How to Position the Defensive Backs in a Football 4-3 Defense

Video Transcript

"Hi, this is Sean Hobson for Expert Village. Well right now we're talking about the 4-3 defense. We've got four down linemen that are going to get our first initial surge across the offensive line. Then we go to our three, which is the other part of the 4-3, is the linebackers. But the other very important job in the 4-3 defense goes to these guys. These are the defensive backs on the outside. The defensive backs are usually the ones that are going to be matched up on wide receivers. Now sometimes this wide receiver, go ahead and line up in the slot. He can line up as a slot receiver, and this guy is going to have to adjust at all times. Our defensive backs first responsibility is outside wide receivers and covering them. So that is their job. So the defensive back is going to line up across from the receivers at all times. Now sometimes we could run and extra defensive back if they run two receivers to this side. We may pull one of our defensive backs, our safety's our free safety's up to also play at a quarterback position. But anybody that lines up on the outside has got a direct match up with the wide receivers. Now this goes to both sides. One side is usually going to have a wide receiver, one side is usually going to have somebody more in the slot, or they could have them out to the wide side. But the corner backs have to know what they are doing and line up across the men. And its their job to cover them then the entire time."