The 4-3 Defense is the base formation for most pro teams today. In Madden 2003 that
holds true. The 4-3 consists of four down linemen, three linebackers and four defensive
backs. The 4-3 defense was devised in 1950 by Steven Owen who was a pro football head
coach for New York. Over the years there were several different looks of the 4-3 defense.
You had the Flex defense that was made famous by Dallas head coach Tom Landry in the
1970s. Buddy Ryan who was a defensive coordinator for Chicago created the 46 defense
in the mid 80s. His defensive scheme was so successful in 1985, he was offered a head
coaching job with Philadelphia in 1986. The 46 defense is still used today and is also
included in Madden 2003. We break down all the 46 defenses in another portion of this
book.
4-3 Run Defenses
Man Lock WLB will blitz and shutdown most inside runs to weak side.
Strong Strong Safety Blitz: Good run defense to shutdown the inside run,
Safety Blitz with both safeties blitzing.
Fire Man: Both the WLB and SLB blitz, plugging up the middle of Fire Man the line.
Thunder Shuts down the outside run.
Under Man Good inside and outside run defense.
4-3 Pass Defense
Whip Man Brings a lot of heat from both the WLB and MLB blitzing.
Good pass coverage on mid to deep routes. Watch out for the Under 4 underneath pass routes.
Lighting Does a good job at covering the flats.
Double X& Z Does a good job at shutting down the outside receiver. Depending
on what defense you call.
Under Man Solid pass defense.

There are several other different looks you can give the offense to look at out 4-3. Below
we show a few of them.
4-3 Normal

The 4-3 Normal is the default 4-3 formation in Madden. When the defense breaks from
the huddle, they will line up in this formation.

RCB Lines up over SE and 4 yards off line of scrimmage.
FS Lines up behind the WLB and 11 yards off line of scrimmage.
SS Lines up behind the SLB and 9 yards off line of scrimmage
LCB Lines up over FL and 4 yards off line of scrimmage.
WLB Lines up outside of LT and 3 yards off of line of scrimmage.
MLB Lines up over middle of C and 4 yards off line of scrimmage.
SLB Lines up over outside of RT and 3 yards off line of scrimmage.
RE Lines up outside of LT shoulder and right on the line of scrimmage.
WDT Lines up inside of LG shoulder and right on the line of scrimmage.
SDT Lines up inside of RG shoulder and right on the line of scrimmage.
LE Lines up outside of RT shoulder and right on the line of scrimmage.
Strengths:
Provides good run support and pass coverage to weak, middle or strong side. Good for
beginners who are not sure what each 4-3 defensive scheme does. If you are not sure
what the defenders are supposed to do, then we suggest you start out learning by running
the 4-3 Normal defense.

Weakness:
Vulnerable against good players who know how to read defenses. You won't be able to
show any different looks as this is just a base formation

4-3 Over
The idea of the 4-3 Over is to shift your defensive linemen to the strong side of the
offensive point of attack in anticipation that the play will be run there. For the 4-3 Over to
succeed you will want a good set of defensive linemen. Also you will want to shift your
linebackers to the weak side, to protect that side of the field.
RCB Lines up over SE and 4 yards off line of scrimmage.
FS Lines up behind the WLB and 11 yards off line of scrimmage.
SS Lines up behind the SLB and 9 yards offline of scrimmage.
LCB Lines up over FL and 4 yards off line of scrimmage.
WLB Lines up outside of LT and 2 yards off of line of scrimmage.
MLB Lines up between LT and LG, is 4 yards off line of scrimmage.
SLB Lines up between RT and RG, is 3 yards off line of scrimmage.
RE Lines up inside of LT shoulder and right on the line of scrimmage.
WDT Lines up over C and right on the line of scrimmage.
SDT Lines up between RT and RG, is right on the line of scrimmage.
LE Lines up across TE and right on the line of scrimmage.

Strengths:
Provides good inside run support to strong side, as the defensive line is shifted in that
direction. The RE, SDT, MLB and SLB fill in the gaps, while the WDT and LE play straight
up over the offensive line. What this can do is create blitz opportunities for LBs to put
pressure on the QB or stop the inside run game. The LE will check the TE as he goes out,
which can mess up his route. Good run support for weak side toss or pitch plays, since the
WLB is playing further outside than normal.

Weakness:
HBtoss plays to the strong side. If you decide to run 4-3 Over defenses, you may want to
consider bringing down the SS for run support to the strong side. Passes to the strong
side Flat area if the MLB is in man coverage on the back to the strong side can be a
problem. The MLB has to come from the weak side to cover the back. If you are in a 4-3
Over Zone defense, beware of the offense flooding the strong side with receivers.

