Jawan Turner doesn’t start with playbooks or blitz drawings. He starts with ideas.
“We don’t just throw plays at them,” says Turner, Defensive Coordinator at California University of Pennsylvania. “We teach the concepts first, drill the basics, then circle back to the calls.”
This clear, no-nonsense method creates a defense that moves fast and trusts its instincts—because the players get the why behind every move.
At the core of Turner’s Fire Zone system is a simple pre-snap checklist called AKRP. It’s a mental guide that keeps players locked in, ready to roll without second-guessing.
AKRP: The Pre-Snap Brain Game
- A – Alignment: Where do I stand?
- K – Key: Who do I watch?
- R – Responsibility: What’s my job based on that key?
- P – Post-snap Progression: How do I shift once the play starts?
This setup tames the wild mess of match coverage, especially in Fire Zone calls. Instead of cramming a million rules, Turner’s defenders lean on a flexible framework that bends to whatever the offense throws.
Seam Defender: One by Five, Eyes on Three
The Seam player sets up one yard outside and five yards off the No. 2 receiver, zeroing in on No. 3. He’s ready for run or pass. If it’s a run, he’s the force guy, slicing in from the outside to stop it. If it’s a pass, he reacts sharp:
- No. 2 cuts out? He sticks with him, chasing the wheel up the sideline.
- No. 2 dips under? He closes in, checking for sneaky return routes.
- No. 2 goes deep? He hugs the outside hip, counting on the post safety to cover high.
When No. 3 jets in fast motion—a “push” call—the Seam player flips to a deep-to-short read, staying deep to help the hook and post safety pinch routes like tear or sail.
Three-Middle Hook: Inside Three, Always Alert
The Three-Middle Hook player parks inside No. 3, keys him on passes, and plays traffic cop for match calls. His job:
- Cover No. 3 under, working inside-out.
- Block No. 3’s vertical route while peeking at No. 2.
- Spot a “push” from No. 3 and shift to 2-to-1 route combos.
When No. 3 bolts to the flat, Turner’s guys know what’s up—snag, dagger, tear, or spacing routes are coming. They’re trained to see it, react, and shut it down.
“Fast No. 3? Our eyes jump to No. 2,” Turner says. “If No. 2’s streaking vertical, what’s No. 1 up to? Snag route? That’s ours. Going deep? Watch for the dagger sneaking behind.”
Clear Teaching, Fast Playing
Turner doesn’t bury his players in complex schemes. He stacks simple layers—positioning, vision, route reads—that let his defense adjust on the fly. The result? A crew that plays with speed, not because they memorized a script, but because they see the game clearly.
Watch Coach Turner break it down:
