By the mid1990s, only a few teams used a 34 defense, most notably the bills and steelers. If the inside lbs see a drive block, they shockandlock the linemen, locate the football and use a rip. The defense is based on each lineman being responsible for one gap and controlling that gap. The 4 3 under and 34 defense are two very similar defenses. How to adjust to te sets without a natural adjuster.
A 4 3 defense can be used at any level of football, no matter what the physical and skillset makeup of the team is. The 34 defense is a great base defense to run for just about any team with any makeup of defenders. The 34 defense has only 3 defensive linemen in the box but has an extra linebacker. Though i have transitioned from an odd 34,52, and 5 3 or an even 4 3, 4.
Quite simply, the first number in a defensive scheme indicates the number of defensive linemen being utilized in that specific formation, and the second number indicates the number of linebackers on the field. The pittsburgh steelers brought it to fame at the professional level in the 1980s. Against some teams we will play the 3 3 deep coverage vs. Because there are only three linemen, the outside linebackers may play the role of the defensive end at some times, essentially giving a 4 3 look. Teams have won with the 43 defense at every level, from youth football to high school, college and the nfl. However, defenses will readily switch to other defensive alignments such as a nickel defense or a dime defense as circumstances change. The 34 in a flexible defense, and provides some great advantages when it comes to rushing the quarterback and defending against the pass. While teams may have hybrid versions of the 34, coaches are recognizing how it can be used quite effectively as a base defense. Weve had a lot of success over the years with the onegap 34 defense. The defensive linemen have similar roles, but execute very differently. Hybridizing 33 stack defense with 4 man front concepts. Lower number is the insideshoulder, the middle number is head up and the bigger number outside is the shoulder.
In its current form, it has survived over 30 years of change on the offense side. Spread and prostyle offenses utilize a tight end versus threedown defenses because the defense lacks a natural adjuster. Set up 3 yards outside the tight end and 3 yards off the. This playbook will cover the stack 44 defense, which calls for 8 players in the. Many teams have won the super bowl with the 34 defense as its base defense, most recently, the green bay packers in 2011. Whereas in the 34 defense a team will usually need to blitz at least one linebacker to get pressure on the quarterback, a 4 3 team can leave that job up to the defensive line and assign the linebackers elsewhere. The 34 defense has become more popular in recent years with both nfl and college. Opportunity to put your best players on the field dl vs. But lets face it, youve really got to have more fronts and coverages to be effective. Lb flexibility disguise slant to stem to other fronts dominant nose can control a game increased pressure on center ol must face dl that will 2 gap, shade, or slant unfamiliarity with the scheme can lead to offensive confusion increase offensive preparation time. The basics of the 34 defense in football thoughtco. But even mantoman coverage against the pass is effective out of the 43. For years fans and pundits of football have tended to describe defenses by the personnel employed in their fronts, as in. The alignment features three down linemen and four linebackers in the front seven, thus the name 34 defense.
This makes it an ideal fit for the youth level as it can adapt just as easily to a 2 te set as a 4 wr formation while staying strong against the run. The 43 defense has been one of the most successful defenses over a long period of time in the history of football. The 34 defense is a basic football defensive formation that is used by several nfl teams. Instead of changing the entire alignment to best suit the attributes of the players, a defensive coach can simply tweak the type of 4 3 defense he or she is deploying to suit those needs. But almost every team commits to either a base 43 or base 34 defense, and that hasnt changed for decades. The 4 3 defense and 34 defense are antiquated terms that dont help fans understand the types of players their teams are looking for in the draft or in recruiting. But the crushing bears defense of the mid1980s was a 4 3, and it inspired many imitators. Thats why the best pass defense isnt defense at all. Alignment, coverages, and basic wrinkles for a 43 defense.
The drawback of the 34 defense is that you have to have a solid nose tackle that is strong enough to withstand and hold a double team block. For years past i been a fan of the 34 defense and had much success with it, but in this years madden i have struggled a bit with the 34 and had more success with the 4 3. It is a simple defense to learn and teach, and also allows. The passrushing stars of the 34, though, are not the defensive linemen.
