1. 3-4 Defense
Alignment, Benefits, Philosophy Integration
Josh Abbott
EDU 209
S

2. Benefits
 Balanced.
 Fluid rotations.
 Multiple ways to pressure the offense.
 Lets Athletes make plays in space.
 Speed and athleticism are maximized.
 More of the field is covered.

3. Philosophy
 Defensive Linemen and Linebackers support the run
first.
 Defensive Backs defend against the pass first.
 Pressure by the Linemen and Linebackers creates
coverage.

4. Alignment
fromtherumbleseat.com
 - Defensive Ends (DE) and Nose Tackle (NT) line up in a three or four point stance.
 - Linebackers (OLB/ILB) are four and a half yards off the ball with their feet about shoulder width apart.
 - Cornerbacks (CB) are lined up across from the Wide Receivers, ready to backpedal.
 - Safeties (SS/FS) are 10-12 yards off the ball, ready to backpedal.

5. Schemes
• Adjust to opposing offenses effectively
• Disguise coverages
• Hide blitz
• Multiple players can “spy”
cm-life.com

6. Schemes
DE DT DT DE DE DT DE
CB CB
CB CB
OLB OLB OLB OLB
MLB MLB MLB MLB MLB
4-4 3-5-3
FS SS
FS
DE DT DT DT DE DE DT DT DE
CB CB
MLB MLB CB OLB MLB OLB CB
SS
FS
SS
4-3
5-2 FS
 Defense easily translates to a 4-3, 3-5-3, 4-4 or 5-2

7. Pursuit Angles
Ball Flow
Go towards where the ball will be, not where it is.

8. Cover 2


Protect flats.
Deep halves.
Coverages
C DE NT DE C
OLB OLB
ILB ILB
SS
FS

9.  Cover 3
 Protect flats and
 the middle of the field.
Coverages
 Deep thirds.
C DE NT DE C
OLB OLB
ILB ILB
SS
FS

10.  Man
 Short yardage coverage. Coverages
 Physical.
C DE NT DE C
OLB OLB
ILB ILB
SS
FS

11. Bringing Pressure:
Defensive Line
Slant DE NT DE
DE NT DE
Angle
Pinch
Opposite
DE NT DE
DE NT DE
Contain
DE NT DE

12. Bringing Pressure:
Inside Linebackers
• Backside A-Gap • Playside B-Gap
• Playside C-Gap
DE NT DE
OLB OLB
ILB ILB
• Playside A-Gap

13. Bringing Pressure:
Outside Linebackers
 A-Gap
 B-Gap
 C-Gap
DE NT DE
OLB OLB
ILB ILB

14. Bringing Pressure:
Defensive Backs
• Corner Blitz
C DE NT DE C
OLB OLB
ILB ILB
SS • Free Safety Blitz
FS
• Strong Safety Blitz

15. Bringing Pressure:
Combo Blitz
Inside
Outside
Overload
C DE NT DE C
OLB OLB
ILB ILB
SS
FS

16. Review
 Maximizes athlete skill.
 Balanced
 Fast to the ball.
 Easy to shift formations.
 Disguise coverages.
 Brings pressure from all over the field.

17. C DE NT DE C
OLB OLB
ILB ILB
SS
FS