BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Run a Football Defense: 5-3

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

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This is a great defense. Similar to the 5-2, it differs in bringing the strong safety forward as a third linebacker, which provides an excellent running defense with few holes.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Football Cleats
Football Girdles
Football Helmets
Football Pants
Football Shoulder Pads
Footballs

Step1

Set the nose guard to block the center head-up.

Step2

Leave the opposing guards unmanned to either side of the nose guard.

Step3

Set a tackle head-up against opposing tackles beyond these spaces, on either side.

Step4

Position an end to the outside of either tackle. Facing a typical split-back offense, one end should face the tight end, while the other may be left unmanned.

Step5

Set two corners in the secondary, 7 yards off the line of scrimmage and opposite any receivers, usually the split end and flanker.

Step6

Place three linebackers 3 to 4 yards off the line of scrimmage: one directly behind the nose guard, and a second and third behind each end.

Step7

Leave a free safety as the last defender, 9 to 12 yards behind the line of scrimmage and to the outside shoulder of the middle linebacker.

Tips & Warnings

This is an excellent formation to defend the off-tackle offense.
Though good for stopping running backs, this formation has fewer pass defenders. Watch that the offense doesn't double or triple receivers to the outside.
Football is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

Comments

griffithpanther said

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on 10/9/2008 I Line my NT head up on the center and my left or right tackles on the outside shoulders of the guards pushing them in so my outside linebackers can blitz through the b gap depending on what outside linebacker is blitzing very effictive if d-linemen do their job and you have a fast and aggresive olb. the olb's line up just outside the ends so the offence dosent see the blitz comming then jump on set. so far its worked pretty good for my jr.midget pop warner football team

calicoach said

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on 9/24/2007 Wats the best defensive front to use against a double tight double wing offense

calicoach said

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on 9/24/2007 whats the most effective way to defend a double tight double wing Iso back no huddle offense.California Coach

ThaJr said

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on 12/23/2006 In one of my blitz packages.(swirl)I will blitz my outside linebackers on the outside of my tackles and drop my ends causing confusion. On a youth level the offensive tackle will think to block my ends leaving open a gap to the backfields on both sides.

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Gap protection:
We call our 5-3 differently. Inside-out the NT lines up head up on the center but slashes to the strong side A gap. The DTs line up in the B gap and accept a G/T double team, which keeps linemen off the LBs. Should the DTs break the double team it's icing on the cake, but the main responsibility is to hold their ground and keep blocks off our second level. The DEs line up on the TE outside shoulder containing the D gap.

The Middle linebacker lines up behind the nose 3-4 yds off and protects the weakside A gap opposite the NT. The OLBs line up 3-4 yds off the ball between the DE and DT and protect the C gap between the DEs and DTs. With this gap protection we effectively keep every gap protected and blockers off our speedy, hard hitting linebackers.

Pass protection:
We run a cover 3 pass protection out of the 5-3. The corners and safety each have a deep third of the field. The OLBs cover their respective flats from the DE to the sideline and 10 yards up field and the MLB covers the middle between the ends and 10 yards up.

When we call a 5-3 "Buzz" our OLBs shoot the Dgap with an outside-in technique and the DEs pull off into the flat. This applies inside pressure when running stacked TE formation, confusing pass blocking schemes and the quarterback. Both coverage options generate 5 man pressure on the quarterback and cover the deep thirds, flats and middle of the field.