The standard formation for all Power I plays are: It then becomes the Power I as these are more "powerful" players who block and hit well, rather than faster skill-position players. The Power I is a change to this, adding in a H-Back and subbing out wide receivers for two tight ends at the line of scrimmage. The defensive end to the Tripps side can cover the flat or slat area, or even be sent on a blitz.The I Formation is named as such because the two players in the backfield (Fullback and Running Back) are lined up directly behind the quarterback, forming what looks like a letter "I" in the backfield. The tight end can be covered by the defensive end to that side or the linebacker to that side. The two remaining linebackers return to their normal 5-2 alignment.Īnother variation calls for the three linebackers to all shift down to compensate. So the left cornerback shifts over with the new receiver, and the left outside linebacker shifts over as well. Basically, all that has happened is the fullback and left wide receiver have been replaced with two new wide outs to the right. For example, let's say the offense opened in a Tripps (three receiver) set to the defense's right. Obviously, modifications or shifts may be necessary depending on the actual alignment of the offense. The "best" linebacker moves to the middle linebacker position. Similar to the 5-2, the 5-3 simply replaces the free safety spot with a third linebacker, who lines up on the outside shoulder of the tight end, five yards deep and parallel with the other linebackers. The 5-3 is even more intent on stopping the run and is designed to make use of a strong middle line backer. Down linemen keep the ball in the corner of the eye, and move on the snap-not the quarterback's vocalizations or other personnel movement. Linebackers are four to five yards off the ball, cornerbacks three to six yards deep, safeties 10 to 12 yards. In zone pass coverage, the free safety or safety to the tight end side has "up" responsibility, while the strong safety has deep third duty. An option is to allow one of the safeties to be a "free safety," meaning that this player seldom has specific duties and is left to read and react to each play. The remaining four positions are the two cornerbacks and the two safeties. If a defensive back or safety is leading the team in tackles, it is a clear indication that the opposing offenses are getting through the first line of defense. A coach wants his leading tacklers to be down linemen or linebackers. But this may be modified for varying purposes. By design, the linebacker's first responsibility is to defend the run, then the pass. Occasionally, a defensive end may be called on to pass defend an area such as the flat. The default command for linemen is to read and react to the play, with the defensive end's primary concern being containment. Usually the down linemen's first responsibilities are running lane-specific, with each man responsible for a certain gap or lane. However, it can be effective against the pass as well with five pass rushers and two or three linebackers. Consisting of a nose guard, two defensive tackles and two defensive ends, it is intended mainly as a run defense. The 5-2 is the standard for many coaches at the high school level and is used somewhat extensively at the collegiate level. If the 4-3 has a weakness, it is that the inside linebackers are the primary tacklers for runs between the tackles and they are, of course, four to five yards off the ball. Or a corner can drop back in deep coverage allowing a safety blitz.īecause of its high flexibility, an offense will find it difficult to isolate a particular area or defensive player. The cornerbacks can blitz with the safety(s) assuming the corner's responsibilities. The third linebacker (on the tight end) can cover the tight end, blitz or cover any of the short zones to that side or the hook zone over the middle. It is easily modified for various offensive sets. Equally effective against most all offensive formations, the 4-3 is the default defense of choice for this author. Two cornerbacks and two safeties are the standard. In essence, if a team possesses the size, strength and quickness necessary to run the 4-3 defense, it is a formidable formation.īesides the ever-present four down linemen (2 tackles and 2 ends), there are three linebackers-two to the inside and one at the outside shoulder of the tight end. At the higher levels, the quality and size of the average down linemen makes this a non-factor. At lower levels the 4-3 is not particularly popular because many coaches consider it weak against the run due to the fact there are only four down linemen. The 4-3 is the most commonly used defense at the upper levels, including the NFL.
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