it is essentially the same as the read side linebacker, with the exception of matching #2 (away) vertically. Typically, this player is the (wider) bubble backer and against any 1-back look, TCU will be slanting the defensive line. This linebacker must replace the former middle-of-the-field safety in the hole. Rather than a ‘robot’ reaction away from the ‘final 3’ player, he would gain depth vertically on #2. If #2 pressed vertically after 8 yards, the away side linebacker would have to carry him man-to-man regardless if he makes a break deep in his route. It isn’t pretty, but that is the answer for 1 back routes.

Weak (Away) Safety
On pass read, this player will play like a standard curl-to-flat player in cover 3. He has no immediate curl help and will work in tandem with the corner. He does not carry #2 deeper than 8 yards and does not reroute. He should never cross the hash when responding to an inside route, as the away side linebacker will be working to that area.

This is actually a great addition to standard robber coverage and the adjustment (with split-field) principle helps prepare your players for the ‘breakable’ scenarios. In the next (soon) installment, we will go over the very basic trips (3x1) adaptation using this same coverage.

TCU Nickel Coverage

Just something to tide you over until hemlock and myself publish the upcoming posts of substance (several articles in the works).....

Continuing a theme/trend exploring Gary Patterson's split-field coverage principles, these clips illustrate the quarters-principled coverage against 2x1, 3x2, 3x1, and 2x2 formations.

Be sure to check out Coach Evans' blog RUNCODHIT and his series of posts on TCU's defense


09TCU @ Yahoo! Video

USE ME UP (blog archives)

Also, be sure to utilize the post tags for subjects previously covered..........(I'll try to better organize some of these)

The "drills" is a great one to check on and has helped me refresh my memory on some drills to run during the season.

Also, sick of my meandering posts? Click on 'hemlock' for a filtered view of nothing but his posts (and hit the print button!). This may really come in handy when he gets rolling on the Run 'n' Shoot series, that way you can get all his stuff in a concise package.

4D-FTP Update

As posted earlier, the 4D-FTP method, provides an alternative to defensive back play.

2010 4D-FTP CLINIC & TRAINING Events will be focused on answering pre submitted questions for the clinic, technique specifics and rapid fire training routines for development of the athlete for individual and group involvement. Group rate available. Events costs are determined by facility charges and may differ from event to event. Unconfirmed event dates subject to change.

NEW JERSEY CLINIC & TRAINING

JUNE 6 2010

TURF TRAINERS INDOOR FACILITY

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

ATLANTA, GEORGIA CLINIC & TRAINING

JUNE 12 2010

SCORE INDOOR SPORTS, FAIRBURN

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NEW EVENTS2 DAY DB SCHOOL-ADVANCED TRAINING

Get 2 full days of technique, philosophy training and film study.

For coaches, trainers and athletes.

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Late June Los Angeles, California

Early July Northern Virginia

Late July Orlando/Tampa, Florida

Early August Austin, Texas

Late August Phoenix, Arizona

Jan 2011 Las Vegas, Nevada

MORE BEER

Sorry, Abita.....I love me some Gulf Coast beer, an industry that truly suffered after Katrina, but you just aren't cutting the mustard save a Purple Haze or Turbo Dog. New buzz of quality hops coming from the Lafayette area, Bayou Teche, and Heiner Brau from Covington. I'm excited to begin exploring both breweries in the not-to-distant future.

http://bayoutechebrewing.blogspot.com/

Fiesta Bowl: TCU vs Boise State

I really enjoyed this matchup last night. Although I plan on visiting TCU during Spring Practices, I don't know if I enjoyed their defensive domination on 3rd down or FOX's gratiuitous shots of the TCU Showgirls during the game....

Somebody else "gets it"....
(I find the utter lack of TCU Showgirls coverage after all that FOX did for them last night rather disturbing)

Previous TCU entries

Fronts

Coverage

TCU's 42 Nickel Blitz & Coverage Concepts

As an addendum to the AFCA article post about TCU's 'divorced front & coverage' earlier in the week ( http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2009/07/tcus-42-nickel-coverage-front.html ), I am going to offer what I know about their blitz concepts and how it correlates to the coverages they run out of them.

Their calls are meant to tell all 11 guys what to do and not just effect individuals or groups of players. TCU signals in all their calls with wristbands that all players wear. This makes their rather verbose terminology more efficient in communicating and eliminates the need for signalling.

There are three distinctly different front blitz concepts utilized

BULLETS - linebackers (Mike / Sam) blitzes
SMOKES - Safeties (Strong/Weak) edge blitzes
DOGS - Safeties & linebacker blitzes

Their calls are always determined by how they set the front. Their front will be determined by their call, made by either the offensive formation formation (tight/split) or by hash (field/boundary)

Their basic 4 man fronts are TITE (7 & 3 strong / 5 & 1 weak)
or the traditional G (7 & 3 strong / 5 & 2i weak)


BULLETS
The first example would be;
TITE BULLETS "A"

LBs align by front with 7 / 3 strong and 1/5 weak, with the Mike backer in the bubble.
"Bullets A" tells the backers to run through A gaps. These are essentially run blitzes. This is just an exchange stunt for run-thrus, not a traditional wanton-abandon blitz, just an aggressive run-thru gap exchange.

