Post by Coach Campbell on Jan 30, 2013 16:18:02 GMT
Compiled by Coach Alvin Hartley
3-4
The 3-4 defensive alignment is designed to stop the short passing, ball control type offense. Naturally less than ideal against the run due to only 3 down linemen, this defense offers an extra defensive back for pass coverage.
Consisting of a nose guard and two down linemen, the coach has the task of deciding who the outside two linemen are - Defensive Ends (DEs) or Densive Tackles (DTs). Often one of the Linebackers (LBs) has zone pass coverage responsibilities in effect employing 5 Defensive Backs (DBs). This is why the 3-4 is often referred to as the "nickel" defense. Having 5 DBs allows for random blitzing by one or more of these backs in order to maintain a sufficient pass rush. The 3-4 is susceptible to the inside run and is used primarily in situations where an interior run is not expected.
4-3
The 4-3 defensive alignment is the most commonly used defense at the upper levels, including the NFL. At lower levels the 4-3 is not particularly popular because many coaches consider it weak against the run due to the fact there are only four down linemen. At the higher levels, the quality and size of the average down linemen makes this a non factor. In essence, if a team possesses the size, strength, and quickness necessary to run the 4-3 defense, it is a formidable defensive formation.
Besides the ever present four down linemen (2 DTs and 2 DEs), there are three linebackers -- two to the inside and one at the outside shoulder of the Tight End (TE). Two Cornerbacks (CBs) and two safeties are the standard. Equally effective against most all offensive formations, the 4-3 is the default defense of choice for this author. It is easily modified for various offensive sets. The third LB (on the TE) can cover the TE, Blitz, or cover any of the short zones to that side or the hook zone over the middle. The CBs can blitz with the Safety(s) assuming the CBs responsibilities. Or a CB can drop back in deep coverage allowing a safety blitz.
Because of its high flexibility, an offense will find it difficult to isolate a particular area or defensive player. If the 4-3 has a weakness, it is that the inside LBs are the primary tacklers for runs between the tackles and they are of course 4 to 5 yards off the ball.
4-4
The 4-4 defensive alignment is designed to stop the wide running game as well as the short passing game.
The 4-4 uses four down linemen, four linebackers, two cornerbacks, and a safety. Stunts are a common component of this defensive set, usually with some or all of the linemen stunting left or right and the inside linebackers stunting in the opposite direction. A wide range of possible stunts and blitzes are possible. The 4-4, also known as the "stack" defense, relies on quickness, particular quickness in pusuit. In order to run the 4-4 on a regular basis, the interior down lineman must be players of considerable substance.
5-2
The 5-2 is the standard for many coaches at the high school level and is used somewhat extensively at the collegiate level. Consisting of a nose guard, 2 defensive tackles, and 2 defensive ends, it is intended mainly as a run defense. However, it can be effective against the pass as well with five pass rushers and two or three linebackers.
Usually, the down linemen's first responsibility are running lane specific, each man responsible for a certain gap or lane. The default command for lineman is to read and react to the play, with the defensive end's primary concern being containment. Occasionally, a defensive end may be called on to pass defend an area such as the flat. By design, the linebacker's first responsibility is to defend the run, then the pass. But this may be modified for varying puposes. A coach wants his leading tacklers to be down linemen or linebackers. If a defensive back or safety is leading the team in tackles, it is a clear indication that the opposing offenses are getting throughout the first line of defense.
The remaining four positions are the two cornerbacks and the two safeties. An option is to allow one of the safeties to be a "safe safety" meaning that this player seldom has specific duties, and is left to read and react to each play. If in zone pass coverage, the free safety or safety to the TE side has "up" resposibility, while the strong safety has deep third duty. Each corner has deep third duty as well. LBs are 4 to 5 yards off the ball, CBs 3 to 6 yards deep, safeties 10 to 12 yards. Down linemen keep the ball in the corner of the eye, and move on the snap--not the Qbs vocalizations or other personnel movement.
5-3
The 5-3 is even more intent on stopping the run and is designed to make use of a strong middle linebacker. Similar to the 5-2, the 5-3 simply replaces the free safety spot with a third linebacker which lines up on the outside shoulder of the TE, 5 yards deep and parallel with the other LBs. The "best" LB move to the middle LBs position.
Obviously, modifications, or shifts, may be necessary depending on the actual alignment of the offense. For example, let's say the offense opened in a Tripps (3 receiver) set to the defense's right. Basically, all that has happened is the FB and left wide out have been replaced with two new wideouts to the right. So the left CB shifts over with the new WR, and the left OLB shifts over as well. The two remaining linebackers return to their normal 5-2 alignment.
Another variation calls for the 3 linebackers to all shift down to compensate. The TE can be covered by the DE to that side, or the LB to that side. The DE to the Tripps side can cover the flat or slat area, or even be sent on a blitz.
6-2
The 6-2 is the standard short yardage defensive formation. It is often implemented to stop the run.
Basically, the six down linemen are positioned in the gaps between the offensive linemen with the two inside linebackers playing run first, pass second. The cornerbacks and the safety (playing up tight to the line) play pass first, run second, each with deep third responsibilities.
