How to Run a Football Defense: 4-3

The offense may have difficulty getting a running back through this defense - and worse yet, in finding a receiver when there are four defenders deep in the backfield.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Football Cleats
• Football Helmets
• Footballs
• Footballs

1. Assume your defense faces a typical split-back offense (see first step of "Run a Football Offense: Quick Pitch" under Related eHows). Adjust the following formation to compensate for varying offenses.

2. Leave the center unguarded.

3. Position a tackle to either side of the center. Each blocks on the left side of opposing guards.

4. Line the left end up to block the tight end head-up.

5. Position the right end to block the outside shoulder of the opposing tackle.

6. Set two corners in the secondary, farther off the line of scrimmage than normal - about 10 yards. Position them opposite any receivers.

7. Set three linebackers 3 to 4 yards off the line of scrimmage: one in front of the center, a second behind the left end, and a third in back and to the outside shoulder of the right end.

8. Position two safeties 12 yards behind the line of scrimmage and to the outside shoulders of the left and right linebackers.

Tips & Warnings

• If the offense pulls the tight end and triples up on receivers, compensate by moving a tackle off the line to mirror him. Shift the other tackle to fill as nose guard, then use the strong safety as a lineman to the outside shoulder of the right end (or the left end, if the receiver was placed on that side). Shift the left end inside to mirror the opposing tackle, who is unmanned now that the tight end is gone. This shift becomes a variation on the 5-3 defense.
• If the offense sucks a linebacker inside, an option play will kill the defenders. Let the linebackers stray to the outside, but don't get overanxious and punch through until ball movement and direction are determined.
• 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.

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on 11/22/2005 You need to make the down defensive tackles 5 techniques and they need to be C-Gap players. The 2 second level outside LB's need to read the fullback. Flow to them they are blowing up the B-Gap. Flow away they are B-Gap to reverse/counter players.

on 11/22/2005 This is a great package for both stopping the pass and still controlling the pass. Place your Sam linebacker directly over the tight end not letting him off the LOS. Leave your Will linebacker and your Mike linebacker in the middle for pass & run.