Another example is;
TITE TORO BULLETS OKIE

Toro tells the NT to cross the face of the center
"Okie" tells the backers to blitz opposite of the center, away from the callside. This puts the Mike in the B gap, and the Sam crossing the face of the center to fill backside A gap. He becomes the rat and reads run first.

The last type of BULLET blitz is;
MO/SOW
Mike Outside
Sam Outside


TITE TAKE BULLETS MO

Mike loops outside to the edge, the defensive end stunts down inside (TAKE) to B gap.
Sam in the strong A bubble


SMOKES
Smokes are outside safeties blitzing from outside the box. As a general rule in TCU's defense the FS will never blitz.


Smokes can be defined just like the front, depending on what kind of pressure is needed.
SMOKE WIDE (from the field), SHORT SMOKE (from the boundary), DOUBLE SMOKE (both safeties blitzing).

Another way to define the smoke is based on formation strength. THUNDER/LIGHTENING (rather than by hash) determines which safety will blitz (strong or weak safety).
"T"hunder to TE (strength)
"L"ightening away from TE

With SMOKE, the end will need to know if he has additional edge pressure with him. It is the safety's responsibility to make a 'FIRE' call to alert the end that he is coming off the edge. If the end receives a high-hat pass read, he now has a free (2-way) rush. The purpose is not to have one guy (Offensive Tackle) blocking two guys coming off the edge (DE/S)

Additionally, on a SMOKE call, a safety can make a "LION" call to alert the end that he is going inside the rush lane, so that the DE should continue on a wide rush.

For option rules; Safety is pitch on SMOKE, End is pitch on LION


DOG
Dog blitzes involve both the linebacker & Safety from the same side. These are generally called
"T Dog" /"S Dog" to generally coordinate with field / boundary (short side) calls

As an example;
FIELD AIM WIDE DOG B

"AIM" front angle away from call
Wide Dog B = Sam & Safety from the wide side are blitzing (with Sam in B gap)
Safety from edge
Sam to outside
T to A
Nose to A
E to B

TITE TWIST T DOG A

T & N twist
Sam to B
E to C
S to D (outside)

MOB

MOB is an 8 man pressure, with all safeties and linebackers blitzing. When facing a TE in MOB, a "COP" call is made to alert the callside end to play man-to-man on the Tight End. The "COP" alert allows the FS to remain free, while not requiring a safety or backer to check out of the blitz.

In all of TCU's coverage concepts;

• The Corners will always have the 1st receiver, and they will trade based on where true X & Z receiver types align.
• The Safeties always have 2nd receiver (as long as #2 is outside the tackles).
• The FS is always free, so long as there is no 3rd receiver outside the box.

To keep the linebackers together (and not displacing their alignment), they will "fiddle" on 2 backs (take first back to flow their way with opposite backer defaulting to the other back) and banjo any 1 back look (linebacker to flow will take the back man-to-man, while the other linebacker is the rat in the hole).

With TCU's 6 man front shell, they will never have the LBs leave the box. They will adjust to formations with their safeties.

If #2 weak walks into the box, then both LBs have a back and the WS becomes deep 1/2 player.
C0 corners are 1x7 and play loose, reading 3 step, then hard focus turn onto WR.
Trade corners.

Against trips looks, the outside corner will always play in a press/bail technique, while the inside defender will play loose / off.

TCU's coverage concept allows 2 coverage players free at all times, not unlike the old "11 Robber" used in the 90's by Charlie McBride at Nebraska.

In the following game scenarios, we will take a look at these principles in practice versus various formations and attacks.

Here versus an even formation out of double-tights. TCU presents a 2-high MOFO shell, but it actually becomes Cover 1, with strong and weak safeties accounting for the Tight Ends, and one linebacker blitzing.

Here is a trips looks (Kings/Trey) with a TE. Again, the same 2-high MOFO coverage shell is presented, but at the snap, the field safety is on a SMOKE, so the FS (the guy on the right hash) immediately opens to the 3rd receiver (Tight End). The spacing concept ISU was running here gets eaten up and the hesitation causes the quarterback to take an immediate sack.

And finally a doubles-to-2-back attack, common with spread option teams. A 1-back look motions into a 2-back formation, but the "AIM OKIE" call actually puts TCU in position to pick up the triple-option threat and stuff this run for a loss. The Mike on the Okie stunt loops outside to take the 2nd back, with the backside Sam stacking the A gap controlling the dive back.