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UCLA Football: Checklist for A title run in 2017 – Game Management

By Pete Kang

October 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a touchdown pass against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a touchdown pass against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

On the Defense

And yes, all of this leads to long, backbreaking drives that keep the opposition’s defense on the field, unable to substitute, which leads to defensive players “blowing air” with their hands on their hips and committing wonderful personal foul penalties. That’s domination! But if a quick strike is there, then by all means, sir, “yo, you better make that money!”, because that, too, is domination.

One sustains momentum and drains electrolytes, while the latter, creates more of a chain reaction effect on the sidelines and in the paying seats. It’s basically a mandate for everyone in the stadium and at home to Stand Up!!

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Both result in the other team losing hope, which is the lighthouse during the Tempest. Do you see it? Can’t? Games over bro! As focus wanes with every roar from the opposing fans, tempers flare, and all important execution goes to crap!

Defensively, the name of the game is React!! The offense always and forever will have a decided advantage over the defense simply because the offense knows exactly what each of their players is going to do, or at least supposed to do in order for the play to succeed.

Oct 8, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Brady White (2) is tackled by UCLA Bruins linebacker Kenny Young (42) in the fourth quarter at Sun Devil Stadium. White would leave the game with an injury on the tackle. The Sun Devils defeated the Bruins 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Brady White (2) is tackled by UCLA Bruins linebacker Kenny Young (42) in the fourth quarter at Sun Devil Stadium. White would leave the game with an injury on the tackle. The Sun Devils defeated the Bruins 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The defense, on the other hand, must simply react to what’s in front of them. This is the reason why instinct, as a player trait, is discussed far more often when evaluating defensive prospects, whereas technique carries more weight when analyzing offensive players.

From the moment the defense steps onto the field, Down and Distance is their duty. Watching plenty of game tape to recognize tendencies in the offensive will help immensely with players’ reaction time. Ultimately, we want the opposing offense in 3rd and long situations as often as possible.

The defense must fly to the ball in a disciplined fury and get the opposing offense off of the field, which means the defense rests! In most cases, this scenario results in a short field for our offense and a consistently long field for the opposing QB and OC to negotiate, while having to deal with a rested defense which turns the dial towards kill-QB-only mode with each unsuccessful outing for the opposing offense resulting in a 3 and out, or worse. It usually gets much worse. Snowballs rolling down a steep hill come to mind.