what is good vs. a 3-3-5?

Coach:

I must respectfully disagree. The 3-5-3, or 30 stack is a fundamentally sound defense. It uses 3 down linemen that are 2-gap players based upon a stimulus response to the offensive line first step. Which by the way, in reality, puts them into a single gap responsibility. The defense is extremely adaptable to multi-formation, with the ability to run all coverages from similar or even different type looks. The defense was designed to stop "zone blocking" teams, and indeed has accomplished that. We have seen many high school teams have tremendous success with it here in California. Our team was undersized, and outmanned, however we were one of the top defenses in our county, and league. As with any defense, as long as it accounts for the run gaps, and pass zones, and you can teach your players the techniques to make it successful, then it will be good. As such, I would not call this a smoke and mirror defense. As a matter of fact, you are going to see more teams running it. Take a look at this disccussion board to see the interest in it - both from an offensive and defensive perspective.

Coach Lyle

I am going by what the w.virgina dc told me about his defense. with the advent of the spread attack at the college level traditional defenses like the 4-3/3-4 where outmanned from a personal standpoint. so the creation of the 3-3-5 and 4-2-5(which i think is a better defense) to combat the spread attacks. the creation of the 3-3-5 was to creat confusion for the defense primarly in the passing game.

the oc's that I have talked to have told me the 3-3-5 will not standup to a one back offense. the defense endsup with a ss type kid lineup on the l.o.s. in a 8 man front which when the zone run game comes at him give the offense the advantage. I am talking outside zone. you put a ss type kid on a te the te is going to have a good day. all one needs to do is look at the bowl games this year. many of the 3-3-5 teams got blownout. look at w.virgina they got blown out.

it is a fine defense against the spread but if a defense lineups in 2 te and 2wr and 1back you have to put you ss type kids on the line to create a 8 man front. it do not see it as a long lasting defense on its own but coupled with the 3-4 defense I think it would be effective.