Can you give a run down of how a 3-4 defense stacks up against our spread offense? In my mind, a 3-4 is perfect for stopping this offense, but i was wondering about the technical aspects of it. Will/Can Georgia simply spy Relf with a LB or two and nullify the option and drop into zone coverage on a pass? Seems like they can blitz from anywhere and disrupt any straight hand offs to Ballard. It also seems like our counter plays would be our most successful against Georgia. Thoughts?</p>
Coach34 (or others)
- Thread starter JackShephard
- Start date
First off, the 3-4 relies on speedy, quick, versatile linebackers who can swarm to the football. In theory, yes, you are correct that the scheme fits a spread offense better, but here are some things to think about in ANY defensive scheme.
1. A lot of 3-4 defenses utilize a "hybrid linebacker" that blitzes, too. This is because linebackers, although don't have the size, are usually far quicker than defensive tackles or even ends. The reason is defenses have GOT to penetrate the line of scrimmage and dominate up front. If you can't dominate physically, beat them with speed... draw blockers away from your bigger guys with double teams. Once you get beat by a speedy linebacker and he blows the play up, you can gain a huge advantage because it disrupts blocking schemes from the offense.
2. Suppose the scheme is not to blitz linebackers and you want four in coverage. The advantage here (only scheme wise) is faster coverage of the field horizontally. The outsides will generally be in better position to contain the play. Again, the danger of this is you lose penetration on the line. Plays are much easier to defend when you can dominate on the defensive front and disrupt plays. Also, you lose your ability to crash gaps and redirect the run. Your D-Line plays a HUGE role in stopping the run because they cut off running lanes and gaps. Linebackers are only in a position to get in a gap, not crash them.
3. Are your linebackers smart? Are they quick? Can they make open field tackles? Can they match up with tight ends and slot receivers? This is a big one because your linebackers play a much bigger role now (not that they don't already play a big role, but you are sacrificing a position elsewhere to utilize linebackers).
In a sense, the scheme depends more on your personnel than anything else. You don't run defensive schemes just for ***** and giggles... or because it "matches up well with the offense," you run schemes because they best fit the personnel you already have. If you have 5 or 6 REALLY good linebackers that can cover receivers and blitz and maybe not as much depth on the D-line, maybe this is a good compromise. But aGAIN, the scheme doesn't make a good defense, personnel does. Speed, awareness, physicality, fundamentals, and depth carry you much further than a scheme.
1. A lot of 3-4 defenses utilize a "hybrid linebacker" that blitzes, too. This is because linebackers, although don't have the size, are usually far quicker than defensive tackles or even ends. The reason is defenses have GOT to penetrate the line of scrimmage and dominate up front. If you can't dominate physically, beat them with speed... draw blockers away from your bigger guys with double teams. Once you get beat by a speedy linebacker and he blows the play up, you can gain a huge advantage because it disrupts blocking schemes from the offense.
2. Suppose the scheme is not to blitz linebackers and you want four in coverage. The advantage here (only scheme wise) is faster coverage of the field horizontally. The outsides will generally be in better position to contain the play. Again, the danger of this is you lose penetration on the line. Plays are much easier to defend when you can dominate on the defensive front and disrupt plays. Also, you lose your ability to crash gaps and redirect the run. Your D-Line plays a HUGE role in stopping the run because they cut off running lanes and gaps. Linebackers are only in a position to get in a gap, not crash them.
3. Are your linebackers smart? Are they quick? Can they make open field tackles? Can they match up with tight ends and slot receivers? This is a big one because your linebackers play a much bigger role now (not that they don't already play a big role, but you are sacrificing a position elsewhere to utilize linebackers).
In a sense, the scheme depends more on your personnel than anything else. You don't run defensive schemes just for ***** and giggles... or because it "matches up well with the offense," you run schemes because they best fit the personnel you already have. If you have 5 or 6 REALLY good linebackers that can cover receivers and blitz and maybe not as much depth on the D-line, maybe this is a good compromise. But aGAIN, the scheme doesn't make a good defense, personnel does. Speed, awareness, physicality, fundamentals, and depth carry you much further than a scheme.
I kinda think different about it than drt. when I think about 3-4 I think Bill Parcells/Wade Phillips. Parcells always wanted bigILBs in his scheme. Big monster nose tackle that you can't move even with double teams think casey hampton/vince wilfork/Shaun rogers. Big thick mlbs that mostly play the run because they are head up over the guards.....and people love to run in that "bubble" between the NT and DE's. I tink of olbs as most pass rush oriented like a Lawerence Taylor or a Demarcus Ware. DE's scrape along the line to collect blockers hold ground....freeing up OLBs and MLB's to make tackles. MLB obviously have to drop in the middle on pass plays and pick up TE's and backs. I would think the OLBS havecoverage in short flats...hash to sideline.
I would think the 3-4 would be more succeptable to the pass than run. If you are going to run,you run in the afforementioned "bubbles" or at the corners trying to seal the DE and olb play side.
That's what I got.
I would think the 3-4 would be more succeptable to the pass than run. If you are going to run,you run in the afforementioned "bubbles" or at the corners trying to seal the DE and olb play side.
That's what I got.
but because it's an odd front- it can be manipulated by formations. Use formations to make them line up how you want- not like they want.<div>
</div><div>DL- 3-4 teams play either a read technique or a slanting technique. A Read technique is usually for bigger DL's that will attack the OL, not looking to penetrate- but to control the gaps to their left and right. Slanting and pinching 3-4 fronts are usually quicker, looking to penetrate and force the issue-</div><div>
</div><div>The key for the offense is to control the NG. He can rarely be single blocked by the Center- because that kills their D. If their NG is getting single-blocked, they wont stay in the 3-4 very long. So you double team with the guards, and you HAVE to get movement when you do this. We will also combo to help the Center control the NG and then the Guard can slip off to the LB and get to the next level.</div><div>
</div><div>The 3-4 is hard on the Spread because the 3-4 wants teams to go sideways- straight-ahead, quick plays give the 3-4 trouble.
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</div><div>DL- 3-4 teams play either a read technique or a slanting technique. A Read technique is usually for bigger DL's that will attack the OL, not looking to penetrate- but to control the gaps to their left and right. Slanting and pinching 3-4 fronts are usually quicker, looking to penetrate and force the issue-</div><div>
</div><div>The key for the offense is to control the NG. He can rarely be single blocked by the Center- because that kills their D. If their NG is getting single-blocked, they wont stay in the 3-4 very long. So you double team with the guards, and you HAVE to get movement when you do this. We will also combo to help the Center control the NG and then the Guard can slip off to the LB and get to the next level.</div><div>
</div><div>The 3-4 is hard on the Spread because the 3-4 wants teams to go sideways- straight-ahead, quick plays give the 3-4 trouble.
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