Gradually, these defensive specialists started lining up a few yards off the ball, at the position we now call middle linebacker. But there are some definite disadvantages of this defense. It is a simple defense to learn and teach, and also allows your players to play fast and be confident in their assignments. I have some clips from each one on what why we see them as. In american football, the 34 defense is a common defensive alignment consisting of three down linemen and four linebackers. Todays defenses must have the capability of being multiple. In the 4 3 there are four linemen each with a specific alignment and role. We are a 123 for the guard, 456 for tackle, 678 for tight end. Alignment, coverages, and basic wrinkles for a 4 3 defense. I have heard the phrase 4 3 defense with 34 personnel bandied about, and it really makes more. The 34 defense has been around since the 1940s when bud wilkinson utilized it with the university of oklahoma. Keep in mind that the 34 has one less player in a threepoint stance than the 4 3 defense, and that might be the key to why the flexible 34 has a better chance of succeeding than the 4 3 in the. Due to the number of spread offenses that can be faced today, the 4 3 and most defenses have become all about speed on the field. Its the latest cool gizmo released by apple, the new app youve just got to have.
I just started using the 4 25 last year and was really amazed at the versatility and the simplicity of the defense. This linebacker can be used to go out into coverage or to blitz. Whats the difference between a 34 defense and a 43. It is a called a base defense because it is the default defensive alignment used on base downs 1st and 2nd downs. While its important to have four linebackers who are quick, smart, strong, and read plays well, the 34 defense can be adapted for just about any type of personnel. I always got confused with the is and it seemed weird counting on the. The 34 defense has become more popular in recent years with both nfl and college defenses. The 43 defense is one of the most basic formations a coach can run. The 4 3 defense and its variations below youll see a 4 3 defense lined up against a traditional i. Welcome to our newest firstdown playbook contributor kevin bowers. Onegap 34 defense keeps offenses on their heels afca. Defending 3x1 formations out of a 43 defense firstdown. Learning the basic 3 5 3 front with a three deep coverage is a great starting place for the 3 5 3 defense. Showcasing the biggest differences in the nfl pass.
Modern defense and the 245 vs the 335 football study. In the 1980s, the raiders and giants won super bowls with a 34 defense lawrence taylor terrorized quarterbacks as an outside linebacker in a 34 scheme. Onegap 34 defense keeps offenses on their heels afca insider. Hybridizing 33 stack defense with 4 man front concepts here is a standard 3 3 stack defensive alignment. Can you get on the grease board and fit your defense up vs any formation that the offense might throw at you. Onegap 34 defense as teams begin to get faster, more spread out, and more pass heavy on offense, a way many defenses are counteracting this is by moving to a 34 defense. The 34 defense is more similar to the bud foster 4 25 and 4 4 than most recognize. While leavitts defense is based on a 34 structure, the personnel is hardly that of a 34 defense from the 1990s.
The slanting 34 defense is one of the most versatile defenses. During the 1970s and 1980s the 34 defense was the most widely used defense in the nfl. I get a lot of coaches who want to use a stack 4 4 defense because its simple. After seeing a decline for the next 2 decades, the 34 defense made a resurgence in the 2000s and is now implemented by nfl, collegiate, and even high school football teams. The slanting 34 defense in youth football slanting and. Base multiple 34 defense confuses offenses afca insider. Just curious what defense you guys like to run in this years madden. You dont have one rule for this formation and a complete. Lets examine these concepts and adjustments starting with iowas base defense, the 4 3. The defensive line in the 4 3 its critical that the defensive line is able to control their gap. Its the defense s version of the spread offense, a snazzy new. All of the linebackers on oregons 2017 defense, even the inside ones, are.
Against others we will use a empty check and change the call completely. In this post we look at the change in responsibilities michigans defense will face from transitioning from a 4 3 under to a 4 3 over. Position roles and weaknesses the 34 defense had become the goto base defense utilized by nfl teams since the dawn of the 1980s. The 4 3 is a speed defense as well as a spill defense, which means trying to force everything to the outside. Showcasing the biggest differences in the nfl pass rushes. Youth, high school, college, and the pros can be seen every weekend playing the 4 3. I dont think there is much of a difference these days since most teams end up playing 2 4 5 or 4 25 nickel defense majority of the time in todays league.