Base plays vs. 4-4 and 5-3

Coach,

I'd try to be as simple as possible, while accouting for everyone at the point of attack. I would basically run Iso and trap inside, power and counter off tackle, and toss or sweep outside.

To keep it simple, I'd probably make the rules for the Iso and Toss/Sweep very similar (only the person the FB is lead blocking would change -- PSILB on Iso, PSOLB on toss/sweep). Then I would just teach the difference between drive blocking (Iso) and hook blocking (toss/sweep). Basically, if covered, block man; if uncovered block the nearest LB not accounted for by the FB. Thus, vs. a 4-4: PSTE blocks PSDE, PST blocks PSOLB (Iso)/PSILB (toss/sweep), PSG blocks PSDT, C blocks BSILB, BSG blocks BSDT, and BST blocks BSDE. Also, vs. a 5-3: PSTE blocks PSDE, PST blocks PSDT, PSG blocks PSOLB (Iso)/MLB (toss/sweep), C blocks NG, BSG blocks BSOLB, and BST blocks BSDT.

Then I'd block the Power and Counter very similarly (only the BSG, BST, and FB would exchange assignments -- Power: FB kicks out PSDE, BSG pulls and seals PSOLB, and BST blocks BSDE; Counter: FB kicks out BSDE, BSG pulls and kicks out PSDE, and BST pulls and seals PSOLB). The playside and center all down block. Thus, vs. a 4-4: PSTE blocks PSILB, PST blocks PSDT, PSG blocks BSILB, C blocks BSDT. Also, vs. a 5-3: PSTE blocks PSDT, PST blocks MLB, PSG blocks NG, C blocks BSDT.

Finally, I'd keep my trap rules consistent: TE has OLB, T's have ILB's, PSG is down, C is away or on, BSG pulls and traps. Thus, v. a 4-4: TE blocks OLB, T's block ILB's, PSG blocks BSILB (ends up a double team w/ BST), C blocks BSDT, and BSG kicks out PSDT. Now, if they put the DT's in the A gaps, I'd just trap the next man out, so the PSG would block the man in the A-gap, and the BSG would trap the DE. Also, v. a 5-3, TE has OLB, T's double MLB, PSG and C double NG, BSG kicks out PSDT.

I hope this makes sense -- It is as simple a way I can think of to scheme these defenses successfully. Now, the thing we've found since we've begun to see so many 8 man fronts, is that if you can force them to take a man out of the box, it makes life a lot easier. As a result, we run a lot of twins and end over formations which forces these defenses to remove the OLB from the box. Let me know if you have questions.