3-4 Defensive Stunts and looks

Here is a link to a 34 pbook coach. Im not sure how good it is b/c I havent really looked thru it but you can check it out.

0402.netclime.net/1_5/X...rthernIowa3-4Defen.pdf

coach, we have run the 34 since 2002 in HS and college and it has been good to us. WhaT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE

TAPE a Steelers' game & watch their blitz package from the 3-4!!!!!

Their blitzes with the ILB's & Nose are very effective. One of their ILB's (James Farrior) played for us!

Rush, we have been a two-gap team for years. However, I am debating moving my strong safety two yards forward, which will put him behind the tackle and sliding my two other backers over one man to the weak side. This slight move is called a 3-5 (5-3 look). I am seriously considering using this in 2006 as my base defense. The stack is too difficult to block.

I am considering it because of it's efficiency vs. the run. As an offensive coordinator, I know how difficult it is to block a stack defense. We've always had success with the 3-4, but in a 3-4, the inside linebackers have to be able to 1. take of base blocks; 2. run to the ball. I've had years where I've put 150 pound kids at inside linebacker. They get killed by guards. This season we had two real good linebackers and our defense was ranked 13th in the district (39 teams). However, our two worst games defensively were when our one inside linebacker did not play due to injury. The kid we had in there was 160 pounds. He could read very well, but he got caved in by base blocks. Now if I get hired as a head coach by another school, I may make the adjustment to the 3-5. (really it's a 5-3 by most people's standards... I have my reasons why I call it a 5-3. If you tell a 4 technique that he's an end and a 9 technique that he's a linebacker, they view themselves as better athletes than what they are. This motivates kids to want to play up front.) This is something that I will seriously consider and may make the decision to do if I move on. I hope this answered your question.

The stack forces an offense to block five playside defenders. The stack puts the defense in position where an opponent simply cannot block everyone on an inside running play. The odd stack concept, whether it be a 3-5 or a 5-3 is the greatest concept ever in the history of run defense. I'll never forget when we scrimmaged a team a few years ago and they came out in a 5-3 stack without telling us. I had to make all of these adjustments to get them to adequately block everyone. People aren't zone blocking at the high school level. You see it in bits and pieces, but I don't see a regular commitment to it. Teams will zone block a stack, but it's still something that requires tremendous coaching, players with solid upper body strength, and good communication. If you can get a pair of 9-technique players to keep contain and turn the ball inside, you give yourself the best chance possible of stopping the run. However, I do not know at this time if I will use the stack as a base defense, as a double tight adjustment, or as a complimentary defense. I will be clinicked by high school and college coaches this off-season, where I will make the decision of how I will use it. The stack has not been used by me in my coaching career, other than an adjustment that I occasionally used.

Coach Cella,
thanks for your reply. I assumed that you were referring to communication and you were more focused on scheme. We are a high school team and almost everything were gonna do next year is gonna be w/ zone blocking. Our kids GET it.
On a separate note, I think your idea is excellent for making kids feel that they are better athletes by calling them ends, not tackles, etc.
Thanks!

I agree Coach Cella, sad but-from my perspective-true.
Coach Cella, do you have any info on a 3-5 BLITZ package?
Thanks!

I think outside veer and other plays that seal the DT and OLB on the playside are great plays against a 5-3, but I agree that if you have better players and teach them the techniques of football, you are in business. That can probably be said about any scheme.
Also, what do you do against a twins formation or a trips formation with your 5-3? How do you cover the flat against a three step or play action passing attack?
These are the major weaknesses that we have found when we have faced a 5-3.
I know the 5-3 can work, and I don't mean to tell anyone it can't be a great defense, or that I know a lot about the game. I just don't like the 5-3 as a base defense. I didn't mean to offend any 5-3 guys. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut.

CUI,

Don't be absurd. You have just as much right to state your opinions as anyone else. The nice thing about this board is that very fact, and you can do it without having to worry about offending someone. We all are men here, for the most part, and certainly respect the rights of others to state their opinions openly. If someone don't agree, thats fine. We can disagree without being offensive to each other.

You have your opinion about the 5-3 and I have mine. Thats why they make chocolate and vanilla, and somedays they even throw in strawberry!

To answer your question: if we are facing a throwing team that uses trips and spreads you out, we automatically go to our 4-2-5 and make the proper subsitutions for LB's with DBs. Facing a 3 step drop quick passing game, the SAM has flats from our 5-3. We roll our CB's up and play hard man under 99% of the time (bump & run).

Coach Easton

Coach 1619

I am looking at installing the 3-4 this spring. I would like to hear all about your your defense. I too have been looking for stunt and blitzing packages. Anything you would like to offer would be greatly accepted.

Thanks
bdaveydc

We have a blitz for every player. Our blitzes are only run in cover 1 (or 0 depending on formation)

Whip- The Weak Inside Linebacker blitzes to the strong A gap and the noseguard slants to the weak A gap. The free safety covers the 1st RB out the weak side.

Go- A whip (all rules apply) with the strong inside linebacker blitzing to the strong B gap--the defensive ends slants to the C gap. The free safety covers the 1st RB out the weak side and the Sam (Strong Outside Linebacker) covers the 1st RB out the strong side.

Fire- Free Safety walks up behind the noseguard and blitzes strong A gap while the noseguard slants to the weak A gap. Straight man coverage (cover 0) is played. Check Base vs. 1 RB or empty.

Smash- Strong Safety walks up behind the Sam and blizes through the C gap. The defensive end slants to the B gap. The free safety walks over when the Strong safety cheats down and covers the strong safety's man (S2). Straight man coverage (cover 0) is played. Check Base vs. 1 RB or empty.

Crash- Weakside corner walks to the outside of the weak outside linebacker. He blitzes off the edge. The free safety walks over when the weak corner cheats down and covers the weak corner's man (W1). Straight man coverage (cover 0) is played. Check Base vs. 1 RB or empty.

Our outside linebackers blitz on nearly every play-- if we are in cover 1, they are gone every, single time except for Go. In Cover 2, we only blitz our Will (weak outside linebacker).

Coach, I hope this helped and I look forward to helping you with this.

Coach Cella,
Do you have a good 3-4 playbook you would be willing to share or know somebody that does?

Bryan, I can send you what I have... Email me at CellaFBall@aol.com for more info.