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

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
• Defense easily translates to a 4-3, 3-5-3, 4-4 or 5-2
DE DT DE
DE DT 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 4-3
SS
5-2 FS

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

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

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

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

11. Bringing Pressure:
Defensive Line
Angle
Slant DE NT DE
DE NT DE
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
• B-Gap • A-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
• Free Safety Blitz
SS
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.