Michigan Football: Coach’s Corner — What we might see in this Michigan Defense

Posted at 6:00am — 1/15/2008

Michigan Football: Coach’s Corner — What we might see in this Michigan Defense

We want to start by quoting Coach Shafer, “scheme is overrated”. All schemes can work if you tackle and keep the ball inside and in front. There are no secret or miracle defenses. All defenses depend on being fundamentally and positionally strong. No amount of X’s and O’s will take the place of performing the basic fundamentals of the game well. What I will do is use 4-3 as base and describe how to switch into 3-3-5 without making defense too complicated.

The key to being able to switch fronts is being sound in base defense. That includes fundamentals, concepts and terminology. Terminology being consistent throughout schemes and packages is must. If try to do too much in your base, or mix terminology in your schemes your players will end being confused or unsure. Players who are not confident about what to do are generally out of position, hesitant, or not aggressive enough.

If in your base 4-3 you use terminology NT for one player and DT for other, you make it simple it change fronts. your NT basically only has to move over 1 gap and use same rules and techniques. His rules in both are, command a double team, do not let center block any one else, and do not get reached by the OG. So nothing changes for him.

In 3-3 many teams use MLber in place of DT, so you can actually use same stunts and calls. This allows you to give opposing offensive linemen a different look that can confuse them and keep them from getting comfortable in their assignments and blocking schemes. Michigan did this very effectively with Shawn Crable taking place of DT in their version of 3-3 last year. Crable would move to MLber in package and Ezeh would slide to SLber. DE’s are really simple.

Generally in 4-3 one DE plays the strong-side, TE side and other goes away from TE, strength of formation. SDE will usually line up in a 8 tech, head up on TE, but can slide into either inside or outside shade, 7 or 9 tech. But in many formations without TE’s he will play a 5-tech. RDE, player away from strength, TE, will play 5 tech head up to outside shade on OT.

In 3-3 both DE’s will play 5 techs, something they used to playing. This again allows defense to use same terminology, stunts, angles and packages. This helps keep DE’s from getting confused. Lber play is equally simple. Have gone over some of what MLber does. but you can also blitz either WLber or Slber also. If you do that MLber has same basic responsibility as in base. He fills to Strength of formation, TE side, and scraps to quick side/ away from TE. If opponent lines up with TE, you have many ways to adjust. SLber who by rule stay with TE can simply cover the TE on line of scrimmage or play as in 4-3 base and cover him off the line of scrimmage. His rules can stay consistent. If TE blocks down fill, if he arcs to either hook or get into pass route, jam with inside shoulder maintaining outside leverage. If he is in blitz package one of Safeties either bandit or spur will be responsible for doing same fundamental job on TE.

Biggest advantage to playing nickle, 3-3 is keeps you from having to move WLber out and play in space against slot receiver. If team comes up in multiple WR set away from TE, the extra SS will play over the slot. This allows WLber to stay inside and be a in box player. Making it more difficult for offense to exploit that favorable match up. So as you can see if you are sound in your base, playing multiple fronts is simple.

What described is just base package out of both 4-3- and 3-3, there are more stunts and packages than you can imagine. This is just an overview of the bases looks of both. And as long as your base is sound you can just as easily switch into 3-4.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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