4-3 Under
The 4-3 Under is just the opposite of the 4-3 Over. The defensive line will shift to the
weak side so that they are position if the offense runs a play to that side. Again, just like
the 4-3 Over you will want a good set of defensive linemen. Shift the LBs to the strong
side, so the defense can still protect itself.
RCB Lines up over SE and 4 yards off line of scrimmage.
FS Lines up behind the WLB and 11 yards off line of scrimmage.
SS Lines up behind the SLB and 9 yards off line of scrimmage.
LCB Lines up over FL and 4 yards off line of scrimmage.
WLB Lines up outside of LT shoulder and 3 yards off of line of scrimmage.
MLB Lines up over RG and is 4 yards off line of scrimmage.
SLB Lines up outside of RT and is 2 yards off line of scrimmage.
RE Lines up outside of LT and right on the line of scrimmage.
WDT Lines up between LT and LG, is right on the line of scrimmage.
SDT Lines up over C and is right on the line of scrimmage .
LE Lines up between RT and RG, is right on the line of scrimmage.

Strengths:

Provides good inside run support to the weak side, as the defensive line is shifted in that
direction. The WDT, LE , WLB and MLB fill in gaps. This creates blitz opportunities for the
LBs. The RE plays outside of the LT and should be able to get a good pass rush from his
side and be able to stop weak side toss plays. The MLB will be in good position to cover
backs out to strong side flat area. The SLB is in good position to cover the TE.

Weakness:
Even with the SLB playing outside of the TE, the strong side toss plays can be effective.
Again you may want to bring the SS down to help against the outside run. If the offense
floods the weak side zone with pass receivers, it can be problem as well.

4-3 Strong Overload
The Strong Overload is good for overloading the strong side of football field. By line
shifting the defensive line and LBs to the strong side, it puts more defenders on the strong
side than the offense can block.
RCB Lines up over SE and 4 yards off line of scrimmage.
FS Lines up behind the WLB and 11 yards off line of scrimmage.
SS Lines up behind the SLB and 9 yards off line of scrimmage.
LCB Lines up over FL and 4 yards off line of scrimmage.
WLB Lines up outside of LT shoulder and 3 yards off of line of scrimmage.
MLB Lines up over RG and is 4 yards off line of scrimmage.
SLB Lines up outside of RT and is 2 yards off line of scrimmage.
RE Lines up inside of LT shoulder and right on the line of scrimmage.
WDT Lines up over C and right on the line of scrimmage.
SDT Lines up between RT and RG, is right on the line of scrimmage.
LE Lines up across TE and right on the line of scrimmage.

Strengths:
By putting more defenders on the strong side. The defense will be able to stop inside and
outside runs to that side. The same goes for passes to strong side, as the LBs will be able
get a better jump on pass coverage. You should be able to get a good pass rush on QB
with the defense overloaded to the strong side The SLB may be able to get a better pass
rush since he is lined up further outside. The LE may also get a better pass in multiple
receiver sets. If there is a TE, the LE will check him as he goes out which can disrupt TE's
routes.

Weakness:
The weak side run and pass plays can be a problem as there is no weak side help. You
may want to bring down the FS to cover against weak side runs. If the offense floods the
weak side zone with receivers, it can be a problem as well. Weak side pass pressure is
also limited.

4-3 Weak Overload
The Weak Overload is good for overloading the weak side of football field. By line shifting
the defensive line and LBs to the weak side, it puts more defenders on the weak side than
the offense can block.
RCB Lines up over SE and 4 yards off line of scrimmage.
FS Lines up behind the WLB and 11 yards off line of scrimmage.
SS Lines up behind the SLB and 9 yards off line of scrimmage.
LCB Lines up over FL and 4 yards off line of scrimmage.
WLB Lines up outside of LT and 2 yards off of line of scrimmage
MLB Lines up between LT and LG, is 4 yards off line of scrimmage
SLB Lines up between RT and RG, is 3 yards off line of scrimmage
RE Lines up outside of LT and right on the line of scrimmage.
WDT Lines up between LT and LG, is right on the line of scrimmage.
SDT Lines up over C and is right on the line of scrimmage .
LE Lines up between RT and RG, is right on the line of scrimmage.
Strengths:
Good at stopping run and pass plays to the weak side. Can put a lot of pressure on the
QB, as the defense is overloaded to one side. The WLB is in good position to blitz from the
weak side. The RE may also be able to put pressure on the QB as well. The pass coverage
is good to the weak side, as defenders are able to get a better jump on their coverage
assignments.

