Football Education

[strongx]

Why use a 4-3 defense instead of a 3-4? Is it based on personnel? Does it depend on the type of offense on the other side of the ball? Is it strictly a preferred scheme? What are the advantages to each? Does one require certain skill sets at particular positions? Let’s hear from the decades of experience on the T! Free my mind!!

[BarneySox2007]

At Maryville we jump into a 3-4 when the other team has it second and short to assure that not only do they get the first down but also get five yards along with it. Would somebody please go over to Jim Gaylor's house and get on their knees and beg like a dog for him to come back.

[RodgerDodger32]

17 minutes ago, strongx said:

Why use a 4-3 defense instead of a 3-4? Is it based on personnel? Does it depend on the type of offense on the other side of the ball? Is it strictly a preferred scheme? What are the advantages to each? Does one require certain skill sets at particular positions? Let’s hear from the decades of experience on the T! Free my mind!!

Typically personnel. 4-3 if you have more DL type and 3-4 if you have more linebackers. I know it sounds simplistic but that’s usually what people base it off of. 

Edited August 6, 2023 by RodgerDodger32

[92Dragon]

Yes usually personnel. We were short on linemen and had several linebackers one year and switched to a 3-4. 

[92Dragon]

28 minutes ago, BarneySox2007 said:

At Maryville we jump into a 3-4 when the other team has it second and short to assure that not only do they get the first down but also get five yards along with it. Would somebody please go over to Jim Gaylor's house and get on their knees and beg like a dog for him to come back.

Amen!! Gaylor was one of the best defensive coordinators in highschool football I've ever known.

[SweetScience]

And from my understanding a 3-4 suits a team with very fast, more agile/quicker type linebackers. Just what I’ve always heard through the years.

Edited August 6, 2023 by SweetScience

[SweetScience]

4 minutes ago, 92Dragon said:

Amen!! Gaylor was one of the best defensive coordinators in highschool football I've ever known.

He was great but he wasn’t no Andy Shattuck.

[92Dragon]

14 minutes ago, SweetScience said:

He was great but he wasn’t no Andy Shattuck.

[strongx]

42 minutes ago, RodgerDodger32 said:

Typically personnel. 4-3 if you have more DL type and 3-4 if you have more linebackers. I know it sounds simplistic but that’s usually what people base it off of. 

I had always assumed that. I guess the 3-4 should also help outside the box as teams spread it out?

In high school it seems easy deciding between your fourth best 6-2 DE/DT or your 4th best 5-11 LB, but I guess it all depends on who is better.

[MurphyCollege]

1 hour ago, BarneySox2007 said:

At Maryville we jump into a 3-4 when the other team has it second and short to assure that not only do they get the first down but also get five yards along with it. Would somebody please go over to Jim Gaylor's house and get on their knees and beg like a dog for him to come back.

Who’s the DC for the rebels now? Y’all still got the red bank DC on staff?

[MidTennFootball]

I like the 3-4 because it's more flexible than the 4-3 and not alot of teams have a surplus of good d-lineman at this level.  3-4 can essentially become a 50 defense against a more run based attack. 

[strongx]

Do most teams run a 3-4? It seems a lot do.