3-4
The 3-4 defensive alignment is designed to stop the short passing, ball control type offense. Naturally less than ideal against the run due to only 3 down linemen, this defense offers an extra defensive back for pass coverage.
Consisting of a nose guard and two down linemen, the coach has the task of deciding who the outside two linemen are - Defensive Ends (DEs) or Densive Tackles (DTs). Often one of the Linebackers (LBs) has zone pass coverage responsibilities in effect employing 5 Defensive Backs (DBs). This is why the 3-4 is often referred to as the "nickel" defense. Having 5 DBs allows for random blitzing by one or more of these backs in order to maintain a sufficient pass rush. The 3-4 is susceptible to the inside run and is used primarily in situations where an interior run is not expected.
4-3
The 4-3 defensive alignment is the most commonly used defense at the upper levels, including the NFL. At lower levels the 4-3 is not particularly popular because many coaches consider it weak against the run due to the fact there are only four down linemen. At the higher levels, the quality and size of the average down linemen makes this a non factor. In essence, if a team possesses the size, strength, and quickness necessary to run the 4-3 defense, it is a formidable defensive formation.
Besides the ever present four down linemen (2 DTs and 2 DEs), there are three linebackers -- two to the inside and one at the outside shoulder of the Tight End (TE). Two Cornerbacks (CBs) and two safeties are the standard. Equally effective against most all offensive formations, the 4-3 is the default defense of choice for this author. It is easily modified for various offensive sets. The third LB (on the TE) can cover the TE, Blitz, or cover any of the short zones to that side or the hook zone over the middle. The CBs can blitz with the Safety(s) assuming the CBs responsibilities. Or a CB can drop back in deep coverage allowing a safety blitz.
Because of its high flexibility, an offense will find it difficult to isolate a particular area or defensive player. If the 4-3 has a weakness, it is that the inside LBs are the primary tacklers for runs between the tackles and they are of course 4 to 5 yards off the ball.
4-4
The 4-4 defensive alignment is designed to stop the wide running game as well as the short passing game.
The 4-4 uses four down linemen, four linebackers, two cornerbacks, and a safety. Stunts are a common component of this defensive set, usually with some or all of the linemen stunting left or right and the inside linebackers stunting in the opposite direction. A wide range of possible stunts and blitzes are possible. The 4-4, also known as the "stack" defense, relies on quickness, particular quickness in pusuit. In order to run the 4-4 on a regular basis, the interior down lineman must be players of considerable substance.
5-2
The 5-2 is the standard for many coaches at the high school level and is used somewhat extensively at the collegiate level. Consisting of a nose guard, 2 defensive tackles, and 2 defensive ends, it is intended mainly as a run defense. However, it can be effective against the pass as well with five pass rushers and two or three linebackers.
Usually, the down linemen's first responsibility are running lane specific, each man responsible for a certain gap or lane. The default command for lineman is to read and react to the play, with the defensive end's primary concern being containment. Occasionally, a defensive end may be called on to pass defend an area such as the flat. By design, the linebacker's first responsibility is to defend the run, then the pass. But this may be modified for varying puposes. A coach wants his leading tacklers to be down linemen or linebackers. If a defensive back or safety is leading the team in tackles, it is a clear indication that the opposing offenses are getting throughout the first line of defense.
The remaining four positions are the two cornerbacks and the two safeties. An option is to allow one of the safeties to be a "safe safety" meaning that this player seldom has specific duties, and is left to read and react to each play. If in zone pass coverage, the free safety or safety to the TE side has "up" resposibility, while the strong safety has deep third duty. Each corner has deep third duty as well. LBs are 4 to 5 yards off the ball, CBs 3 to 6 yards deep, safeties 10 to 12 yards. Down linemen keep the ball in the corner of the eye, and move on the snap--not the Qbs vocalizations or other personnel movement.
5-3
The 5-3 is even more intent on stopping the run and is designed to make use of a strong middle linebacker. Similar to the 5-2, the 5-3 simply replaces the free safety spot with a third linebacker which lines up on the outside shoulder of the TE, 5 yards deep and parallel with the other LBs. The "best" LB move to the middle LBs position.
Obviously, modifications, or shifts, may be necessary depending on the actual alignment of the offense. For example, let's say the offense opened in a Tripps (3 receiver) set to the defense's right. Basically, all that has happened is the FB and left wide out have been replaced with two new wideouts to the right. So the left CB shifts over with the new WR, and the left OLB shifts over as well. The two remaining linebackers return to their normal 5-2 alignment.
Another variation calls for the 3 linebackers to all shift down to compensate. The TE can be covered by the DE to that side, or the LB to that side. The DE to the Tripps side can cover the flat or slat area, or even be sent on a blitz.
6-2
The 6-2 is the standard short yardage defensive formation. It is often implemented to stop the run.
Basically, the six down linemen are positioned in the gaps between the offensive linemen with the two inside linebackers playing run first, pass second. The cornerbacks and the safety (playing up tight to the line) play pass first, run second, each with deep third responsibilities.