Weakness:
Strong side runs and passes. You will want to bring down the SS to help protect the
strong side. If the offense floods the strong side with receivers, this type of defensive
coverage will not be able to cover all the receivers. Pass rush from strong side is limited.
Madden 2003 4-3 Defensive Plays and Breakdowns

Man Lock: Both cornerbacks are locked in man coverage. The MLB, SLB and SS are in
man coverage. The WLB will blitz from the weak side. The FS plays the deep middle. The
coverage type is Cover 1.

Strong Zone: LCB plays short to flat zone area. The FS, SS and RCB play a 3 Deep Zone.
The linebackers play zone underneath. The coverage type is Cover 3.

Whip Man: The WLB and MLB blitz. The rest of defense is in man coverage. The coverage
type is man.

Under Man: Good base defense to run out of the 4-3. Linebackers and cornerbacks are in
man coverage. The FS plays the deep right middle and SS plays the deep left middle. The
coverage type is Cover 2.

Under 4: Secondary plays four across, while the linebackers play zone underneath. The
coverage type is Cover 4.

Crash Blitz: The SLB will blitz from the strong side. SS plays the deep middle. The rest of
the defense is in man coverage. The coverage type is Cover 1.

Man QB Spy: MLB spies the QB. Both cornerbacks are locked in man coverage. WLB and
SLB are in man coverage. The FS plays the deep right middle and SS plays the deep left
middle. The coverage type is Cover 2.

Cover 2: Both corners play up in the short to flat zone area. The FS plays the deep right
middle and SS plays the deep left middle. The linebackers play zone underneath. The
coverage type is Cover 2.

Fire Man: Both the WLB and SLB blitz, everyone else is in 1 on 1 man coverage. The
coverage type is man.

Double X: The FS and RCB double up the SE. The SLB will blitz from the strong side.
Everyone else is in man coverage. The coverage type is man.

Rush Zone: The defense is running a zone blitz. FS is in man coverage, WLB and MLB both
blitz. RE and SDT both drop back into zone coverage. The coverage type is Cover 3.

Gut Blitz: The defense is running a zone blitz. Both the WLB and MLB blitz and both
defensive ends drop in short zone coverage. The RCB plays up in short to flat zone area.
The FS, SS and LCB play a three deep zone.

Double Z: The SS and LCB double up the FL. The WLB is blitzing from the weak side.
Everyone else is in man coverage. The coverage type is man.

Safe: Secondary plays four across, while the linebackers play zone underneath. The
coverage type is Cover 4.

Sweet Blitz: Both WLB and SLB blitz. The defensive front four are stunting, which can
cause confusion for the offensive line. Everyone else is man coverage. The coverage type
is man.

Double TE: The SS and SLB double up the TE. WLB will blitz from the weak side. The rest
of the defense is in man coverage. The coverage type is man.

Sky: The SLB will blitz from the strong side. The SS comes up and covers the strong side
short mid zone area. The RCB, FS and LCB play 3 Deep. The WLB and MLB drop back in
zone coverage. The coverage type is Cover 3.

SS Blitz: SS will blitz from the strong side. SLB is in man coverage. The RCB, FS and LCB
play 3 deep. The WLB and MLB drop back in zone coverage. The coverage type is Cover 3.

Mike Blitz: MLB will blitz up the middle. FS plays the deep middle. Everyone else is in man
coverage. The coverage type is Cover 1.

Man Zone: The SS is in man coverage. The SLB will blitz from the strong side. The RCB,
FS and LCB play 3 Deep. The WLB and MLB drop back in zone coverage. The coverage
type is Cover 3.

Safety Blitz: Both safeties blitz. Both cornerbacks are locked in man coverage. The rest of
the defense is in man coverage. The coverage type is man.

Sam Blitz: SLB is blitzing from strong side. The FS plays the deep right middle and SS
plays the deep left middle. Both cornerbacks are locked in man coverage. The coverage
type is Cover 2.

Tango: The defense is running a zone blitz. The RE drops back in short zone coverage.
The MLB and SLB both blitz. The secondary plays 4 across. The coverage type is Cover 4.

Corner Blitz: The RCB will blitz from the weak side. The FS, SS and LCB play a 3 Deep
Zone. The linebackers drop back in zone coverage underneath. The coverage type is
Cover 3.

Thunder: The WLB and SLB play short to flat zone area. The rest of defense is in man
coverage.

Lighting: The secondary plays 4 across. The linebackers drop back in zone coverage
underneath. The coverage type is Cover 4.

Storm Blitz: The WLB and SS both blitz. Both corners are locked in man coverage. The FS
plays the deep middle. SLB and MLB linebacker play zone. The coverage type is Cover 1.